We have found 19,322 posts across 4 actor forums:
What are other actors experiences of creating their own work? by Citygal123 • last post Mar 16th
I've been creating my own work for a while and even though it can be very stressful I've mostly had good experiences and have had some success. It's also given me more confidence in my acting and a sense of control in an industry which is so insecure. I'm lucky in the fact I have an aptitude for writing and I'm able to edit aswell. But I've seen friendships fall apart or become strained when actors work together to create work and I've seen other actors and directors who become involved in the project take their personal issues out on the creators. The atmosphere can become very tense and oftentimes the film or show doesn't turn out well. I've also come across people who see actors who create their own work as 'failures' and not real actors because they cast themselves which I totally disagree with. There's a lot of hugely successful actors who've gone on to have massive careers from creating their own work. I think the attitude towards actor writers has changed somewhat during lockdown because most actors are now forced to create their own opportunities. I'd love to know other actors opinions and experiences are.
I am just beginning by RiseRebel • last post Mar 16th
I’m 19 from Ireland, living in the countryside. As you can very much imagine. The industry is not booming here. I’m just wondering where should I begin? As their doesn’t seem to be many resources for Irish actors. To find work, without having connections from the day your born.
Looking for advice on next steps by aabarriosg • last post Mar 15th
Background info: I'm a 19 year old international student in Canada from a latin american country. Grew up in an American school so never really had an accent when speaking english and also look pretty "white". Moved to Toronto in 2019 to study at Uni - nothing acting related because parents want me to have a backup, but they know my goal is to become an actor. Story time: Now, I've read posts about people saying don't submit to agencies until you have training and a reel. I had some clips from a freelance news gig with CBC and headshots taken by my mom, but other than that no training or reels whatsoever. So around August 2020 I submitted to one of or the biggest agency in Canada and one of their agents actually replied! He sent me some scripts for me to self tape so he could see what I could do. He said he liked what he saw. Went out to lunch with him and he offered me the chance to sign with them(!!), told me I would have to be ready with a flexible schedule in case I booked a tv show or movie while I was in school. Needless to say, I was f\*cking pumped. An older family friend with ties in the theatre biz set up a meeting with a guy so I could ask him if this agent was legit, and he basically confirmed he was top of the line and I must have really impressed them if he wanted to sign me. I was so ready, I felt on top of the freaking world even though I hadn't booked anything. Then, a couple of days later, just as we are finalizing all the details and I send the contract back to him, he notices my social insurance number is different. He asked if I was a citizen or permanent resident, to which I replied that I was an international student, but my study permit allowed me to work. He then told me I unfortunately could not join the union if I wasn't a permanent resident or citizen. While he never formally said it was over, I pretty much knew it was. He was nice enough to still send some non-union auditions my way every now and then, which I always took as a sign that he saw something in me. It's 2021 now, and I am seriously still bummed out that I was that close to being in contention for bigger stuff. I don't have any American or Canadian direct family, so no way to fast track a visa that way. I think my only realistic options are either staying in Canada for a couple of years after Uni to get my PR card or marrying a Canadian or American lol. Definitely wouldn't mind staying since I love Canada, but I hate the feeling that I could be auditioning for big things now, but can't because of my citizenship. I'm sure as shit not giving up, I know in my gut I got what it takes, but just wanted to ask for advice on next steps since I've honestly been feeling kinda down ever since then.
How much do Netflix actors roughly earn? by hazard154 • last post Mar 15th
For doing a TV show or movie that say is not well known like the big netflix hits. Or not as popular.
Asking a casting director to recommend you to an agent by rebreddit • last post Mar 15th
Hello everyone! I’m an actress in London and for a long time now I’ve been wanting to upgrade myself agent-wise. I like my agent but they’re just quite small and I’m not getting into the right rooms or seen by that many casting directors. I’ve been emailing agents but I don’t have a huge list of credits and my showreel is a bit meh, but I recently had an incredible experience on Meals 4 Monologues! I got to ACT and it went really well and a quite high profile casting director ended up getting me seen for an audition, and was very complimentary about my acting abilities. So im now wondering if I might ask him if he would recommend me to an agent he thinks are good. I think I’d have a better chance getting signed this way, or at least getting a meeting. But is this a thing people do? I don’t want to take the Piss with this new CD contact. Also if anyone has any general etiquette advice on what I would actually SAY in the email that would be amazing. Thanks in advance! TLDR - should I ask a CD who likes me to recommend me to a good agent
The first major motion picture I’ve ever been apart of just got nominated for an Oscar!! by Leftoverchinese • last post Mar 15th
I am beside myself right now. Glenn Close just got nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Hillbilly Elegy. If you don’t know, she’s been snubbed by the Oscars for 40 years. She’s never won one!! I know this has really nothing to do with me specifically, but it’s just cool to be apart of it in some way. If you’ve seen the movie, I was the guy in the radio shack that caught the kid stealing a calculator. Pretty cool to be apart of something special is all. I’m really excited for her.
