24 y/o female auditioning for drama school here! I’ve had my heart set on East 15 for a while as I kind of always believed it was one of the best low-tier drama schools if that makes sense? Objectively and factually, I am a rada and lamda quality actor, but the “ease” of somewhere like East-15 sounds very attractive. But recently, I’ve been hearing some awful things about the school in terms of student/teacher hierarchy, poor course quality and a too-high acceptance rate. Could anyone recommend any drama schools/universities that aren’t as big-boy scary as RADA etc, but still offer legitimately good and inspiring vocational training? I’ve heard similarly bad things about Fourth Monkey, which sucks, because that sounded like an undiscovered gem. I’m not concerned so much with the status of a school, but more concerned with a good-quality training!
This post will mostly be an industry rant so I apologize. It just seems like there is nothing for me to submit to on backstage or even actors access. Most of the stuff now is just useless for reel experimental silent student films, dating shows, background roles, paid to play showcases, and other stuff in that realm that won't actually do anything for my career or reel. Then the few parts that are left almost never fit my type, and I'm not anything unique. Actors access isn't much better and its a catch 22 on there without having a good reel. I'm in NYC and most of the stuff is theater, which I used to do, but I want to ultimately do film/tv. It just seems like everything is behind a pay wall or has a huge barrier of entry. I know there are better auditions out there that are not being posted and you have no access to them unless you have a good agent. You know how you're supposed to work hard and put in two hundred percent? How am I supposed to consistently do that waiting around for a role to drop down on my lap. I can read all the books, scripts, take all the classes in my spare time, but it seems like that's all you can do unless you want to make your own roles, but that's a whole separate entity where you have to be a director, writer, and other things when all I want is to focus on acting. Don't get me started on classes, and how you're expected to spend well into the hundreds when you don't have that kinda money to consistently always throw down as an actor while living in borderline poverty unless you have rich parents. I don't mean to come across as entitled or anything, I just love the craft immensely and just want to do roles that challenge me to grow as an actor or move but the industry is a mess. Anyways am I just going to either make my own work or have to pay for a reel to submit for agencies or something?
Hey guys! This is my first audition after literal years away from acting/theater (since HS, though I took an online acting class during COVID ‘20). It’s for a local theater doing P&P and they’ve asked us to select a comedic monologue. I was wondering if it would be incredibly tacky to select a funny monologue from another work of Jane Austen’s? Or should I look for other material, and if so, should it be classical or would contemporary be acceptable? The only info I have about this show is that it’s supposedly a new take on the play, and actors will be doubling as other characters (women as female and male charas, for example). Any advice would be appreciated! I just want to go into this prepared with the right material. Thanks!
I don’t understand why someone would want to join SAG/gain eligibility through collecting background vouchers? Out of the few ways to join the union this seems to be the most amateur/“disingenuous” to me. It’s not nearly as impressive as actually booking a principle/speaking role on a SAG production, there’s no comparison. So why do I come across so many amateur wanna-be “actors” who are so hellbent on joining the union this way ? Shouldn’t you join when you’re genuinely ready to join and able to compete/audition for projects at a higher level? Is it so that they could get paid more (SAG wages) for doing background work for future projects? Am I missing something?
