Actor

By MARK STORY

Name: Liesha Ward-Knox

Job title: Actor

Age: 22


Working hours: They vary, depending on the gig. Early starts are common, and there's lots of waiting around for a relatively small amount of camera time.


Pay: From nothing to unbelievable amounts - actors can earn up to $1200 a day. But unless you have a regular gig, pay depends on what projects you're working on. As these tend to be sporadic, it's important to have part-time jobs to pay your bills.


Qualifications needed: None, it's more about life skills than formal study. However, Ward-Knox graduated from a three-year bachelor degree in Performing and Screen Arts from Unitec 1 1/2 years ago.


Career prospects: Live theatre, TV, movies and commercials. But every time you try something new, it can open an unexpected door.

Q. What do you do?

A. I went direct from high school into drama school. Since graduating, I've landed several projects through my agent. I took the part of a 16-year-old girl in a TV One drama, Mercy Peak. I've also had some live theatre roles, including a part in the comedy Mayfly, and an Italian comedy, Venturina Venturina produced by a group of former drama graduates for the Hamilton Arts Festival.

Current gigs include a half-hour mocumentary for Triangle TV, a short film for TV and an invitation to take parts in three plays being produced by Unitec. To help pay my way, I could be working up to three part-time jobs - from creche to wine club work at any time.

Q. Why did you choose this line of work?

A. It was my parents, both of whom are artists, who proved to me it's possible to make a living out of this business, as long as you're totally committed. Initially I was seduced by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. But being able to move an audience is my biggest motivator.

Q. What skills do you need to become an actor?

A. Acting is all about reacting and being in touch with your instincts. But it's always good to have the technical skills [that formal training can provide] to fall back on.

The real driver of success is motivation and self-belief. It's impossible to succeed in this business unless you truly believe in what you're doing.

And because of the constant juggling between work and private life, you need to be extremely flexible and have lots of stamina.

Q. Best part of the job?

A. When you're respected for what you've done by both the audience and fellow actors. Pay is important, but fulfilment from constantly pushing your own boundaries as an actor is equally satisfying.

Q. Most challenging/difficult part of the job?

A. The love/hate relationship with the random nature of this job is a constant challenge. Knowing how to manage yourself and the opportunities as they come along is an evolving art. The hardest part is staying reliable and not screwing too many people around, especially when trying to balance work and family commitments.

Q. Any interesting one-off projects?

A. I once played a mid-winter pixie at the Viaduct Basin. A quiet weekend suddenly turned into an unexpected gig bowing in front of 10,000 people, playing a spider's leg for the AK03 festival.

Q. What sort of training do you get?

A. Once you're technically qualified, ongoing training comes from creating opportunities that allow you to constantly hone your skills.

While on the set, you might discover a passion for singing or directing.

During the down-time, its important to create activity around you. I'm currently trying to get an active creative community [workshop] going.

Q. What's your main aim? To stay working as an actor. I'd love to try all kinds of genre, but have a leaning towards live theatre and would love to do Shakespeare.