We have found 19,407 posts across 4 actor forums:
Can someone recommend an online acting course? by colin1122 • last post May 20th
Hey, so I want to start studying BA Acting in the UK next year and was wondering if anyone could recommend some online acting courses. Not only to prepare for the auditions but also to develop as an actor. Due to the current situation I figured that the only real way of gaining experience was through online classes, however if you guys are aware of any other options i'd be very grateful to receive some infos. Thanks in advance
Does Auditioning always need to cause fear? by ConsciousCoachUK • last post May 20th
*You got the email, the call from your agent. You have an audition coming up in the next couple of days. You’ve got your audition script (if you’re lucky). You prepare, you know your lines inside out. You’ve tried it different ways, with different levels of intensity. You’re ready, you’re good to go.* *The day has come for your audition. You know exactly how you are going to get to the casting office. You’ve planned the route (probably tried it out a couple of times). You arrive at the casting office. You give your name, resume, take your seat. You see your fellow actors, acknowledge, however you don’t involve yourself in chit-chat, you are here to work. Your name is called up. You walk in. You introduce yourself. You are given a little bit of an explanation, you take your mark. You hear the word action. You start, you go through and finish your performance. You see the faces of the people in the room. You are asked to try it a different way. You are asked to read again, with a different part of the script (you haven’t read this part, its totally new). You start, you go through and finish your performance. They thank you for your time. You thank them and walk out. You leave the casting office.* ​ \~\~\~\~\~\~ ​ Let me ask you – At what point in the story did you feel FEAR? ​ \- Was it when you got the call from your agent? \- The morning of the audition? \- Walking into the casting office and seeing fellow actors \- Waiting for your name to be called up? \- See the casting director, director as you walked into the room? \- Performing your script? \- Being asked to try it a different way? \- Reading a different part of the script that you were unprepared for? \- Hearing them say, thank you for your time? \- Walking out of the casting office? ​ It doesn’t have to be this way. fear is not inherent in auditioning. I repeat, **fear is NOT INHERENT in auditioning** ​ Read the story above again. ​ Did you find the fear? I’m guessing not ​ So where was the fear if it wasn’t in the story? Any guesses? 5,4,3,2,1….time’s up. ​ It was in the **IDEA** we have about auditioning. ​ Re-read the story again. What ideas did you have about auditioning, what came up for you? Did ideas such as: \- they’re not going to like me, \- I’m not ready, \- what happens if I do get it, \- those actors look better suited to me, etc, ​ If we didn’t have these ideas, would auditioning be a cause of fear? Would love to hear your thoughts on this, and any questions you have, Stav Conscious Coach
Are Backstage.com gigs legit? by boggledbrain88 • last post May 20th
I’ve been considering signing up and paying the small fee to subscribe to backstage.com. It appears they are constantly looking for actors but I’m curious if anyone has subscribed and had any luck. I don’t want to sign up, apply for 100 low paying “gigs” only to never get a response.
Signed to an LA agent - next steps, feeling weird? by boogercube • last post May 20th
Hi all! I arrived in LA late February, signed up for TalentLink on Actors Access, met (virtually) with a few agents, and ended up signing with one a couple of weeks ago. They are SAG-AFTRA licensed, and someone I met has been with them for a while and only had positive things to say about them. They are a smaller, newer agency. I figured I would be signing with something more \*boutique,\* but I'm wondering if there are any downsides with working with a smaller agency that I should be aware of? Also if anyone has recommendations on how to continue to have a good relationship with my agent in a city like LA. My previous market was a lot smaller, so it was easier to keep up a rapport. Honestly, **I really thought signing with an agency would make me feel really excited and like I was moving forward, but I'm still feeling weird.** Obviously things are on hold right now (which has sucked considering I just moved here), but I'm taking some virtual classes and trying to focus on being prepared when things start picking up again. I miss acting and I can't wait to be auditioning more. I just want to be in a really good place when things get started. Any recommendations on how to be prepped and ready when things start picking up? I've just been trying to stay in shape and do self-tapes at least once a week. I have been feeling a little down with everything going on, and wanted to see if others have felt the same. All of this time to think has had me feeling envious of friends who seem to be steps ahead of me career-wise, and who worked more last year (meaning they have more things being released at the moment). I'm struggling to stay inspired creatively, and it's hard not being able to really network and socialize like I would've wanted to when I first arrived. Bleh - long post. Thanks for reading if you're still here. Just looking for advice regarding the agent, and also hopefully some support that I'm not the only one feeling this way. Love to all of you - xoxo
[TOMT][Short Film][2010s] A man talking to a therapist about a world he escapes to mentally, with an imaginary rabbit friend. by louiswain02 • last post May 20th
Hi! Looking for a live action short film I watched on Vimeo sometime last year or the year before, made probably sometime in the last 10 years. The short film was mostly set inside what the mans imaginary world looked like, being narrated with the conversation between him and his therapist. The therapist would say stuff like "Who are you there with?" and the man would reply with what he could see. The part I remember was in a forested area, with I think an imaginary friend sort of character, a man in a rabbit suit who I think was named (something fairly normal like "Max"). I think the ending/ twist of the film was the reveal that he was in therapy due to an incident at work, like him breaking down or locking himself away or something, and that something scary had happened to him as a kid and that's why he had a bad reaction to certain events. Specifically I think one of the last shots was zooming in on him as a child hiding under a sofa or bed or something similar. I watched this probably last year, and I found it on an actor/ voice actors website, though I cant remember who. He was an older man and he played the therapist, but he isnt a famous actor or anything. This film was between 5-20 minutes, had probably around 100-1000 views, and was uploaded on Vimeo like I said. I dont think it was too old, but definitely within the last 10 years. Any help is appreciated!
