This post is for anyone who's going to be an extra (also called "background") on a TV or film set for the first time. It'll tell you what to expect, how to prepare, and what to do and not do while working on set. I've been an extra many times (it's how I first got started). Here's some tips, advice, and insights from my own experience, doing background work in Los Angeles: 1. **If they ask for wardrobe options**, bring 4-5 shirts and maybe 2-3 pants. Pick different styles and colors. Make sure there's no logos, images, or artwork on them. Nothing that could potentially be a trademark or copyright issue. Usually a regular pair of shoes is fine (as long as they don't show a big logo and/or stand out with bright colors or something). Never hurts to bring a second option though. The costume people will LOVE you for bringing "too many" options -- but at the same time, remember, you gotta bring \*everything\* with you to "holding" (more on that below), and there's probably limited space. So, generally, 3-5 shirt/pants options is great. 2. **"Holding" is this space they have all the extras wait**, when they're not needed on set. It may be nearby where they're filming, or it could be far away. Holding will be your second home. You will either be on set, in holding, or in the bathroom -- NEVER go wandering off anywhere else, ever. 3. **If you have to go to the bathroom**, let a Production Assistant ("PA") or your Assistant Director ("AD") know first. If one of them isn't around, then let a few other extras know in case the PA or AD comes looking for you to call you to set. On a film set, you'll learn they've got special codes and nicknames for everything. A bathroom break is called a "10-1". That means you're taking a quick pee and should be back in a couple minutes. (And you guessed it, #2 is a "10-2", but try to avoid that on set if possible. It happens, we're all human -- but, if you gotta, just be quick about it.) 4. **Always be aware of your volume.** While you're in holding, you'll probably have other extras to talk with. Sometimes it's easy to not realize how loud you're getting. If you're anywhere near set, you may hearing them yell "quiet on set" or a PA may come and tell you to be quiet. If that happens, just SHUT UP, be quiet, and whisper "sorry." That's all you need to do. They don't need big apologies or explanations or anything. They just need it quiet so they can get the shot. If it happens, don't feel bad. Again, we're all human. Just be careful to keep the volume down thereafter. 5. **You may be in holding all day -- or barely ever at all.** I've literally spent an entire 12 hour day on set and NEVER left holding. You get paid whether you get seen on camera or not. So that's cool! But it also kinda balances things -- because some days, you're on set ALL DAY, running around and yelling and doing high energy things. Those days are exhausting. So if you get a day where you can relax in holding for several straight hours... ENJOY and APPRECIATE that! 6. **You may want to bring a book to read.** Lots of experienced extras do. If you want to listen to music or play games on your phone, use earbuds -- but make sure you can also easily hear the PA or AD if they call for you. 7. **NEVER EVER take a nap. Ever. You're there to work.** Some days it may be slow and boring. You may be tired because of a super early call time or you're in a dark quiet room or whatever... Some days, honestly, the most difficult thing about being an extra is staying awake. 8. When they call you, be ready to drop whatever you're doing (reading, playing a game, etc) and jump to your feet, ready to go to work. They may call for you specifically, or they may call for your "category." So the PA or AD may say, "Okay, I need all of Group C" or "Police officers, detectives, office workers, you're up!" **Know your category and be ready for whenever they call for it.** 9. The PA or AD will then escort you to set. They will tell you where to stand or sit. They will tell you, "on action, walk over there" or some other instruction. There will probably be a rehearsal, but not always. Either way, don't be nervous. You're literally part of the "background" to help bring the scene to life, but all the focus will be on the "principal" (speaking) actors. (Unless, of course, you're "featured"; more on that next.) **Your only job is to look as natural and human as possible, without making ANY noise at all** (even if you're "talking" with another extra in your scene; always do pantomime, always stay quiet). Just don't look into the camera and you'll probably be fine. :) 10. **If you are "featured"**, that means you're still a non-speaking extra, but the camera will focus on you for a bit. Usually they ask for volunteers to be featured. If you're nervous and/or just prefer to disappear into the crowd, then don't volunteer. But sometimes the PA or AD will request you specifically. (It could be your look, wardrobe, the right height, any number of reasons.) If you're REALLY super nervous and uncomfortable, tell them that. They'll either help you relax or find somebody else who does feel ready. But remember: it's film. If you or anybody messes something up, they'll just cut and try again for another take. It's totally common to feel nervous and excited the first time you're on set. But we're all here just to tell a story and we get multiple chances to get it right. So relax, have fun, enjoy yourself. 