Just came back from a TV show shooting and felt bad for the BGs. As a cast, we're treated well and with respect. But for BG, that's not the case. They just sit there or stood there as background and shown blurry images on the screen and you can not tell who is whom. They are moved around as furniture. They have to stay on set longer and no place to rest while casts have their own private rooms, honey wagons to rest. From my point of view, there is no way for BG to get attention from director, casting directors if you think to hang out or networking with these key people. If your goal is being an actor/actress, I don't think doing BG is the right way.
Hey there! I’m 20 years old and have been in 3 bigger high school plays most of my high school career (it was very fun). I’m really really interested in acting. Like tv/film acting and even modeling! The thing is, I don’t know exactly where to start. Do I get headshots? What’s up with sag-aftra? What if I wanna go to LA to start my acting/modeling career? I know agents are the only people to get their actors into things like Netflix and all. But truly how do you start that process off? How do you know which sag aftra agencies are right for you and will get your foot in those doors? Do I just go onto the website and look at those ATA/NATR agents? or the franchises ones?? Help pls :(
I have been collecting online advice about producing the best reel(s) I can for overall 'audition/demo' tapes. The advice I have learned is below - Do I need anything else ? 1. Separate demo reels for Commercials/Narration (My voice) and Character/Accents Someone else's.). 2. approx. 1 min. in length 3. Open with an intro. 4. Best/most recent first. 5. Aim for 7 - 10 secs. each 'scene', allowing for a solid 4/5 examples. Do any of you talented people have any further suggestions as actors, producers, CD's, Directors, etc.? Thanks in advance
Hi all! I’m a 19 year old actress currently located in Dallas. I’ve been acting on stage for about 10 years, but I made the transition to screen a little over 2 years ago. I’ve built up a resume of student film and smaller low-budget credits, but I feel like I am ready to find an agent. I’ve submitted to some bigger agencies in Dallas, but I’m not sure if they’re even considering new actors right now. Does anyone know of any agencies that are currently taking submissions? I am hoping to move out to CA sometime within the next year, so I am interested in both Texas and LA agents. I know because of COVID things have definitely slowed down and it’s been hard for everyone to get back on track. Luckily, I feel like things are slowly starting back up again. Thanks! tl;dr: looking for agencies in texas and la
So I worked in a student film a couple of weeks ago and this past Saturday I asked the director when we would be getting our footage (I emailed two weeks after filming). The director hasn’t responded to my email and I don’t expect him to be like “oh yes right away here you go”. I understand that editing footage takes time but I wish directors would give actors a reasonable estimate of how long it would take. I am planning to follow up in a couple of weeks if no response but I wanted to ask if what I’m thinking is okay. I may have jumped the gun in asking too quickly about footage but it’s very easy for two weeks to turn into 2 months, etc. I worked/prepped for this role on my own dime and it would really suck if I couldn’t even get the bare minimum—which is footage. Am I being too rushed about this? How much time do student film directors usually take to send footage to students?
Over the last few years I've (19f) developed interest in acting, but the thing is that before then I was never hugely into films so I'm not as knowledgeable on all the films/actors out there compared to others. I feel like if I want to start anything like going to classes I should know more? Or is it a stupid thing to worry about and get started on what I can?
How did you format it for your agent? (Video cover or pro audio) I am planning to create one soon, but wondering on what format they generally prefer it to be in.
For actors that are famous and successful, does one movie role pay enough for them to live off of until they get another role?
Since the pandemic started I haven’t really found a reason to live where I am living. (Vancouver actor). With self tapes being the future of auditioning... would it be ok to move elsewhere in BC. I don’t see an issue and if I do book I could easily drive back or fly. What is everyone’s thoughts? Id still be a “local” and it wouldn’t change my focus on acting at all. Still in class via zoom and self taping lots. Hope everyone’s hanging in there!
I want to have a range of voices. After seeing Nancy Cartwright, Rob Paulsen, Tom Kenny and Phil Lamarr, I really want my voice to be like that. I don't want to just have one range of voice like the voice of Joe Swanson from family guy (Although he really is a cool guy) However, Im at home....I dont have enough money for a studio or any expensive equipment. I tried looking for books thinking I could find a "Voice acting for Dummies" book or any kind. But there is none...(i don't even think there is a book called voice acting for dummies). I found this Rob Paulsen book that I thought was how to be a voice actor but it talks about his life (I still read it cuz he is a nice human being). I just don't know where to start.
