We have found 19,322 posts across 4 actor forums:
Justify SAG-AFTRA by onionsandradishes • last post Feb 12th
I understand and agree with the need for a union to negotiate minimum pay, distribute residuals, enforce safe working conditions, and help individual members through hard times. However, I have been reading up on SAG-AFTRA as a whole and a lot of the parts that do not directly involve those functions are starting give the appearance of being a pseudo pyramid scheme-like monstrosity that does not serve the vast majority of its members and frankly rips them off. * How is it right that producers have to pay into the health and pension plans for every role when the vast majority of the members who booked those roles will never see the benefits? If that money was paid straight to the vast majority through increased session fees and residuals, they could use it to pay towards health insurance off the exchanges that they have to get anyway or invest it towards retirement. As it stands, they are paying their own way as well as that of a teeny tiny minority who make a lot more money and are in a better position to afford it themselves. Seriously. The percentage of members who qualify for those benefits is so tiny that the union refuses to even say what it is. * How is it right that dues, a huge initiation fee that it takes four co-stars to pay off, and lord knows what other streams of revenue that in one way or another come out of actor pockets go towards paying all the employees of the union their salaries along with full benefits to administer the health and pension plans for the teeny tiny minority of members who qualify along with umpty-leven other programs? That is over 400 non-actor employees across the country being paid by broke actors even after the staff cuts that happened because of the pandemic. I can't find anything about the overall structure of how all that is funded but I assume the producers must be paying towards it as well. What if most of that money went directly into actor pockets instead? The punchline to this part of the joke is that the employees cannot also be members who could use those positions as survival jobs! * Speaking of the umpty-leven other programs, how many of them are really necessary considering the costs? What do they even cost? Why should those who already spent gobs of money to attend conservatories they might still be in debt for have to pay towards another conservatory that isn't even a proper conservatory? Why should they be paying towards a film society? MOVE and NextGen Performers? Radio Plays? WTF? How many members even benefit from those things? I like the Foundation interviews on YouTube, but is that really necessary considering that it comes out of broke actors' pockets? And why in the world do actors need our own credit union? I love, love, love the Audrey Helps Actors podcast, but now that I think about it, the segment on "Shit You Didn't Know About Your Union" should be more properly entitled, "Shit Your Union Wastes Money On." What am I missing here? Why is there not a rebellion in the membership to stop this foolishness? I will be a "must join" the moment I set foot in Los Angeles, New York, or any other place that is not right-to-work and hate having to join an organization 90% of which I would as soon burn to the ground so help me out.
How do Filmmakers search for Actors/Actresses online? by LynetteOllie216 • last post Feb 12th
Working internationally as a German actress by BadWolf2789 • last post Feb 12th
Hello, so I am female, 23 years old and an aspiring actress from Germany. So far I have done some local theater and had some acting lessons. I have always wanted to work internationally and not limit myself to german tv and films and I know that there are quite a few german actors that made it internationally (Diane Kruger, Franka Potente, Christoph Waltz is austrian but you know what I mean). And my question is how do I manage that? Because I honestly have no idea how to work as an actress worldwide and not only in Germany. Any advice?
Please help me by georgialouise7 • last post Feb 12th
Im 13, I really want to be an actress and i love acting but my mum wont let me go to lessons and we are in lockdown. What do i do? Does anyone know any online classes that are free and how to get an agent online? ❤
Online play readings or scene practice ? by LetMeDisconnect • last post Feb 12th
Anyone holding any zoom meetups for play readings or anything else acting related? I'm really missing being able to connect with other actors and playing with some scripts.
Question for union actors (SAG-AFTRA/AEA) by greysands • last post Feb 12th
Have you ever booked a union job through LinkedIn or Instagram? And can you give details about the gig and how it happened? I see a lot of people brag about booking gigs on those sites, but it's almost always non-union stuff, would like to know if it's worth my time joining those sites, as opposed to focusing on IMDB and Actors Access. Thank you for any info.
Advice? by Fit-Factor988 • last post Feb 11th
So I just started acting about a year and a half ago and I’m still attending classes, I’ve been on platforms like Backstage, Actors Access, and I’ve had a few auditions and I’ve only booked a skit so far. I’m 22 and sometimes I feel like I’m starting to late. This acting career is so exciting and fulfilling but it’s definitely a scary one. How did everyone get over their doubts and fears that come with this career choice.
Some monologue auditioning advice from a fellow actor who also does casting by Omniiglass • last post Feb 11th
For anyone who may not know, theatre will always require at least two contrasting monologues typically dramatic/comedic/classical. Most film and television productions do script readings, but they sometimes also ask for monologues and are generally okay with non theatre pieces in my experience. -writing your own monologue is rarely a good idea just don’t do it (it’s usually not even allowed in most theatre settings) -best way to find theatre monologues is going to a bookstore and standing in front of the playbook section and grabbing what interests you. -do not use famous movie monologues done by an internationally renowned actor (Pulp Fiction, A Few Good Men, The Shawshank Redemption, The Dark Knight etc) you know why? Because now the whole casting team is comparing you to Heath Ledger homie, bad move -for the love of god, do not ever respond with ‘that’s how they did it in the movie/play/tv show’ when someone is trying to give you direction in an audition. That shows that you came in with someone else’s work -monologues should be ‘in your body’ by the time you’re auditioning. focus should never be on trying to remember your next line when you’re already in front of the casting team. Don’t underestimate how much time you may need for memorization I hope this helps!
