Okay... I am nowhere "new" to acting. I've done some films, commercials, TV, and voice-over. Nothing major mostly featured and local aired, alongside award-winning theater performances. Enough to have signed me with two Detroit agencies over the years. However... those agencies both become dross, or basically lame. Auditions only once every few months, instead of weekly, and paying too low to bother with (avg. $250) So at least voice work has supplemented what live projects used to. But since this pandemic, it seems it's been catch-22 confusion on how agents operate anymore ... or how to submit to them for representation now, outside of Actors Access and Backstage. I've submitted to several Chicago-based agents, but have heard nothing. And my headshots are newer. My resume current. So, perhaps I'm out of the loop on what's going on??? Do actors even submit to agents anymore? Or has this become old school? Most agencies have website submission. But it's been pulling teeth on how to do a cover letter/email body. Or skip that altogether. I've seen other actors/talent posting this similar query on social media, including Facebook. Looking for answers, because it seems the "apply to this talent agency" has become old school. Somebody help! What are we actors doing wrong, who want to reengage in films, primetime TV, and/or commercial work (without a current agent)???
Hey! I'm a high school rising senior and looking to double major in Theater/Acting and something else in college. I have a few questions for you guys to help me narrow down my college search. 1. Where did you go to college? 2. How would you rate your experience? 3. Did you get an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree? 4. Do you feel like your education helped to set you up for a career in acting? 5. Do you know anyone else who *also* studied acting or theater in college? Where did they go and how was their experience? Thanks!
Hey! The title basically says it all. Since I was a kid, I wanted to be an actress. Nobody in the family supported that idea, cause well, I have no connections, can't act (they said that even though they have never seen me act and it's a skill that can be improved), and I'm not pretty enough, especially my nose. I've never been insecure about it until my closest people said that, and they'd repeat it throughout my whole life. Later my nose also became bigger. Nobody has ever pointed out my nose but them. In my country beauty standards are crazy, but when I go abroad, let's say the U.S. I'd always get a lot of compliments and attention, random people coming up on the street to me, asking me if I am a model, etc. Some people stare and straight-up tell me that they love my face and that I'm pretty/beautiful. But I guess that this insecurity had been ingrained in my head so hard that I can't get rid of it now. Believe me when I said that I've tried to get rid of it and love my nose - God knows I've tried. But I can't. I simply can't. And it's not deformed or anything, it has decent symmetry, it's a straight Roman nose. It's bigger than your regular one. And when I film myself on tape, I like everything but my nose. I'd love it to be more refined and smaller, so it won't take up so much space on my face. I just want to look nice from every angle and from my profile too. I don't want a nose job that will make me look like a brand new person, nor do I want someone's nose. I want it to look as natural as possible, so if anyone sees it they would never guess that I had a nose job. Think about Blake Lively's nose job. In my country, I can get it done way cheaper than in the U.S., but the quality of it isn't worse, it's about the same. I know, I know - everyone's beautiful in their own way, actors have to look like people and people come in different shapes/sizes, etc. BUT you can't tell me that looks don't matter when it comes to acting, especially when it comes to women. Men in films can have different looks and noses, they don't get judged that much and if anything, it adds character. Women on the other hand are criticized so hard, think of all the actresses that are beautiful yet were told multiple times to get a nose job by producers, etc. I know that it would be better to do a nose job before getting into acting, considering the story of an actress from the "Dirty Dancing". My plan was to study acting (first on my own - books, youtube, interviews, practicing at home, learn how to memorize, etc), save up for a nose job, get it done, and then get more serious about acting. **Would I still want to get a nose job even if I didn't want to get into acting?** The answer is yes. I think that even if I were to become a teacher/lawyer/fitness trainer, I still would want a nose job. It has been my biggest insecurity forever and I just want to get it over with. It stops me from doing so many things that at this point it's way easier to get it done than to try and love it for what it is. What are your thoughts on this?
So, im trying to do a female/feminine voice, but idk who's speach pattern i should try to replicate? Is there a certain actor, VA or Youtuber that has a speach pattern that is easier to learn?
