This is to new people and to people who are lost or demotivated when it comes to dramatic arts. Stanislavski The system should be treated as a guide and base for your acting career.
I'm 14 just getting into acting and I've fallen in love with it. I have signed up for theater class, preformed in the latest play and have been in choir for 4 years with multiple solos. Do you all have any tips that I should know getting into this field?
For example, I have sides, the story is in English, but I'm talking to a Russian character named Ekaterina Petrova. I speak Russian and I could pronounce her name fluently in Russian or I can pronounce it with an English accent. Have you ever had this happen? What did you do?
Hello everyone, I am a Lego stop motion creator by the name of Silly Boy on YouTube. Here’s a link to my channel if you’re interested: https://youtube.com/channel/UCAae8MbTTuSSqR9m1cgqqKw My newest video I’m working on will be a short “A DEATH IN THE FAMILY” video depicting the death of Jason Todd. I’m almost done editing but need a voice actor to play the Joker. If anyone would be willing to help me out that would be amazing. It’s not too many lines and it would really help me out. Unfortunately I can’t offer any money but will obviously credit you for your work at the end of the video. I was hoping for a more Mark Hamil sounding performance but as long as it sounds like Joker it will be fine. Thank you! Have a great day
I saw they made a new post for one of the characters, which I'm guessing means they've found their actors for the other characters?
I recently got cast as Borachio in my college theatre production of Much Ado About Nothing. I was really gunning for the role of Benedick, and I was convinced that I was going to get it. But instead, I feel like I got the short end of the straw and now I’m VERY disappointed. In fact, I’m rather PISSED. I have so many questions, none of which I feel like I should ask the director. The director is someone with whom I’ve confided a lot of my insecurities and struggles with acting in, and I feel a bit betrayed. To add to the injury, a couple of years ago she said she could see me playing Benedick. So this is kind of like a jab in the heart a bit. I have been in almost every mainstage show that my university theatre department has put on the past three years I’ve been here, and the director has even told me that she believes I’m one of the most consistent and reliable actors in the program they have, and I’m a senior. Now, this makes me feel sick to my stomach. Now, I feel upset and angry. I feel like punching holes in my wall until my knuckles bleed and throwing stuff across the room. I don’t understand why she cast me as BORACHIO. BORACHIO!!! What could she possibly have seen or thought to make her think “I’ll put him as Borachio instead of Benedick, even though on his audition sheet, he said he was trying out for Benedick, ideally.” I was hoping to get Benedick because I wanted a challenge, but one I knew I could do, and one where I could do some things I’ve never done before; play a kind of character I hadn’t before. A Shakesperean lead. Add some new skills to my toolbox that will greatly help me become a better actor. I’ve never done Shakespeare before. But now I have to play a Shakespearean drunkard, which seems like a role that will add less of a challenge and not as many skills as Benedick would. If I was cast as Benedick, I know I’d care a lot about the character, but now that I’m just a Shakespearean drunkard, I don’t feel like I care about THAT character. I was also looking for some opportunities to be more dramatic. I’ve been doing that for as long as I’ve been in college. But every time I audition for something dramatic, I’m either put into a role where the kind of dramatic moments I was hoping to tackle aren’t there, or I’m cast into a role that just requires me to be “The Comedic Actor I Always Am.” While I am in a constant inner yin and yang battle of thinking “I’m a good actor, I do just what I need to do in my roles and I’m getting better” vs “Why am I not as good as I should be? I should be putting on better performances and being a better actor than I am”, I feel like my director has just taken the talent I have and just threw it into a place where she won’t have to worry about it doing anything wrong instead of giving it an opportunity to blossom even more. Rehearsals begin in three days. I know I’ll just swallow my anger, confusion, and negative feelings of unfairness and just do the work because that’s what I always do, but I feel bad that I feel the way I do about this. I feel like an arrogant, conceited, spoiled brat with an inflated ego just blowing things out of proportion because I didn’t get my way, but at the same time, I feel like I have a right and justification to feel what I do. And I don’t want to be an arrogant, spoiled, actor. I know I should be grateful, and to an extent, I am, but I can’t help but feel…bad. And I don’t really know how to get over all this crap and just embrace the damn role and experience. I know this must be what all actors go through, and I’m no different. So be it. I’m still going to pursue my dream of acting. But I’m just not used to caring so much about something only to get the short end of the straw. Does anybody have any advice, affirmations, or words of wisdom to help me get out of this rut? Thanks, everyone. I appreciate you all.
