We have found 19,298 posts across 4 actor forums:
What do you want to see in a dressing room? by cuttlefishbone • last post Jun 22nd
I'm embarking on a dressing room renovation at the theater I manage. I would be interested to hear from actors about what makes a dressing room most useful and comfortable for you? What have you seen in dressing rooms that you've loved? What's been annoying, or difficult? What's essential? What's a nice-to-have? (To clarify, I'm talking about how the room is built/set up, not items like food/coffee/tea, etc.) For context, these will be group dressing rooms, and we have a reasonable but not lavish budget. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
How do actors become their character? by MARiJNiBOii • last post Jun 22nd
I’m not an actor, just curious about how the actor switches from being themself in like make up and off set, and then when they walk on set they become their character. How do they switch mindsets from being themself to being the character with actual motivations? Idk if this is a weird question but I’ve been thinking about it lately…
How to support yourself without a degree while pursuing acting by OrualPsyche • last post Jun 22nd
I have no interest in ever finishing college. It's COLOSSAL waste of time to me. I yearn to be an actor but my security job doesn't permit me the freedom to do anything else. How can I find a job that gives me the latitude to pursue acting?
Bts by Thy_imbecile • last post Jun 22nd
Hi all, Weird question but in behind the scenes footage for movies or shows when 1 actor screws up and the scene is already over ( such as laughing or messed up a line) why do all the other actors in the background stay serious and in character as if the scene is still usable. If you have any ideas please do let me know, thanks.
What keeps you motivated in the face of so much competition? by Enjolras55 • last post Jun 22nd
How do you all stay motivated to keep going knowing how hard this industry is? There is always someone younger, better looking, a better actor, a better singer, etc. It just seems so hard to stand out and succeed when there are so many talented/beautiful people out there. How do you keep going? I know a couple of people who have been wildly successful - Broadway, big national tours, etc. and I get discouraged because they're so talented and good-looking, and it makes me second guess my ability to do anything in this industry. Would love any feedback on how you don't let all that bother you.
Reliable casting sites? by dtrres • last post Jun 22nd
Hello!! I'm new in the business so I am trying to build up my resume and maybe even get some extra cash on the side too. I have an account with Actors Access and Casting Networks but can't seem to find projects I'd be a good fit for. I'm based in Florida if that helps. Any tips on booking a job or even getting a call back is much appreciated too.
What happens if you accept an offer, sign the contract, and then weeks later production rescinds the offer because they want to cast another actor in your role? by SwimGood22 • last post Jun 22nd
Has anyone dealt with winning a role and then losing it because the director goes another direction? For SAG projects?
New Voice Actor, Requesting Feedback by AnotherDarkshot • last post Jun 21st
Please let me know what you think of the voice, technical improvements, anything. I'm very new to voicework, and I have no formal training. Any advice is welcome. [https://youtu.be/WZhrQZEoPw0](https://youtu.be/WZhrQZEoPw0) I should add, as a caveat, this is no sort of political statement. This is just how I practice.
Being compared to the original actors/singers with agent audition pieces? by PositiveChipmunk7062 • last post Jun 21st
Is being compared to the original actors/singers a real thing when it comes to choosing monologues, scenes, and songs for agent auditions? There's an agent who represents actors on most of the shows I like (some big, some small) including my favorite actor of all time who is one of the two biggest actors this agent represents. A lot of the monologues and scenes I want to do were originally done by this actor because I obviously love the characters and I've just rewatched their shows/movies a ton. Same goes for song choices because their music is most of what I listen to. They've since aged up, but their characters in their old content, the stuff I'm obsessed with and want to pull monologues and scenes from, are my types and our vocal ranges match too. Should I steer clear of this actor's stuff and stuff from all the other actors this agent represents purely because they've probably seen the original performances and might compare me with a preference towards the originals they already represent? Or is it a good idea because it's stuff I'm familiar with, stuff I love, and stuff that fits me and enjoy my performances the way people like covers of popular songs?