Why am I not getting work anymore? by FurmidableCat • last post Mar 15th
I used to get one professional role a month, get so many roles in student/independent short films that I had to say no to many of them, work as an actor/host on special events (well, I know why those were canceled) and do a lot of background work to earn even more money while working on set. Now, I haven’t been getting any professional roles for four months. Even roles that I am overqualified for and that most people don’t want to do (if it involves nudity for example or if it is underpaid). I can’t even get good background work (like those involving nudity that pay a lot) and they take non union members instead even if I’m supposed to have priority as an union member. I had to fight to come back on a series on which I had already been an extra for four seasons in continuity. I don’t even get auditions for student short films anymore. This is very unusual and I must be doing something wrong... So my questions are: 1. What the hell am I doing wrong? Possible answers: A) I am too involved with the union and they worry that I am a troublemaker because I know the rules. B) There is much more competition even for student short films since no one is working during the pandemic. C) I don’t understand my casting/brand anymore. D) I have suddenly became a bad actor. E) I was trying to get to another level a year ago so maybe people think I am not interested in small roles anymore. F) Someone is saying bad things about me and everyone knows it but me. G) I have been very unlucky for months. H) [Insert another option here] Edit: I) I am sabotaging myself by saying no to opportunities that I think are crappy (but I swear they are abusive or even illegal during the lockdown) 2. Who should I ask feedback to? I already asked my acting teachers and they keep saying I am doing everything right and already asked my agent and acting coach about how to improve my pictures/resume/demo (and followed their advice) and a casting director approved my casting picture and demo. Who else should I ask? I can’t fix the problem if I don’t know what the problem is.
Casting by votes: scummy or nah? by DiddleFiddles • last post Mar 15th
I applied to audition for a small role in a feature film. Weeks later I'm told I've been specially selected to submit, but the "groundbreaking" casting process immediately set off alarms — actors upload self-tapes to a page on the production company's website, and the public is able to vote on their favorite actor for any given role. The first to x number of votes books the role. Basically, actors who have the most social influence will be the ones to book. As an actor I hate it, but from a business standpoint I understand why casting sometimes values popularity over merit. But here's the really shady part — your friends/family/followers have to *pay to vote*. Am I off base here, or does this feel like a dirty cash grab targeting desperate actors?
Ephemera: experimental short film youtube premiere by Jason Romolo • last post Mar 15th
My experimental short that premiered at the Milton Film Festival 2021 is now on youtube. Check it out! https://youtu.be/UiPGR3GE1IU
Standard American accent coaches for Spanish actors with advanced English? by juandanceswild • last post Mar 15th
Im looking for recommendations for accent coaches specialized in working with Spanish speakers (or really good at it). Im a Colombian actor, been living in the US for eleven years and I am fluent in English. I’ve worked on learning a standard American accent and have had some coaches but they always say I’m at a very advanced level and the details that still “betray” the American accent are very small. So I’m looking for recommendations for coaches that can help me get to that standard American sound. Thanks so much in advance!
Not being taken seriously as a comedic actor? by Like_a_Dragon • last post Mar 15th
I’ve been getting back into acting again and I’m finally taking it a lot more seriously. And a lot of that has to do with loving the comedic side of acting. There’s something so amazing of wanting to make people laugh in the audience, even if my performance isn’t the greatest. I wouldn’t consider myself a comedian from a stand up perspective, but I’ve dabbled in improv and comedic works. But something that is eating away at me is that some people don’t really like my approach. My classmates and training (college) really focus on dramatic and sad scenes. Which I can do decently, but my monologue choices are always on the comedic side, which makes me feel like I’m not taken seriously by them. I thought about getting a MFA to further hone my training, but would anyone even take my seriously at that point? I would love to hear back from more comedic focused actors and hear your thoughts!
Interested in the idea of voice acting for video games. I've been told I have a nice voice. Would someone be willing to talk with me and determine how I can improve my voice? by FOX-Bytor • last post Mar 14th
31 year old male. My voice isn't terribly deep. I'm in Sales and tend to have a bit more of an "upbeat" voice delivery. However, I'd like to learn how to deepen my voice and see what potential role-types are best suitable for me. I'm inspired by voice actors like Paul Haddad and Paul Mercier. Voice actors for Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil. I currently use a Snowball Ice microphone. I'm new to this and basically would like to direction and feedback. Thank you!