For example, for those that have been acting for decades, would they remember a crew member or actor they used to talk to during the filming of one movie 35 years ago? If so, how common is it to remember, stay in touch, or even forget people throughout your career?
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.
do anyone know where i can find a filmmakers/ actors party in nyc. I missed one last month and it seems interesting
I love the resource, use it as an actor and reader all the time. Of course the site has some flaws but no need to get into that here. As a reader, I've been getting \*zero\* requests suddenly? I have about 50 positive 5-star reviews and whenever I logged on I would usually get at least one request in a sitting. There are multiple professional credits attached to my IMBD and I have reasonably priced (or maybe not??) reader rates ($5/15min, $10/30min, $20/hr). I leave my beacon on all day long and for the past week and a half it's been literally crickets. Am I missing something? Maybe just a bizarre coincidence? Would love to know if anyone has any tips to get more readers, as I really enjoy having this tiny little side source of income -- grocery money!!
Auditioning for Dream team talents Atlanta Division does anyone know if they are a good agency and get their actors auditions frequently?
Greeting! I have a medieval fantasy game I am building for mobile. I am looking for two actors to record their voices for the games introduction. I am looking for a female voice actor who can record a 7 paragraph script speaking as a elf. I also need a male who can record the same script speaking as a dwarf.
Hi all! I've been asking dumb questions all over this wonderful subreddit and of course on my journey to becoming a va more of these come up. I got a little role in a videogame demo, which made me happy. It's by no means perfect. It's over acted and made under a blanket, but it's a start. I want to become a videogame voice actor. It's a hobby since I just like learning accents and making up voices in my head, trying them out, tweeking them a bit and such. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE BIG BUCKS I have a job for that. So that's what I wanted to ask. Is it worth to just shove off all the work to an agent? I have abysmally low reply rating on all the cites and emails I send. Usually the v.g. companies just tell me "we use an agnet, sry". So, maybe I shouls get one? If yes, than which ones are better? What company should I go to? If not, why?
Just passed the one year mark since I signed with my agent. We have a great relationship and I've gotten a few pencils, callbacks and have auditioned for some cd's multiple times but no bookings yet. Just got updated headshots and got my showreel sorted a few weeks ago as well. Is there a point where you would start worrying if you'll get dropped? I have confidence in my abilities and I know I'm doing well but the fear of getting dropped just won't go away.
I have always loved watching movies and I wish that I could be in those worlds that the movies create. Like, I want to fight goblins, fly on the back of a dragon, use magic, become a superhero, survive on an island, and get lost out in space. So I thought that in order to be in those worlds, I could be an actor. My parents are skeptical because they think that I might just want the reward of acting (like being famous and making lots of money), and this is fair because they don't want me to waste my time on something that I don't actually love, yet I think I actually do love the process of acting but I'm not sure. What do you guys think? What could I do to figure all this out?
I'm a part of a boutique agency in Chicago. In the last 5 months, I've had 3 theatrical and 8 commercial auditions. Is this too slow? I'll note that I am a relatively new actor so that may be why and I should just have more patience.
I live in Los Angeles and have been acting for two years. I use Backstage and Central Casting but have gotten way more background roles than any audition call-backs. How can I get more roles for lead and supporting? I have professional headshots and a demo scene, as well as one IMDB credit. What else can I do to get more roles? My current goal is to get an agent but I feel like I need more demo scenes before applying. I've been lead in about 3-4 scenes, all student film material but I don't have the footage.
Hey all, I've been in the union for 10 years now; I've learned more about what happened before I joined, and I've seen a lot happen to the VO folks of the union since joining, and it is hard not to be angry. Voice-over is rarely treated like a full-fledged career in the union, and it usually is approached more from the lens of "This is something fun you can do when you're not booking enough on-camera work!" The reason I'm posting is because of a talk I joined last week. They offered a panel discussion on how to get into live-action dubbing. I'm already somewhat in that world, but I thought it might be good to learn some more names and faces. I stuck around long enough to hear the MC ask, "What voice-over demo do you want to hear when you're reviewing actors?" and this casting director straight-up said "a live-action reel." I understand this CD is not a SAG-AFTRA rep, but it really summed up the union's attitude toward VO. It's just something to do on the side. I have no issues with more actors from outside of VO exploring it. I think it's great. But VO didn't even have its own department until 5-6 years ago, and we still don't have a ton of resources for us specifically. I'm looking for discussion on how fellow union folks handle this, what your attitudes are about being in the union as a principally VO person, and what you think we can realistically do about it. Cheers.