Obviously not from the CD, I know they don't respond unless its that they want you- but how can I get feedback on my auditions? I know I shouldnt post them here since that probably violates actors access rules right
Hi there! I just discovered that there is a subreddit for VA, and i cant believe i never thought of it before. But anyways, i have been doing VA for a while now. I can do a decent amount of impressions and stuff. But now i kinda want to get into doing female voices. I have heard that one of the easiest ways is just doing them like any other impressions. Just learn their speech pattern, and change the pitch? But im having a problem with the speech pattern part. I really dont know who i should try to do an impression of. Are there some people who's speech pattern is easier to learn?
Hey all - currently in talks with an agent for a celebrity actress who stars on a major Netflix show. All seems fine with the rate and material but they're asking what **card placement on credits** will be and **if their can be an invite w/ a plus one** to the premiere. ​ My project is a SHORT-FILM (15 minutes) I don't know or plan on having a premiere at all...this is a story wholly created to release online and festivals. We could aim for a small venue in LA to hold a premiere, but this isn't anything with press and not meant to be designed that way. It's designed low budget so it can be MADE and released into the world. ​ The actress' role is a reveal at the end of the film. A good friend of mine from Pixar directed a short-film and they got Jude Law to cameo at the end via a relationship. Since this actress isn't the lead and only plays a character at the end - I'm not sure how billing would work in the credits. Does she get first billing even though she's not the lead? ​ Any help would be appreciated!
I am interested in attending graduate school with a good acting program (MFA program if at all possible) after I graduate from college next year to continue to learn and strengthen my technique/craft before I go out and try to make it on my own as an actor. I would like to stay within the Midwestern states, as that's where I currently live, but I am not opposed to possible graduate schools a little further west or perhaps east. I am trying to do my own research on grad schools with good acting programs, but I'm open to suggestions if anybody has them. Thank you!
Is it a shitting where you eat situation? Are you ex’s with someone who is insanely famous? What are your thoughts of dating someone in the industry? Any regrets?
Hi, I'm an incoming high school junior and I really want to pursue acting as a career and a craft. I want to go to a university and get a BFA in acting, however, my family has said that they won't support me if I don't at least get a dual degree in acting and a STEM major like public health or biology. Are there any schools that allow this and do you think I can still get make it as an actor even with having to focus less time on acting? I was thinking of working as a pharmacy tech while also looking for acting gigs.
Ok, guys I kind of have a "bad actor" question that will probably make me sound dumb, but it's been burning at the back of my mind for a while now: It's about the preparation for film work. I have tried a myriad of different techniques like *A Practical Handbook for the Actor* Objective, Action, "As if" approach. I have tried Harold Guskin's "Taking it off the page" approach. At the moment, I am using *The Lyndon Technique* 15-step process to break down a script. But each time, no matter the prep, the words still feel foreign when saying them out loud for the first couple of times, like I just don't trust myself. Usually, this wouldn't be a problem for theatre or rehearsal but since film is such a fast turnaround time I worry about this flaw for future work. I have tried practicing saying the words with emotions but then I feel like that gets me stuck in a certain way of saying things and when I say them in monotone I feel like I am not incorporating the emotional prep work that I worked on before... Anyway long story short is: how do you guys approach this?? Do you find someone to work off of, go on set with a ton of emotional prep work and hope that that carries you, or something else? I guess in short: does anyone have any prep work that has worked well for them? Thanks guys!!
So I have a book that eventually needs an Audible done. 130k words, 355 pages. How much would something like this cost?
How do other trans actors deal with a resume possibly being reflective of roles of your gender pre-transition? Do you just own them and answer honestly if anyone asks or do you abandon them and start completely over? Especially if your roles are older than a couple of years. In my case, I stopped acting before 2018 for a lot of complicated personal reasons, but I'm finding myself missing it so I want to try again. I'm just not sure how to handle answering the question on an audition form about previous experience or, by extension, how to even manage a resume. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm confident in how I'm going to handle just about everything else, but this one is a struggle.
