We have found 19,407 posts across 4 actor forums:
Are dating app ads good or bad for my career? by ENTPinNYC • last post Sep 1st
I’m a 21 year old European actress. I have a degree from a well known American conservatory, but due to the pandemic I was forced to move back to my own country, rather than pursue work in the US. The country I’m from has a rather closed theatre community, and the actors that actually book work are usually the ones who are already famous, have famous parents, or happened to go to the one theatre school in the country that’s seen as the best but only accepts 10 people a year. This means, I haven’t been able to book a lot of work here, especially during a pandemic. In the past year, I’ve only booked three jobs. One was an extra in a TV show, one was a one-day job shooting a demonstration of the use of a product to be used internally in a company, and one was an unpaid monologue project filmed remotely. I want to have a career in acting, and I know I need to build my resume with more than a few minor projects a year. I still have an active Backstage account from when I lived in the US, and there are some jobs showing up for my country, even though Backstage is not commonly used here. I was approached on Backstage by an American dating app offering me a job where I film 4-6 social media ads for a dating app, 5-10 seconds each, for $20-50 per video. The app seems to be a legit app, and has a high score in ratings, but a lot of pretty bad reviews. I’m not sure if it’s a decent app or a money grab, and I’m not sure if it’s my responsibility, as an actor, to make 100% sure before I accept the job. I am worried being the girl in the annoying social media ads for a bad dating app might damage my career rather than help it. Then again, I’m an actress, and this is an acting job for a visible ad. What do you guys think? TL;DR: I got approached by a potentially bad dating app and offered an otherwise decent acting job. Will it hurt or help my career?
Help with vocal control? by JackBBSS • last post Sep 1st
Hi, I started to do vocal control but I'm struggling. Any videos that will help an beginning actor with vocal control? Thanks.
Self-Tape Backdrops by songofthelark117 • last post Sep 1st
Hi all! Love this community, thanks for all the advice and inspiration! I'm upgrading my self-tape area since it's becoming clear these aren't going away even post-pandemic in LA. Curious if anyone here has a suggestion for a new backdrop that would fit my space better. Mine works great, but it's a bit narrow (4 ft across) and I'm also wondering if there is a way to get multiple colors (ie blue, grey, green) in one system? That's just bonus though. Basically it has to be wall mounted (space issue) and retractable, and ideally 5-8 feet wide. Seamless paper has been suggested but considering how often it's used I think it needs to be fabric of some kind for longevity. I tried asking my actor community on FB but no good suggestions yet, and I've been researching for days, so thought someone here might know of a product that would work! Worth a shot!
Email Marketing Subject Line Help by Bonesawzine • last post Sep 1st
Hey all. Haven't been booking much lately, wondering if it's my email subject line. Response rate has been about 2% which is in the "OK" area. Just picked up Sales Handy as an email tracker to help check the open rates. The subject lines have been "Voice Talent Inquiry" and "Voice Actor Demo Submission." Are these bad? What do you use that generates/generated a good response rate that has led to bookings? What would be a good rule of thumb when creating a new one? ​ All help would be appreciated! Thanks everyone!
Sydney Acting Career by mayertanza • last post Aug 31st
Wondering anyone in Sydney that has career in acting willing to share and help. I have taken a few acting classes in NIDA, since we are in a lockdown was hoping to chat and share with actors around Sydney. Questions regarding starting out, looking for extras, and agencies. Thank you, best wishes.
Does not majoring in theatre mean I’m not as “serious” or “dedicated” of an actor? by rk2142 • last post Aug 31st
I’m almost a third year in college and I’ve done theatre for a little while now (had no drama experience in high school but have done many plays now). I’m a business school student (suggested to me by my family as a “safety plan” since the industry has gotten extremely difficult to even crack into and also I’m in business school because of the weird way the college process worked out for me— rather than something I’m remotely passionate about). Unfortunately, because of the rigorous number of classes my business school requires me to take, I fear I won’t be able to do a BA in theater arts to graduate in a timely manner. I considered transferring to my university’s BFA acting program a while back but I eventually decided to opt against it because it wouldn’t let me major in anything else to cast a safety net and also because of my lack of experience from high school. I’m also partially hesitant about the BA in theater arts since it’s way more focused on theater history and more academic based with all the other aspects of theater than on giving me professional acting training, which is what I’m ideally looking for. I’ve strongly considered the idea of attending a conservatory for training or applying to MFA programs in acting after I graduate university and for now perhaps double major in something like film studies, as I’m a bit more interested in technical/theoretical aspects of film than I am in learning about them in theater— since I’m mainly concerned with and interested by the performance aspect of it (the craft of acting). If I truly had to do something outside of acting, I’d want to find ways to work in media/production based roles as my day job, so I feel like film studies would help me in that way if my acting career never prospered. Regardless of my areas of study, I know acting and cinema are things I am strongly passionate about and would want to keep pursuing them in any capacity possible, even if I managed to never make a living in acting or in a film based job. As long as I continue doing as much theater as I can and auditioning outside of university theater as well, am I at all doing a disservice to my aspirations for a professional acting career or not “taking acting seriously” if I’m not infatuated with all aspects of theater like I am with cinema / not majoring in theatre arts?
