We have found 19,320 posts across 4 actor forums:
How do you deal with other actors who gossip and make up false rumors about you? by cruisespace2 • last post Apr 30th
Throwaway bc i dont want this associated with my main account. I've always been anti social and didn't relate to many people at school. Never had good social skills and wasnt popular. I was considered one of the best actresses in acting school. Some teachers would tell me i would make it big. I had a classmate, she didn't like me very much. She started spreading rumors about me and everyone in school believed her. Because I was so shy I could never stick up for myself. At a party, a drunk colleague told me some people talked shit behind my back. I never asked what they said, i just wanted to leave that school. One day, this old man showed up to our last show. He was a famous director. He called me and i started doing voice acting work for animated series and movies with him. Everything was going well until he left the company, so i started working with another director, we got along, so i thought. Then, one day, the phone stopped ringing. I didn't understand why, we had fun, he praised my acting skills and said he was gonna call me back. That never happened. I find out a few years later that that girl is not only dating one of the young directors of that company, but she's also working there. She's friends with a lot of actors and directors now. I'm considering giving up acting. My mental health and anxiety have been affected, it's a small industry, everyone knows everyone, they think they know who i am and i feel like i dont have a chance anymore. I feel like you'll have more opportunities if you're outgoing, hangout with all these actors and right people, and you'll be getting a lot of contacts from people of the industry and i'm not good at it. I'm looking for some guidance, advice and would like to hear your experiences.
How do you act with a bad/neutral performer? by yureiwatch • last post Apr 30th
Recently took up some acting classes and what I learned is that I’m not always gonna get the best actor to perform with (I’m in intermediate) or I’ll have to do auditions where my costar is someone who is doing a cold read. What I’m struggling with is reacting in the moment to a bad performance. It’s hard to argue and cutoff someone who is slowly going through their lines with that half-yell inflection or feel sad when the person telling me the story is reading through the lines like a shopping list. I don’t want to attribute my bad performance to another actor but I’m starting to get a little frustrated with the whole ‘in the moment’ direction when the moment is barely there to begin with. Any tips?
I submitted to an agency and was offered representation, but I'm afraid it's a scam. Help me with figuring out if it is or not? by justliveon • last post Apr 30th
I'm usually really good at figuring out if something is a scam or not, but this one is tricky because it seems extremely legitimate from their website and I have a friend who is signed with them and says he gets lots of auditions, but I was interviewed today and a couple of red flags came up... First of all, there is a $100 website fee, which is fine and I know some agencies do that, but then they also said I need more training before I'm ready to compete with top actors. Which is true, but I have been training for three years with multiple LA and Atlanta based coaches and was about to start training with a specific coach soon. But they basically said that they'd recommend me to a coach and it would be $600 for eight weeks. That is about the price I'd pay normally for classes for two months anyway, but it seemed weird that they were recommending it to me to the point to where it wasn't even a question. I told them I was out of town and had to wait until Monday to pay because I'd have to go to my bank and add money to my debit card, but they encouraged me to go ahead and pay what I could now. So I went ahead. It just seemed rushed since they told me about all of this at the beginning of the interview and expected me to pay by the end. If this isn't a scam then the money truly isn't an issue, but I have a bad feeling about it. Another thing, their contract mentions that they like their talent to be positive role models on social media and to also never do nudity in scenes, which is overall fine. I never do anything that would go against that, but it makes me wonder if that rules me out from getting any type of HBO or Showtime auditions?
