I’m 19 right now, and I’ve been thinking about whether I’m a shit actor. I went to a small high school, and I was cast in pretty large supporting roles my entire high school acting experience (Pugsley Addams, Madame Thenardier, Mechanicals in Midsummer, etc.), so this isn’t really because I’ve been getting SMALL roles, but it’s more that every time I act I feel completely confused? I don’t feel a deep clarity about my character, I don’t feel like I AM my character, and I can analyse the play/scenes quite well, understand intentions, but I never know how to SHOW that. I also have been told on certain show days that my acting was spectacular (by my drama teacher who never gives compliments), but I was doing the same thing all the nights, and I have no idea what was done differently. I also can’t tell what good or bad acting looks like unless it’s absolutely shit. For example, when I watch movies, or shows, I don’t really notice when acting is bad. Does anyone think this is because I’m bad at acting, thus I can’t identify good acting? I’m just wondering how I know that I’m just not good enough.
I’m not an actor but I’d like some feedback on something I’ve noticed. Frequently when well known and accomplished movie actors appear in guest roles on TV shows their acting doesn’t seem to flow so naturally as it does in their movie roles. I’ve been thinking about why that might be. The most obvious answer is because you shoot so many shows during a season you have limited shooting time. So the directors have limited time to get the nuances of the performance they might like. It’s almost cliche the number of takes some directors demand in their movies. Or it might be the directors of TV shows aren’t as good. This obvious answer explanation might be the case, but I’ve seen this even with very good film actors. Could it be that some well known film actors really do need good direction to get their best performances? I don’t know. But it is interesting that the regular actors on the TV shows do seem perfectly at ease in their roles, and frankly, perform better than the movie actors do in their guest roles. Could it be just a matter of familiarity with the roles? I don’t know. But again it also seems to me TV actors who take on guest roles on a show seem to do perfectly fine with it. That’s the most obvious explanation. But here’s another one I’ve come up with. Well known movie actors might feel they have to dominate the scene even if it is a guest role. So they simply have a tendency to overact. Could be. I don’t know to to find out which explanation is the correct one, but I’m convinced it is a real thing. By the way, one actor I’ve found who is equally at ease in movies and in TV guest roles is Tom Hanks.
I am a guy was sexually assaulted by a male director/artistic director/actor in the changing area in front of two other actors. He put his member on my face to show authority. The other guys laughed and i did not. I thought it was frat initiation so i just tried to get through it. He also made up a fake play and convinced me to do a burlesque number in drag. I didnt realize it till the second performance when i saw him and his friend laugh at me off stage. Only one other person agreed with me it was wrong. I tried to confront him over the years but he denied it everytime and everytime i tried to tell someone they said i was lying. I finally messaged him on fb and he acknowledged he did it but barely. I saved the entire message just in case. I want to do something to hurt him..but im not sure its ideal. Hes a known producer and designer in the local film scene now and i used to be at his agency and know his agent. Should i email his agent with my proof?
TDLR: I have a non acting, full-time career where I work remotely and a newfounded, completely unexpected love of acting with early success in student films. Is it feasible to grow as an actor and work my way up to sustainable income (if that's even a thing? by "up" I mean films that pay me to where I go full-time into acting.) Do others with success/experience in acting have full-time jobs or it not realistic to expect to grow while working a 9-5? Context: I'm 28 years old, married and live in Charlotte, NC (willing to travel to Atlanta or other states for gigs if I need to). Full question:I never expected to be an actor. I won speech competitions as a kid and loved to "make believe" but puberty came and I was a late bloomer and super shy. I became a nerd. Then an industrial designer - went straight through to grad school and got my masters and then a nice paying salaried job I've been promoted in every year since (I'm a perfectionsit/overworker). One day two years ago I was asked to model for by a photography friend for a dog toy company (just played with puppies and smiled, lol). Then later was asked back to model a wedding dress for a styled shoot.......long story short, I started doing more random/accidental gigs like that for fun and uploaded my pics on Backstage just cause I was curious. Forgot about it for a while. Then the last year found my way back to it because I was feeling so burnt out at work. I submitted to a few student films with just headshots (because ....I literally have no reels to pull from) and was freaked out when they would get back to me and I would send self tapes and get the parts. At first I felt clueless but liked the challenge so I studied, practiced and met with a few coaches. I found I actually really like acting. It's so fun and I'm so burnt out in my actual career that I'm considering taking it on but don't know if it's feasible for me. I'm a PERFECTIONIST and wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it AND feel I have a chance at actually being decent. I've been told I have great range, tone and likeability. No one believes I can access so many emotions so easily for someone who literally never acted (I blame childhood trauma, lol) Is it realistic to continue working my design job full time remotely while picking up gigs until I can earn more income as an actor? SO many people move to big cities and go into full-time while doing side gigs and I don't have that flexibility (I live in Charlotte, North Carolina and can cancel meetings and drive up to Altanta or other cities if needed for jobs that I book). Before I really, really dive in, I want to know if there are other late to the game actors who went in a unique route, or career actors who just happen to have other full time jobs and make it work. Am I crazy? Is this just a quarter-life crisis? Please help......
