We have found 19,412 posts across 4 actor forums:
whats the first thing i should do when im trying to be an actor? by MasukuSan81 • last post Aug 5th
I wanna be an actor but idk where to start so what should i do?
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Aug 4th
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.
Network Approval? by ConsiderationNo4002 • last post Aug 4th
My daughter had a self-tape audition recently. 2 days ago we were asked for an availability check and told that she was getting sent for network approval. In your experience, how long does this take? Outside dates start in 2 weeks and we’d have to travel. Her agent said it’s possible they’ve send 2-3 actors for approval. We’re excited but also not wanting to get hopes too high. Thanks!
Why do acting classes stress me out more than an audition? by SunilaP • last post Aug 4th
In a scene study class now. I'm in a room full of talented LA actors. They're all so great. I noticed after several weeks every Thursday night would be filled with anxiety. I had a convo with another girl in my class and we discussed why we put so much pressure on ourselves. It's because we 1.)want to do a good job in front of the teacher and 2.) we are performing in front of 15 of our peers. It's a great, supportive class, dont get me wrong. If I have a bad night in acting class, I will replay everything I did wrong in my head, cringe at myself, wonder what people thought of me... etc. I'm never like this in auditions. I usually just do the audition, maybe thinko about it a little after and move on. But acting classes have been stressing me out lately. Thoughts?
How to deal with rejection by Snoo-8814 • last post Aug 4th
A month ago I got the news that I was being considered for the lead role in a new series on a streaming service, after two years of no work and very few auditions. My agent said that the director and casting directors really enjoyed my audition. I controlled myself as much as possible but I cannot deny that I had high expectations – my agent told me that it was virtually certain that I would be on this project. ​ Today I received the news that in the meeting with the artistic and the marketing team of the streaming service they decided on another actress for the role. Despite the team's praise, I feel very sad and I'm fighting the urge to disappear, honestly. Any tips on how to deal with this feeling? Edit: I can't help but think that popularity was a deciding factor in choosing another actress in my place, but maybe it's silly to think that
How do I ask my agent to submit me for different roles? by Iwannabecatwoman • last post Aug 4th
I'm mixed, and all he submits me for is black roles. One of my white friends told me he submits him for black roles as well as white (he is not black passing, it's an attempt for my agent to gain profit from erasing diversity from a project just so one of his actors can be hired) I cannot do anything about this. What I can do is ask him if I can go out for white roles, which I have heard other actors have asked their agents to do (Zendaya, etc.) and since I am actually white (half) I feel some legitimacy (especially after finding out he's pulling this shit on black breakdowns.) How do I go about asking him to submit me for white characters, and what should I do if he refuses?
Just wondering why this is? by cassamiyah • last post Aug 4th
So why is it that someone who doesn't even wanna be an actress/model are the people who ends up getting the big break as in getting selected after auditioning, but the one who grinds the hardest just to even get an audition that's not ended up as a scam get's no offers at all or either they just end up getting scammed by someone con artist portraying to be the real deal?
Calling ALL Union actors by louisasnotes • last post Aug 4th
We had a very interesting Town Meeting over Zoom last evening, here in Vancouver. Enough with allowing the current self-tape audition situation to continue much longer. Unions are readying themselves for their new Master Agreement negotiations. We should let our Unions know that this system has caused irreparable damage to our careers, has added too much work to Agents and casting Directors, is borderline illegal and anti-contract law and things need to change. If we continue to let it slide, it will (has?) become the norm. Our Meeting was attended by both ACTRA and SAG/AFTRA actors, agents casting directors and Union reps. If you would like some details on the talking points, DM me and I'll forward you a PDF. Let's all contact our Union, remind them of what we want and push back on Producers to do things ethically.
Thoughts on actors being the sole posters for a crowdfunding campaign? by GeminiMagpie • last post Aug 4th
I wanted to get other actors opinions on this. I already post about projects I’m in A LOT, because I obviously I want the project to do well. However, I’m currently signed onto a project that is expecting actors to post the crowdfund link daily. I’m not a producer. I am an actor. That’s what I signed on to do. I also don’t want this 1 project to overshadow other projects I am working on. I’ve already posted the crowdfund link in my own way multiple times. I’m just a little annoyed that I’m getting constant “reminders” to share the link. I’ve never had this issue with crowdfunded projects before, it just feels very poorly planned to rely on just the actors to generate that funding.
how many reel/clips do you have uploaded on AA? by jump4joy222 • last post Aug 4th
Curious on how many clips is too much/too little and what others have on their Actors Access in terms of reels and clips.
