TL;DR - new to VA directing. Need advice. ​ Hello lovely actors, I'm in a bit of a strange spot and I'd love input from you. ​ Long story short: I work for a small team on a tight budget making a short/proof of concept. Since I wrote/developed most of this project I've been volen-told to voice direct. I've never done this before. To prep I've begun binging multiple podcasts and youtube interview series to learn as much as I can. Recording with our actors (both established heavy hitters and new comers) begins in the next few days. I want to make sure my cast walks away with something they're proud of. ​ Details: \- Atlanta based \- Acting/Improv experience limited to animation based education \- Love working collaboratively \- Clear idea of what I want this to sound like, not sure how to communicate it \- Animation production starts mid August \- Actors are cast, paperwork signed \- Willing to do classes/consultation, but not sure who to talk to \- Team is confident I'll do a good job and I wanna do my best ​ Any advice that y'all can give a newbie to the booth? Any experiences that were really great, or really bad? What made them that way? Things you HATE or LOVE to hear from a director? Tips on communicating tone, rhythm, pitch, etc clearly? Things you wish more directors knew? Things you wish more directors would DO/NOT do? Is there someone I should reach out to? ​ Help!!! And thank you <3!
watching movies and tv shows with the script can be a good technique and help me as an actor?
As we all know, actors are people who are trying to make a living and to do their job well. How much liberty do they have over the work they get involved in?
On a side note looking for people who play pc Mostly will talk on Discord
Does anyone know of an actress or someone who has that 1950's era style voice like Doris Day or Rosemary Clooney that is actually still active?
I'm looking to act, I've always wanted to, but at a young age my family told me that 90 something percent of actors don't have enough to eat, and so I've been focusing on other things. I rarely watch tv shows, but when I do all I'm thinking about is how the show is made, what the actors/actresses are thinking, what the script writer was thinking and how much fun it looks. I'm 15 and a half, and I think I may have some talent. Just don't want to end up regretting not trying to pursue this when I'm much older. However, cameras seem a lot easier than a theatre, with that many people watching you, including your family, I feel it could get slightly awkward and I'm wondering if it always starts there? I know many will say that camera crew watching would have the same impact, but I really think it'd be different. One more thing, was also wondering if it's worth doing acting classes even if I don't do an actual performance? Any answers would be appreciated, am completely new to this but I already have a little experience when it comes to voice acting and have taught myself a few accents over the years, hope that gives me a headstart. Let me know what you think guys!
You know how you can learn anything using the internet nowadays? I'm an actress, and was looking into learning voice acting. But it seems like it's difficult to find tutorials and courses (I think youtube series count as courses if you can actually learn from them). There are tons of videos about the *business* of voice acting, but not much on how to train it? I found some text articles that tell you to read out loud while practicing your voices as well. ​ But are there any video series that would be equivalent to, say, musicians making videos about how to play the guitar? Recordings from actual voice acting classes? Maybe a podcast? ​ Yes, of course I know I can pay for a coach, but that's not what I'm asking here. For the sake of the post let it be assumed there is no money to be spent. Thank you very much for your responses!
I got an alert on LA Casting this morning from someone who says she owns a "non-SAG" talent agency who reps SAG and non-union actors. This is the main line that screams "scam" to me: *"This is not a cold call, someone from our team hand selected you based on your profile on LA Casting."* They require a headshot/reel submission, and then "if chosen" after an audition, you have to sit for a four-hour introductory meeting. I'm guessing that's the point where you're given pricing options and work out your installment payments lol. Just writing this makes it pretty clear this isn't legit, but on their social media pages they list some solid bookings from their alleged clients so I thought I'd see what you guys think. Hopefully I'll be able to save someone else from this routine if they get a similar message.
Anybody sell books on Amazon as a side hustle? Thoughts? Experiences?