Hi all, have a question that would like to ask for opinion, currently l'm new in acting and got casted by a project it stated it has some compensation…... Well during the production day the production house didn't ask me to act much basically nth much did maybe just one shoot for few seconds?not sure if they recorded that actually... Then they told me to leave. Ok so in this case, do they have to pay me? Thanks you all I'm new here
Hey everyone, I’m visiting New York in November and I’d love to experience a New York acting class looking for recommendations for any drop in acting classes I could attend for professional actors. I am hoping for either an just a short evening class but all I can find are long courses. Any suggestions would be great.
The city I currently live in isn’t renowned for its acting but I joined an 8 week acting class to keep up my training as I do auditions off in the city. The first class was tonight and man, I hate it. Firstly, I’m a 20 year old woman and 90% of the class is 60+ year old men so don’t know what that’s about. Secondly, I’m not by any means an acclaimed working actor, but I’m trying so hard to get there, and when the teacher asks if anyone knows what an objective or beat is and people shake their heads, I’m just exhausted. Everyone is nice and passionate about acting, but I’m so much more than this. There’s only one another studio in my city I can try for classes, but this studio doesn’t offer any sort of refund and I don’t know if I can stick it out. It was a couple hundred dollars so I dunno if I can just drop it, but it’s two hours once a week I could spend doing meaningful work on auditions. I’ll try and ask/beg if I can switch into another class w people my age but I’m not sure it’ll happen and this studio seems pretty amateur and probably doesn’t care abt my acting development more than profits
Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum but not new to acting! I'm a bilingual (eng/한국어) acting coach and I've recently taken on a new client. She is a very well-established actor, but is just starting to learn how to act in English. She tackled her first monologue like a champ, and now we're moving into dualogue work. The only problem is, I'm struggling to find solid examples of 2 woman/ gn comedy scenes from television. Most comedies/ sitcoms are massive casts, like 5+ people (Friends, HIMYM, New Girl,) and it's been like a needle in a haystack trying to find a two burner with women. So, if any of you are avid television watchers and can think of a scene that had you in stitches, please drop them below! I don't mind doing the transcription work myself as long as I can find the episode somewhere.
I've been in LA for 4 years now. The first two don't really count when talking about auditions because I spent them in a 2-year acting program learning the craft and not auditioning. Then Covid happened. I didn't try to work during covid, as I was focused on staying home and staying safe. I landed my first agent mid-2021, with whom I only ever received one theatrical audition (albeit for a great show), but they had 1000 clients so probably not the best person to get me out. I've since signed with a boutique agency, 100 clients, 20+ year industry veterans, so a lot more focused, but I have yet to receive a single theatrical audition through them despite everyone telling me I have great headshots, including my current and former agent, and being SAG-eligible. Is it "normal" in the beginning of your career to rarely get auditions even if you have an agent? I'm 20s-30s age range & female so lots of competition but I do have a bit of a character look and identify as lgbt. I have a reel that I paid to get produced, plus some footage from a short film I produced and it's okay. Definitely decent enough to land a co-star audition I would think. I have spent lots of time (6+ years) in acting class and am currently in a booking class so I think I'm capable of booking but I just....don't ever get the opportunity to book the job. I do self-submit on actor's access and am auditioning through there and I'm also producing some stuff on my own, so I'm staying busy, but I want those big theatrical auditions that you can only get through an agent and I've yet to really land any despite having an agent. I'm wondering what you folks did to get yourself to that point. Building relationships with casting directors? Joining SAG? Having a bunch of credits on no-name projects around town? Getting a great agent? How does one get a great agent without having recognizable credits? I'm just frustrated because I feel like I'm right at the precipice of breaking through that wall, and I see it happening for my classmates, but I just haven't been able to cross that bridge yet. Tips?
Ralph Macchio being my favourite actor, I wonder which acting techinque he uses. Is it The method, Meisner, any other???
> *"I listen for one authentic moment—which most auditions have zero of—and then figure we'll bring you into the studio and get a few more moments out of you."* Another useful quote I remember: "Well-trained actors sound like non-actors. Non-actors sound like bad actors." ([What is Voiceover](http://whatisvoiceover.com/) has some tips on how to achieve authenticity in voice acting.)
