We have found 19,302 posts across 4 actor forums:
Short Romantic Comedy for View by Christina Kasper Babinsack • last post Oct 29th
It's turning cold in many places this weekend. Stay in, keep warm, and watch a free romantic comedy short on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRszALZ_pBo
I really don’t mean to be rude but… Why are amateurs hired over more skilled actors? by FurmidableCat • last post Oct 28th
I don’t want to say that amateurs don’t deserve to work or that they shouldn’t have been hired and I am not trying to insult them either… I am just sincerely asking why they hire less skilled actors over more skilled actors. I have been on professional projects where actors didn’t know their lines, didn’t know when to start acting, stopped in the middle of the scene, couldn’t speak loud enough to be understandable, never took the directions they were given, needed tons of rehearsals, just froze in the middle of the scene because they didn’t know what to do, just canceled the project last minute after rehearsals or the costume was made for them, etc. I have taken class with people who made the same mistakes but ended up having lead roles in projects. I had a friend who had an important role in a short film while I had a smaller one and I had to teach her how to do some things because she didn’t have the special skill that I had and that was required for the scene. I really do not want to be mean and say that they don’t deserve to work or are untalented or anything. But why are they casted over more skilled actors who almost never make those mistakes? I have tons of very talented friends who never get work but see others acting unprofessionally still getting lead roles. What I really want to say is that it seems unfair for more skilled people to get less work opportunities than them. It seems like skills doesn’t matter, they only care about the looks or vibe or anything like that. Why is it like that? And what can we do about it?
Acting and Grad School by Mysterious_Fill7507 • last post Oct 28th
I'm planning to go on to do a STEM PhD after undergrad, but I'd also like to pursue acting. I have the experience and grades to probably get into NYU or UCLA and maybe Columbia and Cal Tech (near LA, in Pasadena). I'm also considering some schools in Chicago. I don't expect to become a famous actor. I'd just like the opportunity to audition for some projects for fun and see where things go. Has anyone here done a PhD/grad school/ a science-based job while pursing acting? How was it? Should I plan to go to school in NY or LA in order to pursue acting while I'm working on a PhD? Would other big cities give me this opportunity? Thanks so much! Edit: should add that I'm taking as many acting classes as I can right now. My school doesn't have an acting minor, but has a strong/well known theatre department
How does your significant other feel about acting in scenes with intimacy? by odub6 • last post Oct 28th
My wife is against it and we're having discussions about it. I have zero experience and have just started to explore acting and taking classes but she's already told me she can't deal with anything that would require me to be intimate with another actor. Wondering if anyone else has had similar problems and how you dealt with it.
Any Actors/Actresses That Came From Nothing? by Existing-Cherry4948 • last post Oct 28th
I'd like to hear stories of any well known actors/actresses who came from nothing and who grew up without privilege.
What kind of roles should I be traveling for? by heyyyman14 • last post Oct 28th
I’m a bit too eager to start building my reel so I’ve been self submitting for everything I’m interested in on actors access. But I live in WA and recently got asked to self tape for a non paying student film in California… I then started thinking whether that is worth flying for… I guess my eagerness is overshadowing logic because that doesn’t seem like a bad idea….but is it a bad idea?
Vague vocal technique question - How do some VA's change their voice enough to sound like a different voice (more info in text) by Armonster • last post Oct 28th
This sounds dumb at first, so let me elaborate and hopefully it will sound less dumb. I know a lot of VA's use various techniques to create a voice or make their voice sound different. i.e. various cartilages in their throat, pitching up and down, nasality, fry, etc. But sometimes I see voice actors go into a voice that just seemingly sounds like a completely different person's voice, without any obvious usage of these other things. It's like they're strictly changing the timbre of their voice without even changing the pitch much or anything. Let me know if you would like some examples, I recently noticed it heavily when watching the newest episode of Critical Role, with Liam O'Brien's character, then I looked into him and seems to be able to do this a lot.
