We have found 19,412 posts across 4 actor forums:
At what point in my career should I submit to theatrical agents? by CaliforniaStoked • last post Feb 13th
Hey all! I see posts on here a lot from very green actors with no credits/experience trying to get agents. This post is sort of the opposite of that. I'm wondering (in your opinion) at what point in an actors career should they start submitting to theatrical agents? A little about me: I'm in LA. I've been seriously acting for about 3 years now, but in the last 2 years have managed to consistently book paid work, and in the last year, have made 75% of my income from acting jobs. One of my top goals for 2023 was to book my first SAG national commercial. 2 weeks into 2023 I was able to pull it out, which I was not expecting. Very grateful. I had a lot of trouble trying to get my first commercial agent last year, despite having booked 8 commercials in 2022. Not SAG, but non unions spots with big brands. I think this is mostly because my type is over saturated. Blonde, white, young looking girl. I submitted to probably about 25 commercial agents, and heard back from just one. I signed with them about 10 months ago, and have booked 7 commercials with them so far. I'm putting in the work and have the results to show for it. I love doing commercials, but obviously I want to move into more theatrical work. My theatrical credits are interesting. I do a lot of horror based jobs. I specialize in creature work/prosthetics, and have been lucky enough to work with Paramount and The Walking Dead these last few months on multiple projects. I've also booked a few students films that have given me great reel footage, and I do a lot of hosting jobs. I audition about 7 times a week. I'm consistently in class every single week. My on-camera auditioning class brings in an LA Casting Director the last class of every session, who watches us perform a scene and then gives us feedback. 90% of the time I get incredibly positive praise from them, and it always makes me feel like I'm ready to level up. My acting teacher thinks the same, and always tells me she keeps her ears open for me, as far as agents looking for new talent goes. I'd ask my classmates for referrals, but most of them aren't happy with their current rep. I want to start submitting to theatrical agents, but I also want to make sure I'm ready. I don't want to sign with a bad agency, just to say I'm represented. But I'm also realistic and know that I'm not gonna get represented by a top tier agent either. I really want to start going out for one liners on TV shows, and work my way up from there. My past struggles with getting commercial rep, makes me nervous to try and find theatrical rep. Everyone says commercial agents are so easy to get, but I really really struggled with that, despite having a hearty commercial reel. At what point do you think an actor is ready to submit to mid-level reputable agencies and have a fighting chance of getting called in for a meeting?
Feeling hopeless and stupid by Beowolf193 • last post Feb 13th
Long story short, male (29)naturally baritone since I was little I always had a love for performing voices. Still to this day I get people at my work or online in a game saying I got a an amazing voice. All I ever wanted was to voice characters (more so the villains, or characters between the dark and light) I had many inspirational voice actors to look up to. However when it comes to the recording/editing side of things no matter how many bloody tutorials I cannot grasp and retain any of the information I gather. I cant even figure out audicty. Sucks being dumb as a stump.
New Casting Networks membership INSANITY by alexdau • last post Feb 13th
You guys have to get a load of this. Background- I'm a working actor who joined CN maybe 10 years ago. I think I may have started with a basic account, but must've quickly upgraded to paid. Now I have had a paid account with unlimited photo and videos, but with the price hike and bad quality of jobs, I was thinking up "downgrading" to basic membership. Here's the rub- my personal account is also connected to 3 different commercial agent accounts, and those agents send out my stuff to castings. I asked my agent if I were to downgrade, if they would still have access to my account to send out my stuff, and they said yes, but only the two free photos and one free media the basic membership has. OK makes sense. I wanted to get certainty on that from CN itself, so I sent an email. ENTER crazy scheme from CN to force people into paying the outrageous yearly premium fee every year. My second email to them (after they said I could downgrade to basic membership, but didn't answer my question about what that means): Well, I wanted to know- if I cancel my membership, do my linked profiles to my agents disappear? After stopping my account, can my agents still submit me to things from their agent accounts? If you can look at my account, you can see I have linked with [listed my agencies here] I would just like to know if those agencies can still submit my profile to things after I stop paying to be a member. Their response: We would like to inform you that any photos, videos, or audio uploaded under your Premium membership will become locked and will not be displayed on any of your profiles if you downgrade your membership. In order to self submit to casting projects, upload new or maintain your current photos, videos, and audios, you will require to have a Premium Membership service active on your account. The basic (free) membership does not provide these features. Your representative will still be able to submit you to casting projects whether you have a Premium or a Basic plan. Please let us know if you’d like us to apply the offer or choose to downgrade to a Basic membership after your current membership expires. OK so this gets me thinking... what? So like the photos I uploaded 10 years ago would be my main photos again, with NO WAY to change them, not even a one time swap out fee? But I check my media library- those photos aren't even in the system anymore. My headshots from 4 years ago are though- as well as my new headshots last year that I replaced them with. So I email back: "Firstly, thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions. There are a lot of actors on the internet forums that are at a loss as to how the casting networks memberships work, in regards to their media. I know the acting reddit community have specifically been wondering since the changes to casting networks, so I would love to be able to post correct information right from the source. So my main question would be- you can't replace the first two photos you've ever uploaded to the site? What happens when you get new headshots every few years? That doesn't quite make sense to me- because that would mean the basic membership would only ever be helpful in the first couple years of its use, then you would be forced to move up to a paid membership in order to update anything. Unless I'm misunderstanding? For instance, on Actors Access you can have two photos that are free, then add other paid photos. However, you can trade out the free photos at any time, because there's an understanding that as a working actor who outgrows their headshots, they would need to replace them. What it seems like is the only solution Casting Networks has to a person growing older and getting new headshots would be to delete their profile completely and start a new basic profile with new photos? I I think I may be misunderstanding and there's a more reasonable solution. Please let me know, - ME I can let you all know what they say. But that's a crazy scam right? Like they are MAKING you pay
[PAID WORK] Looking for a good impression of Kratos and/or Atreus (GoW Ragnarok) for a dumb meme (Dollar per word) by DarknessSnake62 • last post Feb 13th
This video will be 30 minute or less (honestly probably like 10 seconds.) The "script" goes Atreus(yelling and a bit annoyed): Noramlize being a furry Kratos (angered tone): Noramlize being fucking normal, boy. It's a joke my friends and I made during a playthough. I think it will be funny for a quick edit. $5 per actor.