Struggling with a comedic monologue assignment... by lvl1-shitposter • last post Apr 29th
TL;DR- I have to deliver a comedic monologue that features the N word at the end, I fear for shock value. I'm looking for perspectives from directors and other actors as to how valid my concerns are, and advice on how to act 2ce my age for the role. I'm a mid 20s white (this'll become important) male amateur actor who's been assigned a comedic monologue as part of an acting class. I'm trying to develop the character in my head and I've got a reasonably decent grasp of the purpose of the monologue as it applies to the wider scene. The monologues were distributed to pose a challenge and mines a doozy. It's from 'A behanding at Spokane' by Martin McDonagh My character was mutilated at 17 for no reason and his attackers stole his dismembered hand. He's put a bounty out on his hand after 30 years of searching and 2 scam artists have turned up, offering him an aged, dessicated hand of a black person. The skin colour is not immediately apparent to the audience (at least I don't think it is) and the body of the monologue is to be played fairly straight as he tells the bizzare story of how he lost and how he's searched for his hand. The end of the monologue is the problem, I think. I am ultimately disappointed at the lack of my hand, and I refer to what the scam artists have given me as an n---er's hand- twice. The piece ends on a note of disbelief and anger from me. So, as far as the wider play goes, I'm not against the use of this language in an artistic medium. As a monologue showcase goes however, there are some concerns I have- 1. If I'm going to deliver this straight, given the language used, I want it to be funny and valid as a piece of art. 2. I have no idea how to sustain an old tough guy persona when delivering exposition essentially. 3. I'm afraid that the N word is being used as a punchline rather than as an expression of who the character is. As a comedic piece it feels like the former, whereas, as it happens close to the beginning of the play, it's the latter, at least as part of the play.
How to email casting directors? (Extras) by joobjoob19 • last post Apr 29th
How do you email a background actor casting director. A show is set to film near where I live in a few months and I've never applied to be a background actor before but it's something I've always wanted to do! I have no experience other than 1 event a few years ago but I know extras generally don't need experience. I just want to know how you're supposed to email them to submit yourself as an extra. (They posted their email for us to submit ourselves just so nobody thinks I'm going out of my way to annoy a casting director)
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Apr 29th
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.
Now that iSpot.tv is closed to actors, any way to track commercials online? by CanineAnaconda • last post Apr 29th
It’s been convenient for the past several years to see if spots I’m in are currently running by checking iSpot.tv. Even if all of the info wasn’t accurate, I could at least see if a commercial was running. Just within the last several months, all details have been locked out and as an actor I can’t even get a paid account. Any other websites, or any other service, that offers this kind of info, paid or free?
Hello,I Have a question about actor,can you guys help me ? by JLawBF • last post Apr 29th
hello I want to ask, I'm a 16 year old kid who wants to become a Hollywood actor and win an Oscar (amen), but I don't know where to start, and I think I have an unattractive face (flat nose). And again, I Living outside the USA (Indonesia), is moving to the USA the first step? and another one, can a Southeast Asia person become a Hollywood actor, because I have never seen Hollywood actors from Southeast Asia thank you
Strict Parents? Or Teenagers wanting to get in the Industry?! by writerwriterwrider • last post Apr 29th
Hi Hi! I am a Teenager and I've wanted to act for a long time but I have a very strict mom and so I never got to do anything. This isn't about me though. THIS IS FOR THOSE IN THE SAME SITUATION. I have learned a lot of stuff you could do instead. This is going to be a long thread to jump start your career! I highly recommend doing these if you want to go into the industry and your parents aren't supportive or very strict and wont let you do anything. I regret not doing a lot of these. Assuming you guys are in Highschool. If you aren't take what can do! I am going into college soon so I can make another one in the comments for a different situation! Let me know! \- TAKE THEATRE: Take theatre in high school trust me it will be worth it! You can use these as classes on your resume. Even if you want to be a film actor doing this is going to be BEYOND beneficial. \- You can use theatre as training \- This will allow you to network (yes you are in high school or