We have found 19,319 posts across 4 actor forums:
experienced LA actor looking to reboot my training. by sexpositif • last post Jun 25th
hi actors, so i'm needing a change!! i've been around for a bunch of years and over the last few i've become very stagnant in my progress. i'm wondering if anyone in LA has any solid suggestions on teachers/coaches who might be offering in person classes right now?
Trying not to take it personally by whoinvitedthecoolkid • last post Jun 25th
I performed a 10 minute short play over Zoom tonight as part of a local play lab showcase. The chat was open during the show and the other short plays got huge responses from the audience, line after line of praise rolling in. But very little response to the one I performed. I’m trying to remind myself that it’s not about me. The other actors probably all have more friends and family in the audience, or maybe the audience didn’t get the writing on the one I performed. It’s most certainly something along those lines. But our brains do awful things sometimes and right now mine is telling me that I got no response because my performance wasn’t connected, I wasn’t connected to my scene partner, I didn’t win the audience over because I’m a hack, I’m a fake and they all know it. My impostor syndrome is hitting me hard right now.
I’m scared of appearing in student films or commercials because they’re often cringe by notfeelingoood • last post Jun 25th
The starting point for an actor is often to shoot student films or commercials or bad tv shows. I’m scared of appearing in one of those because they often tend to be cringe and to put the actor in a cringe situation.... Like, I just saw an acquaintance in a commercial where he wears a Cheek Retractor Dental Mouth Gag during the whole commercial. The commercial fails at being funny (just like most commercials) and I really don’t regret not auditioning for that. It was cringe. I also remember seeing that Bryan Cranston old commercial where he’s wearing a skunk costume and I thought to myself “omg thats so cringe I could never do that”... Am I the only one who feels like that ? How do beginning actors deal with that ?
Are there any Christians here? by shugarshlong • last post Jun 25th
Honestly just curious. God told me to become an actor and so I'm wondering if He did the same for anyone else here, it would be crazy if He did so id love to know. private message me or comment, lets talk!!
Do agents fly you out? by livtoben • last post Jun 24th
Let's say your agency finds an audition for the actor they represent and the audition is in a different state. Are the actors responsible for their transportation to the audition? Or would the agent set them up with a flight themself?
Going back to background acting. How had Covid change the sets and the holding areas? by Desperate-Hedgehog83 • last post Jun 24th
I am a disabled veteran with 100% disability rating with monthly compensations from the VA. Since I graduated a state university with a useless art major I worked for my family retail business and moonlighted as a background actor. I was grandfathered into SAG because I joined AFTRA impulsively and withdrew after a year before the merger. I am going back to background acting because I can just unfreeze my account at the call in service and start working right away. I plan to make myself available for 4 days a week and use the rest of the week to build up skills for creating Youtube contents, about art and design. And I am really determined to spend the time at the holding areas more wisely. I am just curious. How has Covid change the things on the set? I am kinda curious about how the catering and crafty tables are changed.
