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How come for a long time in the USA, TV acting was seen as trash and acting in a TV gig for even a single season can greatly damage a rising star's career? While across the world, TV actors successfully move to cinema and movie stars do TV all the time in by LizTaylorLover • last post Feb 19th
It seems an echoed belief on the internet that TV was seen as the backwaters of the entertainment and that only the losers of the acting industry go to TV. That it was backup for former movie stars whose careers were stagnating, the last spot for people who could not launch a career in film and live theatre, and the starting point for people with minimal, if no prior professional acting experience, esp children. And that for a long time acting on TV was so hilariously bad and that the gap with the acting of movies was very very wide. That the best TV actors were terrible if they tried feature length films or even just made for TV movies. And that the reason George Clooney was so significant to film history was that he was the first actor who came from a TV background to make it as a full time cinema actor in real Hollywood production and not just B movie roles as well as the biggest example of someone who made it to the top of the A List from the small screen............ However someone sent me a PM in response to a post on /r/Buffy I participated in. >Saw your comments along with others about SMG not having a great career post-Buffy and how she attempted Hollywoods s well as comments on Boreanaz trying movies out..... So I had to send this. >A lot of old Telenovelas (in particular from Mexico and Argentina) had a lot of movie stars acting in them including a few A listers in the Latin America region and British TV even earlier than the Charlie's Angels day had some top actors star in it (esp since it seems in the UK there is no dividing line between TV, live theater, and cinema as there seems to be in North America)........ >I mean Timothy Dalton was the leading Shakespearan actor for a time in his career (not to mention he later became James Bond!) and he gives a phenomenal performance in the 1980s Jane Eyre TV show, giving the best Rochester ever and god even relative unknowns like Anthony Higgins gives outstanding performances in various BBC roles (just go watch The Eagle of the Ninth which is available in full). Higgins and other primary TV actors have no problem getting good careers in cinema even if they did not make the A list and actually do both full time with some adding live theater in between. >Don't get me started on nationally produced TV outside of the West such as Japan's Samurai epics and the various stuff that are government sponsored in Turkey even around the same time The Brady Bunch was running. The acting is Oscar worthy and A Listers in the countries were given roles. >Even strictly TV actors in many countries where there is a big gap in quality (esp writing) have acted in serious movie roles and gave great performances even being at B and sometimes D list act and its more common before the 90s to see TV actors outside of English speaking counties to become full time movie stars or even A Listers..... >I mean did you know Salma Hayek started out in the 80s as Telenovela actress before moving onto Dusk Till Dawn when she immigrated to the USA? It seems she and her fellow co-stars on these cheap productions had no problems moving onto to cinema full time and actually dd a mix of both serious films and soap opera TV. >And indeed many Latinas who immigrated to the USA in recent years and are now popular as move stars such as Ana De La Reguera all stared as popular Telenovela stars before moving primarily to cinema in their own country just like Salma did (though they still continued acting on TV shows before immigrating to the USA as seen with La Reguera). I responded with a and he pointed me to an another conversation. https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueFilm/comments/lam5cn/do_live_action_tv_actors_in_particular_ongoing/glqrd8y/ >I'm 37 years old and can remember when television used to show stuff from before I was born quite regularly. I'm also in the middle of watching a series from 1991 called GBH and the acting in it is quite excellent. >Every era has "good" and "bad" acting. Nonetheless, I am suggesting that proceeding on the premise that the past was bad based on literally the worst shows on television from one culture only is extremely faulty. >Your responses strike me as fairly ignorant of anything beyond your immediate context, so let me help you out. In Britain and Europe, we actually have a much longer history of producing quality television than the USA. In Germany there is Heimat, Berlin Alexanderplatz, World on a Wire, and even network shows like Tatort. Britain has had countless, including its full Shakespeare revival from 78-85 and multiple 'TV play' strands, where the best writers from theatre and television would work with the best actors and directors that would go on to fame in cinema (Loach, Greengrass, Watkins, Clarke, Leigh, Frears, Kotcheff, Apted, Joffe, Ove). Poland produced Dekalog for approximately $10k per episode and it absolutely kills anything made today on practically every level. >If you want to argue that American network television has improved in some measure then go ahead, but that doesn't