Do You Need a Backup Plan for Your Acting Career?

Let's talk about why having a backup plan or a "plan B" for your acting career may not be the best strategy. And then let's talk about a better strategy.
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[@ActingCareerCenter]

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[@Digitalhunny]

Are you aware that you just announced to the "participation trophy" generation, that they don't need a plan B? These are the kids that THINK that Mommy's house is _always_ open & will gratefully accept their return. HAHAHAHA! Nope. Lmaoo

[@AnonymousXvictoriouS]

I really hope you win an Oscar in the future!

[@cledwardd]

Very useful information as always! Thanks Kurt. The new poster in the back looks great too!

[@IndieMusiCon]

@@Digitalhunny are you aware that you apparently can not understand English? That is not at all what he said. Use KZbin's speed function, maybe if you slow the video down you'll be able to actually understand it.

[@jcnneke]

@@Digitalhunny He literally just shared his opinion on it and said that you should choose whatever feels best for you... + he recommended a "survival job", so what's your point? lol

[@madhurjoshi1808]

This was immensely insightful and valuable, you have no idea how much of guidance you provide to us aspiring actors.

[@elivenelivenny8197]

I don't want any "big breaks" I just want to ACT, even if I don't become a huge star, that's the last thing I'm aiming for. I just want to be acting for as long as I can ,because that's what my true passion is ! Love your channel btw, thanks for uploading these helpful videos

[@Madeliefschram]

Then maybe you should look into theatre groups, there are paid positions to be a full time actor for the same theatre company, playing different roles and productions every season :)

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

I totally get it. Acting is so much fun!

[@liquidbraino]

My regular boring day job is at Universal Studios and I love it because they're flexible with scheduling. A lot of people with "regular" jobs at Universal are also aspiring actors, writers, directors and producers. In my case I'm a working actor & aspiring screenwriter (with an MFA in tv/film screenwriting) and the acting school I attend is right down the street from Universal. Been in training for two years and TODAY I'll be doing my first activity with dialogue; super excited about it.

[@djek1150]

How did it go ??

[@michellepajnyiag25]

I am an actor in LA and also a travel nurse. Each contract I do I request off ahead which days I need and I can just tell them I need xyz days off.. it’s given me creative flexibility!

[@Madeliefschram]

Sounds great! 😊

[@khaleemaalkainaat8178]

That’s so great to hear! I’m trying to become a nurse now but still want to pursue acting. Nice to know others are doing both

[@khaleemaalkainaat8178]

Do you travel just in Cali or LA or are you a travel nurse across the US?

[@michellepajnyiag25]

@@khaleemaalkainaat8178 my home state is Wisconsin and i did acting work in Chicago. I fly back for one month a year so my tax and permanent address is in Wisconsin still. But I live in LA.

[@Davinspo]

You are so lucky Michelle. I admire you. You obviously enjoying it. I just could cope with nursing beside acting😊

[@THEATTKID]

I agree! It's been 4 months since my last booking and like many of us, I've been discouraged but I have a job that gives me freedom to take off should I need to for acting. In my opinion there is no plan B or back up plan. IT HAS TO WORK!

[@jenellebaptiste1574]

Thank you so much for this! I learned the hard way over the past 6 months that happiness matters and now I'm looking for a job I love as much as acting.

[@Madeliefschram]

Same here! I learned to put my own happiness first, always!

[@angiebuzzelli9697]

Thank you so much for this video Kurt. I have worked really hard to build up a “thrival” job to financially support my acting dreams. I always worried that it would make both employers and casting directors see me as “one foot in, one foot out”, and lacking dedication. Hearing your thoughts was extremely encouraging. Congratulations on 100k! You absolutely deserve it. Hope to see you on set one day!

[@Theman11596]

Thanks for this video! This is exactly what i needed to hear. After working consistently on a Netflix show for 3 seasons it was hard to land more gigs & make consistent money afterwards. I struggled heavily financially and had to get a regular job to make up for all the bills that needed to be paid. But ive learned to balance both my Acting life while still trying to make a living. This video was helpful & gave me hope to not give up on my Acting dreams

[@liquidbraino]

That sounds more like background work than acting. If you worked consistently for three seasons as an actor you'd be famous by now and wouldn't be concerned about money.