Hello dear redditers, ​ My name is Gus and I'm a Motion Graphics Artist from Portugal. I'm on this sub because a couple months ago I've spent a large amount of hours developing an explainer video for a company that asked me to do it and never paid me. I've talked to its owner who made a deal with my almost an year ago and keeps saying he'll pay but I'm quite sure he never will. That being said, I'd like to use the video I developed for my portfolio instead of wasting all those hours, so I was planing on adapting it to a fictional company instead of actual one in order to avoid getting my video used by that company and other issues that might come if I don't do that. [So I'll need to swap the company's name on the voice-over for the new one.](https://youtu.be/I9uO-ZHuDwA) It'd be great if any voice-over artist/actor could do a quick record saying the fictional company's name with a similar voice to the audio recorded, so I could swap it, I'd be really thankful. If there's anyone willing to help please comment or message me and I'll get back to you with any questions/details you might have/need. I honestly hate asking for free labor and I'm sorry for breaking this sub's rules but I hope you understand. Thanks everyone!
If you are reading this then I'm assuming you read [Pt. 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/comments/cgjas1/a_comprehensive_guide_to_acting_pt_1/) of my guide. Please read that before continuing down this very long rabbit hole. ​ So, we've determined that you have the mental fortitude to even begin considering that you want to act. Now what? **Classes/Training** There are many different routes you can take. If you are in high school/college you will most likely have the option to take an introductory course in acting. This is what I recommend the most. I'm not talking about Intro to Theatre. While helpful, that mainly deals with the history of theatre. I'm talking about an Acting 1 class or an intro to acting class. If you are currently getting a degree in something else, an intro to acting class may be able to fulfill one of your degree requirements. Sometimes Intro to Theatre is a prerequisite for Acting 1. If this is the case then it certainly doesn't hurt to take intro to theatre and then acting 1. ​ If you are not currently in high school or in college classes, then you'll have a very different route. There are many different acting classes that industry professionals offer throughout the year that will help get you started. Since I'm based out of Atlanta I have no idea what classes are being offered in NYC, Chicago, or LA. But I do know that there are probably countless class options and it may seem a bit daunting. I recommend doing your own research. You'll have to pay for the majority of these classes, but don't let that fool you into thinking that a more expensive class equals better training. There are scams out there. And if an acting class guarantees that you'll be cast after taking the class, RUN! Having said that, you should be able to audit whatever class you are interested in. This gives you the ability to participate and see what an actual class is like before taking the leap. ​ Can you make it without taking any classes at all? Sure. But the odds of that happening are so minuscule that it's not worth it. And let me tell you this: you may think you are special and not need any training and are the most talented person in the world, but in reality you are not special. Whatever type you are there are thousands of people exactly like you that have done the training and put in the time. They will book jobs. You won't. ​ My preferred sequence to training is the theatre to film route. I received a BFA in Theatre Performance before I even looked at a camera. A lot of the basic principles can translate to film. The technique is different for sure, but the underlying need for being genuine is still shared by both realms. ​ **Different Methods/Classes** You are going to have to decide for yourself what type of training you want. I was trained in Meisner. It works for me. It may not work for you. Don't feel frustrated if you don't take to one technique. Do your research and see what classes are out there and what works for you. ​ So, now you have somewhat of an idea of where to go once you've decided that you need to scratch that itch and become an actor. Now what? PT. 3 coming at you soon.
Hi, gang. 33/M here. Long story short: Been a professional actor since I was 9 when I started doing local theater. Booked a TV movie when I was 15 and got my first agent in LA shortly after that. Had representation for many years while living in LA (I booked two TV shows and had hundreds of legit film/TV auditions), left one agent for another, we weren't a good fit, they sent me out for the wrong roles according to some of the CDs I read for, I wasn't booking so they dumped me. Spent many years in personal turmoil, moved to NYC, re-grouped and got my shit together. Hitting it hard again. I have current headshots, a reel, a website... I've done pay-to-play and met a number of agents and managers in Manhattan with most giving me the ole catch 22 of "You gotta book a 2019 credit here and then we'll talk." How in the world does one get an agent now? Besides a friend recommending you to their agent and Actors' Connection, how can I really get myself out there to snag a meeting? I know Backstage and Actors' Access are there, and I've scoped them out, but I haven't found much of anything there. Any suggestions would be greatly, greatly appreciated. THANK YOU. <3
I have been looking at articles lately saying Hispanic actors are less likely to get cast or get roles which really discouraged me. However I saw a case in which a girl Anglicized her last name and got more roles. Which made me think whether or not I should too because I am Hispanic but I look more Spanish and can pass possibly as white (example: Javier Bardem). To the point where if I had an Anglo last name I’d pass as white. Do you think it would be a good idea to change my Hispanic last name, keep it, or just figure that out later down the road as I’m farther into the industry.
