The don sits on his throne. In his typical style, he takes his Cuban cigar out of a wooden box from the table in front of him. As he twirls it in between his fingers, his trusted minion whips out a lighter in a flash, holding the flame out for the Don. A few feet away, his mistress is sprawled over on the couch, wearing a skimpy outfit. Does this scene stir up a few memories?
Moving on from movies to television, Charlie Sheen plays ‘Charlie Harper’, a hedonistic bachelor in the hit television series ‘Two and a Half men.’ If you were asked to play an irritating, pleasure seeking and alcoholic bachelor, who would be guaranteed $125 million dollars over the course of 10 years on television, perhaps the idea of being portrayed as an exploding meat bag might not seem so gross.
From the don to a character like Charlie, every actor on screen leaves a lasting impression on us. Whether we choose to be inspired by a particular character or irritated by it depends entirely on the talent of the actor, and the scope of the character he portrays.
Acting and Modelling is primarily the industry built around the business of dealing in the interpretation of stories through theatre, television, film or any other story telling medium. The actor usually tells the story by speaking or singing, or through written text or play. From Theatre and Opera in the 19th century to television in the 21st century, acting, like most of the other industries, has evolved greatly. Theatre has been replaced by television and plays have been replaced by movies. Old advertising billboards have given way to newer flashier animated ones. Though there is never a shortage of people who wish to act, getting there and becoming an actor or a model is extremely challenging.
On screen, we witness actors defying age with impunity, with the makeup man or special effects changing their faces like the weather in England. To get to act younger or older than their age, would require many years of effort and hard work. Courses in Acting and Modelling are usually 6 months to 6 years long, depending on the degree and the level one wishes to study at.
There are many options which are available if you wish to study in India or abroad, with a number of acting schools and modelling agencies that train actors and models.
There are many options which are available if you wish to study in India or abroad, with a number of acting schools and modelling agencies that train actors and models.
India - In India, there are many courses which range from 3 months to 1 year full time diplomas. Some of the colleges which offer specialised courses on Acting and Modelling are:
- FTII Pune, PG Diploma in Acting: Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) is an autonomous institute, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. FTII offers 3 year post graduate diploma courses in film direction, editing, cinematography and acting. The course fee is around 3.5 lakh rupees, for the entire course.
- ISC Pune, Diploma in acting: The Indira School of Communication (ISC) has a 6 month diploma for acting, which costs around 1 lakh rupees.
USA - There are a number of acting schools in the US. The top universities which offer such courses are:
- Boston University School of Theatre offers a 3 year Bachelor of Fine arts degree course with the tuition fee being $53,660 a year.
- California Institute of the Arts also offers a 3 year Bachelor of Fine arts degree course, with the tuition fee being $48,660 a year
- Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama offers a 3 year Bachelor of Fine arts degree course is typically 3 years long, with the tuition fee being $53,660 a year.
Popular Modelling institutes in the US include Barbizon International, Inc: School for fashion modelling and Hoffman Models.
UK - There are many schools in the UK, which offer courses on Acting and Modelling. Some of the popular acting schools are:
- East 15 Acting School offers a 3 year B.A. Acting and B.A. Acting and contemporary theatre; the tuition fee is around £8000 a year.
- Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts offers a 3 year B.A. (Hons) Acting along with courses on Community Drama, Dance, and Theatre & Performance Design; most of these courses typically cost anything from £8000 to £9000 a year
- University of Glamorgan offers a 3 year B.A. (Hons) Theatre and Drama course which typically costs around £8000 for a year.
We often read about actors, they speak about how they had to be trained on Judo, or flew a helicopter for an upcoming movie. Acting and Modelling schools do not offer crash courses on Judo or flying helicopters; however they do train you on certain select disciplines.
This is what a typical day in the life of a student pursuing a course in acting looks like:
- 09:00 a.m.– 10:30 a.m. : Singing class
- 10:45 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. : Movement class
- 12:15 p.m.– 01:30 p.m. : Lunch
- 01:30 p.m.– 05:30 p.m. : Acting class
- 05:30 p.m.– 07:00 p.m. : Dinner
- 07:00 p.m.– 10:00 p.m. : Rehearsal
Doesn’t it seem like the perfect day?
A person in such a field is trained on the
- Basic preparation exercises such as relaxing and sensitivity.
- Overview of what acting is – and what is good or great acting.
- Definition of talent.
- Moment-to-moment and “being” exercises.
- Basic craft/technique tools to stimulate desired life &behaviour
- Fundamental sense memory exercises
- Introduction to obligations and objectives
- Runway Modelling, Stage Presence & Movement
- Hair and Make-up/ How to Look Great
- Photo Shooting
- Commercial Modelling
Acting is one of the most lucrative careers ever. There is a very high chance of finding work both internationally and locally. Imagine playing Iron man, or Thor, or Spiderman, or any other super-hero?
There are a number of international options that open up once you start acting .E.g. movie industries like Hollywood, Bollywood, Tollywood, and other regional cinema offer a lot of options, for amateur and expert models. Theatre and musicals also make up other career options. The chances of finding work internationally depend on the skill of the actor and his screen presence, with factors like suitability to a character and luck also playing a part. Model turned actor Aishwarya Rai, played the suave novelist and jewel thief expert ‘Sonia’ in the 2009 film ‘Pink Panther 2’. Yesteryear superstar Anil Kapoor played the enterprising game show host ‘Prem’, in the epic ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
Similarly, modelling is also another career which is pretty similar. Local options like Fashion weeks and photo shoots are available where usually ramp presence, looks and confidence play a big part in finding international work. Models like Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, Deepika Padukone are household names in the world of Modelling.
