Now that Asheville has become something of a music hot-spot, a number of semi-full-time musicians are actually making ends meet by performing regionally. But, what about local actors and dancers? With only a handful of venues in this region, is it possible to make a living exclusively on stage in Western North Carolina?
This past year, I’ve seen the best films ever produced in Asheville. There are many talented filmmakers in town creating very interesting work.
The one Achilles Heel for every project I’ve seen has been the acting. Some people do ok, but a few stand out as terrible to the point of hurting the film. If you have any talent acting, you wouldn’t hang around here, right? I guess the question would be if this is the fault of the actor themselves or the filmmaker not being able to get a good performance out of them. I think some filmmakers work around this problem, like GOLDEN BLADE III, by redubbing the voice tracks for comedic effect (successfully). Perhaps the non-actors in Anywhere, USA was used to its advantage, but there has been many performances that have made me cringe.
But… yes, I agree with what you are saying about actors. I’m involved in a couple of feature movie projects and finding actors without having to go out of town and pay SAG rates seems pretty much impossible right now.
More like a successful studio/production company with several big ongoing projects. We do have Blue Ridge Motion Pictures here… their soundstages are located in an old textile plant… but while pretty big, they don’t have the ongoing business described above yet.
More importantly, if you had a daughter graduating high school with honors this year and having already been accepted, going to college in the fall with a preference to major in theater arts, would you recommend the enormous amount of money spent on these prestigious (and expensive) universities as a good investment in such a career or would it be cheaper and quicker for her to just inquire as to the availability of employment opportunities open in the food service industry at the moment?
Good question to ponder, Brebro. My daughter got a degree in English Literature from UNCA a number of years ago, and in fact, she is currently in the food service industry.
I do not think you could afford to be an actor in Asheville.
No work really. Most of it is freebie work. Volunteer. Dancing on the other hand..you would probably have to teach. Go to NYC, ATL or LA...to make a living.
Actors in Asheville are varied.
There are few that are good. Most are beginners.
There are many who say they are actors in Asheville, but really just have friends who make movies. There is a big big difference. It shows.
It’s pretty much a given that you would be better off going to LA or NYC for acting work since that’s where all the jobs are, I agree. BUT since everybody else in the country and world is also going there for that same reason, isn’t it commonplace that all those applicants for the same few jobs make it just as likely you are going to end up a server or bartender there too, just with a much higher cost of living?
(It’s all these foreigners taking our jobs that’s the problem. Why does an American icon like Batman have to be played by an Englishman and the Joker an Australian? Same thing for the western cowboys in 3:10 to Yuma! You telling me there were no qualified Americans for those roles? They don’t let any Yanks play roles in the Harry Potter movies! Unfair trade imbalance!)
This past year, I’ve seen the best films ever produced in Asheville. There are many talented filmmakers in town creating very interesting work.
The one Achilles Heel for every project I’ve seen has been the acting. Some people do ok, but a few stand out as terrible to the point of hurting the film. If you have any talent acting, you wouldn’t hang around here, right? I guess the question would be if this is the fault of the actor themselves or the filmmaker not being able to get a good performance out of them. I think some filmmakers work around this problem, like GOLDEN BLADE III, by redubbing the voice tracks for comedic effect (successfully). Perhaps the non-actors in Anywhere, USA was used to its advantage, but there has been many performances that have made me cringe.
marc
Right you are Marc. Just think “Dance For Bethany”.