Different types of “Training” by dysphoric_euphoria31 • last post May 19th
I was having a conversation with a fellow actor recently, whose in his mid-20s like me. But what was supposed to be a friendly conversation somehow turned into him telling me how not getting a Bachelors Degree in acting was the worst decision of my life... I also see the posts occasionally here with the statistics about how many actors with/without degrees book roles for pilot season (which is very informative and helpful to see, by the way). It is clear that getting a BFA in theater or acting can be beneficial to your career, in certain ways. My problem was, and still is, this: I cannot afford college. I wasn’t able to when I graduated high school due to poverty/ineligibility reasons, and I forsure don’t have the ability to take out a $50k/year loan on a Bachelors degree (or even Conservatory) now. The highest education I have so far is an Associates Degree from my community college in Film and Media Studies. If I had the ability/opportunity to pursue a BFA in Acting, I would have. But instead, my training over the past 5 years (i’m 24 now) has mainly consisted of local Meisner, Stanislavsky, Improv and Camera Technique classes (ones that are fairly cheap but still reputable). Some of them I took living in my hometown DC, some i attended in NYC, and some in LA (i’ve moved around quite a bit lol) My question is: what is the best possible way to get good enough reputable training/education moving forward that would still give me opportunities to do SOME showcases, or make decent connections? Or am I just completely screwed and should find a different career if I can’t afford to go back and get a BA or go to a Conservatory?
Pros and cons of acting school. Is it worth it? by Adelelikethesinger • last post May 19th
I’m very close to signing up for a one-year intensive acting for screen program (pending I succeed at the audition) but I’m still on the edge wondering is this the right choice.. I’m 28 and for the last 5 years I’ve been taking evening acting classes here and there and I just love it. I think about being an actor constantly. I’ve read books and watched masterclasses and researched the industry in my area. Every day I spend so much time thinking I should take the plunge and get professional training and put myself out there into the auditioning world. What am I afraid of? Failing of course and the year being a waste of time I could’ve spent finding a more logical career choice. The thing is I can’t think of anything else I want to do. I know it’ll come as a huge shock to all of my friends and family and they’ll no doubt think I’m delusional.. but am a delusional? Am I just pro-longing the inevitable that I’ll end up right back where I am at 30 not knowing what to do? But at least I’ll have given acting a go. What are the benefits of going to acting school even if you don’t end up working as a paid actor?
Jobs for actors? by xdkylee • last post May 19th
hey! i’m a high school freshman and i have been looking into colleges for theater/acting. i would love to be an acting major but i just want to know if it’s worth it. i would also like to know what jobs i could get if i studied acting after i graduate. i’m planning on going to university of houston, if there are any other schools with good acting programs please let me know so i can look into them! acting means a lot to me, performing is something i want to be able to do for the rest of my life! any help is appreciated
I'm a professional Voice Actor in LA.. this is the first of a series of videos helping others get started by arussell817 • last post May 19th
Indian actors in Hollywood/Hollywood North by GladPublic • last post May 19th
Why aren't there many Indian actors making it in Hollywood? Are they being typecast-ed like considered only for an Indian character or is there a chance for them to actually make it? For example be the lead as the flash or have a prominent role( regularly). I included Hollywood north because Canada has a great number of Indian Actors.