speak for the world. Personally I don't see a whole lot of difference between something like The Blacklist or Chicago Med and their antecedents in network crime and hospital dramas of yore, save the superficial aspects of technologically-enhanced production, the method of shooting and the era-specific conventions in performance style. Ultimately they're soapy, kitsch, and shot according to the standard rules (30 degree rule, 180 degree rule) of television shooting. So I really have to ask....... Richard Burton not only acted in a few American TV films but miniseries was some of the main work he did in the UK after his rocky relationship with Liz (see my username!). Despite that, he was able to easily be casted in movies anytime he auditioned and he still remained a pick for more serious roles. Acting on TV at all did not hurt his movie career (even if he was already past his prime while he was doing TV stuff). It as just seen as another day's work according to his diaries in the same way he continued live theater productions to pay the bills. So I'd have to ask. In addition to the two quoted texts examples and Richard Burton how come America had such a gigantic divide between TV and movies and even theatre before the 2000s? While in the rest of the world since the advent of Television in their specific countries, A Listers continue doing all 3 throughout their career and TV stars transition to primarily cinema all the time and even small time TV esp on genres seen as trash like teen soap operas and action superhero monster of the week act in real movies released in theaters and not just cheap daytime made-for-tv films and VHS B Movie releases? I mean since I got the PM as a result of chatting on /r/Buffy one of the lead stars of the show Anthony Head (Giles in Buffy) had done stageplays and for the bulk of his career actually acted in movies including serious roles and genres with a few TV roles back in the UK for much of his acting resume before he came to America in 1997. His actual fame in the UK is not Buffy but a few BBC shows including Doctor Who and some local commercials. Compare that to the rest of Buffy's main cast who were small time TV extras and support or models or even outright nobodies aside from Sarah Michelle Gellar herself and maybe Seth Green for the later seasons. And except for Anthony Head, Seth Green, Dave Boreanaz and Alyson Hannigan they all practically struggled to have vibrant acting careers after Buffy (some of them like James Marsters focusing on endeavors outside of acting to continue their career elsewhere). So I really have to ask this obsession of divide before HBO kicked off TV standards with The Sopranos? Even high budget production miniseries are not exempt from this in the pre-90s US TV industry. Aside from Peter O'Toole a lot of high budget production miniseries had to settle for full time movie actors who weren't on the A List or import British actors in. Perfect example is North and South which despite its cinema level production values settled for people who are still unknowns like James Read and had half the main cast as British actors. Even the mos famous name Patrick Swayze was seen mostly as a borderline twee B movie and proper Hollywood productions at the time. Why did America stratify the TV and movie industry as well as stage plays? How come in the rest of the world even you have top bill local names like Toshiro Mifune and Ana De La Reguera acting on TV alongside cinema and live stage performances? How come TV acting was seen as something harmful to someone who is still at the early stages of his career in North American industries while for example in the UK small TV gigs and even doing full time acting on a few seasons is seen as nothing significant by itself in the UK and is done all the time by full time professional no-name movie actor swell beyond the B list and had done serious movies as well as full-time Shakespearan actors? How come someone can do full time TV actin in a Latin American country for about yet transition to the A List no problem in not only their own country but even abroad? As seen with Salma Hayek (i was just shy of 10 years of her entry into acting via Telenovelas when she did Dusk Till Dawn and overnight catapulted into the A List of Hollywood)? Or even smaller names like Ana De La Reguera quickly entered primarily cinema profession without much difficulty in as little as 5 years after doing nothing but TV stuff? Seeing how in the rest of the world it seems a systematic pattern that TV actors later on become movie actors and a noteworthy amount of A listers had their start on TV as well as country's top names doing a mix of film stage plays and television, why was North America the oddjob in this, creating a real divide between TV and cinema (and cinema and live theatre as well I might add)? George Clooney's successful jump to full time movie actor and making it as an AAA list actor seems less impressive when you have guys like Ricky Gervais doing feature films released in theatres and Ian Mckellan juggling in TV,Theatre, and film productions and in at least 2 or 3 years of his career doing a mix of all 3 within a single year. So I have to ask why people jumping Clooney style to Hollywood was almost unheard off before 1995 and even today its still difficult to make the jump full time in the USA contrasted to the rest of the world?