11. Unless a PA or AD tells you to change what you're doing, **KEEP DOING whatever you're doing**, take after take. It's common to feel tempted to ask, "Did I do it right? Want me to try anything different?" But you should always assume, if you get no notes/instructions to change anything, then they like what you're doing and you should keep doing the same thing each take. However, sometimes (often) they will tell you to make changes and adjustments. That doesn't mean you did anything wrong, either. It could just be the director didn't like the timing of something or how it looked in camera. In fact, **EXPECT there to be changes**. They are super common on a film set. Always listen to and do whatever your PA or AD tells you to do. It's never hard or complicated. It's usually "pretend to be talking to that person" or "walk from here to there" or "pretend to be working at this computer". 12. **Extras come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.** Some have a lot of experience. Some have little or none. Some talk a big game about how important and special they are, how they acted across from some celebrity, how they're working on some big indie film project of their own, they're gonna be a star someday, etc, etc... Other extras more or less keep to themselves, stay quiet in holding, and do their job on set with no fuss or issues. It's those latter types you want to be like. THOSE are the professionals. They're there to work. Not to network, try to get "upgraded" to a speaking role, have their face seen on camera, or anything else. They're there to be an extra, period -- and do whatever the PA or AD tells them to do when the cameras are rolling. 13. **Never, ever, EVER complain.** For some reason, extras are notorious for bitching, whining, and complaining about EVERYTHING. Oh my God. PLEASE don't be one of them. "It's too cold, it's too hot, I had to wake up too early to get here, the craft services suck, there's no craft services, when's lunch, when are we gonna wrap???" ... You may think nobody's listening, but trust me, there is a PA or AD (or other crew person) nearby... and they hear EVERYTHING. Being an extra is one of the EASIEST jobs IN THE WORLD! You literally get paid to sit, eat free food, and talk with your friends sometimes. You get to be on movie and TV sets. Work side by side with major celebrities sometimes. Wear fun cool costumes sometimes. You get paid to look pretty and walk past a camera when the director calls action. That's your job. APPRECIATE it. Be grateful. There are millions of people who would do anything to be where you are right now. 14. **Don't talk to principal actors unless they initiate a conversation with you first.** Remember, they're there to work too, and they've got a ton of lines to deliver, emotions to emote, and carry the success of the film partly on their backs. Some principal actors like to stay focused and go straight to work. Others may stop by and say hello to the extras. If a principal actor starts talking with you, never ask for an autograph or selfie, or fan-gush all over them, or anything like that. You're both on the same film set. You're both film professionals now. See them as a co-worker. But let them lead the conversation, and as soon as they want/need to go, let them go. 15. **Do not take pictures on set, unless you get permission from the AD first.** Most professional sets have a strict "no photos" policy. But some of the small to medium size ones might allow it, but always get permission first. If you absolutely must take a photo of yourself in costume, then do it in holding against a neutral, blank background... and do not post it to social media until AFTER the show/film has released. Even if your privacy is set to "friends only" or something -- once something's on the internet, it has a life of its own and sometimes gets shared by well-meaning people who are just happy, excited for, and proud of you... and then someone from the film production office somehow discovers you just "leaked" something about their movie, and you can get into trouble. Never, ever take photos that include the actual film set or any other actors in the production. Unless, of course, you get everyone's permission first. 16. **If you don't know or understand something**, or aren't sure what to do, JUST ASK a PA or AD. They'd rather you pause for a minute to understand what they mean or how to do what they want, than for cameras to start rolling and then have you do it completely wrong. No one gets upset when someone asks for clarification. 17. When cameras start rolling, extras usually start moving before "action" is called. **Extras begin their action when you hear the AD say "background".** Then "action" is called for the principal actors to begin. There's a whole list of things they say before the scene actually happens. You'll hear "picture's up!" and "roll sound" and "sound speeds" and "roll camera" followed by "rolling". Usually all the PAs will yell, "rolling, rolling!" Including ones on a radio, far away from the actual set. So no matter where you are (in holding, on set, hair & make-up department, etc), everybody knows when the cameras are rolling and they're going for a take. Then they'll say "background" followed by "action". Stay in character until you hear "cut!" 18. **Now let's talk about food.