We have found 19,246 posts across 4 actor forums:
Background AND Principal agent - paying commission to both? by Mild_Satisfaction • last post Jul 15th
I'm based in Toronto and an ACTRA Apprentice member. I'm in the process of submitting to principal agents, but I've also found myself in a situation where I'm looking for flexible employment. I figured, since I'm union, the rates for background performers are pretty decent, so I was thinking about doing that for a bit as I continue to evolve my acting career. So to do background regularly, I'd need to submit myself to a background agency. My only concern with that is, if I get a principal agent, AND continue doing background work with the background agency, do I have to pay commission to both? Because that would eat up 30-40% of my paycheque which would kind of suck :( Should I just submit to the background agency now, while I still don't have a principal agent, and then remove myself from their list if I end up getting signed? OR - is there a way to submit myself for background work on a regular basis (1-3 times a week) without signing with a background agency? I've seen casting calls for extras sometimes come up on casting workbook and actors access, but it's not often enough for what I'm looking for.
Voice fatigue by Dry-Tune-223 • last post Jul 15th
Hello, all. I'm not actor but I do have to push my voice at work all day, every day. I talk to elderly people on the phone who are hard of hearing, and by the end of my shift my voice is tired and the area around my upper chest is sore. Any advice, I would greatly appreciate. Thank you all!
UK wannabe actor by Cableguy1993 • last post Jul 15th
Hello everyone, I've been doing sa work now for a year and have loved every minute of it, however I want to progress into bigger roles, the only issue is I have no money, I have no drama or acting qualifications and I also don't really know what to do next, any help is greatly appreciated
Vocal fatigue by Dry-Tune-223 • last post Jul 15th
Hello, all. I'm not a voice actor but my job entails I talk to the elderly on the phone all day, every day. Most of them are hard of hearing. By the end of my shift, my voice feels tired and my throat and upper chest area - around my clavicles - feel sore. I'd appreciate any advice you can give me to prevent this and get better at using my voice, without overdoing it. I'm a fan of what you all do! Thanks!
facial expression by babyarsinist • last post Jul 15th
I really want to be an actor and I know a big part of acting is facial expression. I'm taking my own headshots and I'm having trouble with my expressions, specifically smiling and doing a normal resting face. It sounds weird to say i dont know how to smile and that not really it, i just don't know how to force a smile or smile on cue. As for my resting face it is sorta mean looking and makes me look a bit high... i think i'm pretty decent at other face expressions its just those 2, any tips?
Looking for actors in south-eastern PA by sergeiglimis • last post Jul 15th
Tv production, pm for details if you are interested in auditioning.
Is acting even a realistic goal for me? by BackgroundS0ck • last post Jul 15th
I have always been interested in films, and have wanted to be an actor since I was younger (9 or 10 y/o) and I’m 16 now I just feel like the amount of people who want to be actors is so insane there is no chance I can actually do it.
Do you have to be good at imitating a lot of other voices (like Celebs) in order to be a good VA? by dylanaruto • last post Jul 15th
NOTE: I am not a seasoned VA but I've been practicing on my own for about a year. It seems like every time i mention to people that i like to do voice acting, they presume that i can do like all these different celebrity voices. Like, I get that voice actors specialize in doing different voices but for me, I just don't know how to do a lot of impressions. I guess my true question is would that be a requirement to do all these different people's voices in order to be a good voice actor?
Filmmaker - Question about Acting contract by vanityfantasy • last post Jul 15th
I've found myself in a bit of a conundrum. For my previous shorts I'd get in touch with actors directly, sign a contract, shoot the whole thing, then pay them at the end. Now, for an upcoming project with a bit of higher budget, that shoots in 2 months, I've had to talk directly to an actor's agent for the first time. He's waiting for me to send over the contract, and I need to complete the pay clause in it. What is usual setup for an indie short? Is it odd to pay after the shoot? Is 50% upfront 50% after more common? When is the 50% usually paid, right away or really close to the shoot (in my case matters, as that is 2 months away) Maybe it's none of these options, and someone can enlighten me, thank you
New voice actor looking for tips by JMRZ27 • last post Jul 15th
Hey guys I’m 19 and have just started to try voice acting on Fiverr slowly starting my career. I’m starting to get down when looking at already established voice actors in their 30s or 40s since they’re so far ahead of me. I know I shouldn’t compare because of the massive age difference but I can’t help it. I want to be just like them. I’ve already auditioned for things before and even had one paid job already. I also finished a voice acting course on Udemy and am seeking for acting classes and to hire a studio for a showreel. I wondered if anyone had any tips for this youngster. Thanks!
I don't know how to overcome the nepotism in the LA theatre/film industry by TheatreThrowaway3 • last post Jul 15th
I grew up in the South in an area where no one ever left their hometown, and as a result went to my BFA program and MFA programs without any real connections (other than to the acting professors I worked under). Despite being told by my mentors I'm just as likely as anybody else to get cast, I just simply don't believe that's true, even if I happen to be better trained/more talented than others. I've only ever landed half a dozen or so callbacks despite a degree from a top 10 MFA program (and I even attended grad school in the LA area), and I've been working for nearly four years. Sometimes if I'm feeling particularly bitter, I'll do some research on the people that actually did get a part, and I'll find out that most of the time they were either (A) spouses/partners/family members of the other actors or directors or (B) they worked under the director in grad school or undergrad. For people who were in the same rut I'm in, what finally gave to where you were getting ANY acting work? Edit: I should say, none of my acting professors are really involved in the industry anymore, which might be my downfall. A lot of them worked in different markets, like Chicago and New York and are transplants to the LA area. Is that really enough to make my degrees irrelevant in LA?