Has anyone done this? For background: I'm British but I've been in the States since high school age, so my acting agent is based here. I know Spotlight changed a little in pandemic so that actors can use a recommendation from an agent (that is part of the Talent Agent's Association? on mobile so I can't 100 percent check right now) to join, but I'm wondering how you all went about if you joined via recommendation vs joining via drama school or having the correct amount of credits. I'd predominantly be using it for voiceover or remote work for now, and while I would like a UK agency in the future, I know most if not all won't give you a second look unless you have a Spotlight account. Also, for anyone who is using Spotlight that's based in the US: how did you explain it to your agent when they asked what it was? Should I expect to field any questions from them?
I am really interested in film-making industry and being an actor, but I have no idea how or where to start. Please, all suggestion are accepted.
I’m taking about the ones with actors such as Samuel L Jackson, Natalie Portman, Helen Mirren, etc. on masterclass.com. Has anyone done them? Are they work the 15/month (which is pretty cheap compared to some others? What was your experience?
Hi guys, so I just joined a film acting group to gain some experience and there’s a ton of amazing resources and networking and I’m very excited. However one problem I have is feeling like the other actors are not my friends but more like competition. Even the guys and girls that don’t even look like me?? But at the same time I’m so excited to work with them because I’ve never had an opportunity to work with other actors and I have the freedom to be creative and it’s a comfortable space to grow and learn. I guess it’s a little bit of jealousy too from actors with more experience? But like that doesn’t help me at all. I don’t even know if I’m going to dive into the acting industry…I want to but it’s scary. but in the meantime, how can I change my mindset around this?? It’s toxic and I feel like an asshole thinking like this. I’m really excited to produce films and stuff and actually work with other people interested in the same things.
So I had a situation the other night where I was at work waiting tables at my restaurant and i waited on a woman who basically told me she was a producer and asked for my info, she seemed normal and nice so i gave it to her, long story short she emailed me and told me she had a friend who "used to work at X agency and now has their own". (one of the big 3) so in the email after saying it was great to meet me etc., "I made a call to X. I think it's better this way". the name of the person was not searchable. A person with the same last name, and a very similar first name, IS the person she was most likely describing from what i researched. (used to be a big deal at one of the big 3, now has their own agency). but then in the follow up email she used the wrong first name again! (maybe she was drinking? she made a joke about being tipsy when i waited on her at the restaurant in the first email) ..... but they rep below the line people..... mostly DPs and editors that have worked on major blockbuster films by A list directors.... but still it's not actors.... I'm thinking this lady is just super nice and was just feeling good and wanting to help me, but not really knowing how things work? or, this below the line agent that used to be a big deal at one of hte big 3 could potentially pass along my info to his agent buddies that do rep talent? now i already have rep and tape on a regular basis so i don't really care / am not putting stock into this just as i never did the 15 million other times people have said and promised random shit like this in the past.... but what do you think?
i.e. Jonathan Bailey, Luke Evans, etc. Who are some LGBT actors who aren't put in a box/cast as the "Gay bff?"
I have been cast in a student short film and was wondering about creating my own contract for it that states things like (I will get the footage, will be invited to any screenings, etc.) I have heard of bad experiences with student projects and also heard of actors creating their own contracts as an insurance policy I guess. I was wondering if this would be a good idea ? The students seem genuine enough and are with one of the best film schools in the UK but I just don’t want to risk it I suppose ?
After doing some background work and fruitlessly applying for student films and commercials on Backstage and Casting Networks, I think I'm going to focus my efforts on Actors Access. I know it's the most reliable and highest quality out of the bunch. However, the interface is super weird and I hate how they charge you out the nose for everything. Can you recommend how I can get the most out of Actors Access? \- For example, where should I be spending the money, and where should I be saving it? E.g. should I stick to just the free amount of pictures and spend money putting up different reels? Or do I need to accept that I'm going to shell out a bunch of money for both? \- Also, should I just be searching in my specific market for work, or should I expand that search to the whole country? \- Are there any other tips or tricks for how I can maximize usage? Thanks so much.
I am looking at apartments and I honestly can't find anything safe/decent for less (around $2,500+ w/utilities). I know people live with roommates but honestly I'm at the age where I really don't want to live with so many people. If you are living alone, please share how you can afford to live in LA as an actor?