2 day background shoot making me never want to pursue acting again. by Jack_Wraith • last post Feb 11th
I’m in a performance arts program with NYU through Yellowbird online. I really enjoy it. It’s informative and engrossing. I do an improv and acting class every week sometimes twice a week. It’s awesome and it’s with an actor who made me laugh in a film that I loved before I even started getting into acting. I’ve done background/extras work for the last two years on two TV shows and a couple films. A new show just started up and I got a text asking if I was available. I should have said no. The last two days have destroyed my self esteem and joy for acting, little by little, cut by cut. From the angry AD who oscillated between menacing and snide attempt at jocular humor to the craft service guy who, when I asked for a Coke, said quietly, “We don’t have any dick though.” The PA wrangler was snotty too. A SAG member was given a non-union voucher and was trying to tell her she was SAG. She showed the woman her number and everything and the PA blew her off. I gave the woman the number to call the casting agency that put her on set because she didn’t have it and they were the ones that contacted me. It was just a seriously horrendous experience that I can’t shake. It’s like the negative, crass, petty energy that rolled off some of the crew followed me home. Like I don’t even wanna do my improv/acting class tomorrow. It was just such a terrible experience.
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Feb 11th
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.
Resume by Normal-Definition-53 • last post Feb 11th
Hey guys. So I was on set to be a background actress and then was asked to do a speaking role. It wasn’t very many lines at all, but I’m just wondering what I put on my resume for it?
To those who are worried about starting later and comparing yourself to other actors... by MDthedude • last post Feb 11th
A common post I see on the Internet (and occasionally on this subreddit) is, "Are there any famous actors who started at 30?" I know what this is about. These are from people who did not start acting at a very young age worried that if they try now, it will be a waste of effort. They go on Wikipedia and look at "years active" and see they started at the age of 18-22, if not even earlier. I know this because I have done the same. Of course, if you go into acting solely to become extremely famous, we all know you are setting yourself up for major frustration and disappointment. But even knowing that, you aren't even sure if you can get your foot in the door at that age. The answer to the question above is, not a ton, but some did. Most actors start early simply because it was their passion from a young age, which is something you truly need if you want to succeed in entertainment. And most of the people who started later still loved acting and entertaining as a hobby of some kind, which meant transferring later to acting was not a huge shift. If you're starting entirely from scratch, it's likely even harder. The list includes (and some of these are late 20s): \- Billy Bob Thornton \- Ray Romano \- Denis Leary \- Danny Glover \- Bernie Mac \- Wanda Sykes \- Jason Statham \- Gerard Butler \- Chi McBride \- Phil Hartman \- Viggo Mortenson \- Will Forte \- Ricky Gervais \- Mads Mikkelsen As you can see, it's far easier (relatively, obviously) to start later if you're a man. It's extraordinarily difficult to find famous women who started at that age, and sadly we all know why. It's also easier to start later if you're a comedian. Comedy and comedic acting have their own networks and types of exposure that widens the age range. For dramatic acting, it's a bit more slim. However, the question is what "started" means. Wikipedia has their "years active" section, as mentioned above, but those are not always correct or equal. Sometimes the first year is simply "started in acting school" or "did a open mic in a dive bar for fun" or "started a band that went nowhere" or "won a talent show". Remember, Wikipedia can be fudged. And most actors likely embellish parts of their early career when they can. A lot of a well-known actor's early career is difficult to research anyway, since we don't know what small, under-the-radar productions they were doing that have never been discussed, and even if we do, any pertinent details. And that's probably the way they like it. Sometimes a Wikipedia article will state an actor's first year is X because he stated in a single interview that he did his first gig at some place that year. We don't even know if it's true, and neither side has anything for proof, so it's taken as fact. For example, I'm an aspiring comedian and actor (although COVID has made me put some of that on hold). I was active in school theater, and did open mics and standup shows when I was 17 and 18 in 2007 and 2008. I was never paid for them, they were classes and open mics. However, when I got to college, I somewhat lost interest and felt like studying other things, so I put it on hold. But I never stopped writing jokes, and I occasionally did an open mic here and there, just for fun. Eventually, I went to grad school for engineering and completely put it out of my mind. I'm 30 now. When COVID hit last year, while having a lot of time to think alone in my house, I decided to put myself back out there. After COVID blows over, I hope to drop my "staying-inside-during-COVID" weight and work my way up from the bottom. I've started doing online standup shows and am loving every minute of it. But if a Wikipedia article were written about me, would they say I started in 2007, or 2020? Just remember: there's no one way to become an actor, and there's no one way to become a famous or successful actor. If it's your dream, you will work for it and try to defy the odds.
