We have found 19,247 posts across 4 actor forums:
How do aspiring actors without BFA's or BA's in acting/theatre get into prestigious drama schools for grad school? by Opening_Attention321 • last post Apr 7th
As someone currently going through the drama school process from a pre-professional curriculum, I'm curious how many actors without receiving any prior training or having any extensive acting experience get into prestigious drama schools for their MA's or MFA's? At the top of my head, Riz Ahmed, Bradley Cooper, and Gemma Chan, all had undergraduate degrees in Philosophy Politics and Economics (PPE), English, and Pre-Law (respectively) before auditioning for the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the Actor's Studio, and Drama Centre London and getting in. I think even Jeffrey Wright had gotten a bachelor's degree in Political Science before enrolling at NYU Tisch for their MFA in Acting. I'm just curious if there are any actors in this community that got accepted into a prestigious drama school after coming from a different academic or career background.
First time ever as an extra next week. What are some Do's/Don'ts? by bubblezcavanagh • last post Apr 7th
I'm a seasoned theatre actor, but next week will be my first time ever on a TV set. Theatre is a completely different beast. The more streamlined process, more collaborative room, and less wait time. I'm not sure what to expect on a set other than the opposite of that. Even showing up to the studio today to check in/get tested I felt a tad unprepared and that I stuck out. For my fitting tomorrow and the actual shoot date, what are some things I should be aware of? Do's and don'ts? Recommendations? General etiquette? Thanks in advance. I'm a little nervous, but excited! Edit: It's at Steinman Studios in Brooklyn, if anyone has first hand experience working there.
Why is doing background seen negatively? by mchilili • last post Apr 7th
I know not to expect anything and I genuinely just enjoy meeting other people with the same passions (or not!) and being in an environment I love to be in. But I always hear people say not to do background too much if you want to be an actor. Why is that so?
Question for agents by barcaelj • last post Apr 7th
How long after an agent pitches an actor do they receive the sides from the casting director? (Assuming the CD allows the actor to self tape)
Hey! I am currently writing an essay for my degree and I was wondering if anyone would be able to share their thoughts on things I will list below. by Live-One-7693 • last post Apr 7th
What inspires you to become an actor What do you agree and disagree about within the industry How difficult have you found it to get an audition or even getting the part Thank you in advance :)
When should NDA's be signed? by Flimsy_Woodpecker382 • last post Apr 7th
Hello everyone. I am an actor and I have the following doubt. There was a film audition call that I applied for. I sent my video, resume, and some headshots through email. I received a callback a month later and they asked me to audition for an specific role. After reading the description, I decided not to audition for it after all since I didn't like the role and felt it was just not for me. I sent my reply to one of the producers and apologized for my decision. A week later I received the same email for the same role but this time it included an NDA contract which is something that I don't have experience with. My questions are: 1. Should I sign it even when I said that I am not interested in the role or the project? 2. If I don't sign it, would it affect me or look bad on me? Thank you.
Finding acting auditions and agencies by pekopekotobio • last post Apr 7th
I really want to become an actress and I'm ready to audition, the only thing is I can't find auditions around me and i don't know any agencies nor do I know someone with connections. If you're an actor or you're informed about acting info's in Malaysia, specifically Sabah. Please help me on how to find auditions or agencies to audition to. Anyone is also welcome to help!
Moving Cross Country...What Job Should I Get? by Bonzai_Monkey • last post Apr 7th
Hi there! I currently live in Northern California, and have decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia after doing a lot of research on the best place to live for starting actors. My question is: what kind of job should I get? I really only *need* enough money for food, but obviously I'd like to set the bar at my own place (small and humble is acceptable, if not ideal), a gym membership, and basic costs of acting, such as classes, or the occasional piece of equipment for auditions, things like that. It has crossed my mind that auditions can really come at any time, so it would be nice to have some flexibility in my work hours--all I'd need is the ability to adjust hours in order to do my auditions, and attend acting classes. I'd fit working out and practicing acting in my free time. So, any suggestions?