A List is the Self-Tape Equipment We Use at My Studio by LAOnCamera • last post May 19th
I saw the typo in my earlier post, so had to fix it!! Hey all, So as some of you know I am an actor and run my own on-camera audition technique school (also called LAOnCamera). Folks have been asking me for the list of equipment that I compiled so my students could get their home studios up and running. This is super important as self-tapes are only getting more and more prevalent, and Zoom auditions are most likely going to be happening when things get up and running again. So... Here's the list that I compiled. These are not things you HAVE to buy, but what we have at home and at the studio ourselves... Neewer ring light with stand (I’m not a huge fan of Ring lights aesthetically, but they work well and you can mount your camera directly inside) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXDNNBW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_x.7DEbMW2940J Neewer Softbox Light w/ Lighting Diffuser (I would recommend getting two of these- one for each side) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OTG6474/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_je8DEb6A2BGGM And you’re gonna need bulbs to put in those lights... KAEZI 85 Watt Studio Light Bulb 5500K CFL Day Light. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BISL11U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Op8DEbKMCKPZW You can also use: Ring light for laptop https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MCZ2WY8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And a tripod Neewer Professional Photography Studio Stand for Lights Reflectors Backgrounds - 260CM (about 9 Feet) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UE2RHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Lq8DEb579PSN1 If you want to shoot with your iPad: iPad Tripod Mount Adapter Universal Tablet Clamp Holder Fits Ipad, Ipad Air, Ipad Mini, Microsoft Surface, Nexus, and most other tablets Shttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y4FF1OM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Bs8DEb8HGDP40 Or with your iPhone (this is a table top mount, but would still work in a regular tripod) Phone Tripod, Portable and Adjustable Camera Stand Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D95TXWV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lu8DEbQM8P1X1 This is a really good tripod, but you don’t have to spend this much $$ Manual Fluid Head Camera Tripod HTTP://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GMWNY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0v8DEb3FRACPT or you could get a: Standing table converter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZRD6B3V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And a Lav Mic FIFINE Wireless Microphone System, Wireless Microphone set with Headset and Lavalier Lapel Mics, Beltpack Transmitter and Receiver, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076F5W8Q5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ex8DEbQ1DG3DB Finally, if you don’t paint a wall, you’ll need a backdrop. This is what we have at home: Kate 8x8ft Baby Blue Photo Backdrop Pure Solid Cotton Background https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BKP2JFB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_m8PUykNmVTihZ Break legs out there everyone!
Hair by hellokitkatkitty • last post May 19th
I’ve been debating for ages shaving my hair (I’m a female)—but I’m honestly terrified of being typecast further (African-American). I’ve had rather short hairstyles my entire life/pixie cuts, and that’s what I have now—but I am itching to just buzz it off. But I do not want to further limit the roles I’m offered, nor typecast myself into roles I definitely do not fit that I am afraid, as a Black female, I may find myself shoved into. Right now I’m in the Disney commercial market (Florida) but I’ll be moving to California this fall (for school) so my market will obviously change. I’ve had a lot of people say just go for it—but they aren’t actors. And I’m also weighing all the new photos I’ll have to get because I would no longer have the standard pixie cut. With things stalled for the foreseeable future, it honestly seems like a reasonable idea—I might end up hating the natural look and wear wigs/weaves until it grows long enough for my standard pixie style. But it’s the business side of things/reasonings that’s I desperately need some guidance on.
How to cope with constantly getting the “unique” interpretation card but never getting cast. Please read through and help me out if possible by xxchvolvoxx • last post May 19th
I want to start this off by saying that I’m in no way trying to sound bigger than anyone else, and like I think I’m more deserving of the parts I’ll talk about me having not gotten in this post. It’s not like that, and I’d hate to come across as selfish, and cocky. I’m an upperclassmen in high school, with no experience in acting outside of school besides quite a few workshops, classes, and a lot of play reading and practicing abs researching the industry at home in my spare time. I’m not super interested in theatre, but I’ve been involved in the school shows from elementary school all the way through now because it’s been the most accessible thing in my situation. I have an issue with my teeth and have had to have braces and surgeries for years, so I haven’t gone auditioning for professional jobs and signed with an agent because I feel that it would be unrealistic for me to succeed with this specific setback, and I don’t want casting directors to automatically refrain from connecting with me for future projects I would’ve been contacted for if it wasn’t for my teeth. My teeth should be all set in a year, right before I graduate from high school, but until then I have a whole year of not getting cast and being put in a background role with very little character development to work off of, stunting my potential growth as an actor. I don’t expect lead roles in our musicals, because I’m not a great singer and that’s not something I’ve spent any time perfecting, but constant rejection in the plays, despite getting really positive feedback