We have found 19,413 posts across 4 actor forums:
“Actors Wall” by sircarrgomm • last post Jul 3rd
Have any of you folks ever hit a wall where you can’t seem to make any line sound right? I’ve had this for over a year and I just don’t know how to get past it. I try to remember what I was doing a few years back that made me so much more talented than I am today, but I can’t seem to bring myself back up to that level. Is this just a psychological thing, and if so does anyone have any tips?
I do well when I'm on stage, but I'm awkward around colleagues and don't connect to them easily. Did anyone have a similar problem and how did you fix it? by daddymonster1 • last post Jul 3rd
I've been acting (mostly in theatre) for two years now. I keep getting better and better, I don't really have much of a stage fright anymore and I love what I do. But at times, I'm still very awkward around some colleagues and don't know how to interact with them. Not all of them, I always manage to make a few friends, but I just kinda block with a lot of them. Especially when I'm working with some more experienced and professional actors. I really admire them when I see them do what they do, but I just don't communicate with them easily and I wish I could. I fear that I may even come across as rude sometimes, but it's really just awkwardness.
Why are acting methods necessary? by jordanaanna95 • last post Jul 3rd
Please forgive my ignorance. This question is being asked by someone who’s only taken beginning acting classes, and hasn’t been exposed to methods/techniques like Stanislavsky, meisner, etc. I don’t understand why they are necessary. I’ve gone into auditions and done cold reads as an untrained, unrefined actor and still booked roles. So what exactly do these techniques do and why are they necessary? As someone who’s never been exposed to these techniques and never used them, it doesn’t make sense to me why actors can’t just go into an audition and cold read as as “themselves” (sorry if that doesn’t make sense idk how to word what I’m trying to say).
NYC One On One audition (Krawkower) by Wonderful_Drama • last post Jul 2nd
Hi, I know there were already threads about One on One but I'm frustrated with the audition process. I auditioned twice and didn't get in. I'm not saying I'm this incredible actor but I've always gotten consistently good feedback in different acting programs, work solidly on my pieces, and know what I'm doing. I sent a self tape audition (due to COVID-19) that got crazy good feedback from other industry professionals and booked me two different jobs (director of the project sent my tape to someone else who hired me for another project) and One On One said it wasn't good enough... When I asked for feedback, they gave really generic b.s. It was a comedy, is that why? Are they more drama focused? You have to pay $10 every time you audition and right now, they are losing so much money from the pandemic. If it wasn't for Krakower's class, I wouldn't have auditioned at all. What are your experiences auditioning for one on one and taking classes? Has anyone gotten a rep or been called in as a result? Thank you! It's a horrible time to be an actor but I'm realizing how supportive our community is and how kind we are to each other during a crisis. I'm grateful NYC has an artist community with such heart! <3
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Jul 2 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 2nd
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.
Overcoming obstacles when auditioning - how to nail your next audition. by Tommymel1989 • last post Jul 2nd
An audition is your first step to reaching a creative project in film and TV and can be one of the toughest parts in the film industry. Many actors will want this so bad, that they make small but integral mistakes and fail at the first step of this creative process; the audition. Auditioning is a tough skill to master but once mastered you'll see a huge increase in roles being handed to you, it takes time and guile like most skills, but you'll get there in no time. To navigate this difficult task we have put together 7 steps that will help you nail your next audition. \*TL;DR\* 1. Learn your lines 2. Get your bad take out of the way 3. Physical prep 4. This audition is more than just the gig 5. Use it as an opportunity to improve yourself 6. Get IN and get OUT 7. Simply forget about it ## 1. Learn your lines It may sound obvious but the first and primary concern is to LEARN. YOUR. LINES. Try not to worry too much about performance early on. There are many different methods for line learning but, whilst repetition is key, try not to get stuck with a specific method of delivery. It may give your performance less room for improvisation and realness. If time permits, make sure you are dead letter-perfect. It’s easy to say – “I know it more or less” and be happy but whether consciously or sub-consciously you will take the tension and nervous energy that you might get the lines wrong into the audition room and it won’t help you. Read it before you go to sleep. Recite it on your bike/tube to the audition. Backwards. Sidewards. Just make sure you’re totally secure, allow yourself to naturally respond to the lines and your performance should shine through. *\*Also note this isn’t always applicable for theatre auditions where you can often have the script in hand, still best to be as close to off-book as you can be.* ## 2. Get your bad take out of the way Ever feel like your first take is your worst? Get it out the way before you go into the audition room. You will never be able to exactly recreate the audition room but do a couple of mock auditions at home. Video yourself. Make mistakes. Find the areas of your performance that need work. If you have somebody you trust then let them watch and give you some feedback. Preparation does not mean saying the lines in your head loads of times. Get it in your body. Get it in your brain. Ingrain it in your muscle memory so when you’re in a different space with different people you are able to relax and let your performance flow. But most of all get that first bad take out of the way so that you don’t have to do it in the audition room. ## 3. Physical preparation As actors, our bodies are our tools, and whether consciously or sub-consciously we physically present a lot of emotion and meaning in the audition room. So as far as possible we need to be relaxed before we enter. