We have found 19,293 posts across 4 actor forums:
AA, Casting Frontier, and Casting NW Free Agent Profiles by slingit5000 • last post Apr 14th
I saw on a different thread that many agents have agent only profiles and that when some actors let their personal profiles expire because they already had excellent pics and reels set up, it was still fine because their agents just submitted them through their agent profile. Is that possible only with Casting Networks or does that also hold true for Actors Access and Casting Frontier?
I work in the Southeast market. Is it time to join SAG-AFTRA? by sauronthegr8 • last post Apr 14th
I've been in Atlanta for over ten years now, and I'm from Georgia originally. I've been in three SAG productions as a principal and was an extra in a SAG industrial for which production provided a Taft Hartley. I checked the website recently and I'm now eligible to join SAG-AFTRA. Georgia is a "Right to Work" state and you can do as many SAG projects as you want without having to join, since workers here can't be compelled to join a Union. But at this point I can't think of any reason why I *shouldn't* join. I've always had career ambitions for acting, having majored in it in college. I'm in my mid-30s now and I'd like to go ahead and start working on and putting money toward benefits and a pension plan for retirement. I understand that in order to access those benefits you have to log so many hours in a year on set. I joined a new agency last year and the overwhelming majority of the auditions I've received have been for SAG productions. So far I've only booked one, but it was a recurring so I got a good amount of hours. We're often told in the Southeast to put off Union membership as long as possible in order to be able to audition for non-Union commercials. In the ten years I've been here I've booked four, none of them paid much (the biggest one was $2000, but it's been as low as $500), and there are no residuals. It hardly seems worth it, and I can't imagine my agency is thrilled with one time payments of $50-$200 checks. I don't think I'd be cutting out much if I stopped doing them altogether. I already stopped doing student films and there isn't much of an indie scene in Atlanta. Nor am I really interested in non-Union tv, which is usually low paid true crime shows. Been there, done that. On the other hand, commercials have made up the lion's share of my auditions this spring since theatrical stuff has been down, due to the impending writers strike. But film and tv are starting to cast again, and I can only assume my numbers will be back up in the fall once negotiations are done. Which has me again leaning more towards joining. Is there something I'm missing? It'd be fewer opportunities, technically, but it'd also be BETTER opportunities. I currently average 1-3 auditions a week, but I've done that many in a month with my old agent, so it's something I could handle. Plus eventually I'd like to seek out representation in other markets, and I know already being a Union member can help in that endeavor. I'm a character actor and I'm beginning to find out my casting skews toward middle age, so my best years are ahead of me as I age into that. Joining SAG seems like the path beyond costars to eventually playing guest stars and series regulars in my 40s as I expand to other markets. If you've worked mainly in the Southeast and joined SAG-AFTRA, has it been worth it? Has it led to better opportunities? Have you worked enough to reap the benefits?
Your weekly /r/VoiceActing roundup for the week of April 07 - April 13 by subredditsummarybot • last post Apr 14th
**Friday, April 07 - Thursday, April 13** ###Interesting | score | comments | title & link | |--|--|--| | 114 | [7 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12jntjm/threevoice_acting_legends_talk_about_the/) | `[interesting Link
CALLING SAILOR MOONIES! SAILOR V COMIC DUB! by StarrySweet • last post Apr 14th
Hey everyone! I LOVE Sailor Venus! She has been my favorite straight from the beginning! And I am SOO sad that Codename: Sailor V, never got an anime. So I am starting work, on a comic dub, and I need voice actors! And all kind of crap! If you are interested, let me know! Or share the link around! https://discord.gg/TCScwujk
Advice on Networking for Introverts! by Ashley Renee Smith • last post Apr 13th
All of our fantastic performers that are coming out to our in-person meetup here in LA tonight, be sure to check out today's great blog by Stage 32's founder and CEO, Richard "RB" Botto, sharing great advice on networking for introverts!
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Feedback by AutoModerator • last post Apr 13th
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.
Actress had bag stolen on shoot by TeachMeNotToBeTaught • last post Apr 13th
Hello, I have recently made a short film and on the final shoot day our actress had a bag stolen from a tent we were using to store belongings. She is now attempting to claim the costs from the company. I am of the mind that it is her bag, and thus her responsibility, therefore there is no liability on the part of the company. However, this was a small budget, amateur film, and no contract was signed. What is the best step forward? Any help massively appreciated.