by directors after auditions and callbacks for the leads in most of the shows, has gotten really discouraging. It always plays out like this: I do extensive research for the character(s) I’m going for (they usually have us audition for all of the roles and then callback a few people for specific ones after, we’re not limited to only auditioning to one role), pick a monologue I think will fit, memorize, practice it in multiple ways and try my best to perfect it, and film myself doing it multiple times for reference. From the surface level this sounds like a very flawed process, like I’m taking away the natural part of really being the character, but I don’t feel like that’s been much of an issue for me for auditions. It just helps reinforce things so I’m secure and can do the best of my capabilities. This has seemed to work well. In my last audition at school, for a comedy about a family, going out for the lead role, a mother, I received really great feedback, and I was proud. The student director complimented me the next day saying he was impressed, the other students in the room did the same, and my theatre teacher, who was overseeing things, singled me out in class saying that it was a really strong audition as well. I ended up getting the callback, but not landing the role. I was put as an irs man that’s in one scene. Me, a teenage girl. The same thing happened in the fall. We did a production of Twelfth Night. I was called back for both Olivia and Viola, with only two-three other girls called back for each of them as well, and I was cast as Antonio. It’s not a habit of mine to contact the director and question their casting, but in this case the cast list leaked early, so she brought it up to me when I was staying after class herself. She told me that I was a great actor, and that the midterm monologue I did the year before was one of the best, if not the best, pieces of theatre she’s seen come out of the school. She also complimented my acting in the other things she’s seen me in, and seemed genuine. She told me that she gave me that part because I was “the only person she could possibly see playing it in the cast.” Really? A man with no background and purpose in the play at all. Of course I made the best of it and interpreted the role in my own way to increase my portrayal of it and performance, but I had to make virtually all of the character details up, there was nothing written. I just don’t quite understand how people could express that they like my acting so much, and so often, but then just never cast me as anything significant. I understand that you have to fit the role and that’s a big part in casting decisions, but if they think I’m that good of an actor, why have I never been chosen? Do I just have no potential? That’s what I’m scared of. I want to pursue acting, but if I can’t be seen as anything other than a misunderstood, imprisoned servant boy, a government worker, or a high schooler who’s obsessed with shampoo, how could I possibly expect anything to happen for me in the professional world? None of the roles above fit me, but to the people directing I was the perfect choice. What does that say about me? Should I be scared? Is it safe to pursue this? I know that not everyone needs to have my type of process and drive to be cast as something significant. The casting directors get to make the decisions, they need to feel comfortable with their casting. It just feels ironic. I’ll never say that I was more deserving of someone else’s role, that’s just not fair, and in 9.9/10 cases not true. It’s just frustrating to be so misunderstood. I care so much about acting, for me it’s not about fame, I’m just so unavoidably called to the craft. Being so “underrated” in my department has just been incredibly hard on me, and I’m starting to second guess this. I don’t think I can expect to go anywhere professionally if I can’t get cast in a high school show. I’m not going to give up, but I will admit, I’m lost. I’m no expert at any of this, but I have worked really hard, and people have seen that I’m talented. I guess I just have to hold on until I finally get a fair chance. Does anyone know of any celebrities stories’ who’ve had a similar experience to mine? Constantly being ensemble or in the background at school, being told they’re good but could never land anything. I feel like most if the successful people had success in high school too, people knew they’d get to the point they’ve gotten. I’ve heard of people who fell into acting by coincidence without thinking they ever would and getting careers that way, but I’ve never heard of anyone who’s wanted to act, struggled in high school, and peaked after. I’m embarrassed to tell people that I want to become an actor because I’ve never really been in anything. I have no way to prove myself to them. I know that I have potential, and have the drive, but that’s not something most people are willing to see. It’s hard to be so passionate about something, expressing it, and having people disregard anything you’ve said, or invalidate it, just because of the strange environment I’m a part of. I could really use some inspiration. I don’t know. I really just need help refocusing my energy into the thing I love before I get irreparably discouraged. I want this so bad, and I’ve been given no true reason to believe it will happen for me. I know that being okay with rejection is a HUGE part of acting professionally. I’m fully prepared for that. In most cases I’m okay with it, it’s just difficult in this specific scenario because as of now, the school plays are my only option. There are no new people that can see something else in me that the people at school haven’t, or refuse to. I’m stuck.
Question... by andreea123456789 • last post May 19th
Why do most voiceover recordings nowadays still take place in a studio? In this day & age, people are able to just easily record themselves over the phone (there are a tons of free apps out there that allow you to record yourself very easily). You don't even need a setup for this 20 years ago that wasn't possible, I do I understand but nowadays? The voice actors would be able to just easily send in their lines & it would be a lot cheaper.