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get to the casting, sounds obvious but entering out of breath and sweaty puts you immediately off your game. Also if you are sweaty, make sure to bring deodorant, these things get noticed. Try not to have too much caffeine before the audition as this may also affect your performance negatively. Try to practise some deep breathing exercises at home which you can recreate before you go into your audition to keep you calm and focus on the task in hand. Feel the floor, ground yourself physically and take your time before you begin. ## 4. This audition is more than just the gig Remember that you’re not just auditioning for this specific role but for future roles the director/casting team may want to see you for. Remember that the casting directors always want you to do well. They want to be able to present the best options to directors (that’s their job). Casting directors are on your side, so do your best not to be intimidated by them and listen to their advice as they will know what the director’s intention for the role is more than you do or they may be testing how you take direction. If you turn up and you’ve learned your lines and give a great performance, regardless of your suitability for this specific role, they will trust that they can bring you in again next time around. ## 5. Use it as an opportunity to improve yourself Forget about the job. Forget about the money. This is a learning opportunity. Make this audition about you rather than them. Take the time to enjoy it and to learn from it, after all, we became actors to act and this a moment to show your talent. Never look at an audition as a one-off event, it is part of your progression as an actor and you will learn something from every audition regardless of how it went; we learn more from our mistakes. ## 6. Get in and GET out Be yourself. Be friendly. Be courteous. But also don’t hang about. You’ve done your performance, you’ve achieved what you came here to do, thank them for their time and leave. Unless prompted: Don’t shake hands, don’t pass comment on the weather, don’t talk about your opinions of the script or director, you can lose or gain a job after the “acting” has already happened. It’s good to be polite and friendly but you don’t want to come across as keen or desperate. Yes be passionate, yes show you want the job but a desperate actor is the last thing a casting director wants to see. ## 7. Forget about it Allow yourself five minutes of self-depreciation (or occasional appreciation) and then drop it. It will do you no good either way agonising over your performance or reminiscing about how great you were. Yes, analyse how it went, yes celebrate your successes, take notes of thoughts and lessons for the future, but remember you are your own harshest critic so try your best not to listen to the voices in your head. Also remember that 90% of the time the final decision will be less to do with your acting but with how you physically fit into the role, the other casting and the director’s final vision for the piece. [www.ifilmthings.com](https://www.ifilmthings.com)
Trouble Finding New Agent by lazyxlibra • last post Jul 2nd
Hi! Canadian here in Toronto. I know there's the pandemic, but things are opening up in Toronto and from what I know, in-person auditions are now happening in limited capacity and of course self-tapes are the norm. But all that aside: I'm an actress that's been acting on and off since I was around 16. I'm 22 now. I had to put it on the backburner during university but I still had an agent throughout my undergrad, managed to get roles here and there. I left my last agent in late May 2019 because it just wasn't working out. Before that, I had another agent that I simply aged out of. I spent the summer of 2019 studying Meisner in NYC. Submitted my package filled with cover letter, resume, demo reel, headshots etc in November of 2019 and got nothing. Decided to lay low and just find a job and then the pandemic hit . I was spurred to resubmit because an FB group I'm in for women in the industry said that they were having luck with virtual meetings. I still got nothing after submitting about a month ago. I resent to a new list of agents this week. I want to ask, is there something I'm doing wrong? What can I do to improve my chances if the new batch I sent doesn't pan out? I'm at a loss because the last time I submitted I managed to get meetings but both the November 2019 and June 2020 submissions were complete duds.
Where should I move to as a beginner? by charghead • last post Jul 2nd
I'm thinking about moving to the US to try and be a working actor after the virus situation calms down. Which city should I move to? I've heard that cities like Atlanta are seeing more productions but I'm also interested in training as well as I haven't received any real training. Considering,where should I go?
LA actor instagram follow chain by drink_vaderade • last post Jul 2nd
Any LA actors interested in following each other on Instagram to support each other and follow each other’s career progress? Just comment your Instagram!
Jealous of actors. by john_chimp72 • last post Jul 1st
I don't really like talking about this, but hey! I may aswell get it off my chest. Ever since I started watching Stranger Things, I started to grow jealous of the child actors who are kind of my age but like 2 years older like, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, etc. I want to stop that jealousy, so is there anyway I can?. Thanks for your time.
