30 Disadvantages of Being an Animal Impersonator (Wild Woes)

Considering a career as an animal impersonator?

It’s easy to get swept away by the appeal:

Versatile performance opportunities.
Possibility of unique roles in entertainment.
The excitement of bringing a character to life.

But there’s more beneath the surface.

Today, we’re delving deep. Very deep.

Into the problematic, the taxing, and the downright challenging aspects of being an animal impersonator.

Complex character study? Indeed.

Initial costume and training expenses? Absolutely.

Physical strain from constant performance? Undeniably.

And let’s not overlook the unpredictability of the entertainment industry.

So, if you’re contemplating stepping into the shoes (or paws) of an animal impersonator, or just intrigued about what’s beyond those stage lights and applause…

Keep reading.

You’re about to get a comprehensive insight into the disadvantages of being an animal impersonator.

Contents show

Physical Strain From Imitating Animal Movements and Behaviors

Animal impersonators often have to contort their bodies, move in unusual ways, or hold physically demanding positions to accurately mimic the animals they are portraying.

This can lead to a physical strain and discomfort, especially after long performances or during repetitive practice sessions.

Imitating animal sounds can also put a strain on the vocal cords, potentially leading to long-term vocal damage if not done correctly.

Furthermore, depending on the complexity of the animal impersonation, performers may also have to undergo intense physical training to build the stamina and flexibility required.

This physical strain and the potential for injury can make this job challenging and physically demanding.

Limited Career Advancement Opportunities in a Niche Field

Animal impersonation is a highly specialized field, often associated with entertainment industries such as theater, film, and advertising.

While it can be a rewarding and fun job, it is also a niche role with limited opportunities for upward mobility.

Unlike other careers where one can climb the corporate ladder or expand into various specialties, the opportunities for growth within the field of animal impersonation are relatively restricted.

You might find yourself stuck in the same type of roles for a long time, with limited options to advance or diversify your career.

Furthermore, as it’s a niche field, the competition can be fierce, making it harder to stand out and progress.

It’s also heavily dependent on the demand in the market, which can fluctuate, leading to periods of instability.

Potential Health Risks From Prolonged Use of Animal Costumes

Animal impersonators often spend long hours in animal costumes, which can be physically demanding and potentially hazardous to their health.

These costumes are often heavy, hot, and cumbersome, making it challenging to move around or even breathe properly.

Extended periods of use can lead to overheating, dehydration, and even heat stroke in extreme cases.

Furthermore, if the costumes are not properly cleaned and sanitized, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi, increasing the risk of skin infections and respiratory issues.

In addition to the physical discomfort, the lack of visibility and restricted movement can also lead to accidents and injuries.

Despite these challenges, many animal impersonators find joy in entertaining others and bringing characters to life.

Risk of Injury From Performing Complex Animal Stunts

Animal impersonators often have to perform complex stunts to mimic the behaviors and movements of the animals they are portraying.

This may involve jumping, climbing, running, or even swimming, depending on the animal.

Performing these stunts can be physically demanding and puts the impersonator at risk of injury.

Falls, sprains, strains, and even more serious injuries can occur if a stunt goes wrong.

Even with proper training and safety precautions, there is always a risk when performing physically demanding activities.

In addition, the costumes and props used in the performance can sometimes be cumbersome and difficult to maneuver in, further increasing the risk of injury.

Difficulty Maintaining Regular Income Due to Nature of Gigs

Animal impersonators often rely on sporadic gigs for their income, which makes it difficult to maintain a steady and predictable income.

These gigs can range from theatre performances and TV commercials to birthday parties and corporate events.

The frequency and payment of these jobs can vary greatly, leading to periods of financial uncertainty.

In addition, it’s not uncommon for gigs to be concentrated during certain seasons, such as holidays or summer, leading to dry spells at other times of the year.

This irregularity can make budgeting and financial planning a challenge.

