We have found 19,244 posts across 4 actor forums:
A Comprehensive Guide to Acting Pt. 1 by laadefreakinda • last post Jul 22nd
So, let me preface this by saying that I am by no means a veteran of this industry. I have worked in the theatrical world for over a decade and am a newcomer to the film industry. I have found some success in both acting worlds. I'm writing this because I've become a little bit annoyed by the overwhelming majority of posts on this sub coming from users who have yet to speak one line of written dialogue in their entire lives. I get it that this sub is for actors of all levels, but lately the amount of posts that are questions that can be answered with a simple google search or a little common sense is mind boggling. So, I'm writing a guide. ​ **Getting Started:** So, if you are reading this I'm assuming you are fairly new to this industry or you're a veteran wanting to call out my bullshit. Cool. I'm going off the assumption that you're a rookie. So, you've had this burning passion to act ever since you were in the womb and you've waited all of this time and finally want to take the plunge? Let me start this off my trying to convince you not to do it. ​ 1. The majority of actors are not famous. There is a small percentage of actors that make it big. This not only takes talent but it takes luck. Of course there are exceptions to any rule. There are some actors who are famous, but not that talented. They probably have a very specific look that some producer wanted to exploit and then BOOM. They hit it big. 2. You will not be financially stable. My acting coach has a saying, "It's easy to make a fortune in this business, it's hard making a living." Sometimes we book a national commercial and get a check for $3,000 a couple of weeks later. But what happens if you don't book for the next 6 months? That fortune starts dwindling fairly quick. Of course, you could always attempt to have a decent paying 9-5 job on top of trying to act on the side, but even that in of itself is very difficult to do. I'll explain later. 3. This industry will tear you down. Not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. You will face rejection every single day. You will face rejection more so than you will be successful. Agents, casting directors, directors, and producers will look at you and reject not just your talent, but literally your entire being. 4. Acting is hard. A lot of my friends who don't understand what I do make jokes about how I'm obviously such a good liar because I'm an actor. They couldn't be farther from the actual truth. I'm not lying while I'm acting. I'm telling the truth. You should be telling the truth. The truthfulness of what you are experiencing inspires your acting. If you aren't truthful then you will not succeed. Whatever work you do on stage or on film will not be genuine. This part is hard. It takes actors years of training to be genuine. Are you still here? If so, good. That means you may have the mental fortitude to do what it takes to be successful at acting. Many of the people who stop reading after the first negative bullet point are probably in it for the wrong reasons. If you are in it to just be famous then you will probably fail. Sorry. ​ Pt 2. coming later today when I get the chance.
I made a chrome extension for LaCasting filtering by gigafunk • last post Jul 21st
First I am a growing actor like you all. This is not some sort of hustle. I want to share. And network...I am an introvert and this is a small token I can use to help people remember me. So , full disclosure there. Also, If you live near Silver Lake, maybe we can be self tape reading partners, I am looking for a network of 6-7 solid full availability( i am available to them as well) actors to have a tape network. I have a small setup (lights external sound, 720, blue backdrop) and happily will host and read for your tapes if you help with mine. ​ I commissioned a plugin for LA Casting cause the UI is terrible for us actors and they don't care. ​ Its easy to use , hard to describe. If you think this wont be worth the trouble, and you use LA casting daily, your wrong. If you spent an hour setting this up it would be worth it. It takes 2.743846483 seconds. ​ It adds a checkbox to each role that you can click to make it fade out like 90%. **If you click again, it comes back**. this is non destructive ​ Now you can easily see the new entries vs the "reposted" entries you have read and rejected or applied for. ​ Also, click my little orange face icon in the upper right, and it brings up a menu that you can use to add up to 4 ethnicity's and pick a color for them. Now if it detects a choosen ethnicity , it will color the line that color. If it detects more than one? then it will be the color of the last one. I use three colors, Any ethnicity, Caucasian, and ethnically ambig. I rarely submit for ethn. ambi. but I like to read them to be sure, and the color lets me know how much time to spend reading it. (ie not much) ​ ​ Whats the catch? none. besides the network thing. ​ ​ This does no data mining and I am going to put the updated code on Github as open source. eventually.(Let me know if you want to help dev it and Ill get it up faster, im done with it at this point) (Dont worry about this line if you don't know what that all means, it irrelevant.) ​ It is not monetized, but I was considering selling it for 3 bucks after a 2 week trial. I wanted to recoup the money I paid to commission it, and pay the guy to add features and something for the other sites if I broke even. This may or may not work on NY casting. But in the end , charging is more complicated than making it so im stalled out captain! ​ ​ I'll answer some questions, but this isnt a business for me, Im not making money, in fact, I am spending time on it. So please be nice, and dont ask minute details on its function, just install it or not, its on the market so its been verified safe from google and its very small so no download time. In the time you can formulate your question, it could be installed and you on las casting seeing it. ​ ​ Here is the install stuff, if you have problems, just remove it and everything goes normal on lacasting, this is non destructive. ​ To get it you need a browser that supports chrome extensions. I know Chrome for DESKTOPs does, but mobile chrome does NOT. There ARE mobile browsers that it works for. go to this link with Desktop Chrome(or whatever) [https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rolefilter/bbiemgjfgkdgokhbhmmmkiodpibflkdn](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/rolefilter/bbiemgjfgkdgokhbhmmmkiodpibflkdn) ​ After its installed, just go to lacasting breakdown list and you will see.