I am NY based comedian with some acting training. I want to start auditioning for tv - I’m highly castable as a character actor, I’ve just never tried before. Does anyone have any advise? I feel totally down to try the audition grind, I’m just not really sure where to start. Because I’m so good in specific comedic roles (funny/awkward nerd), I feel I would benefit from an agent who could put me up for these. Obviously everyone can benefit from a good agent - it just feels like something I am finally ready for and would thrive under. Are pay to plays/showcases worth it? I’m willing to spend of money to get myself out there and at least feel like I understand the business a bit more. Thanks for any help!
In a bit of a weird situation right now. Last month I rejoined an agency that I had been with as a child (took time off for school) and went through the whole process of getting new headshots done, joining actor's access, etc. In that time, I've emailed my agent a few times with questions to no response. Here's the part that I'm more confused about. We talked a lot on the phone and although they are listed as my representation online and it's been approved and everything, I have yet to sign anything. I know that they are a reputable agency in LA, but I'm confused as to why I've been getting radio silence. I plan on reaching out again today, but I'm interested to hear if someone with a bit more experience in this realm has any thoughts on how best to handle this!
For example: an actor can ball tears, act infuriating mad or put on an emotional face for theater.. im assuming can turn it off? <is this even correct? > if something happened in real life that made you cry or out of control emotionally.. can you turn it off? is there a difference in control? what's the difference? How do you manage in a high range of emotions on demand? does that effect your life off the job?
I'm sorry if this has been discussed recently, I know there's a subreddit but it's from 3 years ago. I am currently a working actor based out of San Francisco. My husband has a new job in Chattanooga, TN which is a 2 hour drive from Atlanta. I'm trying to figure out if this would be a good career move to be near a large acting hub like Atlanta or should I be prepared for it to be a set back? I'm mostly curious about agents, casting directors and finding work (versus classes, headshots, reel footage). Thanks!
I think that I have a very strong voice, good hearing for minor details and ability to improve. How do I become a voice actor? The only experience I have is repeating ads for fun.
In life, quite a few people base their lives/conform to what they see on television. Some get their attitudes from movies (try to be like a certain character in real life), and some just find their only time to truly relax is when watching movies/TV shows But what's funny, is that, even till this day, those same people are very critical/judgmental against people choosing a career in acting versus having a "normal/common" job... It just dawned on me today that it does not matter what age they are, people of all ages still criticize/look down/laugh at you for wanting to be an actor, but then turn around and binge-watch Game of Thrones/sons of anarchy/the walking dead....**Do these people think actors are holograms and not real people that are going on auditions trying to get the role?** Again, the hypocrisy from others that are hating on you for becoming an actor is just unbelievable sorry, I know just realized this today, I'm sure you knew this for years. But I still would like to see what you have to say. So let me know your thoughts. Thanks
Was it, is it standard? Just in case the film hits. Most don't. Example would be the group of actors in Biff's gang in Back To The Future. Whenever on TV was always curious if they received residuals. Also 1985 was the boom for VHS sales. BTTF probably made another 50-100 million on this.
Long story short: I am an autistic actor and I want to inspire people like me but I don’t know how to let my autism shine. I am an autistic actor (25F) and since I have gotten my diagnosis last year, I have been trying to learn more about autism. I found out there are very few well known autistic actors in my province (Quebec, Canada), most of them are men, and many others are not open about it even though they told me in private that they are also autistic. I have been discriminated in the industry. A university teacher told me that he « didn’t want me in his program and the whole group didn’t have to endure me » (he was later fired for sexual harassment) and an another acting teacher said my autism was a « problem » and a « disease » and the « reason » why I am not working as much as I want. By the way, except for those two (and another bully teacher who everyone agrees is a bully) no one ever complained about my autism. I want to be a good role model for people with autism because but I don’t know how. I can’t even get casted as an autistic character because I don’t « look autistic » enough. The only acting school focused on people with autism in my province can’t help me because I am « too advanced » (in acting) for their program. Organization who encourage diversity in the media only focus on cultural diversity. Organization who help autistic people mostly focus on people who need more support than me. How can I show that I am proud of being autistic as an actor and one day become an inspiration for people like me who don’t have any role model? (I work as a host too, if it can help)
I used to be an actor, made a living at it. I chose a different direction though considering going back now that I am back on the west coast. That said I see a lot of posts here and was telling a friend a lesson I learned in acting and in life and thought I would share. Producers, Directors and Casting Directors are nobodies. I used to treat them like gods and would be so nervous around some because they are the gatekeepers and so worshiped in our industry and many take advantage of this. I have had PA friends get drinks in their faces from high profile directors because they got their order wrong. I am in sales now, in the tech world. Producers have been replaced with CEOs. I see the same thing with colleagues talk about tech start up gurus and CEOs as untouchable gods they worship. I mention some of these other directors and producers in film and TV and they shrug. To them, those are just people doing a job they aren’t interested in. When I tell my film friends and acting friends about CEOs and the tech world they zone out. The point is, you create this nervousness and this fear. You are no different then them and other industries and environments don’t actually care about them other than an autograph or funding investment for some cause. If I could go back and really hammer this home to my younger self I wouldn’t have been as afraid and taken some crap that I did along the way. You are worth just as much as they are, have every right to be where you are and want to go. They started out as nobodies just as some of you may be. Now when I walk into a room with a CEO of some big tech company or some Producer of a film, I remind myself, to the tech world this person resume is nothing impressive and to the film world this tech resume isn’t impressive or whatever industry. Treat yourself with grace and love and encouragement, and in doing so treat others with that same respect but let go of the worship. Good luck!