The dim will be a dystopian movie about the dangers of a police state. Most of you will be background people such as protestors or police , but 3-4 will be main characters, and a police officer who will make some dialogue, along with the police cheif. If you’re fine with working in a movie called acab the dangers of a police state and are in the stl area, hit me up
Maritime Capsules is looking for an actress/personality/collaborator who is funny, charming, spontaneous and fearless. This ongoing role is in an unscripted YouTube series "Luff Life" following the trans-coastal adventures of a New England sailboat captain. Boating skills needed, an ability or aptitude for sailing is essential
how do you know if wanting to become an actor as a child isn't a phase
I’m 22, about to graduate college really soon. I really never had hobbies growing up, my only constant has been media. I love movies and tv, also youtube and musicals and have always been interested in acting. I wanted to be an actress/ singer as a child but like most people, those dreams became more practical. I was told I’m not a good singer, I wasn’t pretty enough for tv and I was supposed to go on multiple disney auditions but never did because my parents couldn’t spare the time. My high school didn’t have theater and I didn’t know enough about it to try to start one. After so many disappointments, I just stopped caring. But now, I really want to get into acting for fun. I just have no idea where to start since I don’t have a bg in theater or acting like most people my age who are already heavily involved with it. I also know people out their blood, sweat and tears into their dreams of being artists and don’t want to minimize the seriousness of certain spaces. Does anyone have recommendations for where to start?
I’ve always wanted to be an actress however I’ve also considered the fact that entertainment is changing… drastically. Now you become an ‘actress’ on TikTok without showcasing the full skill of the craft. Now, anyone can learn from simple YouTube video. So, will it be worth pursuing now that we have this new technology? And will it be an advantage for actors or perhaps a downfall?
I figure having a thread to be proud of ourselves and each other could be nice. None of that backhanded self deprecating stuff! Brag a little. I'll start: I have worked hard to get to where I am as an analytic and gracious actor. I have what it takes to do work that I'm proud of and I look forward to growing as an artist. Your turn, go! Some sentence starters could be "Something I've done that I'm proud of..." or "I'm worth hiring because..."
I started acting during the pandemic while I was working and going to school remotely. Next year, I would LOVE to attend real people college. I'm already accepted for Fall 2022 :) My problem is my acting career. Acting is my #1 but I would regret not being a real college student for a year or two. Does anyone have any guidance for balancing being a college student and an actor? I would be entering as a sophomore into a relatively easy program. Acting-wise, in the last few months, I've been pinned for recurring co/guest stars 3 times and just don't know what I'd do if I actually booked! I'm also first choice right now for a SAG MLB feature shooting in early 2023 pending negotiations
TL:DR I work full time (23y/o, married) in a steady job, would love to pursue acting but am not courageous enough to drop everything to invest in it, especially since my wife is in a graduate program. I'd love to get my foot in the door by doing small stuff on weekends, but all the casting stuff I've seen on Backstage shoots during the week. What can I do? Full post: I've loved acting since I got my first roles in musicals in high school, a small part in Aladdin (any other Razouls out there?) and then the lead in Willy Wonka my senior year. However, I went to college for an engineering degree because my brain works well in that space and it was always an expectation that I'd go get a "steady job". I wasn't able to do any stage productions in school due to how strenuous our engineering schedule was, and the one student film I was actually going to be a part of ended up having a conflict with the shooting dates so I had to back out. I looked into casting near me in the summers, but a mix of being 2 hours from the closest big city (Portland, OR) and working 60+ hours in the summers to pay for college made it feel impossible. I wanted to so badly but the fear of not working enough for school took over. I graduated, got married, and now live with my wife in Princeton, NJ as she gets a master's degree and I work a well-paying 9-5 engineering job. My job is actually fairly nice, but I still have this itch that I feel in my chest when I see the camaraderie of actors in interviews and behind the scenes and whatnot that gets me thinking about acting again and wanting to step into that, but again, the fear of leaving behind the stability of a good 9-5 job that supports my wife in school and whatnot makes me afraid to really put effort into it. Being so close to NYC now the opportunity to actually try feels so close yet so far away in a sense. All of the casting calls I've seen on Backstage are filming on weekdays, so I can't even try to do small stuff on the weekends for fun. All-in-all, while I know the prospect of acting is by no means some always-happy career with no worries and no stress (quite the opposite at times from all I've read), it still just feels so much more fulfilling in my mind than sitting at a computer designing stormwater systems every day. Being able to create with people and build relationships and do something that makes people happy is so enticing, but I worry if that's just a "grass is always greener" mindset. I don't have the gumption to risk my stable job to go all-in on it, but it also feels like there's very few opportunities to try and get my foot in the door, so to speak, while also working full time. Am I doomed to just daydream about this forever?
