We have found 19,373 posts across 4 actor forums:
Meisner question - "fully doing" vs "as if" by ActingGabriel • last post Jul 28th
I've been doing some Meisner exercises with a couple of fellow actors, following Larry Silverberg's book (thanks u/eogc9 for the fantastic recommendation!). We've gotten to the point of doing an activity, and we can't figure out something about "fully doing" vs "as if". Imagine you need to play a character that is juggling balls. There's two cases that confused us: (1) you're an expert juggler playing a novice, (2) you're a novice juggler playing an expert. Case (2) seems relatively simple to deal with - become an expert juggler before filming (simple, not necessarily easy!). But for case (1) it seems that juggling wouldn't require your full concentration; in fact you'd probably focus on making mistakes. But would the mistakes look like the kind of mistakes a novice would make? How do you "fully do" something that is so easy for you, you don't require full focus? How do you juggle "as if" you weren't an expert? We came up with similar scenarios, like doing math on a piece of paper. You can choose a level of math that is as challenging for you as the fictional math is challenging for the character - if you're playing a math genius but you're not, maybe just adding numbers would create the right level of challenge for you - you stay truthful, and externally it looks like the character is being challenged at their appropriate level. But how do you stay truthful in the juggling situation, where the activity is visible, and you can't substitute it with something that looks identical but has the appropriate difficulty level? Or are we taking "fully do" too literally? Is it just *"if you're playing someone writing a letter, actually write a letter"*?
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Jul 28th
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.
Rode NT1-A Open Box by erikalg_vo • last post Jul 28th
appears to be available on Woot. [https://sellout.woot.com/offers/rode-nt1-a-vocal-recording-microphone-package-open-box?ref=w\_cnt\_wp\_8\_18](https://sellout.woot.com/offers/rode-nt1-a-vocal-recording-microphone-package-open-box?ref=w_cnt_wp_8_18) Only posting this because I know this is a commonly used mic for voice actors. Good luck snagging it!
Actor Interview by NeliKz • last post Jul 28th
If you had a chance to have a chat with one of the actors you most admire, what are the questions you would ask them? Not neccesarily about their roles and films, though that works as well, but also questions about being an actor in general, filmmaking, theatre, acting, anything at all that you would really like to know, and that they may find very interesting to talk about. Cheers :)
Toronto actors: am I ready for an agent? by joeypizzaman • last post Jul 28th
I feel ready to submit to agencies, but I am hesistant because I know how important a good first impression is. I have been taking classes and working on my craft since January, I have done tons of extra work (not that that really matters?) and I’ve had lead roles in 2 student films so far. I have headshots and a professional looking résumé and a reel with some self tape shots and some from the films I was in. Is this enough? Do I need more on my resume in order to be considered?
How do I tell my manager to stop sending me out for non-union commercials? by DancHunt8 • last post Jul 28th
I'm a SAG actor who signed with my new manager about 3 months ago. She's fine, but she keeps sending me out for a ton of non union commercials. 1. I am HORRIBLE at commercial auditions (I'm very much a narrative actor, and generally dislike commercials, but the auditions I've been getting are basically just "stand there, show us your hands, look hot, and show us a fun dance move" - I never book those). 2. I really don't want to work on anything non union, and I'm in the union for that reason. I don't care if I audition less, I want to just focus on co-star auditions and television and film and short film work. ​ How do I tell my manager this without pissing her off that I'll be making "less money" for her then?
A Fresh Face and an Eager Heart by OctomanV2 • last post Jul 28th
Hey there! My names Yusef. I’m and 18 year old aspiring voice actor. From the moment I finished playing Portal 2, I knew that I was destined to be a voice actor. Ellen McClain and Stephen Merchant were the two actors that pushed me to really put myself out there and try to accomplish my dream. After doing a few small time jobs and passion projects, I think I finally have enough experience to confidently put myself out in the field. Is this a good way to do it? Maybe, maybe not! But it’s free, and it makes sense to me. I am here to make myself available for any job, regardless of context, for a voice actor/voiceover for no cost to you. As much as I want to make this a lasting profession, I know you need to start small. And to put myself ahead of others, I am willing to work with anyone on my first job or project for 100% free. If you are happy with my work, we can discuss going into future business. But to give you a sample of what I have to offer, I will voice your project at no cost. I have a functioning microphone and have basic knowledge of how to work audio recording software. Thanks for taking tithe time to read this, and I look forward to working with anyone who reaches out!
Can you go too far when acting out a sex scene? by quirklurk • last post Jul 28th
I vaguely recall Jennifer Lawrence saying she sometimes worries she’ll cross a line when filming a sex scene. Made me wonder if someone could go too far in front of the camera? I know there are specific angles, fitted clothing, or tricks to keep actors safe and covered while still making the sex convincing, but I’m curious if you could ever go too far.
Agent percentage by Extra_Ad6054 • last post Jul 28th
Canadian actors. How much is your agent taking from you? 10%? 15% 20%? I see that US agents are legally only allowed to take 10%. Curious.
Self Submission, Paying an Agent and Theme park Auditions by TookaWrongTurnTwice • last post Jul 28th
As a new actor, I have a couple of questions about the above topics: When self submitting, do I use the resume with the logo and contact of my agency? The second and third point are kinda one and the same, I have a theme park job audition, and was wondering if I should be paying my agent for that as well?