** Usually nearby holding will be the "craft services" table, which includes an assortment of snacks and drinks. There's usually water bottles and soda, fresh fruit, granola bars, chips, coffee, tea, bagels... It really depends on the day and production, but those are some common staples. If you're not needed momentarily on set, those snacks are there for you to enjoy too. Craft services are for everyone, so obviously, take what you want but leave plenty to share with others. That food is meant to help keep your energy and morale up, because some days get LOOOOOOONG and exhausting. On really big shoots, there may be separate craft services -- one for the union extras and film crew, and one for all the non-union extras. Never complain. (See #13.) It's still free food. 19. For actual meals (breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner as the case may be), extras eat LAST. The crew works much harder and longer hours than you do. They also have to rush back to set first. So let the crew and principal actors be first in line to get their meal. There is always plenty of food. Usually food goes to waste and gets thrown out. So no worries. Just be patient. You may be tired and hungry. So is everyone else. **Extras are at the end of the food line.** That's just how it goes. (But if it makes you feel any better, the PAs actually eat after you -- and they are usually the first to arrive on set and the last to leave after a long day too. PAs are so under appreciated... but it's the entry job that opens up doors to all the better crew positions.) 20. **Be on time or early.** If your call time is 6:00 AM, then be there by 5:30 to 5:45 AM... You don't know what the parking situation is gonna be like. You might get lost trying to find the place. There could be a long line from all the other extras and crew members arriving at the same time. It's better to be an hour early than 5 minutes late. Unfortunately, you only get paid starting at your actual call time, not whenever you first arrive. If you get there early, the PAs will appreciate and respect you, and tell you just to wait until they're ready to start checking people in. 21. **When you check in, you'll receive a "voucher"** \-- it's a piece of paper that logs your hours and tells the payroll company who to send the paycheck to. Hang onto it, don't lose it. When you're wrapped, the PA will sign you out and record your actual, final total hours. You'll keep a carbon copy of your voucher for your records. You should receive your check in the mail in 1-2 weeks, usually. Your voucher is proof that you were there and how much money you earned. You get a new voucher for each day you work on set. 22. **Expect to work 12+ hours.** Much of that time could be spent in holding, talking with other extras, eating free food, playing games on your phone... But it's very common to be there for 12 or more hours. But usually not more than 16. After 16 hours, it starts getting REALLY expensive for the production. The union actors and crew members start what's called "golden time" -- they get paid a full day rate for every hour they work past that. So needless to say, production companies don't like paying that if it can be avoided. But 12-15 hour days are fairly common. Sometimes, however, you may only work 3-4 hours. It's super rare, but it does happen. I don't know where you're filming, but on professional productions in Los Angeles, they guarantee you'll make 8 hours worth of wages, no matter what. So even if they send you home after 4 hours, you still get paid for a full 8 hour shift! (Again, another reason never to complain about this job!) But... they'll only send you home early if they're absolutely sure they won't need you anymore. Often, they'll be "done" with you after a few hours, but keep you around "just in case." And then right before you're about to go into overtime, somebody will come and say, "okay, you're wrapped!" Okay, I know I threw A LOT of information at you. And every production works slightly differently. But this will give you a good idea of what to expect, how things work, and proper protocol as an extra. Personally, I loved being an extra for quite a while. It's super fun. Eventually I grew into principal roles and only do those now. But background acting will always hold a special place in my heart and memory. I'm grateful for the experience. If you think you may want to become a principal actor or part of the film crew someday, take this opportunity as an extra to observe and learn as much as you can. Just stay quiet, out of the way, and ready to work whenever you're called. You'll do great! Just relax, have fun, and be a part of the movie magic! Welcome to the industry! :)
Hello all! Fellow actor here Shameless self promotion, but I've recently turned my Instagram into a comedy page. If you are in need of a good laugh, check it out
Hi, my name is Noah and I’m an actor. Here is what I have going on… I’m a big guy. Not big as in width but big as in length. I’m 6’8” and 270 pounds. I was diagnosed with diabetes 5 years ago which caused a decrease in my muscle mass. Long story short, I look like a tall stick with gynecomastia and I’m 25. My agent and manager submit me for projects that require either the “fat guy” or “muscular guy.” As a diabetic, I can’t afford to be the fat guy. I have the option of being a normal me. But I also have the option of being the muscular. Do I change what I look like in order to have a career or do I stay the way I am hoping that it doesn’t matter?