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Hey everybody! I’ve talked to all of my actor friends, and I’ve even reached out to my old agent back home. I don’t know what to do. Here’s the situation. I submitted for a supporting role in a SAG low budget feature on Actors Access. I’ve never had any luck doing this but the character description sounded like it fit perfectly into my wheel house. To help bolster my chances I included a minute video talking about my favorite personal subjects… I had a recent audition and the CD for that project asked for a minute of talking about something you’re passionate about in addition to the sides. I had the video on hand so I included it. And it worked! A week later I got a message from the CD inviting me to audition. They asked for one scene to be put on tape and retuned with a week via EcoCast. I got it in and another ten days go by. I’ve put it out of my mind because for some reason I thought the response would be quick. By now I’ve googled the project and have read what very little is available. Then… I get a call back! Two more scenes and another week goes by. Another call back! This time with notes from the director and they need it by the next afternoon! I get it in. A day goes by and the CD gets back to me again. This time the director wants to meet over Zoom for a call back. They ask for availability. I send it. They specifically ask, “how’s Tuesday?” I reply and have not received a single word back. That was almost a month ago. Do I still have a chance? Should I message the CD tomorrow? I’m feeling frustrated and kinda defeated.
I’ve even doing theatre for about 2 years now and it’s inspired me to start getting into acting . I would like to someday be in a movie or a sitcom . so my main questions are what are agents and what exactly will they do . Also specifically if I need one . || is there a specific thing I need to look for when signing up for classes ? || will I get less acting gigs because of my sexuality or race ? || will I have to worry about my personal looks, I’m definitely not the greatest looking lol || thanks !!
what are your thoughts?
Can you help me change my mind please ? I’m driving my actor friend who tried to explain it to me crazy
I have taken some acting classes (including advanced) and have two lead scenes from my work, plus a bunch of acting credits (mostly background so nothing to show for those) . Both scenes are about two minutes but one is pretty well produced. Would this be enough to show an agency, or should I wait to have more (or even purchase) scenes? How many scenes or clips should demo reels have? Do any agencies take on actors without a demo reel?
I've been doing voice acting for just over four years now and wanted to share a perspective that I've developed recently that I would have found immensely helpful to have back when I started. Obviously, this is based entirely on my own worldview and personal experience (and will probably be controversial to some), so take it or leave it as you wish. This is just where I'm at currently and I'm sure my views will develop further as time goes on. ​ The mentality that I had when I started voice acting was that I needed to book the job. That's the whole point. You get the coaching so you can get the demo, so you can get the audition, and then book the job. Everything I did was in service of getting the job. All the courses, demos, and recordings I made were to get the job. Several months ago I had an epiphany (in no small part due to the out-of-this-world perspectives of Elley Ray Hennessy). I now feel that I've been going about things completely wrong this entire time, and it had driven me into the ground. Let me elaborate. ​ If you've been in this industry for any length of time, you know that one of the things that is taught regularly is that you have to get coaching before doing anything else. How people go about getting the coaching is up to them, but it has to happen. Some people go through CCC, others use Gravy For The Brain, and plenty of others get one on one training, but the majority aren't going to get it all from one source. However, there is one thing that almost all of these coaching methods have in common: they teach that there is a "right" and a "wrong" way to go about doing things. Some examples may be that it's wrong to brush over the brand name, it's wrong to inflect down at the start of a list, or it's wrong to skip over periods, or repeat sentences for emphasis if it isn't written that way, or add humanisms if they aren't included in the script. The issue here is that, as I've come to see things, "wrong" is a matter of perspective in this work. Yes, there are certain things that are wrong without question (ignoring file labeling instructions comes to mind) but when it comes to the artistic side of this work, wrong is a matter of perspective. ​ I have a couple of agents I'm working with right now. Shortly after getting the first one, I had a call with them just to introduce myself and to learn more about their work process. One of the things they commented on was my slates. For every one of the sample scripts they sent my way, I had done some variation on slating my name. On one I'd chosen a very melodramatic tone and said "(off mic) ugh this is so lame! (on mic) It's \*name\*. (off mic again) that's it? I can go now? Great." Each slate had a different characteristic and showed my ability to do something that wasn't in the script. The agent said that they thought my slates were clever, showed my range, and they made them pay more attention to my reads. "They woke me up". For my third agent, I got a call from them, and immediately after saying hi and confirming that I was the voice talent that they wanted to speak to, they said "So, your slates are really weird. Don't to them like that." They then proceeded to explain why my slates were jarring and would cost me work, and even went so far as to say that unless the script said to slate, I should never slate. This really threw me off because I thought I had something good going on with my slates. They were unique to me, with my own stupid sense of humor. My calling card, if you will. The agent, however, said in no uncertain terms that they were bad and that I should can them. This was especially discombobulating for me because my other agent liked them! It's also not like the first agent was smaller than the second agent or something; both are quite well known. What gives? This experience percolated for a while until I did some coaching with Elley Ray, which shone some light on it and gave me a new way of looking at things. ​ You've probably heard of "tips and tricks" that will give you a higher chance of booking a job. Things like improvising a bit, doing multiple takes, humanisms, leaving your mistakes in, etc. I've gotten plenty of them from a whole bunch of different sources and I've tried them all. What I didn't clue into is that they are almost entirely redundant for one simple reason: *you don't know what the person listening to your audition is thinking.