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Your Hollywood dreams are over. So are mine. (Working LA-based actor - or at least I was) by HingstonBurley • last post May 23rd
Long post alert. I had to write this out and didn't have anywhere else to put it, so here goes. If you haven't already, look through these articles/interviews on the future of Hollywood production: [https://deadline.com/tag/reopening-hollywood/](https://deadline.com/tag/reopening-hollywood/) [https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm\_source=digg](https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm_source=digg) Deadline's reporting is often sketchy but I find the quotes from production executives very telling. Here are some, all emphasis mine: Tyler Perry: “We would be looking at about 200 people in quarantine — that’s cast and crew, we would have to *cut crew way back.*” And another one from him: “*I have not written any big scenes with many extras*. If it would be 10, that would be the most.” ([https://deadline.com/2020/04/tyler-perry-production-plan-coronavirus-atlanta-studio-1202917968/](https://deadline.com/2020/04/tyler-perry-production-plan-coronavirus-atlanta-studio-1202917968/)) Showrunner Kurt Sutter (The Shield, Sons of Anarchy) : "And I do think that there might have to be some conversations in terms of *how much personnel is actually needed to get the job done."* And another: "Everyone is going to have to go in and say, *I can’t have the same expectations I had a year and a half ago.*" [https://deadline.com/2020/05/kurt-sutter-sons-of-anarchy-mayans-mc-reopening-hollywood-bringing-back-tv-dramas-coronavirus-1202926382/](https://deadline.com/2020/05/kurt-sutter-sons-of-anarchy-mayans-mc-reopening-hollywood-bringing-back-tv-dramas-coronavirus-1202926382/) Michael Mann says: "I think any new production that’s about to begin, the production’s going to be faced with the business affairs side of the studio saying, *insurance companies aren’t going to insure us against claims because of COVID-19."* [https://deadline.com/2020/05/michael-mann-resuming-ansel-elgort-ken-watanabe-hbo-max-tokyo-vice-heat-prequel-1202934528/](https://deadline.com/2020/05/michael-mann-resuming-ansel-elgort-ken-watanabe-hbo-max-tokyo-vice-heat-prequel-1202934528/) More quotes: "There is talk of productions commandeering entire hotels to create safe zones where those working on a movie or TV production can stay and congregate." And: "The priority will always be to keep the *stars* of TV shows and movies from getting sick." And: "... studio executives and creators are wondering whether it would it be jarring to depict characters having a family dinner, for example... or go to a crowded restaurant." [https://deadline.com/2020/04/how-hollywood-reopens-coronavirus-shutdown-production-insurance-actors-crews-1202908471/](https://deadline.com/2020/04/how-hollywood-reopens-coronavirus-shutdown-production-insurance-actors-crews-1202908471/) This from a TV producer: "I believe this will be something we’ll be doing for at least a year, maybe two.” And producer Lynette Howell Taylor: “I immediately went into ‘OK, what can we do with *five people and a camera?’”* From a feature producer: “There are so many movies on the docket, but you might see one of the smaller ones get a real good shot,” the executive says. “Who wouldn’t like a nice *four-character* horror-genre movie right now?” [https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm\_source=digg](https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm_source=digg) What's my point? Unknown actors are fucked. And I mean even more so than normal. I'm an LA-based actor at the guest star level and I do ok. I have a good imdb page, my reels are filled with stuff you'd recognize. I am not a name actor by any means. You don't know me, but I work. I've been here some years and have slowly been working my way up the ladder to what I hope some day will be a series reg. Through it all I have eaten shit, acted my guts out only to lose a role to the director's buddy, put up with insulting teachers and downright shitty classes, shot shows then been cut out of the episode, been released because my role was offered to a fucking YouTuber, gotten squeezed on rates thanks to the power of streaming services, witnessed asshole celebs verbally piss all over the show that makes them millions, changed clothes in my car 150 times, paid god knows how many parking tickets because casting was running late, hooked up other actors with agents only to have them ghost me when I asked for a return of the favor, and generally kept my head up through all of it. I've also had my share of wins so I am not complaining. This business has never been fair, and I knew that going in. But through everything, I did it because I believed there was potential in it. That if I played well with others, did the job well, and stuck with it, eventually there was a fair chance I'd rise through the ranks to play with the big kids. Now, that potential is gone. It does not exist. Not for me, not for you, not for hopefuls who are thinking about moving here. It only exists for the name actors. They're the ones who will come out when this is over and say, "See, we were all in this together and we made it to the other side!" to their 36 million Instagram followers. Why do I say this? Read the articles above and understand what's being said by Hollywood's decision makers: Covid is expensive and we need to offset the increased cost of production. We sure as hell aren't going to pay for it so we need smaller crews, fewer locations, shorter shoots, smaller casts. SMALLER CASTS. Say you're a showrunner who's now looking at spending 10-20% of your budget on making your set medically safe. You're not going to eat that money, it has to come from somewhere. You'll cut grips, cast, art department, catering, post, anything you can get away with and