We have found 19,298 posts across 4 actor forums:
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."
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.