Flemish actors can’t live off income from acting alone

The study revealed that only 8% of Flanders TV, film and stage actors make a living over the long-term from acting. Most of the rest work other jobs in-between their acting work, including as musicians, in public relations and in the food service sector. About 19% of them fill in their pay gaps with unemployment benefits. On average, they earn just over half of their annual income from acting work.

“The reality of a working actor doesn’t remotely match the image that many people have of it,” the report states. “The average annual income of a young actor in Flanders is only €13,860.”

There is also a significant discrepancy in available work between women and men. Up to the age of 32, 62% of working actors are women. After that age, the percentage drops to 44.6%. By the time actors reach the age of 65, there are very few jobs left for women, who make up less than 32% of the workforce. Women are also paid approximately 20% less on average than men for similar roles, according to the report.

“It’s not surprising that about half of all actors regularly consider throwing in the towel,” said Michaël Pas (pictured) of the Flanders’ Actors Guild. “This stands in shrill contrast with the image that it’s going very well for Flemish fiction.”

Schauvliege said she would work with the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) to bring together producers and actors to discuss performance fees. “The new contract with VAF will include a requirement to co-operate with professional organisations,” she said. “This should have a beneficial effect on working conditions in the sector.”