I'm just curious how many of you send out actor postcards. If you do, do you send them to casting directors or to agents and managers too? What do you include on the card? Do you use them to announce something eventful, or just as a reminder that you exist? What tone do you take--funny, serious? Are there good online templates to use, or inexpensive places you've found to have them printed? To you put them in an envelope to mail and print both sides, or have them printed as a true post card and mailed? Why? If you don't send them out, have you sent them in the past, and if so, why did you stop? Thanks!
English isn't my first language. I'm trying my best to reduce my foreign accent but it is hard. I thought it is completely impossible to fake standard American accent but they say Liv Hewson did it perfectly. Many people thought she was American but she is Australian. So I found some hope if I can fake American accent at least when I act. Besides I've done some private sessions with a coach, is there any recommendation resources or tips or whatever helpful? Also, I'm looking for female actor who has standard American accent so I can try to mimic her accent when I'm practicing. ​ Thank you.
I am a Black straight male actor 21 years old from Pittsburgh but I should be moving pretty soon I’m going into my senior year of college and we are getting into showcase. Throughout the school year we have been working on archetypes and how people perceive you and what they think you would play by first look. Coming up this year we are working on showcase to get agents and I’m looking for monologues from tv shows, movies, plays that seem good for a black male I’ll post my picture in the comments if you have an archetype or what you think I would play by first glance! Instagram: @thejaychapman
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.
I think acting is my true calling. Given that Medicine takes a shit load of time to get over with I don't think I'd ever have the chance to pursue acting. With my parents constantly up my ass(they are both doctors) to become a doctor, I think there is no other way but to run away from home. But when you actually get to it, it's fucking scary to run away (I've packed my bags and hid them in my cupboard in case I have to make a move : have taken all the important documents , some money etc.) I don't wanna grow old with the empty feeling of not answering my call. Most actors have taken this path and I have a funny feeling that it's actually a major prerequisite to becoming an actor. I don't have friends to discuss this over with so I figured you guys would lend me your two cents. I'm a 22 year old male preparing for the USMLE. Thanks
So i want to become a actor but I have no experience at all so I wanted to take some classes but would like to know some good classes in nyc for a younger teen person.
Graduated with law degree (UK). My dream is to become an actor. Only acting experience is studying drama as a GCSE in school. I recognise that I'll need a job while I pursue acting. My plan currently is to self teaching programming and get a job as a software developer while also taking acting classes along the way. Is this doable? I know common opinion is I should get a law job but I really detest this idea. Alternatively I could work as a waiter or something but that wouldn't pay well and it's not stable.
i’ve been trying to find acting coaches who’ve trained people like timothee chalamet, leonardo dicaprio, zendaya, millie bobby brown, and jenna ortega. those are my favorite actors to name a few, but i can’t seem to find the actual people they train with.
Not a voice actor myself, but during this allergy season i've noticed i can get a low guttural sound by resonating the mucus in my throat. A bit disgusting yes, but it sparked my curiosity, as i could get MUCH lower than i normally could.
I’m a fresh voice over actor. I need to make my own commercial VO. Any advice on what to put on it? Do I make my own original material for it or do I use anything that existing online? Thank you in advance :-)
Hey all — I’m curious what the typical day rate on Ultra Low is for my talent filming one scene lasting a couple hours for capture? I see on the website that the minimum is $211, but what have you been paid typically for Ultra Low projects? Would you pass at the $211 offer?