I'm not a VA but I really want to learn to do Wood's voice from Call of Duty Black Ops ([https://youtu.be/W0s\_WEPsnrQ](https://youtu.be/W0s_WEPsnrQ)). Do you guys have any tips?
What platforms do aspiring actors use for networking and connecting with fellow aspiring actors or people interested in the craft of acting? Other than participating in my university's theatre extracurricular, I am having a difficult time finding new ways to make new connections. I'm more interested in the film aspect of acting.
If anyone was is reading this, This is my first time being in this Website and I want to tell this to you guys anyway about something that I really want to happen possible, For Anyone who gets this, I have been a Fan of the Franchise since I was very young and I always want to find ways to share and spread this to world more often and I want to make this possible but I need your Help, For Anyone who is aware of this website, It's a Place where you can look up on your Favorite Voice Actors and many other places, but there is only one negative thing I find in this Place, there are only 3 Precure Series in this and yet the whole franchise is not in here at all, So I am asking you this, If anyone knows this website and can add all the Precure Tv Series and Varies in this Place, I greatly would appreciate a lot very much and that would make the series more popular when it is spread around the internet, and trust me, if it was added here, the media would go crazy on it, So Please, this is what I am asking for, Please try to do it, it would mean so very much to me if it would really happen. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/
Basically the title. I have some experience, but I'm wondering how much more I should get before I contact an agency?
Use this thread to post your headshots for feedback, get info on your age range/type, find good headshot photographers, ask any questions you may have about headshots. If you are posting a DIY headshot for feedback, and not just a snapshot in order to get feedback on your age range/type/etc, it is advised that you do at least some basic research on what actor headshots look like--composition, framing, lighting. You will find a Google Image search for "actor headshots" to be very helpful for this. Non-professional shots are fine for age/typecasting; please keep in mind that one picture is a difficult way to go about this. Video of you moving and speaking would be ideal, but understandably more difficult to post. For what it's worth, the branding workshop at SAG-AFTRA recommends a five-year age range. That's inclusive, so for example 19-23, 25-29, 34-38, etc.
This isn’t really anything I considered before but my old acting teacher sent me an email over to send headshots and a bit about myself into a well known British tv show on Netflix which is looking for trans actors (I’m a 24 year old trans man), there is no acting experience required. Could I have some advice on how to take some headshots please? I’m a photographer and I have a very good DSLR, this is just something I have no experience with! Thanks
So, I started working with the local cast of a national murder mystery theater comapny a couple months ago, and I'm really loving every minute of it. So far I've been playing side suspect characters that have an important clue or really just add flavor to the story. But recently, I've gotten cast as the lead in character in a couple shows. The one in charge of driving the story and helping the audience follow along. And I'm starting to get really nervous, thinging I'm not ready to be thrust into the spotlight like this. I've been stress reading the script over and over, trying to nail down all the beats and moments and make sure I'm introducing suspects in the right order for them to give their clues correctly. I'm so worried that I'll screw it all up. When those of you working actors out there got your first "big role" where the show really depended on you, did you have thoughts of I'm not ready? That it can't be you because you're just a supporting character actor and not a main guy and someone must have screwed up somewhere to think you'd be ready for this already?
But I just signed with my manager less than a month ago and today I just received my first Tyler Perry audition. As a black actor, this is huge to me
I live in Los Angeles for reference, and do both central casting and calling service. I just am curious to see if it’s reasonable to get a week of unemployment every once in a while
I’m a non-union actor and am decently proactive about submitting to roles for non-union film/theatre work. I’m wondering though if I’m allowed to submit to EPA auditions for theatre and SAG projects for film (I need 2 more waivers to be SAG-eligible). What’s the likelihood that I’d be seen or taken seriously? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I haven’t been able to find a straight answer. Thank you!
Hey! I want to ask about how long can an actor prepare for a role? In my opinion, to get into a character takes time but I also heard that many actors have only a week for the preparation so what’s the average?