still tell the story. If *Grey's Anatomy* needs to kill an episode's C storyline to save $25k in cast cost, they won't even think twice. There goes a TOS guest star and two co-stars, along with their residuals. Writers will be given the task of figuring out how to tell the same story with fewer characters. For TV that means you're going to see shows with far fewer actors rotating in and out. On a show with a large ensemble cast, they'll just use the regulars for everything and skip the co-stars and guest stars altogether, or drastically cut their number. Those are the roles you and I might get. In features you're going to see super small casts, as small as 4 (!) according to the reporting by Variety. Lynette Howell Taylor wants to shoot with 5 people and a camera like it's for a nice student film. Forget all the supporting roles, they won't be there. That's no problem for the big shot actors, but for everyone else, there will be no work. At all. Smaller roles are how actors come up in the business. They're the stepping stones needed to earn credibility with those who write the checks. The only people who rise to a high level without going through these roles are the kids of insiders: Zoe Kravitz (daughter of Lenny), Daniel Radcliffe (son of an agent father and CD mother), Billie Lourd (daughter of Carrie Fisher), etc. If you're already a series regular or a star, you will be production's top priority. You'll be protected and coddled even more than usual since you're one of a handful of people whose absence could really impact the show. Everyone else is expendable except you. Everyone else can fuck off if they get sick, someone else will do the job. But no one can replace the names. "But this won't last long," you say. "They can't do this forever!" you say. It's long been shown that once Hollywood finds something that works, they stick with it. Once producers figure out how to tell stories with fewer people, these changes will las as long as audiences don't switch off. That could be five years? Ten? More? In the end they'll see Covid as a blessing to their bank accounts. Meanwhile, for those of us who stick it out paying insane rents and going through all the bullshit that comes with living here (wildfires, earthquakes, $4 gas, dodging Covid hotspots)? We just, what, keep waiting? The future will be filled with shows with micro-casts made up of people you already know. Get ready to see the same actors doing like 15 shows, and networks and streamers will be fine with that because they'll have something to fill their slots. Honestly, who wants to see fucking John Krasinski in everything? I mean he's a nice guy and all and I have nothing against him but COME ON. The man does a few YouTube videos and gets a full series pickup on CBS. Just look at the shiteating grin on his face in this article from the Hollywood Reporter: [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-krasinskis-some-good-news-sells-viacomcbs-massive-bidding-war-1295491](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-krasinskis-some-good-news-sells-viacomcbs-massive-bidding-war-1295491) What a joke. The haves will take everything from the have-nots if they can. Features have been casting names soley on their social capital forever. There are shitty actors who continually work because they have a brand, not because they're good actors. Studios want to make their money back and they think getting name actors is the way to do it. That mostly doesn't work ([https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Math-Claims-3-Actors-Capable-Increasing-Box-Office-Grosses-43377.html](https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Math-Claims-3-Actors-Capable-Increasing-Box-Office-Grosses-43377.html)) but whatever. TV has been the place for us nobodys to cut our teeth. Now that's going to be celeb-only too, because networks and streamers are panicking, and when you panic you don't take chances with unknowns. You go with what you know. This situation has screwed everyone in entertainment, but especially me and you. Are you an unknown actor? Thinking of moving to LA? Don't. There won't be opportunities for you for a while. Stay home and save money because you need to make at least six figures to have a decent standard of living in this town. You here already, but barely scraping by? Stop dreaming for one hot minute and understand that things will not get better for you. Thinking you'll just do background work to make your minimums and get health insurance? That work is gone and will likely never come back. The potential is gone. The NAME is what matters now. Giving actors a chance to work does not matter now. Why does it have to be this way? If we know anything about Hollywood, it's that they will do whatever they have to do keep the money flowing into their pockets. Not yours, theirs. They'll only pay you if they need you. And right now, there are people sitting by their pools devoting every bit of their brain power to figuring out how they can tell their story without you. This is sad because it means there will be a thinning of the herd for sure. Maybe that's ok because LA already has too damn many actors. But it's also confusing, because if the traditional way of getting a seat at the table...starting with booking co-stars, then guest, then recurring and finally regular...or working supporting in features for a while...if that ladder has been broken, what replaces it? What the fuck are we supposed to do to advance our careers? I may sound like a bitter old to you and maybe I am. Or maybe I'm right and see the writing on the wall. Go ahead and crucify me for crapping all over your dreams. This business was already incredibly hard. For those of us without name recognition, it just moved into impossible territory. But keep your head up! Stay positive! Follow your passion! Guuuuh. TL;DR: If you're not a name actor, you're screwed.
