We have found 19,299 posts across 4 actor forums:
Microphone or Acting Classes? by Antwuan89 • last post Feb 27th
Should I get a USB Microphone 1st or start taking Acting Classes? I really want to be a Voice Actor, just want some tips how to begin Voice Acting. Also do you think a USB Microphone would be Good & if you believe I should start with a USB Microphone what other equipment would you suggest for auditions?
Producing AEA Off-Broadway Solo Piece - Oddly Specific Question by Necessary_Signal7295 • last post Feb 27th
I am writing and working on a solo piece, I am then planning on producing it at a small off broadway theater. I am an AEA actor, how would I work on getting "myself" under an aea contract, when I'm paying myself?
Student gigs and professionalism (rant) by wc6g10 • last post Feb 27th
I auditioned for a student film (paid) on Tuesday and heard nothing back, presuming I didn’t get the role I made plans for another audition and a meeting the following Monday which had been the suggested shoot date. Lo and behold Saturday evening at 9pm they let me know I’ve got the role and ask if I’m still free for Monday. I haven’t even read a script yet (all I’ve read are the sides from my audition which were vague anyway) I have no idea how much I will be paid, where the shoot will take place, how long I’ll be needed or indeed what the film is even about! How they expect me to learn my lines and bring some kind of idea about the character in less than 24 hours is beyond me, not to mention the logistics of actually getting to the shoot. For any budding film makers out there or students currently in training, please appreciate that actors cannot be expected to turn up in the 11th hour with no idea what they are getting themselves into. At the very least, give us a couple of days to prepare and be very clear about the plans for the shoot. We are people with lives and organisation is the key to balancing our careers. The whole saga has annoyed me and as a result I think I will reject the role, which always feels a great shame when work is few and far between. Anyone else got similar stories? Rant over.
Drama school application essay by Opening-Race6586 • last post Feb 27th
I want to apply for a summer program at a drama school and to complete the application I have to write a short essay (250-750 words) on „my goals and objectives“. What exactly do they want me to write about? Do they mean I should write about why I want to study at this specific drama school or about how I plan to become an actor (for instance take classes, be in student films, create reel and headshot, get an agent, hopefully book some great projects)?
Demo for Beginners? by Wan-Wan2402 • last post Feb 27th
I'm a Tv/Film actor and I'm trying to integrate voice acting into my career, something I've always really really wanted to do. I do have a "booth" set up in my closet for recording because I do a lot of vocal auditions. Luckily I already have a voice coach but what I do not have is a demo. How do you create a demo to send in if you don't have any work to create a demo?
UK/Ireland Usage question by zeromalarki • last post Feb 27th
I run a small production company that specializes in shooting showreel scenes for actors and to a lesser extent, short films. Next month, we are shooting a short film off our own bat. When it is completed, we intend to do a festival run, and after that, if we can't get the short in with a distributor e.g. Shorts TV etc., we'll throw it on Vimeo/YouTube and circulate on social media, the way most folks do. We also will be using some of the footage for a music video of an artist who is funding the production. We had a great actor booked in for one of the roles, but her agent told her that she wasn't very happy about the usage - how it would eventually be circulate on social media, or that she would be seen in the music video. We offered to ensure that she wouldn't be in the music video, but our social media plan was something we'd be doing in a year or two, as a final send off to the film. The agent wasn't happy about this, for some unknown reason. Does anyone have any light on this? I understand that if you are the face of a brand, other brands would be less likely to hire you as this can create brand image confusion. I don't understand this practice with short films.
Confusion about a Casting Call by mchilili • last post Feb 27th
A few days ago I applied at a posting where the only descriptions is "We are looking for young performers ages 13-20 of all experience levels from across Canada." Im 25. I saw the age range and knowing I can pass for younger I applied and I got an audition. I know usually the age range on casting calls is playing age but the way it was worded has me a little worried. This is for a reboot of a show that's known to cast actors closer to their character's age. My friend's agent also told her she couldn't apply because she was too old (she's younger than me). I'm not exactly sure what to do. I don't want to be lying to their face, you know... Thoughts on the situation?
