Will getting a tattoo, harm my acting?

[Sir Magpie]

I'm looking to get a tattoo but I'm not sure if it will harm my acting?

What other things could you do that would harm you're acting?

[The Balladeer]

a) It depends where you get it.
b) It depends how big it is.

Tattoos can always be covered up with make up. If they are particularly dark, then they might be more difficult. Tattoos on your wrists are harder to disguise than tattoos on your back.

[Izzy Van Helsing]

Your acting itself, of course not. You'll still have the same acting ability, obviously. xd

But it COULD affect whether or not you get cast in certain roles. It won't always cause a problem, but it could, and that's something you have to consider.

I got an airbrush tattoo of a rose on my arm this summer, and loved how it looked SO MUCH that I actually considered getting one, but ultimately, it was my fear of not being cast in the roles I want that made me decide against it.

@The Balladeer: Tats on your ankles are pretty damn hard to cover too. And regular old makeup usually won't cover it. We tried concealer, face paint, everything we could think of to try and cover a flower tat one of our actresses had on her ankle, and nothing could do it.
There's some kind of special tattoo concealer makeup out there, apparently, but I have yet to find it.

[The Balladeer]

Izzy Van Helsing

@The Balladeer: Tats on your ankles are pretty damn hard to cover too. And regular old makeup usually won't cover it. We tried concealer, face paint, everything we could think of to try and cover a flower tat one of our actresses had on her ankle, and nothing could do it.
There's some kind of special tattoo concealer makeup out there, apparently, but I have yet to find it.

Just using Ben Nye worked for me. Not my tattoo personally but on an actor when I was working wardrobe. You just gotta lay it on thick and powder it well.

[Ryu_Wolfy]

The Balladeer

Izzy Van Helsing

@The Balladeer: Tats on your ankles are pretty damn hard to cover too. And regular old makeup usually won't cover it. We tried concealer, face paint, everything we could think of to try and cover a flower tat one of our actresses had on her ankle, and nothing could do it.
There's some kind of special tattoo concealer makeup out there, apparently, but I have yet to find it.

Just using Ben Nye worked for me. Not my tattoo personally but on an actor when I was working wardrobe. You just gotta lay it on thick and powder it well.

Balladeer is right, that makeup works wonders.. But I suggest you don't get a tatt yet.. Keep it in mind, and if you still want it as time goes on. Do it. But don't make it the largest covering your whole back or an entire sleeve on one of your arms.. Just go into the tattooing with caution: It may or maynot improve your chances of being cast. Also there are new inks that maybe you can look at. Some only show under blacklight smile That's what I would get of my own tattoo but I am waiting just in case.

[Ryu_Wolfy]

Sir Blade Knight

I'm looking to get a tattoo but I'm not sure if it will harm my acting?

What other things could you do that would harm you're acting?

Like Izzy Van helsing says, it won't affect your talent in acting. But it can differentiate whether you get cast or not.

PIERCINGS. Could do some damage in the casting process.

depending where they are and how big.. Like those.. gauges? The ones that can open that whole bigger. Yeah I want some piercings on my ear but I decided it's better if I just leave it for later in life. Maybe I won't want it then... tatts are better but it depends on where, how big and what ink

[Izzy Van Helsing]

Ryu_Wolfy

Sir Blade Knight

I'm looking to get a tattoo but I'm not sure if it will harm my acting?

What other things could you do that would harm you're acting?

Like Izzy Van helsing says, it won't affect your talent in acting. But it can differentiate whether you get cast or not.

PIERCINGS. Could do some damage in the casting process.

depending where they are and how big.. Like those.. gauges? The ones that can open that whole bigger. Yeah I want some piercings on my ear but I decided it's better if I just leave it for later in life. Maybe I won't want it then... tatts are better but it depends on where, how big and what ink

At least many piercings are removable.

[Sir Magpie]

I'm thinking of getting the Gemini symbol on my upper left arm or maybe a Knight but it won't be to big.

[alexandrakitty]

Sir Blade Knight

I'm looking to get a tattoo but I'm not sure if it will harm my acting?

What other things could you do that would harm you're acting?

Lots of actors have tats, but remember that (a) certain types of tats are trendy and will go out of style and it will date you, which may not work to your benefit, and (b) tats change their shape if you gain/lose weight and they don't always hold up. Tats are also common now and if you are using it as a shortcut to bolster some sort of underground, raw, edgy image, it won't necessarily do it for you, but I don't see it as some sort of major setback if you have what they're looking for...

[WhiteRavenWolf]

lol just dont get a body wide spread razz

[Naughty_Kitsunetsuki]

I assume we're talking about the things that would make you unlikely to get cast?

Be careful of particularly short haircuts, especially if you are working somewhere that lacks a budget for wigs.

I know also that where I work, and many other places, are looking for Color head shots rather than the traditional Black and White... It's nice to be able to see hair/eye color.

Don't put too much on your resume... there's a fine line between showing you're qualified and showing off...

While we're on the topic of resumes, DON"T PAD THEM!!!! What people don't realize is that everybody knows everybody!! A five minute phone call is all it takes to find if you really were the lighting director at so-and-so or if you were the understudy rather than the lead razz

[Alex De La Rightious]

alexandrakitty

Sir Blade Knight

I'm looking to get a tattoo but I'm not sure if it will harm my acting?

What other things could you do that would harm you're acting?

Lots of actors have tats, but remember that (a) certain types of tats are trendy and will go out of style and it will date you, which may not work to your benefit, and (b) tats change their shape if you gain/lose weight and they don't always hold up. Tats are also common now and if you are using it as a shortcut to bolster some sort of underground, raw, edgy image, it won't necessarily do it for you, but I don't see it as some sort of major setback if you have what they're looking for...

I have two tattoos. Not extravagantly big ones but on my shoulders...when I was in a dress parade. One of the dressers asked me to raise my arms about to make sure my tattoos wouldn't show up. Luckily enough for me I got them in places where it would be hard for that to happen!

As long as you get a tattoo in a place where you know you'll never have to reveal, and in case you do there are PLENTY of concealers to use, you should be fine. Unless the director is a d**k!

[ExiT LiFe]

it depends on wat you get and how big it is. becuz some directors mite not lik it.

[Jellicle Moon]

If you want to perform professionally, I would advise against any large, dark, tattoos. A lot of other posters here have made very valid points about concealer and character creditably/believability.

If you're going to get a tattoo that will be easily visible, might I suggest white ink? I plan on acquiring a white ink tattoo for myself at some point.

White ink is wonderful for performing arts and other professions where appearances are important as they can be very easily covered and hard to notice from a distance.

Here is an example of a white ink tattoo.
If your skin tone is much darker, you could consider a deep brown tattoo, or some other shade that is similar to your skin color.

[Abby Tailor]

well it certainly wont affect your acting ability but depending on who your acting like a "goodboy" for instance wont have a tattoo and might look a little queer , so choose carefully ^.^