How big a deal is it to you if you share a scene with a major actor? by TimPrice2 • last post Feb 19th
If you were looking at a role and deciding whether or not to audition for it, how big of a deal would it be to you if the character had exactly one scene where they had face-to-face dialogue with a major, big name actor? [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/swrn1f)
Websites by Ok_Dingo7132 • last post Feb 19th
What are some good websites for submitting auditions? I don’t have an agent and I am based in DFW with the ability to travel to Austin for work. I looked at backstage and actors access. But Backstage seems to be mostly short films. And actors access requires you to pay for each audition you submit. I am looking for stuff that pays, and I don’t have much money. Is actors access worth the yearly subscription? Should I just pay by submission? Or are there other websites I should join as well? Thank you for any help!
Controlling your laughter by WeirdSimsStuff • last post Feb 19th
I recently started getting into acting. Every two weeks I spend a sunday with a friend who aspires to become a cinematographer. We write a script and film it. Usually, the scripts have some form of humor in it, and I have to control my laughter. I never spend too long laughing and I can usually focus right after. I've been doing this for almost two years now and I have improved in this. However, I also follow theater classes. We usually end up doing at least one form of inprov and that's where the problem lies. I can't stop myself from laughing. I'm not rolling on the floor, but sometimes I'm smiling in situations I'm not supposed to smile. It's even worse when the audience is also laughing. It's not that I hate laughing, love it, but I also feel like it's annoying for the actor(s) I'm playing the scene with. Does this make me a bad actor? And what are some techniques to try out to stop yourself from laughing?
Is it normal to feel extremely embarrassed and have cringy flashbacks after your first acting class? by Tanzo42 • last post Feb 19th
Hello reddit, I have signed up for some acting classes, not because I want to become an actor but because I heard it's a good way to get rid of shyness and it's worth a shot. So far I only had one lesson, where at the end we needed to improv. I can't stop but cringe about that, everytime I go to bed I think about it, when I am not working or studying I think what I could have said instead of what and I cringe immensely thinking about it, does anyone else relate? Will this feeling go away? I am willing to continue because I guess it's a great shock therapy to me, but right now I just feel like digging a hole in the sand and put my head there
Who was that blonde actor from 80s 90s by Hmacf5-3 • last post Feb 19th
I remember glimpsing at the tv a bit ago and a movie was on with a blonde male actor, his hair was in like a middle part/curtain bangs and the length was pretty solid maybe hung about to his nose or jaw, I can’t remember the scene well but the best way to describe its kind of like a tight space like the millennium falcon from Star Wars and I think there were bunk beds and he was chatting to this girl, the closest Resemblance which it may be him but the closest I’ve seen is Jonathan Brandis. If there are any other actors please let me know it’s been busting my brain to figure out who this actor is
NYC union commercials: anyone auditioning for them these days? by CanineAnaconda • last post Feb 19th
Just ran into an old colleague who mentioned she followed her rep to a smaller agency because Paradigm shut down their commercial division. I found this a little shocking, since they were long considered one of the better commercial divisions in the city and the sign in sheet at auditions always had plenty of their actors. I used to audition for union commercials several times a week here in NYC, though there were always lulls, but now they are as rare as hell for me, maybe once every month or two. My age and type (40s white male) isn’t in demand as much for spots these days, and I’ve seen a drop in new union commercials on TV, but is ANYONE keeping busy with commercial auditions in 2022? Been wondering if that kind of casting has been only going on in LA, and NYC isn’t doing much of it here any more? Interested in hearing about LA too, but speaking strictly of SAG-AFTRA commercials, not non-union.
