We have found 19,373 posts across 4 actor forums:
Essence of the character vs Inner Emotional Lines by eogc9 • last post Feb 28th
Hey! This question is directed towards anybody who is familiar with William Esper's books. He talks about finding the Essence of your character e.g perfectionist and also inner emotional lines e.g A depressed man. I am having trouble figuring out what is different about these two things? Could someone maybe explain it to me in simpler terms or in a way that I will understand and the different uses these 2 things have? He said sometimes you can create a character just by identifying their 'inner emotional line' but I don't see how this is different to the 'essence of the character'. Is the only purpose of the essence to give yourself a starting point of where to work from and allow for simplicity to avoid unnecessary information that is detrimental to the actor? And could someone please explain how I would integrate the use of inner emotional lines into my work. Will I always need them or is it simply a tool for when the scene feels a bit 'bitty'. Finally I would be super interested to connect with anybody else super interested in Meisner / Truthful acting etc as would be great to have some conversations about it all as it gives me such a buzz, I love it. I believe acting is an incredibly powerful art that has the potential to make great change and would love to chat to like minded people. Thanks in advance.
Going to an acting class just for fun/a hobby? by Organic_Photograph49 • last post Feb 28th
So I’m not really interested in pursing acting as a career or anything (yet… who knows what’ll happen) nor was I ever very interested in drama at school, but I do love movies and appreciate a good actor. I was looking for some knife skill classes online and saw a an acting class that was 9 sessions, 3 hours long, and at the end you perform in a play. I have no prior acting experience. I’m kind of self conscious and don’t have much confidence and feel like this could potentially help me get out of my shell a bit, as well as meeting new people. Plus I reckon it would be good fun. Do you reckon this is a good idea? It’s $585 AUD (about $420 USD) 24 years old btw.
Financial advice (preferably UK) How much do West End leads make? by appreciatorofadvice • last post Feb 28th
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.
First time staged reading -- Tips? Should I be off book? by easypename • last post Feb 28th
Hi all! I usually don't do much theater acting, but I got cast in a staged reading for a really awesome original play. We'll meet before the actual reading for a rehearsal, but it's fairly a short amount of time and I'm not sure what I should have prepared for it. Are actors mostly off-book for the staged reading? Do you have any tips for a first timer like me? TIA!
Non-Union Meal Penalty? by mmmini_me • last post Feb 28th
I'm having trouble finding information online, but are non-union background actors eligible to get a meal penalty if they worked over 6 hours without a meal break? New York state law says that employers are required to give a 30 minute uninterrupted meal break, but I'm not sure if it specifies what happens when it is broken. I assume, the meal penalty won't be as much as a union background actor, but it seems like there should be some compensation for breaking it. This is not the first time a production did not compensate for a missed meal break.
February 2021 Audition Stats by ParticularPaper6095 • last post Feb 28th
I want to start doing audition stats every month if I can to show how much work goes into auditions and show my progress and show the reality that you will NOT book everything you audition for. I will start by saying that I am non-union and not repped so when I say 'Star, Co-star, Supporting' i'm talking about short films, student films etc. I'll try to lay out as much info as possible. Total Auditions: 30 Self Tapes: 27 Zoom Meetings/Auditions: 2 Agency Audition: 1 Student Films: 7 Short Films: 5 Commercial: 6 Feature Film: 1 Industrial: 1 Reality TV: 1 Hosting: 1 Photoshoot: 1 Pilot: 2 Internet Project: 2 PSA: 1 Theatre: 1 Star: 4 Co-Star: 3 Supporting: 14 Principal: 8 Casting Networks: 11 Actors Access: 13 All Casting: 2 Aura Casting: 1 Instagram: 2 Direct Website: 1 Open Call: 11 Requested: 19 Callbacks: 3 Booked: 1 (the photoshoot) Declined Auditions: 2 (not in total auditions count) The most auditions I did in one day was 5, both of the Zoom auditions and 3 self tapes and it was on a Monday. And the most auditions I did in 1 week was 12. I didn't write what was non-union or union projects because I didnt start tracking that until the last few auditions this month. I'll start tracking that in March. I keep track of all of this by using an Audition Tracker. I got a free template from this actor/youtuber named Kurt Yue under his [Audition Tracker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS4xKgsO29I) video (I highly recommended getting it!) I'm really proud of myself because I never did this many auditions in 1 month...ever! Being organized is key! I have a whiteboard as well to write down auditions as soon as they come (might share a pic of it one day) and knowing when to declined auditions is also important. Yes I want to do as many auditions as possible but I also don't want to send in crappy tapes if I know I wasn't going to have time to get the material down. Thank you u/Wutini for giving me the inspo to do this. Now it's time to take on March!