Looking for an acting job by misosoup888 • last post Jul 21st
I’ve always wanted to be an actress. In college I took some acting classes and loved it. I’m a 20 (soon to be 21) year old female. I don’t know how to start acting? (I live in Long Island). Do I go to the city to open casting calls? Are there legit websites I can use? How do I find an agent? I want to make sure things are legit but I feel there are so many fakes! My friend did acting and worked as extras on sets and made money doing that. Have you had any success? Please help!
Need advice on how to even get the oppurtunity to pursue a career in acting. by UnlimitedPowaaah • last post Jul 21st
So quick background, I'm from Belgium, and I'm going to be studying Computer Science in the US. However, my biggest dream isn't to be a software engineer, but to become an actor. But because of the fact that I'm from Belgium, it brings up some issues, logistic wise. The only way I'd be able to go to the US is by going to college, if I tell my parents I'm moving to LA with no other plans than to become a waiter at cheesecake factory, I wouldn't be here tomorrow. Yet if I get a student visa, I'm not allowed to work as an actor. I also can't stand wasting time not pursuing my dream, so I'd like to get started with the whole process as soon as possible. I'm clueless on how to approach this and need help.
Can a teen audition with an older mans monologue? by Imnachobear3 • last post Jul 20th
I have an audition for drama school coming up and we have to do a minuet long monologue. I picked the dad speech from “Call Me By Your Name”. I’m 19 and the actor appears to be in his 40s/50s. I just found it on the internet and already memorized it, but friends are saying to find a different monologue because Im not an old dad. Anybody know any movie monologues I can do ?
Exercises for Voice Over Actors to Combat Life in the Recording Booth - Debbie Grattan Voiceover Talent by contact2loop • last post Jul 20th
Figuring out where to move by MaestroBarricades • last post Jul 19th
When I graduated from college in 2016, my immediate goal was to save up a nest egg and move to a city with a large audition marker within a year. Of course, life happened and I diverged from that path. I've been working as an actor/educator for a children's theatre company for the last couple of years, and I also did a summer stock internship, acted in a handful of student films this spring, and became EMC/SAG-Eligible. Now I'm looking to move out to a bigger market come August of next year when my girlfriend finishes grad school. ​ The only problem is that I'm very unsure of where to go. NY has opportunities for any medium, and LA is the film mecca, so are both enticing in their own way, but I'm not sure I'm ready (financially or personally) to swim in a pond that big. My advisor heavily recommended that I go to Chicago and said that if I do lean that way, he could potentially put me in front of some people in theatre there. I love acting on stage, and I owe all of my experiences thus far to the start it gave me, but I've also really fallen in love with film over the last year, which makes me consider Atlanta as well. I know people have been calling it the Hollywood of the South, but I'm unsure if any of that moniker comes from a large CASTING presence or just its PRODUCTION presence. ​ Both cities have a ton of pros and cons, but there's so much that I don't know about each one that it makes them hard to compare objectively. For that reason, I'm wondering if anyone has insight on (or at the very least, can point me in the right direction toward researching) these questions: ​ Between Atlanta and Chicago, is one significantly cheaper to live in than the other? In each city, where are the best areas to live as an actor? How big/accessible are theatre/film communities in each city? Are these communities growing or in decline? Is there any place I can find a good snapshot/compilation of what artistic opportunities each one has to offer? Will going to a smaller city first and getting some credits and connections under my belt be a good stepping stone to make a future adjustment to one of the big 2 easier and more fruitful, or will I just be a step behind when I finally do? (I understand that this one is VERY opinion based and if I get wildly different answers that's not a problem) ​ Thanks a ton in advance to anyone who made it all the way through this; I appreciate any info! ​ TL;DR I'm looking to move to a bigger audition market (likely Chicago or Atlanta) in a year and I'm looking for info/resources to figure out what the theatre/film scenes are like and how liveable each place is.
IMDbPro by thatguy_sk • last post Jul 19th
What are your thoughts on the necessity of IMDbPro for those in the Tv/Film industry and at what point of ones career, if any, should an actor invest in a subscription?