I want to try and pursue acting, but I fear that it may be futile. by BitterExperience626 • last post Aug 4th
As a child, I always had an inclination for performing, and I was charismatic, quick-witted, extroverted, cute, etc. So, as a result, and based off of the advice from many people who were close to my mother and father, they (my parents) decided to try and get me into acting and modeling. I ended up auditioning for some Disney Chanel shows, some movies with big time celebrities, and I also did some modeling for a couple of companies. Unfortunately, I never got anywhere with the acting, as I would apparently (I was quite young when this was happening so I have a poor recollection of it) get cold feet and falter during the auditions, so my parents and I just seemingly gave up. Fast forward 10 years later: I haven’t read a script or done anything acting or modeling related since then, but my interest in it has been reignited. However, despite my still being in possession of the same attributes I had when I was younger, I fear there may be a serious roadblock that would prevent me from becoming an actor — never mind a successful one. I have always been a natural story teller and have always been good at imitation, but I am completely unable to feel emotion — specifically sadness. I’m sure not being able to convey genuine sadness would be a red-flag for aspiring actors/actresses, and I don’t know how I can go about remedying my stoicism. I’ve heard that some actors utilize their sad memories to evoke emotion, and tears, but I am physically unable to do that. I can acknowledge that I’ve had traumatic and sad experiences, but when I try to delve into and relive them, it’s like my brain has set up this coping mechanism that inhibits me from being able to do so. So, what do you guys think? Is there anyway I could get past this? Does the likelihood of me becoming a hired actor seem bleak? Edit: I am 18 years old, if that matters.
How to get out of an audition? by ActingHopes • last post Aug 4th
So I applied for a really interesting sounding role on Backstage, and they got back to me today about moving forward in the process! However. I suddenly remembered to do my due diligence (I know) and look up the company and the people involved. I found a trailer for the project online. Oh boy. It is not good. The sound mixing is all but nonexistent, the filming quality is so bad that it's almost like found footage, but clearly unintentional? The actors are awful too. It seems like they are entirely untrained. Their performances are either lackluster, or over the top and completely pushed. There is no way that this project is going to be worth my time. How can I gracefully duck out of this?
Being a "lightskinned" Biracial. by Spare_Swimmer_5489 • last post Aug 3rd
Here we go, so ivebecame more invested in acting about 2 yeara ago, aiming to make it my life instead of a hobby and im currently enrolled in a Dramatic Arts school (college but for theatre purely not american so idk how to better describe it) The school has given me some contacts and alot of knowledge so far and i personally believe im becoming a decent actor little by little. However ive also been registering myself in casting bureaus and firstly they never allow me to put my specific ethnicity in. Being from Western Europe theres large groups of Turks, Morocans, Surinamese, Afrikans etc but the biracial community is quite small. And there frankly arent alot of light skinned afro-europeans. Each time i get sent a audition or a request for a selftape its always for characters that are either arab hispanic or african. I don't really look Arabic or Hispanic and have no cultural ties with em. And im often too white to play a black character or to black to play a white. I find myself in this weird grey area where i only have a small percentage of what i can actually take on. It might be just in my head but does anyone has any advice on how to navigate through this industry as a Black/white mixed person?
I feel like I am a bad actor and I have to do a scene in front of an audience soon. by Effective-Ground-784 • last post Aug 3rd
I have been acting for around month and my instructor says the class is going to be doing a scene in front of an audience soon. When I act, I always feel like my emotions look fake and my movements are not realistic. I am EXTREMELY nervous that I might mess up and embarrass myself in front of everyone. How can I quickly improve?
Finding your “TRIBE” by Drecasso_Ent • last post Aug 3rd
For my actors out there. How hard was it for your to find your tribe or community of actors? The ones you hang out with on a daily basis. Do auditions with, run lines for auditions, and maybe go to class with. Being in LA can become a lonely journey, and I am having a hard time of finding people that I can really connect with. How would one go about finding actor friends to climb the ranks with?
What movie / TV show inspired you to act, and what movies do you think are important to the business, historically or otherwise? by Bolteus • last post Aug 3rd
For me, Better Call Saul pushed me over the edge from daydreaming about being an actor to actively trying to pursue a career in it.