Should I spend all my time trying to become an actor? by Cold-Handle-827 • last post Jul 15th
I understand that very few people make a living as an actor. I looked it up and sources say only 2% of actors actually make a living. My goal is to make a living off of acting. I’m not saying I want to be the next tom cruise, but I do want to be able to support myself enough to the point where I do not have to do side jobs to make money. But is it worth it? Should I risk trying to become and actor to make a living, or should I spend my time trying to do something else? What do you guys think, and has acting worked out for you guys?
Advice about intimate scene by Opposite-Ad-5605 • last post Jul 15th
Hi! Using a throwaway account. I need your guys advice and perspective. My girlfriend has been offered a roll in a theatre play. It is a relatively small production but still a big step up from her normal "semi-professional" theatre performances. The play is about a (straight)couple living apart during covid lockdown, the feeling of longing for one another, breaking the rules to go and see each other. Here is the big issue. The play will involve a sex scene, where the actress preforms brief but real oral on her co-star. My girlfriend hasn't accepted the offer. She believes in the directors intensions - it helps that it's a woman - with the scene but have some doubts about the necessity. Still she is totally in love with the rest of the play and have this attitude that not everything can be 100% perfect. She wants to say yes, but want my approval first. I am quite torn. On the one hand no way I want her to do it, but at the same time I know how happy she is being on stage and how much she likes this play. Even if this is a big career step for her, I am certain her main drive for going through with it is because she believes in the project. I feel bad saying no to her. The director is half famous in our region and does a lot of "artsy" stuff. I'm completely sure that she genuinely believes that it is a necessary part of the story she wants to tell. My girlfriend tells me that it won't mean anything, that it's just a part of her job, that the kissing and caressing is more intimate etc. But it is though to accept. Even if it's part of the job the guy will still enjoy it, she will still share this intimacy with him. And it will happen during several shows including rehearsals. I will most likely say no, but I wanted to hear different perspectives on this from fellow actors.
Actor needed by Appropriate_Ice_7600 • last post Jul 15th
Need someone to call me and pretend to be my parents to get me out of plans I don’t want to do tonight any takers?
I don't know how to emotionally connect what I'm saying when I act by OkSherbert4977 • last post Jul 14th
I'm great at anger...but I'm TERRIBLE at sadness. And I've had a lot happen to me in my life but I've always known how to move on from those things incredibly quickly. In general I get emotional, but at random times. And maybe that's just how I was raised but I can't seem to open up. In performance, I just never know how to emotionally access anything in this respect and I find it comes so much more natural to other actors. Is there an approach I can take or something I can practice?
Hollywood Experience by Panth0rr96 • last post Jul 14th
Hi! I’m a rumored actor for +, mainly for story-driven directed series. I’m looking to match/talk about the past and current acting experience and future directions to benefit both consumer and director, given that most are driven by story-rumor. Would you first hand talk with the directors of movies/series, the actors in the plays, or approach them professionally via e-mail? I’ve had some hacking setbacks, so I’m a bit nervous about sharing anything. Wrong people might also be watching. Wrong people might benefit. That’s just how the industry works.
Tips for any soundproof places/environments to voice in? by Anonymicals • last post Jul 14th
Hello, I'm not looking to be a professional voice actor or even take it up as one of my major hobbies, so it won't bother me if the sound quality doesn't sound the best. The reason why I'm asking for advice is to make an archive of sorts of "documentation" or "television show" esk animations explaining my world of characters in an unique but fun way. Just a silly passion project to keep myself occupied. However, there is no cabinets or large boxes I can really use to make the echo of my voice stop, since for some reason within those cabinets or large boxes they are either unhygienic to enter (infested with moss or used to store rusty junk) or divided inside with columns. Even just a short comment naming a place or technique to make the sound quality would be MAJORLY APPRECIATED
When should I sign up for casting sites by Jacob34521 • last post Jul 14th
I’m a very new actor and I’ve read through a lot of the !beginner and through the FAQs. A little background for you guys, I am 17 and I just recently took my first “acting class” it was more of a stage fighting class but it still counts in my book. I’m about to take my next class very soon and it will focus more on the actual acting. Me and my mom have lots of camera equipment and I was planning to take my headshots pretty soon as well. So my questions are when is a good time to sign up for casting sites? After a few more classes? Some experience under my belt with plays? Or can I start doing it as soon as I get my headshots? Also what’s your opinions on doing unpaid work just for the experience? Like I said I have never acted before. I do feel like my type is rarer than most in the industry however, which might give me an edge lol. Thanks for your help!
How to give Good Direction by -BenHereBefore- • last post Jul 14th
Hi everyone, Not sure if this is the right place for this kind of question but here it goes. I have a small YouTube channel and I’ll hire voice actors from time to time to voice lines in my script. Some times it’s just a voice over for a manga panel and other times I have them dub over scenes in anime and I edit the lip flaps. I realized after my most recent and biggest project that I was having some difficulties communicating what I wanted from the VA’s I hired and had to ask them to redo lines and I’d write notes next to their part on the script trying to give a feeling of what I’m going for. Explain the context and feeing behind a line. In the end I thought it worked out ok but as Voice Actors are there ways you prefer direction when acting? Or is there an industry standard that I could lean on? Does text next to your lines help? Or do you like when the script writer sends an audio file with an example of how they’d like it read, etc. I’m hoping to just cause less back and forth and confusion when working with people. Any advice would be super helpful! Cheers
Waiting around by Strict_Carpenter_661 • last post Jul 14th
I’ve done a fair few of extra work so I’ve experienced the boredom of waiting around for you to be called on set. But I was wondering what the experience is like for main actor/lead on the same set, do they face the same boredom or is their experience a lot different.