We have found 19,244 posts across 4 actor forums:
Inspiring or deflating to see Blockbuster movies with lead actors who little to no acting experience? by VoiceOverAndMocapGuy • last post Aug 13th
I recently watched Easter Sunday, Prey, and Crazy Rich Asians in the same weekend. Prey's Dakota Beavers is tremdendously good, gets wild action scenes, dramatic emotional moments. And he's never acted in anything before this film. Henry Golding had never acted before Crazy Rich Asians. And quite a few people from Easter Sunday have relatively small IMDB credits. Do you find it inspiring or deflating? I personally find it inspiring. Your life can change with the right role. I dont think seeking blockbuster level fame is realistic and its not why we do it. But its so cool how your life can change if everything does comes into place.
Exploring how to be a Holistic Actor/Artist/human being by Matt-Pipes • last post Aug 12th
Hello! I just put up a YouTube video about how I remain a holistic Actor, there's so much to explore within this topic and something I'm always trying to improve, would love any and all feedback/discussion! [https://youtu.be/4kSYjsbcidQ](https://youtu.be/4kSYjsbcidQ)
I have been invited on set by a famous actor/producer for a celebrity shoot. If I get to go (COVID restrictions) what should I look to get out of the experience? by ztpoketmon • last post Aug 12th
Basically what the title says. Some backstory: 5 years ago my dad was on a flight from LA back home and sat next to a successful English actor who has had a lengthy career and they hit it off. He told him about me as I was in high school at the time doing music and had just done my first musical and was cast in another one. The man kindly offered to give me a chance to be on set/tour a studio if we were ever in LA, and not really being able to afford a random trip we sort of wrote it off. I’m now a senior in college for acting and going to LA with my girlfriend for a week because she’s from Venice, CA. I remembered that meeting and asked my dad about it, so he emailed the guy and he responded literally within 20 minutes that Covid protocol allowing he’d be more than happy to meet me. He seems extremely generous and I couldn’t be more thankful for even the opportunity, regardless of if it happens. If I am cleared to go, what should I observe/ask about? I want to be friendly but professional, and I don’t want to come off as desperate but I’m curious if there is a way to forward my future career from the experience. They say it’s who you know after all, but “networking” feels super artificial and shallow, and I don’t want my presence and “eagerness” to interfere with the actual job they’re all there to do. Thank you for any advice!
Demo reel by HLGRugs • last post Aug 12th
Hello! I'm an aspiring voice actor, and I just made my first demo reel! I'm very happy how this turned out. I would like feedback- but more so, advice on how to use this new tool that I have. if anyone has any tips for marketing themselves as a voice actor I'd love to hear! anyways, here's the demo [https://soundcloud.com/hlg-rugs/character-demo-2022?si=8b2f14a87c0d4c27a9cc982c61b51b01&utm\_source=clipboard&utm\_medium=text&utm\_campaign=social\_sharing](https://soundcloud.com/hlg-rugs/character-demo-2022?si=8b2f14a87c0d4c27a9cc982c61b51b01&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) (P.S I'm currently having a demo card created)
Questions about unemployment. by SmellyCat808 • last post Aug 12th
So I saw a post few days ago and found out actors can collect unemployment between jobs and my mind was blown. I had no idea this was an option. I realize each market might be different, but for those who do it/have done it, I had a few questions. 1. Do you need to be union? I'm SAG-e right now and my agent prefers me to stay there atm. I honestly would have a conversation with them about joining if this was strictly a union thing. 2. Is this perpetual? How long can you not book and still have this as an option and is there a set amount of auditions you need to be going out for? I'm in a smaller market so auditions come through about once a month on average. 3. Is the rate based on the rate of your last job or is it just a flat rate? 4. If you do gig work, do you need to stop doing gig work for a set amount of time to qualify? Don't need to answer them all, but any info on the subject would be appreciated
Do agents know if you self submit on Actors Access? by dontcallmebythat • last post Aug 12th
I've been continuing to self submit after signing on with my agent two years ago. With them, I get maybe three auditions a year, and no communication otherwise. But now I wonder if they've been able to see all my self submissions?