Question about the Child Labor laws in the entertainment industry. by mynameisyesambest • last post Jun 21st
I just looked up how many hours a child actor can work on set, and it told me this. " The child actor's working hours **must not exceed 8 hours each day**. There is no maximum limit on the number of hours a minor may work in one week, but his or her working time cannot exceed 40 hours every week. The number of weeks that a minor can work in a year is limited by law to six weeks. " The part I'm confused about it the '"The number of weeks that a minor can work in a year is limited by law to six weeks. " Don't lots of television shows take way longer to film than 6 weeks? How exactly does that work? Or am I just not understanding correctly.
Six Tips to Become an Actor by Crafters77 • last post Jun 21st
In the movie, *A League of Their Own*Tom Hanks said, "If it weren't difficult, everyone would do it." This was referring to his dream of becoming a professional player of baseball, but the same applies to acting. Although it may seem complicated, there are proven paths that every aspiring actor can follow to realize their dreams. ​ https://preview.redd.it/niy9dtnf9y691.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf5467bf7ec1a866604c14e27938a3882d2ec200 These are our six tips to help you become a successful actor in the film. **Learn the Craft -** One wouldn't do surgery if they didn't go to medical school. So why would someone perform on the stage or film without attending [acting school](https://www.craftersactingschool.com/)? Studying the art of acting is the best way to build a foundation. Acting schools provide training and resources to help beginners get started in acting, and successful actors have had at least some training in acting schools. You can also attend classes and workshops if you cannot enrol full-time in an acting school. This will allow you to network with other artists and learn more about acting and the entertainment business. Actors can also read acting books and play to enhance their knowledge. Using an analytical eye and viewing movies is an excellent way of learning about film acting. **Audition, Audition and Audition** Acting is practice, and training is just the beginning. Once you have a solid foundation of skills and a few monologues memorized, it's time to start looking for acting roles. Community theatre and student films are great places to audition for beginning actors. An additional benefit of an [acting institute in Mumbai](https://www.craftersactingschool.com/) is the opportunity to audition for students in plays and films. Auditing for roles is a skill; the best way to improve your auditioning skills is to audition. As you move up the audition ladder, you will find auditions more challenging, and your experience in the audition hall will be invaluable. **Make a resume and take some headshots.** After landing a few roles in acting, create a resume to bring to auditions. A resume for acting is a great way to demonstrate your experience and show casting directors. Keep a copy of your resume on hand for casting directors to e-mail. Also, keep a current hard copy with you at all times. A good headshot is perhaps the essential part of a resume. The first impression is made by casting, and Headshots should convey the resume's type, personality, emotion, and purpose. You can audition for roles in acting without a resume and headshot. You can audition for acting roles without a resume or headshot. Have a friend take a few photos. **If you are ready, get an agent.** Once you are ready and have enough experience, it is time to start researching talent agencies in your local area to find an agency. Ask your friends and fellow actors about their agents to help you decide on the right agency for you. While having an agent is friendly, beginners must concentrate on their acting skills. Thinking about the future while you build your acting career is essential, and finding an agent is essential for professional actors. **Keep sharp by practicing daily.** Although unemployment is part of being an actor, it's not a reason to give up on your acting skills. Actors can practice their acting skills in classes and workshops. Even if you're not acting, being involved in stage productions and sets is a great way to learn from others. Actors can work independently by practicing voice exercises and script analysis. Monologue practice is also available, and you can also practice your performance skills by singing or practicing impressions. ​ https://preview.redd.it/wmnb823h9y691.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5ad78db5d008bbd8b2b3f9507d3365977aac8d3 **Marketing Yourself** Actors are small-business owners who need to promote their services to keep working. Twitter and Facebook are great social media platforms that allow you to reach a large audience. Your website for actors is an excellent way of promoting your talents and serves as a reference to casting directors. Video sites such as YouTube and Vimeo offer great self-marketing opportunities for displaying your acting reels, past projects, and other information. If you are interested in acting, there are no set rules. However, the steps below can be used as a guideline. Actors are people who can take on any challenge and overcome it. To make it even more interesting, Tom Hanks says in *A League of Their Own* that acting is supposed to be difficult...the hard part of being an actor is what makes it great. Are you ready to take your acting career up the ladder with a degree? Check out our [theatre group in Mumbai](https://www.craftersactingschool.com/blog/theater-group-in-mumbai/) to help you find the right one for your next big job.