It's dawning on me what a terrible businessman I've been as a voice actor by Mechtree • last post Jun 24th
Been looking at some of the stats of the games I've been in. The first one I looked at was in development for about 2 years and managed between "20,000-50,000" owners according to Steam Spy. I'm not sure if the site takes refunds into account but by those numbers and this game's price, that means they earned between $259,800-$649,500. Devs work hard and deserve money... but do I deserve more money than I was given? For sure. 2 days of recording, 2 days of editing...probably a bit more tbh, I struggle to remember exactly BUT it should have been in the range of about $1200-$2000 minimum. In reality, I was paid a pittance in contrast to what is considered a fair rate. It's my fault. It's my fault for being blinded by the fact that I love to be in video games alongside cast members I respect. I just went along with whatever I was offered because I was desperate for the opportunity. Am I going to go and demand extra money from these devs now? No, I can't do that. I agreed to what was offered, I messed up and it's on me. I've got to learn. The reason I'm posting this is that I just want to say don't be an idiot like me. There is money out there in the indie space. Just not for us when it comes to some of these devs. If somebody tells you they can't afford fair rates at the time because they're indie, negotiate a back end. If they don't want to do that despite the fact you're the right person for the role, it's pure greed and nothing less. If people have low budgets "because indie", OK... but if they can't agree to a capped back end, isn't it just wolf-eyed of them? Isn't it just them being happy to step on others to capitalise in the instance they are successful? And believe me, it happens more than I thought possible. There are 3 games that massively lowballed me and earned hugely. I really want a culture of back-end payment to be normalised in the indie space for VA. It should be a normalised compromise if devs can't pay fairly. Last time I posted about something like this, I got a few people saying stuff like "it's how it's always been! It will always be like this." Well, that's apathetic af and guess what? We used to trial women as witches by seeing if they'd drown... not anymore... someone realised it was a problem so please don't read this and be like "that just how things be" Matters of payment have constantly shifted across the entertainment space throughout its entire existence. "oh, but what about people just starting out who want experience?" If you're the right person for the gig, and you spent time working at the audition, why should you be paid unfairly? I'm sure a lot of you have been far smarter than me and feel free to ignore this if you have, but I know there's a lot of beginners here too because you've DMed me in the past. I just want to say don't be a moron like me and accept less than you should be getting. I'm watching devs smash millions in some instances knowing full well they underpaid their voice cast after finding them on VAC. We all just accepted it and it's not right. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they get more for their money with us: studio, equipment, performance, editing. We're cheaper by the fair rate anyway. Are we on Fiverr here? I hope not. Leave that for your own good if you are.
Are you paid for Covid testing if you're non-union? by TimPrice2 • last post Jun 24th
If you're booked on a production (as a background actor in case it matters) they always send you to get a Covid test the day before you need to be on set. I know union background actors are paid for that. Are non-union paid for it? If so, I assume it would be almost nothing, but does anyone know about how much they usually pay?
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Jun 24th
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.
Advice/Guidance by jnacrv8 • last post Jun 24th
I’m an 18 year old girl from LA and have no acting experience. I am currently taking an acting workshop, and my coach said I need to get headshots. I don’t necessarily feel like a good actor. I think there’s a lot more I need to learn. I know classes and Headshots are necessary, so if anyone has any recommendations for either around the area, I would really appreciate it!
Seeking Adventurous & Versatile Male Actor for ASMR Audio Projects by hereyesonly • last post Jun 24th
Ready to take your voice acting to the next level? Casting a Male Actor for an ASMR Best Kept Secret is an audio platform that creates fiction sensual audio stories for women. Our platform allows women to ditch the typical visual mediums and command their bodies in audio format. The listener is the star of their scene. Your voice and our sound effects set the scene to take the listener on an erotic journey. Not only providing steamy scenarios, but audio also allows for the female to take charge of herself and feel sexy doing it. We bring the fantasy to life. See our subreddit for example of our work- [r/MyBestKeptSecret](https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBestKeptSecret/) We're looking for a fearless, versatile male actor would who be interested in bringing to life various roles and scenes. From a caring loving boyfriend to a commanding dominant. This is a great opportunity for you to challenge your acting skills. Atypical & challenging scenes. Important- You MUST have acting experience and be able to properly perform a script with explicit material in it. Experience working on stage or with a scene partner is preferred. Consistent work every month for at least the next year. A few hours of recorded audio each month is what we are looking for at this stage. You must be 18+. You must own a microphone/recording setup. Strong acting skills - be able to deliver good performance over audio and be comfortable with working from scripts. However, improvisation can be discussed for certain audios. Experience is preferred but not a necessity Production status: "You can retain total anonymity and our typical pay is $100-$125 per hour of recorded audio. Great for anyone with some spare time looking to make some good money on the side. MUST be able to act and perform a script with adult material in it! Please do not apply if you are a commercial VO artist primarily with no acting experience. The audio will be posted online on our Patreon. Total anonymity for the performer. Interested? Please email Alexis Fire at [alexis@yourbestkeptsecret.co.uk](mailto:alexis@yourbestkeptsecret.co.uk) for Audition Information.