Self taught acting? by SpecificPiccolo5099 • last post Aug 12th
I don't have any particularly high aspirations, apart from just improving on the skill of acting just for the sake of fun. I do want to become as good as I can be, but it's just for myself. That being said, I still want to become good at it. So here's my question: Can I become a good actor by learning and acting on my own? My goal is to learn as much as I can about acting using resources online, as well as studying human behaviors in a social context and seek to accurately act out a certain emotion, or complex set of emotions, embodied in a script that I will write then act out. I will most likely record it, and critique it myself through harsh criteria. And through doing this, I hope to maybe teach myself how to act. Down the line, I wouldn't be against learning with other people, but I don't know if I'll want to do that for quite some time. Does this seem like something which could plausibly give some benefit? TL;DR Can I teach myself to act on my own, through a combination of learning as much as I can about the topic and writing scripts and recording myself acting them out? I'd be willing to adjust how I approach recording myself acting based on new information learned, of course.
If you booked a lead role on a commercial, or a film, or TV project - what would your process in preparing for it be? by lovetempests • last post Aug 12th
I've not booked anything yet, however I've auditioned for a few projects recently and haven't heard back. In the meantime I was wondering how other actors prepare before a project so I'd love to hear how you prepare for various things; for example, I've heard of actors hitting the gym religiously before starting to film main roles on film & TV to make sure they have enough stamina to endure long hours on set and look their best (even if the character doesn't require lots of strength or fitness). I've heard of actors also getting facials and beauty treatments just before filming, like teeth whitening or haircuts/colouring. How does that adapt if, say, you got a commercial? How do *you* prepare for a role?
UK actors - Spotlight question by ActingGabriel • last post Aug 12th
When you have an agent, and they give you "nudge access" or "full access", do you still only see the breakdowns you'd see without an agent, or do you also see the ones sent to agents that might match your profile?
Why casual conversations with (some) actors feel so fake? by SinglePin9776 • last post Aug 12th
From all my lifetime, I met two people who did acting. One was a theatre actor and the other did for TV. They are both very energetic, loves to talk and have lots of friends. The thing is, they both kinda lacks the authenticity when talking. When I say something slightly funny they laugh out loud, or something slightly sad they show to be very empathetic, but moments later they are in "another vibe"... In other words, they overreact yet it feels very unnatural. Both of them told me how acting changed their lives for the better, they learned to manage their emotions and improved their social skills, but in my judgement, it actually made them use sociability and emotions as a tool to interact with the world but not being apart of it. Now before someone say "not all are like that" or "I'm not like that", i want to be clear that i don't think acting makes people sociopaths, they might have something else instead of just acting, but the fact that both never met each other, yet they both did acting and appear very artificial in social interactions is a weird coincidence, and I don't doubt there are thousands of actors just like them, which is a bit concerning imo.
A trailer just came out for a movie I’m in by monsterintheuniverse • last post Aug 12th
And I’m not in one second of it, even though I have a strong supporting role. I know I did an awful bland job. They have all the other actors pictures on the movie Instagram page except mine, they’re following all the other actors but me. I’m 33 and I dedicated my whole life to this with nothing to show for it, I’m poor and have no friends and am talentless. I am a stupid negative narcissist and I wish I was dead
Video Editor being consistently asked to do VO for corporate. by Jarardian • last post Aug 12th
I’d like some advice on whether or not I’m being taken advantage of. I’m a video editor for a decently large company (300+ employees) and about 6 months ago I started being asked to do temp VO for some corporate commercial spots since I have a full audio setup from having been a producer and audio mixer, as well as former performance experience. Well some people started liking my VO, and asked to keep it as the official VO. “Cool!”, I thought. Then I slowly started to get a few more requests for VO for small commercials, internal videos, and call center machine messages. I now get a request for VO almost every month, and none of them offer any additional compensation. Granted, I did accept the work I’ve done willingly, and at the beginning I even offered my VO since it sounded like a cool one-off, but this is in no way part of my job description. Aside from myself not being compensated for additional work and skills, we have hired outside VO talent less and less since I’m now considered a “free option”. I don’t like that I’m taking away work from full time voice actors, and it feels even worse since instead of them being paid for VO, now no one is! Is it unreasonable for me to feel taken advantage of in this situation? Would it be reasonable to ask my workplace for compensation for this work that is very clearly outside of my duties as a video editor? The main reason I ask is that soon my boss might want me to do a bunch of VO for a huge convention we put on every year, and I’d hope someone would get paid for such big work, even if it’s not me.