Hi all! I am trying to find two female and one male actor in New York. I would have figured this would be a lot easier but honestly not sure where to start. Not sure how to access student talent either. Any advice would be much appreciated!
It seems like every chance I get to move away from my town to somewhere with more opportunities just blows up in my face. The kind of failure when the privilege of even trying is taken away from me. Of course, I will keep on trying but now it happened for the second time in the same year and to say I feel crushed would be an understatement. I was supposed to go study acting in the UK but the college suddenly raised tuition fees due to Brexit and I couldn't afford it anymore and I looked for scholarships. Then I said what the hell, I can try study theatre directing in the capital city of my country and I thought the entry exam would be in September, like it is for the acting course, but turns out it's this month and even though I began working on my entry exam project, I just didn't and still don't have nearly enough time to complete it with all the obligations related to getting a bachelor degree this year (in English and Italian), work and theatre projects I don't get paid for. I mean, I can try next year and I'm only 22 but it's so hard seeing people around me make it and already start building careers at my age or younger while I still haven't even moved away. And I try to be happy for them, but I also hate that they have certain financial or other privileges that I don't. Sometimes talent and hard work doesn't feel like it makes a difference. I'll still go to the acting entry exam in September, but I honestly hate being an actor in this culturally desolate country. And since I plan on moving abroad anyway and applying for US green card lottery this year (I try not to think of my shit luck so far when thinking of this), I'm also thinking of sticking it out in my town for another year or two, maybe even get a master's degree in translation to have a more secure profession while trying to make it, and save money for when I finally make the big move abroad happen. But I really thought I'd be out of here by now and I'm still not. I guess I can still prepare for next year's entry exam. And I know failure is all a part of siccess and blah blah but I genuinely don't feel like I'm moving despite my efforts.
I know with actor's equity, there is a minimum salary an actor can receive. Does anyone know if there are Actor's Equity rules about salaries based on the size/kind of role? I read about salaries on the Actor's Equity site, but I didn't see any specific information regarding this.
Just wondering where most of your audition notices are coming in from? For those that have agents, is it Actors Access cmail, CN, or direct email from them? For this that don't, is it just Cmail and CN? Thanks in advance!
Hi there! I will keep this short and sweet. I want to move to Atlanta for my acting career, but the surrounding area is quite large and offers a plethora of options--I'm suffering from analysis paralysis. I've heard some different arguments for which area is good and why, but only so many, and I'd like more info. Some specific questions I had in mind: how far is too far from central Atlanta? Should I be inside the perimeter? Are there any areas that aren't safe? As a starting actor, is it worth it to pay less rent, but live farther away? Thanks in advance!
Every actor from my theater dept ive talked to is all "everything is a mystery, and no i wont give any actual help" and every actor in the few on camera acting classes are like "heres what i know and good luck, its weird man"
hi, i’m a 16 year old who wants to get into acting; i’m looking for some open casting calls for jobs in europe, but i’m having trouble finding ones that fit my age and location (preferably for horror, fantasy, thriller, or science fiction projects). any help would be appreciated:)
Hello, I'm directing a music video for a metal band, and I'm looking for an actress who can provide a creepy, slow motion, ballet type dance, such as a witch in the forest that's wearing some sort of dress, cloak, or robe. Actual dance experience not required. I'm putting together this project myself, so while the budget isn't huge, there still is a budget and we can negotiate the price in more detail through messages. I'm also willing to pay for any sort of clothes required for the video. Looking for someone with their own camera that has some sort of slow motion setting, but really any modern camera should work. The ideal location would be in a forest, but I am open to any other ideas. Thanks to anyone who can help out!
So I was wondering if it is possible to become an actor in the USA as a german because of the dialect.