Tips so your demo doesn't suck by talksallday • last post Oct 28th
While the goal of many voiceover newbies is to get a professional demo produced (it's a very exciting thing!), please stop rushing into getting one. **If you think you're ready for a demo, first ask your coach if you're ready, then ask a professional, successful full time voice actor if you're ready**. If you do not have a coach, you are likely not ready for a professional demo. If you do not know a voice actor you can get confirmation from, feel free to message me and I can give you my honest opinion. Remember, many coaches financially gain from your demo, whether they produce it or get a kickback from a referral to a demo producer. That's why it's important to get a second opinion from a successful voiceover artist. If you're going to be doing any real marketing with your demo or applying for jobs, **you need to use a** ***reputable*** **demo producer**. Reputable demo producers will write scripts for you based on your voice, they will make sure your demo fits the current voiceover climate, they will coach you through your demo production, they will make it sound perfect, and *good* demo producers will also tell you you're not ready for a demo. If you're told "no", it's probably for a reason. I've seen so many people get their demos made by someone who has no business producing demos because it was cheap or because they bought their voiceover courses online and this was the next step. Demos are expensive. They are an investment. Do not get your demo made without knowing absolutely-for-certain that you are ready for a demo, and without doing your researach. The only thing worst than a crappy demo is a crappy demo that you paid hard earned dollars for. If you want to find a reputable demo producer, ask successful voiceover artists who made their demo, or look which producers have won SOVAS awards. Reputable demo producers will charge around $1,500 for a demo. Note: DIY demos are an entirely separate matter.
Actors who’ve moved to a larger market especially LA - what do you wish you had done before moving out there? by And-I-Oopeth • last post Oct 28th
I got back into acting at the beginning of the pandemic and have been in a few short films (only one with substantial scene work), a recurring in a tv/web series where I’ve only been in two episodes, one web commercial and an industrial. I’m still building up my resume and now considering enrolling at the Meisner Technique Studio in SF which you have to interview for to even get in. The teacher is Jim Jarrett who is one of the last people who learned from and worked with Sanford Meisner and he seems to have many amazing reviews and testimonials. In order to graduate from this studio, you have to study with the teacher for 2 years and tuition is $1200 for 3 months with 2 classes per week and each class is 3 hours long. And after the first session, you have to be invited back to the remaining sessions. I don’t know whether I want/should make this commitment because I was wanting to move to LA end of 2022/early 2023. Their first available session starts in April. I have headshots that I’m not completely content with that I’m planning on retaking sometime in the near future. I don’t have a demo reel nor any of the footage from the work I listed above. And I recently signed with an agency that sends me auditions maybe 1-3 times a month. I know I need to get all of these things to the next level on top of raising money, getting in shape emotionally, physically and spiritually BUT are there other things I’m missing or that you all would recommend? Oh and I have a car. Thank you and good luck / break a leg to you all.
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Oct 28th
Use this thread to post your headshots for feedback, get info on your age range/type, find good headshot photographers, ask any questions you may have about headshots. If you are posting a DIY headshot for feedback, and not just a snapshot in order to get feedback on your age range/type/etc, it is advised that you do at least some basic research on what actor headshots look like--composition, framing, lighting. You will find a Google Image search for "actor headshots" to be very helpful for this. Non-professional shots are fine for age/typecasting; please keep in mind that one picture is a difficult way to go about this. Video of you moving and speaking would be ideal, but understandably more difficult to post. For what it's worth, the branding workshop at SAG-AFTRA recommends a five-year age range. That's inclusive, so for example 19-23, 25-29, 34-38, etc.
Is having a job a good first step in an acting career? by ZookeepergameNo3630 • last post Oct 28th
So I've just started my first job, and I was wondering if the fact that I can now make my own money will get me any closer to my goal as film actor
Is it possible to work as both a background and principal actor? by xyzd95 • last post Oct 27th
I live in NYC and I believe I’m SAG eligible with 3 Union vouchers but I’m waiting until I’m a must join so I can take some classes then build up a reel and resume. I know background work is a different thing from principal work but I was wondering if anybody has been able to do both? I get booked as a lot of different races with a lot of different looks because of my ancestry and the different hairstyles I go between (afro, braids, ponytail) and I’m just trying to maximize the amount of work I’d get if I’m ever a must join. I’d even be cool with being a stunt driver after I’ve had some classes for that as well. I’ve got a license but still saving up for a car Sorry if it’s a dumb question to ask but I’ve got nobody else to ask and idk how I’d look this up on google
Anyone else have a hard time with the app version of Backstage? Anything I click on automatically submits me whether I want to be submitted or not. by nacho__mama • last post Oct 27th
​ Some of the invites I get for projects turn out to be porn. But before I hit decline, just opening the app is interpreted as acceptance. I can't find a way to go back and decline. Also I resent having to login after it's already emailed me and taken me to the web page. I should automatically be logged in and stayed logged in. But it never lets me stay logged in. Even when I click on Update Application there is no option to decline. And what is up with seeing " Need to request payment from the owner of this project? Get started › " at the top? Backstage is starting to feel more like Onlyfans but less user friendly. Actors Access is way easier to use.
