We have found 19,247 posts across 4 actor forums:
Is the classic Hollywood Dream dead? by aglamthrowaway • last post Apr 22nd
Is it possible to move to LA or NY, pay your dues, take classes, and actually get somewhere anymore? Not necessarily being the biggest star ever over night but I mean can somebody who isn’t an influencer or a person without connections, wealth, and nepotism get anywhere substantial this day and age? Can the rags to riches story happen anymore? How does a regular person break into this industry beyond years of bit parts and student films? I feel like it was possible up until recent times but now the types of people I listed who didn’t even have to train for years are booking everything. Do you think working behind the camera and on sets forming your own connections and hoping it leads to acting is a way to go? Should actors be trying to make online content (tiktok, youtube) if they want to have any hope of getting acting jobs? Are classes and making the leap to acting hubs even worth it anymore? Or does being in the area lead to more opportunities and connections with others with similar goals? Sorry if this is a little all over the place but I was wondering if anyone else felt this way too and how they are combating it/approaching their acting journeys.
MALE ACTOR NEEDED IN NYC! (Student Film) by AltruisticCraft4434 • last post Apr 22nd
Hello! My and my friends are making an impro short film and are supposed to begin filming next week. We are looking for any male ages 18-30 who is great with improv and is able to meet for the next four weeks for this film. There will be a film festival hosted at the end of May with our film premiering. Please, if anyone knows someone who can commute to the CCNY campus and join us with this project, we would be forever grateful (our original guy cancelled). (This film is a comedy, so great improv skills are needed) Please dm me if you or someone you know is interested. Thank You! \`\`\`LG
Survival jobs? by FadedSirens • last post Apr 22nd
As actors, what types of survival jobs do you all have that allow you the flexibility to attend auditions, callbacks, shoots, performances, etc? My current job doesn't allow much of that and I'm looking into finding something better so that I can advance my acting career, but I don't even know where to start.
Wearing glasses as an actor? by we_got_bugs_fellas • last post Apr 22nd
I'm a BFA Acting student graduating in a year. I have extremely poor vision, and I've always worn glasses because contacts are both too expensive and not recommended for me. I have a bit of a unique eye problem that prevents me from doing most sports, going on rollercoasters, trampolines, etc. because any G-force or head impact can make me go blind. I've always worn glasses onstage but my time in college has made me super self conscious about them because they make my eyes look tiny (strong prescription) and slip off sometimes. I cannot get a bunch of different pairs in period appropriate styles because each pair is $900+, and I'm worried that it will impact my career if I have to always have them on if I don't want to crash into things. I've done a lot of student films that have allowed me to go glasses off and I've found that to be quite comfortable if I'm not doing any sort of heavy physical or coordination work. Are there any other near-blind actors that feel this way? I'm a lover of Shakespeare and being on stage (camera is awesome too, just not what I originated from), but I'm terrified that once I graduate I'll have a hard time fitting in or getting gigs because of this limitation.
How often do CDs extend audition deadlines? by billyboy2098 • last post Apr 22nd
I got a self tape request through ecocast a day ago for a network series regular pilot. By the time I got a reader to help me tape, I did my audition last minute and submitted to my agent about 5 minutes past the deadline due to difficulties uploading the videos, so they weren’t able to submit me to casting. 2 hours later, I check actors access again and see that they extended the deadline by an hour and yet again, my agent and I missed it. Is it often that CDs for network projects will extend the deadline to get more tapes in? I hate to think that my first time getting a network pilot audition I won’t even be getting looked at because I was late 3 minutes
Worst Free Porject I've Taken Part Of by Black_Midnite • last post Apr 22nd
So, a few weeks ago, I saw a post on one of my state's many acting Facebook groups. It was for a slasher/horror film. Of course, it was a free project and I decided to throw my resume in despite having no care in the world if I got in or not. For a little context, my resume isn't impressive and I've only recently been able to even get any paid work as an extra or anything big. (My last paid project was for a photoshoot on a TV show for some character's background family) Anyway, I get an audition for the project. I do the audition and then instantly get an email telling me I got the part. The director emails me and tells me to *call him*, which weirded me out. I call him and he is hyping up this film. He tells me we're going to shoot this film up in a state park with some cabins and there is gonna be blood and gore. An entire week of filming for a 90 minute film. He is really selling this to me. The entire time, I'm lowkey thinking this might be a snuff film, all the way up until the zoom call/table read. I join the table read and realize that the film people are all a bunch of freaking needs. I feel in my element and a little better than before. So, the week arrives that I must travel to the park and start this camping/filming trip. Except, this is where my realization falls away from my expectation. The first night, after everyone getting settled in, we end up starting really late, like 5 or 6pm and ending around 2am. Not only that, but they're taking forever on one or two scenes at a time. The 2nd night we start early and then not getting done until super late too, I still haven't been used, and none of the actors have received schedules. I could've arrived at a later date. The third night is where I start to get worried. For some context, in this film I play a crazed hillbilly robbing a teen. I have a whole bunch of lines that I had to memorize for this scene. On the third night/day, I have a whole fight scene. First thing that worries me is we literally start improving. Not light improv, but literal revision of how the scene goes. (I know this is normal, but it sucks because my character changes to be just a sort of bad guy and not the main villain of the main character) NOT only *that*, but there is no stunt choreographer on set. We block the scene and everything seems fine, until they introduce the headlock. Now, for more context, the kid who is supposed to be headlocking me... is not stage combat trained. I am certified in hand-to-hand stage combat, but I'm the one getting attacked. The kid literally, several times, nearly chokes me out. In stage combat, the person in the headlock is in control... but I wasn't. No body wanted to listen to me. Long story short, I bruised, and sore all over from that fight scene. Funny enough, I'm typically not sore in fight scenes that are actually watched over by stunt people... (mainly in school) Not only that, but the camera crew had to stay up till 9am and only got an hour of sleep before the next day. Yesterday, we all woke up and had to move campsites. The next camp site we move to has no showers. So, the director had to move everyone to a motel. (Actors and crew nearly mutiny) I've been up since 9am, and they need me to just be a dead body and it's almost 6am. The director is a cool dude, put in a boatload of money to feed us and house us but this film feels like a shit show. They're not following script, no safety, no schedules... The cinematographer is basically playing director, because the director is too busy taking care of his family that he brought with him. Now, tonight, I have to do another fight scene with the same kid who nearly choked me out. It was originally supposed to be a monologue into me dying from a surprise knife into the side. But, they changed it. This is the first project that has ever made me question my dreams of being an actor. I legit think I want to quit acting because of this. Never have I ever met more unorganized, careless, and poor planning in this industry. I hope to never work with these people ever again
Background should have its own sub by Azdak_TO • last post Apr 22nd
This sub gets bogged down with questions about background work and I think it should have it's own sub. This is not a slight against those who do background work. It is challenging work and essential to tv/filmmaking. But it is not acting, and has nothing to do with the craft. There is almost no practical crossover between the two, either in seeking out work or doing the work. Questions about bg have no relevance to actors and acting advice has no relevance to those who do bg. It is an important enough topic that it deserves it's own sub, and this is a great sub that shouldn't be getting bogged down with questions about being an extra.
