We have found 19,373 posts across 4 actor forums:
When I posted a breakdown for a short film on Actor's Access, 232 actors submitted for 1 role, 32 were chosen to tape, 1 was selected by reddishMVP • last post Jan 11th
I just wanted to point out a personal experience I had while casting for a short film. This was back in 2019, so before the pandemic. So the role was for a male age range 20s-30s. The shoot was non-union and I offered $125/day for 2 days of shooting. 232 actors submitted, and 32 were chosen to tape. Out of those, only 17 actually submitted a tape. Half or so submitted on the day before the deadline. One of those tapes was so undeniably good that I changed the character a bit to fit this guy. A few things I can apply as a now actor: 1. Submitting doesn't have to be early because if it's amazing it'll still be put toward the top. I know for me sometimes I value getting it done early, but getting it to be great is more important. Obviously if it's good + early that's best-case scenario 2. There is a TON of competition. 232 actors willing to shoot a non-union short film for barely above minimum wage (SE market), or at least submit for it (considering half the chosen people didn't even self-tape). Imagine how many there are for union roles. 3. Love the art - this guy that was chosen was, in my eyes, clearly too good to be doing a non-union short film like this. Yet, it was a role that challenged him so he took the gig even though the money was miniscule. He took the time to do the tape professionally. He took time out to come to a rehearsal/scouting day at the location before the shoot (for free). Not saying it's from this short, but all of his effort/hard work/talent led him to getting a series regular on a popular show soon after. Put in the work (talking to myself especially!!!)
I'm tired of flakey Actor friends! by Theunpolitical • last post Jan 11th
What happens is that I meet other actors from events, on set, or online, or at a party, and they want to meet up. Thinking that I'm going to make a new friend, I naively agree because we have such a good connection, we go for coffee. It's truly a pattern now. First, they try and suck out every piece of information and education that I paid for in one meetup. Then, they are super excited and overly enthusiastic that they want to do some scenes for their reel together. They don't have anything prepared nor do they try and want to write something. Since I'm always writing myself 1 minute scenes to freshen up my acting or voice over reels, I tell them that we can schedule it (most) any time. They just need to tell me when. So they commit to a time, I get my equipment set up and ready (and I have some great lighting and cameras), I send them the scripts to memorize, and sure enough the day comes and I wake up to really bad made-up excuses. And I don't fight it. I don't argue with them. I don't dispute it. I just get frustrated because I'm all set up and that knucklehead just wasted my energy and time. Without hesitation, they will over like and comment on all my posts on social media and then about two to three months later, they will contact me and tell me that their schedule is clear, they are finally taking themselves seriously, and when can we meet up? I schedule with them again two weeks in advance and as we are getting closer they either start getting flakey by not responding to me (sometimes completely ghosting me) or find yet another excuse to back out. If this scenario happened to me once or twice with actors, I would shrug it off. But it's happened numerous times. So I'm done! I'm done trying to make friends in the industry. I've now created some boundaries when it comes to making new acting friends because this is too much of a headache for me and too time consuming! Thank you reading this and letting me rant.
Having a hard time thinking about my future as an actor by TROPICO8 • last post Jan 11th
Hello, my name is Andrés and I'm a 20 yo actor from Venezuela. Lately, I've been struggling trying to keep my hopes up thinking if I will ever be able to make a living off of acting. One of my goals is moving to one of the big cities (LA/NY/Toronto/UK) to pursue my acting career, but every time I do some research on the legal processes of how to pull it off, I realize it's harder than i thought it was. Like I knew it was insanely hard, but now it seems nearly impossible. I read that post that mentioned the requirements needed in order to obtain an O1 or EB1 visa, basically you have to be a recognized actor with experience and have worked in major productions in your own country, but as you might already know, my country is going through a very very difficult socio-economic situation, currently film productions nationwide are not as common as they used to be so it's pretty much impossible to make a name in Venezuela. As of now I'm taking classes at my local theatre and just had my second play in November of 2021, that eases my mind a bit, knowing that I'm working on my craft and making small progress, but progress nevertheless. It's heartbreaking feeling how I slowly run out of time trapped here, and seeing drift away what I no longer considered a dream but rather a goal. I hope time will shed some light on me, I really don't want to give up on this, I don't even know what kind of answer I'm looking for here, I guess I just wanted to vent out, anyways thank you for reading if you did. I'm open to ideas or advices if you'd like to give some! Enjoy the rest of your day :), ​ Andrés.