middle school but you still network) \- DO THOSE PLAYS: Doing these high school plays allow you to put something in your JOB category on your resume. This will be one of the few steps in your net working. Even if you get the part as a tree showing your Theatre teacher (basically your casting director) you want to do plays and constantly auditioning will allow him/her to keep you in mind for leads or bigger roles. Remember these all can be used on your resume. Sometimes parents soften up when they see their children do things they are passionate about and will slowly allow you to be a professional actor. If not guess what your still an actor you are still working on your craft. Rehearsals for plays will be crucial in building your craft. These are literally like free acting classes. \- FIND THEATRE FRIENDS: These people are on the same path as you REMEMBER THAT. Some may be Film makers or some may be actors. They will have tips maybe even agents. You will all learn a lot from each other. This is crucial when Networking in a high school. You guys are on the same path you all want the same thing and have the same drive. \- FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER STUDENT- There is always THAT ONE KID THAT WALKS AROUND WITH A CAMERA. Almost all High schools have some photography class. Find someone willing to take your headshots. Pay $25 for some headshots while your at school during lunch or break if you have that! \- MAKE SHORTS- You don't have to have a fancy camera to make shorts .The camera on your phone is better than the camera they used to film the first Star Wars. Highschool is all about working on your craft. When your 18 agents and casting directors expect way more than you think. They expect a Reel, Headshots, Training and some jobs. These short films that you make with your THEATRE friends after school can be used on your resume as ACTUAL SHORT FILMS. You can make one a week. You can make them while your at school. If your parents allow submit them to Film festivals small regional ones. Tell your parents they don't go anywhere you can just win a prize. If you do win a small prize save that money.(its also an award) That is the money you will eventually invest in your acting career. SAVE IT. Also these shorts qualify for IMDB credits. If you didn't submit to a festival post it on YouTube. Your family wont find it most likely. I urge making shorts just do it they can be horrible or they can be amazing it doesn't matter they will all improve over time. You learn a lot about your acting from this as well. VIN DIESEL GOT DISCOVERED FROM HIS FIRST SHORT FILM AND FROM THAT HE STARTED HIS FAST AND FURIOUS FRANCHISE! (thank you at megasuperhyper for this information) \- TAKE DANCE OR CHOIR OR WEIGHT TRAINING- I know you most likely want to go into film and these sound like very theatrical things. WELL HEY TOM HOLLAND TOOK DANCING CLASSES. LOOK WHERE HE IS HES MF SPIDERMAN. Casting directors will look at these as a plus! You have more training than people at 20. You can also input these in your special skills category on your resume. High schools usually allow you to switch out PE for Dance or Weight Training if you want to do Weight Training DO THAT. \-COLLEGE CLASSES- Many high schools allow there students to take college classes and you dont even know. I recommend asking your counselor if you can or at least over the summer. You usually can take two classes a semester. Acting classes in college are really great sources of training usually your school will cover the expenses. Over time you can rack up A LOT OF CLASSES and it will look amazing and help you a lot. There are classes like Acting 1/ Acting 2 /Mime Acting /Voice Acting/ Acting for the Camera/ Acting for the Stage etc. Sometimes the colleges will allow you to participate in their plays especially if you take these classes in Spring and Fall terms. You will meet a lot of older students that have resources and are probably working on there own shorts or student films. You can network with them and see if you could get roles from that. \- INTERNSHIPS- so your parents most likely want you in the back end where you cant be seen. I recommend doing internships. There are a lot of internships near you in production studios casting agencies talent agencies and more. Your parents will think you are interested in the business aspect which is a plus for you because you get to learn what talent agents really look for what goes into making a film and what casting directors REALLY LOOK FOR. If you are not of age yet you can email producers/casting agents/talent managers and ask if you can be there assistant etc. Volunteer. This is a professional way to network at a young age allowing you to already have somewhat of a name. \- BACKGROUND ACTING- My mom is beyond strict and has allowed me to do background acting. In all honesty you might not network with the casting directors that much but you meet a lot