[@rania1408]

@@liquidbraino actually you’re wrong, even if he was a lead actor in the series he wouldn’t have been paid millions. you’d think netflix pays their actors well but unless you’re already a high profile actor, you’d still be struggling with money. I see a lot of actors in some of my fav shows who the shows they were on were their first big break and they don’t have mansions and fancy cars. and posting rlly regular stuff

[@ActingCareerCenter]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I also know some people who have been at the series regular level but then after their show was canceled, they had a really rough time finding consistent work again. It's a dark reality of the industry.

[@liquidbraino]

@@rania1408 Actually you're the one that's wrong. He is a talk about background work on a Netflix show because he mentioned it in another comment. I don't take acting jobs that pay less than my regular job and a my regular job pays the bills.

[@shopforaccesoires]

Dear Mister Yue, I don't know If you will ever read this, but in Case you do: I wanna thank you for making These extremeley helpful Videos. Right now, im in an acting class, I Just Got my Professional Headshot today, I wrote a resume with all my Training and Experience i have gained Jet( even tho its Just a couple of plays and different types of Training) Everey time I think about being an actor, I literally get goosebumbs, from only imagening, whats waiting for me in the Future, This is the First time in my Life, where daydreaming, hast become serious, and Got me chasing a Goal, And all of that is because of the great Guide, I've Had, with this great Channel, Thank you, Filip PS: (Im from Germany, sorry for my Bad english, my autocorrector, is trying, make english words German)

[@Madeliefschram]

Sounds great! Good luck Filip!

[@GabriellaVargas]

Yesss!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼I have been saying this for some time but never used the term Thriving Job. I think it's very important that you mentioned having multiple streams of income as an actor because I've spoken to actors where they believe they shouldn't do both. That it's either one or the other. How I look at it is you're an umbrella company -- a business and all your personal endeavors and streams of income fall under that umbrella (you). MJ was a rookie when he signed his deal with Nike. Just because he made it to the NBA doesn't mean that was his only source of income or that he was going to stop other streams of income from coming in. The better he became, the more he leveraged those streams of income. We all need to leverage our skills in other areas outside of acting so that we can bring ourselves to the work without anxiety over our finances, like Kurt mentioned. Great topic, Kurt!

[@Madeliefschram]

This is so true! Thanks for sharing

[@MelissaLeeGomez]

I’m definitely risk averse! Lol it has definitely prolonged me pursuing acting. Like it has taken me decades to go for it. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 But now that I am more financially stable and I have spent years developing a life where I can have flexibility to pursue acting I am much better for it. I am able to dive in without feeling the stress of being a “starving actor“ It may have taken me 20 years but now I’m able to have my cake and eat it too! I could have probably done some things differently but maybe it would have broken me. I’ll never know. But I do know, that I am going in full force now and I’m thankful for my current circumstances and all the work I put in to get me here.

[@ev2175]

You can do it!

[@AndrewNowacki]

Good for you. Good luck to you.

[@ActingCareerCenter]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@Madeliefschram]

Thank you for sharing 💕

[@BrittanyPHarris]

This is such great content & for me personally, a confirmation. I’m a therapist and have a private practice - but this allows me to pursue my dream of acting without the pressure of NEEDING the money. Thanks for this!

[@Brunomoraes01]

thanks for this video, Kurt! i"m Graphic designer and now i study acting, but i were very confused because for now i don't make money in my career, so i work as a designer to live while a reach my goals in cinema. thanks for the advice!!!

[@IanBourn]

This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I'm currently pursuing photography for all the reasons you listed, and I'm so excited for the time and money I'm going to get back to invest in my acting career. Thanks again for the excellent video! 🔥

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Congrats on hitting 100k!