I'm referring to selecting which Headshot as your primary photo when submitting to Actors Access and Backstage. - I think picking the one that best suits the role makes sense first and foremost. - - I've heard some sites say use tinder and put up both photos for the same amount of days to see which gets more swipes. If it's one photo by a landslide over the other then thats an answer. (I don't believe this necessarily because that's more for modeling. I do think "approachability" is a factor as well as, "this person looks like someone I could tolerate for 12hrs straight") - - Personally, I alternate dates submitting for everything I can with one photo. Then the next day with another photo. At the end of the week I look to see which got more audition requests. - - And for some actors, you have one really amazing headshot that stands above the rest so it could be an easy pick for you. What's your process for deciding on your default photo and primary photos you submit with?
Like Emma Watson regardless of what movie she does she’ll always be thought of as Hermione. Like Vin Diesel with Dom or Chris Hemsworth as Thor. They can never really step out of their character’s shadow.
I'm still an aspiring actor, but I don't have an agent, and my last (and only) gig was a commercial gig 2 years ago. I've been doing loads of extras work on the side but Im starting to wonder If I should approach work differently than 6 years ago, but then again maybe its all in my head. Also I have a fear that I have forgotten how to act as I was not practicing during the lockdown.
Hello all, I wanted the opinion of anybody working in LA right now or who moved from San Diego to LA for acting. I'm a young professional who has some job offers to work in LA. Because a lot of things are virtual at the moment (including classes), would it be worth it to move to LA? I'm interested in taking improv and acting classes, which I know LA has some of the best options for this, but most of them are virtual anyways right now. Also, because I don't have much experience, I'm aware a lot of people recommend not to move to LA until you have some experience. Should I move to LA right now with most things being virtual classes/self-tapes and get any in-person experience I can with the currently available fewer options for classes. Or should I wait 1-2 years while building experience in SD? Appreciate any thoughts!
Hey! I got cast in a student film as a suuuuper creepy racist role. Basically I would put on “Asian face” at some point during the film. Potentially taping my eyes to be more narrow, and caking my face in white makeup. I’m a new actor, would this be really fucked up of me to do? I’ve got an agent and manager and I don’t feel comfortable asking them just yet if I should do this or not.
I'm in a short film where I have more lines than the lead character. I think I'm working with a first time filmmaker, they didn't specify. They said they are doing this for diversity and so that all the actors on this can be discovered. Would it be wrong to just ask for a name instead of being called "Brother 2?" It's incredibly irritating but maybe they aren't thinking about it. I just worry it could risk me losing the role. I've played enough no-name roles in the last 10years, my imdb is already littered with horrible choices lol.
Wondering if this is the time of year Union commercial and/or theatrical auditions slow down? Is there a time where they just aren’t shooting anything in LA due to the holidays? Someone told me it’s good to stay in town during December since many people aren’t available but I’m not sure if that’s true for SAG actors as well?
I wouldn't even call myself a new actor as yet as I have no on-paper experience. I'm from a small Caribbean island and acting isn't really a huge industry over here. I self-tape, take online acting classes, study techniques, etc. I think I have so much potential. I really want to start off somewhere but I guess asking/reaching out for help right now is a good way to start. I've been researching Non-American Actors in Hollywood for over a year now and I really haven't gotten any real answers as yet. I read in order to get a good agent and build your career or even get into high-profiled films in the future you need a union? My country/region does not have anything like that and I was wondering if I can legally get into any Union in the USA. Even Canada or the Uk would be good for me. I just want a stepping stone or a guide on what to do next. I feel very stuck but I'm not going to lose hope
Delete if not allowed. I'm an aspiring actress that would love to one day be in real movies or on real tv shows. I've mostly done plays and student films but have started taking it more serious and am joining a union. Some of my family members are trying to scare me into crazy Q anon theories about Hollywood and how it's evil and run by pedos and I should stay away and I told them that every workplace and business has some form of corruption and that these crazy demonic theories have been around forever. I wont lie though, it does scare me and sometimes makes me not wanna even try to take my acting further even though I know the theories are insane. Can anyone else relate?
So I'm going to New York this week for an anime convention, and then I get word that one of my favorite shows is filming somewhere else in New York, and if I'm in the right part of NYC at the right time, I could potentially watch them film and/or interact with some of the actors. But I also want to be a professional actor, on a level with this show's cast. I'm obviously not going over there with an 8x10 glossy and asking to be on the show or anything like that, I just want to watch them film as a fan and maybe get a selfie with the actors if they'll let me. Would that hurt any of my future prospects as an actor, or am I okay?