How long until AI takes over the voice acting industry? by AHungerForKnowledge • last post Jun 24th
I understand that it's going to take a long time until AI is able to actually "Act" but as the technology advances, how long will it be until TTS can replace us for commercials, and jobs where acting is less important than transferring information? (I'm mostly thinking of explainer videos) A customer just sent me an explainer video that he wants me to re-do. The original video wasn't that great and I kept thinking "This voice actor is pretty bad." That was until I realized it was TTS technology. It's getting better, to the point that I thought it was a person reading poorly. I think they'll always be a place for "acting" in the purest sense of the word. But how long do we have explainer videos and basic commercials? 10 years? 20?
I'm so bad at learning lines... by shugarshlong • last post Jun 24th
it makes me feel less like a proffesional actor. it just takes me so long and then i still get the nerves that make me forget... it sucks. im still new to this whole acting thing but i really do love it. i just wish learning lines was easier, even with the first letter method i still forget the lines until i look at the paper. ive got a long ish monologue to remember and im really struggling. i have to perform it in 2 hours and ive been learning it since yesterday and still cant recite it with my eyes closed, what do i do guys? thank you so much.
I have my first audition in a few days and I have literally 0 experience acting by grcjns • last post Jun 24th
I live in LA, I impulsively sent my photo to an open call thing my friend reposted from a legitimate casting director (“applying does not ensure that you will be confirmed for an audition” it said) anyway, an hour later I was confirmed for an audition. The description also said “You do not need to be an actor to be considered. The director is very open to working with someone new and wants the film to feel as authentic as possible.” I have no experience acting or auditioning, which I guess is ok, but i have no idea what to expect, i just know I’ll have to read a few lines from a script. Does anyone have any advice?
Pros to Non-union Theatrical? by EstrangedHippo • last post Jun 24th
For commercial, there are clear benefits to being non-union. It seems more and more ads are finding what they need, and for cheaper, from the pool of non-union actors. What about theatrical, though? I can't really think of any benefit to being non-union there. I guess better access to low budget student films? But even those often have microbudget agreements and can work with SAG. Is being non-union for theatrical explicitly bad?
Let’s discuss, what makes the difference between a good actor and a great actor? by amothgoesinto • last post Jun 24th
For those who left acting for a different career, what direction did you go into? by mcleb014 • last post Jun 23rd
I left acting several years ago to go into marketing/advertising. I'm curious to see where former/semiretired actors ended up!
How do actors have time to do so many projects in a year? by Kahli_Elliott • last post Jun 23rd
I’ve always wondered how these highly successful actors have enough time to do all of their work in a single year. Like, you have actors who act as series regulars on a tv series ranging from like 13-22 episodes & then still do like 2-4 movies all in that year. Then you have actors who can find a way to do like multiple tv shows at once (this one is mind boggling lol) Rose Byrne for example is one I really know is ALWAYS on/in something & im like how does she have time to live a personal life, film all these movies & now she’s on a new TV show for Apple+ Emma Kenney is another one, she was doing two shows at once. Shameless & Rosanne/The Connors. For me, I feel like you have to be a GOOD actor to be able to do several jobs so often, because I feel like I’d struggle with like separating each character, remembering separate lines, etc. kudos to them lol
Is it worth paying for Castingabout.com especially if I am not in L.A? And uptodateactor.com? by nacho__mama • last post Jun 23rd
I've heard actors recommend it but they were all in L.A. Are projects posted on there in smaller markets too or at least NY and ATL? [uptodateactor.com](https://uptodateactor.com) is a new one for me and looking at the website I'm not even sure what they offer.