lots of qs here by boobitch- • last post Jan 11th
hi there. to be honest, I don't know how to start these so I'm just going to get to the point. I'm a 13-year-old from Iran and I want to be an actor. obviously, every time I mention it to my parents they think I'm just joking or something. I mean I don't blame them, after all, 1. I give up on everything I have liked easily 2. acting is a rather impossible job and everyone at my age wants it and 3. there's no possible way I can prove to myself and them that I like it. cause the application sucks here. the classes, the chances, the movies none of them are good. and I do not IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE want to be an actor in Iran. \- what are some ways I can improve my acting in my case? \- what are some ways I can show my parents that I'm serious about acting? also, I apologize for my terrible English
Looking for a decent agency for acting in Montreal. by vetaseda • last post Jan 11th
Hello dear actors, I came to Montreal 1 month ago. I was acting in my country like 5 years. I am looking for a decent and professional acting agency. Does anyone know anywhere in Montreal? Thank you.
Question for Meisner Students/Meisner Technique Actors by rainbowsprinkles14 • last post Jan 11th
Sorry for then length here, but would love to discuss! I had studied with a Meisner-based instructor about a decade ago, and have since studied techniques like Method (Strasberg) and Adler-- but I was revisiting the book Meisner On Acting, and I still get a bit conflicted with parts of his teaching fundamentals and how it seems to contradict certain aspects of auditioning and performing. (For context, I mostly do on-camera work now) For example, I know that getting out of your head and acting instinctually is important, but I feel like all of my script analysis, choices, and character development in preparation for understanding the story/scene and the character's backstories goes out the window when you get a really weird scene partner or audition reader while acting off of instinct in playing directly off of their energy in that moment. To explain, while I understand that it's very amateur and unprofessional to ever blame your scene partner, (if they're new to acting or whatnot, and the scene doesn't appear to have a connection or flow) and I'm not blaming anyone, but just as an example, I had a scene partner who frankly looked physically uncomfortable acting in front of a class and seemed as though he was just focused on spitting out his lines in one note before he forgot them-- which was totally the opposite of how the nature of his character in the scene was written-- So, my instincts were playing off of that and his energy, (while sticking to the dialogue, of course) instead of trying to "stick to my choices" in my head, which would go against the very basis of the Meisner technique. Needless to say, the scene came across as extremely awkward. The instructor questioned me on why I was playing my role so differently than how the character was written, (brassy, full of sass on the outside, but secretly lonely), and it was simply because my instincts were going off how my scene partner was behaving while continuing the scripted dialogue verbatim, which understandably came across as very odd given what the scene and characters were about. This might be an extreme example in the particular scene partner I was with, but my point is that this can occur in a myriad of acting situations. Again-- I do not want to come across as like I'm making excuses or blaming anyone else for what goes on, as we know anything can happen, especially in scenarios like casting directors/readers who don't give you much to bounce off of in the audition room and we gotta make it work! But my question is how people who follow the Meisner Technique handle this approach to acting while also using their choices, backstory, objectives, understanding the story, etc. Thanks!
Any actors you find overrated? by Early-Psychology7966 • last post Jan 11th
I find Renée Zellweger very overrated. I hardly think any of her performances are that convincing.
State of Submissions by BinThrowaway7 • last post Jan 11th
I usually get this kind of info from classes / my circle of actor friends but I’ve been kind of a hermit through the pandemic so putting it on here. What’s the current state of things in terms of submitting materials to agents? I have new headshots and finished putting together a new reel this week and would like to start submitting, but in normal times the next month is the beginning of pilot season. Is pilot season getting back to normal? I picked up the UTD Theatricals Agents Directory and it seems to have a lot of people looking. EDIT: Forgot to say I’m in NYC.
Backstage or AA? by princess-2021 • last post Jan 10th
Hello, I hope you are all doing well! I live in NYC and I have been wanting to be an actress for a long time. I have taken acting classes for 4 years but I feel like I am falling behind because I do not have an agent, headshots, and reel etc. I feel like doing backstage can help me get me a reel and towards an agent. But I am having a lot of doubts if it's worth it. I was considering Actors Access but most of them want headshots and reels which I obviously do not have. I don't want to be too late at this, I feel like I stalled so much for this :/ I'm losing hope in a way but any advice to help me get me started and if I should start with backstage to get me started with everything would mean a lot :)
Is fivver that bad? by junkthrowaway8 • last post Jan 10th
I’m doing everything I can to learn before I start a career and lean into my artistry inside but whilst doing so I’ve heard that fivver actors get black listed or are looked down upon. Anyone with experience have anything to say on this and how truthful it may be?