Any Actors In Austin? by Apprehensive-Click29 • last post Apr 13th
Hey All, I'm a film director in Austin woeking on a couple documentaries and scripts at the moment. Please DM me or comment if you'd like soke extra work. All The Best, Kyle
I need help learning a Chinese script by Total_Storm5891 • last post Apr 13th
Hi Reddit, so I'm not even really an actor, but my boss recommended me for a commercial shoot for a Chinese company and they agreed. My issue is that I only speak basic Chinese, so I do not understand most of the script. I now have a roughly 2 page script that I barely understand and have to memorize until Monday. Are there any tips on how to tackle the memorization?
new actor. by FrietInMijnGat • last post Apr 13th
Hi i wanna become a new actor. But i love in Belgium. Someone know free acting lessons online? Ore have any tips. Let it know Thx.
Confused/ Discouraged. Am I overreacting? Is this normal? by lets-snuggle • last post Apr 13th
Hi everyone! So I’m on Backstage.com and Actors Access (I haven’t uploaded a demo reel or really applied to anything yet on AA because of money) but I use Backstage A LOT. I got 2 self-tape auditions this weekend for low budget feature films which I’m super excited about! However, my only professional acting experience is being BG in a Hulu show that I found through Roman Candle Casting on Backstage. It was a great experience. But that was in early March and I haven’t booked any other BG work since. I’ve applied a lot through Grant Wilfrey, both through the website and directly emailing the projects with the exact format it says to. I’m just confused I guess as to why it’s seeming to be so hard to get simple BG work again. I’m nervous I may have made a bad impression but I can’t think of how or why I would’ve. I wasn’t rude to anyone, didn’t complain and I was on time. I understand getting auditions for speaking roles and not getting booked. That’s mostly based on talent, but I was really looking forward to more BG work at least. Notes for context: I am 22F, petite. I can play 16-24 years old. Im NYC/NJ/PA based. Non-Union I have professional headshots and two monologues but no demo reel. Any advice about what sites to be on/not to be on (Casting Workbook, Casting Networks, Backstage, etc) or anyone’s experiences with Grant Wilfrey or BG or anything really would be so appreciated. Note on AA: I’m planning to utilize it to its full ability once I’ve been in more student films/ short films and have a solid demo reel. Thank u so much!
Auditions for blockbuster films/TV series by boba_toes • last post Apr 13th
Hi all! I noticed that recently there have been a lot of posts from people who have asked if they will be able to 'apply' for roles in big movies and TV shows that have just been announced (the Harry Potter one has been the most common recently), or are rumoured to be underway. As someone who is a working actor and producer with my own company (and I often sit in on casting) I wanted to make a post to explain to people who might be newer to the industry how the casting process works for big projects like this, to hopefully empower you and help you understand better. Remember this is SUPER simplified, and any stage of this can get very complicated. Also, my experience is largely in UK-based productions (although I've worked on a couple of US productions too), so there may be a slight difference depending on where you're based. For clarity, I worked my way up from a production assistant, then producer's assistant, now I produce my own work, so I've seen a lot of levels of this. This post is LONG, so strap in. I didn't want to leave anything out! Anyway - let's start from the very beginning, and pretend that I'm a big important executive from a network or studio who wants to make a prestige TV show like Harry Potter/Rings of Power/House of The Dragon, etc. How does it work? >**1)** I will approach my network/studio and pitch the idea to my boss, say I've convinced the author to sign over all rights to the work, and ask for approx $200million to make it. If I've done a good job and the idea seems solid, my boss might say yes, and authorise me to use some of the $200million to find my core team and come up with some basics. > >**2)** The first thing I need to do is find a **showrunner** (the person who will be head writer and steer the project from beginning to end). The process of finding them and getting them contracted could take me anywhere from months to years. > >**3)** Once I have my showrunner, they will go out and find a group of **writers** to come up with an **outline** for the first series, and write a **pilot script**. This process could take anywhere from a few months to a year (or more...) > >**4)** I'll go back to the studio, show them the script and outline, and ask for the 'green light' to begin pre-production. They might say yes right away (sometimes you might see this being called 'ordering' episodes), or they might offer notes and tell me to go back to the writers and implement those notes - which might take months. ^((At this point, since I first put the idea to my boss, a period of a year to even five or ten years may have passed, depending on how many other projects my studio has going on - this is called