Getting started in your near-thirties with zero credits? by Rich-Matter-752 • last post Feb 27th
I moved to L.A. almost a year ago. I have had a lifelong dream of being a creature/character actor, ideally I would love to play monsters. When I was young my grandmother tried to help me get into local theater but my experience was one of "Talented, just not what we're looking for." This experience has left me feeling dejected about any potential acting career in my future. I recently experienced this again when I was told that my face wasn't "generic enough" to be a viable candidate for special effects makeup and to try modeling. Which confused me because I've done my own makeup numerous times and it's turned out fabulously monstrous! Also, I have tattoos and I don't know of any actors other than maybe Pete Davidson (who is getting them removed if memory serves). Every time I try to make a move I find myself second guessing and then the analysis paralysis kicks in. Now normally, I would just ask my grandmother for all the advice but she passed from dementia a couple years ago. I know this industry is tough to break into and many who try don't make it. It's also a bit of a crapshoot. I am willing to give it my all, I just have no idea where to start and I'm not getting anywhere by sitting on my ass and overthinking it.
Is it possible or common to be both a voice actor and singer? by The_Lost_Buddhist • last post Feb 27th
I’m interested in both.
Financial advice (preferably UK) How much do West End leads make? by appreciatorofadvice • last post Feb 27th
Hey guys, like most of us I’ve always wanted to be an actor for as I can remember. I was wondering if there’s anyone out there who has any insight on how much (new face) leads in a West End show make weekly? For example roles like Epoinine in Les Mis, Christine in Phantom, The four seasons in Jersey boys etc.. that sort of role. Now I’m grown up and at the beginning of building my career I’ve become curious about the financial aspect of living in a big city, food and transport to theatres etc.
Guaranteed Income in NY State by jthejournalist • last post Feb 27th
Hi everyone, Apologies, mods, if this isn't allowed. I am a journalist and former actor and I'm working on a story about the new Guaranteed Income Program for Artists in NY State and how the pandemic has affected NYC actors, specifically nonunion actors. If anyone is willing to speak with me, please let me know! Thank you, Julia
2 Thoughts Battling in my mind by Particular-Sport-627 • last post Feb 27th
Right so i'll keep it short , the only thought stopping me from going full head on with my acting career is the fact that i might try my hardest bestest of work without not much in return when i could put that insane work ethic in trying to make money to secure my financial future . So there you go , i'm 22 with all the energy and ambition to do something but i'm stuck between these 2 thoughts , one is telling me go try my hardest as i can to succeed as an actor because i think i love it , the other is telling me go hustle get money invest and yeah , which one will i follow ? I guess i can try acting and if it doesn't work then just go build my financial freedom but it doesn't work like that it's either i go full head on into it or i don't at all . I have nobody to guide me or give me some words so i would appreciate any reply that could help me . Thanks very much :)
Casting Director's Rant by nacho__mama • last post Feb 27th
Any place that has an image of you or your reel or your resume put your email on it! Add your email to your Actors Access resume! And for God's sake if you have an IMDb Pro account add your email! It blows me away how many people have a website with no way to contact them and an Instagram page with no option to message them directly. I see so many actors wallpapering themselves all over the internet but there's no way to actually connect with them and offer them an audition. And there is no excuse to not have any media or at least a slate shot. Even if all you can do is record yourself talking with your cell phone, do it! Nobody is going to consider you just based on a bunch of pictures without being able to hear your voice.
Who's the worst 2021 Hollywood actress? by Zeeto17 • last post Feb 26th
And why do you think it's Tiffany Hadish?
How can I learn from watching movies? by Elcompaenrique • last post Feb 26th
I’m an aspiring actor and I’m wondering if anyone has any tips for ways I can learn when watching other actors, so that watching movies would be a productive and educational activity. What traits and nuances should I look for when watching successful actors?
Is Casting Networks even worth it anymore? by Haunter_Gurl • last post Feb 26th
Like others have stated in these forums, Casting Networks (formerly L.A. Casting, that completely split on its own) underwent a supposed 'overhaul' during 2021 \[I got the update too\] and also raised their rates significantly. They're definitely not Actors Access (which remains the easiest go-to) So, I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has been having spam issues with email casting notifs, like I have. After updating everything in my revised profile, I've gotten legit casting alerts, which I've responded to.... but also spam alerts nowhere a match to my actor profile (Caucasian female): "MALE - 40-50, Black/African-American ...blah blah blah" "Seeking REAL LGBTQ men & women who have tats.... blah blah blah" It's been utterly ridiculous as I'm PAYING for a Pro membership (waiting for my Detroit agent to provide me the free code) that I'm not receiving. So it's become an utter waste of my time. Any thoughts....feedback?