Can we talking about self-producing, and whether or not it's worth while to make a short film SAG, say if you are directing it, producing it, or acting in it, and want to submit to festivals? by take3400 • last post May 23rd
Can you submit non union films to festivals? if you are a SAG actor but you are not acting in the short but only directing it, and all the actors are non union, can the film be non union? would it benefit you to make it SAG? does it literally not matter? I understand SAG leads to distribution, but if you're not trying to do that, and just want to win some awards at festivals, wouldn't it just be easier to make it union? As a SAG actor, can I be a writer on a non union project?
Asking for comparisons to the Neat King Bee by DevilBirb • last post May 23rd
I am not so much a voice actor as I am a hobbyist audio engineer. Most of my friends and all of the people I work for are amateur voice actors who work from home. I've researched the Neat King Bee and have become really impressed with it. Wanted to know if anyone here has switched to the King Bee. Why did you switch and what from?
Before you take advice from ANYONE here you should: by LAOnCamera • last post May 22nd
Do your research. You’re cousin Vito could get an account and post any nonsense they like about the business or what “they” think you should do. It doesn’t mean they are right. There are a lot of anonymous accounts that are giving contrary advice to actors. That’s ok. There are an infinite number of ways to make a career, but before you take ANYONE’s advice: 1. FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE. Any actor worth their salt should have no problem sharing their actual name with you. Even just in a DM. Just so you know who you’re talking to. The only people you don’t need a question are the Mods to the sub Reddit because they are the Mods. 2. LOOK THEM UP! They should have a significant body of work that you can find through a Google search. This will establish their credibility and shows that they know what the hell they’re talking about. There are actors who post on this thread who have years of professional work and extensive resumes, but it gets drown out by a deluge of others with considerably less experience and knowledge. Only then should you decide for yourself whether you want to take their advice or not. No one knows everything, but if you’re going to take advice from someone they better at least have the resume to back it up. Sorry if I sound like a jerk to some of you, but it’s been a long day. Finally, if you doubt anything I say here, feel free to look me up my name is in my profile. Or if you want we can always talk via DM. I love talking to actors because I am one.
Post COVID-19 industry predictions by PostToelone • last post May 22nd
Late last year, I decided that I would spend most of 2020 preparing to move to LA to pursue acting and comedy. Currently living in Austin. I did my homework. Had classes lined up, a few short films to act in and was setting up my business to be able to be operated remotely to provide my income. Then COVID-19 happened and everything I had set up/planned was canceled. During these tough times, I’ve been sent back to the drawing board to create a new plan. So I am trying to play the strategy of reacting to the circumstances as opposed to being aggressive. There are tons of news articles describing how business culture will forever be changed and the world we once knew will no longer be. I am curious to know what y’all’s thoughts are for the film/acting industry. Will LA continue to be the hotbed for upcoming actors? Or will the film industry move to cheaper states/cities to subsidize cost to new health regulations for the industry? What are your predictions!
GREAT Self-Taping Advice on *Audrey Helps Actors* by WinonaPortman • last post May 22nd
If you are an actor in LA trying to get your footing and gain traction, you have been doing yourself a disservice if you haven't been listening to the *Audrey Helps Actors* podcast and taking notes. However, if you are an actor **anywhere** who auditions via self-tape which I think counts as just about everybody these days, you *need* to listen to this episode. The part about lighting by Audrey's husband who is a director actually gives away some of my secrets that I've never shared here because it would have involved too much writing. Plus, pro tips on sound and a conversation with high-end casting director Risa Bramon Garcia who also runs one of the top on-camera audition technique studios in Los Angeles makes it a hellz yes ... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/060-lighting-sound-self-tapes-risa-bramon-garcia/id1233482206?i=1000474954936 And just as a rare note from me, I've been watching some of the #SelfTapeMay tapes and a common mistake I'm seeing from the actors is that they are leaning forward into the camera and even thrusting their chins as they speak. Leaning in can be done sparingly for effect or can occasionally be a character choice if you're playing low status or a defeated circumstance, but should generally be avoided. You lose your presence when you do that. It's usually best to sit or stand straight in your center of gravity and if anything, rock back slightly for emphasis. Watch some A-Listers in action and you'll get it. And chin thrusting and excessive head bobbing? Just ... no. I don't want to put anybody in their heads, but avoiding that is something to maybe practice until not doing it doesn't put you in your head anymore. Draw us in. Don't push us out.
