Money Between Jobs

Dear Ms. Wisdom,

How do you make money between jobs? I feel a little ridiculous asking this, because on paper, it looks like I have done well.

I booked a commercial a couple of years ago. It paid a decent fee, and then the residuals started coming in. Between the first year and the year after, it added up to real money. Life-changing at first. Stabilizing after that. For the first time, I was not scrambling every single month.

And then… it slowed down. Then it stopped.

Now I am staring at a calendar where the checks that once arrived just are not coming anymore. I know how this works in theory. Residuals dry up. Campaigns end. Nothing lasts forever. I understand that intellectually.

What I do not understand is how actors actually survive between those moments.

I cannot walk away from acting entirely. I need to stay available. I need flexibility for auditions. I also need to pay rent, buy groceries, and keep my head above water while waiting for the next thing to land. Waiting months for a first check feels terrifying when there is nothing coming in right now.

I feel embarrassed admitting how quickly things went from “I am okay” to “I am barely holding it together.” I am trying to figure things out, piecing income together, staying afloat any way I can — but I feel like I missed a manual everyone else got.

How do actors really make money between jobs?

How do people survive these gaps without giving up entirely?

— Between Bookings

[Read also: Actors’ Struggles Are 100% Real]

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Dear Between Bookings,

We all know the feeling. You book something, the check takes some time to arrive in the mail, and it brings immediate relief – before it even brings joy. The first residual check almost feels like a clerical mistake on their end – “Did they really pay me again?” And then the stream, the cash flow… It’s not total abundance, but it sure helps a lot.

And then we have to wait for the other shoe to drop: we know the source will dry up at some point. And we can’t afford to be taken off guard. In the meantime, I hope you have kept this in mind: Have you thanked your agent? Please tell me you have. Every time you see them.

Keep in Touch With Your Agent

That cannot be overstated. Your agent is the source of the best money you are yet to make. Building and strenghthening that relationship takes years, and it happens one job at a time. No matter how long between jobs. And no matter how much money between jobs you can make without acting.

[Read also: I Have Two Agents, and Both Booked Me for the Same Job — Who Do I Pay?]

Do Some Dishes

Just kidding,  but no, seriously. We are all Ciderellas in this business, and the Prince is a big break – and we may never meet him. Do dishes, baby. Start with your own – keep your place clean so you don’t get depressed, and you avoid being overwhelmed when an audition submission request finally hits your inbox.

And then do some restaurant dishes. Or serve tables. Perhaps take a part-time job – all the things you probably already do. Keep doing them. There is no magic answer. If you have survived so far, you know how this career works, and you have lowered your expectations.

Money Isn’t Everything

Remember that. And you probably hate to read it but, I will say it again: money is not everything. “Tell that to my credit card balance.” I know, sweetie, believe me – I have been there too. And I know, as much as you know it: you will bounce back. Don’t let the struggle make you forget who you are and how awesome it is to be an actor. So many people only dream of being one of us, and are jealous of the very hurdles you face. They would trade their 401(k)xfbetwes for the chance of having an agent, auditioning, booking some work (sometimes), and doing dishes. Crazy but true. And don’t try and tell me you would trade lives with them – we both know you would not.

Make Adjustments

I hope you have already created different income streams. Do you write? Use freelance platforms to offer your services. Are you patient? Teach some acting classes. Speak a second language? Interpreter gigs are something you can do from your phone.

Each income stream takes time to build, but if you have two or three, there will always be a little something to fall back on. Especially if you are smart enough to have a small fee-free cash account for the gas money.  The answer is, adjust accordingly to stay afloat.

How to Make Money Between Jobs as an Actor

The way to make money between jobs is to keep doing what you are doing. Wait for the next opportunity. Stay fresh in your agent’s mind. Work every day, somewhere, somehow. Do dishes – yours or someone else’s. But most importantly: while you make that money, stay true to who you are. Because you are awesome.

Teacup

[Read also: The Business Side of Acting and How to Succeed]

☕ Have a question? Pour it into tea@teacupofwisdom.com

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At Teacup of Wisdom, we share knowledge and insights about the entertainment industry from the actor’s point of view to inspire and empower your acting journey.