Will Real People Victoria help me become a successful actress in NYC? by Mr_Blank_Clock • last post Apr 6th
Hi all, Not sure if this was the appropriate subreddit but I am a 30 year old woman living in Melbourne wanting to pursue acting. I haven’t acted in anything since high school so I’m getting back into it and wanted to join an agency. I’m working in hospitality whilst attending university for arts. Is Real People Victoria worth it? I saw some of their reviews on Google where people were saying they weren’t getting any work and that they had to pay $100’s to get headshots taken. My goal is to be a working actress in New York City. Thank you!
How long did it take to book your first role without a rep? by allifromwestva • last post Apr 6th
Been self submitting on Actors access for about two months. Got 6 auditions on my first two weeks then absolutely nothing after. Just want to hear about others journeys!
✨ by Alicynpackard • last post Apr 6th
Should Voice Actors Sound Conversational Most of the Time? by AHungerForKnowledge • last post Apr 6th
I should start by saying that I understand there's no "One rule fits all" in any performing. I also understand that the client determines the performance for the most part. I'm asking in general. I'm reading a book called V-Oh! and it's very focused on being conversational. It says to match the cadence and tone of a person speaking to their friend. I'm quite new to the business, just under a year, and I'm wondering if I should be performing in a more conversational way? The majority of jobs I receive are commercials. I wonder if I've got a kind of announcer bias in the way I speak on the mic. I certainly don't talk the way I do to friends. I annunciate much better and speak with more emotion whilst trying not to sound like C-3PO. Of course I'm trying NOT to sound like I'm rigid and reading text. Do any of you remember a time when you decided to become more conversational and less Announcer-ish? By the way I have a traditional "British accent" I don't know if that comes into play when compared to Americans.
Any other actors looking to move to the Atlanta area? by gmd24 • last post Apr 6th
Hi there! Hope this question is ok here. I'm a queer actor looking to move to the Atlanta area and need roommates! I'm 31 and come from the improv/sketch community in Chicago but am originally from the Southeast (and am currently here) and am looking to be closer to the Georgia scene. Would loves to possibly rent a house in the Marietta area. DM if interested or have any suggestions!
Does anyone have any reviews or heard of Sarah Gaboury from Real Actor’s Lab? by watch1122 • last post Apr 6th
Thinking about taking classes with her
Commercial Auditions Questions!! by jonesyboy20 • last post Apr 6th
Hey everyone. I just want to ask some commercial actors with experience: When do you usually hear back one way or other after a callback? Do you need to be put on first avail to have a chance after the callback? Do first avail emails come out the same day as a callback? I had a callback yesterday I thought I did really well on, but haven’t heard anything at all. The commercial shoots next week on the 13th and 14th. If I haven’t heard anything, is it likely I didn’t get it?
The Frustration of Casting by Nightmare_Architect • last post Apr 5th
I am fairly new to casting and have just started utilizing Backstage instead of the usual IMDBPro to find some non-union actors this time. But here's my problem. I input my performers' criteria, age range, height, etc., and I will get many thousands of candidates. That wouldn't be a problem and I would look at every single actor and their reel, but I get extremely frustrated when I am looking for a 14 year old girl, and get 45 year old men as candidates. Really, dude? You can play a 14 year old girl? And in the age range they put 0-120.... okay, can you please get down and show me how you play that embryo that you claim to be? I try to be very open in casting, but this is not only ridiculous but unbelievably frustrating. I would be able to go through so many more eligible candidates if they were actually even close to what I was looking for and not have to waste my time scanning so many pages of delusional people in the meantime. It makes me think I should just give up on looking for non-union and go SAG versus all this hassle. Two questions: Any tips on how to actually get the criteria I am looking for? OR, any explanation as to why anyone would put such delusional criteria? I understand as actors you feel you can play anything, but there is a limit. Also, just so you know, if I am casting for a movie, if you are in my criteria range I will always look at your demo reel. If you aren't the exact look, height, or body type, I will still check out your reel, because if you can act... I mean really act... I will absolutely reconsider my criteria. However, age can be a stickler sometimes, like needing a 14 year old girl. Sorry, but anyone who is in their 20's generally won't work, and any man in his 40's definitely won't work! And I hate to say this, but if you are trying to be one of those people who thinks they can play any gender, ethnicity and any age, like 0-120 or other ridiculous numbers, I'm probably gonna flag you as unusable and avoid your profile for any project. Also, You should always have a demo reel, even if you just do a monologue on your own. If you can pull off both comedy and drama, definitely show it, because in the movies I work on, an actor has to pull off both. When I have thousands of people to look at, I have to do it quickly and if you don't have a demo, I won't even consider you, so you just made my job a tiny bit easier. So I leave you with two tips - Always post a demo reel, and please list realistic criteria in your bio/info.