Which actor fully nailed the role of the real person in their biography? by fishgoats • last post Feb 13th
[View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/111w1bq)
Do college acting classes help on resume? would they care? by Significant_Step_193 • last post Feb 13th
**Does college acting classes look good on resume, agent and actor decision process?** I'm planning on taking (Acting 1) class in my CC. I know it won't hurt to take some and it will help me become better actor but I'm also curious what the industry think about this sort of training. Or it's much better to have an independent school specifically for acting or whatever training course idk..
I know someone who’s awful but who is well established. What can I do to protect myself from him/discourage others to work with him? by Silvertinge • last post Feb 13th
Trust me, the things he does is evil. But how can I avoid him as much as possible, when we are both actors in the same big city?
Any yale mfa acting updates ? by Safe_Confection3553 • last post Feb 13th
I auditioned for Yale school of drama and made it to the interview process. I wanted to know if anyone has gotten any invitations for final callbacks or even heard a time frame in which they would be sent? I emailed to see if they could give a time frame but no reply. Sincerely, A very nervous and anxious actor :)
How am I supposed to get a flexible job to try to pursue acting if a lot of those jobs pay so low I can’t do anything? by _savannah_jenkins_ • last post Feb 13th
I mean seriously I honestly don’t know. I try to find some flexible jobs and usually look at the typical ones for an actor such as being a waiter but that and jobs like that pay so low I don’t know how I’d ever afford and apartment or a house or even a car. I mean I did the math before for the average amount of money a waiter makes a month and that was way less than most of the apartments near me and the ones that were affordable were just barely because I’d only have 100 or 200 dollars left. Oh and that’s if just if I get many tips. I just don’t know what to do. I want to pursue acting to see if I like it. I want to get a car so I can drive myself to acting classes. To my job which I want to be flexible so I can still audition. But I don’t see how I can afford anything.
I've been on ActorsAccess and Backstage for a year now and I only got like five auditions and zero work... by Definition0f1nsanity • last post Feb 13th
Like what gives? I have pretty decent headshots from what people tell me, I don't think I'm ugly, I'm ethnically ambiguous which may or may not be what's hurting me, and I have like five past jobs under my belt including one that was out in theaters I was in the background for. I haven't gotten ONE call back. You'd think I was fuckin' canceled. What am I doing wrong? And if you offer me any of your "services for a fee" I'll report you faster than you can spit.
NYC vs LA, but for real this time. by astronaut3648 • last post Feb 13th
I feel like LA has 100x as many audition opportunities for screen work than NYC. Obviously it is gate kept by reputable agencies but still. Right now I'm trapped in co-star hell in NYC. I hate my reps, they don't give me personal attention and their reach only goes so far. I've auditioned for about 75% of the major CD offices in NYC. Most of them at least 2-3+ times, a couple at like 6/7/8/10/14 times. But its still sporadic, and I know that if I was at this level in LA, based on the sheer number of tv/film projects shooting out there, I would be auditioning MUCH more frequently. But I've also seen first hand a talented actor with credits in NYC that was repped by Buchwald at the time, read for major major things on a regular basis, that was physically based in NYC. So, it seems like if you have a GOOD agent in NYC, it doesn't matter that you live here, and you can still have access to all the auditions in LA because you're at the guest star & above level. The problem is, it seems utterly impossible to get enough credits IN NYC to be eligible for a reputable agent at the Buchwald level. So, once again, another catch-22 trying to advance as an actor. I've lived in both cities. I have more of a life in NYC, and I do slightly prefer living here because of mobility, it is so much easier to take the subway everywhere instead of dealing with LA traffic, parking, and $7 a gallon gas. But for being an actor... there are just, hands down, no doubt about it, WAY more opportunities for jobs in LA, even student films, there are just way more, and way more reputable on-camera classes as well. The best one I could find in NYC is Ted Slubersky, who I'm just starting with, and I'm excited about it, but that is over zoom. I'm just tired of feeling like my time is being wasted with shitty reps and lack of opportunities. I could keep my reps in NYC and still be submitted to the bullshit co-stars Im being submitted to out here, and physically be in LA building connections and trying to get a BETTER rep out there. OR somehow, i could win the lottery and find a better rep in NYC that has the clout as the guy that was repped at Buchwald, and be able to get tapes for major things in LA and basically anywhere because they are at that level, and stay in NYC, which honestly, WOULD be preferable for me. I just don't know how to advance anymore. I feel like all I do is hit brick walls with everything, like every decision I make is the wrong decision. I'm tired of being frustrated with this, i just want to be in a flow state and have things make sense and work out and know that I'm on the right track. But when you don't have anybody to ask for advice and you don't feel like your reps are personally invested in your success or have the ability to get you where you need to be.. its like.. what the fuck do you do?!
