Why most actors go overseas

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.

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.

[%sig%]

concerned wrote "The industry is dying here."

the theatre has and will continue to ALMOST die off and recover as it has done since only god knows when... dame judy dench said "the theatre will continue to live as long as there is a space, people willing to work and someone willing to watch"

first of all i do agree with the fact that a lot of actors do go overseas in order to find work, but let me just point out that neither road one chooses to take is easy! staying in oz or going overseas can both be as challenging as one another. i left for england at 19 and it was damn tough. i saved every cent and i mean every single cent just to be able to fly there... had to find a job and did. on the third day i arrived in the country i started work (no not in the industry!!! just to clarify!) but i did not stop work until two days before i left to come back home... so all the opportunity that was there was unfortunately wasted on me for the most part because i had to work constantly just to make ends meet. but i love musical theatre and i'm not going to stop trying... funny thing is im not special. there is a million people just like me ready and willing to be rejected at every turn... i think there's life left in the theatre... it's in the performers, amateur and professional, it's in the backstage crews and the audiences whether they forget to turn off there mobiles or not...

just a thought...



Thou goatish motley-minded pigeon-egg!