Actor Hub’s top job suggestions for ‘resting’ actors

Before you consider any part time work you need to address the three important rules. Will the job PAY enough? You need to make sure you can get enough work to pay your rent and bills, even if it’s a combination of more than one part time jobs. The job has also got to be BEARABLE and that you will enjoy doing it. Remember, ou maybe working this job a far lot more than doing your acting work. And the most important rule is that the job has to be a FLEXIBLE position. You must be able to get time off to attend an audition at short notice. And it’s important that YOU are flexible with your employer too. Offer to do extra hours when they need your help and you will be in their ‘good books’ for when they need to return the favour at a later date! Being flexible both ways is a good move.

One of the first things to consider is getting yourself trained in something that will earn you money when you are not acting. You also have to make sure it’s something that you like doing and are actually good at. Like many actors you will be mostly working your ‘side trade’ more than working in show business.

It’s great if you can work for yourself in another trade as well as being an actor. By working for yourself you are able to juggle both careers without putting anybody out. Some actors take on trades like hair and beauty, massage therapy, photography, joinery, plumbing and the list goes on. They tend to be well paying trades and they can be inundated with lots work as actors have recommended them to other actors, due to their trustworthy work.

If you are serious about acting it’s not a good idea to take on a full time position as this will no doubt cause problems with last minute auditions and acting jobs. However there are some great part time jobs out there that could actually work for you. Many companies take on part time staff on a casual basis offering them a ‘zero hours’ contract, which isn’t as harsh as it sounds. Working this way you can provide them your availability in advance and they can work around that. In most cases you will have lots of work one week and very little the next. You may be covering holiday leave or be needed for a busy period. Keep an eye on your spending if you happen to obtain a ‘zero hours’ position as your pay cheques will differ from month to month.

We thought we had better include unemployment benefit, because some actors need to ‘sign on’ when times are hard and it is there for people who need some assistance until they can get back on their feet. But claiming the dole should only be a temporary measure. ‘Signing on’ can end up being quite lonely and depressing, not to mention that the benefit isn’t enough to cover an actors living expenses. At least when you are out working, you can sample life and research real human behaviour whilst you are earning an honest days wage. Many well known actors have used a boss or work colleaugue as inspiration for a TV, stage or film role.

Temping is another way of getting good work on a regular basis without the hassle of attending numerous interviews. The only key here is to find a good temping agency that is actor friendly, who will be able to get you flexible work that will allow you to go off and do the odd audition. Their reputation is at stake too, so you need to be upfront and honest with the agency about the acting otherwise it could cause problems if they are not aware of it. Unfortunately most auditions are held on weekdays and do come in at short notice so they will always clash with your temping job. Being honest with them is a good idea as they will then try to find a placement who are happy to let you pop out for an audition at short notice.
There are numerous agencies out there, so it’s a good idea to contact them beforehand to ask about their thoughts on taking on performers. Some agencies may even train you in the latest office software packages to get you up to speed, after all you will be earning THEM money too as you work. All this valuable training can get you a better placement not to mention a better hourly rate. Specialise further, such as in medical or legal secretarial work, and you could even earn much more.

Call centres like using actors because they are great communicators and good listeners. Call centre work comes in all shapes and forms and can include market research, tele sales, complaints, customer services and even IT customer helplines. They can also be very flexible with you if you need to dash off for an audition as they usually have a large team who can cover your absence. Some actors can hack this type of work and some can’t, a constant job in the complaint department can have it’s toll on you after a while. But it can be a useful stop-gap.

We actors are clever people, so why not try and impart our knowledge onto other folk? You can teach drama or dance to children or adults, or even do some home tutoring. Some companies pay a good hourly rate for home tutors and it can become regular work as the child gets used to you and therefore gets better results. It does tend to be evening and weekend work and you will of course need to be screened. Just contact any reputable agencies and ask their advice.
If you are interested in being a supply teacher you will have to spend a year studying a PGCE course, which is a big commitment, but once you have trained you can put yourself up for the odd temporary position with an agency. For some actors, it can work out very well.

Many schools welcome actors to visit, entertain and educate their pupils. If you have the skills you could create a one person show that covers any of the school curricular subjects. Perform a short piece and then hold a short drama workshop afterwards. Design a two hour piece and you will then be able to do two shows per day. Just bear in mind that you can’t cancel any school bookings if you get an audition, you would just have to work around it or train a friend to step in.