Do I Need A Reel To Apply To Actors Access Jobs? by Lollydusty • last post Oct 27th
I’m a young actor in Chicago and I’m just starting my career. I want to apply to things on Actors Access but they always ask for a reel which I don’t have. My question is, can I use self tapes I’ve recorded in the past for a “reel”? Or should I avoid it in general and just apply without a reel?
Should I take up the chance of someone willing to set me up with an interview with an agent yet? by heyyyman14 • last post Oct 27th
Ive only been in five acting classes so far, did an actors showcase for my city’s film summit, have no reel, and only recently managed to get one audition this Sunday for a student film (which I’m extremely grateful for) but had no luck self submitting on actors access (makes sense because I don’t have any media or enough on my resume). An acting teacher of mine was willing to introduce me to her agent, but should I take it up when I’m so inexperienced? Or should I wait till I have more on my resume but I’m struggling to get anything so will an agent help when I’m such a beginner?
SAG Eligibility question by adaedadaed • last post Oct 27th
I’m a background actor who has gotten a few roles that have granted me TH waivers. I have 3 TH waivers currently, which I understand makes me SAG eligible. I’ve just been offered another role which would be my 4th waiver. Would this 4th waiver make me a must join? Looking at the SAG eligibility checker, it says I’m still not eligible. I assume it takes a while to update, and my 3rd waivered role was only a few weeks ago. Any advice would be appreciated!
Secondary Theatrical Agents by detlillaspoket • last post Oct 27th
Question for you all! I live in LA and am rep'd here with both a theatrical agent and manager. While I've had a handful of auditions, work has been slow for me and I know a big part of that is that as an actor with so few credits and studios currently seeming to be unwilling to take risks on no-name actors, I've turned my sights to other markets where it might be a little less competitive. I'm wondering if it's worth it to seek an agent in another market like Atlanta or New Mexico? Is it normal to have multiple theatrical agents? Seems like some people do but I also don't want to cross my current reps by seeking it out if it's not commonplace. Also it's easy for me to travel for callbacks, etc. so not being near the market isn't really an issue for me in terms of accessibility.
Anyone worked for The Dinner Detective? by Bnaleid • last post Oct 27th
I've been studying acting and improv for over a year and have just freed up time to audition for some simple roles. I was approached on backstage by The Dinner Detective for an audition. The teacher, cop, detective is one of my main archetypes so thought this might be a good opportunity to start developing the character and get paid for it. But, I've never heard of the production. Apparently they have live shows all over the southeast U.S. Just curious if this group is good to work for and if this live improv format is going to be productive or will it be counter-productive for development as a screen actor.
Good News For Actors In the NY and Philly Markets by gregieb429 • last post Oct 27th
Any Brits in Canada? by sophierohini • last post Oct 27th
Im Looking to make a move towards the end of 2022/early 2023 ... I figured its very hard to get a O-1 for the states (I have solid regional and European touring credits in and a few Short films but after attending a load of seminars I realised its a little far off) and would love to work a little more in film, however I really fancy a change of scene (fed up of Brexit Island), new adventure and I would like to try my luck in the Canadian market as I can do a solid to native standard GenAm as well as my native RP/London - I also love the people, scenery and general vibe. If I am sensible at the end of the summer I will have a nice solid chunk of money to use to support me/pay for rent upfront/pay for classes etcAny advice or thoughts on programmes? And indeed what visa you went for? I am 27/will be 28 so might consider the exchange scheme or entry as a professional actor! Would love any tips, tricks, suggestions and experiences of markets in Toronto and Vancouver! (or even elsewhere, im very open) Thanks!