Featured/Creature BG work and resumes by bring_me_egg • last post Feb 28th
Howdy fellow actors/artists! So I know that it’s frowned upon to use any sort or BG work on your acting resume for the sole purpose of it revealing one’s inexperience. However, I recently started a regular, fairly involved background gig on a high-budget/popular series that has me in full prosthetics (I’m spending 3-4 hours in the makeup chair daily) and quite heavily featured in scenes with the three main principals (there’s only a small handful of BG on this set so we’re getting a lot of camera time). Even so, I still don’t have a single line, and my role is still technically referred to as background despite the pay bump I’m getting. I’ve been really trying to get into creature work as of late, and a specialized role like this could make for a perfect jumpstart to head in that direction. But is it even worth including on my resume considering I was booked as BG? And if so, how should it be listed? Anyone else encounter this, or have thoughts on the matter?
Just got into the New School MFA. Is it a prestigious program? by Alternative_Lie_8826 • last post Feb 28th
And what type of actors do they attract? Anyone here who did the program?
Self conscious actor, how do I get my confidence by Psychological_Text66 • last post Feb 28th
So last year I decided to take a break from acting. This was due to many personal reasons and some acting reasons. I have always been self conscious, never been able to let go of what I am thinking and put it into my performance, and for this reason I self judge all the time. So much so that I left my agent as I didn't provide him with any ammunition to send out to casting calls etc I became so self conscious last year I didn't film a self tape because I couldn't think clearly and self judged, along with overthinking what I am meant to do from what I've been taught. Acting is what I love, and I really want to get back into it, but I want to go back and be consistent, meaning I want to film self tapes to send out, do my homework and not judge myself, and get lost in the character and bring a good performance (won't ever be perfect because perfection is subjective), but be happy with what I put out, and be able to continue with what I'm doing, so that I can atleast feel like I'm doing something! There were times I got stage fright Infront of my acting coach and performing my self tapes. I'm not a bad actor, I just have so much self doubt, and not enough self love Thanks guys, anymore questions you may have let me know, any advice would go a long way and would be very appreciated! Thanks!
Best Agents & Managers? by Wide_Honey_7750 • last post Feb 28th
Hey! I’m an actor based in NYC and was wondering who your favorite managers & agents are that actually got you booked. I started acting around a year ago, singed to an agent and though I thank them for my experience in the industry they do not work with me as much as I put effort (I believe it should be equal work & communication between the agent and the talent). My original agent left the agency so that might’ve caused it to go downhill. Any advice would help! I’m thinking of not renewing that contract since I’m getting auditions all by myself and haven’t gotten one through the agency in like 3 months.
Acting Resume example (standard for US-based actors) feel free to leave questions below by iJuanAyala • last post Feb 27th
I asked r/polls who is the best actor. Would r/acting agree? by Zurevu • last post Feb 27th
This poll is identical to the one linked below. Please do not look at the link below before voting. [https://www.reddit.com/r/polls/comments/sy3r5q/whos\_the\_best\_actor/](https://www.reddit.com/r/polls/comments/sy3r5q/whos_the_best_actor/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/t32wre)
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.