This can be flexible and very rewarding. As an access worker you are helping people with disabilities who may need an able bodied person to help them with various day to day jobs. You maybe required to help a visually impaired person by describing things to them or taking them out shopping or days out. An access worker is there for extra support, not to take over and do everything for them. You are just in the background and you may end up doing very little. It’s not a good job for the impatient, loud and wacky actor, but it can be a rewarding sideline for some.

Role play work is sometimes very hard to come by but there are some good role play companies out there. They are keen to use actors who can dramatise or improvise any scenario to help any staff training programmes. There are also medical role play companies who use actors as patients, so wannabe doctors and nurses can improve on their bed manners. They tend to be early starts and sometimes includes a lot of travelling not to mention the spontaneous improvisation aspect. Check out role play companies on the internet, and most role play companies will want a professional CV and headshot too, so make sure that they are up to date and looking good.

Some actors think that being a TV or film extra is an ideal sideline for any performer. There is a small element of truth in that, you will learn a little about the TV and film industry if you are just starting out in acting, but that’s it. Extra work is great for non actors as it is exciting and different jobs come up day after day. But for the professional actor it can be quite depressing as you watch the ‘talent’ doing something what you long to do instead of ‘rhubarbing’ silently in the background. You can join agencies who will get you the odd day of extra work but they won’t be happy if you cancel due to an audition. So if you want to do this kind of work, tread carefully, it’s like Michelangelo doing a day of painting and decorating!

A lot of actors survive by working evenings doing ‘front of house’ and ushering at theatres and music venues. Although this work can be low paid, at least this type of evening work won’t clash with your daytime auditions. You could also take on a weekend job to supplement your FOH income leaving weekdays for auditions, acting workshops and reading. Don’t forget that there are also the free shows that you can see night after night, so you will be actually learning your acting craft as you work!

Most theatres and venues use a part time team to cover their box offices during the performance days. Actors tend to be a good choice because they are friendly and therefore good at customer service. Some larger venues can offer part time work throughout weekdays too, so check with any theatre or music venue in your area. Some will pay double or ‘time and a half’ for working bank holidays so doing this type of work can be a good option.

This is another good option for actors because it’s mainly evening work and some throw in the customer tips too, which can also help build up the coffers. This work usually includes a lot of late evenings and it’s hard work, so make sure it’s a fun place to work and bearable. It’ll also keep you fit and at least you have the daytimes free for auditions and workshops.

Many companies are crying out for weekend staff, so this maybe another option for a jobbing actor. A lot of restaurants, bars and box offices are open all throughout the weekend and some actually pay time and a half or double time if you are lucky! You could actually earn enough money to cover yourself by just working the weekend, and don’t forget those bank holidays too.

Working from home is also a possibility but you need to find good ‘home work’ and be very disciplined with yourself. It’s so tempting to just stay in bed for another hour or pop Jeremy Kyle on for a little bit, but the key is to treat working from home like a proper job, start at 9am and finish around 5pm, with set breaks and a lunch. If you go out to audition, make the time up in the evening when you get back.
Some ‘work from home’ companies do exist, it does tend to be envelope stuffing or telesales but at least you have flexible hours and are earning your own wage. You may be able to work from home using your PC. Do some research on the internet and look for reputable home working companies. There maybe some bogus ones out there who ask you to pay a joining fee, avoid them. Get a telephone number and speak to a member of the company who can tell you all the benefits and drawbacks.

Yes, you have seen them, those poor out of work actors braving the cold weather, giving out free samples of shampoo or dressed as a six foot pot noodle. But promotional work can be well paid and very flexible. The glamourous actors may find themselves handing out free shots in a funky bar, whereas the not so glamourous amongst us may be handing out free newspapers at 6 am in the morning. Do your research and see whats out there. A couple of days promotional work may get your rent paid for the week. A very positive and cheerful manner is essential in this type of work.

Some actors have decided to move into photography as a good sideline. Actors are always looking to have headshots taken and most Saturdays are free to do wedding gigs. You would need some cash to buy good photography equipment and get yourself some training. Check to see if your local council are offering an evening class in Photography, some even offer discounts for local residents too. Taking photos for actors and theatre shows is also a good way to network yourself too!