What is your favorite casting site and why? by ParticularPaper6095 • last post Feb 26th
I know CD's have their fav sites to cast but as actors, what is your fav sites and explain. I'll go first. I would like to start by saying that I am non-union and I am not repped. My 2 is Actors Access and All Casting. Actors Access is pretty easy and pretty straightforward. I get a lot of my auditions from them and they are quality auditions. My thing is with AA is that you still have to pay for extra stuff after you get the pro account. I would honestly by happy paying a higher membership fee if we got to add more headshots for free, more slate shots for free and maybe reducing the acting clips pricing. Well maybe not reducing but, let's say you have a 28 second clip, instead of paying the $22 because it's within the minute time frame, pay $11. Also, I would love for them to update the site as a whole. It just looks old but thats a personal reason. All Casting is like a elevated Backstage. It's pretty new too, like 4-5 years. They have this cool rating system to incentivize you the actor/model to fill out your profile completely. It's doesn't effect your chances of booking a gig (or maybe it does and I haven't noticed because my profile is rated professional). They have a lot of video resources and they are constantly making articles about the industry. The site looks nice and fun (in my opinion). They also make you a free comp card! It's not the best looking comp card but it's something if you need it. My thing with AC is that I can tell they SCOUR the internet for castings. I've booked or got in person auditions from them and I asked CD's have they posted the casting on the site and they said no. One said they use the site to find talent but they didn't post their audition on there. I don't think that's a bad thing because some CD's have said they have gotten a lot of great talent from that site that they will be using it now. They do have quite a bit of scam castings (like backstage). They also need to update the inbox. You don't get notified through email or text if someone has sent you a message on the site. I have almost missed some messages from CD's because I didn't get notified. AC is also cheaper than Backstage. I self submit through those 2 sites everyday and I use others but those are my favorites. I would say union actors should just stay away from AC because you can't tell if a project is non-union or union most of the time. For me, I have booked far more projects from All Casting the short time ive had it (less than a year) than ive ever booked from Backstage (on and off for years!). Actually, I never booked anything from Backstage.... Anyways , whats's your favorites and why?
Getting hung up on monologues, especially for stage. Very bad when depressed. by murphysbutterchurner • last post Feb 26th
Whether choosing an auditioning monologue or coming up against a monologue in a part I've already been assigned, I get so stuck on the stupidest stuff. Especially for monos that seem especially stylized or "writer-y," I can't get past how I don't know how to make the line work and it's gonna sound clunky. I always feel like I'm missing the point of the monologue entirely, especially if it's a storytelling monologue that's clearly supposed to be laden with significance. I'm not necessarily bad at analyzing plays but sometimes I zero in so much on every word of a monologue that I can overlook the meaning entirely and just think, "why are you even talking right now?" Which of course is not a good thing for an actor to find themselves thinking, ever. I'm coming up against this again now because I'm trying to fold in some new auditioning monologues and work on my range. Every monologue and part I read...none of it resonates with me, and I just feel this huge welling-up of panic and anger that I can't do the part the way it needs to be done. It feels like a joke. Anyway. Thanks for letting me rant, and if anyone has been through this I'd love to hear it. If I'm just being dumb, I'd love to hear that too.
[Question] Do voice actors ever get paid periodically? by itiswhatitisloll • last post Feb 26th
For example in online games like League of Legends, VALORANT, DotA, etc. where the characters have a voice over that is always heard as long as the game is online. Does that give voice actors the right to get money periodically because they're technically part of the game? This might sound dumb, but me and one of my friends were talking about this earlier, and I'm pretty sure that even in online games voice actors get paid once for the recording itself, and that's it. But I could be wrong. Does anyone know how this works?
Beginning Acting Career by liljizzle17 • last post Feb 26th
I live in a small town in TN and I have always wanted to be an actor ever since I was 16 years old. I’m 28 now and one of my dreams is to act. My issue is, I just don’t know where to start. I haven’t acted since high school, when I was in 2 plays. What do I need to do to begin my acting career? How can I begin my acting career?