DRA 143 - The Business of Acting

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: General

An in-depth exploration of the practice of finding work and establishing a sustainable career as an actor. The course includes study in the areas of locating and submitting for auditions, finding an agent, unions, practical content intended to provide learners who may be entering the arts’ gig economy with useful tools to support a clear and sustainable financial situation as industry professionals.
Prerequisite OR Corequisite: DRA 130
Competencies

Examine performance trends in major acting markets
1. Assess the professional opportunities in at least one significant acting market
2. Compare major acting markets with consideration of one’s own acting sensibilities
Produce first drafts of industry standard essential industry tools
1. Create a first draft personal headshot
2. Develop a first draft acting resume
3. Design a first draft of a free actor’s website
Prioritize potential professional opportunities
1. Break down how to find professional auditions
2. Establish standards for evaluating audition opportunities
3. Develop an effective system that allows for effective assessment of contract offers
Evaluate actionable methodologies for being rostered by an agent
1. Break down how to find a reputable agent
2. Discuss the working relationship between actors and agents
Examine unions representing acting professionals
1. Determine the purpose of actor’s unions
2. Discuss the decision-making process of an actor considering joining a union
Classify contractual terminology that is industry standard for artists
1. Define independent contractor
2. Review the current state of the gig economy
3. Compare potential standards of compensation in example markets
Distinguish essential facets of understanding taxes for independent contractors
1. Differentiate federal and state taxes
2. Examine examples of deductions that could possibly be claimed
3. Point out the current monetary threshold of income from a single payer for filing as an independent contractor
4. Outline important dates related to filing as an independent contractor
Produce effective record keeping tools that support a sustainable career as an artist
1. Break down examples of effective record keeping tools that support sustainable careers of gig workers
2. Organize expenses associated with possible deductions effectively
3. Design a personal budgeting tool that effectively shows expected business expenses
4. Design a personal budgeting tool that effectively shows expected personal expenses
Evaluate the practice of self-producing
1. Distinguish the benefits of self-producing
2. Outline the baseline processes for self-producing

Competencies Revised Date: AY2025