We have found 19,446 posts across 4 actor forums:
Stagedoor Manor. by Apprehensive_Sea332 • last post Apr 12th
Hi! My names Kyle I was wondering about the "Stagedoor Manor" summer camp in the catskill mountains, NY. I was wondering about how good of a performing arts summer camp it is and if it compares to "French Woods" I'm an aspiring actor and I know "Ansel Elgort, and Natalie Portman" went there. Thanks! I most likely wanna act in film as well, but I just wanna start small and build my way up.
Tax Help? LA Actor hired in NYC as Local Hire by timrasputin4 • last post Apr 12th
Hello, I booked my first real acting job in 2022 on an NBC show and got paid a decent amount, but also had a lot of expenses with it. I'm a bit confused if I can deduct anything though. Maybe some kind and knowledge person here can help: • Paid via W-2 (around $10k for two weeks) • Live in LA but had to travel to and stay in NYC, paying for my own flight, cars and hotel (roughly $6k in expenses) Paid my manager 15% of total (roughly $1500) Paid SAG initiation fees (roughly $1k) Earned: $10k Total expenses: $8.5k As you can tell, I didn't really *net* any money on this job, but needed to take the role for my career. Now it's tax time, and I'm not sure if I need to pay Fed/State taxes on the full amount, since it's a W-2 and I don't have enough for an itemized deduction (filling jointly). I'm assuming writing these off as a "business" expense on a Schedule C would trigger an audit or get flagged, since my income for this job will be reported on a W-2? I also have to file state taxes in both NYC and CA? Any help or advice would be much appreciated, as it doesn't seem fair that after all of these expenses I now need to pay taxes to the government on the full $10k.
Stage name or ride it out? by Current_Confection63 • last post Apr 12th
I’m really new to acting, I’ve been self submitting and just booked my first gig . It’s still a few months until filming. I always planned on using my real name and try not to get ahead of myself but I feel I might have a problem. So my last name isn’t super common…. However, there is an actress who has used the French version (same as mine) and also the American version of my last name. We also have the same first name . Which she’s gone by the name and nickname. Basically she’s credited under different variations of the same name as mine. For how long she’s been in it and how many credits she has, I’m assuming she’s joined the union. From what I understand , if I were to join the union, I’d have to change mine? Is it better to just do it now from the get go? I don’t want to cause confusion with the job I just booked. I also don’t want to worry about it if I don’t need to.
Summer Intensives (Meisner): Where to? by Hi-raeth_ • last post Apr 12th
Hello my fellow creative minds <3 ​ I am in a bit of a pickle. Please, allow me to explain my situation. I would be humbled to receive your advice. ​ I am an actress from The Netherlands, and the acting industry here is really tough to break through. Thanks to God, I met an internationally recognized industry professional who has seen my talent, and who wants to invest in me and help me achieve my goals as an aspiring screenwriter and actress. I am not new to acting, although I do need to train more. I know little about the industry and what the best places are for people of color to practice their craft, which in my case is acting AND screenwriting. I will get back to acting school in August in The Netherlands, but I also want to expand and go abroad in the summer of 2024, and after. My main question is: What is the best place for an actress of color to flourish: The United Kingdom, The United States, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta - Georgia, or London (for example) ? Or somewhere else? One of my coaches swears that I should go to London and do theatre until I bleed, but I would like to study the Meisner Technique in the US at the Neighborhood Playhouse or the Meisner Esper Studio. ​ I would really like to follow a summer intensive that focuses on the Meisner Technique. What would you recommend me to do? I am feeling miserable not being able to express myself through acting. All advice is greatly appreciated, my friends. Thank you, if you've read my post thus far. ​ Never give up, keep your hopes high. Nurture your artistic soul.
How many people do CDs ask to self tape on sites like casting workbook and backstage? by Neontetra2323 • last post Apr 12th
I self submitted for a big network tv series as a recurring costar and got a request for an audition today on casting workbook! The casting director is a big name and I am SO excited but I wonder just how excited I should be, haha. What is the ballpark for how many actors they might ask for a self tape audition for these types of casting calls?
5 Successful Strategies I Used to Act Full-Time - For 37 + Years by Aaron Marcus • last post Apr 11th
I have been so fortunate to work as a full-time actor.