Question About the Green Apples Trick for VO by AHungerForKnowledge • last post Aug 12th
I've heard that, to reduce mouth noise, many voice actors eat a green apple. I have a couple of questions about it... 1. Is there a certain type of green apple that works better than others? 2. How long before recording do you eat the apple? Immediately before seems like it would make your mouth noisier. Thanks!
I think this is how early success works by FerdinandBowie • last post Aug 11th
I was thinking about this at work haha. Alot of early successful actors have all of their training done by high school. They've been taking classes outside of school at a local theater or with a series of coaches. And they have done extra work in tv or shorts or hometown movies. Essentially, they're just ready and feel confident enough in their skill sets and their bodies to just be ready to be seen. And if you can get there when you're 19 or 32,etc...you'll be ready. The rub is that most media is made for the 18-24 crowd.
Is Casting Networks' premium membership worth it? by Iwannabecatwoman • last post Aug 11th
I have actors access, and it's paid off for me, but I'm wondering if I should invest in Casting Networks. 300$ dollars is a bit much!
Seeing active series regulars at commercial auditions by boognishboomstick • last post Aug 11th
Probably an unpopular opinion, but it chaps my ass. It does. And I know that celebs take away VO work and commercial work and well, lotsa work. I’m just talking about “unknown” successful actors on broadcast TV being at a working class actor commercial audition. I’ve never been an on-camera series reg but I just feel like I would opt out of auditioning for commercials for the time that I was…let others have some pie, ya know? Instead of trying to gobble it all up myself. But I don’t have major gambling debts. I do have kids and student loans tho.
Advice on going to LA or NYC for training? by seemslikegoodidea2me • last post Aug 11th
Personal Advise on if I should go to LA or NYC for training? So I know there are a lot of posts about LA vs NYC, but I wanted to see if I could get some advise about my specific situation and which would end up being the better option for me. I’m really looking to move out to one of these cities to get training. That’s what I really want to focus on right now, and I’m really interested in doing a 2 year Meisner program. During Covid I did a meisner summer intensive and a 1st year Meisner program all online with a teacher in LA, and I really loved it, and want to do a full 2 year program in person. What I’m having trouble with is deciding if I should do the 2 year Meisner program with that teacher I really loved in LA, or to do it with one of the studios in NYC like Esper studio or Terry Knickerbocker studios. I really loved the teacher I had who’s in LA, and think he’s fantastic, but I’d only really be going out there for his class, as I like NYC as a city much more than LA. I like how close everything is too each other and how I don’t need a car, and how there’s lots of theater and film out there. I also have a lot more actor friends and mentors out there in LA. The thing I’m nervous about with NYC is if I don’t end up loving the teacher I get out there. So I guess to sum it up, would be better to go to a city that I don’t love as much as NYC, but I’m with a teacher who I love and trust, or do I go to NYC which has more of what I want in a city and the people I know, but go there not knowing if I enjoy the teacher I’m getting? Thank you!!!
Taking Class from another city? Teacher turned actor! by checkerchickens • last post Aug 11th
Does anyone have experience taking online (like virtual live classes, not recorded) acting class/lessons with a teacher or studio in another city? I’m a music teacher and can’t relocate or leave my job at this time. I have never taken acting classes, but have quite a bit of educational and community theatre acting experience, as well as my music degree in voice. I’m looking to branch out to acting on screen and really learn more about the acting process. I feel like my research is pointing to Los Angeles as the hub of TV/Film casting at the moment. Since I can’t move yet, I wanted to try to network virtually in other, bigger markets. I feel like half of the battle of starting out is just getting in the room. I am still submitting myself for things near me to try and get some professional credits on my resume, but knowing other working actors seems helpful for the long run. Might be able to recommend me for better classes, headshots, etc. Would taking class with a studio in LA virtually be beneficial? Anyone have any LA/NYC virtual acting class recommendations?
If Mary Kay Bergman were still with us, what roles do you think she would've had since 1999? by Apart_Shock • last post Aug 11th
For anyone who doesn't know, Mary Kay Bergman was a prolific voice actress who was most famous for voicing every female character in South Park, Daphne Blake in the first three Scooby-Doo movies, and Disney's Snow White from 1989 to 1999. She was even the mentor to voice acting legends Tara Strong and Grey DeLisle. Sadly, Mary Kay suffered from severe mental illness, and it led to her committing suicide in 1999. But what if that never happened? What if she managed to get professional help and continued to do voice acting to this day? Who do you think she would've voiced since then?