Be cautious of Weaudition.com - not as great as it seems by Honest-Researcher1 • last post Apr 5th
Just want to warn people about [weaudition.com](https://weaudition.com) I've had some bad experiences with it and I just want to warn people about spending their time and money on this. I have had experiences where actors did not pay me, and I am not the only one this has happened to. When I tried to get in touch with costumer service (many times for different reasons) they never got back to me. The opportunities aren't great, and there are too many beginners on there trying to give advice. It seems like something to do for practice or for newbies. Bad experience. I regret signing up, it was a waste of time and money. Maybe you guys will have better luck but just wanted to put this out there.
Actor's real names by Ok_Explanation_2317 • last post Apr 5th
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? Does anyone know how it works? So intriguing.
Can we talk about fame? by Theurbanalchemist • last post Apr 5th
I can’t imagine Will Smith’s headspace right now. Years of carefully curating a career in the spotlight, having your private life blown open and speculated by the whole country, only to practically destroy your perception in one night — possibly to all that pressure, is astounding. I just saw a post on FB that said “we wouldn’t be laughing if Will harms himself” and honestly, all of this can be enough to cause an actor to jump off a cliff. We as actors, know how dejected we can get when we get taken off avail or lose the role to another. I’m praying for his health. But then, I do remember me saying very clearly I wanted to be in his position. In a way, I still mean it but as I’m in my late 20’s and exploring other hobbies and passions, I am thankful for my privacy. I’m thankful I can look like a bum and not worry about pictures. I’m thankful I can work at the same Trader Joe’s as Alvin did and not make headlines. People say it comes with the territory, but I disagree heavily. No amount of press training can make someone an extrovert. Me wanting to perform because it’s my passion, shouldn’t close the door on other things. In my early 20’s, I thought it was a death sentence to be an actor who was a series reg one time and is barely doing much, like a Miranda Cosgrove (at the time) or Kevin Smith. Now? That seems like the goal, tbh. What level of fame do you aspire to?
Spec Self-Tape Requests in the Role Listing by assmanatee • last post Apr 5th
Howdy, I searched for this but could not find, apologies if redundant... I'm spending a lot of time on self-tapes which are immediately requested in the role listing, not in response to my application submission. I find this to be a waste of time given that my application materials may have resulted in an immediate rejection, which I would prefer if they do not see me as appropriate for the part. I understand that the spec self-tape could help overcome objections, but if I'm already visually or professionally inappropriate, I'm wasting X hours on a tape that would likely merely reinforce that fact for them, or be ignored entirely after a headshot glance. To me it is lazy on the CD's part to immediately require the self-tape, and I have begun using my cover letter to simply ask that they contact me IF I am deemed even of interest to them. I'm not against self-tapes by any means, it's actually part of the fun, IMO. Ultimately, it seems that self-tapes are replacing in-person auditions in an effort to save the CD's time, but definitely not ours as actors. Then again, CD's are reviewing self-tapes AND eventually doing in-person callbacks, but likely far fewer. I'm simply curious whether my "resistance" is inappropriate, whether my assumptions about the value of the spec self-tape are wrong, etc. Thanks in advance for any advice, this is a great sub. Edit: rejections >>> objections