Experienced actor with some years under their belt, but still looking to improve.
I mean I’m not an auditioning actor and I cringe when I watch myself back too but self-tapes seem like a savior to me because it seems like it would allow you to have Both a stable day job and an acting career! Considering that post I saw once on here that showed someone got like 11 callbacks and 4 bookings after like 200 auditions, I think that since the success rate is so low on average, the idea that people can now balance self-tapes with more stable work rather than food service should be a good thing! I hope they stay honestly but I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Recently, I did a scene on set where I could tell the producers/showrunners weren’t super super happy with the performance I was giving, but the Director seemed to receive it positively at first. I could see the Director/Producer talking a couple of times, and from what I could make out, it seemed like they disagreed on what the character’s intention is. Eventually, the Director asked me to adjust for this specific scene, as per the Producers’ request, which I did and it seemed like it was given the green light. I guess my question is: how much should I worry about how my acting is coming off to the Producers, especially when nothing explicit is being said to me about how I’m playing the character itself. Everytime I see the producers/writers, they always say good job and how much they loved my audition, and it’s not like I’ve been explicitly told that I’m interpreting the character the wrong way (today was the first time something like this happened) - but i just have this weird suspicion that not everyone is happy with the performance I’m giving but no one has explicitly told me. I guess I just get nervous since they’re the Producers and Writers and basically have my character’s fate in their hands and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.
Hello, again! I got such a helpful response on my last post that I've decided to reach out for help again. I recently booked my first lead role in a feature film. The budget for the film wasn't discussed but they sent me the daily pay rate. I was wondering is it possible for me to negotiate for a small percentage in sales of the movie as well as the day rate? I had an actress friend say that her agent ( I don't have an agent yet) usually asks for 1.5% in movie sales. Would it be appropriate for me to ask for this as well considering I am the lead and how can I go about asking without seeming entitled or needy? Thank you so much for any input! ​ Edit: I should mention this is a non-union film
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.
Who has better acting chops, and what is your reasoning?? First time poster in this sub. Please help me settle an argument I had with a friend. Would love to hear any thoughts
I'm making this post because I'm so frustrated and bummed. I have been trying to get talent agency and management representation for years now. I started acting 13 years ago and I'm now 23. I have a local talent agent in KY, but they suck. I've done many showcases and studied with teachers In Los Angeles with either a no or I never hear a response. I have also sent out cold emails to agents and managers and again no luck. Also I submit through actors access, but no response to my submissions and not many auditions in my category to begin with. I'm female with blonde hair and blue/green eyes. I don't know what I'm doing wrong or if its just me or if my headshots suck or what. I know I'm a good actor. I'm confident in that. I'm just so eager to be able to get auditions for tv shows and movies. Does anyone have any have any advice or motivational stories??
Hey guys, Are you looking for a community of likeminded individuals in your craft? Come Join Maven Haven. Where we connect actors with each other, to other crew members, and provide a resource and space for you to hone your craft. You can find table reads, movie nights, script breakdowns, classes, and AMA's every week. We're also very much against any kind of harassment and bullying. From novice to professional, no matter what your level may be, we push we equal treatment and respect amongst peers. Have a question an need an immediate answer? I'm sure you will find it here. [https://discord.gg/GTwZ76t43z](https://discord.gg/GTwZ76t43z)
Howdy from Oklahoma! My name is Delta C. Hawkins, I am the owner of Frictionite Studios and lead developer of the upcoming RPG game Lupus Ex Machina- Frictionite Studios is a Media Production company that is centered around producing media such as Games, Film, Music, Books, etc. As our company, though small, progresses into a larger entity each quarter; we are looking for artists, animators, designers, influencers, analysts, photographers, programmers, journalists, music producers, writers, cinematographers, actors, singers, VFX artists, and more to join our company! How will projects and payment work? Everyone working under the Frictionite Studios brand are allowed to pitch a project idea of their own design, no matter the platform, and become a Project Director. Project Directors will be able to work with other creators in the creative branches to collaborate and produce media for a quarterly profit. In terms \*of\* quarterly profits, every 3-month period's profits will divided in percentages by the workload of each member of a project's development team. The ones who worked harder and longer on a project will receive larger cuts, whereas the ones that only handle a small workload receive smaller cuts. This way, everyone is paid fairly and hard work and long hours are rewarded as they should. The more copies or revenue generated from a project, the larger the payout each quarter regardless of someone's cut. What are the benefits of working under this brand? Rather than attempt to work under a small name self-represented brand, the goal of Frictionite Studios is to provide a singular base of amassed followers that all represented brands, projects, and products can benefit off of and market to. Of course, all credit will be given to the rightful creators. (We are VERY adamant about making sure credit and citations to the original creators are provided at all times, even to those who leave Frictionite Studios. If you made something, the world is going to know it was you.) Are you perhaps not one for creativity, but are still interested in representing our lovely brand? We also provide positions for social media campaigns, marketing, and analytics for quarterly profits and market trends! If you are interested in working with Frictionite Studios, please upvote and comment below what positions you'd like to apply for, or simply message us here on Reddit. Thank you all for taking the time to read this article, I hope you all have a wonderful day! \-Delta Hawkins, Owner of Frictionite Studios
Sophie Marceau and Vanessa Paradis even went nude before they were 18. Adele Exarchopoulos was auditioned for Blue is the warmest color when she was still 17. What’s wrong with France ? And don’t get me started with the « oh it’s just acting, yada yada ». Lea Seydoux and Ophelie Bau said that they regretted doing the nude scenes in Kechiche’s movie. Change my view : there’s something wrong. I can’t put words on it but it feels weird
Actor friends, what side hustles do you do in addition to your acting career? I’m in HR but I want to make a pivot at some point but I need income flexibility and stability, which I know don’t work well often. I’m considering getting a real estate license as I am a skilled communicator and persuasive but I don’t know much about the hurdles that line of work may present with schedules and such.