being stuck in 'development hell' if it drags on for years.)) > >**5)** If they say yes right away, I will get the **'green light' to start pre-production**, which is the time before filming where the production team and director do all the necessary prep work: **casting**, finding and booking locations, finding crew, making/buying costumes, building sets. Casting usually comes first, because any further financing and crew acquisitions will depend on which big famous person we convince to sign on. > >**6)** From the scripts that we have, the casting director we hire will start to make **character breakdowns**, which tell us how many roles we need to cast from leads to one-liners, and what they will be like (age, race, accent, height, personality, etc). These breakdowns will go out to the various agents in the next steps. > >**7)** The first roles to be cast will always be the leads and pivotal supporting roles, because they are crucial to the idea - for adult roles, we will likely have a "wishlist" of 10 - 30 known/name actors per role. Many of these actors will be 'offer only', meaning they have gotten to a point in their careers where they will no longer audition, and will only consider roles if they are offered to them directly. > >So: the first thing that will be done is **sending the script to each of them in a hierarchical order** \- and believe me, the politics on this one are painfully intricate. You can't send it out to multiple A-listers simultaneously, it has to be one at a time. Agents will sometimes refuse to offer a script if someone else has been offered it first, I've heard it with my own ears (for instance something like "Nicole won't read this if Charlize has already turned it down" or "this needs to go to Reese before it goes to Rachel"). But in general it goes: \- Oscar winners, true living legends, permanent A listers \- Emmy/SAG/BAFTA etc winners and reliably bankable stars \- 'known' actors who may not have an award but do have name recognition \- trendy promising up-and-comers > >Each of these actors will have a certain amount of 'reading' time they require in which to read the script and discuss the role with their team, which can take from weeks to months depending on how busy they are - the **average is 4-6 weeks for A-listers**. You can imagine the math on this: the first person takes 4 weeks to read and then says no, the second person takes another 4 weeks and says no, and so and on and so on until you hopefully find someone who says yes and isn't too far down the list. So let's call this step a further 3-6 months. > >**8)** Once the lead roles have been cast, the supporting roles will be cast. The casting director will generally go hierarchically here as well, so they'll ask for submissions from all the top agencies in the country they're shooting in or approach specific people they have an eye on globally. Then they'll work their way down to boutique agencies, start ups, and so on and so forth. By the time they reach boutique agencies, 99% of the time, they'll have found what they need and won't need to go any further down their list, but in case they haven't, they might go out to big agencies in an adjacent market (for example US/Canada, US/UK, UK/Europe, UK/Australia/New Zealand) and then work their way down their agent list hierarchy in that country as well. 99.999999% of the time, at this point, we will be fully cast for speaking roles. ^((Side note - Do I agree with this hierarchy? No, not necessarily - but it is the reality, and I want you to know about it!)) > >**9) L**et's say one of the supporting roles is a very specific type of person. Maybe we need a Farsi speaking amputee, or a long-haired 6'5" Viking-looking man who can do a headstand on horseback, or a 95 year old Thai woman who can tap dance flawlessly. At that point, an open call would be put onto reputable online casting platforms for those very specific people, and the casting director and their team would start to think outside the box - maybe street casting? Maybe models? Maybe athletes and stunt people? Maybe they'll go out into community organisations? > >**10)** Or maybe a lot of the roles are for children, like Matilda The Musical. In the UK, the casting director would generally go out directly to major youth organisations (like the National Youth Theatre), drama schools/university drama and theatre departments to target 18-20 year olds who look younger, children's acting schools, and then finally high schools in general - they will organise carefully controlled and managed open calls at each high school. If they still haven't found anyone, they'll put an open call online. > >**11)** At that point, 100% of the time, we are 100% cast for all speaking roles. Extras and background will be hired on a rolling basis throughout principal photography through the appropriate agencies that are local to the shoot. > > > >^(A caveat to all of this:) > >^(Once in a blue moon, a studio will demand a "true" unknown for a lead role in a blockbuster film. This is more common in indie film, but) *^(occasionally)* ^(happens for a big project. The most recent memory I have of one of these is from the new Star Wars trilogy. A worldwide search was conducted for the roles of Rey and Finn. HOWEVER - although thousands of people who are unrepresented self-submitted and sent in tapes, a casting director was simultaneously following their usual hierarchy and going to agents looking for someone, and it's worth noting that both Daisy Ridley and John Boyega were already represented and had some small professional and indie roles under their belts. I generally mistrust studios when they ask for a "true" unknown - they don't usually want someone who is completely new, they want a skilled, proven actor who is a new face to THEM and to the wider industry. Keep that in mind and keep a healthy skepticism when seeing these open calls.) So I suppose the answer to the FAQ "how can I apply for a role in (huge thing)?" is - you can't. The reality (however unpleasant you feel it is) is that a lot of very experienced people work very hard to make sure casting for big projects is a **controlled, closed process.** There are a lot of reasons for this, but the number one reason is time and money. Imagine that we put an open call online for a new prestige TV show - how many *millions* of self submissions would we get worldwide? We would have to pay a small army of casting assistants to sort through them and respond and organise and watch self-tapes - it could take years. Nobody in the industry has that kind of time or cash available to them: not even the biggest, most expensive projects. The best advice I was given in my early career was to **always blend in as a professional, rather than stick out as an amateur.** Meaning - don't delude yourself into thinking you can be the exception to the rule, and start to pull silly stunts to try and get noticed. \- If you email your resume to a random person who's connected to the project but isn't in casting, I can guarantee they'll just roll their eyes and delete it and maybe block your email for good measure. \- If you DM someone involved with the project on social media, they either won't see it, or they'll delete/block there too. \- If you put a video on TikTok saying how perfect you are for a role, or film a self tape unsolicited and put it online and ask people to tag creators in it, you'll likely be laughed at. I've seen all of those things happen before, and it's not pretty. I - and my colleagues - still remember the names and faces of actors who have done stuff like this, and *trust me when I tell you that you don't want to be remembered for that*. So what *can* you do, if you're unknown, to get a role in your favourite project? Honestly - nothing. I'm sorry if that feels brutal to hear. **BUT:** \- If you have an agent, you could let them know that you're really keen on the project for when it comes around. You could also ask them if there's a possibility of them setting you up with a **general with the studio's head of casting**, or the casting director who's on the project when their name is announced. \- If you know anyone from your network you suspect might be involved directly, it can't hurt to send them a catch up email - be casual, and don't ask for favours. Meet them for coffee, show genuine enthusiasm about what they're doing and tell them what you've been doing. Hopefully seeing you will jog their memory if there's a role you might be suitable to read for. If not, no harm done, you've had a fun catch up with a friend and colleague. \- If you don't have an agent, you can keep up all the usual stuff like training and self-submitting, and make sure you are registered with your local online casting portal or any directory/youth group/drama department that is relevant and available to you, and that your profile is up to date and that you have good head shots. \- If you have very unique physical attributes, see if you can find an 'alternative' modelling agent or similar - they will also be a great port of call for casting when they're searching for people with very specific looks that are harder to find in the general acting population. ​ I really sincerely hope this helps, and I'm happy to answer as many questions as I can! :)
In Search of Acting Class (NYC area) by willbesomeonesoon • last post Apr 13th
I just moved to Midtown East, NYC a month ago, and am interested in signing up for an in-person acting class. Preferably with a curriculum of 1 night/week. Price isn’t a huge concern, but something not-terribly-expensive is encouraged (will settle for paying a higher price if you have found the class to be well worth the money). I have years of acting experience from middle/high school and have starred in 3 short films in the past year, so a more intermediate course would be ideal. Ultimately looking to refine my acting skills, as well as connect with other up-and-coming actors in the city. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance!
How would you approach an actor for a cameo in your film? by SwimGood22 • last post Apr 13th
Working on a feature script, and my team and I would love to attach an actor for one of the characters. The only issue is - their on-screen role is very minimum and would only be in a scene or two. I know actors have been part of films as cameo roles (i.e Matt Damon in UNSANE) which are smaller, but what is the best approach to getting them attached? Do you even explain it as a cameo in the film?
