Acting
Acting is the art and practice of portraying a character in a performance. It involves embodying a role, often in a theatre, film, television, or radio production, through the use of voice, body language, and emotional expression. A skilled actor can convincingly inhabit a character, bringing stories to life and engaging audiences on an emotional level.
What to look for in freelance actors
When hiring a freelance actor, consider their experience, training, and versatility. Look for a strong showreel demonstrating their range and ability to adapt to different roles and genres.
Pay attention to their vocal skills, physicality, and ability to interpret and embody characters convincingly. You should also check for testimonials and reviews from previous clients to gauge their professionalism and reliability.
Main expertise areas
Acting encompasses a variety of specialisations, including:
- Theatre acting: Performing live on stage, often requiring strong projection, physical presence, and an understanding of stagecraft.
- Film acting: Working in front of a camera, requiring subtlety, nuanced expressions, and the ability to work closely with the director.
- Voice acting: Providing voiceovers for animations, video games, commercials, and other audio productions, requiring excellent vocal control, characterisation, and interpretation skills.
- Commercial acting: Appearing in advertisements, requiring a strong on-screen presence, charisma, and the ability to convey a message effectively.
- Motion capture acting: Performing movements that are digitally captured and used to create animated characters, requiring physical dexterity, precision, and an understanding of the technology.
Relevant interview questions
When interviewing potential freelance actors, consider asking the following questions:
- Can you tell me about your training and experience?
- What are your strengths as an actor?
- What types of roles are you most drawn to?
- Can you share examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your versatility?
- How do you approach character development?
- Are you comfortable working with different accents or dialects?
- How do you handle direction and feedback?
- What are your availability and rates?
Tips for shortlisting candidates
- Shortlisting can be streamlined by focusing on the specific needs of your project.
- Carefully review showreels, paying attention to the actor's range and suitability for the role.
- Check for experience in the relevant area (e.g., theatre, film, voiceover).
- Consider their communication skills and responsiveness during initial contact.
- Narrow down your choices to a few candidates who best match your requirements and budget.
Potential red flags
Be mindful of potential red flags such as:
- A lack of a professional showreel or portfolio.
- Poor communication or unprofessional behaviour.
- Inconsistent performance quality across different projects.
- Negative reviews or testimonials from previous clients.
- Unrealistic expectations regarding pay or working conditions.
Typical complementary skills
Many actors also possess skills that complement their acting abilities. These include:
- Singing
- Dancing
- Musical instrument proficiency
- Stage combat
- Accents and dialects
- Presenting and public speaking
Benefits of hiring a freelance actor
Hiring a freelance actor offers advantages such as:
- Access to a diverse pool of talent: Freelancing platforms like YunoJuno connect you with actors from various backgrounds and with specialised skills.
- Flexibility and scalability: You can hire actors for specific projects or roles, scaling your team up or down as needed.
- Cost-effectiveness: You only pay for the services you require, avoiding the overhead costs associated with permanent employees.
- Specialised expertise: You can find actors with specific skills and experience tailored to your project's requirements.
Real-world examples
Here are some examples of how freelance actors are used in different projects:
- A corporate video production company hires a freelance actor to portray a business executive in a training video.
- A video game developer hires a freelance voice actor to provide the voice for a character in their latest game.
- A theatre company hires a freelance actor to play a lead role in their upcoming production.