teenage actings weird by smelbulock • last post Aug 31st
I’m like conflicted like um… I can’t seem to find anything really anything my age (I’m a teen) but I’m usin actors access and backstage but nothin’s actually happenin, in the sense where actors access to me is just pressing submit and…that’s it lmao theirs nothing after, any advice?
If there ever was a Meet The Robinsons tv show or sequel, would the original voice actors return to voice the characters or would they get replaced? by BobsBurgerLover1998 • last post Aug 31st
I was thinking bout a Meet The Robinsons tv show happening on Disney plus and I kinda wanna know if the original voice actors would return to voice the characters? Ideas?
To Seasoned VO’s: How much do you price for a book narration? Am I being low-balled? by SwagMage • last post Aug 31st
As a newer voice-actress I’ve switched from hourly rates to a number-of—words-per-$ rating. Right now, I’ve got a client requesting a 52,000 word novel to be voiced at a budget of $600. I don’t plan on accepting this job offer because I feel like I’m being way low-balled, but I’m not too sure. What do you guys charge for novel readings? Is this a definite low-ball from a client?
LA Casting Site - Barely Any Projects? by Actor4Action • last post Aug 31st
Hey y'all, New to LA. I see a lot of posts here mentioning that LA casting is great for self submitting and that a lot of LA based actors get gigs through there. However when I log in I keep getting an alert at the top under 'Castings' that say there's like a 100 castings that match me I guess. Though half of them are way outdated and only a handful are starting soon. Are there just not that many projects on the site? There's also the following alert at the top when under the 'Castings' page: "Note: The following casting changes are in effect. Not all castings will be listed here. We will also call and email you directly any opportunities that match your talent profile." All of the roles I'm seeing that are actually shooting in the future don't even fit me (i.e. different gender or ethnicities). Am I missing something? Anyone else running into similar? Thanks!
How difficult is it to land an acting role if you don't have the best looks? by Starfox_2020 • last post Aug 31st
I dream of being an actor. One day, I might go to acting school and learn some techniques and skills to land auditions and hopefully, some good roles. However, there is one problem: I don't see many Asian actors in Hollywood movies. As a result of that, I think it's very hard for me to get a job there especially if I'm an Asian male. Do looks matter for acting?
Comedy directors by Right_Candy859 • last post Aug 31st
Is comedy harder for directors than drama?When it's broad, how do you give notes to actors?Clearly at times the acting needs to be heightened yet also grounded. Seems tricky. How do you get actor to be brave without getting carried away. Also how additionally important is the editing in this? People clearly need comedy chops but how do you maximise effect?