Today's AMA on Escrow Accounts in the Financing Lounge! by Ashley Renee Smith • last post Apr 11th
Hey Actors! There's a great AMA happening in the Financing Lounge for the next 24 hours! Producer, Global Consultant, and Stage 32 Thought Leader David Zannoni is answering questions about escrow accounts for financing and talent transactions in independent film & TV productions. If you have any questions about escrow accounts for talent, be sure to go comment!
website for actor by magicmountaineer • last post Apr 11th
agent asked me to make a website, that will have my photos, resume, reel, and other video content. what would be the best way to go about this? wordpress? Should I pay someone to do it? I'm over 40 and computer is not my strong suit. thank you
Acting schools in London that aren’t as hard to get into as RADA? by Successful_Map4660 • last post Apr 11th
So, like the title suggests I’m looking for some acting schools in London that have a much higher acceptance rate than some of these top prestigious ones. I’m 22, and through some regrettable life choices I chose to not go to college after high school. My passion for acting has re-emerged (I did child acting in LA for awhile and my entire high school career I was thespian president and was in all 5 shows a year) and I really wanna study in London. While I’d love to attend RADA, I’m not sure I can wait the 2-3+ years I’ve heard it takes some people to get accepted. I already am so behind everyone else and I’d rather not be 30 by the time I’m graduated and entering the industry professionally. Does anyone have some recommendations for schools in London? I’m strictly an actor, I can hold a tune but I’m definitely not a soloist.
Another Episode of the Voiceover Soapbox Diatribe by vopro2021 • last post Apr 11th
Here we go with another episode of the Voiceover Soapbox Diatribe. I won’t link to his video because I really don’t want to help drive any traffic to his content. This guy. He thinks he has it all figured out, doesn’t he? He spends so much time in this video talking about all the reasons other voice actors aren’t asking for what he defines as “worthy rates”. But he completely skips the REAL reason, which I’ll get to in a minute. “Fair, professional, reasonable rates”. Who’s the judge of that anyway? The GVAA rate guide? Let’s see, how is that rate guide compiled, anyway? Here’s how - it’s based on a poll of voice actors, saying what THEY THINK voiceover jobs should pay. It doesn’t take into consideration actual market budgets offered by voice buyers. So of course, these rates are completely out of touch with reality. It’s a fantasy and a fallacy. How does he have the time to produce these videos? Simple. If he has the time to put these out week after week, it means he’s not booking like he used to. Hell, I’m feeling anxiety about the 10 minutes I’m taking to write this while I have new business piling up in my inbox as we speak. Much less than the several hours it takes him every week to write, produce, edit, transcribe, and post these videos. If he had enough work, he wouldn’t be making them. So why does he do it? He’s not giving advice to new voice actors out of the kindness of his heart or because he wants to help people. You don’t have to watch one of his videos for very long to understand the type of person he is. He certainly doesn’t come off as the most altruistic fellow now, does he? The fact is, he doesn’t care about you. It’s all about him, and having an outlet for his fear and anger towards other voice actors outbidding him for work. I’ll end with this. Don’t let anyone, especially this guy, tell you how to run your business. What you bid for voiceover jobs is entirely up to you. Don’t be bullied into demanding preposterous rates. This is an open market in a free country. Your rate is a valuable tool that you can use to be competitive in this business. If you’re going days, weeks, or even months without booking a job, it’s not necessarily because the thousands you’ve already spent on coaching and demos isn’t enough. It could very well be because you’re being outbid. And soon enough, you’ll find yourself filling your time doing things other than recording voiceovers. Kind of like what Paul is currently doing.
Disabled actors cast in roles for non-disabled people by S_Gertie • last post Apr 11th
I am discussing something with someone and am wondering if there are more examples of this than I can think of. Really, the only one that is coming to mind is the lead in Mac And Me. The lead was originally written for a non-disabled actor. But, the director made the decision both to cast an actor who uses a wheelchair and not to change anything in the script to have the characters refer to the chair in any way. He is just a normal kid. The movie overall is a wacky fever dream, but they did a great job with that. However, I can't think of other films or shows like that, even for side characters. Things where it was originally written for someone without a visible disability and they really had open casting and picked someone who uses a wheelchair or crutches or has a missing or prosthetic limb or other things where it is a visible thing, but that doesn't really affect the character and they are just people.