[@jaywardwms]

My thoughts exactly. I've been saying this for years. It's very similar to already having things in the can, making your next auditions a lot more stress-free. Good job

[@LadyK007]

Yes!!!! Thanks for sharing, Kurt! One has to act solely for the love of the craft! That financial freedom going into auditions & callbacks is key💯

[@theluckshow9617]

Talk about a video that is right on time! I’m new to being an actor and have down multiple commercials this year. Unfortunately being non union, you aren’t compensated in an immediate timeframe to depend on the income. However, to make myself available for auditions, and gigs. I’ve switched rolls in the financial industry from a personal banker to a insurance agent. I must admit it’s exciting and worrisome all at the same time. What a rush! 😂

[@amankadambotaslam7143]

Congrats on hitting 100 000 subscribers .

[@filmg33333k]

Your content is so helpful man, massively appreciate the work you're doing it's invaluable

[@_kaythebutterfly7828]

I am currently a teacher and though my schedule is rigid during the school year, I’m hoping that I can make it work during breaks/holidays, and using PTO. I’m gonna try to make it work! This is something I really want to do.

[@AnibalFraquelli]

As usual, "eye opener" content. Thank you Kurt. Awesome

[@jarry8150]

congrats man. lot of your stuff as been reaffirming, also really liked the casting directors on. your channel sharing insight.

[@becksss2672]

Thank you so much for this! I currently don't like my 9-5 and I'm looking for another one that fits me better. But I can't help to feel guilty for putting in the effort to advance my other career because it feels like I'm choosing it over my acting career. This cleared so many doubts!

[@sharonsquires3556]

Thanks Kurt. That was really a very valuable recording!!! It makes so much sense!

[@AKA-lr6cv]

I always appreciate the information you share! Thank you! And congratulations on hitting 100k!

[@yeppitaa]

Wow, I really appreciated your point of view, especially the concept of having a thrival job. I’ve had jobs before that were not as enjoyable and they would completely drain my energy, and affect my performance on other creative outlets, so I definitely related to that bit. Great words of wisdom!

[@andrewmass1414]

Agree. I was totally dependent on my acting income and I failed. I looking for work that will allow me to do acting. I want a restart. I am 58. I have done a lot of work. Thanks. Great video content!!

[@Jesdmalg]

I'm compelled to tell you that this video came at the perfect time for me. Today was emotionally tasking. I was presented with the choice between financial stability, at the cost of potential flexibility and acting time, and a status quo that meets 3/3 conditions you proposed. The catch is that the status quo is threatened by a change of leadership at my job anyway, potentially costing some flexibility and happiness on that side of the equation as well. Watching this video, remembering the long game, remembering to choose a healthy wallet FOR a healthy mind, all of that has made my decision-making process so much less daunting and heavy. You did that! Thank you! Imagine having an impact in other people's lives through our stories and perspectives. Self assuring night for my professional prospects, all two of them.

[@lindajoycenourse8056]

CONGRATULATIONS on 100,000 subscribers!!! 😃🍾

[@franciscocardenas5758]

Just finished watching Black Widow. Your awesome in the scenes you appeared in, congratulations. And congratulations on your 100,000 subscribers 🙂👍

[@futrealeyes939]

awesome video ! i am currently studying something outside acting and now i am considering pursuing an acting career. but i never knew if i could deal with the struggle to handle these things + a part time job . i really like the idea of focusing on a thrival job and i hope i will be able to implement that. thank you Kurt :)

[@adigo91]

Thanks a lot Kurt! This video was just what I was looking for. I’ve been going through the same process for a while and finally starting to piece all of it together. Great video! Cheers!

[@azucenazhou]

Kurt… you were able to put into words what I couldn’t… thank you so much. You have given me much needed clarity 🙏🏻

[@dejandivic3724]

Really solid advice Kurt. Exactly the right mindset you should have to pursue the things you love.

[@haleybabula]

Just want to say, Thank You!! for sharing all your insight into a very "mysterious" industry. LOVE that you want to help fellow actors on their journey!!

