Sorry in advance for another (very) long request for advice, but I would love to get some feedback here, especially from anyone who’s been in a similar position. I’ve been a professional actor for 15 years. In the first 7 years of my career, I booked: -5 co-stars -1 recurring co-star -1 Guest Star -1 supporting role in a high budget indie that got theatrical distribution. In the last 8 years of my career, I’ve booked: -nothing. Not only that, but the auditions are slowing to a trickle. These days I don’t even average 1 theatrical audition a month. In the last 8 years I’ve had: -98 auditions -6 callbacks -2 pins -0 bookings. So I’ve been pretty discouraged lately wondering how I went from booking just over one solid theatrical job a year to not working theatrically in nearly a decade. To add further complications, I decided to audition for MFA programs this year, and was pleasantly surprised by the success I had. I applied to 12 programs, and was accepted to three, including two “Top 25” programs and one “Top 10” program. FWIW I was also called back to a top 5 program, but not accepted. However, given the major commitment of both time and money (unfortunately didn’t get into any free programs) I am feeling reluctant to commit to any program given my serious lack of success in the last 8 years. While getting called back/accepted to these programs was very flattering, I struggle to muster up the confidence in myself to commit to these schools, and more than that, to continue to commit to the life of an actor, as much as I love the craft. So I guess my questions are: Is there anyone who has been in my shoes, who has had an epic drought that lasted for years, who can shed any advice or insight here? Or, if you were in my shoes, what would you do with respect to accepting admission to an MFA program, or even just persevering in this career? Also quickly FWIW, I am a white guy in his early 30’s in LA, with decent reps, a reel, clips, and headshots from a respected photographer that my reps approve of. Also FWIW, yes, I have created my own work, collaborating with friends on shorts, web series, and plays, and while I enjoyed these projects I can still acknowledge it’s not quite the same as booking a professional film/series. TLDR; 15 years in the biz. Success in the first 7 years, but none in the last 8 years. Recently accepted to multiple respected MFA programs but struggling to commit to acting given lack of success in recent years.
I'm not a voice actor or a VO artist. I make YouTube videos and I'm adding VO to my videos so they can be a little more engaging. I absolutely hate the sound of my voice in playback. It makes it a chore to get through editing and makes my overall video production process twice as long.
I just got admitted into the Atlantic acting school and I've been kind of on the fence about whether I should accept my place with the school because of a lot of mixed reviews I've seen on the internet. Could someone tell me if the school is good and worth my time as an inexperienced actor ? I want to make sure I'm going to place where I'll actually make progress and where the instructors are actually good.
Anyone still having issues with actors access? Uploading videos is taking forever/ not even working sometimes.
Hi Everyone! I spoke with Talent Manager at Art/Work Entertainment, Spencer Robinson yesterday, and he does incredible work getting his clients series regular and recurring roles on shows for Peacock, Netflix, Hulu, TNT and working with A-List directors like Quentin Tarantino. He does script consultations for our writers at Stage 32, but also told me that he wants to meet actors and is now adding reel reviews to his schedule so he can help you get your materials in top notch condition. I put think link below for you to check out, but feel free to write us at success@stage32.com if you have any questions. Happy to help! Cheers!
Hey Actors,
This audition really meant a lot to me, and I can’t even submit it! I’ve emailed casting telling them that the link is down, but they haven’t been responding . What can I do?
For the theatre apprenticeship, I plan to apply for, actors are to send in self-tape audition videos. The instructions say to make sure that my whole body can be seen throughout the entire video. Should I follow this instruction (even though it seems like a silly and incorrect way to film a self-tape) or should I film my self-tape audition with the bottom frame at my chest and the top frame above the top of my head? Thanks guys
im making a attack on titan parody series and i need 3 girls 2 boys (note you don't need to be the greates voice actor ever to enter this project you just need to atleast know how to act)
guys I have been feeling uncertain about my career lately, and so last time I saw my agent I asked him what he thought I had going for me, or what separated me from other actors. He looked at me blankly and said "hmm. well. youre cool, you're smart, you're just the whole package!" being that these have nothing to do with my acting it really made me wonder if I've got any talent at all lol
Hey all! For the past month, every time I've uploaded a self tape to Actors Access the thumbnail turns black. This wasn't an issue for me since before a few weeks ago, and I haven't changed anything in the way I edit or upload my tapes. When I click on the thumbnail it still plays the video like normal. I was wondering if anyone else has been experiencing this issue. Would a black thumbnail possibly deter a casting director from clicking on my tape, and if so, is there a way I can change the thumbnail before submitting? Thanks!