On the topic of being "pinned," do you typically hear back from casting when they would like to release you from the pin (for specific dates) if they go with another actor? Or is this like most things in the industry where you should assume you won't hear unless you book?
I’m fairly new into the whole voice acting process. I’m taking classes and stuff to refine my voice. I’ve already been stage acting for years. I’m just wondering how is the best process for getting auditions. I don’t really care how big or if they are paid. I’m just wondering if there is a trustworthy site to visit? Any help would be welcome no matter how small.
Ugh… idk where to start. I lived in La for 4 years moved back home (couple hours away from La) because I lost my job and figured I could do self tapes from home anyways since that’s the new norm. I can honestly say this year I’ve been rejecting more audition offers (due to me not living in La, not being interested in the role, very low pay… Not enough for me to travel, family obligations, and my mental health has been at an all time low) My manager dropping me today has me re-evaluating my whole life. I can’t help but feel like a failure. I can’t help but feel like I wasted 4 years in La. First year was a complete joke. I was 23 years old spending 5 days a week closing a bar until 3 am and could barely make ends meet. Couldn’t afford an acting class. My friend told me our mutual friend asked her “does she even pursue acting anymore”. It broke me. I was constantly in survival mode while I watched that same girl pull money out of her trust fund account and solely focus on acting. The second year was bad. Finally 2019, I started getting into bigger auditions, studio lots, call backs (still non union) but no solid bookings! Yet I felt confident and was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Covid hit, I spent a whole year stuck in my apartment. Came home, unemployed, booked one gig all year through my manager. I know I wasn’t putting my all into acting. I am more focused on my mental health and making money in hopes of living a better quality of life and hopefully will be able to be in a more comfortable state of mind, enough to whole heartedly chase acting again. I just can’t help but feel like maybe I just suck. 4 years in La did some work, most was shit. I didn’t even see end result for so many project. Self tapes give me anxiety. When I was in La, I would get my tapes done at a studio. Now I’m home I have no actor friends to help. I don’t want to pay someone off we audition to help me. It makes me uncomfortable not knowing the person and it doesn’t even feel like I am connecting with my reader responding through a screen. I hope I am not losing my passion. I am afraid I am…
I own a creative ad agency called [Airtraffic](https://airtraffic.co) and we work with a lot of mobile app/gaming clients. Right now we are producing a series of short TikTok style video ads for a client, and they call for people with pets or animals. The videos are all remote / self-filmed using your phone. The animals vary from dogs and cats to horses, fish, birds, cows, snakes, turtles, goats, and even a tarantula. The videos are fairly short - around 20-30sec - so they should take maybe 30min of your time to produce. These are all paid gigs. Contract is full buyout but we do not limit your ability to work on similar productions in the future (i.e. other mobile or gaming products). If you have an animal and are available, please email [talent@airtraffic.co](mailto:talent@airtraffic.co) or send me a message here. Thank you!
Hi r/acting! I'm an undergraduate currently pursuing a degree in acting. As part of a project for my Business of Acting class, I'm supposed to interview professional actors who work in LA. I would be asking questions about their experience in the business and what it's like to live in LA. If there are any professionals on here interested in giving an interview, either over email or Zoom, DM me! I'd also greatly appreciate any advice on how to get in touch with actors in the LA area. Thanks!
Do any of you work in casting offices or with casting directors? If so how did you get in and does that hurt your career or help it?
I have seen several instances where a person of one race voices a character of another race, and it being considered offensive/racist. One example of this is the character Missy in Big Mouth. This character was originally voiced by a white woman, but was replaced by an African American woman due to backlash of it being considered "offensive". What are your thoughts on this? Is it considered offensive for a person to voice a character of a different race, or should it be based on the the talent of the actor rather than race?
I’m a beginner, and many people told me to start with acting for theater classes (because it’s a more „complete” kind of education), while I chose to start with acting for film classes, because I prefer that kind of acting. What are your opinions about this? Did all successful movie actors begin with theater acting?
What are some good paying jobs that an actor can work? Is working part time better? If you’ve working full-time, how do you balance acting/auditioning and your regular 9-5?