Furthermore, competition for gigs can be fierce, adding another layer of unpredictability to an animal impersonator’s income.

Challange in Securing Steady Employment or Contracts

Animal Impersonators often face the challenge of securing steady employment or contracts.

This job role is highly niche and the demand for such professionals is not consistent.

It is heavily reliant on the entertainment industry, which is known for its fluctuations and unpredictability.

There may be times when there is a high demand for animal impersonators for movies, TV shows, theater productions, or special events.

However, there may also be long periods with little to no work.

This can lead to financial instability and stress.

Additionally, the competition in this field can be fierce, with many talented individuals vying for the same opportunities.

Need for Continuous Creativity and Innovation to Remain Relevant

Animal impersonators need to constantly stay creative and innovative in order to keep their performances fresh and interesting.

Just like in any performance art, repetition can lead to boredom for both the performer and the audience.

As an animal impersonator, it’s crucial to regularly invent new acts and skits, develop new impersonations, and find new ways to engage and entertain the audience.

This constant need for creativity and innovation can be mentally exhausting and stressful.

Furthermore, staying relevant in a fast-paced entertainment industry can be challenging, as trends change quickly and audience preferences evolve.

This role may require you to constantly adapt to new styles and techniques, adding to the pressure of the job.

Potential for Public Ridicule or Lack of Serious Recognition

Animal impersonators can often face the challenge of being ridiculed or not taken seriously in their profession.

This unique form of performance art may not be understood or appreciated by everyone.

While some audiences may be entertained and thrilled by the dedication and skill required for accurate portrayal, others may find it amusing or absurd, reducing the work to a mere spectacle.

This lack of serious recognition can be demotivating and could potentially impact an impersonator’s self-esteem and job satisfaction.

Furthermore, the potential for public ridicule could lead to stress, anxiety, and even professional isolation.

Despite these challenges, many animal impersonators find joy in their work, but it is important to understand these potential drawbacks when considering this career path.

Psychological Stress From Extended Periods of Character Work

Animal impersonators may face psychological stress due to the extended periods of character work.

This could involve hours of intense focus on replicating the animal’s behavior, mannerisms, and sounds accurately which can be mentally exhausting.

Furthermore, the pressure to remain in character for prolonged periods, often without breaks, can lead to psychological stress and fatigue.

It may also lead to a blurring of the impersonator’s own identity with that of the character they are playing.

This can cause confusion, disorientation and potentially lead to identity crises.

In addition, some roles might require the impersonator to portray distressing or dangerous situations, which could lead to anxiety and other mental health issues.

Seasonal Work Peaks May Lead to Intense Periods Without Rest

Working as an Animal Impersonator often means dealing with peaks of intense work during certain seasons.

These peaks are usually associated with public holidays, seasonal festivals, and school holiday periods.

During these times, there may be a high demand for animal impersonators at theme parks, children’s parties, and entertainment events.

This can mean working long hours, often without a day off for weeks at a time, to meet the demand.

After these peaks, there may be periods of very little work, making the job inconsistent and unpredictable.

The imbalance between intense work and rest periods can be physically and mentally taxing.

This could lead to burnout or health issues if not managed properly.

Less Social Prestige Compared to More Mainstream Occupations

Animal impersonators often face a lack of respect and acknowledgement for their profession, especially when compared to those in more mainstream jobs.

This role may not be seen as a ‘serious’ job by many people, which can lead to feelings of insignificance or inadequacy.

Furthermore, the profession is often misunderstood, with many not realizing the amount of skill, training, and dedication required to convincingly imitate the movements, sounds and behaviors of various animals.

This lack of social prestige and recognition can have an impact on the impersonator’s self-esteem and overall job satisfaction.

Constant Requirement to Stay in Good Physical Shape

Being an animal impersonator is physically demanding, requiring the performer to maintain excellent physical condition.

This role often involves mimicking the movements of various animals, which can be strenuous and require significant flexibility, strength, and endurance.