[@QuietlyCurious]

Good heavens, such thoughtful advice. You are so intelligent, Kurt. Congrats too, I've watched ACC's rapid growth since ur ATL video. As an LA actor about to move out to an exceptionally small market, this topic comes at the perfect time.

[@mrshaheedmalik]

I'm glad you restarted doing these.

[@mr.buckcat8004]

Thank You so much Kurt Yue! You just expanded my perception of how I can and need to view and pursue my goal of acting in simply 21 minutes and it couldn't have been better. You're the best!

[@rubandz1k541]

Kurt you are the best person I ever came across you helped me so much in understanding the basics of acting I appreciate you.

[@musclecars4635]

Congratulations Kurt! Much success to you and yours! Your info is very helpful and appreciate your sharing experiences. My Daughter and I used your audition cheat sheet the other day to submit a self-tape to our new talent agent! Yes, both My Daughter and I have the same agent and sometimes submit for roles where a Father and Daughter are needed, such as for a House Flipping show on a popular home improvement channel where I'm the Flipper and My Daughter is the Real Estate Agent; wish us luck! Real Estate provides us the flexibility, as mentioned in your video, to submit self-tapes quickly (key!), and to be "readily available" for when casting directors post roles.

[@kingfattypig988]

Thanks Kurt really appreciate you making this video. Opened a whole new thought on my life.

[@kevinsjournal]

I act part time, but work as an event planner, so relatable, I got into event planning, since had a slow season with acting, where income went dead, essentially no gigs for a period of time. Learned to really love event planning, so it's been strange mix feelings choosing between them, knowing would be sad to leave either, since deep down have learned to love both really much! Ironically my other passion is finance, hence my channel lol, so relatable, thanks for another great video Kurt!!

[@Vladthestud]

Absolutely amazing that you said those things so my consciousness could pick it up excactly when I need that advice. Thank you!

[@TommyWeb3]

Ah man I like this video a lot mate!! I've been focussing on getting my finances handled in advance and create some passive income streams so I can then focus all my time and attention on my dreams of being a successful actor. So good to hear you confirm that I'm exactly where I need to be and that I am on the right track. I often battle with myself feeling like I'm missing out as all my attention is on handling my finances right now. It's nice to hear that it's ok to take a couple years out to handle this so I can then return to my dreams and never quit on them !!

[@Madeliefschram]

I'm looking into creating several streams of income, especially passive ones... What are yours if I may ask? :)

[@oliviaa505]

Omg I was thinking about this today!! Thank you so much!!

[@BESTPublishing]

@actingcareercenter congrats on your over 100k subscribers. Kurt You ROCK!

[@leavassalou4496]

This video gave me such a good vibe cause I'm a photographer too and I started doing actor portraits and it's so much fun and so beneficial to get some money but also work with other actors, and I always love to hear, when they got to audition because of the pictures we took :)

[@jedramsey1419]

This is by far the best perspective I’ve ever heard on this topic-thank you!! 🙏

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

It is solid advice, as is most everything from Kurt. I'm on the other side of the camera, so I can see things from that perspective. Listen to Kurt...he gets it. I just wish I could afford him for my shorts, lol!

[@luke_eiserman]

Thanks so much for this perspective. Great take on it.

[@jamespoule8813]

Thanks Kurt. Needed to hear this.

[@Davinspo]

Thank you mate. Much helpful 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@kevinle1841]

i really enjoy watching these videos

[@misakihime]

Thank you so much! That's a great advice for those who just in the beginning of their acting journey

[@greengoblin4life]

Thank you for this helpful video. I’m currently in college majoring in graphic design and a minor in theatre. I hope to audition for roles in the future.

[@alexadilone22]

Very informative and true! I 100% agree

[@simplynaturalcai2661]

Back up plans take me so far out the game it’s crazy! I agree finding additional ways to generate income I enjoy is definitely the way to go!

[@deivyhb2003]

this is pretty cool man, thank you for all you do

[@KlueTran]

Congrats on 100k!!!