Hey everyone, I moved out here a few months ago with some people I considered family to pursue my acting career, and yesterday I was informed I was no longer welcomed to live there. I'm not sure what my next move should be, my financial situation isn't the greatest atm but I'm certain my current circumstances will change
Feeling so insecure and just seeking a bit of reassurance. Im confident in my ability as a theatrical actress, but the only auditions Ive gotten lately have been for commercials. I get so insecure during callbacks for them it makes me doubt my entire existence. Everyone is so chatty and bubbly and outgoing whereas Im reserved and introverted. I dont experience this during theatrical auditions but something about the commercial audition process makes me feel like such an imposter and I hate it so much. I feel like the CDs want someone with that authentic bubbly spark which I cannot manufacture and feels so fake when I try to. I know I just need to change my own perception of it but I get so tired of pumping myself up only to be riddled with nerves and feel like a failure after every single callback. How can I just stop caring so I can just have fun with it? Is it possible to book stuff even if Im not the life of the party personality that seems required of every actor?
Hello! I am to the point of my career where I feel like I am ready to get an agent (or a manager honestly, yes I know the difference). I feel like getting an agent and how to contact them is somehow something others know and I am just the fool. I would really appreciate any actual, concrete advice on how to do so. Is the best thing to do truly scouring IMDb for C-list actors and somehow finding their agents' emails? Is sending generic, yet semi-personalized emails to 50 agents whom I have no connection to the best thing to do? I am ready to put in the work, I live in LA, I am successfully and consistently booking short films and background work on my own, and I am ready to start taking the next step. Please, any advice would be genuinely appreciated. Be honest, harsh, helpful, I am not looking for an easy fix or an in, just anything anyone has to give.
Ridley Scott just came out saying he thinks that superhero movies and boring and lack creativity, we also had Martin Scorsese talk about them, Ricky Gervais and also recently Denis Villeneuve. I get the points they make, about how a lot of them do lack creativity and use the same cookie cutter formula but are they really that bad for the industry? I mean they’ve kicked off a lot of careers for actors and you could say the same thing about the Bond movies. I mean I will admit I am starting to get tired of superheroes movies but you can’t deny they are fun and have allowed some amazing actors to be in the spotlight
Hello there, I do hope this is the right subreddit, if not any guidance would be appreciated. Looking for an actress who does primarily independent films. I believe she has only been acting since 2019 maybe a little bit longer. First name is some variation of jasmine/Jasmyn/jazmin/ etc. From the phoenix/flagstaff area. Medium to long, I believe it was dark Brown hair. If I could remember where I saw her this would not be an issue haha. Thank you in advance.
I’ve always wanted to be an actor and I’ve lowkey been afraid to go for it. I’m 23 years old now, about to be 24 and decided enough is enough and I want to get the ball rolling on my career, but have no idea where to start. I did a few plays as a child in places like church and school. Can anyone help me? I’m from Orlando if that helps lol. Any advice is appreciated
I guess I'm looking for tips but also want to see what other actors say on moves they made that really turned their careers around. I think back on the last decade of my career and I went years where I would only get 1-5 auditions a year..to now where in a good month I get maybe 5 a month. Things kinda slowed down but there is a reason for that I feel in which I need to speak with my agent. But anyway, as for my moves..training. I took acting class after acting class after acting class. Then when I right audition came, I would be ready. In Chicago there are only 20 SAG agents. If you are in the know, you kinda know who are the top agents. When I booked my first booking, I was with a low-tier - foot in the door agent. What I would always do when signing in because you sign your name and agent you are with..I would look at the actor and the agent..I would make a mental note..I might be with a low level agent, but here I am in a room with actors who are with the cream of the crop. I gotta kill it, I gotta stand out over them. And that one audition came, and I did exactly that. And this was with the number 1 CD in Chicago, as I auditioned I heard, "wow, well we got that role down" and it felt good. I was nervous on set, I felt outta place, but hey, I got it done. My first ever job. I just booked my second job last year for an Apple TV. Here is another part of the story, I started acting in 08. I landed a lead role in a big indie movie - long story short, it went nowhere. I had this ego that I didn't need acting classes - I had that ego for a long, long time. Stupid long time. Then I had a convo over gaming with a long lost friend I found on Facebook..we talked and his passion came up - paintballing. This guy has put in over 5-6K in his paintballing equipment..He loves it. Sure it's not his career, but he is sponsored and goes to tournaments and everything. It hit me, how has he put more money in his passion, than I have in my acting which I consider my "career?" That's when I signed up for classes and I completed acting programs. That's what I did. I took classes and I stuck with it. Sure, I get depressed and down...like I wish I woulda took classes since I started..I woulda got where I'm at faster..I will forever regret not becoming the man I am today, earlier in life when my mom was alive...that will always be with me. I was a late bloomer in life... I guess I'm ranting...there is one phrase you need to abide by, work smart, not work hard. or both. Work hard & smart.