British actors with regional accents by EFC94 • last post Jul 1st
What's been your experience? Personally, I'm fortunate enough to be able to live in the states through dual nationality. In the UK I got completely snubbed by casting directors before they even saw me perform as I had a "working class" accent being a Liverpudlian and didn't go to drama school for three years in London. LA was a completely different experience. Within four months I had an agent and was auditioning for different roles on streaming/BBC America/HBO. I was allowed the chance to show my adaptability to use different accents American/Russian/British(various styles)/Australian. Some of these were also auditioning in the UK where I would never have had the same opportunity. My accent was classed as British(some people thought I was Australian) and that meant I was an adaptable actor apparently. The last CD I saw at a workshop in Burbank made me suppress a grin when she made a very generous comparison between me and Russell Crowe. Compare that to my last CD workshop in London when I was told to my actual face I'd be a more suitable "criminal of the week" or "corrupting drug dealer" with my accent, than going for lead roles. Then Covid-19 happened and I had to come back to Liverpool. But I'll be back when it's safe and I have maintained contact with my agent about remote auditioning. Has anyone else suffered this regional discrimination in the UK? I think it's a huge issue that needs to be addressed. There should be more on the table for Northern actors than soap roles or petty criminals on daytime dramas. Not everyone(hardly anyone) has my luck and can have a go in a separate market unless they make it in the UK first.
Are there any guidelines of "good etiquette" for visitors interacting with reenactors/historical interpreters (or improv actors in general)? by Unhealing • last post Jul 1st
Hopefully this question is on-topic for this subreddit, it's a bit specific so I'm unsure where is the best place to put it. I've never interacted with a historical interpreter before, but it seems like a really interesting and personal way of learning about certain time periods. Are there any good general rules of thumb for etiquette that visitors should consider when interacting with actors? I guess there are some obvious ones like "look, don't touch," but are there any other common faux pas that can make the actor uncomfortable? Also, how much does "normal" social etiquette hold? For example, I wouldn't normally ask someone I just met if they're educated or not, how much they make to live off of, etc., but that might be an interesting question for certain historical figures/roles.
Does anyone know any resources for the film industry in Mexico City? by Far_Caregiver • last post Jul 1st
I can't seem to find any subreddits, audition websites like ActorsAccess, etc. in Mexico City. I know the film industry in Mexico is huge, but I can't find anything to apply to agencies and auditions. I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know anything? Thank you so much!
How to handle moving from calm talking to roaring screaming by Jasperstorm • last post Jul 1st
Hello one and all, a noob voice actor here always looking to improve my craft and today I have run into a small problem. Luckily I have not really run into the problem professionally (yet) so I think it is best to address it as soon as possible. Let's say that I am voicing a character who is having a very simple calm conversation only to suddenly be stabbed or shot causing him to cry out in pain suddenly. Not surprising when I scream the recording starts to peak sounding unnaturally and quite terrible so I do what anyone would do and turn the gain down on my recording. This makes it possible for me to yell and scream without worrying about peaking however the natural problem with this is that my former normal and calm lines are far too quite. Do I have no choice but to record the scream separately or should I turn my gain down, deliver both the casual lines and the scream and amplify the casual lines so they can be heard and the scream does not rupture any eardrums?
How do I get into Voice Acting? by asidikbruzes • last post Jul 1st
I want to get into voice acting and have read many blogs such as [http://www.steveblumvoices.com/work/#/how-to-be-a-voice-actor/](http://www.steveblumvoices.com/work/#/how-to-be-a-voice-actor/) or Dee Bradley Baker's blog. However, I still don't know how and where to find consistent work so that I can build up my resume. Any help on how to start my career would be much appreciated!
Does anyone know any resources for the film industry in Mexico City? by Far_Caregiver • last post Jul 1st
I can't seem to find any subreddits, audition websites like ActorsAccess, etc. in Mexico City. I know the film industry in Mexico is huge, but I can't find anything to apply to agencies and auditions. I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know anything? Thank you so much!
Authentic real people performers? by StrobeRogers • last post Jul 1st
Hello, Who would you all say are working actors who play a lot of real people and look like real people? Thanks
Actors Access or Backstage? by Ashmem26 • last post Jul 1st
I know there have been previous posts about this on this subreddit before, but all of the ones I could find were either archived, half deleted, or both. I'm new to this field and am just looking for some genuine tips. I know Backstage is way more expensive than Actors Access is, yet I've heard Actors Access is *way* better. Is there any truth to this? Also, which do you recommend, use, and have seen the best results on? Thanks!
In need of motivation by sircarrgomm • last post Jul 1st
I just graduated high school and that’s cool and all but I didn’t get into Juilliard, CalArts, or USC because my auditions were pretty bad. I have a long year ahead of me until I can audition again (community college, job, friends going away). What’s something that motivated you guys to keep pushing? The biggest problem for me with motivation is that I lost a lot of confidence in my ability as an actor after 3 straight bad auditions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)
Feature film animator looking for voice actors by filmdirector_john • last post Jul 1st
Main characters Jacob (early 30s) An author suffering from Bipolar one disorder, has deep aspirations as a novelist. ​ Megan (mid 20s) A woman who is the voice of reason, and is very level headed. ​ Mail the WAV audio to : [thesqueamishcritic@gmail.com](mailto:thesqueamishcritic@gmail.com) ​ You can use any PG-rated monologue you want, but it has to be under 2 minutes long. Thanks for reading.