A few words from my perspective: I have grown up with him. I was a teenager when the original Star Wars came out and have watched him go from cool to Superstar, Mr. Summer, and a good character actor. I always thought he was miscast as the tough, cop/private eye character (witness, Blade Runner), bu watching this retrospective, realized that my favorite roles of his were the 'acting' ones: Mosquito Coast, What Lies Beneath, Something abut Henry. Would love to read some different perspectives when you have checked [this](https://youtu.be/XNN1Hbg9oNU) out.
I’ve been invited to audition for the role of Jeff in “Kimberly Akimbo”. Thanks to the drama teacher at school. (He was asking around for male actors in HS and since I help as an SM he knows me well so I asked if I could take a look. If you are familiar to Kimberly Akimbo then you will know that there is a scene when the two leads kiss. One being a 16 year old boy, the other being a 70 year old girl. I really want to act but I also really don’t want to kiss a 70 year old (understandably) so yeah. This is probably a once in a life time opportunity that can really get my career somewhere but also... yeah.
Ive recently gotten into acting and have been using backstage but was told to respond to an open call on AA by some listing. Went on there for 5 minutes and uploaded 2 photos and I thought I signed my life away or something. When I was using Ecocast® it said I would have to pay 3.50 to audition but then I pressed upload and it didn't charge me?? Also I think I have like 6 different profiles on their as well, not sure, very confused. It looks really bad, I mean come on dude, its 2020. I hope to never have to go on that godawful site again and wonder why anybody would willingly use that page.
First off, we have to dispel the illusion of character. When people say *“I’m trying to get into character”* usually it’s them trying to reach for some magical thing so far outside of themselves. As if somehow they are going to lose all consciousness and wake up with a brand new brain, body, and identity. As cool as that sounds, it’s obviously impossible. We have to start looking at each character being much closer to ourselves. When you first approach a character you must look at the similarities between you and the character. A huge mistake most actors make is looking for the differences which only creates separation. You want unity. At the end of the day, it is YOU that is playing the character. And there are so many facets of your personality that the more you analyze your character the more you’ll find you have a lot more in common. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t be TRANSFORMATIONAL. But transformations usually deal with externals such as a limp, a physical affectation, vocal affectations, a hunchback, etc. If you don’t believe me just look at all the Hollywood actors that you thought were transformational or in this case “In character”. Christian Bale in The Machinist lost a lot of weight which was an external he used in order to transform. It’s still Christian Bale, but it’s Christian Bale much skinnier and within a given set of circumstances. [Christian Bale in The Machinist](https://preview.redd.it/w9esr00fiik41.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ad825ba3343f2c6df0eb777652e4d646c6dca02) Which brings me to my next point about the definition of character. The 1640s English definition of Character is the meaning "sum of qualities that define a person or thing and distinguish it from another”. A series of actions that a person does is essentially what gives the illusion of character. So say you’re playing a role in which over the course of the story you lie, manipulate, deceive in order to achieve your objective. The audience creates the image of that character in their head. On the flip side if you use the same story but use different tactics such as begging, pleading, accommodating, the audience will create a different image of the character in their head. You see, the audience fills in a lot of the gaps with their imagination. You don’t have to do all the work for them. You don’t have to worry about trying to be every aspect of the character that you think you should be. There’s no need to “think the character’s thoughts”. The audience can’t read your mind. Getting into character consists of knowing the script and story, understanding the events, understanding the given circumstances (facts), and analyzing the scenes you’re in. Costumes, makeup, lighting, editing, etc all help in the illusion of the character so take the pressure off of yourself. You are the character. Trust that you are enough. I hope this helps and I’m happy to answer any questions!
I am 5’6 and 28 years old. Anyone else in this range? How has thrust impacted your career? What kind of roles do you usually get called in for? What do you book?
I'm new to r/acting so thanks in advance for answering my question. I'm looking for the best summer intensive programs for adult actors. I'm not too focused on cost at the moment but I really just want to learn what's out there. It can be in NY or LA. I just want to make sure it's a program that I can find a lot of value in as an actress. There's a lot of conflicting information on the internet lol.