Don’t give up! by princezzofdarkness • last post May 22nd
Hey everyone! Hope quarantine is treating you well and you’ve all been practicing social distancing. I know acting is such a hard industry to thrive in, but don’t give up! If it’s your passion and it’s something you’re extremely serious about, pursue it! As a Muslim woman myself, I find it extremely hard and there are times when I ask myself if it’s something I should keep on doing even though I’m not getting booked nor am I seeing results at a fast pace. But it’s something that I’m truly passionate about. Of course you should have a backup plan (degree, business, stable job, etc) but if you’re going to work hard for it, no matter how long it takes, I suggest you go for it. Also everyone, try making some connections! I find it being super easy especially since many people are indoors due to the pandemic. Try following fellow screenwriters, local actors, agents and work your way into getting those connections! Watch out for comments or posts that are discouraging or make it seem as if what you’re doing is pointless and you’ll never become successful in acting. As long as you grind and think positive, nothing will stop you.
Agencies in the Uk ? by actoruk99 • last post May 22nd
Hi, does anyone know of any acting agencies that are great in the UK for breaking actors from amateur to professional? I’m 21 with a playing age or 16-22. I’ve heard about 42mp but haven’t seen much on them? Any info and recommendations would be great. Thanks guys. Hope everyone is safe and well.
Moving from New York to another market? by wopbabaloobop • last post May 22nd
New York actors who decided to move to another city, how has your move affected your careers and what is the market like where you’re at?
Microphone giveaway (CAD E100s and Deity S-Mic 2) by Dracomies • last post May 22nd
Hi there! I’d like to do a microphone giveaway. [It’s a CAD E100s and a Deity S-Mic 2](https://imgur.com/a/WcxO51x). (An $859 value) For free. Shipping is free. Everything is free. You don’t have to pay anything. I don’t have the original box for the Deity S-Mic 2 but I do have the original box of the CAD E100s. It will also include a huge packet of O-rings as the E100s sometimes has its rubberbands come out. I absolutely love the E100s! It’s an amazing microphone but I already have a spare and instead of selling this – I’d like to give it away to an actor/actress it could really help. If you decide you’d like to use these two microphones to get another microphone that suits your voice – that’s ok!!! Anything that helps! If you’re interested, please send an email to conceptartstudios @ gmail (dot) com with a demo reel and/or a Casting Call Club profile. I’d ideally like to give this to someone it would help. **Please do not send your address information.** A winner will be chosen on May 25th at 10 AM (Pacific time). \----Please note that due to shipping costs this will only be sent to US actors/actresses.
Vast majority of Aspiring Actresses/Actors have likely already blown their acting career due to poor planning. (Exhausted Music and Entertainment Marketing Manager) by Tessenreacts • last post May 22nd
I'm going to say this as a native Los Angeleno who works in high level marketing in both the music and entertainment industries. I have seen this way too often at work and it needs to be said because it's wasting my and lot of people's time due to lack of skills. I know a lot of people will disagree with this. Please don't get offended as this is advice that will save many people A LOT of time and A LOT of money down the road. If you decide to come to Los Angeles to pursue an acting job in Hollywood, THEN decide to go to acting school or create a gameplan, you already set yourself up for years to decades of hardcore lower mediocrity. Aka being the aspiring actress who works vast majority as a waitress or something similar till you are almost middle aged. For the love of America, please go to acting or film school BEFORE you start searching for an acting gig. Now the exception is if you came to LA for the USC, LMU, or UCLA schools, as you will likely get access to recruiters or offers before graduation. Either acting/film school, or you already have a solid gameplan. A gameplan like you already secured multiple gigs. a steady position, long term contract etc. Have a vetted strategy for how you will progress through your career, achievable goals, etc. I've auditioned actors and actresses countless times, and it's obvious beyond the shadow of the doubt when there is an applicant who hasn't had formal training in acting. Imagine that you have 500 people auditioning for a commercial or music video spot, but only 50 at best have any marketing talent or skill. The chances of someone being an acting savant is almost zero (but not truly zero), go to acting/film school, develop contacts, once you have a solid gameplan, then start your acting career. But if people don't plan out their strategies, they will likely waste decades of their life on a mostly fantastical view of success in the entertainment industry.
Directing Background to Acting Training Help?? by elefun992 • last post May 22nd
Hi all, Trying to get out of my own way and into acting. I’ve got a BA in theatre with a solid directing foundation, but I think it’s kind of cutting off my acting legs before I’ve even walked with them. I’m telling, not acting in my monologue work. I’ve got the character and dramatic analysis down but I can’t deliver the actions. Any tips on how to get out of your head/analysis paralysis/do instead of tell? I figured if I can help actors figure scenes out I could help myself, but I’m beginning to wonder if pursuing this for myself may be ill-advised.
