They use their knowledge of acting, voice, and movement to achieve the best possible performance and usually approve the scenery, costumes, choreography, and music. Producers select plays or scripts and hire directors, principal members of the cast, and key production staff members. They coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel, arrange financing, and decide on the size of the production and its budget. Working Conditions Acting demands patience and total commitment, since aspiring actors must wait for parts or filming schedules, work long hours, and travel often. Evening work is a regular part of a stage actor's life.
Flawless performances require the tedious memorizing of lines and repetitive rehearsals.
When plays are on the road, traveling often is necessary. Actors may face the anxiety of intermittent employment and rejections when auditioning for work. Directors and producers often work under stress as they try to meet schedules, stay within budgets, and resolve personnel problems. In 1990, actors held an average of about 82,000 jobs in motion pictures, stage plays, and radio. Many others were between jobs, so that the total number of people actually employed as actors, directors, and producers over the course of the year was higher.