Do you prefer to refer to yourself as an actor or actress? I usually say actor but I’ve noticed a lot of people will correct me for some reason and push the word “actress” on me. For some reason it feels weird? Just curious what you normally say in conversation and/or in your professional bios! [View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/12f7y51)
Hey guys, recently I've been feeling like I need some outside advice and just need some opinions from other actors. Quick background - Currently based in LA. I am Non-Union, formally trained, 28 years old tall Caucasian male on the lean/athletic side.Studied at a Conservatory in NYC for two years and got an Associates of Occupational studies in Film Acting in 2014. Was picky and tried to stay away from modeling agencies until I got my first Agent at a small but reputable agency called Topo Swope in the Pacific Northwest market in 2018. I auditioned regularly in Film and TV + Commercial and VO. I had some principal role auditions in features as well as for streaming. Got a lot of experience, didn't book anything. Ended up getting my first role in 2020 doing background, moved to LA, and since then I've managed to work in a handful more projects as backround/featured background. All have been SAG productions. I'd say the milestone to my career so far has been getting a short closeup in a Paramount production as a featured background. I'm currently still looking for an Agent in the Los Angeles area for Film and TV. Had some leads to 1 agency but I did not want to do Influencer work as social media is not my forte/interest as an Actor. I also managed to do a showcase for 5 different agents but didn't get any callbacks. I'm thinking maybe being Non-Union is hurting me but I've been told by a professor and other actors to wait until I get a role with a line or two in a SAG production. I have had roles with lines in the past, which are on my reel, but only two. Currently, I'm only submitting on Casting Networks at the moment. If you guys were me, what would be the next step? Apply for SAG membership? Focus on my socials? (>1k followers) Add Actors Access? or just start contacting agencies? I know referrals are generally the way to go and this is how I got my first Agent. I don't necessarily like reaching out to agents without connections. If you were to look at my resume you would see lots of training/workshops and the handful of backround roles that I mentioned. Realistically could I even expect to get an agent in LA at this point or should I continue the submission grind? Any advice is appreciated
Hey guys, I‘be been scammed before for a commercial project, which was the first acting thing I ever applied for, and am now really skeptical of every posting I come across. How do you know if a commercial is legit? Apparently I’ve been shortlisted from just my headshots for an upcoming commercial shoot, and I applied on actors access. I called actors access and they said that casting from just headshots is normal for commercials. I’m super new to the acting industry. What are some green and red flags to lookout for? How do I determine the legitimacy of a commercial project?
**Friday, March 31 - Thursday, April 06** ###Top 10 Posts | score | comments | title & link | |--|--|--| | 96 | [26 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/127g8pn/new_voice_actors_its_okay_to_be_skeptical_this/) | `[Advice]` New voice actors: It's okay to be skeptical. This life/path/ business takes time.| | 59 | [8 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/128r96y/i_could_not_get_through_these_lines_easily_qq/) | `[Discussion]` [I could not get through these lines easily QQ](https://v.redd.it/x396ewvlccra1)| | 52 | [2 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12ca4e4/paid_work_voice_actors_for_continuous_weekly/) | `[PAID work]` PAID WORK. Voice actors for continuous weekly comics. I want to turn these 8 panel comics into reels with music & dialogue. Down below are examples, feel free to choose a comic to use for auditioning. Email and more details in comments. $20 per comic.| | 49 | [16 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12ar4wm/how_do_i_get_into_voice_acting_erotica/) | `[Discussion]` How do I get into voice acting erotica?| | 37 | [4 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12e8zbs/1000_years_waiting/) | `[Advice]` [1000 Years Waiting](https://v.redd.it/a2unybxzffsa1)| | 26 | [14 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/128qjp5/a_bit_of_a_late_start_but_let_the_3rd_annual/) | `[Mod News]` A bit of a late start. But let the 3rd annual VoiceActing April 1 purge commence! Read before you post or comment today.| | 25 | [7 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12dqlax/every_movie_trailer/) | `[Discussion]` [Every Movie Trailer](https://v.redd.it/anj1n64t6csa1)| | 25 | [9 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12azprp/help_an_agent_is_asking_for_head_shots_and_sizes/) | `[Advice]` Help! An agent is asking for Head shots and sizes...| | 22 | [5 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12dypoj/is_2_years_of_theatre_enough_of_a_preparation_for/) | `[Advice]` Is 2 years of theatre enough of a preparation for voice acting?| | 19 | [18 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/1288tih/feeling_selfconscious/) | `[Advice]` Feeling Self-Conscious.| ###Top 5 Most Commented | score | comments | title & link | |--|--|--| | 0 | [27 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12a5w2d/has_anyone_tried_voicejacket_i_thought_about_it/) | `[Discussion]` Has anyone tried voicejacket? I thought about it since you get paid.| | 11 | [23 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12b1upq/recording/) | `[Advice]` Recording| | 8 | [21 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/129enh2/i_need_your_opinion_on_my_voice_is_it_as_bad_as_i/) | `[Advice]` I need your opinion on my voice - is it as bad as I think??| | 0 | [10 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12dwjeh/paid_25_per_half_hr_about_3500_words_reading/) | `[PAID work]` Paid $25 per half hr (about 3500 words) reading novel, one take, no editing, Venmo preferred| | 0 | [10 comments](/r/VoiceActing/comments/12a1sgq/hello_there/) | `[Advice]` Hello there!|
hope this isnt starting to become a common occurrence over at Breakdown Services
Why should actors support the strike?
