What does Industrials mean?
Industrials refers to non-broadcast films and videos produced for corporate, industrial, or institutional use — including training videos, internal communications, product demonstrations, safety films, and promotional content intended for specific audiences rather than general public release. Industrials represent a significant sector of commercial acting work, particularly for performers who may not yet have significant film or television credits. They are typically produced quickly, pay well relative to their production scope, and provide valuable on-camera experience for developing performers.
Example:The child actor’s first paying acting job was an industrial video for a children’s educational software company — a training video for teachers that shot in one day and paid a solid day rate that the family’s entertainment attorney confirmed was appropriate for non-broadcast commercial use.
Example: The agent explained that industrials were an important part of a young performer’s early career income stream — they did not build public-facing credits but provided professional experience and income during the gaps between broadcast commercial and television bookings.
Did you know?
The industrial film sector is considerably larger than most people outside the industry realize — estimates suggest that more money is spent on corporate and industrial video production annually than on theatrical film production. Major corporations, government agencies, healthcare systems, and educational institutions all produce substantial volumes of non-broadcast video content. This invisible sector of the production world has provided steady employment for performers, crew, and directors throughout the history of the medium.
You can also find “Industrials” and related terms in this category: Acting Jobs and Auditions.