Most of us have ended up in front of the mirror trying to imitate our favourite movie character, at some point in time. Movies are the opium of the masses, with 90% of India’s population addicted to cinema, they hold the power to inspire and introspect in life, along with many other things. There are various options available after you complete a course in Acting and Modelling. Initially, one would have to make some good contacts and network with people who are into movie making and advertising.
You can work in the entertainment industry as:
- An Actor
- A Television show anchor
- A Judge in Talent shows
- Movie Director
- Movie Producer
- Model
Since actors are immensely popular and enjoy a celebrity status, they can diversify into real world fields like Politics and Social work, where they can leverage their popularity with the masses. Actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kal Penn famous for their roles in movies like ‘Terminator’ and ‘Harold and Kumar series’ are now actively into politics. Rekha and Jaya Bachchan are current members of the Parliament. Amir Khan has hosted a television series called ‘Satyamev Jayate’, which revolved around social issues, and encouraged ideas on social reform.
Though historically, actors never worked for any organisation, they were simply part of the movie industry. Over the years, this trend has changed and companies catering specifically to this space have increased dramatically.
These are some organisations that can be applied to, once you have completed a course in Acting and Modelling:
- DreamWorks, Inc. (The Shrek Series, Kung Fu Panda Series)
- Warner Bros, Inc. (The Lord Of The Rings series)
- Lions Gate Entertainment. (The Expendables series)
- UTV Motion Pictures, Inc. (Delhi Belly)
- Yashraj films. (Ishaqzaade)
Some fashion magazines and modelling agencies have also helped models be global celebrities, are mentioned here:
- Vogue (Cover models like Kate Moss and Gisele Bündchen)
- Maxim (Cover models like Bar Refaeli and Rosie Huntington Whiteley)
- Gladrags (Models like Aryan Vaid)
There are other major studios, acting agencies, modelling agencies, magazines and media houses which offer you work options.
Most of the top actors we know today started out in theatre performing as part of a troop before they went onto become household names. Neil Patrick Harris, best known for his comic role as ‘Barney Stinson’ in the extremely popular television series, ‘How I Met Your Mother’, was once part of Broadway in both musical and dramatic roles. Such is the extent of his popularity that many still know him only as ‘Barney.’
Initially like The Avengers, you would have to team up with partners for the purposes of getting some work, before you can let ‘The Dark Knight’ within rise and go solo. Once you have accumulated some experience, depending on your inclination you can easily think about going solo or start work as an entrepreneur. There are many actors and models that have opened up production houses and modelling agencies. Actors like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Saif Ali khan all have their own studios.
Did you know, popular actors like Brad Pitt or Robert Downey Jr. charge reporters $3000 dollars for a 20 minute interview? You might be wondering what kind of money these top actors make. Top actors typically charge anything from $20-25 million upwards for a movie.
Following is a remuneration overview for actors and models in India:
| Experience in Years | Compensation per movie/ event |
|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | 2 to 10 lakhs |
| 2 to 6 years | 10 to 20 lakhs |
| 6 to 9 years | 25 to 50 lakhs |
| 10 years | 50 lakhs and above |
Acting is a very instinctive career. Most of us have acted at some point in time. We have all played the clichéd “Where are your keys”? Often hiding our friend’s bike keys and pretending as if we don’t know where they were. Every human being can act, some are exceptional and some are over the top.
You can foray into the acting industry from basically any kind of academic background, or a lack of one. As acting basically falls under the performing arts, it is not advisable to switch over to subjects like Medicine, Life Sciences, Commerce, and Economics. Do keep in mind that there is no prescribed path that you have to tread, to be an actor. Who would have thought the bumbling ‘Mr. Bean’ holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering. Amitabh Bachchan, who is widely hailed as the best actor to ever grace Indian Cinema, had no formal education for acting and simply made a career based on his inclination to act and his merit.
Actors and Models enjoy a worldwide following. Supermodel Tyra Banks has an avid following of fans and aspiring models from around the world lap up episodes of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ without batting their eyelids.
Actors and Models have the power to inspire the masses. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of making a career in this field, some of them are listed here:
Advantages:
- Fame and recognition
- Money
- Celebrity status
- Global audience
- Swanky Lifestyle
The disadvantages which actors and models have are:
- No anonymity
- Erratic work timings
- Request for unethical favours
- Lack of personal life
- Lack of privacy
- Lack of social life
Though good looks, beauty and talent go a long way in aiding you to become an actor, they are certainly not prerequisites to acting, a fact illustrated by actors like ‘Zach Galifianakis’, who played Alan in ‘The Hangover. He has won millions of hearts worldwide with his comic roles.
In short apart from being good looking or beautiful, an actor needs to be:
- Confident
- Charismatic
- Expressive
- Willing to push his limits
- Open minded
- Adaptable
- Professional
- Hard working
Imagine saving the world at one time and plotting to destroy it at another. Imagine playing a villainous goon in one movie and an overly honest policeman in another. Whether you wish to be a werewolf or a vampire, or if you feel you have what it takes to be the next James Bond, Acting is a career that can help you fulfil these desires. If glamour, money and fame and the idea of being in front of the camera excites you, Acting and Modelling just might be the right career for you.
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