of new people and get to go on an actual movie set. The thing I like about background acting is you get paid. Yes the money. You are eventually going to need money to invest in your career. If your parent do loosen up and allow you audition for things the money will be invested in transportation to get to set etc. You also get cool IMDB credits most of the time. \- If your parents do loosen up I recommend investing money into [Backstage.com](https://Backstage.com) and Actors Access allowing you to get lots of auditions that are near you. If you can travel You could use this money to take something with you (mom, grandma? cousin?) To LA Or NYC if you eventually book a job there. IF YOUR PARENTS ALLOW YOU. Anyways the money you'll gain will be really good to invest into your career. \- CONSTANTLY WORK ON MONOLOGUES: Look up scripts from your favorite movies things you hope to see yourself in one day! Coming of age movies, Marvel etc... Record yourself doing these scenes and look over it critic yourself. \- STUDENT FILMS- If your parents still wont let you act professionally try budging them into student films. Really the same thing you where doing but now for College students. They have more resources better camera and equipment. You can build a longer reel and a longer resume. \- START A FILM CLUB- My school never had a Film Club and I never thought to make one which would have been amazing. I ended up joining book club... \- Ask your principal if you and a few students can start a Film Club. Where you can watch movies critic the acting, cinematography etc. and even make short films. Your Theatre teacher can be the Advisor. You can make your own little film festival for film club where you guys make shorts and at the end of each semester there's a contest and the winner gets a small prize. Its small yes but it builds your experience. Your parents could see that you care a lot and maybe allow you to professionally act. This would allow your school to let you use fancier cameras and mics for your shorts as well! \- ACTING CLASSES- I do recommend you get acting classes on the side which can be stressful sometimes. Throughout your whole journey you should be saving up. There are many thing you can do. I put this closer to the end because I know Acting classes are VERY expensive and unsupportive parents most likely wont pay for it. \- ONLINE ACTING PROGRAMS- I have seen a lot through backstage and I have enrolled in some as well. I fond a NYU program for Performing Arts that is all online and no face to face. You get a certificate at the end which is very prestigious. You can enroll for a scholarship which will help with the cost. \- HARVARD CLASSES- This one is very tricky and I put it there just as an extra resource if you have the money. Harvard offers two acting classes to the public which can be very prestigious on your resume. You can save up for these classes (3400 each) I also believe there is financial aid available for them. Just to put that out there. \-READ BOOKS AND PLAYS- Read Shakespeare and READ SCRIPTS READ MONOLOGUES AND READ ACTING BOOKS \- Audition- Michael Shurtleff \- Acting for Young Actors The Ultimate Teen Guide by Dinah Lenney and Mary Lou Belli I really like this book it teaches you everything from makeup to agents to audition \- The Actors Life Survival Guide- By Jenna Fischer \- YOU CAN ACT! A complete guide for Actors- by D.W Brown \- Respect for acting- Uta Hagen \- An Actor Prepares by Konstantin Stanislavski Read as many plays as you can read as many scripts as you can. Study them. Reenact them! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS COMMENT I WILL REPLY YOU CAN DO THIS I BELIEVE IN YOU xoxo your acting mom!
New Company Contract: "Ah, no, I will not give you exclusive rights to any picture of me." by ActorRob • last post Apr 29th
Let's say my new company operates widgets. It is in no way related to my acting/modeling work. Here's a tidbit in the paperwork they wanted me to sign: "The Company, ***and any person or concern it may authorize***, shall be entitled, without my further consent, to copyright, sell or use in any manner, any picture or photograph of me." I know they just probably mean work related, etc. but it's still extreme overreach. **Be careful out there actors!** I obviously CANNOT sign this as it would put me in conflict for photos that are not owned by me. Secondarily, it would probably be used for free modeling work from employees in an unrelated field to use on whatever marketing/internal materials they like. Which is unfair. It's like asking the forklift driver to sign away the rights to his grandmother's cookie recipe.
Continuing to craft and fine tuning in LA. by goyardbadd • last post Apr 29th
Hey community! Please list some communities, workshops or classes in LA for actors to research or join, that you would recommend for actors looking to study and work on their craft? Everyone feel free to join in!
