We have found 19,247 posts across 4 actor forums:
Does SAG-AFTRA actually care if we work non union jobs? by Quantum9594 • last post May 15th
Before joining the union, there was not a single non union job I worked on that didn’t have at least one SAG actor, this was true for all the non union (commercials, short films and, feature films I’ve worked on). And it is so easy to find SAG actors working nonunion jobs just by looking at the cast list of non union productions on IMDBPro. For example, in LA there is one nonunion production I’ve seen post many times on actors access that has over 30 Billion views on their short films and they blatantly use SAG actors constantly and seemingly without any repercussions. Whenever I’ve asked SAG if it’s ok to work on smaller scale production even as a favor they make it aggressively clear that any acting of any kind even unpaid is not allowed unless under a union contract. But if you actually go ahead and work non union anyway they seem to not care. My question is does SAG ever actually enforce these rules, not in theory, but in REALITY? Like do you personally know anyone who’s ever gotten caught? What happened? I’ve basically stopped booking jobs almost entirely after joining SAG and I’m wondering if it’s worth it to start doing nonunion work off the card since that seems to be what everyone else is doing to stay afloat.
Another AMA. Full time voice actor and coach for anime, video games, commercials, etc. by brentmukai • last post May 15th
I’m hopping on a flight tomorrow morning early, so ask any of your vo questions and I’ll answer them on the plane while I have nothing to do! Hoping to help y’all out again, spread the word!
VERY BAD haircut on movie set…I’m screwed lol by actionj32 • last post May 15th
I’m a 23M african american actor with a curly-fro hairstyle. A movie I did some work on required me to cut SOME of my hair to fit the time period. Long story short, they cut off almost ALL of my hair so now it looks terrible and extremely awkward. I’ve struggled with a balding & receding hairline for the last couple years(that I warned them about) which wasn’t very noticeable with my longer hair style but now it’s completely visible & makes me look much older than I am. My problem is now I look nothing like my current headshots which I just recently got. (I’m not getting new ones with this look). Not only do I think it’s not safe to submit for projects with my headshots that I look nothing like, but I have other projects i’ve already booked that are happening the next couple months. To grow my hair back out to half the length will take at least 3 to 4 months. I’m just very furious with how careless they were with my hair and lost as to what I should do now. And before you say “it can’t be that bad” It is, because as soon as the barber finished they immediately started apologizing. On top of that people were asking “why they cut my hair like that” and telling me to shave it bald after we film. I was miserable the ENTIRE 14 hours on set because every conversation I had with people, including the main cast with well-known actors, was about how bad my haircut was. If that’s not enough, the production paid me an extra $100 as an apology.
"Actors With Issues" Podcast - Interviews and insights from professional actors to artists everywhere! Link in the comments. by iJuanAyala • last post May 15th
do I move to L.A after high school by No-Hyena9959 • last post May 15th
I’m a M17 and have been acting professionally for about a year. I signed with a agency last year and have gotten a few jobs in a couple short films and commercials. This is my passion and I’ve always been great at it. I assumed I would grow out of it and realize I need to get a normal job but I’m 17 and being a full time actor is still what I want to be. Where I’m located right now I can get a lot of little jobs but nothing big enough to go full time or get casted in a big movie or show. But I’m just confused on how people move to L.A who don’t have connections. Do you try to sign with a L.A agency before you go. Or do you try to find one once you get there or what.
Best time of year to look for a new agent? by sailor_melody • last post May 15th
I’ve been climbing up the ladder and looking for stronger rep, and my agent’s communication style is no longer meshing w me so I’d ideally like to leave soon. It’s busy season in Toronto and I have a few projects still under his belt so I wouldn’t want to leave yet. When’s a good time, calendar wise, to search and leave for a union actress in Canada?