It’s not uncommon for animal impersonators to have to crawl, leap, run, or perform other physically demanding movements during their performances.

Therefore, they need to engage in regular exercise and training to maintain their physical fitness.

This means that not only must they spend time rehearsing their roles, but they must also invest time in fitness training.

Consequently, they may have less free time compared to individuals in less physically demanding roles.

Moreover, the need to stay in top physical shape can add stress and pressure to the job.

Extensive Time Investment in Perfecting Animal Imitations

Animal impersonators need to spend a lot of time perfecting their craft before they can perform professionally.

This often involves studying the movements, sounds, and behaviors of various animals in great detail, then practicing these imitations until they are convincing.

The process can be very time-consuming and may require a significant amount of patience and dedication.

Even after an impersonator feels they’ve mastered a particular animal, they must continue to practice regularly to maintain their skills.

Furthermore, an impersonator who wants to remain competitive and versatile in the field will need to constantly learn and perfect new animal imitations, which can be an ongoing time commitment.

Investment in High-Quality Costumes and Gear

Animal impersonators often need to invest heavily in high-quality costumes and gear.

The success of their performances hinges on the authenticity of their costumes, so cheap, poorly made items won’t suffice.

The costs can become quite significant when you consider that they often need multiple costumes to portray a variety of animals.

Additionally, maintaining and repairing these costumes is another ongoing cost.

Apart from costumes, they may also need to invest in props, makeup, and other gear to enhance their performances.

This level of financial investment can be a drawback for those who are just starting out in this career.

Possibility of Heat Exhaustion or Dehydration in Costumes

Animal impersonators often wear heavy, full-body costumes as part of their performance.

These costumes, while critical to the job, can be extremely hot and uncomfortable, especially during the summer months or in warmer climates.

The body-encapsulating nature of these costumes can lead to excessive sweating and heat exhaustion if the impersonator is not careful.

This can be exacerbated during long performances or if multiple performances are scheduled in a single day.

Dehydration is also a potential risk, as the excessive sweating can drain the body of needed fluids.

Although many costumes are designed with cooling systems or breaks to help manage body temperature, the risk is still present and can impact the health and well-being of the impersonator.

Limited Audience Appeal and Market for Performances

Animal impersonators often face the challenge of having a limited audience appeal and a narrow market for their performances.

The role is highly specialized and may not appeal to a broad range of viewers.

Unlike mainstream performers, animal impersonators cater to a specific niche that may not consistently provide ample opportunities for performance or steady income.

The demand for animal impersonation is often seasonal, linked to particular events or venues such as themed parties, zoos, or children’s events.

This may lead to periods of low activity and income.

Furthermore, the uniqueness of the role may also mean less competition but could limit the performer’s visibility and opportunities for career advancement.

Handling Negative Feedback or Criticism of Performances

Animal impersonators often have to face negative feedback or criticism of their performances.

This could be from audience members, critics, or even their fellow performers.

Negative feedback can be very demoralizing, especially when a lot of effort and preparation has gone into a performance.

Furthermore, impersonating an animal convincingly requires a unique skill set and extensive practice, and not everyone may appreciate or understand the complexity of this art form.

This could lead to misunderstandings and unjust criticism.

Despite all this, it’s crucial for animal impersonators to remain professional and take criticism constructively, using it as a tool to refine and improve their performances.

Navigating Intellectual Property Issues With Certain Animal Depictions

Animal Impersonators often deal with issues related to intellectual property rights.

This is especially true if they are impersonating animals from popular media, such as animated films or TV shows.

These characters are often protected by copyright law, and using their likeness without permission can result in legal repercussions.

Therefore, impersonators must be careful to ensure that their performances do not infringe upon these rights.

While impersonating generic animals might not have this issue, it can limit the impersonator’s marketability if they cannot portray more popular, recognizable characters.

This adds an extra layer of complexity to their job, as they need to constantly navigate the legalities around intellectual property.