Looking for an acting class or workshop that lets you go crazy! Recommendations needed by Paspallan • last post Apr 29th
Hey I’m in nyc and am not an actor. However I’d really like to let loose with others and kind of go crazy. Not in a depressing serious way but in a fun silly funny way. Like people acting like monkeys, make funny faces and noises, dance around and stuff with guidance from a teacher or leader. Im not looking to become an actor, I’d just like to break out of my normal self for an hour or two with others and have a fun time doing it. I don’t even know if this falls into acting or if there are acting classes like it, but I figured it might be. Thanks!
ANY ACTORS FROM TORONTO / GTA AREA WHO WANTS TO NETWORK? by Stefiti • last post Apr 29th
I’m starting acting and interested in creating a network of actors where we can meet up and support one another. Of course, after quarantine. Message me and let’s connect via Instagram!
What to wear for a background agency meeting? by lmw1496 • last post Apr 28th
Hi everyone! I've been invited to meet & potentially sign with a background actor agency and I'm wondering what to wear. Do I treat it like a job interview and dress professionally? FWIW I'm a female in her early 20s.
Guidance by stokelorde • last post Apr 28th
Honestly I just don’t see myself doing any other job than being an actor. I’ve felt this way since I was a kid. I’m 24 now and I have a steady job that keeps me alive and comfortable but I’m not satisfied or as happy as I should be. I don’t know what to pursue or how to get started. I’d appreciate any tips.
Brace yourselves for a *flood* of posts about the Percy Jackson open call (pun intended). by cranekicked • last post Apr 28th
[‘Percy Jackson’: Search For Disney+ Series Lead Actor Officially Underway, Says Author Rick Riordan](https://deadline.com/2021/04/percy-jackson-search-disney-lead-officially-underway-says-author-rick-riordan-1234745076/) It was just announced today that they have an open call for the lead role and anyone can self-tape. I imagine there's going to be lots of first-timers posting here over the next however many days.
Tips to dye my hair temporarily black by Ian_with_an_E • last post Apr 28th
Hello fellow actors! I am an actor who needs to dye his hair black to play a part, but I don't want to use the spray on can stuff or permanent dye because I have a performance the very next day that needs a different hair color. I'm looking for tricks like flour in the hair that I can "quickly" wash out. Will something like charcoal work?
New to NY from LA- acting groups? by alan1dog • last post Apr 28th
Moved to New York from LA a few months ago. Looking for ways to connect with other fellow actors outside of a class and so far haven't found much. Meetup groups seemed like the way to go but most are for paid classes and not for actors getting together themselves for various projects or reasons. Any info would be appreciated. Starting over in NY acting wise is a blessing and nerve racking at the same time, but accepting the challenge. I'm primarily a film/tv actor (not stage) if that helps.
Bait and Switch? by ActorActingInLA • last post Apr 28th
I recently auditioned for a character on an LA based reenactment show. This character had a name and description. I sent in an audition tape. It was said in the breakdown, that if booked you would play this character and others through out the series, because they were trying to keep the actor pool small cause of Covid. I've done a few reenactment shows before, so I know what they usually entail and what to expect. I got an email this afternoon saying that I was put on avail. I was so excited. But when I read the rest of the email, it said the role was for "Grocery Store Clerk, Restaurant Patron, and Nurse". It now sounds to me that its more of extra work. What happened to the character I specifically auditioned for, that added significance to the story, had a name, character breakdown, etc? Nothing against extra work, but I've been there, done that. I'd have to take off 5 days of work to shoot these roles, and make 1/3 of what I make at my 9-5. Which would be fine if it was a character that added to the story and had a line or two. But if it essentially just extra work, its nothing that I can put on my resume since I doubt "Grocery store clerk" or "nurse" have any lines. Was this a bait and switch? What should I do? Do you think theirs hope for lines? Also, I know reenactment shows don't always have lines. But I've booked 3 in the past, and luckily they all had lines and small scenes, so I was able to use pieces for my reel.
What is the youngest age an “old” actor has played? by Awkward-Ideal • last post Apr 28th
I know that a lot of Disney stars have like 21-23 year olds playing younger ages like 14-16 etc. Does anyone have any specific information as to how young an older actor has played?