What is the "arts and entertainment industry"?

Actors are part of the "arts and entertainment industry". But what do we mean by this?

It's good for an up-and-coming actor to have some clarity on the industry they'll be joining, and in this post, we'll explain some technical terms to help you understand the lie of the land.

An industry is essentially a group of businesses that provide similar goods or services. These may be small businesses, medium ones, or absolutely massive corporations – they all form and contribute to the industry together, creating a diverse eco-system of people, talents and entities of different kinds.

Some people think of arts as separate from entertainment, with arts referring to “high culture” and entertainment referring to "popular culture"– but to some extent, these are artificial divisions, as really, they can overlap quite freely. 

Arts can include forms like visual arts, crafts (everything from jewellery making to textiles), music, dance and theatre, while the term 'entertainment' tends to be used to cover broader categories and forms.

Film, on the other hand, is considered by some to be an art form, and by others to be a form of entertainment. Ultimately, it's both, wouldn't you say? It's certainly an art form for those making it, and entertainment for those watching it. And some film watchers have a deep appreciation for the art involved. This illustrates why "arts and entertainment" is a good cover-all for the activities occurring within the industry.

Industry sectors

We can break the entertainment industry down further, into recognised sectors. Here's a rundown on the major classifications within arts and entertainment, and the industry professionals you'll find working within them.

1.      Film and Television: This includes the production, distribution, and exhibition of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. It involves actors, directors, producers, writers, and many other professionals.

2.      Music: This sector covers the creation, production, performance, and distribution of music. It includes recording artists, producers, songwriters, record labels, and live concert promoters.

3.     Theatre and Performing Arts: This includes live performances such as plays, musicals, dance, and opera. It involves actors, directors, playwrights, choreographers, and other stage professionals.

4.      Publishing: This sector includes books, magazines, newspapers, and digital content. It involves authors, editors, publishers, and distributors.

5.      Gaming and Interactive Media: This growing sector includes video games, virtual reality experiences, and other interactive content. It involves game developers, designers, artists, and publishers.

6.      Sports and Live Events: This includes professional and amateur sports, as well as live entertainment events like concerts and festivals and carnivals. It involves athletes, artists event organisers, broadcasters, and venue managers.

7.      Digital and Online Media: This includes streaming services, social media platforms, and other online content providers. It involves broadcasters, podcasters, content creators, influencers, platform operators, digital marketers and makers of digital products like audiobooks.

Actors have a place in many of these categories – from the most obvious: theatre, film and television – through to gaming and interactive media, where, for instance, they might offer voiceovers, or act as presenters or models – or live events, as hosts and masters of ceremonies, as on-field sporting mascots, as red carpet guests, or even as comedians. In the digital sphere, actors are providing voices for audiobooks and fiction podcasts, creating Youtube videos, and building their audiences and brands.

If you have an actor's skill set, you can find your own niche within the arts and entertainment industry. There are many and varied opportunities.

When looking to build a career, consider where your greatest interest lies, and where you might best fit. You may be able to specialise, for instance, as a voiceover artist, or perhaps even as a comedian.

Or, you may be able to blend your acting skills with other technical or production skills, and move between employment opportunities within a single sector.

Either way, the arts and entertainment industry is a colourful place to work.