Many people enjoy starting a new hobby and the process of learning, but they also want to master the skill too. Mastering something new takes time, and learning how to act is the same. Acting can take time to master and can vary from person to person. Though you don’t need a degree to act, acquiring a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, or BFA, takes about 4- 5 years of full-time study. A BFA typically includes a concentration in other areas aside from acting such as photography, fashion, and creative writing. Still, it can be a reasonable estimate of how long it could take to be considered an expert in acting. Generally, you can assume it will take about 3- 4 years to learn acting. Of course, this depends on several factors. Keep reading to learn how you can learn acting and some resources to help speed the process.
What is Acting?
Acting goes far back in history. Most agree that the first recorded performance occurred in 534 BCE by Thespis. He wowed the audience by reciting poetry as if he was a different character. Thespian, meaning actor or actress, came from him becoming the world’s first actor. Some of the first plays were performed in the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, Greece. More recently, you have theater acting and film to showcase your talents. Acting means performing in movies, plays, or television productions. Regardless of which area of acting you decide to pursue, the actual skill is getting into character and successfully portraying their emotions. While this is the exciting part of performing, it could also be the most challenging and have the most complex learning curve that takes a little longer for many.Â
Benefits of Learning Acting?
While acting can be challenging to learn, there are some great benefits. First, performing requires clear communication. The continuous clear and effective communication needed when performing can improve your public speaking, which is a great benefit that can positively influence your acting career and other areas of your life. Additionally, acting is a great way to become connected with new people. There are Acting Meetups that can connect you with locals with similar interests, and local universities have student organizations for acting students to connect with; you can even check Eventbrite for networking events in your area. For example, if you live in Los Angeles, there are quite a few upcoming film and media networking events. Some of the events are free! Acting is a great way to meet new people, and once you join the acting world, you have many options.Â
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Another great benefit of acting is that it can be a great hobby. You have the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and step out of your comfort zone. As a hobby, acting is a great stress reliever. Spending time in rehearsals, moving your body, pretending to be someone else, or telling someone else’s story can be a great way to take a break from your day-to-day tasks and stressors. You can learn acting with the sole purpose of having fun. If you want to turn it into monetary gain, you can, but it would no longer be considered a hobby. Acting has the potential to turn into a side hustle and a career. While it is not the most lucrative to beginner-level actors, it is a win if you enjoy it and can make some extra cash. According to U.S. News, the median salary for actors in 2021 was $46,960, with the best-paid 25% at $60,000 and the lowest-paid 25% making $30,040. While pay can depend on location, the project you are working on, and skill level, it is worth considering when learning acting.Â
Average Time It Takes to Learn Acting
The average time it takes to learn acting can vary from person to person. Still, the consensus is that it can take about 2-4 years to perfect the skill and become confident. First, consider where you want to take your acting career. Your trajectory significantly affects how and when you will become competent in this skill. You want to learn the craft of acting, which means understanding the different methods, history, and types of skills you need to build based on your needs and wants.Â
Once you have a clear understanding of what you need to learn, you need to take the time to learn it; this can vary based on resources. For example, suppose you are working to obtain your BFA, as mentioned earlier. In that case, this can take up to five years, though the five years is spent learning about acting and other fine arts areas. However, if you are not going the college route, the timing can vary significantly based on how much acting training you decide you need.Â
After getting sufficient training, you want to move on to gaining exposure in the industry. This means booking acting jobs, from being an extra in a film or commercial to joining small local theater productions; taking your skills outside the classroom is essential. Some roles might be paid, but most will be unpaid. However, the more you perform in real-life productions, the more exposure you receive and the more jobs you book. For many, this is the longest part of learning to become an actor.
In some cases, there are limited options for booking work, mainly based on your area and the demand for jobs; this means you can pick a job that gives you little exposure, or it can take a long time to book a job. Patience as an actor is one of the skills needed to succeed both on and off stage. Taking on as many jobs as possible is best to boost your resume. From there, you can take on auditions for more prominent roles and show up with your professional headshot and a wealth of experience. At this point, your planned trajectory significantly influences your success. Do you want to continue performing on smaller stages but book more consistent roles? Or do you want to attempt to secure larger parts? Booking larger parts might mean more time building your experience which can add time to learn acting. Overall, acting takes time and dedication, and the time to learn can vary.
Other Factors
As mentioned, various factors can impact how long it takes you to learn acting. Some might apply, while others might not be a concern for most people. Regardless, these are factors to consider when learning to act and thinking about your plans.
Prior ExperienceÂ
If you are new to acting, this could add time. Most people will not enter an entry-level acting class with a massive amount of knowledge, but having a basic understanding and some previous experience can help you advance quicker. If you are a complete novice to the trade, don't let this deter you from taking a course, as most are designed for beginners with little to no experience.Â
Time for LearningÂ
Time and dedication significantly affect how long it can take you to move from beginner to expert. The more time you have, the more you can dedicate to practicing and taking additional classes to learn and perfect your acting skills. If you do not have much time to commit, you can still become an expert actor; it might take a little longer. Your longer journey is independent of the end goal, and you can still be successful.Â
End GoalÂ
What is your ultimate goal with acting? Do you want to be a big-name actor in large productions, or are you learning to have a new skill handy? Your long-term goals can determine how long it takes to become an expert and how much knowledge you genuinely need. While your goals can change, starting learning and adjusting accordingly is essential. As you gain more knowledge, you might notice that you want to learn more and more, so you will continue to pursue acting classes. Learning acting can mean having a good grasp of its history or becoming a professional actor; both have different timelines for gaining the appropriate level of knowledge.Â
Professional Versus Self-taughtÂ
Some might choose the more traditional learning route by attending a professional school, workshops, or even private lessons. On the other hand, these courses can be costly, so others might choose to teach themselves. You can learn to act independently by reading books or watching videos, but this can take longer. Self-paced courses can be a great option, especially if you are not looking to learn quickly. While professional opportunities cost, they are faster paced and can help ensure you are learning techniques properly.Â
What to Know Before Learning ActingÂ
As mentioned, there are varying levels to acting. You can decide to work in theater, commercials, or movies. All avenues have varying levels of difficulty and different requirements. The common theme is coming into these areas knowing the history of acting and understanding the other techniques. There are four types of acting: classical, Stanislavski's (modern acting) method, method acting, and the Meisner technique. Each has varying components that influence the different levels of acting you choose to pursue.Â
There are no official prerequisites to becoming an actor. Still, it would be best if you were prepared to have high energy, work well with others, and memorize lines. Some of these skills will be taught or developed in your acting classes, but knowing your abilities is helpful.Â
Finally, the costs associated with learning acting varies. Still, a specialized course could cost up to $2,000, and some universities can cost $50,000 a year. It all depends on what type of education you decide to pursue. While there are some free self-paced options, the best learning is typically from professional settings.Â
Can I Learn Acting for Free / on My Own?
Acting is absolutely a skill that you can learn for free. You can find free online acting courses through various websites, including Youtube. You can watch movies with your favorite actors using a critical eye by paying attention to how they express their emotions, body language, voice projection, and delivery. There are books you can find in the library that teach the basics of acting and provide the history to give you more context too. While it is not impossible to learn on your own, taking professional lessons, either in-person or online, is a great way to learn to act faster and ensure that you are learning the proper technique.Â
Key Takeaways
- Acting can take up to 2-3 years to learn.
- It depends on several factors such as previous experience, end goal, and time allotted to learning.
- You can learn acting for free on your own.Â
- CourseHorse offers private lessons or classes to advance your acting skills online and in-person.