I have seen a lot of Actors emphasis on the fact that you need to connect to the story or the script as deeply as possible for a great performance. How to connect to the story?
Hi everyone! So today I had my first audition ever for drama school and didn’t make it to first-round callback. Since I’m an international applicant that had never auditioned in English before and literally just started exploring Shakespeare this year, I knew this first time was going to be a learning experience. Also, it was Juilliard. Heh. But although I’m very happy I got to do this today, I would like to know if any actors here at drama schools or auditioning have some experiences to share about how your very first drama school audition went like and advice on how to not let that first “no” put pressure on your next auditions for other schools.
I was hired for a production in September through a third party app (Castifi) and so I was sent all my call times and info through email from someone from one of their emails. I was not given any correspondence for anyone involved in production or payroll. This has happened this way on other sets before, but I never had a problem with payment so I never thought to ask for the information (though going forward, I will.) I had reached out to the people whose emails I did have, but I have not heard back from anyone. I did receive one check from them, which was half of what my expected Covid payment should have been, but I still haven’t gotten my payment for my full days work, which was on Sept 30. I did send an email about that too but have not heard back about that either. Would calling the payroll company do anything? I’m sorry if these are dumb questions, it’s just that I feel as background actors, especially non-union, we don’t get much to work with or included in many details, so it’s really hard to know what to do here or what my options are. Thanks a bunch!
So I hear word that HBO & Netflix each built out sprawling new studios in Austin, TX. Does anyone have any insight as to how hopping the film industry's there right now? Any actors that live in Austin out there to give me your two beautiful cents? Do ya'll have good agencies out there? Do they put you out for roles outside of Texas too? What's the acting landscape like here?
Thoughts?
I’ve wanted to be an actor since I was 14, and only recently wanted to go to film school….until I figured out how much it costs, so I wanted to ask how you get into film because google won’t tell me anything.
Might be a strange question, but I’ve really been thinking about it. I’d really like to take some on-site voice acting classes, but because of where I live (Mexico City), it means they would be on Spanish and focus on the Spanish speaking market. I also know Mexico and specifically Mexico City is a good place for voice acting because it tends to be the place where most dubs and commercials are made because of the neutral accent and big entertainment industry. However, for whatever reason, I just really prefer voice acting in English (I’m fluent at a native level so there’s no problem on that end) and wanna make that my ultimate goal. I know an acting class helps you improve regardless, but would I be wasting money and time by taking it in a different language from the one I want to focus on? Or is it pretty much the same? Any bilingual actor has any experience with these kinds of situations? I’d like to take advantage of knowing multiple languages but I’m kinda lost on how to go about it :))
So since I am 16 and want to make a cartoon and for my voice actors I want Brooklynn Prince, Asher Angel, maybe Nicole Sullivan or whatever? But I am curious to know if Brooklynn Prince or Asher Angel would be interested in doing voice acting for my cartoon???
My voices tone can fluctuate depending how loud I am speaking. I was wondering if there was any tips anyone has that I could possibly try to speak louder while doing another voice. Is this something I shouldn’t expect myself to be able to do? I really want to try and speak at a louder volume with a different voice but I can’t seem to do it and was wondering if this was normal or should voice actors be able to put on a voice that could be extremely lower then normal or higher and still be able to speak at normal volume
Looking for actors for vampire short film! shooting from 19-21 of this month from 9-5 and on the 24-25 from 4-12 in central London:) Please email me at lillimunro00@gmail.com
Weeee, you found me!
I'm your buddy Bottie, I was hiding behind the scenes, but now that you've found me I'd be happy to tell you what I'm doing.
I just wrote a few fun facts about Web For Actors
Would you like to take a look?
Click here to check them out. I hope it will cause involuntary audible response.