Professional Development Workshop for Actors/Actresses. Live Auditions On Zoom! 2:15PM(EST) FRIDAY JULY 9! Have a 2 Minute Prepared Monologue Plus HEADSHOT. You Will get GREAT FeedBack! How To Present Yourself. Proper CV Format. Adjudication of Your Headshot. Adjudication of Your Monologue + Much Much MORE! Details here: [https://reelheart.org/en/reelheart-2021/all-about-acting-part-2-kimberly-skyrme/](https://reelheart.org/en/reelheart-2021/all-about-acting-part-2-kimberly-skyrme/)
I’m a Toronto based actor and several MOW productions and Network TV Movies shoot. I always get auditions for roles in these cheesy hallmark movies and it’s not really the material or projects that interest me. I’m not necessarily in this for the money. I want to tell great stories and be part of projects I really like. I’ve been lucky to have my first 3 union jobs being HUGE Network productions. Though my roles are small, they are Netflix, CBS, and Paramount +, jobs. That is the type of work I want. How do I communicate this to my agent without having them think that I think I’m too good for those parts? It’s just not what I want to do. Any tips help!
I have short scenes written for a reel. I have a good mic and an editing app. I have agencies I’d like to submit to. I have a photographer I’d like to do headshots. What I DON’T have is the order in which I’m supposed to do these things. Reel, headshots, actors access, agent? That seems to be the logical progression. However I don’t know if I should wait to get headshots because I’m growing my hair out, and it’s easy for me to tan. What if I look very different in six months and I’ve wasted a ton of money? What am I supposed to do for my reel? I’ll look the same in all of my scenes. Shoot some now, some later? As for submitting for roles on my own, I need the previous things. So that’s a catch 22. To get an agent, I need the previous three things. It’s worth noting that the theatre and filming scene where I live is dead. I’m really lost here.
I have a friend who's an actor. She was doing ok before the pandemic, some plays and bits, paying her rent. During the pandemic, obviously there was no work. And she collected unemployment and sold her car. She was venting to me last night. Now that the world is opening, she says she can't take some acting jobs because she doesn't have a car. I ask her if she's trying to get a car. I asked her if she's been applying for other types of jobs. She says she's willing to do anything but nobody calls her back when she applies to Target or whatever. But also she doesn't want to do anything else besides act.... so I feel like she's not really trying to do anything. ​ I tell her she could always get a day job that's flexible and audition and save for a car. And she kinda just dismissed that. ​ Is the economy that bad? Is it hard to get a basic day job or retail job you don't care about? Is it ok to hold on to your dreams and hope? ​ \*\*\*\*Also she's dating a guy in a similar situation job wise who doesn't leave his apt ever and she just goes over and sleeps over occasionally. Whew
I wouldn’t call myself famous, but a lot of people I don’t know know who I am because of my work. They recognize me on the street, a lot of people in the industry know who I am because of the Facebook groups I manage, I have done a couple of interviews for radio and TV shows, even signed some autographs and did some pictures with some fans, etc. I also once stood out so much as an extra that strangers recognized me in public! But the problem is: this tiny bit of fame doesn’t help me get work as an actor. I don’t even have 500 followers on Instagram, I don’t have Tik Tok at all, I am mostly known on Facebook but it is worthless nowadays, and I don’t get hired for this tiny bit of fame. I can’t get work as a « normal » person because people know me but I don’t get work as a public personality either. I don’t even like being famous because it leads to so much harassment. I would accept it if I got work thanks to it, but that’s not even happening. How can I use this little bit of « Fame » to get more work as an actor?
I signed up for WeAudition to help with self-tapes and I saw that you could sign up to be a reader and I thought it would be a good way to make money on the side/gain experience reading. Is that a good way to get experience or would people prefer more experienced actors read with them
Does anyone know this guy? He’s been bombarding my wife with racist messages which is crazy when he’s a minority himself (Asian). We are African American and just want this to end... he is destroying our businesses online as well. Thanks...