Question about direct marketing, and the numbers of emails people say they send by nxdefiant • last post Apr 22nd
I read posts where someone writes "I send about 50 emails per day to various orgs/companies". Fifty. As in five zero. Every day? To whom? And would it be follow up emails, or generic "Hi there, I do voices, any interest in using me for a project?". I can't imagine even LA or NY having that many companies involved in VO/VA projects to warrant 50 emails per day, assuming a 5 day work week. Wouldn't that put one on the naughty list? Slight tangent, but are the emails short and to the point, and just a link to an actors samples?
As an actor, is it frowned upon if your favourite movies are MCU movies? by FinzujiCane • last post Apr 22nd
Like would you be considered less of an actor if that’s what even inspired you to act.
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Apr 21st
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.
Good survival jobs? by Swagatron001 • last post Apr 21st
I’m an acting student in college, and the plan is to move to New York after I graduate. While I’m here, I want to minor in a field that would help support the actor’s lifestyle. Any suggestions for what field I should study?
agencies by lemonademouthiscool • last post Apr 21st
Look Models & Actors said that I would have to pay a $35 consultation fee because I’m not already in the industry, is that a thing agencies do? I thought Look was reputable but it’s giving scam.
I interviewed a talent agent and former casting director to answer many of the most common questions new actors have about the business. by locreative • last post Apr 21st
Actor's real names by Ok_Explanation_2317 • last post Apr 21st
I often see actor's real names written on IMDB and therefore on wikipedia and everywhere else. For example Natalie Portman - born Natalie Hershlag, Winona Ryder - born Winona Hershlag, Rebel Wilson - born Melanie Bownds and plenty of others. My question is do they have to list their birth name on IMDB or is it their choice? It seems odd, why change your name as a celebrity and put the name given you at birth on the internet if you want to be known by different name? Or is it that you have to list your real name if you are known by a stage name and if you've changed legally you don't? Aren't actors and their agents in charge of their IMDB profiles? Can anyone add something that they cannot change? Does anyone know how it works? So intriguing.
Any book recommendations on Psychology? by aweiner99 • last post Apr 21st
I believe it’s important to have knowledge about psychology as an actor as it helps you determine why your character acts the way they do and what makes them tic.
Who are the top 10 Hottest/most in demand actors right now? by Happy_Cat5061 • last post Apr 21st
Timothee Chalamat...who else?
LGBT Actors- how do you play "Straight?" by Happy_Cat5061 • last post Apr 21st
I've been cast to play a straight man in a love triangle with 2 women, and I'm gay. I'm not very flamboyant or feminine, but it's not totally far fetched either to pin me as not straight. How have you dealt with this before? How can I be as believable as possible?
Unvaccinated Actors by Usernameme3 • last post Apr 21st
Is it difficult for unvaccinated actors to get an agent currently? I was going to send in my materials to an agency but they told me they only accept vaccinated actors Is this common? Will I be able to find an agent as an unvaccinated? Thanks
is this a good acting class? by Spiritual_Minute8559 • last post Apr 21st
The two acting classes I've found locally have a ton of beginner actors. Are these kind of classes good? One is fun. The other is super boring...even though its full of beginners.
Acting more butch as a feminine man by ausaury • last post Apr 21st
First, I wanna start this by saying I’m very comfortable with myself as a man. I don’t really care that I’m perceived as being feminine. But it’s affecting my career as an actor so I’m not looking for comments that align with the sentiment “who cares! Just be you :)” Also I know I can turn down roles, but if I did I would get virtually no auditions. I’m a transgender man who is getting back into acting after having spent 8-10 years playing the “leading lady/romantic interest” type character. Super hyper-feminine roles. I’m wondering if there are any other feminine men who have had to learn how to butch up their performance in order to avoid being constantly given auditions for gay men. I want options. I want to be taken seriously as an option for more roles rather than just the “gay guy”, so I’m looking to butch up my performance. Genuine advice on doing this would be really, really helpful and appreciated. Please and thank you.