- When you watch a movie, web series, or theatre performance, someone is bringing the characters and emotions to life on screen or stage.
- These professionals are called Actors.
- 👉 In simple words: Actors perform stories, dialogues, and emotions for movies, television, theatre, advertisements, and digital entertainment.
Actor
What Do They Do?
🎓 How to Become an Actor
The courses to pursue this career are given below :
These beginner-level courses help students learn acting basics, voice control, body language, expressions, and stage performance.
Certificate in Acting / Theatre Workshop
Duration: 3 – 6 Months
Eligibility: Class 10 Pass
Entrance Exam: Direct Admission / Audition Round
Diploma in Acting
Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility: Class 10 Pass
Entrance Exam: Direct Admission
Note: Most beginner acting and theatre workshops after 10th do not require national-level entrance exams.
These degree and diploma programs help students build professional acting skills, stage confidence, screen performance techniques, and industry exposure.
Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) in Theatre / Dramatic Arts
Duration: 3 – 4 Years
Eligibility: 10+2 Pass (Any Stream)
Entrance Exam: CUET UG / Audition Test
Bachelor of Fine Arts(BFA) in Theatre / Acting
Duration: 3-4 Years
Eligibility: 10+2 Pass
Entrance Exam: CUET UG / University Entrance Exam / Audition
Bachelor of Arts(BA) in Acting / Drama / Theatre
Duration: 3-4 Years
Eligibility: 10+2 Pass
Entrance Exam: University Entrance Exam / Audition / Interview
📝 Exam Details
(Click on the exam name to see full details)
CUET UG University Entrance Exam Audition InterviewNote: Many acting colleges select students through auditions, interviews, and performance rounds instead of written entrance exams.
These advanced acting programs help graduates master screen acting, theatre performance, character development, and professional stage training.
Master of Arts (MA) in Acting / Theatre
Duration: 2 Years
Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree (Any Stream)
Entrance Exam: University Entrance Exam / Interview / Audition (varies by university)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting / Screen Acting
Duration: 2 Years
Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree
Entrance Exam: FTII-JET / SRFTI-JET / Interview / Audition
Postgraduate Diploma in Acting / Dramatic Arts
Duration: 1-2 Years
Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree
Entrance Exam: Institute Entrance Test / NSD Entrance Exam / Audition / Interview
📝 Exam Details
(Click on the exam name to see full details)
University Entrance Exam FTII-JET SRFTI-JET Audition Interview Institutional Test NSD Entrance ExamNote: Advanced acting institutes usually test students through auditions, workshops, theatre experience, and performance rounds.
These online acting programs help students improve expression, dialogue delivery, body language, screen presence, and camera performance skills.
Method Acting Technique Certification
Duration: 3 – 4 Months
Eligibility: Open to All (Beginner level)
Provider: Henry Harvin
Film Acting Masterclass
Duration: Self-paced (12+ Hours)
Eligibility: Open to All
Provider: MasterClass Platform
Note: Most online acting courses are beginner-friendly and focus on practical performance training without entrance exams.
Note:
(Age limits, marks, and admission process may vary depending on the college or state.
Below are some colleges that offer these courses.
These courses are available in many colleges and universities across India. You can choose colleges based on your location, budget, and entrance exams.)
🏛️ Colleges offering these courses in India
(Tap on a college to view the details)
After Class 10
Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment (RSACE), Mumbai Annapurna College of Film & Media, Telangana Mumbai Film Academy (MFA), Mumbai Barry John Acting Studio, MumbaiAfter Class 12
MGM University, Maharashtra Parul University, Vadodara R V University, Bengaluru Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT), Noida Rabindra Bharati University, KolkataSTEP 1
Imagine you are working as an Actor.
STEP 2
You receive a script for a movie, web series, TV show, or advertisement.
STEP 3
You practice dialogues, expressions, body language, and emotional scenes.
STEP 4
You attend rehearsals and work closely with directors and co-actors.
STEP 5
You perform scenes in front of cameras and repeat takes until everything looks perfect.
STEP 6
Your performance becomes part of films, TV shows, advertisements, theatre plays, or online content.
STEP 7
If this excites you, this career may suit you.
Where do Actors work? (Job Roles + Growth)
Actors work in : Film and television production companies, Movie studios, Streaming platforms, Theatre companies, Advertising agencies, Web series and digital content productions, and as Independent performers.
🟢 Beginner Roles
Background Actor / Extra
(After Short-Term / Online Course)
Performs crowd scenes and supports background action.
Junior Actor
(After Certificate / Diploma)
Performs small roles in films and television.
🔵 Mid-Level Roles
Supporting Actor
(After Degree / Diploma + Experience)
Plays important secondary characters in stories.
Voice-Over / Dubbing Artist
(After Certificate / Diploma + Experience)
Gives voice performances for films and animation.
🟣 Advanced Roles
Lead Actor
(After PG Diploma / Advanced Degree + Experience)
Plays major characters and leads the storyline.
Theatre Director
(After Post Graduate Program + Experience)
Guides performances and manages stage productions.
Global Film Studios
They hire actors for films, series, and global productions.
OTT & Streaming Platforms
They cast actors for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ shows.
Voice Acting Platforms
They offer dubbing and voice-over work for global media.
International Talent Agencies
They connect actors with worldwide auditions and projects.
(Click Yes or No for each question)
1. Do you enjoy watching movies or web series?
2. Do you dream of acting in movies or shows?
3. Do you like to perform in front of people?
4. Imagine you are working as an Actor in a movie. You are given a scene where your character has just received some very sad news. You understand the character and act out the scene by showing the right emotions through your face, voice, and actions. Finally, the scene is filmed and the audience can feel the character's emotions. Do you like this type of work?
5. A director is looking for an actor to play a police officer in a Webseries. You go for the audition and they ask you to perform a short scene from the series. You act as the character and show the emotions needed for the scene. The director likes your performance and selects you for the role in the web series. Does this type of work interest you?