Actors access down? by tangerine44 • last post Jun 21st
I haven’t been able to access it for a few days.
Moving to LA in 2023. by been_dying • last post Jun 21st
I'm moving to LA with my girlfriend from WI in the second half of 2023. We've both got degrees (25 y/o), she's got good experience under her belt with work. I'm not going into this with hopes of being the next big actor, just planning on acting and whatever happens happens. Those of you who live or have lived in LA for this stuff, what would be the piece of advice you'd give me before I make this big change?
Worried I'll be distracted by friends/important people in the audience. by jennyvasan • last post Jun 21st
This weekend I'm in two evenings of short plays: performing in one, directing another. I got drafted late to perform and, not being a super experienced actor (I've done sketch and improv and music recitals but not much actual acting), I'm getting a little nervous about it because a lot of people I know are coming, including people from the office and some people I admire a lot. One is a friend's partner who's a successful performer in her own right. I'm nervous about blanking in front of them. This is a new one for me. As I memorize the lines I imagine them all out there watching — especially the successful one — and I feel really nervous! I'm worried I'll start thinking about them, lose my train of thought, and tank the play. Tips on tuning out the audience — no matter how many people in it love and support you — and just focusing on character and lines? I'm just so worried about drawing a blank in front of all of them.
Actors In LA by langolier27 • last post Jun 20th
Hi everyone, I am curious to hear your thoughts on an idea I had for a service that helps actors just starting out get more on camera experience. It would be a micro-budget production company you would hire to help you develop a scene or short film to showcase your acting, it would offer script review, on camera direction, full production i.e. lights and sound, and you would own the rights to all of the footage to be used however you like. Is this something you would be interested in? If you would be interested in this service what would be a reasonable value for it? Thanks for your input! [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/vgnuq7)
My First Gig Nightmare by Maddisonjdh • last post Jun 20th
Hey Everyone, *I wanted some advice as a newbie in voice acting. I'd like to share the details of what happened at my first gig and get your feedback. Thank you for your time! I apologize for the wall of text but I figured it's best to give the most information possible to get good feedback on what I could do better next time.* For sake of the story, **Bob is my co-worker and Jim is the client.** ... I've always been told I should get into voice acting, and had companies ask me to do some voice acting work in the past. In a meeting, I had someone I work with who heard my voice ask if I was interested in doing some VO work for a company they work with. The previous VO is getting older (has a smoker's cough) and wanted a replacement (specified they wanted male) but this gentleman I work with insisted I try for the part. I mentioned my inexperience and expressed that I didn't have any demo reel or previous work in VO commercials or infomercials but they insisted I try and that **Jim** just wanted an affordable option. They requested 1.5m of VO for an infomercial in an authoritative and excited tone, but Bob requested it "not be as excitable as the original VO Jim". I accepted the job at $100 as they told me "hourly wouldn't make sense for this type of work" and suggested I only do "hourly for bigger projects." Deadline of Wednesday approaching, I send over the clips individually of each line via mp4 email. I don't hear back till Thursday morning and received a "Jim says your voice is too flat, even though we asked for less cartoonish, we still feel your inflection isn't good enough" so I responded with "Absolutely, when is this revision needed as the original deadline was last night" and got no response for over 12+ hours. His first response was to an email chain titled "Deadline?" that I sent over the following morning hoping for some communication, where he mentioned "I'll see you at the meeting tonight" to which I wrongfully assumed he meant to speak about the deadline. I go to the business meeting, and he forgets to mention anything about the VO work deadline even after we discuss the work. Fast forward to Fathers Day (Sunday) I get a message at 9 pm asking if I have bailed on the project, that revisions are due within 12 hours of the original deadline, that he won't pay me for incurred hours, that I should have had the revisions done today because that was the deadline (I wasn't aware of this), and he states "Why would I give you a deadline for revisions when they were due Wednesday". The issue with this that I have is the math isn't adding up. My question is... if the deadline was 12 hours after Wednesday, and he didn't send the request for a revision until Thursday, and he knew I'd be working with him that day till 9 pm, how could I have possibly gotten the revisions done Wednesday night? Or even 12 hours after the revision request (Thursday morning) if we were working at the same day job till 9 pm? I never got a response about any deadlines till Monday morning when he said it was due today, and that he would have to do the work. TLDR: Bob didn't give me a new deadline for revisions. Gets mad that the revisions weren't done the day he requested the original VO lines, but the request for revision wasn't even sent out till Thursday (when we spent all day at our day job). Says he will not pay me, and that revisions are always due 12 hours after the deadline even if it's 3 am. To all of you voice actors out there, is this normal? What do you do when you accept a job that people then refuse to pay you for after you've already done a lot of work? Do you write contracts? I am looking for any suggestions I can get to better communicate with people in the future and avoid this.
