Episode # 324
Air Date: 7/18/2024
Higher Education vs Real World Integration
It comes as no surprise that actors debate their options about how to launch and succeed actor professionally. Should you go to college or set up shop in a market or city that has work available now? What’s at stake when you decide to get that MFA degree over seeking acting work so you can use your talent to act? On this episode, we will do our best to answer the question, “Higher Education vs Real World Integration. This is Casting Actors Cast!
Pros of a BFA or MFA Degree:
· Focused course of study with general knowledge
· Possible networking with professors, students, and alumni
· “Fall back” options within the profession -Education, Business, Administration
· Growth period for maturity and confidence
· The reputation of the school may be looked at favorably by industry
Pros of entering the profession without higher education
· Immediate real-world credit potential and experience
· Committed focus to an acting career
· Can supplement their education with individual classes and workshops
· Making money rather than costing money
Cons of going to college or university
· Cost
· Missing out on being cast sooner
· May not get real-world experience with school productions
· Lack of important business information or no focused training (film/TV)
· Little or no professional support after school is over
Cons of not going to college
· Missing out on the experiences college offers
· Challenges with balancing financial needs and acting pursuits
· Lack of support systems and relationships with peers
· Back up plan has no educational applications to point to
The answer to this question comes down to a matter of how you see yourself. College offers a wide range of opportunities and experiences in a supportive environment. This is really helpful if you need to build your confidence and performance resume. Not going to college might keep you from a debt burden. You have the advantage of youth for those roles that you could be cast in right now. Although not for the faint of heart, entering the profession now may be a good way to go. One thing is for certain, it takes a very confident, self-motivated actor to jump in without formal training. Finally, for some, it might be a hybrid version of both. That is, taking a year off from college and trying the professional arena first, knowing that a great fallback option of a university is still on the table.
No matter where your answer lies, planning out the answer to this question means you are dedicated to finding the best way to express your creavity and tell your story.
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