Do you think Daniel Day Lewis does ADR? by supergrain • last post May 22nd
Not just him specifically but do you think there are actors who refuse to do it because of their process?
Opinions on RSC Playing Shakespeare by -Sal-Paradise • last post May 22nd
I found this series from the RSC the other day on youtube. [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLboSQWmG70j\_S2nWkRlncZYW49nLeFKWj](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLboSQWmG70j_S2nWkRlncZYW49nLeFKWj) I have had a desire for a while to get better on my Shakespearian acting. I would consider myself an Intermediate Shakespeare actor right now, so I am excited to learn from some real masters. I was wondering if anybody in this group has worked through this series before and what their opinions are on it. I know this series is a bit old (1984) so is there anything in it that might be outdated? Also if anyone has any other resources on playing Shakespeare please feel free to share. Thanks!
I told a Casting Director, "No". Was this the right choice? by throwawaythrowsthrow • last post May 22nd
I submitted to a NY/LA casting on Actors Access a few days ago, for a role that I thought was perfect for me. It required me to do something that I already do professionally in my daily life, so I thought I was a shoe in. The audition was pretty different from the traditional "read lines to a camera" type audition, and it actually required me to go to the store to buy things to make a DIY type video for kids. The audition wanted fancy camera work, and a nice backdrop, etc. I just figured they were being so picky about it, because these would be shot from home due to Covid, and they would likely be casting off tapes, so they wanted to have a good idea of what the end product would look like. The pay was a couple hundred bucks a day, and they gave us a list of specific DIYS they were casting for and told us to choose any of them. I got the casting notice at 4PM, I got invited to audition the following day at 6am, and I turned in my video audition that night by 6PM. Super fast turnaround, especially cause the deadline wasn't until two days later, but I had a busy week and wanted to make sure I got it done ASAP. I spent 6 hours on this freakin audition. Whipped out all my high end professional equipment for this. I really put a lot into this audition. The next morning I got an email from casting (mind you, the deadline for this audition isn't until another 9 hours). It never addressed me by name, and instead said something really broad, like "Hey Actor!", which I thought was strange. The email basically said that they ... loved my video! But unfortunately, the role that I was auditioning for has already been cast. (how?! The deadline for this isn't even up yet?! Also, another very broad term used "role", since they never said the specific role, and we had 10 options to choose from),.... and that they would love for me to send over two more audition videos, doing the same thing I did last time, and they'd need them in a few days. Then they sent me over a list of 10 more DIY activities, NONE of which were on the original list to choose from from the initial auditions. Am I overreacting when I found myself being offended by this? They were SO specific about making sure that these are all high quality auditions, and that we spend a lot of time on them, and make sure they're finished product ready, and then they tell me all the roles have been cast before the deadline to submit is even up? Then they have the nerve to tell me to redo the audition again and send it over in a few days?! I declined the audition and told them not to have auditions for roles that have already been cast, and that was that. I have a strange feeling that I'm not the only one who got this email, and that they're using these "audition videos" as end product videos, as part of the teaching series they're launching, but without pay.... but then again, thats just a theory...
For Asian actors do you think they have more chance at film or theatre? by pretendtobefish • last post May 22nd
And do you think they have a better chance in the UK or US? I’m East Asian and I’m curious what you guys think.
London Classes by LiamJamesC • last post May 22nd
Hi Acting Community, This post is ideally aimed at UK Actors... though people know people so someone from further afield may be useful too! I'm looking for advice on Acting courses in the UK - specifically London. I'm somewhat experienced, studied Drama in College and have done weekend classes etc. at a couple of places. I'm wondering if anyone on here has any experiences of longer courses in London? For example a 6 or 12 month course, as i feel that is the best next step for me. Also, i'm more interesting in Film/TV Acting over theatre, but intrigued to learn experiences of both! Thanks in advance!
London Classes by LiamJamesC • last post May 22nd
Hi Acting Community, This post is ideally aimed at UK Actors... though people know people so someone from further afield may be useful too! I'm looking for advice on Acting courses in the UK - specifically London. I'm somewhat experienced, studied Drama in College and have done weekend classes etc. at a couple of places. I'm wondering if anyone on here has any experiences of longer courses in London? For example a 6 or 12 month course, as i feel that is the best next step for me. Also, i'm more interesting in Film/TV Acting over theatre, but intrigued to learn experiences of both! Thanks in advance!