Would a mobile studio service be a useful service or a waste of time and money? by BroderickDolata • last post Jun 20th
I'm a disabled veteran in Idaho who was doing handyman work, but cant anymore due to my disabilities. I have a box trailer I'm hoping to make some passive income on, and wondered if a roving recording studio for rent would be a marketable idea? With all the hype in VO, and so many wanting to dip their toes in the proverbial water, I thought it would be a minor expense on my part to convert my 8x12 trailer into a portable recording studio. It facilitates inexpensive recording time for aspiring voice actors to do their own demo or record a song or two, and they don't have to go into someone's house/home studio, which I know some may be uncomfortable with. This may be a pointless thought, but I figured if other redditers doing VA thought it would have some merit, it might be worth further research. [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/vgslo7)
The truth about acting; Training by notshakespear • last post Jun 20th
This is a difficult business. Unprecedented amount of people coming into the "acting business" expecting to find the quick, easy road to the top. Not going to happen, unless maybe you are related to somebody very connected. Otherwise, this a tough, long road with ZERO shortcuts, especially now with so many new people trying to do it. Casting directors have to weed through literally thousands of shitty, inexperienced audition tapes to get to the REAL ones. The ones were the actors have obviously trained hard, gone to school, taken classes on technique and continue to do so, observed human behavior, observed their own behavior. Worked at every opportunity they could, being the non-paying student film to the one-line SAG production and so on. The road is a long one. All successful, working actors will tell you how they struggled to get were they are, the patience they had to acquire. If you don't train and study the craft and continue to study and work at everything this craft and business demand, then you will suck. Even those who have a wonderful, natural talent still work at it. Don't let the actors that make acting look easy fool you into thinking that acting is easy, it's not and the BUSINESS of acting is even more difficult. Bottom line: Train and learn and train some more. Do not expect to find a short cut. There are none. Every good actor will tell you so. If you do the hard work, the fun work will come.
Curious about DnD? Practicing VO or networking while gaming? No, this isn't the next Critical Role. by shawsown • last post Jun 20th
Hi, I'm an aspiring VO artist that is also an aspiring super awesome nerdy DnD player. I have a small group that I play with of 3 newb players & one DM that's been playing since the 70s. Dude also loves doing voices but isn't a VO artist. Neither is anyone else except me, yet. We are looking for new players for our little band as one player has been fading away. But even if she doesn't go we would like to grow our little group. Newbies with lots of questions are extremely welcome, as about 40% of our time is spent asking questions. Last game consisted of, "Hey, can I do this?" *Barbarian proceeds to launch himself off 40 foot drop to land on Orc* Next player, "So, I guess I should do this then, right?" *Cat person rogue launches herself off cliff with rope. Faceplants into ground and dies.* Old hats are welcome to join and share experience with us as well. But we are a curious learning bunch. Roleplay varies from talking in character to referring to ourselves in 3rd person. But I would love to get a fellow voice actor or two in. DnD gives you a chance to network, make other VO friends (me & anyone else joining), plus get used to character development, and if you're comfortable use character voices. I'll even give feedback if you like. So, want to play pretend, crack jokes, do voices, maybe talk shop, & kill sone stuff with us? Feel free to DM me or ask any questions or more info in the replies.