It’s a well known fact that quite a few people have actually given up their ‘9 to 5′ jobs to start their own Ebay business from home. And it’s a trend that’s taking off. You can make quite a bit of money selling stuff on Ebay and other auction sites. It’s a perfect way to run your own little shop from home!
The best advice would be to do research on what people are actually looking for and to see whether you can provide that. Some of the best items to sell are rare retro clothing, rare accessories, rare DVD’s, rare books and rare CD’s. Check your charity shops and boot fairs for the bargains. Also small items like camera memory cards, mobile phone accessories and jewellery are also popular and are extremely easy and cheap to ship. Do some research and see if you can buy such items in bulk from a wholesaler at a much lower price. It’s always best to keep your “items” small and to avoid selling any fragile and breakable items, otherwise your profits will dwindle away if people start demanding refunds.
Also bear in mind that all these auction sites charge you a fee for listing each item and will also take a cut of your final selling price. The best way to recieve payment from a customer is through Paypal, who also take a fee from your buyer’s payment. So bear all these costs in mind when deciding your starting price. Postage bags and jiffy envelopes can be bought in bulk so that will also keep your shipping costs to a minimum.
If you are creative you could also make your own greeting cards, art, fashion and jewellery and sell them online too. Etsy is a great auction site for this kind of product. You can also hire a market stall at the weekend if you happen to live near a craft market.
It’s a fun way to make a living and you can even do your own postage from home if you set up a Royal Mail postal account and have a good printer. All your small items can then be popped straight into a postbox on the way to that exciting audition!

There is scope for any performer to do this type of work. It sometimes get’s a bad press but being an entertainer and setting up a children’s party business isn’t all that difficult. All you have to do is learn how to make balloon animals and do face painting. And kids love storytelling, which you should already be good at. You can even help the party throng create their own short play and perform it. Add some simple props and music and the kids will love it. It also means that you don’t have to dress like a scary clown like Psychoville’s Mr Jelly. For a couple of hours work you could earn a tidy sum. They do say ‘don’t work with children or animals’, well the children will be in a good party mood and the animals will only be made from modelling balloons!

Why not get together some actor chums and produce your own Murder Mystery themed evenings? A lot of companies organise evening events for their staff and would like something a little bit more exciting than an 80’s disco. ‘Murder Mysteries’ also encourages the employees to paticipate in ‘team work’ whilst having fun. All you have to do is write a script and prepare briefing notes for the attendees and gather some basic costumes. Use a couple of your friends as ‘plants’ to help and guide the proceedings along.
Also use your ‘Murder Mystery’ troop to help promote your show and then split the earnings. If you end up being good, word will spread and you will get more bookings. Get yourself well organised before the Christmas party season begins and get your promotional material out there and on line. Some event companies charge between £250 to £400 for a group of around 25, so not bad for a couple of hours work.

Most actors have great imaginations and some actually make a living doing writing or journalism. You can also write plays, comedy sketches, short stories or even a best selling novel! Being a writer is an excellent side line as long as you always meet any deadlines. Some writers work better at night, which is ideal if you have had a day full of inspiration out in the big wide world.
Many TV companies are looking for writers and storylines. To write for TV all you would have to do is send in a ‘spec’ (speculative) script for the TV series you want to write and send it to the writers department. Most TV and film companies are always looking for new talent.

If you are lucky enough to obtain a part time job that you like doing, try an keep it to ‘come back to’ if and when you go off and do a tour or a spate of filming. It’s a good idea to maintain a good relationship with your employer and colleagues. Support them when they need you and then they will do the same. If you do shift work, support your colleagues by offering them cover when they need it and they can return the favour. Their support can also come in very handy when you have had a bad audition or didn’t get your dream part.

Some actors can juggle a day job in addition to doing an evening fringe play which tend to be unpaid. If you want to do a number of fringe plays you can look for a part time day job or ask to swap shifts if it’s waiting or bar work. It’s also very draining to be working all day and then going to a theatre at night to perform, but it’s experience and worth doing if it’s a good play.

‘Training your agent’ has to be done subtly and ONLY when you have been with them for a while. ‘Training your agent’ means that you can ask them to get you audition time slots that suit you and work around your day job. Planning to do a quick audition during your lunch break is ideal and can avoid you losing paid hours of work. Agents are human after all and they understand that you have to earn a living, but they do need you to be committed to going to that audition. You and your agent have to work together as a team. Avoid laying down the law when you first join an agent, let the relationship grow before you start asking them to get you specific time slots. And NEVER cancel an audition because you have to go to work or the agent will be showing you the door.

As an actor you have to respect everyone. Respect your agent, your boss, your colleagues and even your customers if you happen to work with them. Be honest with your employers and support them because you will need them until you can earn a living by doing just acting alone. Working a normal job may be more duller than acting but every contact you have is that little bit more research which you can store away for a future character part. Don’t forget that the day to day job may become a full time consideration if acting doesn’t actually work out for you, so make the most of it and enjoy doing it.