Actors/actresses band ? by iguessimacting • last post Aug 31st
Hello !! I do not know how to word that but I had some idea that I hope no one ever did before lmao. So as you know there’s boys/girls bands for singers, but are they any boys /girls bands for actors ?? This is an idea I’d like to develop, HMU fellow actors if interested :) To make everything easier, we could start by make a group chat on Twitter and then move on TikTok to do our scenes (but start by going into my dms here !) Have a nice day everyone. :)
Should I get my mfa in acting or a 2 year conservatory?? by StrobeRogers • last post Aug 31st
Hi everyone, I have almost 10 years experience barely working as an actor. Ive been in some local commercials, i was a lead in one that never got aired but still got payed. I went to a small community College for their well connected program because their teachers all do local theater. I went to undergrad previously to a terrible college and just picked film to network but i was terrible at writing and everything. I didnt quit and study acting because i had a lot of bad experiences in other community colleges and worked w a terrible controlling nightmare dir who didnt like me because i talked to a girl he liked, so he and his producer friend used every moment (when they werent getting loaded during rehearsal) to terrorize me. I finally quit and he always said he knew everyone, so i just did extra work until it was enough time for him to forget about me. I cant really focus on building my career now because im broke. I cant find a job that pays for anything beyond basics. I was considering just taking a break and studying something useful for my masters like digital marketing. Whats everyones thoughts? Thanks
Website name taken, help me decide on a new one? by worldtraveler9700 • last post Aug 31st
Hello! I'm looking to get my website up and running and wanted to do www.janedoe.com but the domain name is already taken. I tried to figure out who owns it to see if I could get it, but didn't get too far. Now I'm not sure which to pick from the options below: 1. Janedoeofficial.com 2. Janedoeartist.com 3. Janedoeactor.com 4. TheJanedoe.com 5. Jane-doe.com I've heard having hyphens in websites isn't something people do, and while this website is mainly going to focus on my acting career, I'm going to have a section about teaching private acting and voice lessons too. I'm also a little concerned people might get confused about actor vs. artist? Thanks so much for your input!
Free from ad audition sides online. by ok-baeracuda • last post Aug 31st
Hello fellow actors! I'm wondering where I can find short, long, monologue, theater and film scripts? Im wanting to record to add to at home demo reel for auditions and for CD to see my range or what I've got. Any information is helpful.
Tear sticks = unprofessional? by StudySafe1982 • last post Aug 31st
Do directors think less of actors who use tear sticks? And how common is their usage in general? Have you or an actor colleague ever used them? Were they provided by the director or did you have to buy them yourself?
Non-Union Double Dipping by My Manager by STARvingActorThatsMe • last post Aug 31st
I worked an amazing gig a month ago and the breakdowns from the beginning said $850/day+20% agency fee for the actor's compensation. I was on set and a producer off-handedly mentioned that since production is paying for the agency fee, I get to keep all my pay! I was used to just paying a percentage of my pay to my manager as commission. Production doesn't always pay this "agency fee" and that is just them being kind. Well my manager decided to take money from both production and from me. I asked about it and was told that it's "customary." She had me sign a check authorization so of course payment from production is going to her. She sent me an email of what my pay would be after her 'double dip' commission, and it was a huge blow. SAG definitely forbids this and non-union or not, it's unethical as you're charging twice to do one job. The term "Double Dipping" exists to describe this act. I never signed a contract that agrees to paying commission even if production pays the agency fee. As a matter of fact, I never signed a contract, so she was just sending me on auditions and collecting commission whenever I booked. I requested a discussion, explained that this is wrong, and would like to work it out. She is not budging. Is small claims court the only way? She wanted to send me my pay with the chunks of it taken out but I said to hold it until we resolve this justly. Backstage article on the practice: [https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/double-dip-hassle-free-35325/](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/double-dip-hassle-free-35325/) Other agencies frowning upon the practice: [https://www.impressivetalent.com/blog/2019/07/13/we-dont-double-dip-on-commisssions-at-impressive-talent/](https://www.impressivetalent.com/blog/2019/07/13/we-dont-double-dip-on-commisssions-at-impressive-talent/)
How did you get signed to your talent agent? I don't want to waste time working on projects that will hurt me, by making me seem less serious, rather than help me by showing that I am a strong actress. by Pearlet2 • last post Aug 31st
Hi all, I got into professional modeling young, all I had to do was show up with simple digitals and answer some interview questions. I am navigating the entertainment industry here in LA now, and it is extremely different. I would love some of you working actor's advice! Did you do small projects, create a reel, and send it out? Did you make self-tapes and submit them to agents? Or did you try to reach out to agents/managers with little to no experience? I want to be reasonable about where I am at as an actress, and I have genuinely enjoyed doing these smaller projects, but I also have a hard time determining what is actually considered a respectable, indie project? I don't want to waste time working on projects that aren't polished and professional-looking enough for an agent to even care whether or not they're on my reel. I guess, with that said, I am also wondering how I can determine what is "reel worthy"?
Website advice... by Secret_Mycologist_75 • last post Aug 30th
Anyone using Wix, able to tell me how to get demos on the site? What all does a BEGINNING voice actor need on their website? Thank you for your time.