We have found 19,247 posts across 4 actor forums:
STOP BLAMING YOUR SKIN COLOR!!! by BigBadBootyDaddy99 • last post Apr 24th
[https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/comments/uae5r0/black\_or\_actors\_of\_color\_what\_are\_your/](https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/comments/uae5r0/black_or_actors_of_color_what_are_your/) Piggybacking off the thread above, and I don't care if this gets downvoted. Some people just need to get real in this business. I've not experienced such things as an actor of color, nor do I look to blame the color of my skin as to why I may or may not get certain opportunities. It's always easier to make excuses rather than to work harder. That being said, I'm a male of color and I've been given roles that production could have easily given to my white counterparts. I've even been cast in roles that were originally written for white males which tells me I was simply the better actor and my color didn't matter. I notice there are a lot of females commenting here so maybe this is being done to women of color more than men of color. I don't know because I honestly haven't had this experience. There is an Asian actress within my agency that works all the time. The agency I'm with is very diverse in clientele and we work quite a bit. Male and female. So, instead of blaming the system, try to think about what else may be the problem. Is the agent the one submitting you for these roles? If so, talk to them about that. I let it be known when I signed how I wanted to be branded and what types of roles not to even submit me for. I have an agent that gets my brand and type and that has worked out well for me and I think this is a big reason that I don't have these problems. If you really don't like they way you are being cast, simply stop auditioning for those types of roles. Believe it or not, you have a hand as an actor in how people perceive you. There are many stereotypical roles I have turned down in my career and several that I myself or my agent will not even submit me for. You can take control of this if you want to. If you don't, and continue to still audition for and accept the roles you deem stereotypical, don't complain. I'm just saying.
Probably the Greatest Sentence to Sum Up the Method by FiremanTodd • last post Apr 24th
"Our jobs \[as actors\] is not just to create, but to allow the experience to wash over us and be relaxed enough to give in to the responses."
If you are going to impersonate an accent, please please do your research and listen to authentic native speakers. by miss_meowsy • last post Apr 24th
I know this is probably common sense for a lot of us. I can't tell you the number of times how often I come across someone's profile including they can do 15-20 accents and it is so far off the mark. I just kinda cringe when I see a lot of folk saying on their profile they can do accents including all manner of European, British, etc and then it's just a very stereotyped or watery version. It takes a long time to perfect an accent. I have attended accent classes and the coach was adamant that not enough people spend time listening to normal people who live in the country of the accent they're trying to imitate. Not actors, not youtube videos of people showing how to do an accent, just normal every day people. You need to immerse yourself in the culture. So if you want to stand out on your profile by saying you can do up to 15 different accents please only do this if you can actually **do** said accent. It is very easy for natives to know if it sounds authentic.
Can you tell if your agent is submitting you on Actor's Access? by TerribleBanana4466 • last post Apr 24th
Is there a way to figure out how many submissions your agent is submitting you to?
The approval problem by daddymonster1 • last post Apr 24th
I really try not to fall into the trap of my sense of self-worth depending on someone's approval of me, but I can't escape it sometimes. I have a show tomorrow and we had a final rehearsal tonight that some local theatre people came to see, including my first acting coach, who I still work with in his theatre group and the shows that he directs. He's very nitpicky (which was, of course, good for my development as an actor) and doesn't really appreciate the work of the director of the show that I'm in now. The preview/rehearsal went kinda badly. I mean, it ran from beginning to the end with no interruptions but the energy was just down and mistakes were made. I am extremely unsatisfied with my performance, particularly at the start. I was so unconvinced by myself and I can't stop thinking about what the forementioned guy thought. I don't want to ask him until the show is over so it doesn't affect my performance tomorrow. But tonight I was the worst I've been in a while. I was so unnatural and I didn't feel relaxed at all. I'm disappointed in myself too, but I feel like I wouldn't be nearly as disappointed if my first acting coach didn't watch the show. How do I get rid of feeling like a failure when I give a bad performance in front of someone whose opinion really matters to me?
Torn on leaving a manager by sOcCeRQueen21 • last post Apr 24th
Keep going back and forth about wanting to move on from my manager, would love some weighing in! I've been with this manager for 1 year now, I've booked commercially while with them and small theatrical projects I've gotten on my own, but not through the manager yet. Here are the pros and cons. PROS: * Has a good handful of series regulars, clients in big studio features, although mostly are actors under 18. (I'm 28F) * Got me my commercial rep, who I love * For most things - responds very quickly, usually within a few hours * Sent a submission report once without me asking - just to discuss what I've been sent out on and what other classes/workshops I could take to better compete CONS: * Has a large roster for a manager - 75 clients on her own * Didn't respond when I brought up trying to bring on a theatrical rep * Can often be discouraging, i.e. in response to one audition I sent her she said "I've seen better from other people on this audition TBH", without offering any other feedback * Disliked my current headshots, which I loved, and had me get new ones. The vast concensus from classes/peers/CD workshops seems to be that the ones I loved were much better and looked more like me. She'll only use the ones she had me get. I hate those headshots! * Has only gotten me 3 auditions in a year So yeah, Idk. I've been told to move on, but it's hard. In my gut I don't feel like we're a fit, but she *did* get me my commercial rep, so I'd feel bad leaving when she did that for me. How do you guys handle these kinds of feelings?