Is it more important to try and control your face expressions to match what you're looking for, or just "feel it" and let it flow out? I'm starting to practice that, so I'm kinda confused, specially having heard that actors use "motivations"
I've been working in my country as an actress ever since i was 13. Last year i applied for a green card (I'm 17 now) and my application just got accepted. Next year i graduate from high school and I'm wondering whether i should attend a drama school in the US first or start searching for US agents immediately after high school since my resume is good enough to find a decent one. The problem is that I've been (and still am) living in a very abusive household and acting was the only thing i was allowed to do. No going out with friends (only on my birthday for 2-3 hours before 6 pm), no boyfriends, no talking with anyone on the phone and blah, blah, blah. I basically have 0 real life experience. The roles I've landed so far didn't require a lot of emotional depth (i usually play the stupid, hot teenage girl) so I'm afraid that I'll not be able to go after "serious" roles anytime soon and if i manage to get a great agent and start auditioning for those amazing projects but always make a bad impression in front of the CDs (because i probably won't be able to successfully audition for any "serious" roles, i lack the depth and the experience to play those) I'll be written off as green and i won't be considered for any other projects by them if i happen to meet them at another audition again, which is more than likely. I can potentially sabotage my career. During so many different acting classes I've attended whenever a teacher says something like "imagine that your friend said.../imagine that you've just broken up with your boyfriend" i just CANNOT imagine it. It makes it all harder to act, i genuinely feel like a newborn. How would i react to this? God, i don't know. I've never had the chance to find myself in a similar situation. I'm very good at crying, screaming and the overly emotional scenes but i cannot imitate basic emotions/reactions to basic situations because I've never experienced them and i was never truly able to actually socialize. I have plenty of money too (inherited a lot after my dad died) so it's not like I'll be a struggling actress with no money at college, i won't have to worry about finances and so on if i decide to go to university in the US on my own. I've started considering going to a drama school not only because i can get even better at acting, but because I'll also have the time and the physical ability to hang out with friends, get a boyfriend, fall in love and get my heart broken and blah, blah, blah. I'll basically get a lot of life experience that can actually help me out later in the business. If i need to be honest, i kind of need to get some anyways. I cannot imagine myself starting to audition immediately after i move out, then potentially starting to get booked and working all the time (excluding the brief breaks between the projects that I'll hopefully in best case scenario keep getting booked for) and then ending up in my let's say 30s without having had normal social interactions outside of work/any serious relationships and so on. I just feel like i need to be a kid for a little while since I've never had the chance to actually be one. I am also a straight A student so getting into a great university won't be as hard, however i fear that starting out at 22 in the US, even with a good agent will be too hard for me. We all know that the industry is very ageist too so they're usually looking for younger girls (late teens/early 20s) for A LOT of roles if we're excluding the "older woman" roles like the mother, the widow and so on and i don't expect to immediately start landing roles. I have very good looks too thankfully but we (white women) don't age very gracefully regardless. The green card is valid for 10 years, not forever either. I believe that I'll be more confident in myself if i start earlier because of my looks, but i also fear that I'll sabotage my career if i do that due to everything else i listed. In my situation what would you choose? I know that I'm being very silly right now but I'm seriously hopeless. I want to work more than anything and I'm super grateful for all of the opportunities I've had so far but I've been working for 4 years straight now and there hasn't ever been anything in my life outside of acting (I'm homeschooled too). I just can't see myself continuing without getting a brief break and some life experience that you cannot learn on set/in an acting class.
I may not be an actor (yet) but here's a bit of advice for all you aspiring actors like myself. Don't pretend to feel the emotion. Feel the emotion. That advice can take you a long way and can be connected to many areas of acting. But in case you didn't get what I meant, here's an example. Don't pretend to feel angry for a scene. Get angry for that scene. Do something that makes YOU angry and bring that anger into the scene.