We have found 19,297 posts across 4 actor forums:
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?
Victory moment/good directing moment I wanted to share by clawhammer-cat • last post Aug 11th
I haven't taken an acting class in five years and I've been really missing it while doing show after show. I'm opening a show in two days (oh my!) and I've been REALLY struggling with a character whose tendencies are way outside of my range and experience. The director pulled me aside to talk about it and, to my surprise, he did more than just tell me to be better. He offered some strategies, we talked about the character and the scene, and once again to my surprise he *listened to how I work and met me where I'm at*. He seriously listened when I said "Well, to me this character is smoke stains but his situation is velvet" and then incorporated my method into his vision and got me where I needed to be. Received last night's notes: Praise for improvement and encouragement to keep working. I was reminded that great directors work with actors and not just characters. I know that being treated with respect and dignity in a learning environment isn't (or shouldn't be) groundbreaking, but after a while of high pressure low support directing relationships I feel really secure.
What makes actors great by Impossible-Wind-987 • last post Aug 11th
I saw “All of us are dead” on netflix, I really enjoyed it. Along with other movies and shows, what do you think makes an actor great. Can you tell when an actor is relaxed?
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Aug 11th
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.
Declining Auditions by zendi_lyon • last post Aug 11th
I really like my agents. I had a awkward situation a few years ago where I accidentally pissed off an casting agent for repeatedly declining their auditions and had to explain to my agency that I really dont like that kind of work. (it doesn't pay well, its doesn't help my demo reel, and its not enjoyable. I had done it in the past and basically felt like that was enough. I've done my time.) They were totally nice and understanding and stopped submitting me to that kind of gig. Over the years I told myself if I was going to be more particular about the auditions I take otherwise I'm going to be burned out by all the stuff that I don't enjoy. I want to have fun with it otherwise its not worth it. And I felt justified with that decision after sitting in on an actors lecture with a great acting professor (that works with the folks in an casting agency I love and have been dying to work with) that said you should consider 1. does it help me build my resume? 2. does it help me financially? 3. does it satisfy me artistically? So I've been going at my pace, which is slower, but much more enjoyable. But... I just got nervous again after declining an audition yesterday from a casting agent that I often decline. Something about this casting agent reminds me of the agent that got upset with me 5 years ago. 1. the guy seems like a prick, so I don't care to get on his radar. just like the lady from before. 2. the auditions are just boring commercials... 3. more importantly he ALWAYS asks to see actors hands.. I once submitted to him because the rate was so good but he quickly sent a mass email back saying "NO WONKY FINGERS OR SUPRISES" I assumed that was directed at me because I have significant scarring on my hands after a bad accident. because his attitude reminds me of the lady from years ago I'm afraid of him aggressively saying something to my agent (rather than just quietly going under the radar of declines amongst the other actors)and looking bad with my agent Do you think I should reach out to my agent and explain my hand situation and all the declines before he might? I've told them about my hand and declining auditions but I wouldn't expect them to necessarily remember given all the other actors they work with. I dont want to make a big deal about it at all... but like I said this guy reminds me of the lady that made a big deal about it a while back.
As a male actor, can I have piercings? by rentinghappiness • last post Aug 10th
Hello everyone! Hope you are all well! Saw that there are “no stupid questions” so I figured why not ask: I am going to UBC in Vancouver to study a BFA in Theater & Acting, so happy and excited to go to a new country as well (never seen snow before so that’ll be a first!) For a while I’ve wanted to get my ears pierced, however I fear that this may hinder and or limit the amount of roles I could get. BTW, I already have 2 tattoos lol, however with some makeup those can be hidden.
Why is "street casting" still a thing? by Sufficient_Aside_167 • last post Aug 10th
I just read the variety (?) article about the actress who was going to play Rue in Euphoria before Zendaya was scouted by the casting agent, which is how they cast Angus Cloud. Do they literally just go up to a random person and say "Hi, you look like you could be an actor! Come audition."? And how is that still a thing these days when social media can be used to conduct open calls?
Experience using Talent Link? by doobiestonerpothead • last post Aug 10th
Anybody here have a positive experience using Talent Link through Actors Access/Breakdown Services? Or any negative experiences? I’m wondering if it’s worth coughing up the fee or not — thanks!