aCTOR FINANCES
This course will meet you wherever you’re at in your financial journey
One of the most important elements in life for everyone, but especially actors, is financial stability and security. Yet, in our industry, it's one of the LEAST TALKED about topics. Why? That made no sense to me, so I decided to create a course to talk about it. That's how Actor Finances was born.
Remember, the better financial position you're in as an actor, the less stress you have, the less desperation you bring into an audition, the less tight you're holding on, the longer you can survive in the industry, which maximizes your opportunities to be IN the industry long enough to succeed and to thrive. The reality is harsh. Less than 14% of the 160,000+ actors in SAG-AFTRA make enough each year to qualify for health insurance (which is just over $27,000/year). Less than 2% of actors make a living from acting alone. These numbers are scary unless you have a plan.
What you get
Over 145 pages of educational material, broken out by module
Bonus PDFs with almost 40 additional resources, including, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, websites, articles, and videos, and almost 30 helpful and educational links
An e-book with 101-Jobs For Actors, all recommended by actors with those jobs
Limited access to purchase a recorded group chat and Q&A with tax pros from BRASS TAXES. ($79 add on-email me prior to purchasing with questions)
Annual updates with new relevant info, such as APY rates, recommended offerings, referral links, scams, and tax laws
Why Choose Actor Finances?
I’m the right person to guide you through this process because I have a degree in finance, worked as a financial analyst and still ended up $30,000 in debt in Los Angeles. In six years, I paid off all that debt, and saved enough to buy a home, and now have HYSAs, IRAs, and a pension, and a guaranteed retirement income.
1st Module
Budgets & Spending Plans
A budget & spending plan allow you to track your income, expenses, and changes over time, to better allocate your time and money.
2nd Module
Actor-related income and expenses
All your actor related income and expenses, and know what to do with them, and why.
3rd Module
Let’s Talk About Debt
About debt reduction, consolidation, and elimination.
4th Module
Saving and Investing
Sound techniques and practices for saving and investing.
5th Module
Everyone’s favorite: Taxes
Taxes for actors, including what's deductible, when, and why, as well as recent changes that impact actors.
6th Module
Actor Paperwork
An overview of paperwork such as agency & employment contracts, booking related paperwork, and filing claims.
7th Module
Summary and Financial Literacy
Be confident in all areas of financial literacy.
What this course IS…and what it is NOT:
Money matters are scary and they can quickly go over the heads of many people, not just actors. This course is ultimately designed to be a safe place, a bridge, a conduit for learning. It's not meant to be a one-size fits all solution, nor a magic wand to wave to fix all of the problems you may have. But, hopefully, it's a step in the right direction.
In this course, you'll learn a LOT. Some of it will be general information and an introduction to terms and concepts. Some of it will be specific and deeper diving, including specific recommendations and resources. You'll learn about everything from budgets, to debt consolidation, to investing, 401K's, and IRA's, to the importance of actor paperwork and its relationship to your finances, and a whole lot more.
You CAN feel good about your financial situation,
no matter where you are TODAY. Let me help you.
ABOUT ALEX COLLINS
As an actor, I've worked opposite and learned from some of the very best in the business, including an Oscar winner, a three time Oscar nominee, a two time Oscar nominee, and have been directed by a five time Oscar winner. In addition, I've worked opposite winners of five Golden Globes, five SAG Awards, four Emmys, and a Tony.
As a professional actor and member of SAG-AFTRA for over two decades, an elected member of the Atlanta SAG-AFTRA board, and a chair for a local committee ('22-'24), I've seen this business from all angles, and experienced both successful periods and lean times.
My work has allowed me to perform on HBO, CBS, FOX, the CW, Apple+, AMC, Netflix, BET+, National Geographic, WGN, USA, OWN, Sony, Warner Bros, and Universal. Most notably, I have been given the honor of bringing to life a comic book legend first in print 80 years ago and now on Stargirl on the CW.
Explore more courses
DECODE SERIES
Your Materials, Your Time on Set, Your Market - Atlanta: this series of courses tackles various elements vital for an actor’s success. Combined, this trio offers over 200 pages of information, resources, links, and support for your career.
For the newer actor
BOOTCAMP
A virtual, self-guided course allowing you to learn at your own pace, with almost five hours of instruction, nearly 30 videos, and 20 real script examples to amplify your learning and retention, and improve your script analysis and audition technique.
For the more serious actor
MASTERMIND GROUP
For actors who are ready to level up
The Approach™ Mastermind Group is a year long, small group, diversified training program for professional actors as well as actors looking to become professional actors. This is for artists who have been working diligently for at least two to three years.