Logistics of Traveling for Gigs With Bulky Equipment and Costumes

Animal impersonators often have to travel extensively for their work, which can involve transporting bulky equipment and costumes.

Whether it’s a life-like suit, heavy props, or special effects makeup kits, these materials can be cumbersome and difficult to manage, especially when travelling long distances.

This not only makes travelling a logistical challenge, but it also significantly increases the cost of transportation.

Additionally, depending on the nature of the performance, costumes may need to be custom-fitted and adjusted on site, further complicating the process.

This aspect of the job can be stressful and time-consuming, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the role.

Balancing Emotional Well-being While Frequently Performing Alone

Animal impersonators often spend a great deal of time alone, both during performances and in practice.

They must be able to balance their emotional well-being while constantly being in the spotlight, yet not having actual companionship.

The intense focus on mimicking animal behaviors can lead to feelings of isolation.

This is especially the case when the role requires them to spend long hours rehearsing or performing in solitude.

This lack of human interaction can take a toll on their mental and emotional health.

Additionally, they may also struggle with the pressure of maintaining their performance standards, which can lead to stress and burnout.

Risk of Isolation From Mainstream Acting or Performance Community

Animal impersonators, due to the unique nature of their work, may often find themselves isolated from the mainstream acting or performance community.

This career path is niche and specialized, which can lead to limited opportunities for more traditional acting roles.

The focus on embodying animal characteristics and behaviors can also be seen as less serious or prestigious in the acting community, leading to a lack of recognition and respect from peers.

While the role may be fulfilling for those who have a passion for it, this isolation can lead to less networking opportunities, professional growth and potentially limit career advancement.

Navigating Cultural or Ethical Sensitivities Around Animal Representation

Animal impersonators often have to navigate the complexities of cultural or ethical sensitivities surrounding animal representation.

Some cultures hold certain animals in high regard and impersonating them in a manner that does not respect these beliefs can lead to backlash or controversy.

Additionally, there can be ethical concerns related to how animals are portrayed, especially if it involves demeaning or inaccurate portrayals that reinforce harmful stereotypes or misinformation.

This can limit the roles available to animal impersonators or require them to approach their job with a level of cultural and ethical knowledge and sensitivity that might not be necessary in other performing arts roles.

It also puts pressure on them to constantly educate themselves and stay updated about various cultural and ethical views.

Dealing With Allergies or Discomfort From Costume Materials

Animal Impersonators often have to wear costumes made of a variety of materials, including synthetic fur, latex, and plastics.

These materials can cause discomfort, skin irritations, or even severe allergic reactions in some individuals.

In addition, many animal costumes can be hot and uncomfortable to wear, especially for long periods of time or in warm climates.

The costumes can also be heavy and cumbersome, restricting movement and making the job physically demanding.

Despite these challenges, the ability to bring joy and entertainment to others can make the role of an animal impersonator rewarding for many.

Competition From Digital Media and Animation Technologies

In the field of entertainment, animal impersonators face a significant challenge from the rapidly advancing technologies of digital media and animation.

With the progression of computer-generated imagery (CGI), animatronics, and virtual reality, the demand for human actors to impersonate animals may decline.

High-quality animations can create realistic, immersive, and visually stunning representations of animals that can easily replace human performers.

Furthermore, these technologies can create animals that perform feats impossible for a human to imitate.

As a result, animal impersonators may find fewer opportunities for work, requiring them to adapt and diversify their skills.

Possible Occupational Hazards Associated With Specific Performance Environments

Animal impersonators often perform in a variety of environments, ranging from theme parks to television studios to outdoor spaces.

Each of these settings can come with its own set of occupational hazards.

For instance, performing outdoors can expose the impersonator to elements such as extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow.

This could lead to health risks such as dehydration, heatstroke, or hypothermia.

In indoor settings, impersonators may need to perform on different types of surfaces which could increase the risk of slips, trips or falls.

Additionally, the costumes that impersonators wear can also pose risks.