I am an actor based in LA. I just graduated from a top MFA program in the US and have an opportunity to sign with an NYC-based agent. I really don't want to leave Los Angeles, but this is really my only option right now to be getting good auditions. She doesn't really have connections to the LA market. My cousin has an address in Brooklyn so I always have a place to stay - is it worth it to sign on as a local hire?
Title says it all. I’m not much of an actor but I don’t have very many options right now so I suppose I’ll have to try as well. My series is going to have A LOT of characters in it (10 or more), and I’m not sure if 3-4 actors would really be enough. I do plan on using audacity for a little bit of tone changing, but I’m still sort of unsure and would appreciate some advice =)
After these several long grueling months of editing, recording, and audio mixing, I am pleased to announce that my Finding Nemo reimagined dub for the shark scene is finished. Featuring the voice talents of Iraaj Majumdar, Stanislav Flesherov, JBC (Jim Cady), wmcm, and Zelda Black, we invite you to a mystical world you've never seen before. Filled with guilt-ridden sharks, frightful clownfish, and most importantly forgetful blue tangs, this is one adventure you will never forget. Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, remember, fish are friends not food! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVp-9-zxN\_A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVp-9-zxN_A)
This is a paid gig. 2 separate jobs available for a short animated buddy comedy (22 minutes). DESCRIPTION: Gig #1: Male, Upbeat, confident, and professional News anchor includes 7 separate lines paying $10 per line for a total of $70.00 USD.. (These lines are a bit longer can range from 2-5 sentences but average 3) Gig #2: Male, Older grizzly southern police commissioner. Includes 12 separate lines paying $5 per line for a total of $60.00 USD. (These lines consist mostly of short sentences occasionally reaching 2-3 sentences but average 1) Payment will can work through PayPal or Venmo. Some other accommodations can be made if necessary
This is for a martial arts short film that I landed the lead actor role for. I have just finished memorizing my lines, but there are a few spots where I feel a slightly different wordage would flow better and help me sound more natural (ie. not important -> unimportant, "He was killed in battle. I was very young. I did not know him well" -> "He was killed in battle when I was very young... I did not know him well." This is for a small production on an indie short film, but I want to make sure I go about it the right way. Thanks!
Forgot a subreddit to cast the net to, so apologies for the quick turnaround. Open to actors of all experience levels. **DEADLINE:** July 11th, at 11:59PM CST Actors will be live directed via Skype, Discord, Google hangouts etc. when recording to make sure we nail that performance together. Recording will take place in the second half of July. **Payment:** $50/half-hour with 1 hour ($100) minimum *Fruit Salad Theory* is a light fantasy visual novel set one evening at a palace ball. As the evening progresses, staff and guests from different backgrounds and worlds find themselves interacting in interesting new ways, even their smallest decision having tiny ripples through the party...and whatever devious thing is happening in the shadows. Generally light with some serious moments. Down-to-earth performance focusing on introspection and emotion. PG-13 with slight profanity. All art is preliminary sketches while art/design is finalized. ​ Audition sides and additional information in this casting call document found [here.](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o98VhtE5w6xjJw7domy6-1b6ymgZckPbhLZCIh6wKIk/edit?usp=sharing) Mods, tell me if I need to copy/paste the whole doc, instead.
> Dear struggling actors, the market for fame is saturated. You can all go home. Sorry for getting your hopes up like that. The truth is, you have a better chance of being hit by a satellite than by fame. And just so we're all on the same page, fame is exactly the point of all this. > Any ambition to act for the sake of artistic satisfaction was run down and sucked into the wheel wells under the sports car of fame long ago, because fame makes more money and it's just cooler. > Now most of you probably don't believe me, and that's fine. You've heard that the odds of success are slim, but you're different from all those other people, you have been singled out by providence for this. > Parents, teachers and community theater directors have told you your entire life that you are gifted -- that you are born to make emotions with your face under camera and stage lights, a face that was too optimistic or too young to devastate with brutal honesty. > When your dream is to be an actor, you don't have the luxury of simultaneously perusing a fallback dream. That's why you'll never see a struggling actor holding down a full-time job as a marine biologist. Acting is a jealous and needy career that doesn't like the thought of you keeping your options open. You'll need a job that allows you to leave at a moment's notice for auditions, usually for two or three hours at a time. > Or, assuming you are fortunate enough to be cast in anything, you need a job that allows you to miss work for a week at the very least. The logical solution is to work at night at a restaurant or bar. The trouble, however, is that most of these jobs were never intended to be careers. They have high turnover rates and offer little in terms of personal satisfaction. > And that will all seem fine at first -- great, even -- for building that romantic sense of humility you intend to wear once you're famous. Taking orders from customers and folding napkin fans in wine glasses is just part of the struggle that you will remember fondly while masturbating poolside to your own biography. > That is, until your friends outside of the entertainment industry start developing actual skill sets that lead to raises, promotions and the general advancement of their careers. Everyone who entered the work force along with you will gradually move into better jobs