A former agent reached out to me today to “check in” and see if I was still acting. At the time I was working with them, they believed I was not good enough. Do I bother responding? More details below. by o8Eight8o • last post Feb 11th
This got lengthy. TL;DR at the bottom. I used to be signed to a modeling agency that also had a talent division under their umbrella, so to speak. I was never under contract with this talent agent, but after I was sent out on an audition and a casting director took the time to call this agent to let them know that I was more than just a model (and that I can actually act), the agent decided to work with me. I always wanted to be an actor. I was a theatre arts major and completed a year of study before dropping out and moving to NYC. I thought starting out with modeling would be an easier “in” when I moved to the big city, so that’s what I ended up spending most of my time doing, all the while sporadically taking acting classes at various studios. Anyway, after the phone call with the casting director, my agent started taking me more seriously. I took some headshots, and enrolled in a 3-month acting for film program. At the completion of that program, I took all of the footage from the class and made a quasi reel of if it to show my agent. I sat down with them as asked what types of things they were submitting me for and if we can set a game plan to get me in bigger doors. Ultimately, they felt I still wasn’t ready, that I didn’t have enough credits to go out for bigger roles, and frankly that I wasn’t a good enough actor. They said they were only submitting me for background work and student films... I was obviously gutted, but I understood some of what my agent was saying. But I wasn’t going to let one persons feedback stop me. I decided to reach out to one of my teachers from the 3-month program to ask for his advice and to tell him what my agent had said. I actually unearthed our email exchange today, and he reassured me that my agent didn’t know what they were talking about. That I didn’t need lots of credits to go out for co-star roles, nor did I need an agent to submit to background/student films. He also said I already had the ability to work in the business, and I should consider finding new representation with someone who would go to bat for me. Thanks, teach. I didn’t stop there either. I tracked down the email of the casting director that actually did go to bat for me. The one that made that call to my agent, expressing that I actually had talent. Surprisingly, the casting director took the time to meet with me and allowed me to pick their brain. As diplomatically and professionally as I could, I explained that my agent didn’t quite believe I was worth sending out, but they also reassured me that I had everything I needed to go out for at least co-star roles. Thanks, casting director. I ended my contract with my former modeling agency and therefore that talent agent 3 years ago. Fast forward to today, I am working with an acting manager who IS sending me out for co-star/guest star roles, and receiving callbacks almost every time. Oddly enough, I was introduced to my acting manager via my former agent, so I guess I have to at least thank them for that introduction. I wish I had a bigger ‘fuck you’ story to tell, but I am still trying to break into the biz and haven’t booked a role yet. I know it takes time, and the pandemic didn’t help matters at all. But I am still trying. However, this email from my former agent kinda jarred me. Why would they bother reaching out if they thought so little of me when I was working with them? And I don’t want to be one to burn any professional bridges, but do I bother responding? TL;DR After 3 years of no contact, a former agent (who thought I wasn’t a good enough actor to be submitted for more than background/student films when we worked together) reached out to see if I was still acting. After receiving positive feedback and validation from a former teacher and a casting director that I was indeed good enough, I stopped working with the agent. I don’t want to burn a professional bridge, especially since I am still trying to break into the business, but do I bother responding to someone who didn’t believe in me?
Looking for tips :) by Famous-Initiative825 • last post Feb 11th
Hiya, I’m a young aspiring actress who would like to one day make acting a career... it’s going to be hard I know. After lockdown I plans on taking some classes, I live in England however nowhere near London (huge bummer) do any of you have and tips or anyone to go to such as agents ect. Thank you
Reality TV Show by planesarah • last post Feb 10th
Hello, I am not an actor but was approached on social media about an opportunity to interview for a spot on a new competition reality show for a major streaming network. They wanted someone with my specific occupation to be a contestant. I’m curious on how this process works. So I had a quick phone call interview with a casting director, then was invited for a virtual interview which I completed this week- lasted about an hour and talked mostly about my life stories and my personality and strategy for the game. Now that is complete, what happens next? Are my odds still very slim of being casted? They start filming internationally in May so I figure I would hear back fairly soon.
I need help by jackeeboii • last post Feb 10th
umm I need help with acting I want to become an actor so badly like it’s my dream but I don’t know how to start and I’m not so keen on doing live performances and I’ve never had lesson for anything before. I want to be a star like Finn Wolfhard or someone someday. And I don’t think my family know I want to become an actor and I don’t know if they would want to move to America or somewhere else because I don’t think they would think I would get that far, they are supportive though! I’m a 12 year old boy who lives in London. Thanks.
Can anyone relate? by taurussagpisces • last post Feb 10th
I am a young actress in LA. I have a manager and was auditioning pretty consistently pre-pandemic. Then nothing when everything shut down (obviously), but it picked up again for me in September-November. Since the holidays, however, it's been dead. Maybe one audition every 2 weeks. Is this normal for right now?
trying to see something.. by endless-euphoria • last post Feb 10th
what are some actors/actresses you can think of off the top of your head, that didn’t really break into the business until age 25? (currently having a quarter-life crisis and looking for some respite