We have found 19,445 posts across 4 actor forums:
Actors, stay vigilant and know your worth (this isn't it) by sucobe • last post Jul 5th
I want to get back into acting but I have questions about changes in the industry by BanditoLo • last post Jul 5th
I grew up acting and have done a few things of note. But when I was a teenager, I left the industry to finish my education at a regular public school. I lost my momentum and have missed it ever since. I want to start auditioning again but I have so many questions about the acting side of the industry as it exists today (especially in a Coronavirus world). I hope that I've found the subreddit that can help! I'll list a few of the questions I have below and if you can answer any of them, I'd greatly appreciate the support! 1. Are professional headshots still necessary? Last time I ran a casting call, it seemed like many of the actors provided much more casual photos. Additionally, do you still need to bring a hard copy headshot and res to auditions or is everything online now? 2. I have tattoos now that I regret and want to eventually get rid of. I realize that having tattoos may not be considered career suicide like they used to but, realistically, how much of an issue does it pose now to have them? 3. Does it seem like casting directors and producers are still under the impression that female bodies should only fall under the two categories of "thin" or "heavy"? Or has the industry become more inclusive of all body types, especially in leading roles? 4. With modern recording equipment, are most voiceover auditions now recorded at home? 5. How has the virus affected auditioning and being on set? Thank you in advance!
To all the regulars here, prepare for newbies to start referencing this tweet/tiktok that freaking Bob Iger actually responded to. by TheRadHatter9 • last post Jul 4th
https://twitter.com/pattonoswalt/status/1278915322561454080 Description: Dude makes a tiktok (albeit a very well put together one, but nothing to do with acting) and says "Please retweet this enough so that Disney calls" and Bob Iger actually tweeted at the guy saying "Everyone's gonna know your name." I'm pretty sure Iger was just trying to be supportive, but lord knows young/new actors are gonna think this is what you do to become an actor.
Is it beneficial for a talent to learn stunt training? by Theurbanalchemist • last post Jul 4th
At the beginning of the year, I was on the fence on whether or not to undergo stunt training. I read one of these subreddits that they (producers) will prefer to have the stunt double do the stunt, for fear if the actor gets hurt, production shuts down and you take a job from another. I’m highly against taking work from someone else or shutting down productions, but I thought that knowing how to perform stunts (such as tumbling, air bag high falls, pratfalls) safely would pad out the resume and look good to CDs. Would it be a waste to get the training? Website: http://www.lastuntstrainingcenter.com/stuntbootcamp.html *Note, this question pertains to sets that hire and require a stunt double (union sets)
What should I get? by raw_ramen69 • last post Jul 4th
Hey I'm an aspiring voice actor and I dont know what equipment I need, I have a very low budget so I can't buy anything expensive, anyone know anything?
Online auditions by _ivi_eevee • last post Jul 4th
Hi guys! I've been wondering if Netflix, Nickelodeon, Disney etc. are doing online auditions. I live in a country where there aren't any options for a teenager (16 years old, female). I adore acting and I really want to try my luck (I've had roles in school plays). I know Neil Meron posted on Twitter on 11 Feb for the Netflix musical 13. They were taking video submissions in castittalent.com but they wanted actors who can sing but at that time I couldn't sing. (I've been improving my singing since then) Do you know if there are any other online auditions/video submissions for teens? Or a safe site for online auditions?