What is the youngest age you have been asked to audition for and how wide was the gap from your actual age? by Blueeyesindisguise • last post Feb 13th
Many of my peers are stuck auditioning for teen roles despite being in their mid to late 20s, some in their 30s. I know that looking young really helps you in this career, but many of these roles have them acting alongside actual teen actors sometimes they have to play a couple and it is uncomfortable. If you relate, how did you get more age-appropriate auditions?
How effective can SAG and ACTRA crack down on non union actors trying for union roles? by joesatmoes • last post Feb 12th
There's many union productions I go for, but I'm always wondering if I can choose not to be in the union and still get those roles. I'd like to remain non union, or eligible, for as long as I can. I know some SAG-eligible members who still have done union stuff, but wonder how easy it is. And especially for Canada's ACTRA, i have no clue (but I'd love to get work in Canada)
Ridiculous NYU Student Film Casting Director Demands by TheManwithaBlackHat • last post Feb 12th
I'm curious what people here think about the recent NYU thesis castings taking place. I saw a breakdown on AA for a role. I submitted and then received an offer to submit a self-tape audition. However, there was one problem; the sides were at least four pages long with more than ten very lengthy mini-monologues. That's a bit much for a short turnaround and a rate of $125. As a working actor, I thought I'd submit just to do some work and keep my skills sharp. But I think this is a bit much. Would you submit a self-tape for this or would you decline?
Hello. Can anyone share some tips about what I can practice to produce multiple distinct voices when doing character work like for anime? by zaru-don • last post Feb 12th
Hi everyone. I'm an aspiring voice actor but a complete amateur. To practice, I have been narrating over manga panels and I have uploaded them on profile. The most common feedback I get is that I need to work on making my voice sound more distinctive because sometimes I'll read lines for more than one character and it just sounds the same across the board which I do agree with. Do I need to focus on just voicing one character at a time when I do these practices so I can force myself to focus on one thing which might help with making it sound more distinctive? Any tips are greatly appreciated.
Please don't sue me for $2.3T. Hiram Abiff loves u by PalatableMahogany • last post Feb 12th
we audition still recommended? by zendi_lyon • last post Feb 12th
I've heard hit and miss stories with weaudition with a lot of people saying they struggled with too many technical glitches on the platform. is it still the go to site for actors in need of a reader?
How many people on average apply for a role? by alluvicqueen • last post Feb 12th
By role i mean specifically for a big budget show or movie, that agents submit actors to. what do you think?
What has your career and story in acting looked like so far? by Abstract_Corduroy74 • last post Feb 12th
I’m interested in the hearing about the paths you all took and what your journeys have been like since you decided to become actors or work in the industry. •Where did you get your start? •Where and what did you train in? Why did you choose that? •How did you live/are living while auditioning? •How did/have you managed to get by in life while pursuing your career and working on your craft? •How often did you book or get cast in something? What was it? •What are some of your greatest triumphs in your career? What about difficulties? •What medium do you work the most in? Theatre or film/tv? •Anything else you feel the desire to share. I’m asking because I’m genuinely interested in your stories, but also because I’m young and am uncertain of what to do or where to go as a beginning actor. I’m graduating soon, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know whether I should work or train first, or where to go or what to do. I am also kind of looking for some pointers and things to maybe follow so I can navigate my start a little better and less anxiously without the fear of uncertainty. Thanks everyone!
Blizzard's Casting Director Andrea Toyias has a zoom workshop coming up in March for VAs by queen_of_kong • last post Feb 12th
I took this workshop last year and I have been recommending this to every voice actor I know. It's game-changing. She's cast/voice directed Overwatch, Diablo, World of Warcraft. If you're free on March 18, definitely consider taking this workshop! I'm such a fan of her style of teaching and methods. She provides such great tools to rock auditions and book more work: [https://www.halpacademy.com/event-details-registration/voice-acting-battle-chest-with-andrea-toyias-2](https://www.halpacademy.com/event-details-registration/voice-acting-battle-chest-with-andrea-toyias-2)