How to use your resources and network to help your career by Sad_Nebula17 • last post Apr 13th
Hi guys! First time poster here. I've been in the acting game for over a decade. I am now in my early 30s and finally have my agent, but honestly, been a lot of false starts in recent years with my career, which I'm sure many can relate to. I know that's just how this industry works, but my question is: how do you use your network to leverage your career fairly? Meaning, I have plenty of friends who are successful in TV, film and music, who I admire dearly. Thing is, I've always been wary to ask them for a little help introducing me to the right people, as I never want to make my friends feel that they are only there to help me up the ladder. But a part of me just wonders if maybe I've just been missing out on a lot of potential opportunities by being too timid and not bold enough to ask for guidance, mentorship, networking help from my friends. I'm talking people who are well known and have many film and TV credits. I'm thankful that I've gotten to do a lot of amazing networking on my own, but sometimes it just really takes someone else with a track record to introduce you to people. Should I keep networking and auditioning as is? Or should I reach out for a little help, and how? Look, I'm not looking for fame necessarily, what I'm looking for is financial stability and the opportunity to work in my field steadily (I know, an actor's dream!) Also, I live near LA, and am moving there again in the next few months. Feels like my close proximity hasn't deterred me too much, but I know I'm missing out on the face to face networking you get by simply living in the city. Thanks everyone! Happy auditioning.
Protective Styles in Head,shots? by sionaxyw_ • last post Apr 13th
Hi there! For my Black actors out there who wear protective styles, do you think it would be noticeable if I had a slightly different protective style than my headahot? For example, in my head, shot I have knotless braids. However if I took them out and put passion twists or marley twists in my hair and I did an auditon with that style do you think casting would notice or even care? I'm thinking this is something I might be able to get away with but I'm not too sure. Thanks!
I need advice please by aku454 • last post Apr 13th
Hello, I'm a newer actor currently choosing which acting class format to take and I need your advice! I'm a full time college student in LA so I go back to my hometown (not in SoCal) for three months in the summers and one month in the winter. I want to get solid training in the Meisner technique to improve as an actor and overcome my awkwardness and nervousness when talking to other people. The problem is that many Meisner technique studios offer two year in person programs that I can't attend consistently due to my summer and winter breaks. I looked around for classes both in LA and near my hometown and I am faced with two choices: 1. Take a three month in person introductory class in Hometown Acting Class this summer, and then continue my training at a different in person LA Acting Class when I get back to college next school year. 2. Take the zoom option for LA Acting Class this summer, and hopefully transfer to their in person acting classes when I return to college next school year. And just continue hopping back and forth between Zoom and in person (not sure if I can do that...) in the same studio until I complete their training. I just had a talk with Hometown Acting Class and the ball is in my court whether I want to move forward as an applicant and I'm going to have an interview with the LA Acting Class tomorrow. Do you think it's ok for me to jump between Meisner studios from the summer and school year in regards to training as an actor, or is it better to stay with one studio consistently? For the second choice, do you think it's better to take Zoom classes/in person classes with one studio, even though during the summers I won't have the benefit of in person classes? Thank you so much for taking the time to read and/or give advice. I am very grateful and wish you the best day/night. :)
Play for Acting Class by Free-Patient2102 • last post Apr 13th
Hi everyone! I have to perform a 7 minute scene in my acting class with my friend. We need to find a play that has 2 characters, 1 girl and 1 boy. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer comedy but am open to anything. (I am not an actor so am very new to this) Thank you so much!
A Big Thanks by Barry Culver • last post Apr 12th
Thank you to everyone who gave me advice on nursing my voice and helping me out while I was sick. My voice is feeling much better (as am I). I was able to get an audition done for an indie game. My first character demo had to take a backseat, but it’s still in the works! Appreciate you all!
Billy Porter To Star In & Co-Write James Baldwin Biopic! by Ashley Renee Smith • last post Apr 12th
I'm so excited for Billy! I'm curious, if you could play any historical figure in their biopic, who would it be and why?