Experiences with Talent Link through Actor's Access? by dpb73ca • last post Jan 10th
$35/month and they supposedly submit your profile to agents and managers. This would be for Los Angeles in my case. Like anything, I've heard good and bad. Obviously, it's going to depend in part at least, on the quality of your profile but I'd love to hear anyone's experiences. $35 ain't steep and you can cancel anytime so I'm probably going to give it a go for at least a month.
Kate Micucci and Kristen Schaal were the breakout voice actresses of the 2010s. by Emotional-Chipmunk12 • last post Jan 10th
Kristen gained major fame from her roles as Louise Belcher, Mabel Pines, and Sarah Lynn and Kate went from small roles and side characters in shows like Ben 10: Omniverse and Steven Universe to main characters like Velma, Webby Vanderquack, and Dr. Fox in the span of a few years.
Questions from a non actor - so forgive my ignorance by REFlorida • last post Jan 10th
Hi So non actor here who's experience doesnt surpass that I dressed up as a rat in a Pipe Piper school play once and did an open mic night at a comedy club and was meh. I watch movies, I watch TV and have a few acting friends(one had a role in a pirates of the Caribbean movie and then back to struggle town) and my question is this. I apologise if they are dumb but I always wondered ​ 1) - While there are some very good actors my uneducated brain seems to notice a bunch of people who kinda are average but just look the part and get a role. In a "someone good looking enough who could hold a conversation/wasnt a complete horror could probably do a year of acting classes and do that role" - Im aware of the old adage of "If they make it look easy they are good" but even so. ​ 2) what are the odds of making it as a career i..e. you make enough money from being on TV or movies and not going into other aspects of it like production etc ​ 2B) Is it like an athlete that if you aren't a name by a certain age you are kinda out of luck (I feel this could be more something female actors face with the main character a lot of the time being an under 30's girl) ​ 3) - how likely is a rocky / always sunny situation where you are unknown and write something and basically become huge. ​ finally - how important is social media and having followings on YouTube etc to be selected as I see more and more Social media / YouTubers making name for themselves. ​ final final - unrelated but I always wanted to be an extra in a movie, thought it would be a cool experience. Any suggestions on how I could do that (im aware it is 100% different to acting) just thought it would be cool ​ Thanks for taking the time
Open audition for energetic males and females by LalloMachine • last post Jan 10th
We are starting auditions this week for actors/ actress for our company. Must be 18+ this is 100% remotely work.
Made a short with New Actor David Alvarez from West Side Story! by lukeamomo • last post Jan 10th
What are some warm ups you should do to get into the groove of voice acting? by Tuershenn • last post Jan 10th
I'm currently a beginner in voice acting so I'm not very familiar of what typical voice actors do to get them warned up. I usually just warm up my voice just like how I would when I sing, and then I do tongue twisters and that's about it. Are there any other things I should do to make me feel more ready? Maybe it's because I'm a beginner but I still feel after I warm up I can't seem to express my emotions through my voice and I feel like that could be fixed with better warm ups?
Main role to supporting role by Strict_Carpenter_661 • last post Jan 10th
How do you guys think actors feel from being the main role from one production to a supporting role from another production. E.g. Wentworth Miller from prison break to Legends of Tomorrow
How to stay safe online while using Twitch connected to my (real name) acting Instagram? by TeaSconesDragonBones • last post Jan 10th
Hey all! I’m an actor who has just begun a streaming hobby, and I’m loving it so far. I want to link up my Twitch activity with my acting Instagram, because I feel they’ll go hand in hand, but my Instagram is aligned with my real name for actor branding. I do want to make sure I’m staying safe as possible when I do this, and that I don’t expose myself to being swatted or doxxed. I’m going online and erasing accounts I have that are connected to my address and previous workplaces, but are there any other precautions I can take before I make my real name accessible to my streaming audience? Thanks for any input!
Does anyone have any experience with contract negotiation? by RicePaddyFarmer69 • last post Jan 10th
I just got a short film script of mine accepted by a producer! We estimate about $25k for expenses and film festival submission fees - of that, I am on the hook for $5k and the production company will take care of the rest. I'd receive top billing as an actor, as well as Written By and Story By as well as a 50% cut of revenues. I'll attach a blacked-out (blued out?) image of the contract with more details: [https://imgur.com/a/xI7CgQV](https://imgur.com/a/xI7CgQV) Overall, I think it's more than fair, but I just wanted some people familiar with the industry to sanity check it for me! Love you all <3
Central Casting - not working? by goinghardinthetaint • last post Jan 10th
Does anyone know if central casting is accepting new background actors at the moment? Or maybe the website isn't working? I've checked multiple times a day for the past week to try and register an appointment, but the the calendar is always greyed out and the time under "checking times ..." never shows a time where they will post more dates. Any help appreciated!