Acting in NYC with COVID by magicbutterly • last post Jul 4th
Hey everyone first of all I think it is awesome how many of you all have been so active with your acting from home between auditions, monologues, and online classes. It is great to see! My question is for the actors in NY (mostly film and TV wise) do you think there is going to be much going on before there is a vaccine? Or are most things being pushed back? I have seen many acting friends auditioning at the start of this from home for productions that will be happening at a date TBD. It seems those slowed down? A little back ground: I have been doing indie stuff mostly and finally had enough to put together a reel and start seeking representation with more credits and experience. I have had representation in FL and know how the industry works but wanted to get my feet wet in NYC and did that for a couple years and am SAG eligible now. I feel like things were starting to move forward then COVID happened. I temporarily relocated to FL during all this as I am also a personal trainer and can't train clients with gyms closed. It feels like life is on pause in both of these areas (acting and my day job). I am curious if you think things will open up production wise anytime soon or if is smart to save up some money, work on other projects (such as writing or otherwise) remotely and move back to NYC when things calm down COVID wise. NYC is so dense packed it is hard to tell how things will be in a few months, much less a year. BUT if agents are still working, productions will likely be happening in the next year or less but with masks for the crew and it will just look different - I want to be there. I don't want to use this as an excuse to stall. At the same time, I want to be realistic about the industry over the next year- 18 months. Even just being on the subways feels risky. What have you all noticed that are NYC film and TV actors? Particularly anyone that has representation or is seeking it, what have you noticed from agents, managers, and auditions? Or is enough indie stuff still shooting it can be good to be around? **Tldr:** Will acting productions and auditions be happening anytime soon in NYC? Or will things be on pause basically in this industry for film and TV until there is a vaccine? Thanks for any thoughts and sorry if this has been posted recently! I didn't see it lately.
Acting through narration/storytelling by sk8rboi36 • last post Jul 3rd
I think the most unfortunate effect of the prevalence of CGI is films have become so focused on visuals they neglect to develop the skills of their actors to captivate the audience just by speaking. I’m not talking just monologue, though one of the first examples that comes to mind is Quint’s monologue (and pick your poison from any Shakespeare monologue). Jaws still featured what was then considered striking visuals with the animatronic shark, but what made this scene extremely memorable is how chilling Robert Shaw “relives” an event that never happened to him, and we listen as though he were speaking directly to us. Another example is Seinfeld. Lots of times, it’s so funny just because the characters are relating an experience they had or are having a realistic exchange (Kramer driving the bus, George saving the whale, etc.) Jurassic Park is another example of a memorable scene built on dialogue, and that movie had freaking dinosaurs. I don’t doubt today’s actors have the ability to deliver striking monologue, and again most of the best scenes in film history aren’t because they feature a giant creature or a moon exploding. I wish we as a culture would embrace these kind of scenes in today’s works.
backstage podcast by redalienbaby • last post Jul 3rd
Im just getting into the backstage podcast.. anybody know of any good episodes where actors discuss their audition/preparation process?
I'm a 22 year old from Ireland, where should I, ddrrelocate? by TotalTennant • last post Jul 3rd
Hello fellow thespians. I am a 22 year old from Ireland with dreams of being a successful actor, writer and director. Unfortunately where I am from is not the best place for such opportunities so I'd like to ask for thoughts and suggestions in regards to where I should think of relocating, (is LA all it's cracked up to be?) and what steps I should take. All advice is appreciated
Having trouble reading aloud unlike when reading in my mind. by Mushran90 • last post Jul 3rd
Hello everyone, I hope you're all in good health and doing well in your endeavors. I joined this subreddit approximately two months ago and I must say, I'm amazed by this community, you guys and gals are very knowledgeable and you share your wisdom for free with such amiability. So props to you all! I can't discernibly say I would ever be a competent V/O actor due to my own inabilities. I've been told I'm very monotone and my voice isn't too appealing. However, I hope to improve where I can however much I can. So I started following the very common advice of reading aloud. I've read that it helps with being conscious of one's own enunciations, as well as strengthing one's vocal stamina. I noticed that when I try to read aloud, I often stumble upon words, misread them, or I just sound like a text-to-speech app. I'm reading as often as I can in the hopes of being consistent. I haven't noticed any of these problems when I'm silently reading in my mind as opposed to reading aloud (all the more reason to work on these problems I guess). I was wondering if anyone here ever experienced any of these issues or something close to them and how you managed to overcome these challenges. Thank you for your dedicating your time to read my post and helping myself and others along the way. Much appreciated!
Mafia 3 voice actor speaks about experiences in the industry by Chellyyyy • last post Jul 3rd
“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?