Would going on Tinder negatively affect my public image as a soon to be Hollywood actor? by stalenmate • last post Apr 24th
I’m doing all I could to make my dreams come true, and I will not stop at anything. I really need & want a girlfriend (I’ve never had one before) and I’ve been trying talking with girls I meet but I haven’t gotten through with any yet. I’m just wondering if I should consider going on Tinder, but also concerned that it might not be a good idea, I don’t know. What do you think?
What do YOU wear to auditions? by clawhammer-cat • last post Apr 24th
I think a thread of talking about what we all wear to auditions could be a fun way to get to know the range of options depending on field, level, and person. I'll go first: I'm a regional stage actor. My go-to for auditions is black jeans that I can move in, my sneaky nice-looking casual shoes, and either a heather gray t-shirt or a long sleeve brown shirt. I wear my hair out ("down" if it didn't grow up) for auditions that are especially worried about my ethnicity, or in a topknot if not. I wear the most fun socks I can because nobody will see 'em. For dance auditions (edit: or fight call), I wear a tank top or the long sleeve brown shirt, and basketball shorts. I will still wear fun socks if I have to take my shoes off. Something I hope to never have to wear to an audition is a dress shirt and slacks. I can do one or the other, not both. I just don't feel like myself in them. I know I'll have to get over it one day soon.
I am a bit behind this week by Tracy A. Pearson • last post Apr 24th
If you could help me out with a lookey-loo I would appreciate it. Many thanks. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12117696/ While you are at it you can check out my latest Demo Reel on youtube - it's also up on IMDb.
How realistic is my understanding? by dr-donald-d-duck • last post Apr 24th
I’m going to lay out my current understanding of the process of becoming “an actor”, please tell me realistic, or far from reality I am. I just signed up/applied for a couple acting agent:agencies, with zero prior experience in acting. I’m expecting that I won’t get an audition for a year or more, and most likely won’t get an actual acting role for many years, the number I’m imaging is 10 years. Of course there’s always the possibility of landing the dream role very early on, but I can’t go “all in” and leave everything to travel to different cities for auditions, so I try to keep that out of my head. I’m expecting it to be more of a “once in a while” sort of thing, rather than a consistent part of my schedule.
Crying because of a scene, but not because of the character itself by EverlastingUnis • last post Apr 24th
As an actor, does anyone else find themselves being immersed in a show/film, and crying at an amazing performance, but sometimes it’s not just the performance that makes me cry, but the idea of acting in that moment, the idea of reaching into that deep place to bring out such emotions, can make me cry. Does that happen to anyone else?
What makes an actor act bad? by Meiruthe • last post Apr 24th
Hello! I just watched a movie where I thought the acting wasn’t bad nor outstanding good. But in the reviews there are many people remarking the bad acting. (Film: The Utah Cabin Murders). Sure, maybe the acting was bad, but there have been several other movies where people complain about acting where I can’t point out why they think it’s bad? It’s as if everyone else notice bad acting but me, and it makes me curious what I’m missing lol
Trying to get started and find roles to gain experience! by Fit-Fortune4099 • last post Apr 23rd
I’m not the kind of man who tends to socialise! Started writing “I’m not the…” and Paul Simon popped in. Hi I’m quiet a newish actor based in London I have been attending a part time school for little over 2 years now, I’ve taken things slowly deliberately so I could actually try to understand/respect this beautiful art, little did I know I’d become highly addicted to it and respect it way more than I ever believed possible! I’ve honestly seen ridiculous growth in my ability’s, again beyond what I ever thought possible, I’ve been told by someone I highly respect as a director that they believe I’m a great actor, I’ve heard from high level agents that the progress I’ve made through my years is amazing and that I now am working at a very high level. Of course hearing these kind of things can be flattering and occasionally give you a bigger ego than I’m used to, but I then bring myself back to earth and usually push myself even further down because although again I’ve been given these great complements that I’m truly grateful for, me personally I always have a problem believing these complements on the basis that if yet to get anything, In terms of a role, I have zero “actual” acting experience and I have yet to ever even be brought forward for an audition, let alone considered for a role. I cannot get a spotlight account because I’ve never attended an “accredited school” and I also have zero credits. What’s the best way for me to get seen/considered for roles?
