Theatre Australia

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Why most actors go overseas

Fri, 27 Jan 2006, 08:08 am
Walter Plinge3 posts in thread
It seems that most acting work in Australia is unpaid and most paid work here is in tv commercials where you usually got cast for what type of look you have and rarely for your talent.

Now I realise why so many actors go overseas but I wonder how so many people can afford to go overseas .

The industry is dying here.

Re: Why most actors go overseas

Fri, 27 Jan 2006, 03:10 pm
Unfortunately there are many reasons - the trade act agreement, little to no support from the government, little interest from businesses (in Asia, it is seen as a social requirement to support the arts, rather than just a marketing exercise), more work available in America or Europe, and so on. There are so many factors, that it's really difficult to say why people are leaving.

But perhaps part of the answer is that because people are leaving, there is no one to stay and fight for our industry.

And of course, there is a current perception that Australian TV/film is crap (in the audience's eyes) compared to 'quality' American shows.

Of course, there are also thousands of people who stay and return in Australia to help create a better performing arts industry. Wherever you go, the arts will be underfunded, the artists underfed, and the artwork under-recognised. It's just worse in Australia.

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Thread (3 posts)

Why most actors go overseasWalter Plinge27 Jan 2006
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