Hi y'all! I know that when you are starting out, you tend to book tv roles that are local to your area- one liners, co star and guest star roles, and even recurring. But once you kind of move up in your career, and start booking recurring or series lead roles, how does relocating work for a specific project? Let's say the project shoots in Atlanta, but you get booked from LA, does the production pay for you to stay in a hotel or apartment? The Riverdale cast for example all lives in Vancouver while filming the show (in some very nice apartments I may add lol) does production pay for their rent and cars? Or do they pay out of pocket from their salary basically? Because they all have houses in LA so I imagine it would be annoying to pay rent and then another mortgage on top of that. I'm just curious because I don't see the logistics of this discussed a lot, and was wondering if any of that moving is covered. Not even for bigger shows like that- sometimes you'll see an newcomer actor from one state get a recurring role in another- are they paid to move as well even if they aren't a lead?
Hi there. This is my first post on here so I apologise if this question is too basic to warrant it's own post but I figured I'd ask anyway. It's a bit of a long one so I'll try and keep it concise. So recently I've been getting more inspired to try and pursue acting as my career as I've been unemployed due to COVID and I haven't really had anything productive to do recently. I was studying sound production at college but I got fed up of the subject and I was becoming increasingly more interested in studying for a career in film/TV. I've had ideas for fan films and that sort of thing but I figured I'd like to become an actor, especially if I got some proper training so I'm need some pointers on how to go about starting the journey so to speak. I live in Stirling which is right near Glasgow, Scotland. There's no real acting school or classes here but I'd be willing and able to travel to Glasgow to attend classes and such, once lockdown has eased up a bit. My only problem is that I have no experience of acting at all so I'm not entirely sure how viable it would be for me to attend a proper acting school or that sort of thing. I've had a look online for filmmaking groups and job listings near me too but they all seem to require me to have had at least some acting experience if not some formal training. I'm just finding it hard to really find the right place to start with all of this as it does seem a little daunting. Again I apologise if this is an uneccessary post but I appreciate any pointers or tips. I can also provide extra info if neccessary, I just figured I'd leave it out for brevity. T.I.A
Hey, I'm an actor based in the DMV region with a couple small TV credits to my name, and I've been wanting to branch out for a long time by taking more classes, relocating (either to LA or Atlanta), and finally getting myself a legit agent. Obviously, COVID has made all of that more challenging, but it looks like the Stella Adler conservatory (both their NYC and LA campuses) is having their annual Summer intensive program after all this year in a hybrid format with some classes in person and some classes online. I just wanted to know anyone thinks it's a good idea to apply for that. It would be very expensive for me. I would end up draining almost my entire savings, not so much on tuition, but the costs of living in NY or LA, and I would need to get myself a part time job while there (would I even have time for that?). Also, it looks like the in-person classes require masks, and while that's perfectly understandable (I've taken both doses of the Pfizer vaccine BTW), I'm still not sure I'll get the most out of any training with half of my face covered, especially since my expressive face has always been one of my biggest strengths as a performer. Still, I'm sure it would be an incredible thing to put on my resume if I got accepted and participated, and it could make finding an agent at least somewhat easier. Not to mention, I could make some solid connections, and if I take the classes in LA, would get a nice feel for the area before I moved there permanently. Right now, I'm kind of stuck living in a slow area with little opportunity, no legit agent, and few ways to further my career, and this might give me the boost I need. I'm really at a crossroads, and I hope others here could maybe help give me some advice. Thank you so much! And yes, I know the conservatory has a fully virtual version of the intensive, but while I'm okay with taking some virtual acting workshops, I'm not spending $3,500 on them. :/
Anyone get annoyed seeing random tiktokers with millions of followers randomly decide to be actors? Then they end up getting signed by huge agencies that rep like Jennifer Lawrence and other A listers. Like dang how do I blow up so I can finally get an agent/manager after 13 years in the Industry. Okay done ranting now
When you're not doing acting classes /auditions how do you use your time at home to better your skill?
Feeling so lost right now. I moved to Los Angeles last year right before the pandemic hit. I was so excited to get out there and take acting classes and try to get sign by an agent or manager. Due to covid I was sitting in my expensive apartment so frustrated that this is what I got. Back in October I had to move back home to Kentucky. I’m just so frustrated that my money was wasted and that I have to start all over again. I haven’t been on an audition in a year! I still have no representation either. I’m only 22 but I feel like my years are going by me and a chance to make it just a little in the industry. I find myself looking at my favorite actors and googling what age they made it at. Which I know I shouldn’t compare my journey to others but still... also I feel like it’s so hard to get representation to even get the chance to go on reel auctions. I’ve been acting since I was 12. Anyone going though this? Does anyone have any advice for getting representation during the pandemic.
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’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.
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.
For doing a TV show or movie that say is not well known like the big netflix hits. Or not as popular.