Backstage partnering with Starnow bringing in more scams? by sp00kysabrina • last post Aug 3rd
Was surprised to say the least when I logged into Backstage days ago to see the pop-up message they were now partnering with Starnow...always thought Starnow sucked lol but I was like whatever. But now this is really starting to suck because I think this partnership is bringing in more scams/scam posts are more easily slipping through the cracks. Like 2 days after the partnership started I get an email in my inbox from someone on Starnow saying they invited me to apply to this casting call. Except it's a modeling casting call for a "virtual shoot" not caring if you have no modeling experience with a pay of 1500 dollars for 2 hours of work. Now I know literally NOTHING about modeling, I'm an actor, so I have NO clue what typical pay is or anything so, maybe a bit naively, I was like 'oooo money! I'll send in my headshots and full body pics as requested and if something comes of it I'll look more into it' A day later I get the "congratulations!" message and am like 'oh cool welp I guess it's time to put in the research now'. Everything in the message looks fine at first glance to me...they're not asking for any money...not asking for bank info or ssn's to pay you...it's a new virtual thing where they'll send you the clothes rather than it being at some creepy persons house or anything... But then I research a little more and some things don't entirely make sense...the casting director on this project is supposedly Cindy Tolan, I've never heard of her but with a Google deep dive I see she's casted some serious projects (Batman, West Side Story, Straight Outta Compton, etc.) and my first thought is instantly okay ummm yeah maybe this person isn't who they say they are. Why would someone with such big projects under their belt reach out to ME? and then, they seem to be a movie casting director, I'm not entirely versed in if the 2 worlds ever cross but why would a movie casting director also be casting models in projects? So lastly I'm like okay the congrats email I got has the classic no-profile-pic-profile-pic, let's see if the emails match up. I search online for Cindy Tolan's email and while not much comes up, there are 2 sources that say it's [ctcastingoffice@gmail.com](mailto:ctcastingoffice@gmail.com). The email I got is from [ctccastingoffice.com](https://ctccastingoffice.com). Thought they were slick lol. Almost forgot, the icing on the cake is y'know how Backstage now lists on the top of casting calls how long the person listing the casting call has been a member and how many jobs they've posted, and sometimes a verification? Well Starnow is doing that too now and the casting call I got invited to apply for says the person joined March 2 2022 and has 2 jobs listed, and is not verified. When deep diving everything on Google earlier I got sent to a page on some other random casting website I've never heard of before with a casting call of the exact same content this one is, from the exact email and people, but listed from March 2 2022. Meaning that must be the other job listed on their Starnow as well. I find it hard to believe the real Cindy Tolan team would have made a Starnow just this year only to list 2 projects of the same exact nature lol, or make a Starnow at all for that matter. I don't want to believe it because it would be REALLY nice to have 1500 dollars, but even the pay alarmed the first red flag in my head originally because it seemed like so much...not even sure how they were gonna scam me, but never got this close to even dipping my toes into the trap of a scam before Backstage started partnering with Starnow. Anybody else having any similar experiences? All very disappointing
What is the next best move in your opinion? by PunkRockRobot • last post Aug 3rd
I work out of a city that isn’t NY or LA but have found some success here. I’ve shot for network and streaming shows that were minor characters, but the work is yearly and over time I have a resume that is longer than most of my peers here. The issue is all my lines are small background characters that honestly are blink and you’ll miss them types. The last role I shot for did have me across from an Academy Award winning actor so that was nice having a scene with them and the experience was great. The thing I’m trying to ask here is what should I do here? I want bigger roles but those typically get taken by people from out of town, flown in from LA or NYC. Also, maybe I’m just not ready? I don’t get many opportunities with plays during COVID so I know I should turn there to hone my craft, but also I have friends who have management out in LA and even other agencies in my town have offices in Atlanta and LA as well So my options are to me * a) just keep doing what you are doing and work on your craft by seeking plays and classes. * b) seek out management in LA (5-10 credits on network episodics. SAG-Aftra and also a POC should help, right?) * c) seek an agency with offices in LA or NY along with my town. I really don’t want this because I have had the same agent from when I started and while there are flaws, I do feel that as long as I’m auditioning and booking why jinx it? Thoughts?
Online LA Classes by Physical-Froyo-1823 • last post Aug 3rd
Looked through the past posts on this but haven't seen reviews on Lesly Kahn, Margie Haber, or Stan Kirsch in the past year--I was wondering what people's perspectives on these studios were, especially the zoom versions of the classes, and if there's any other studios that would be worth checking out for an on camera actor.
Are there any female actors who became famous in their 30s? by electronic_zucchini_ • last post Aug 3rd
It seems like if women don't get their big break by 25, they have no chance.