because they've built up experience and because that's how nearly every other profession is designed to function. > Meanwhile, there's no guarantee that you will book a role, ever. All the experience you'll be racking up will just be preparing you for a life in the service industry. Sure, you will still be honing your skills as an actor through classes and auditions, but until your acting resume includes more than school plays and student films, it won't help you get a job, because ... > There are three people featured for about four seconds apiece in an innocuous commercial for Listerine. Each one of them is an actor who had to audition for that role. That may not sound like much, but take a minute to consider exactly what that entails: > All three of them, without a doubt, started with dreams of being respected actors. They likely struggled for weeks if not months to find an agent, and paid upwards of $500 to have headshots taken and printed. > Then they drove to an audition in the middle of a workweek and waited in a waiting room for an hour with 20 to 30 other people who looked exactly like them before being wrangled into a small room four or five at a time to say their names and, finally, to swish. They stood there for a few seconds pretending to swish mouthwash around their mouths. > That's it. That's 80 percent of all the auditions you will go to. Now consider the hundreds of people who also auditioned and didn't get that part. All of that energy, time and money amounted to 10 seconds of moving their cheeks around for a casting director who had already seen scores of other eager young actors do the exact same thing. > Those three actors weren't hired for that commercial based on their acting ability or really anything that they could control. They were hired because they had a look that a Listerine ad sales department thought might sell more bottles, so the purpose of all those auditions was only to be sure that everyone actually looked like their headshots and that they were capable of ballooning their cheeks. > But surely that's just a commercial, right? Actors also audition for meaty roles in movies and television, acting must be the deciding factor there. Well actually, no. > Acting requires about as much faith as religious fanaticism. Performers rely on directors and editors like zealots rely on God; both of them are just doing their best and hoping that the higher powers don't make them look like an idiot in the end. Actress Rosalind Russell once said, "Acting is standing up naked and turning around very slowly." > The point being, actors have to play pretend so earnestly that an audience is willing to forget that it's really just someone standing in front of a green screen, reacting to a water weenie. > As an actor, you also have to trust implicitly that writers, directors and editors have your best interest at heart. And generally speaking, they don't. Actors have an arguably deserved reputation for being kind of shitty people. Anyone making a movie, particularly a low-budget or non-union film, will try to interact with the talent as little as possible for fear that they'll want something. > In addition, a director has a thousand other things to worry about than whether or not an actor looks completely ridiculous. The consequence, however, is far more severe for you than anyone else. > You are the one immortalized on camera with a crying face that looks eerily similar to a pooping face, or while wearing nothing but a dress that is subtly but irrefutably see-through under set lights. > Even if you luck into a film, commercial or show that does well and of which you are proud to be a part, the saddest truth of all is still to come ... > Among the miniscule number of actors who actually book jobs, there is an even tinier fraction of people who manage to make a living doing it. First, there is the matter of digging yourself out of a hole of expenses. The costs surrounding a struggling actor can seem almost like a malicious scheme to take money from naive, handsome people. > I've already mentioned that headshots cost hundreds of dollars, but you'll need one for commercials, and one for dramas, and one for vampire movies, and one for sports stories. Ultimately, you will have around five different headshots of which you will need to print hundreds. On top of that, you can expect to do the whole process over again in three years when you no longer look like the person in the picture. > You can also prepare to sink around $60 a week into parking tickets. This will obviously vary from city to city, but in Los Angeles, there isn't a reliable public transportation system to get you everywhere you need to go for auditions. > Driving is the only option, and metered parking is ubiquitous. An audition can take anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours, so you never really know how much time you'll need, and you can't run out in the middle of an audition to feed the meter. So be prepared to collect at least one parking ticket a week. > Lastly, when you do finally get a job that pays you actual money, you will owe around 15 percent of that to a manager and 10 percent of it to an agent, all before taxes. > These are the people responsible for getting you auditions and, ironically, ensuring that you aren't screwed over once you book a job. Add actual taxes to that and your take is less than 50 percent of whatever dollar amount appears in the contract. > So, assuming you are doing a SAG Ultra-Low Budget shoot because you aren't a member of the union yet, you will probably be paid around $100 a day, of which you will actually take home about $40, or roughly the price of a Greyhound ticket back home. From here : https://www.cracked.com/blog/5-awful-things-nobody-tells-you-about-being-actor
How can you keep your confidence? Are actors sometimes not hired because they're having a bad skin day? Tomorrow I'll have my first live audition for tv since covid. Normally, all would be fine, but this last week my skin has gone really bad and I'm afraid they'll turn me down because they might think it's what they'll get when they hire me. Should I explain it to them in advance? Or even apologize that I look like this?