I've been at it here in LA for over 10 years. Now, I'm getting ready to move. Honestly, so relieved. I thought it'd be a fun post to offer three things I wish I could have told myself when I was getting my start in lala-land. (Maybe you can comment with yours?) Here we go: 1) Subscribe to Backstage or as many casting sites as you can afford (before you get the reps you need) Everyone is confused when they get to a major market about what casting sites to use, and these things change a considerable amount. For the first time I unsubscribed to LA Casting because it got so weird, and there weren't any projects. It isn't so much Backstage, as much as I wish I'd known that it *really* is worth having as many casting resources as you can when you're starting out. There are some that I don't regret not having, but if I could do it again I'd spend the cash and spend the time perusing all the postings. It may just be that one booking every so often, but I'm sorry to think of that one cool opportunity I missed out on to save the few bucks a month. I'm sure many don't agree, but that's the advice I'd give to myself. I like doing thesis films, I like the random VO jobs I've gotten since joining. I like knowing about random theatre opportunities. It's not going to make a career but its worth it to me. 2) You don't have to be a networker, but you gotta build that community. It's okay not to be good at all that bullshit. Social media etc. You don't have to reach out to people you don't really like, just because you feel you're supposed to, BUT having a network of people you can talk to, ask advice to, maybe have coffee with and ask questions is really important. I wish I'd been more "business" oriented with that (Aka a spreadsheet or something). What I did right was stay in touch with the people I liked and respected, but there are so many good people I lost touch with because of my own laziness. It doesn't have to be the slimey thing that it feels like, it can just be staying in touch, supporting others, asking questions, offering help if others need it. 3) Take care of yourself. Take breaks. Take vacations if you can. I got back from one after 3 years of no vacation and I could tell my first audition when I got back was ***so*** much better. Your instrument is you, and it needs rest to operate at full capacity. We underestimate how burnt out we get in this biz. Even when you don't have any auditions that's STILL A KIND OF BURNOUT. Aight, that's what I got. What would you tell your earlier actor self?
Hi all! Fellow actress here (wearing multiple hats like many of us do in this industry). I have been focused on making my own content and wanted to share a short that I co-wrote and produced as well as starred in (I’m wearing the orange striped shirt). Would greatly appreciate any feedback, like/comment on the video, or subscribe! [Multiverse of Radness](https://youtu.be/-Vr5dlcunLI)
I’m only asking cause it’d be my third SAG voucher
I applied to a good agency that seemed perfect for me. They responded one month later and the discussion went great with them so I said I wanted to sign with them and they seemed pretty happy about it. They told me they would send me a calendar so I can share my availabilities and never did. I sent them a message a few days after the date they were supposed to send it and they didn’t even read my message. I sent them a message again today and still no answer even though they are online. I just asked wether we will still be working together or not and it’s okay if they say no, I just want to move on to something else. It’s been eight days with no news from them and no message read. I finally said I wasn’t interested in working with them. I book a lot of job opportunities on my own so I feel like I don’t even need them. I sent them some job opportunities I would like to be submitted for once we sign and got no message from them and just booked it on my own. I feel like I book a lot of jobs because I answer quickly to casting breakdowns and I would miss a lot of work with someone who can’t even read or answer my messages. I even book more work on my own than they can for many actors in their agency. I finally told them I would stay self-represented because I already book a lot of work on my own so I can’t give them the space they want in my career. Did I make the right choice?
This is my (21f) Throw away account for presumable reasons. Ever since I was young, i dreamt of being an actress but i never acted upon that desire becuase i also wanted to be a marine biologist. Yes, I feel like every child goes through this because the idea of it sounds fun. But now that im going on 22 , I feel so lost. Something in me allways gravitates me to acting. The idea of someone transforming to a whole new character is fascinating. I allways did sports in high school and regretted not doing a school play. I changed my major from a science major to film my sophmore year. Acting is the only thing that I have ever day dream about. But to be honest .. im terrified. Not of acting its self, but the uncertainty of it. And no i dont mean the ruch and famous part, but uncertainty that I will be able to fincially survive. Being rich and famous is not my goal, i want to emphasize that. I come from a family where fincances has allways been a struggle and im terrified that going into this industry, i will fail them because of the high possiblity. I know 21 is still so incredibly young but I still feel like im old for the industry. I guess I want clarity because this has been heavy on my mind. I have not told my parents about this becuase im scared of what they may think. So i have a few questions that I feel may help me stop being scared and to just try it. Because part of me is like “how dare i imagine a future in something ive never tried before?” But also when my gut tells me something its usually right 1) why do you all love acting? 2) did you allways know you wanted to act? 3) whats your advice for me?