Looking for female adult voice actresses who are interested in doing 18+ narration work. by thomas_dp • last post Feb 18th
If you're a female adult voice actress and you're interested in narrating 18+ stories of mine (basically turning them into mini audio books), definitely feel free to send me your rates and a link to one or two audios you've already done, so that I know what your voice sounds like. Potential for a ton of voice acting work. And all punctually paid for, of course (Euros, dollars, pounds; whichever currency you use).
How to make little lines realistic? by Inevitable-Opening29 • last post Feb 18th
I'm a beginner actor and I'm facing with my first roles, as a servant or others like this. How can I express the right intention even if there's not a particular one according to little characters?
Can you guys watch yourself back? by Leopard_Narrow • last post Feb 18th
10 years ago i played a part in the pilot of a crimeshow i wass 18 years and didn't had experience. There where big actors in it to. (Big in my country). They really are good some did international work in film. One would say be proud of it. But i reel really shame for it. Cause i didn't had experience, my acting wass terrible. Are more of you guys who had this. That they fucked up a role and still became good actors later on.
I need your help by mattthemurdock2 • last post Feb 18th
So,I would like to become voice actor one day. I like to act and do voices of certain creatures,characters and so on. My absolutely favorite ones to do is orc (Warcraft,Battle for Middle-earth 2 type). I also do dwarves,regular human emotions and other stuff. I had few People tell me I do good job at imitating those characters. So,I would like to get some real critics about my voice and If I am really good. If I am I would love to get into industry,and there is another problem. I don't live in USA, so I don't know where to start. If someone from outside of USA can help me and tell me few advices I would be so happy. Thank you for your time!
(throwaway) Is this a little white lie...or something potentially bigger? by throwaway-EQUITY • last post Feb 18th
HELLO! I've never actually lied to get an audition or needed to lie in an audition room. But now here I am. Staring at a virtual EPA (infinite eye rolling) that has a breakdown for a character that I am SPECIFICALLY and UNDENIABLY perfect for. I don't mean "I love this character/this story/this director/they would love me" I mean this specific character breakdown fits me to a T in ways that it's not going to fit the average actor. However on the form they have "By checking the box below I confirm that I am a member of Actors Equity Association: \*Please note EPA's are for AEA members. We are currently not accepting non-union submissions for this EPA." Very clearly on the form. I'm eligible (aren't we all?) but have not joined. I feel I deserve to send in my tape regardless. How much of a bad situation could I end up in by lying on the form?
A…vent? Complaint? Plea for help? by Mattysanford • last post Feb 18th
Sorry if this comes off as petty or whiny, but just looking for some support and feedback from fellow actors who perhaps feel/have felt similarly. First off, I’m hoping to get some ideas on how to be less judgmental and more constructively critical of self-tapes. I’m catching myself judging and over-directing myself while performing, and then after the fact, while choosing the take, I’m having very unkind feelings toward myself and my performances. How do you find a more objective place to work from, both in the performance and when choosing what to submit. Subsequently, I’m feeling hella down on not having booked anything since September. I had four auditions over the course of the last week, didn’t feel great about any of them, and I’m trying to not dip into that emotionally cannibalizing place of self-pity. What tools do you utilize when toeing with feelings of disappointment and malcontent? Curious how we all cope. Side note: finally started listening to the Dead Eyes podcast, and what a hilarious, touching examination of rejection through the (dead) eyes of a working actor and his famous friends/guests. Recommend!
Best youtube acting class suggestions for a rusty poor broke but conservatory trained actor? by Actress_in_Training • last post Feb 18th
I’ve been seeing there’s a lot of acting classes on YouTube but they are definitely for beginners. I know all about technique and scene study and Edith Skinner. I know how to analyze a scene, memorize, find the intention or the objective of the character, and I know how to ask myself what do I want from another character . I understand raising stakes. I understand blocking and making sure to use specific motions and not to do certain things with my hands or my body language. I understand all the basics. What I’m looking for is to be reminded of the more nuanced things such as playing with beats, accents, and how to stay in character when technical things are in my way. Just certain things I need to know. Hard to explain because I didn’t keep training clearly. I’d love to have more advanced training. It’s been a LONG time for me! I’m back from 16 yrs of not training!!! But all the basics come back to me when I play with scenes. I know I have the talent, but I need more training. ?