TL:DR at the bottom I want to become an actor but I'm afraid, I'm afraid that I will forever be in poverty jealous of others achievements and not getting roles. Becoming an actor is always a big leap into the unknown. You've probably seen hundreds of posts about teenagers who want to become and actor for the fame, money and countless interviews by Jimmy fallon and conan. Honestly I think people see the interviews and the news articles about actors buying multi-million pound houses and get jealous. I see actors who are mid 20s/30s and are set for life, they've normally been child actors who have trained in drama college or university for a couple years, gotten a few roles and then within a few years of leaving school they book a huge role and now they are famous, rich and they can pursue their dream job of being an A-list actor. I'm not going to just come here and lie, im going go be brutally honest, I want that. It seems pleasant but its the background that deters me. The grind for auditons, the rejection and jealousy, the cost. One situation which makes me feel sick is, emilia clarke who plays daenerys targaryen in Game of Thrones had bascially what i explained earlier about only being a few years out of acting school and booked a few roles. She was originally the second option for daenerys and if the original actor didn't pull out she would have never been part of the show. My main thought was imagine you were emilia clarke and you got call backs and auditions for the role and you knew you were very close to getting it but someone else got it. Emilia said that she probably would've still been working small jobs barely making a living. She would've had to watch someone else become famous and get rich whilst she stays poor. That would absolutely destroy me and probably drive me insane. That's part of what I'm scared of. Now me personally, I live in a small town in the UK, when I'm 18 my parents have saved a thing where I'll get £10,000. I have family in England near London and they have offered if I ever wanted to travel down there and stay with them for school purposes or job opportunities. So I could take a decent chance at starting a career. Now my attributes, I'm 17, male, have brown shortish hair, I'm 6 feet tall (182cm), the big shocker is that I have acne. Doctors have told me it's not too bad and it seems like a teenage thing, it doesnt really affect me in normal life or any confidence issues. I've probably just described a million other people My mindset is that I could be resilient for a time but I don't know how well I'd be able to handle constant rejection. I think my main motive is to make my mark on the world and leave a legacy and not be forgotten. ● Now with my money and attribute situation could anyone give me any advice on how I will fair in the world of entertainment. I know how impossible it is to be a famous actor but I'm me, of course I'm going to believe in myself. I'm going to believe that I'm one in a million and ill be famous. TL:DR teenager has a decent starting position to become an actor, wants to be famous but is scared of the consequences of failing, wants advice.
Hi everyone, I’m new here, and I have a bit of a dilemma. I’m currently a full-time voice actor for my workplace. Per my employment, I’m the only one in my department who’s allowed to perform voiceovers for our video content. The head of my department, even the CEO, love the fact that our videos have consistent voices across the board now. The CEO himself said he loves my voice and that I’m “a keeper” (a little weird but hey, it’s job security I guess?) But now I’m presented with a problem. Recently, the head of my department approached me about using my voice in an AI program, as a “cool new thing to try.” I didn’t say yes or no, and have yet to come to a decision. I double-checked my employment docs, nothing covers this sort of thing, and they definitely do NOT have access to my voice in perpetuity. Of that I’m certain. So with that being said, how should I navigate this situation? Do I negotiate? Do I get a lawyer? Do I just say no? I’m sweating bullets over here.