I wish you could understand this French Canadian song about trying to make it as an actor so I searched the translation online. It’s called Ti-Cul by Les Cowboys Fringants. I think it can be meaningful to many of us. https://youtu.be/73ZHgol796M Little Shit didn't go / To his classes this morning / Because somehow he knows / That they're no use to him / He decided he'd rather hang out / In the student lounge / Rather than be bored to death / Listening to an annoying teacher / He's doing, without ambition / A college degree in Humanities / A little reluctantly / Without putting too much effort / He wanted to be an actor / But his parents told him / That it wasn't a good path / To be happy in life... / So now he's there and wasting time / He goofs off in his studies / For him this is bullshit / A complete and utter bore / The only thing that gets him excited / Is his improv group / Or the joints that he smokes / When he does his radio show / But his mother hopes / That he'll become a lawyer / That he'll make a good salary / Somewhat like his father / But Little Shit's not an idiot / He knows that to be happy / You need to live for your own beliefs / And not for those of your parents / Why look for a meaning / In all their bullshit ? / Little Shit, take your chance / And make your own way in this world / Because in the end, real happiness / Is maybe just in not knowing / How will end / Your little story / And there's his older brother / An insignificant type / A cellphone salesman / Who only thinks about money / Who tells him: "It's a shame / You'll never get a job / Because becoming an actor / Is like chasing dreams" / His life is all mapped out / He never questions himself / And to hear him speak / You'd think he was always right / Except Little Shit doesn't care / He knows that narrow-minded people / Just want to hide their lack of power / By trying to put you down / Why look for a meaning / In all their bullshit ? / Little Shit, take your chance / And make your own way in this world / Because in the end, real happiness / Is maybe just in not knowing / How will end / Your little story / It's a good thing he has his girlfriend / A really nice girl / Who understands him, at least / And knows he has talent / She tells him to hang on / And to keep believing / That maybe he'll be accepted / At a conservatory / And there's always the option / Even if it's just in the meantime / To be an extra / In a soap opera / Because to live out your passion / And not regret it later / Reason stands that you need / To start somewhere / That's why tomorrow / He's going to drop everything / And to hell with the jerks / That don't want to encourage him / Because he knows that real happiness / Is basically just in not knowing / How will end / Your little story / Keeping his spirit free / Finding some balance / As for the rest, he doesn't care / Little Shit can't wait for tomorrow... https://lyricstranslate.com/en/ti-cul-little-shit.html
I have been modeling for 5 years, and am now getting into acting. I feel more constrained by my manager than I do empowered. I am not submitting myself for jobs because I cannot book my own jobs. It seems like all actors that I speak to insist that the start of their career consisted of submitting themselves to a lot of different jobs, and my fellow actor friends who are also newer to acting have said that they submit themselves for most everything. My manager is focused on me continuing to model in Los Angeles (just moved), and on getting me strong rep after I am done with my current acting program. She does have contacts at HRI talent, WME, and Abrams, I'm not sure where else, but I am having a hard time trusting her process.
Are there any older actors on here that it happened 'later' here for? It's finally taking off. After the years of drudgery, I am on set. I am booking. It's happening much later than I wanted it to. It is very hard not to get envious on sets where the 'hot' superstars who are in their late teens and 20s are getting what I have dreamed for all my life and not be jealous that they are getting it in the time frame I had wished for. I'm looking at my sagging skin. My aging body. This is not how I wanted the dream to happen. People that had it happen at an older age : Do you have any advice for me?
I'd like to cast some Chinese voice over actors and I've had a great experience with [castingcall.club](https://castingcall.club) in the past for English speaking. Can anyone recommend equivalent sites that deal predominantly in foreign languages (not just Chinese but also German, French, Russian, Spanish & Japanese would be of interest too).
i’m an amateur actor and was basically just wondering how you separate yourself from the character. for example, if you need to portray strong emotions because a character is in a very dark or intense situation, how do you do that while preventing yourself from losing yourself or getting into that dark of a mindset? I don’t know if i’m making any sense at all lmao but this is something that kinda scares me basically i just want to know how to embody a character while staying mentally safe and healthy (and maybe some resources like books if possible)
Hello Internet, I wanted to see if anyone had any experiences with Actor Door Studio in London? I'm in my late 20's and I'm looking into joining an acting program that grants membership to Spotlight (which this one does). I've taken classes on and off in the past few years, but never pursued it seriously until I moved from Texas to London recently. Have you studied at or know anything about the studio above? Or do you have any recommendations for other programs around London? I'm a working professional with a somewhat flexible working arrangement (workday ends at 4:30, senior so control my own schedule, can disappear for an hour here and there as I work remote, etc.), so my criteria are the following: 1. Acting classes that offer a route into Spotlight 2. Program that offers an organized curriculum 3. Classes that are in the evening/weekends so I can do my day job The only studio I have found that offers membership into Spotlight, has an organized curriculum, and is catered for adults with day jobs is Actor Door Studio, but do you know of any other similar places? I take classes on and off at City Academy on the weekends as well, depending on the offerings. Quitting my job to do one of the full-time day programs is not currently an option due to current personal circumstances, so I'm trying to find other routes. Any thoughts, experiences, or advice? Thank you! :)