[@chandleryan1347]

Awesome advice. Thanks man!

[@industan1]

Kurt always speaks so much truth

[@gwendolynnowlan2427]

no. this is my back up plan and only plan . i tried everything else under the sun always avoiding this. with your help i have been filming things for my reel and saving for head shots. also sweet shirt. that's funny

[@jazismine13]

Definitely very helpful, I'm 20 minutes away from Cleveland and your videos are helpful. 😁

[@johncrouch1868]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bioguerrero6966]

Man!thank you!your clases are amazing!💪🙏🏻 I found free acting clases 11minutes away from my apt!I just follow your advices en everything is running perfect.i cant thank you enoufgh!🙋🙏🏻

[@Tamara48748]

Thanks for such a realistic advised. Listen and learn. Life is unpredictable..you trace the map.

[@phoenixrising5613]

Starting With Houde School of Acting today after doing the workshop from the 24th 🤙🤙

[@IndieMusiCon]

Sean??? 👍

[@phoenixrising5613]

@@IndieMusiCon muhahaha now I’ll respond no it’s Michael lol

[@IndieMusiCon]

@@phoenixrising5613 hahaha I have a friend Sean who goes by Phoenix Rising and he's also in the film biz. I'm enjoying Houde so far. You will like it. I just finished a class with Keith Brooks, who is one funny summanagummina.

[@phoenixrising5613]

@@IndieMusiCon haha I was there

[@IndieMusiCon]

@@phoenixrising5613 oh sweet, so we talked! Cool.

[@RockstarStealth]

Such great and sound advice. 🤙

[@user-yz3or6cl8l]

So both beautiful & useful channel. Thank you! 😊

[@joanadomingues9731]

I kurt, I just wanted to thank you for your advice it has really inspired me to take action and start my acting career. Could you please do a video on how to build a character? What's the process, do you research first about who they are, how they think and act and then study the lines?

[@gaberealgaminggrg4768]

Nailed this one Kurt 📍

[@DianaTBlack]

Thank you, Kurt

[@arielkam7771]

Congratulations on your 100k

[@angelyvonne3952]

well said!

[@amankadambotaslam7143]

Glad I am not late .

[@vishalsawakare3089]

Thank you so much.❤

[@MaxThrills]

I can’t stop looking at Kurt Yue’s perfect forearms while getting these acting tips 😂

[@abdulahads]

Well Said!!!

[@NagaNootch42]

My advice is to be an Uber driver or a Door Dasher! You literally work only when you want to, allowing you to have time for auditions and gives you the opportunity to work anywhere, which is helpful when auditions require you to go ALL around LA and you need to make a few bucks.

[@jacobmcfadden9751]

Awesome advice

[@Ali06Raza]

Really helpful ♥️♥️♥️❤️❤️

[@tanibean3873]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@castluelle]

Nice shirt!!!

[@EllingtonCarthan]

I’m a professional musician and this is fantastic advice for performing artists in general! This way of thinking would’ve served me extremely well earlier in my career. I’m looking forward to sharing this video with my college students.

[@TatianaBalashova]

Totally agree with that, I've been doing BG for a few years and thinking of giving a try to acting. However do not intend at this point to make it a full-time career, I love filmmaking general. And also have a wellness business, at the moment both bring modest income yet in the future hope it will work well, especially when I create wellness courses and trainings (right now working only 1on1). the challenge now is non-union rate for BG is so low (I live in Vancouver BC), with C19 tests (for some shows 2 tests + fitting occasionally for what we get 4h ~ $60 (minus agency fee soon), add commuting to that and short set days at times, one cannot rely on such an income. But with acting rate it would be much better :). Anyways I did watch your other video with job ideas and totally loved it. So well done.

[@art_withnadine]

I love this video as I’m only 16 turning 17, who loves art and acting, and I can’t choose between them and people keep on telling me I can’t do both, but sure I can do both I love them both and they help me in different.