Actor social networks are complex by nondescriptmammal • last post Feb 18th
Hey y'all. I live in Los Angeles, which absolutely plays a part in what I'm about to say because the industry is everywhere. How do you guys manage your social networks? The lines are so blurred between friend, colleague, boss, and employee. One second somebody's just a guy in your improv class, and the next, they're sending you an audition. Someone you met at a party later asks you to cast and direct a short their uncle is producing. It's really hard to know how to act sometimes, and how to have good boundaries. Anyone experience something similar, or have tips or dos/don'ts?
Voice actress Tara Strong's [née Charendoff] professional headshot photo from 1993 by Kagedeah • last post Feb 18th
How do you deal with typical on set distractions if you’re only used to stage acting? by Actress_in_Training • last post Feb 18th
How to stay in character when there is constantly movement, people setting up lights and mics, talking, shouting, or even talking to me while I’m trying to stay in character. I’ve never actually done anything but one film, but thankfully it was comedy and my role was super minor. I didn’t really have to get in my feelings too much. It was easy. But when it comes to drama I really need to focus. I’m not someone who’s the best multitasker and do lose focus when there is a lot of noise. I’m so used to theater all my childhood and teen yrs and into conservatory. I’m accustomed to an environment where I can be on stage and it’s extremely quiet except for us actors… It’s all my brain knows. The hush of the theater lets me focus.
Looking for voice actors and a narrator! by spiders_frickin_suck • last post Feb 18th
Hello! I’m starting up an audio book project around a fully fledged fan novel based in the warrior cats book universe. The story will be original and no characters from previous books will make an appearance, however may be referenced in legends and such. I’m currently looking for a narrator, preferably an older male reader however others are fine. I’m also looking for other voice acted character roles. Here’s the info Character: narrator Voice: an smooth male voice with no specific age required Role: narrates characters actions, however not characters thoughts, only the main characters will be read out. Character: Crimson Voice: a deeper male voice in early 30’s or mid to late 20’s Role: main character that’s followed throughout the story Character: Harlow Voice: an elder male who acts as a sort of mentor to crimson in a time of need. He has a raspy voice and a hearty attitude. Character: kicking’jacks Voice: a younger male (14-16) character who has a positive outlook on life and loves to talk. Role: main side character Character: lorn’paw Voice: a stern voice that commands obedience. (Mid to late 30’s) Role: a side character that interacts with kicking’jacks for a while. (More will be added soon but these are the main voices needed now) The project will be uploaded to YouTube and I shall go ahead and edit, write (along with many others) and over see the projects well being. It is preferred if you have discord as this would make contact much easier, however it is not required. Any and all profits made will be equally and fairly given to all involved and put forth to create better quality content. All money and analytics will be available to all involved, and all have the right to ask for updates at any time. This has been a bison long in the making and I’m really excited to have finally gotten it started. Feel free to comment or DM me if your interested or want more info, I’ll be happy to provide.
Just curious by Brianichols27 • last post Feb 18th
Never wanted to pursue acting, wanted to be a model, but I moved to LA (just for the vibe and mutual interest) &have lived here over a year and always get asked if I’m an actress, based on my personality. I know it’s an incredibly oversaturated profession. Just wondering if anyone else has felt this
Clubhouse! by FlyJai • last post Feb 18th
Hey all! I want to recommend Clubhouse to you guys. It's an app where you can join different conversations on literally thousands of topics if you dont already know. You do have to be invited but I can invite you. Doesnt do anything but help people join.Anyway, in the acting rooms there are agents, managers, and casting directors answering everyones questions. One of my friends got an agent just for asking a good question and getting the agents interested. They are legit agents, managers, and casting directors in the rooms. Ive been called in by almost all the CDs before. Truth from the horse's mouth. I learned SO MUCH. Ok that's all! Break all the legs! (Los Angeles based actor)