Young SC Actor in need of talent agency by PsychologicalFilm130 • last post Mar 14th
Hi I’m David from South Carolina and I really want to take the first steps in starting my acting career. Does anyone know of any talent agencies within SC that are searching for new talent to take on?
can you be a stripper while starting out as an actress? will agencies deny me? by SuperbCelery610 • last post Mar 14th
I'm seriously considering dancing for numerous reasons ( moving out, my car insurance, acting lessons, headshots, etc. ) I'm also enrolled in acting lessons now, but really need to start making a generous amount of money to move out and kickstart my acting career. I'm curious would this affect agencies hiring me? Would this leave me without any work at all because of my job? I really don't hope this is something that would blow up on me.
A Talent Manager’s post on cold submissions by SabReale12 • last post Mar 14th
The other day I searched about this manager (Kimberly Jago) on google and this post she shared on FB last year came up. I think it’s interesting cause of course a lot of working actors send self submissions, myself included, but it’s always important to remember to check out if they accept self submissions in the first place, whether if they prefer you to send emails or hard copies, if you fit in a type they don’t have in their roster already etc. And I think this person tagged all of them in the same email?! That’s just a no. I’m not sure if we are allowed to post links here, so I’m just gonna quote it. “An actor seeking representation sent out an email blast today, to about 50+ managers/agents (most of which I am friends with). This was a response which I thought was "SPOT ON" and wanted to share (even if it is not applicable to you, it might be to a friend of yours): Dear XXX Although your efforts are admirable please take us off of your list. For professional advice please note it’s considered in poor taste by many to simultaneously copy several other agents on a representation submission. It’s best to do your homework on each agency/agent prior to reaching out to discover: -if agency represents your type -if agency is even accepting submissions -if they already represent an actor exactly like you -what their standard new talent submission process is -the agency “do’s” and “dont’s” -how to make contact -find out the types of projects the agency works on and match to those who fit best with your type and ability. Don’t just throw spaghetti on a wall hoping it will stick somewhere. Have value enough in yourself to “choose” the best fit and know the details first before applying. Have respect for the agencies in following their procedures. Don’t send to all and expect all to be the same. For example our agency never accepts new talent who are not highly skilled and referred by someone we know and trust. We don’t take submissions from our “Agent/Casting Director/Production working business” email address (which is the email you sent your submission). We have designated emails and instructions that must be followed. Check agent IMDB and web sites and social media pages. Study. Learn. I hope these suggestions help you in the future.”
Should I give up on my acting dream or go for it? | Trigger Warning. by Witchinthestars • last post Mar 14th
I’m so scared and terrified to start this career. I feel like I’m not good enough/pretty enough. I have a pretty face and all but I’m currently over weight and it makes me feel down. I am on a weight loss journey so it will be a year before I can start acting anyway. My weight also makes me depressed and feels like I won’t ever be happy until I’m skinny enough. My mindset is so bad right now. Thankfully, I’ve put aside any horrible thoughts since I am moving to California in just a few weeks and that will drastically change how I feel about life. If I stayed here any longer I won’t be alive for very long. I really want to be happy and enjoy living my best life so much. I’ve always wanted to be an actor. I’ve wanted to direct too but perhaps when I get more acting experience then I can see about starting a film career if things go well. I’ve seen other female actors I love do this as well. Anyway all I have to do right now is being on my phone. I go to the gym 4x a week and that’s pretty much it, I try to walk when I can. I’ll be able to go on daily walks in California in the warmer weather and do outdoor activities like splash pads and going on a picnic. I can’t wait to take beach trips on the weekends since I will live close. I’ll need a part time job to survive on my weight loss journey as well. Usually manifesting has worked for me so maybe writing about it will help. Sorry for the rant.
Starting in Boston by Yazzyboy3 • last post Mar 14th
So I know NYC,LA,Chicago, and Illinois are the big cities for actors, but what do people think of Boston? I Live near Boston and was wondering is that a good place to start? I would eventually move down to LA but to start out is living in Boston a bad idea?
First Time on Set as Background Actor by kclostindisney • last post Mar 13th
Hi everyone! Tomorrow will be my first time on set and I’ll be a bg actor. I know everyone says to be ready for a lot of waiting and bring a book or something to keep me entertained. But does anyone have any other advise on what to expect or bring? Or if you’ve worked as background during COVID, can you talk a little about your experience? Thanks!