These costumes are often heavy and cumbersome, increasing the likelihood of physical strain or injury.

Furthermore, some costumes may limit visibility or mobility, which can further increase the risk of accidents or injuries.

Ensuring Personal Safety When Performing in Public or Uncontrolled Spaces

Performing as an animal impersonator often involves entertaining in public spaces or other venues that aren’t strictly controlled.

While it may be exciting to perform in a variety of settings, it also presents unique safety challenges.

There could be risks associated with the physical aspect of impersonating certain animals, such as performing acrobatic moves or mimicking aggressive animal behaviors.

Additionally, crowd control can be unpredictable in public spaces, increasing the risk of accidents or incidents.

Furthermore, impersonators may have to wear intricate costumes, which can be cumbersome and restrict movement, making it difficult to navigate potential hazards.

Despite these challenges, many performers find fulfillment in their unique role, but must always remain vigilant about their personal safety.

Managing Time and Resources to Market and Promote Unique Talents

Animal impersonators have a unique talent that isn’t commonly sought after in traditional job markets.

This means that they have to spend a significant amount of time and resources to market and promote their abilities.

They might need to build a strong social media presence or travel to various locations to showcase their skills.

This can be both time-consuming and financially demanding.

Additionally, they may need to invest in costumes and props to enhance their performances, which is an additional expense.

This role requires an entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of dedication, as the success of the impersonator heavily relies on their marketing efforts.

Overcoming Stereotypes Associated With Costume Based Roles

Animal impersonators often struggle with the stereotypes associated with their profession.

Many people view such roles as childish or unserious, which can lead to a lack of respect for the hard work and dedication that goes into perfecting an animal impersonation.

This can be emotionally draining and demoralizing for professionals in this field.

Furthermore, it may hinder career progression or opportunities in other areas of acting, as they may be typecast due to their work as an animal impersonator.

This can make it difficult for these professionals to diversify their roles and fully showcase their acting abilities.

Adapting to Various Performance Contexts, from Educational to Entertainment

Animal impersonators need to be versatile and adaptable as they may be required to perform in a variety of contexts – from educational settings like schools and museums to entertainment venues like theatres and theme parks.

This means they not only need to impersonate animals convincingly but also modulate their performance to fit the setting and the audience.

For instance, a performance at a children’s party would require a more playful and engaging approach compared to a more factual and informative performance at a museum.

This constant shifting between different performance styles and contexts can be challenging and mentally taxing.

Additionally, it could also involve working irregular hours including weekends and holidays, which might interfere with personal life.

Dealing With the Constraints of Specific Animal Characters for Extended Durations

Animal impersonators often have to spend long hours impersonating a specific animal character, which can be physically and mentally taxing.

This may involve wearing heavy costumes, maintaining an unnatural posture or movement for extended periods, or making unusual noises, all of which can lead to physical strain and discomfort.

Additionally, the impersonator must constantly stay in character, which can be mentally exhausting.

Also, the impersonator is often expected to replicate the animal’s behavior accurately, which might require considerable research and practice.

Moreover, depending on the nature of the performance or event, the impersonator may have to work in challenging conditions, such as extreme weather or difficult terrain.

These factors can make the role of an animal impersonator particularly demanding and stressful.

Conclusion

And there you have it.

An unfiltered view into the disadvantages of being an animal impersonator.

It’s not just about donning costumes and mimicking animal sounds.

It’s hard work. It’s commitment. It’s navigating through a labyrinth of physical strain and emotional challenges.

But it’s also about the satisfaction of a captivating performance.

The joy of bringing smiles to faces, young and old.

The thrill of knowing you played a part in someone’s entertainment.

Yes, the journey is demanding. But the rewards? They can be phenomenal.

If you’re nodding along, thinking, “Yes, this is the challenge I’ve been yearning for,” we’ve got something more for you.

Check out our insider guide on the reasons to become an animal impersonator.