I currently use Backstage and Actor's Access to apply for roles. However, I saw an article online saying that after Backstage, Casting Network is the second best site to be a part of. Am I missing out on a lot by not being on Casting Networks? Or do people who post on Casting Networks also post on Backstage and Actor's Access?
Any actors here that are in Ireland? I'm not in Dublin and dont have an agent yet. Finding it hard to get some work cos I'm an ethnic person. Most auditions call for white males here. Any Irish based actors here that might be willing to help?
Hi! I get called in by the same big LA casting director pretty frequently. Probably once every other month. In the last 12 months, I've auditioned around 6 times for him. I always feel like my auditions are really solid, but I never even get a callback. I've heard of CDs calling actors in frequently, because they do a great job, but they just aren't fit for that specific part. That the CD is holding out for a role for them where they are 100% perfect for it. Does this logic apply with CDs who call you in frequently, but never give you a callback? I'm always getting called in for the same exact type, but can't seem to secure a callback audition, and I'm a bit frustrated and confused. Why consistently call me in, but never call me back? Not complaining, just confused and not sure where to go from here.
Anyone ever do the NY Connection showcase through Actor's Connection? Is it worth it?
Hey guys! I’ve been practicing a career in voice acting since I was younger, and I’ve been improving and improving as the years go on, but I really think I can stand to be better. For instance, some of my voices sound wayyy too much like myself/how I usually talk, rather something unique and something of brilliant vocal execution. My accents have been improving, and I’m grateful, but I feel like they just sound like me talking rather than the character I’m making an impression on or the character I’m trying to make. I guess I kinda want advice on how to perfect my range, so that I can shy away from sounding too much like myself and having no variety. Any advice would be appreciated!
Hello to everyone that responded to my last post about crafting characters and writing actor bait. All of you were wonderfully honest and some of you were awesomely pedantic (I loved it. Really, don't change). So, r/screenwriting has this thing that we do. Every few days, a screenwriter will post something like this: "**Write a Scene Using 5 Prompts #82 \[CHALLENGE\].** This is a 24-hour challenge to write a 5-page scene using 5 prompts. At the end of the 24-hours, a winning screenplay is chosen and the writer becomes the prompt master for the next week. It might be too much work. If so, I will fuck right off. Alright here is the pitch: Would any of your community members be open to creating a companion challenge where users create ear-movies out of the winning script? I am not naive about the amount of work that would go into that... but... there are clear benefits to this. 1. Struggling screenwriters are able to have a live test environment where they can see what does and doesn't work once the work is relinquished to other humans. 2. You all get a gym membership for voice acting... you're welcome? (I understand that this can come off as condescending... I love you... muah... don't be mad) 3. You would have a steady supply of actor bait-y dialogue for your demo reels... (is there a different name for a voice actor's demo reel?) Again... I really appreciated the advice you all provided in my previous post.
Does anyone know of any discord servers for aspiring voice actors? Thanks if you do.
A friend of mine has been having a rough week. (Week as in it's been 3 or 4 days, I know today is Monday.) Constant panic and anxiety and they FINALLY told me what was wrong. My friend is 20 and has basically been an adult since childhood. Had to grow up mostly alone, was mentally abused, was always treated like an adult, left school at 15, because it was a bad environment full of - and I quote - "immature shits." Worked from then on. Lost every friend they'd ever had, one of them with the dramatics and extremities of a divorce in some elements. This friend also looks older and with their level of maturity, attitude, dress sense could easily pass for early-mid 30s and has been mistaken for 10+ years older for years. As you may have guessed ... friend wants to be an actor, and has been playing characters of different ages (teens - 40s) for 5 years in local productions. But friend (for reasons I can't fathom) is currently freaking out over their future when they leave local stuff and start going out for screen auditions and possibly obtain an agent. About the whole five year playing age standard. They had no idea it existed. I told them about it and I think that's what started the freak out. They can believably play people from about 18 to mid-30s, I'd say possibly even older but I haven't seen it. (I'd like to! But I'm mainly confined indoors and can't go to their theatre often.) But they're freaking the hell out about being forced into an age bracket, especially one close to their real age. (And I'm sorry friend for telling internet strangers your actual age, but they don't know you.) They're