[@liquidbraino]

Of course you can do both. Most actors I know do more than just acting. A ton of people in my acting class are also dancers or singers. The more you're doing on the side the more you can bring to your craft as an actor - like riding horse's. That comes in handy if you want to play a cowboy/cowgirl. Firearms training is also essential, especially the safety training. Even painting and sculpting.

[@ActorsWithIssuespodcast]

Great video, Kurt! I think it's important every actor become financially savvy, get a flexible job to support them financially while they pursue this dream career, and learn how to manage their income so we can all do away with the awful 'starving artist' mentality. That can be exhausting and soul-crushing.

[@TKFOH]

My goodness, the whole job affecting your acting thing couldn't be more true. I'm an accountant. I have been for close to 20 years. I typically take my vacation days off for acting gigs. But, back in 2014, I booked one of my first major supporting roles on an indie feature. We initially shot a scene on a Saturday. I was on, and absolutely nailed the scene. I couldn't have felt better about it. Unfortunately due to some miscommunication between some of the producers and the location, we were unable to finish the scenes and they had to be re-scheduled. The re-shoot of my scenes was scheduled for a Wednesday evening a week or two later. I worked 8-9 hours that day, and I had a rough day at work. The blocking was different, there were drunk extras at the bar, I was mentally burnt out from work, and I definitely didn't deliver the same performance I had a couple weeks earlier. It was incredibly frustrating. The biggest thing holding me back from diving head first, 100% into acting and trying to make it a full time career, was child support. I wasn't afraid of getting behind on bills or anything, but getting behind on child support could lead to jail. My son is now 18 and graduated high school in June. I made a goal to get represented by an agency before the summer was over. I was successful, and now get a TON more auditions than I did previously. I also booked my first "major" commercial, which was by far my highest paying acting gig, and will hopefully be released soon. Anyhow, I'm making progress towards my acting and film-making career goals.

[@thearbitraryjourney]

Awesome video. Could you make a video explaining how to balance that job and acting. Like once you achieve the second job, how to balance both

[@scottyoung5594]

Great perspective! I have thrived in the wine business and enjoyed it thoroughly.. so on point, about bring your passion and creativity to your thrival career! However, Good job on “ Dopesick” . You played that “ Oxy Pushing doctor! Thank you for your insight ! ScottYoung

[@ActingCareerCenter]

Felt bad getting Batman hooked on Oxy 🤣

[@ajitmahara804]

thank you so much sir

[@IndieMusiCon]

You're a smart man Kurt Yue. 👍

[@kaler06]

i still love your intro music to this day

[@rochellemcryans2825]

I'm an actress, but also started making my own short films and become an Independent Filmmaker started my own production company and made it an LLC just paid my first actor for my web series and put in my paperwork with SAG-AFTRA that's how I am doing it and also I wrote my own television drama and about to pitch it.

[@dvacts3360]

This was great advice thank u also I think I'll go without a backup plan bc if I felt safe to fail I would give up pretty fast beside I get need to feel relax in order to use my creativity I noticed that bc of how I draw almost everyday and school drains that out of me, so I know it'll be like than with my acting career and right now I practice my acting almost everyday but yk negative things throughout the day really drains me making me not want to practice which is usually bc of the stress of school, thanks again Yue😊

[@gotyou4165]

GREAT

[@montaiju]

Could you do a video on the basics of reading/understanding a Sag contract ?

[@amarlounas1712]

Hey . You very inspiring me, im happy that i have 2 great flexible jobs , im inventory operator at international clinical services and a personal trainer . I really passionate abiut acting and modeling and im building my resume with different skills ,( dancing, acting ,boxing ex.. i believe more skills person have more chances to succeed) thanks again for inspiration

[@Mark_James_Hill]

This is so correct. I have been acting Japan for 20 years. In some major roles BUT in Japan the pay for these is very low if you are the main. Ill do anything for money and the more diversity the better. I also do small photography jobs, writing, making floats at the Hawaiian festival etc etc. It also allowed me to be all things to all people and get into roles more deeply from the many experiences.