Hello, I know that actors access and casting workbook allow my agent to view my self-tape submissions and let me know if I should do a retake before final submission to casting directors. Does casting networks do the same? I'd ask my agent, but it is quite late where I am and this is the first time submitting to CN. Thanks!
I’m still a new actor so when a boutique agency wanted to sign me, and they seemed nice and had good referrals from one of my coaches, so I agreed. However, one of the bigger agencies I submitted to decided to contact me out of nowhere a week ago, and said they would love to have me. Does having a bigger agent really give you more opportunities? Even if it’s not in LA?
Hello! Thanks for looking, I am a minor and am interested in acting. My dream life is to be an actress in Hollywood, big movies, red carpets etc. obviously this is a HUGE dream and if I wanted to try to get there, there’s baby steps. I’m in HS btw. My parents would support me but I don’t know how to even start. My role models in acting are Zendaya, Scarlett Johansson, Millie Bobby Brown and more.. 1. What do you guys recommend I start doing to help me get there? Acting classes? I’m not a huge fan of drama clubs (like school musicals and stuff) I want to be an actor behind a screen like TV or movies. 2. Any free online websites or classes that would work? 3. Should I wait till I graduate HS to pursue this professionally? Like should I start building up skills and classes now and then apply then? Thanks for any tips, ideas, motivation, or answers!! Hope you all become successful and happy!
Hi guys, I’ve been studying acting for 3 years (2 in person, and then taking a few online classes throughout the pandemic). I haven’t sought commercial or theatrical representation because I didn’t think I was ready in my training, but also because I have a 9-5 day job and I didn’t want to waste an agent’s time by having them submit for me and not be able to go out. Currently I’m just submitting on Actor’s Access. Should I rethink trying to get an agent, even though I’m not ready to walk away from my day job yet?
Had a random thought earlier. With so much media in production now it seems so many actors can’t all be making a sustainable living off acting alone unless they’re A list celebrities or around that mark. I’m new, very new, to even considering doing what I actually want to do to make a living whether acting, directing or writing. I’m kind of curious how this works when one is just starting out. What jobs might be compatible with a shooting schedule that may require full time attention? Are there any known actors who aren’t shy about having a second income steam & if known what is it?
I’m a fairly new actor, and I have no clue how to find auditions. I see adds on Facebook for auditions here and there but they seem a bit sketchy. And I really dislike backstage because it seems like you can only use it to your advantage if you are experienced in the acting world to begin with. Where should I look to find real, attainable auditions?
Hi! I was wondering if anyone had good recommendations for websites/studios that offer good showcases/workshops for meeting agents and managers. I know and have used One on One, Actors Connection, and A Class Act, and was wondering if anyone knew of any others (in NYC or that offer workshops on Zoom). Mainly looking to meet representation, not acting classes. Thanks!
My (11 year old) brother has always been a naturally talented actor, but the other day he was acting out a scene in front of me for fun, and I was beyond shocked at how talented he is. He was scouted by an agency a few years ago and got accepted after auditioning in front of them, but my mother declined the offer because the agency was asking for an up-front payment. I want to get him signed to a legitimate agency, but I don't know how to go about it. Any advice?
I love the idea of having my own channel with me being a (bad) actor. I read a lot about acting but I ask you if you have any ideas of what to put there: monologues? Unfortunately I can't attend any classes so it is mostly to improve, nothing serious. Thank you.
Hi, I wanted to know if anyone knows an agency for actors with a "special" look. Tattoos, Piercings, Long Hair(Guy) etc. I wrote the "Ugly Agency" in London and they were willing to take me after an auditioning but since I live to far away (Austria) and they are offer mostly UK-based jobs it didn't work out. I'm starting to get desperate, I left my old agency because it was horrendous (never writing back, unprofessional website etc.) and kinda expected to quickly find a new one but it is a struggle so far. Any help would be greatly appreciated.