How can I make something of myself? (UK) Hello fellow creatives. I’m a London based actor currently training at drama school. I’m graduating from my course in the summer. I’m in my early twenties and I’ve had extensive training in dance, singing & movement in the past but my course is strictly acting. We just had the school semi finals for a singing contest that I wasn’t selected for in the end (I won’t go into details on this post about this) but this has devastated me as I’ve been working towards getting to the finals for several months. I am worried that my age, 23, is too late to make it as a young actor in the industry. My drama school has training at the same level as LAMDA or Central (we share many of the same teachers and follow a similar curriculum) but we’re not as well known as them and many graduates from my course haven’t gone on to do much beyond minor TV roles or fringe acting. The course is full time & accredited. I see people my age, like Timothée Chalamet, Anya Taylor Joy, Florence Pugh, Ellie Bamber, Emma Corrin (in film/tv) and stage actors in big theatre plays and I know that they all started somewhere/had contacts/were very rich to start with but it feels like I’m at a disadvantage because I wasn’t born into a family of screenwriters or directors. I feel like I need a mentor but mentorship seems to be a rarity in this industry (at least in the UK) and I don’t know if I should keep pursuing acting indefinitely if I’m never going to act professionally like many people who finished my course. It feels unfair that most RADA graduates get agents immediately after graduation, they get cast in big west end shows without prior experience etc and that’s out of reach for 50% of other drama schools (like Rose Bruford, E15, or the unaccredited ones) So what can I do better? Networking/going to events every day hoping someone will notice me? (That feels very La La Land) or just keep on with my training, try my best and get auditions? I just don’t understand how to really get into the industry.
I am woman in my 20's looking to get into voice acting without paying an agent. I live in a major city. Not exactly sure want effective routes to take first. I am open to any constructive criticism and helpful tips.
I signed up for Wendy Alane Wright's Hollywood Winner Circle course and regret it immediately. I wish I had checked Reddit before I basically got scammed. I am in her group TMFA and I see posts about it non stop so I decided to check it out because there were good testimonials. I am an actor but I do have credits under my belt and have done classes and workshops. The information in the course is as basic as it comes. It is all information I had either read in Bonnie Gillespie's books, articles, workshops and similar things. If you know nothing about the industry and do not want to take the time to do research maybe it is right for you. But for me it was nothing more than a waste of money. I got added to her secret group for people who pay and now she is trying to scam actors into paying to do these short film productions just to get credits. But she does not know how to do a production herself and it is already a mess. So just be cautious. If you know nothing about Hollywood then maybe the course is fine but I say save your monies and use it on things that will actually help your career. I know I said I got "scammed" and I feel I did but ultimately I made the choice myself. If I had to give it a review out of 10 with 10 being the highest, I'd give it a 2 at max. While the presentation of materials is nice, it seems her only goal is to charge more and more people for information that someone could just google. She has formed a sort of cult like following on Facebook but in seeing Reddit and Backstage posts, I regret paying and just wanted to provide my fair and objective review. Today she posted an article about her course but it is SPONSORED meaning she paid for the article but is trying to trick people into thinking it is a legitimate course. I suppose everyone has a right to do what they wish but as someone who has acted and been to coaches and workshops I just feel her approach and attempts to get money off innocent new comers to the acting world is kind of unfair too. Stick to legitimate people who know what they are doing and don't be dupped like I was. Let this lesson be on my dime.
I have a good mic, some talent, and I think I want to get my foot in the door. What do I do? How do I put my name out there? How would I get hired? Also, what exactly is a demo reel? I know it’s something you put out so they can get a feel for your voice but what do I say in it? Do I just make up random lines and say them into the mic? I’m completely new to this, so please explain it to me like I’m 5 years old. Thanks! Edit to clarify: I’m not quite looking for big projects or anything right now, as while my microphone is good, my setup isn’t really professional at all and I don’t have a lot of money or space to effectively make a VO booth or room. I’m just looking for small stuff to get some experience and gain some traction so to speak.
I pretty much just got all my equipment and closet booth set up, but am waiting on my headphones. I pretty much never can hear silence, because the quieter things get the more apparent the ringing is. Any tips or stories?
Hey guys, really need a little bit of help here. I have an actor muso audition tomorrow that I’m extremely excited for and want to do well. They’ve asked for one contemporary and one classical from the 16th, 17th, and 18th century. I have one Shakespeare, a Shaw and a contemporary but I’m having a lot of problems with my shakespeare monologue. I’ve asked others and I’ve all got different answers but my problem is that I cannot perform the Shakespeare for the life of me. My Shaw piece is something which I truly love to perform and can show off my skills but it’s not what they’ve asked for and I cannot make up my mind on whether to just bring the Shaw and half a Shakespeare or don’t do the Shaw at all and just do the Shakespeare and contemporary Is there anyone who could give me some honest advice and have been in this situation before? Thank you!
I know many actors pick waitressing or something similar because it's flexible, but is it really THAT flexible? My goal is to get to 100 auditions before the end of the year, and then 150 be year. Can you seriously call up the restaurant or whatever you work at and say you're not coming because of an audition on a regular basis without getting fired? How else can you do it?
Hey All - I recently interviewed for a spot at William Alderson's studio in LA for their summer intensive. They teach Meisner technique there, and I am excited to expand this part of my actor's toolbox. ​ What I want to know is if anyone else has taken courses with Mr. Alderson? I read some Yelp reviews, but all seem to be 5/5 stars, and raving - which makes me a bit suspicious. Any feedback is helpful!