aware that you don't have to tell anyone your real age in this business, unless a minor. And they're aware they can set their five year range at anything that's believable. But they're still really distressed about "what if they find out" and "what if they find out AFTER I do something noteable for an older character" type of stuff. So I'm hoping to get some comments that'll help calm their nerves - positive comments, negative comments, whatever comments. (Doing this without asking. Again. I'M SORRY. I'm just trying to help. They'll be reading this after, if I get any responses.) Here's my personal opinion on it: The strict five year playing age is ridiculous. There are celebrities I look at who are 27, who look exactly like others who are 47. There are people who look the same now as they did in a TV show 10 years ago. People don't age linearly, people don't all age the same, and it's about ability to portray a believable character and not your actual age or a tight age range, in my opinion. Last night they had a few hours of peace after sending me an article (I can't link it; it's on my phone, this is my computer) that said something about someone wishing you could list your range as 0-99 and let casting directors decide if they think your look and your believability matches what they need. I agree with it 100%. I'm actually working on a TV series (I've been a professional writer, among other creative things like acting, music and illustration for 20 years) that has a main character with the same views. The character then gets on to play both a 36 year old and a 22 year old in the same year. (A ... TV show ... about actors in TV shows? Gasp.) And I've sent this friend countless listicles of actors playing younger and older. (Usually 20s-30s playing teens, and 30s-40s playing 70s.) Then, alas, I discovered Jennifer Lawrence has played 10+ years older! Uh, Reddit, the hell? It won't let me attach the link to that sentence so here: [https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-age-movies](https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-age-movies) I don't know much about her as a person, but hey, Hollywood seems to think it's believable. (My friend has no interest in Hollywood, by the way - we're both London based and staying that way.) And it's a perfect example of DEFYING the set five year playing range, as she's played 16-mid 30s all in her 20s. (Have sent that article to friend. Waiting on response once they're off work.) And in the mean time I'm hoping to get the opinions of other actors. What do you think about 20s playing 30s, 30s playing 40s, etc? If they can pull it off I see no harm in it. It's good to be as flexible with as much range as you possibly can in this industry.
TLDR: during very emotional singing scenes I sound like a happy 6yo running through sunflower fields, due to my voice type (and I can't change that). What can I do as an actor to bring hopelessness across, only using my voice? I'm going to need it while I sing, unfortunately all my climaxes don't sound as heavy as the music requires so I'm looking to you guys for solutions. I know this might be a weird question for this sub, but I asked r/singing and nothing came out of it so I'll try it here. Due to how my voice sounds, my high notes are bright and light. Imagine a 6 yo singing happily (but on pitch) in a body of a 18yo. Usually, I sing traditional songs and/or musical theatre. These styles are known for the fact that, for getting emotion across, they use high notes. When a character feels really hopeless, euphoric, angry, whatever... Get that high note out! Usually, these singers have a heavy sound in their high notes, so they're able to convey the emotion to the audience. However... I don't have that heavy sound. So now, I'm looking for other ways to make my voice sound as hopeless (yes, specifically hopeless) as I can, while still sounding as bright as a happy 6yo running around in sunflower fields (that part is unfortunately not going to change). I'm looking for acting tips, whatever you guys use to make your voice sound as miserable as you can. I've got the movements I'm going to make down, so that'll help a lot, but we're going to record it too and with only my voice, it just doesn't come across as hopeless as I'd wish... Thank you guys for answering!
Hello! I live in New York City. I signed up for a Beginners Acting Class with the Barrow Group, which begins in April. I plan to get headshots taken soon. Aside from that, my interest in acting is brand new and I have no experience. I have seen many threads about the benefits of signing up for Actors Access. I was wondering if it is worth it to sign up for Actors Access with no acting experience and only headshots? I would be looking to land roles in student and indie films for both the acting experience and to eventually put together a reel. If it isn't worth it to sign up for Actors Access at this point, what would you recommend is the best way to audition for student and indie film roles in NYC? Thanks!
Do you use any apps that specifically help you as a voice actor? Maybe apps that help you practice? Or apps that help you audition? Or apps that help you warm up? (etc) Let me know what you use and how and I'll quote you in my next article