Acting career question by ZookeepergameNo3630 • last post May 15th
Can I get into an acting career without having a job currently? I can't really find a job right now, but I want to become an actor I don't really have any bills, so I'm fine there
Walk in to a Talent Agency, or call and email; May 2022? by Failed2launch • last post May 15th
For background, their are a number of talent agencies in the San Francisco area. I am considering a "rapid fire" walk in approach to all of them. What would you do, as a starting voice actor, or, as a voice actor who is not happy with their current talent agency? Select an option or leave a comment, Thank you. [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/uqc8np)
New Actress Advice: by Frostjewel • last post May 14th
Hello, I’m a new actress that has only acted in one show. Should I start applying for casting calls now or should I just wait until I get more experience? I don’t get it because how can you expect me to be experienced if you don’t give me the opportunity? Not even just that it’s also an age problem. I have been looking for work on Instagram/Facebook but usually they want me to be 25 or a teenager (I’m 21). Have I been looking in the wrong places? Any suggestions on where to find work?
Help me choose by grassy03 • last post May 14th
Hey Everyone! Im an actor living in sweden repped by a manager ( Maria Vascsak at IMA Content ) i need some help choosing a path to follow. Im about to graduate high school, im 18 years old and have experince in both theatre and film. Ive played a leading role in a short film recently along with other projects in film. I do also have extensive experince in theatre as ive been in theatre since i was a kid! As i said, im graduating soon and i dont really know what to do… I have thought of moving to LA to study acting and auditioning as much as i can. My goal is to be able to be an actor full time but opinions from my family have made me feel like its a bad disicion to study acting ( they see it as putting all my eggs in one basket ) My question to you all is, should i study acting or should i study something with a more stable job perspective? Id love to delve deep into different techniques as i really enjoy studying acting and have seen some great success in it in the past year or so but the only thing holding me back is the unstableness of the career and the industry. What do you guys think? ive thought if maybe studying media as it is still related to the industry but its not really enticing and seems like a betrayal to my dreams… Please give me some advice and some thoughts in what you think i should do. It would be greatly appreciated! Side note! My manager is really established in LA with a good base there in terms if contacts and connections. Thank you
Is it appropriate to call an agency for advice? by moonkitchen • last post May 14th
The idea was recently suggested to me to call a local agency and ask them what steps they think I should take or what I can/should be doing in the area I’m in. I’ve tried very hard to find work here on Backstage and Actors Access but it’s a small town and there isn’t even any work towns over. But then a friend of a friend says they know somebody signed to this agency who DOES get work here and sent me the agency’s info saying I should ask them. Would it be annoying to them or make me look like someone they’d never want to sign?
I so truly so wish I had the chance to be among child actors by SaleSubstantial9962 • last post May 14th
This is it. I wish I had the chance to discover my calling when I was a child to get into acting and be among child actors. I feel my experience would have been built up into a long and successful career. I am 21 and am not an actor and even if it happens, I kind of feel like it won't reach the same longevity it could've if I had been as enticing and interesting as Tom Holland, Woody Norman or Asa Butterfield. I love expressing myself in daydreams and feel like with the right script, emotions and crew that I can let myself out and make art. Idk what to feel or how to think at the moment.
Actors’ Equity Open Access by spinalgeometry • last post May 14th
Does anyone know if a W9 would be accepted as proof of employment for Equity’s Open Acess program? I can’t find an exhaustive list of proof they accept, only the website saying “pay stub, W2, 1099, etc.”