I'm in the class from h*ll and not sure what to do by Rarelysurprised • last post Apr 23rd
Hi! I'm taking a zoom class dealing with a specialized aspect of acting from a very famous, and by reputation at least, supposedly very good acting studio. It's the kind of studio every actor with training knows about and recommends for this topic. The problem is the instructor (one of his/her associates--not the big name owner whose name is on the studio) teaching the class. I'm not in LA so I'm running several hours later than the LA class to begin with, but the instructor knows that there are several of us in that situation. The instructor is going AN HOUR TO TWO HOURS over time, every single class. She tells all of these personal stories that have absolutely nothing to do with the class itself. When we go overtime, she comments how lucky we are that she's willing to stay and get through the lesson plan, working those extra hours for free. The problem is that I'm currently working evenings for my main job. I expected that when they said the class would end at a certain time, that it would. What do I do? Just excuse myself and leave? I'm pretty furious that I paid a lot of money for this, but I'm trying to get out of it what I can.
"Influencers are the new Actors" by Zero_Imacat • last post Apr 23rd
I've been working in the entertainment industry since 2013 doing different gigs. I've been working with professional Actors seeing their process, and know all the hard work and hours that go into training and working on set/stage. I admire an actor's drive & passion for the craft. I have colleagues who are now on tv series making a living. So it rubbed me the wrong way when someone on YouTube with a decent size following told their viewers that "influencers" are the exact same as actors because they stand in front of a camera to talk to their fan base, and put on a "performance". And that influencers are the new Actors. If anything influencers seem more like presenters/hosts. Professional acting isn't just standing in front of a camera talking to an audience. This mindset undermines what an actor is. Sorry, but I don't believe someone saying "Hey guys, don't forget to like & subscribe to my channel, hit that notification button" is in the same type of performer category as Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, etc.
Black or actors of color, what are your acting/casting experiences? by fuzhudeer • last post Apr 23rd
Personally I find that I have to work not just twice but 1000x harder than nonblack or white actors. I feel that there is no room for mistakes when you’re a poc. I saw nonblack newbie actors make mistakes, and everyone laughed it off. But when I did everyone was silent and I knew that my casting was impacted due to it. And I was correct. Out of all the cast I have the least amount of lines/singing and I’m the only one who’s told to leave early. I tend to get type casted as villains, the “strong” independent woman or comic relief. Never have I played a cutesy femme role. Keep in mind these theatres usually preach about diversity as well, but I feel like I’m viewed differently as an actress despite it. What are your experiences?
Acting Scene in Seattle by c_aesthetic • last post Apr 23rd
Hello Fellow Actors! I was wondering what the Film/TV acting scene was like in Seattle currently. Is it still practically non existent? Is there anybody living in the Seattle area that consistently books in Vancouver? Is the drive feasible or a bit much?
My manager left me, and I was about to leave her too, but still I’m really down. by Done_Playing_Games • last post Apr 23rd
So I’ve been with this manager (“Anna”) for almost a year. She used to work with another manager who left the company and since then Anna has been very busy and distant. She has a good amount of clients, like around 40. Out of them, she has more than a handful full time working actors and I know she’s very busy with them. I’ve felt pretty neglected and after her making it clear that she doesn’t have time and is so busy, I started looking for new reps. Like I had made my mind up so much that even if she would’ve started changing, I was still moving on because she’s way too busy and I want a rep who doesn’t have that many clients. Yet, when I got the phone call from her that she was dropping me “because she’s too busy now that she’s alone”, I got heart broken. Like this little dark cloud has been hanging over me these two days. I’ve never been dropped before and have had several reps throughout my years. Why do I feel like this? I legit had a meeting with a manager the day before she dropped me, so how can I even be this down?
I’m in Seattle and was thinking of being an actor, even I wanna go to Comp Sci. What should I do? by zambiers • last post Apr 23rd
I’m a Seattle native and I wa thinking about starting acting. I’m someone that really likes tech but think I might have a chance at acting (I’m Middle eastern and I would like to see more people like me on screen). I go UW Bothell and I’m curious if there are any opportunities here in Seattle? For context: I wanna try and keep my budget pretty low since I don’t have a lot of money. I do work, and I’m willing to go into theater to start out. Thanks you guys!
Probably the Single Best Sentence Summing Up the Method by FiremanTodd • last post Apr 23rd
"Our jobs \[as actors\] is not just to create, but to allow the experience to wash over us and be relaxed enough to give in to the responses."