*"I get very emotional when I talk to actors because, I am you. I know your hearts. I don't know 'you', but I know your hearts. I know the desire. And I know the tragedy of laziness. The tragedy of entitlement. The tragedy of 'It's about me'. It's not about you, It's DEEPLY about you and it's not about you. Once you understand that... You're free." -* **Larry Moss.** [Larry Moss - It's Not About You.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2f7TO1kIX8) Hey guys, Just wanted to share some wisdom from the world renowned acting teacher Larry Moss. Lately I've been facing my own self doubt again and have always found my way back into reading 'The Intent to Live' (which if you haven't read you definitely should) by Larry Moss, a truly incredible text. His words and passion for the craft have inspired me time and time again to keep going and pursue my dream. If you're an Aussie based actor and you're looking to deepen your knowledge of the craft, he's coming through Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne over April - May. Be sure to check him out, he's not one to miss and this could be his last trip to Australia. If you're like me and you're feeling like there's no end to how punishing this industry can feel at times, just remember - "It's not about you".
Newbie actor here. I’m interested in auditioning for a few student films, and will be getting headshots soon. Unfortunately, all of the listings end in the next few days, and my headshots will be ready about a week after that. What should I do? Should I even bother submitting after the deadline, or should I just forget about it and move on?
*"I get very emotional when I talk to actors because, I am you. I know your hearts. I don't know 'you', but I know your hearts. I know the desire. And I know the tragedy of laziness. The tragedy of entitlement. The tragedy of 'It's about me'. It's not about you, It's DEEPLY about you and it's not about you. Once you understand that... You're free." -* **Larry Moss.** [Larry Moss - It's Not About You.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2f7TO1kIX8) Hey guys, Just wanted to share some wisdom from the world renowned acting teacher Larry Moss. Lately I've been facing my own self doubt again and have always found my way back into reading 'The Intent to Live' (which if you haven't read you definitely should) by Larry Moss, a truly incredible text. His words and passion for the craft have inspired me time and time again to keep going and pursue my dream. If you're an Aussie based actor and you're looking to deepen your knowledge of the craft, he's coming through Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne over April - May. Be sure to check him out, he's not one to miss and this could be his last trip to Australia. If you're like me and you're feeling like there's no end to how punishing this industry can feel at times, just remember - "It's not about you".
I’ve got an audition later in the week and would love any tips or stories of past experiences to know what to expect!
I want to add a slate shot to my actors access account but I'm not sure what to put for my representation because I'm not apart of a union, any advice?
When starting out, it's easy to get locked in on recording gear. Buying that shiny microphone is always going to sound more fun than buying coaching! Trust me when I say that it's imperative that you learn the skills of a professional voice actor before you make too big of an investment into recording gear. A $900 microphone looks pretty and sounds great but it won't magically turn you into a professional voice actor overnight. Work with a coach on performance skills first!
Been doing a lot of reading trying to get a grasp of how securing gigs works with VO work, coming from an acting background there seems to be a stark contrast in methodology and no real consensus on what P2P site is best to use (if any). Although consensus is pretty much avoid Fiverr. I know a lot of actors will complain about Actor’s Access (one of the standard sites to use) and in comparison to the many woes and shadiness of VDC and V123 it seems like an absolute godsend—and while I’ll have some clips posted on AA, I’m still not really sure what site(s) I should be using and how marketing necessarily works for Voice Actors. Reaching out to the VA casting and production equivalent for an actor would get them blacklisted at worst, and maybe ignored at best, but it seems to be the norm for voiceacting. Marketing in general also seems to be different. My main stuff right now is a website dedicated to my acting and modeling stuff, although I do have a video page on the site and a Vimeo dedicated to reels, clips, and work I’ve done. I’m not so much in need of social media help, I think I have that pretty down with acting stuff, just how pitching myself as a voice actor differs, even if just subtly. I do have representation now as an actor, but will occasionally have VO gigs come my way when my reps are presented them—but will be relocating to California at the end of the summer and am trying to cover all my bases, especially since I’ll be a lot closer to studios specifically looking for VO talent, and agencies more geared toward representing voiceactors.
I don't plan on being a professional actor. Last week, a friend of mine got me a background gig in NYC and now I want to do more. Should I pay Backstage and Casting Networks for the year to increase my odds of getting booked?
Please read about it or even audition here! Thanks! https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/members/KattoTheRatto/casting-call/Polychromatic-Purgatory/
I'm interested in doing the summer Shakespeare intensive at either RADA or LAMDA. The 8 week one seems very competitive, and I also see a 4 week one that doesn't require an audition? I'm just looking for insight from people who have studied at either. I'm concerned that the 4 week one will be too casual or something, or that it'll be mainly high school aged or something. I'm a working actor in my 30's who has foundational training, would the 4 week program be a good fit? Looking for people's experiences mainly. Any help would be appreciated. Also open to hearing about other similar programs.
As I was putting together a Tumblr post (which includes a screen to script exercise) for [Season 1 Episode 3](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4959736/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast)....I noticed that there wasn't a credit (on IMDB or in the episode itself). I would be happy to put in a correction to IMDB...but have no idea who the actor is (or a link to her IMDB page). :( Can you help? PS: Here's [a screenshot](https://imgur.com/a/MaLZXEP) of the scene (Timestamp: 17:17).