How can I improve further as a Voice Actor? by HiddenNightmares • last post May 14th
Hello again! I asked a similar question around two years ago and that advice greatly helped me. I have a few gigs under my belt now but I know I can vastly improve from where I am right now. A typical answer that is said alot is coaching but right now with college (Theatre Major) I can't afford it. (Mostly because most coaches charge a fee greater than my rent) Thanks and have a great day/night :)
Acting?? I don't know what or how? by Lnaejr3 • last post May 14th
Hello, everyone!!! I am trying to become an actor, but I wanna know what strides to take. Hete are some strides, I've taken (not many). 1. In most of my Digital Video Production projects I play as the main actor, and my teacher always compliments my acting and such. 2. I very recently made an Instagram account, wete I plan to post my content. - My very first post was of a music video that my friend and I made. The artist reposted the reel on her story!!! It was awesome!! Yet, alot of ppl are looking at it, but nobody is liking it. I know, I know it's the first post, gotta keep expectations low... But idk if my acting account would get lots of views and stuff compared to like an art, cooking or editing account. Like I'm doing worse than the bare minimum... Okay, so I know that's it's not alot of strides and lots of rambling. But this year, I plan to get a job and pay for some type of acting class to bulid up some skills. I wanna expand more on my IG account, try get noticed. Even, get into YouTube.I wanna try to audition for a community a thearte (trying to be the next Wayne Brady) before I graduate. (Class of 2024) Anything else you would recommend? Any advice on the Instagram stagram account thing? What acting class, I should take? (Online or In-person) Would like to see some of my work, give critiques? Anything and Everything is Welcome! Thanks in Advance
I recently did a BG job for a major TV production for the first time and just got asked back to come back for an actor role by Neenabubba • last post May 14th
What exactly does this mean?? I’m non union and only did one BG gig which was the one I did before I got asked back to come back for an actor role. How is this different than a regular BG role? What’s the pay like? This is in Toronto, Canada
Vancouver Summer Acting Programs!! by dougfairy7 • last post May 13th
Hey! I'm a beginner actor (20 years old) in Vancouver looking to take classes in the summer and was hoping to see if anyone here had any recommendations for particular programs (not too expensive with a focus in film acting). I randomly came upon an Arts Umbrella Audion prep program and was thinking of trying that out but I haven't heard much of their acting programs. I was also looking at VAS but their next start date seems to be in September only. Any acting class suggestions in general are welcome!! Thank you!!
how do i shake the feeling that i’ve not done enough despite all this validation? by c0astferrari • last post May 13th
currently i’m in drama school. 20 years old. just about finishing my first year. yesterday we did our solo story performances and mine was written about the disregard of the Black girl’s mental health. they loved it. instead of well done, they said thank you. they cried and i felt like i connected and shared a piece of myself with them. it wasn’t easy to do. my issue now is that some things went wrong like my classmate who was supposed to do my sound effects wasn’t on cue but i was told i was performing well enough that people didn’t really notice anyways. but even as everyone validated me, just as they did a few terms ago when i did a scene from rotterdam (by jon brittain), there’s just something missing. i don’t know what it is. i am proud of myself. i know this. but i’m up at 2am which is something my body hasn’t even been able to do because of all the constant work i’ve done the past five weeks has been spent on assessments and making sure yesterday’s performance went well. and it did. and now i feel incomplete. like there’s always something i could’ve done better. i wasn’t a theatre kid. i got into drama school after years of trying (i know 20 is young but in my country we start university at 16/17). i used that as my way to get free acting training because although i decided to be an actor at i think 14, i never could afford to pursue it until i got older and more independent. i know my need for validation stems from that. but it’s funny because i don’t seek validation in any other aspect of my life. how do i stop feeling hollow after a performance? i just want to be proud of myself and go to bed. but instead, i feel not enough.
How to deal with harsh critique from director? by fuzhudeer • last post May 13th
So I got brutally honest notes from my director today. She said my acting wasn't all there, I wasn't ready for a song and that my acting is lacking. She didn't give specifics on how to improve, but since acting is my outlet to cope with depression this really got to me. I never did a show with her before. In the past I have been praised by previous directors. I typically get leads and a lot of singing, so this is my first time getting a smaller role and critique like this. I want to grow as an actor but first I need to stomach her critique. Any tips? Should I talk to her about the specifics or would that be considered disrespectful? I also have another question. Was what she said plain out rude or is it just typical note giving?