* The listener could be hungry, or biased against your accent, or stressed out about their home life, or have had a high school bully that your voice reminds them of. My regionalisms could be jarring, or I could be reading too quickly, or pause in the wrong spot, or inflect in a way that they didn't like. Bottom line; there are a million factors going on that I have zero control over that play into whether or not I'm going to get the job, and there is *nothing* I can do about it. It doesn't matter how many takes I do if the listener is in a rush. It doesn't matter how funny my improv is if they just want to hear the lines of the script. It doesn't matter how convincing my humanisms are if they don't want them. It doesn't matter if I get my audition in early if they listen to auditions a week after submitting the request. It doesn't matter if I slate creatively if they don't want creative slates. It doesn't matter if I don't slate at all because they may have wanted a slate. It doesn't matter if I do the perfect read, because they may want someone who sounds more like Aaron Paul than I do. We all know how ruthless the auditioning process is. My read MIGHT get listened to for five seconds. If I haven't captured them in that time, I'm out, and there's nothing I can do about it. The thing is, all I can do is GUESS what is going to hook them, and considering how many possibilities there are, the chances of me doing the "right" thing are inconceivably low. *I doesn't matter how well I audition if, for whatever reason, they don't think I have the right read.* ​ To delve deeper into this, I present to you two links to two different ads. Both are from the same series of ads for google chrome. One is for the American market, and one is for the Australian market. American: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd7zxDThkvk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd7zxDThkvk) Australian: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdH\_KocQbpA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdH_KocQbpA) Same product, same type of script, VASTLY different reads. Question is, why doesn't the American spot sound more like the Australian spot or vice versa? There are a couple of reasons that come to me off the top of my head. 1: There are different styles of voice-over depending on where you are in the world. You learn things from British coaches that are discouraged by American coaches, for example. 2: Different casting directors could also play a role. Each one will have an ear for their respective market and what is going to do well. 3: Talent worldview. Everyone grew up differently, and it influences how we see the world, communicate, and most importantly, take direction. The thing is, the talent doing these reads have no control over any of those things. How many amazing reads do you think were sorted through before they settled on these two? ​ Another example: The guy who's currently the official voice of Mickey Mouse, Bret Iwan? Micky Mouse is legitimately his first gig. He just had a good sense of who Micky was and had a friend at Pixar that sent him the audition. No training, no microphones, no booth, nothing. Just talent and good fortune. Keep in mind, he booked the gig AFTER Disney had already gone through who knows how many other professional voice actors. If you want to hear more of his INSANE story, you can check it out here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NSCT\_ukW-8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NSCT_ukW-8) ​ All of these examples point to there being almost nothing we can do as talent to increase our chances of getting booked. This is a frightening prospect! Any sense of control that I thought I had over my booking rates? Out the window. It also means that basing my success on the amount I book is redundant because there are people out there with far less experience who book more/better jobs (I mean, Mickey Mouse? Seriously?) The question then is where does that leave me? If it's just LUCK as to whether or not I make a good enough impression to get the job, then what am I supposed to do? Was I wasting my time when I was learning to interpret direction? To be a better voice actor? ​ Well, here's the logical conclusion: Q. If there isn't anything I can do to make myself stand out and have a better chance of booking the job, what CAN I do? A. There is something you can do to stand out. **Be yourself.** After all, why not? Because of all the factors that we know go into deciding if someone is going to get booked or not, why bother trying to read the tea leaves and predict what they're going to want? The funny thing is that I actually have a *better* chance of booking the audition by choosing to be myself because at least if I'm being myself, I'm guaranteed to be unique in some way, which is the whole point, right? At the very least, I've got a better chance of being unique than the other 50 talent auditioning who are all focusing on the same "secret tips and tricks" and reading the script "correctly" to the point where they all sound the same. In addition, being authentically me naturally lends itself to coming off as more natural, real, and genuine: all things that are highly sought after nowadays on virtually every project. Now, this isn't to detract from storytelling ability. That's just as important, and that's where your training comes in. You still have to be able to