Hello Reddit! I thought it would be a good idea to ask like-minded people on this subreddit a question I have about acting, and if the general public thinks I’m heading in someone of a right direction with my goal. My goal is to become an action star and be in action movies. It’s been something I’ve been doing since I was a young kid, but I solidified it into a major goal recently and want to take definitive steps towards it. As of writing this, I’ll be an upcoming junior in college studying English, and I’ll be leaving the country to study abroad for a few months. I’ve done theater for the past seven years, and I’d say that has been doing a great job together gathering experience/credentials. I have also been doing martial arts ever since I was four years old. I’m thankful that I have a family figure who acted in the theatre as well, and they’re giving me lessons on things like the Meisner technique, so I can shape up my acting skills and be better versed. There are people who break through the industry not only by auditioning, but by modeling, stuntman training, and the like. Mark Wahlberg is a pretty good example, with his famous Calvin Klein ad. Another example, Jean Claude Van Damme (one of my favorite martial arts actors) for example, is originally from Belgium, and he had a quite a few odd jobs here and there in the United States. I believe he began as an extra, and he was apart of Chuck Norris’s stuntman team for a while and even trained with him. He ended up getting a movie role in the late 80s, but his big break was a Bloodsport at 27 years old (1988). I am aware that this was more than 40 years ago, and the world of acting 40 years ago does not revolve the same way it does today, as customs change and processes evolve. I feel like other people who have similar goals as me are doing things that I should be doing right now, and I feel like I should fill the gap by doing something important to be one step closer to attaining my goals. In order to reach my goal, what would be some advice from you guys in terms of the next step/what should I be doing? Thank you, I like to think of myself as having an open mind, so I’ll take any helpful feedback that I can…
Hi guys! I’m a Canadian actor with currently no rep. Do US agents/managers accept Canadian talent on their rosters? Please let me know if you have any knowledge about this! Thank you!!
I’ve been acting for a little bit over 3 years in the Orlando market and I just recently flew to Atlanta for an acting workshop hosted by Rhavynn Drummer. Since then, I’ve been thinking really hard about moving to Atlanta. I have an agent in Orlando but I know many actors/actresses here that have both Orlando and Atlanta representation. It just seems to me like those individuals have more opportunities to book appearances on tv shows and movies (which they have).
I got an eco cast request and they said don’t submit if you’re not free Tuesday! I’m not free Tuesday until the late afternoon so I’m just trying to verify that with them before I put the time into a self tape! Is there a way to message them from the eco cast directly?
Really looking for advice and have questions about my career/whether I should switch/seek out new reps - I have representation in NYC, a few professional credits, graduated with a BFA, and I just moved to LA. I'm feeling a bit stuck and lost. Anyone know any reputable places for this kinda thing? Does it even exist?
I’ve heard a lot of people give advice on working on film crews to advance your acting career (through networking and whatnot). There are stories like Chris Pine getting people coffee onset, as a crew member, when he was starting out. The thing they fail to mention is that his grandmother and father were both rather successful actors. What is your opinion on advancing your acting career through crew work? Have you successfully done it or know anyone who has? Acting has always been a “who you know” business but I’ve also heard people say “Once you get into the crew side of things, you’re stuck there.” I can certainly understand both points but also know that crewing is grueling work and doesn’t leave much left for a father of 2 young kids, in his early 40s aka me. I bring this up because I was just laid off of my office job of 4 years. I’m a fairly new transport to the tri-state area, so I have friends and family (who don’t necessarily have experience in the movie business) suggest that I do something like an AD training program in NYC or to get hired as a crew driver (I know someone who does this). Opinions? Edit: Forgot to mention that I’m not new to acting or the industry, just new to a market as major as NYC. I had an agent for 20 years when I lived in the Southwest prior to moving here.
Will keep this short. I'm a non-union actor who just signed a New Media contract as part of an ongoing web series (I am joining an established project / cast and taking over one of the principle roles). All my previous credits are non-union projects / roles. Does this new job mean I will be SAG-Eligible? Thanks!
Hi, I’m a fairly novice voice actor, but I’m trying to do everything I can to get practice and experience in the industry. I recently got a call back on an audition and they asked for a sample of me dubbing over some footage. I have no experience dubbing, and I have some neurological conditions that make processing audio I hear a bit tricky. Does anyone have any tips that would make things easier to record this, short of manually isolating the single character’s dialogue? Thanks so much!!!
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.