What are some of the best script memorization techniques for those that are kinesthetic learners? by Agitated_Ad_3418 • last post Apr 11th
I'm curious about those actors that are strict hands-on learners, what methods do you guys use to memorize your scripts?
What’s it like in Canada? by Jujububu22 • last post Apr 11th
Toronto specifically. I’m a UK based actor with a Canadian passport thinking of moving over. My first point of call would be approaching Canadian agents first. I have a good CV, UK drama school trained. Plenty of guest roles, some recurring and regular roles on major channels and streamers. Extensive theatre experience here in London. I’d love information on: Canadian agents- good and bad - whether now is a good time to approach? I know the strike is affecting things - worldwide. Types of castings you guys see there, theatre, good roles on television or film? Job market outside of acting. What kind of day jobs do you do? Is flexible work readily available? In London I can secure an alright paying day job that’s flexible - how possible is that in Canada? Thanks in advance for any and all info you guys can give me. All the best!
Actors, do you prefer real-life auditions, or self-tape? And why? by Sondrree • last post Apr 11th
Personally I like being there real time, and have someone to act in front of. I get too self continue when I have to act like there is someone in front of me, and have to film it myself. Watching it over, being to self-critical etc.
Auditioning for an 18+ character as a teenager? by SimpleSad6287 • last post Apr 11th
I'm a minor, but I can also pass for someone in their early twenties. The casting call didn't specify for 18+ actors only, so am I allowed to audition for a character in their twenties?
AI using recordings of dead actors with family's permission by mihemihe • last post Apr 11th
"My work is down about 50% and I am been in the business for 20 years"
How to turn down a role from an associate? by BeverlyHillsAddict • last post Apr 11th
There is an actor who I have worked with in a couple of decent short films. This associate also writes and produces their own indie productions and has offered me a role in their most recent project. I’m not interested in it for many reasons, but mainly because the quality of this work would honestly be a bad look for my progressing career. How do I tell them no without using an obvious excuse?
How do I find auditions in Toronto by confusiontime101 • last post Apr 11th
I really really want to be an actress so bad, it’s been my literal dream since I was a little girl but I don’t know how to find auditions. With everything being online it’s hard to differentiate between what’s legitimate and what’s a scam. I would be really thankful if someone can lead me in the right direction and give me some leads.
Voice Acting Help by billyshakes27 • last post Apr 11th
I’ve been out of the game for a long time. I went to school for theatre, worked as an actor for 8 years in my twenties, then I got married, etc. I’m a bartender now, but I really need some extra side income… or a new career path entirely. I have a good radio voice, 2 1/2 octave range, and a lot of dialect and vocal training. Voice acting isn’t something I’m unfamiliar with or have no experience. I’m very good at it. I’m good at like 3 things, acting/voice is one of them and I would like to utilize that skill again. But I don’t know where to start, I’ve been out of the professional works for so long. If y’all have any suggestions, places, or people to talk to, I would greatly appreciate the direction. Deepest thanks in advance.
Getting into voice acting as a teenager by throwaway0873626 • last post Apr 11th
Hey there. 16F. I’ve been interested in VA work for quite a long time now. Up until this point I’ve been grabbing very pointless roles on Casting Club for things like Gacha skits & Minecraft roleplays. Very unrewarding work with very minimal lines & thought usually. I’m not exactly sure where to go from here. The majority of sites I look into don’t take minors, and I live very rurally so I’m not able to get experience in-person. I have a decent setup with a good mic. My accent gets brought up CONSTANTLY and has my entire life. I have an Australian/British mix of an accent that a LOT of people really love apparently. I get told I’d make a ‘great voice actor/narrator’ on the daily. I just don’t know where the demand would actually be for that considering my age. I don’t feel like putting Gatcha/Minecraft skits on my reel would yield me very good results, so here I am to ask you guys where my next steps should ideally be. Should I hold off for a couple of years and try to get into the industry more so then? I’m of course fine with unpaid work whilst I’m still an amateur. Though eventually earning enough to be able to enrol myself in an online course for direct feedback and coaching would be great. Cheers!