forget the microphone is there and deliver a captivating performance. You still have to have good diction. However, those things aren't what adds the "special sauce". Anyone with a bit of training can read a script well, or "properly". It's learning how to bring your authentic self to the script that makes the magic happen. ​ Question is, what does it mean to find your authentic self? How does one do it? I think the process is different for everyone and is ongoing. In my case, I had to realize that my life is based on perspective and that I can choose to look at things however I want and have them be true enough for me that I'm able to stay happy. Nowadays, I "get" every single script I audition for. That doesn't mean that I book the job, but it does mean that I make sure that I'm never doing a canned performance. It means that I'm taking the time required to understand the script and the direction and turn it into something that feels real to me. If I feel like I'm faking it, I haven't gotten it yet. I can't say how you can find your authentic self. That's something you have to figure out. What I can say is that part of the process is learning that you have to let go of other people's expectations of you if you want to have a chance at seeing it. ​ Going back to the "wrong" vs "right" way to read a script; hopefully, I've demonstrated by now that wrong and right in acting are completely down to perception and personal preference. What this means is that on every single script, you have to choose to do what feels right *for you.* Not what you *think* is right for the director, or the writer, or the engineer, or anyone else. *For you*. After all, you are the only person you know well enough to know if you're getting it or not. By being true to yourself, you'll start shaking off the shackles of conformity and will start doing things that surprise your listener. Heck, you might even surprise yourself! Whether it books you the job or not is another matter, but at least you'll be getting their attention more. You'll also be having more fun. I'm pretty sure that nobody enjoys the "ah, I messed up that take" process where you do the read fifty times because you think you're inflecting in the wrong way. Nowadays, I almost never record more than three takes. Forget about the technical side of things. If you've been doing this long enough, that stuff should be second nature. Give into your creative side. "Use the force, Luke". ​ "But I still want to book work!" I hear you say. Understandable, which is why I have one last thing I'd like to touch on. There is nothing you can do, outside of being yourself and being an excellent storyteller that is going to get you the winning audition. However, you can still tip the odds in your favor another way. Strong relationships that are built on trust. If you demonstrate your integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness on every single job you do, you're going to book work more consistently. The funny thing is that it has nothing to do with ability and everything to who you are as a person. Oh, and good fortune. You have to be given the opportunity to demonstrate those things in the first place, and that just comes down to the all-powerful casting director saying "let's try the new guy", and as I've hopefully shown, that has almost nothing to do with you. ​ I know I'm not the only one who's posted on here, discouraged about how things are going. "Why aren't I booking? Am I any good? Am I wasting my time?" All of these thoughts are based on the worldview that I'M the reason that I'm not booking as much as I want, that there's something wrong with ME, and that I should keep trying to fix ME in order to make people like MY reads more. Had I had the perspective that I have now back when I started, I would have been a more relaxed, creative talent from the get-go, and probably would be farther along than I am now. I wouldn't have wasted time trying to please people. I would have taken more risks, perked up more ears, and probably booked more work. I also would have avoided a LOT of pain and mental strain. After all, I don't know how well I'm doing. Not really. If someone isn't booking, that doesn't mean they aren't making it to the top five shortlists on every third audition they do. That doesn't mean that they haven't been getting unlucky with who's listening to their reads. If you've been told by multiple people who know what they're talking about that you're good, then you probably are, particularly if you've been taken on by a reputable agency. You not booking doesn't mean you aren't skilled, or talented. It just means that the stars haven't aligned for you yet, or that you aren't marketing/auditioning enough. ​ To summarize, be yourself because it's the only unique thing you can actually do that will make you stand out in some way, and don't base your success on your booking rates because there are people who are less skilled talent than you who are booking more than you. Find your authentic self and define success in the way that is most beneficial for you so that you *don't give up* and *ARE* *AROUND* when you do get your big break. Network, build strong relationships, and always be ready to lend a hand. Booking consistently is just as much about connections and making a good impression in the industry as auditioning. You'll do auditions that you think are pure gold, and get booked for the job where you half-assed your audition because you were tired. It's completely down to the listener, and you can't know what they're thinking, so why bother trying to figure it out? Be friendly, talk to people, be authentic, and be consistent. I don't think there's an audition technique out there that can beat those things. AGAIN, THESE ARE MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS SO PLEASE DON'T VIVISECT ME. Merci Beaucoup.
There has to be more right? Like no way he was booked just off of him walking down a hallway, also how do you feel about submitting an audition that way, you think the way the industry is changing should our self tapes now include more creativity and not just us behind a plain backdrop? Or because he is an established actor he can do self tapes like this and casting is cool about it.