Alright, here’s the (abbreviated) story. I am a 19 year old actress and I just wrapped a movie where I think I did a good job acting wise and was fun to be around. I worked really hard and never complained. The director gave me props and told me he is considering me for another project (that I really want to be apart of). I wrapped a week ago and they flew me back for the wrap party 5 days ago where I had a good time and people were happy to see me after a week away. Everything was going so well, I was networking, and the director brought up the new project again which really excited me. The party was over and all of the adults were going to the bar. Someone offered to give me a fake ID but I decided against it. Then me and the 2 other underaged people were offered alcohol (gin) from one of the production people. I haven’t drank in 2 years (last time I got a concussion) and I don’t go to college (so I don’t usually have these opportunities) so we accepted the alcohol and headed to my hotel room (that production paid for). We just chilled, listened to music, and drank for a while. Not entirely sure what happened next but I got sick (again, I don’t usually drink) and the other girl's mom called the police. Yes. She called the police on her own daughter. So the police were at the hotel and they threatened to send us to jail. They didn’t end up doing it and I slept outside my hotel room because I couldn’t find a key. Fast forward to the next morning and someone (well meaning but nosey) told the production team. I got a call on my way to the airport from the line producer and he asked me if I had a rough night. I told him exactly what happened because I’m not a liar (just wanted one fun night because I usually live at home) and he acted fairly casual and even a little jokey but said “this isn’t the behavior we expected from you”. That broke me. So I know that the line producer and producer know and from what I've pieced together, neither of them are SUPER angry about it (both have made a few jokes) But still it makes me seem like a liability I'm sure. Also the director most likely has heard about it from them. Anyways that basically it by I would love to know is it a normal reaction to still be thinking about this a week later? Just a recap, They loved me and my performance A LOT, made a serious offer to test me for another project (din writing), I got drunk and the cops came to my hotel room, and production found out. So I’m just curious: 1. How big of a deal is this in the long run? 2. Will they be understanding about the situation? (I'm sure they've had their own nights like this) 3. Will this affect my standing on the other project they're (mostly the director) is considering me for? 4. 4. is there any action I can/should take at this point or it it better to just leave it alone? I sincerely appreciate any advice on this as I have been tearing myself apart over it since it happened. I swear I’m usually a good person I just made one mistake and now all my hard work could be for nothing.
I'm 16 and I've always wanted to become an actor. I'm not able to go to acting classes at the moment due to covid, and I'm homeschooled so I can't attend school plays, so does anyone have any advice on what I can do for now (like good books to buy for absolute beginners, websites or courses). It will be very helpful :)
i just can't seem to get any acting jobs so i'm still not progressing in any way tbh. are there important yt videos or movies i could watch, that teach the most important stuff about camera acting or is there anything else i could do just by myself to train myself and become better at acting. i was in an acting workshop before and it wasn't too helpful and i'm also out of performing arts class now so i feel pretty stuck. does anyone else feel that way and maybe knows what to do?
There's been a lot of news in the last 24 hours about how Audacity was acquired by a private firm and how many ITSEC professionals are calling the new version of the application spyware. [Here's a good article that explains what's going on with the application.](https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/07/04/open-source-audacity-deemed-spyware-over-data-collection-changes) # Is it spyware? Maybe. It looks like version 3.0 has elements that will harvest data from your computer that the owning firm, Muse Group, has said that they may turn over to the government or sell to 3rd parties, as detailed in the user agreement. # Is that legal? A bit fuzzy here. The biggest concern is that most people wouldn't expect an offline desktop application to be used in such a way (as opposed to, say, playing an online game like MtGA where you know you are connecting to other users through a remote server). Another concern is that the company is based overseas, and may have contacts with potentially unfriendly governments. It is absolutely illegal to harvest information from minors under the age of 13. Muse Group has tried to make it clear that people under 13 shouldn't use the software, but as of right now they don't have any hard controls on that. It is yet to be seen how much this "strong warning" will shield them from legal proceedings, should they arise. For adults...still fuzzy. It's definitely shady, as they are still purporting Audacity as "open source". # Do I need to delete Audacity? That's up to you. It looks as though older versions, prior to 3.0, don't have these "features", so it shouldn't be harvesting any details. For example, I'm running 2.3.3, so with it being 3 years old, it doesn't have this new code. As long as you are running an older version and don't run any updates on the software, you should be OK, but really, that's a judgement call on your part. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I wouldn't recommend downloading Audacity for any new voice actors out there as of now. It's probably worth it to get a license for Reaper. Maybe this will change in the future.
Hi all, I will keep this as short and sweet as I can. I have been studying physics for 7 years and over lockdown was looking for a PhD. I have been offered two places, one in Melbourne Australia and one in London, UK. I am also an actor and things are really picking up for my career (relatively for me), I will be in two short films in the next few months and hope to get an agent next year. I am planning on doing this alongside my PhD, if things ever kick off, I will pause or leave the PhD as acting is my dream, but I have commited to physics for so long, that it is too risky to drop it all for acting. I also am 25 and not in a position to not work to support my acting career and generally just live. I need to make a big decision on whether or not to say in London or move to Melbourne. Melbourne is exciting and 'shiny' but I feel London is better for acting. Does any one who has more info on the industry know if there are good opportunities for actors in Melbourne? I also want to get into Theatre as well as film, but due to my age I am conscious this might be unlikely anyway and living in Melbourne is a huge opportunity, but I want to put my career first. If any one has ANY advice on this I would love to hear from you!! [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/oe99z8)
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.