Agency Recommendations for Non-Union actors in LA? by thirdeyegirll • last post Jul 27th
Hi all, I am wondering if anyone has recommendations of agencies here in LA that take on non-union, commercial and theatrical. Ive gone through the Sam French list of agencies and set aside all that represent the above, but Im wondering if anyone can recommend some other specific ones that I can research. Maybe a few that you have had experience with or have heard of yourself. Thank you
Lookin For Tips for Agent Inquiries by TheLavenderMenaces • last post Jul 27th
There’s probably a ton of these posts on here. I figured I’d post on here though and ask anyones experience with seeking management and agents? I’ve done Actors Access’ Talent Link several months, I’m frequent with auditioning for stuff through Backstage, Actors Access, USC, NYFI, AFI, etc. Overall I’ve built up a thicker resume since moving to LA but between waiting for films to be edited, reel clips to be distributed, and how expensive getting my headshots updated are I’m sort of at a stalemate on how to go about getting representation? I’ve also done the whole mass emailing agents from IMDB that represent newer actors upcoming on all the platforms a week-few days ago but no dice so far. My student director/cinematography friend stated that it’s important and more enticing to ask managers and agents out for coffee/get in contact with an actor through set or other interactions to get your name further in the ring without being dismissed as some generic actor in their mailbox. Any other tips? TLDR; Another post requesting any and all recommendations for how to pitch yourself to an agency, agent, or manager.
How can one pursue a career in voice acting? by Fireboy759 • last post Jul 27th
As my 21st birthday approaches and after a lot of self-reflection over what do I want to with my life, I decided to hand in my 2-weeks (technically 1-month) notice at work so I can go and fully pursue my dream of becoming a voice actor, since it's a career path I've always wanted to go with and people keep constantly telling me how my voice would be perfect for such things ...but truth is, I don't know where to begin. I don't even know if such a dream is possible to achieve for a nobody in NJ who cannot possibly ever hope to afford such things to make this a feasible career path such as recording equipment or a home studio and has no voice coaching in the slightest So I ask here, how *could* one hope to pursue a career in voice acting? Especially for someone like me? Or is this practically a foolish endeavor?
Difficulty pronouncing words with a lot of letter Rs in them. by NetworkLoveLine • last post Jul 27th
I have a short tongue and, according to my friends and co-workers, I tend to sound like a toddler whenever I pronounce words like "horror", "terror", "rural", etc. Would that hurt my chances of becoming a voice actor? [Here's a sample](https://voca.ro/1m0sJkSkD5py) of me pronouncing some words individually. [Here's another sample of me](https://voca.ro/1fg7yVH2ZAYO) using them in sentences.
Motivation drain by Leodw45 • last post Jul 27th
Do you guys write a list of reasons why you’re an actor? Because sometimes I ask myself why I act and I genuinely can’t answer the question anymore because I’m so drained by it. I’ve resolved to write a list of reasons why it’s my career choice and I wanted to ask if this sort of strategy helped anyone else cope with a lack of motivation / energy. Thanks & hope everyone’s out there landing their dream roles!
Has RP English gone out of style? by bishophobbledehoy • last post Jul 27th
I'm a Canadian actor recently moved to London and I'm looking into working on an accent to add to my natural Canadian and Standard American. It seems like Received Pronounciation has gone out of fashion as an accent for actors and I've heard people say that productions are looking for something more in line with how people really sound. So now I've run into the problem that there's about a billion different accents in London alone and I have no idea where to start. Is Estuary English the one that is generally accepted as "Standard British" in terms of acting accents? Is there even such a thing as Standard British? In addition, I'd love any word of mouth recommendations for people's favourite dialect coaches! Zoom is fine but I'd prefer face to face. Thanks everybody!
Struggling to get emotionally attached to films by monsow • last post Jul 27th
I'm finding that I can't seem to focus and enjoy films, as I tend to constantly analyse the acting. I have a hard time separating the actor from the character. Does anyone have any advice on how to let go of noticing the acting, and just enjoy the film?
Online courses? by dtrres • last post Jul 27th
So I’m still pretty new to the industry and before I go out for auditions/agents I want to get as much training as I can to really know what I’m doing and be as prepared as I can be. I’ve taken 2 classes before and they’ve all been great but they are scene study focused. I kept hearing about Meisner and Chekhov throughout the classes and I think it would greatly benefit me to do a dive into their techniques. My question is: are there any good online courses I could take? My schedule is pretty tight right now so online is the most flexible for me. Even books you’d recommend for me? (Meisner/Chekhov related or anything for a beginner actor) Thank you all in advance!
Messed up eyeline on self-tape by TerribleBanana4466 • last post Jul 27th
I recently got an in-person reader to help me out with my auditions, but she’s been standing a bit too far off the camera. I never noticed it initially or realized that my eyeline should be as close to the camera as possible (I’m a new actor who just got an agent), but now I’m wondering whether my bad eyeline has “disqualified” me from all the self-tapes I submitted this month?
Agent submits all my self tapes late by TerribleBanana4466 • last post Jul 27th
Whenever it says that my agent has submitted a self tape, it shows all of them submitted as a few hours after the stated deadline on Actor’s Access. Is the deadline I’m seeing a soft deadline on the part of my agent, am I submitting my tapes with too little of room to spare, or is my agent just submitting tapes late? Does this mean that my tapes will not be watched?