I (a WOC actor) went through my friend that puts ppl on tape's Self-Tapes that Booked people big jobs - my thoughts. by June_Etoile • last post May 19th
Hi guys, My friend's roommate that puts folks on tapes let me watch some self-tapes that booked people their pilots, major feature films, etc. jobs. A few days ago I posted on here asking about self-tapes that booked them because I am very curious (especially during this time of Covid) - my boyfriend works in computer technology and though I know I drive him crazy with the artist thing, he has a point about actors analyzing more data. So I've tried to get better with that. Also as a woman of color I am very intrigued by self-tapes. I once heard a black female standup comedian remark: You know why I didn't make it in Hollywood? Because for a Black Woman to make it in Hollywood you either gotta look like Halle Berry....or you look like Precious." It's like you gotta be one end of the spectrum or the other. An acid or a base. Though I am not black as a WOC this pithy remark resonated deeply with me - anyone (successful) in the middle seems to have taken a) more time - Viola v. Halle and/or b) taken matters into their own hands (Issa Rae) - the men of color get away a little bit more in the looks department as all men do. I have guest star recurring on Marvel series and I always put a lot of work and let go with the auditions. When I've sent the auditions out I've received good feedback from mgrs and agents and casting as well. This is what I noticed from the bookings I saw: \-Most bookings were white blonde women 20 year-old age range (the ones that booked the most already had a ton of movie credits) and a lot of them also have really top agents. \-The women of color were the lightest skinned, european looking women of color than I have ever seen (lighter skinned and prettier than a young Vanessa Williams, that range.) They were all or at some point had been working models. The middle eastern/terrorist/Indian girls looked like lighter than most Lebanese girls I know and in looks department very european looking as well. \-The darker-skinned, less european-looking men of color had a lot of credits (I can see this because if they've played the same types of roles on their reels their not as big of a risk to take to book as they have this type of character down pat.) \-No dark skinned or even one 'paper-bag' level skinned women of color with classic ethnic features. Here's the most important thing (for me) - I saw **all levels** of performances - f**rom A+ (off book, every moment realized, homework done on the environment, accent, other character's lines, wardrobe, knowing your 'category') to C- level performances** (not off-book, looking off into nowhere, everything your acting teachers yell at you about) and all of those tapes still booked. This whole process has really taken a weight off my chest. Hope it has helped someone reading this. (Sorry if I sound so naive, my teachers were such perfectionists with us that it was a bit flabbergasting to see not-so-great performances book.) Anyway, if you feel like you've been sitting on your booty and you need to write for yourself - write for yourself. It has been TREMENDOUSLY helpful for me to watch these videos even though it took a while.
Demo feedback appreciated! by Josh_Juice_Jones • last post May 19th
Hello voice actors! My name is Josh Jones, and I would really appreciate getting some feedback on my character demo. I'm looking to polish it and make some updates so it can really shine. I did get the feedback that it would help to cut a few of the bits to give the rest a little breathing room, which I am working on currently. I appreciate your time, link is below! ​ [https://soundcloud.com/user-834887774-868409443/josh-vo-demo-character-2020](https://soundcloud.com/user-834887774-868409443/josh-vo-demo-character-2020)
Andrew Scott doing Sea Wall, available on Youtube for another week, a must-watch for actors. 30min. by aznednacni • last post May 19th
This is one of the most powerful performances I've ever seen, what a privilege that it's made free and available for us during these times. As I understand, this piece was actually written *for* him back in 2013. It got a lot of attention in the UK, and was recently revived for Broadway by a different actor. Seriously, watch this. Much love. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j01kVmBoJW0
Question... by andreea123456789 • last post May 19th
Why are voiceover recording sessions so short compared to live action acting? With live action acting, you could be stuck on the set all day long but with voiceover, you're normally in and out of the studio in less than 4 hours (it's not particularly uncommon to see voice actors tweeting about how they finished up their session in only 1 hour & now they're chilling at a coffee shop, lol). The sessions are so short that most voice actors have 2 or 3 of them a day. For example : you could wake up at 8 am & have to travel to a recording studio for a cartoon recording session, finish it at 12 am ,chill at the library for 2 hours, then run off to a another studio for a video game session.
Monologue Competition by andrewpierno • last post May 19th
Hi Everyone, I used to act in college and a bit after before getting into tech. I'm working on an actor discovery app for fun. The way it will work is: 1. Each week we'll pick a monologue or scene 2. Actors can perform the monologue and submit in the app 3. People come and vote on their favorite performance. My hope is that actors looking for a creative outlet will have some fun with this and hopefully get some more followers. I'd be interesting in hearing the thoughts of this sub, if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. If you'd like to learn more, the site is here [https://actout.io/](https://actout.io/).