Hey r/acting! I'm a 31 year old software engineer living in San Francisco. I've always dreamt of becoming an actor, but haven't pursued it besides doing an acting class. One reason is that I've been morbidly shy, but have since grown out of it. It's now or never and I'm ready to take the first steps. I have a few options on the table: * Stay in San Francisco, take classes, get headshots, participate in student films, build a demo reel and package. If I see that I enjoy it and want to pursue it further, I can move to a major acting hub like L.A. Seems like opportunity is limited here and I've been itching to move given the high COL, and that I have a remote job where I no longer need to be located here. * Move to Atlanta and try to build my credentials for a year there, and see how it goes before deciding it's not for me, or moving to a bigger hub like L.A. Upside is way lower COL, downside if being far from family/friends and having to ship my car. I think could be a hassle to move 2X, I don't see myself settling down in ATL. * Move to L.A, and start from scratch here. I know this sounds crazy, but my expenses will be lower in L.A. compared to San Francisco. I can work remotely as well. I'll still be close to family in the Bay Area. **The only downside seems to be that it's very competitive, and seems impossible as a newbie to break in.** Maybe I can build my resume with Bay Area opportunities while living in L.A, as I do have family there that I will come up to visit time to time. What do you all think? Thanks in advance!
Hello! I am looking to find actors (voice or live) who have performed in Geico, allstate, and statefarm commercials. Does anyone know how I can do that? Thanks!
Hey all, I’ve been in touch with a team who creates/produces scenes so you have some on-screen footage to submit to agents. An actor friend advised against it, saying agents can tell these are “fake” and may do more harm than good. I’ve seen footage from these guys and it looks really good, and I really need footage. Do agents care that it’s not a “real” project?
So somebody I know recently found out about my interest in acting and that I was taking classes. He told me he was surprised because apparently I'm "so quiet". This person is a regular at my workplace so I suppose I can be "quiet" but that's only if I'm focusing on my work I need to get done. Who DOESN'T get "quiet" when their attention is focused on getting work done? It rubbed me the wrong way because I've chatted and laughed a lot with this person many MANY times over the year, so hearing him say that sort of hurt me a bit (I know that sounds lame but it did and maybe it relates back to my childhood, IDK) and it also rubbed me the wrong way because it came across as if he was (albeit unintentionally) saying that if I'm quiet then how can I be a good actress, if that makes sense? I personally don't see the incompatibility between "quiet people" and acting, ANYWAY. I mean, that is what acting is all about - NOT being yourself but being ANOTHER PERSON! I actually consider myself pretty extroverted (according to my MBTI I am an ENFP lol) and while I can be cautious when meeting new people, I get VERY loud once I know someone quite well haha! I thought this person knew me well but I guess not \*shrug\* Now all this person does when he sees me is ask when my next class is, did I enjoy last class, and do I plan on doing more etc and now this person irritates the sh\*t out of me when he didn't before. Perhaps if he hadn't made that odd judgment about me, I wouldn't feel so irritated when he asks me these questions. I guess what I'm trying to ask here is, does anybody else get the same judgment from other people? It's almost like they expect actors when they're not acting to be this stereotypical flamboyant clown or something.
Hey all — I’m a working on a project in the middle of casting. We have a tape from an actress that has an incredible on-screen look. Would command scenes very well. Our only challenge is that she’s originally from Argentina and has an accent that’s pretty noticeable. Has anyone dealt with passing on an actor because of their accent (like Ana de Armas) where it’s impossible to be hidden in their performance?
I am a male aspiring actor. Will being in great shape increase my marketability and chances of getting a role? I go to the gym 6x/week and have a decent build. It takes a lot of time and energy (gym, diet, etc) to maintain my physique. Is it worth maintaining, or even trying to get bigger? Thanks
This is the third post in the series, you can find the other two here (https://www.reddit.com/r/VoiceActing/comments/xjjgiw/black_friday_shopping_list_part_1/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share and here https://www.reddit.com/r/VoiceActing/comments/xn4ewi/black_friday_shopping_list_part_2/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share Anyway, this weeks question is What is the most important food or medicine to have on standby as a voice actor? [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/xu13in)
Major CD reached out to me via my personal contact/social to audition as the lead for a major network pilot they’re making. I have no idea how they even knew I was an actor based on my personal social and the only time I auditioned for their office was through an open call in the past which I’m pretty sure they didn’t even watch my tape. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Since then I’ve significantly working more on my craft and have gotten more callbacks, but they wouldn’t know that so it’s just really interesting!
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.