Always wanted to be an actor. by G8rTheH8rlmao • last post Jul 19th
So, like the title says, I’ve always wanted to be an actor. For years I’ve been self conscious not just with friends or people that are rude to me in general, but with family too. I know what you guys are gonna say, to just not think about them or just ignore what they say n stuff but that doesent work. I’m not sure if you can audition with just videos to any studio but that’s my plan if you can and if I get accepted or something and just letting my family know if I got the role after I do the video audition. I’m also not sure If like having an agent or something is optional or mandatory. I’m 14 and know of a lot of child actors that dont/didn’t have an agent or have took any acting classes prior to their acting career. If anyone wants to give me some info on websites I can audition on or anything else, let me know. I’m also fine with voice acting. Thanks everyone (Let me know if there’s any typos or words that don’t make sense, it’s 4 am and iOS13 swipe keyboard is pretty bad)
Have you ever been told you're selfish to be an actor by friends/family? How did you respond? by CuspChaser111 • last post Jul 19th
I'll make my story brief - I've wanted to be an actor since childhood. I wasn't allowed to pursue the dream by parents, I got a 'real' job/MBA, I found a way to put myself through school again for acting, everything has been paid on my own here in NYC. I love acting. It's my therapy. It's my joy. Well-written plays are my jam. Never asked parents for a dime for headshots, anything. ​ My sister accused me the other day of becoming an actor because I'm selfish and want to be famous. That I'm self-absorbed and don't care about other people. That acting is a superficial pursuit. I'm not famous by any means. Fame has its pitfalls. I have been on a few shows, I've written my own plays, and my first short film I wrote this year was most recently accepted into an Oscars-qualifying contest. Look that's a long shot but I'm still pretty happy about it. ​ I don't think I'm what you'd call a superficial person. I like to watch the work. One of the reasons I've stayed in NYC is that actors seem to be more grounded here (not all, but it seems NYC is more grounded in general) - how do you respond when people accuse you?
SAG UNION: INTERNATIONAL ACTORS by Lour-55 • last post Jul 19th
Hello, Its known that its much harder for international actors to become part of the SAG union, can somebody please provide me with ways an international actor can gain their SAG card. Thanks
Los Angeles voiceover actors. How did you get your agent? by tryingtobebetter1225 • last post Jul 18th
What are the steps? Google has so many different options that really are more about getting your own work. However you look up most actors out here that i Know they all have voice agents.
What is the greatest direction you have received as an actor? by boxkidfilms • last post Jul 18th
I am an aspiring film writer/director and I have recently become interested into the acting process. In the past it was something that intimidated me but I have become extremely excited about the collaborative nature of every aspect of filmmaking and I was curious to hear from actors what the best direction they have received is and why. Thank you!
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Jul 18 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 18th
Use this thread to post your headshots for feedback, get info on your age range/type, find good headshot photographers, ask any questions you may have about headshots. If you are posting a DIY headshot for feedback, and not just a snapshot in order to get feedback on your age range/type/etc, it is advised that you do at least some basic research on what actor headshots look like--composition, framing, lighting. You will find a Google Image search for "actor headshots" to be very helpful for this. Non-professional shots are fine for age/typecasting; please keep in mind that one picture is a difficult way to go about this. Video of you moving and speaking would be ideal, but understandably more difficult to post. For what it's worth, the branding workshop at SAG-AFTRA recommends a five-year age range. That's inclusive, so for example 19-23, 25-29, 34-38, etc.
Has Anyone Ever Benefited from Doing Background Acting for Free? by RealMadamePsychosis • last post Jul 18th
Obviously, I'm not going to do extra work for one of the big studios, but there are a lot of student projects/no budget films that need background actors. Initially, I thought that this might be a good method for getting to know filmmakers who might want to collaborate in the future, but mostly the background actors get treated like moving props (which, no hard feelings, that's what we are!). I'm all about supporting small projects and student work and whatnot, but it's getting to the point where, if I'm going to travel and dedicate a minimum of 8 hours of my time, I'm probably going to want some kind of positive (doesn't have to be pay, but something other than Dollar Store chips that serve as craft services) So, I ask of you, has anyone ever benefited from doing a background acting gig for free?
Are there any military veterans groups or resources for actors in Los Angeles? by bruceleexdarwin • last post Jul 18th
I find that there are usually veterans resources in many career fields, but I couldn't find one for actors in Los Angeles.
Is it realistic to try to become an actor in the Midwest? by lacpoer • last post Jul 18th
I’ve always loved acting so much, and I’m in a lot of theatre at my school, and basically I just practice how I would play certain parts constantly during my free time. I’ve gotten to the point where I can confidently say that I’m a pretty good actor. I’m about to be a senior in high school but I don’t know if it’s realistic enough to pursue it after school ends.
Taping Services in Seattle? by laadefreakinda • last post Jul 18th
Hey Seattle actors! I'm from Atlanta but visiting Seattle for a week. Just received an audition and was curious if you guys had any taping services around here. Thank you for any suggestions you have!
I don’t think voice acting is for me... by HalleckG65 • last post Jul 17th
I’ve been interested in, and working at, voice acting for a while now. I’ve followed guides, practiced, even got a few (non paid) gigs. I’ve told myself for a long time that this is what I wanted to do. But I’m not sure anymore. My heart just isn’t in it. While working towards my goal, what I discovered is that I really like audio post-production work. A lot. In the last few months I’ve easily spent more time doing that than actually acting. Everything from editing dialogue, music mixing, podcast production, all of it. I can’t get enough. When I’m in my booth recording, my mind is wandering towards the production side. I’m not writing this to be a downer, or to look for guidance. I’m fairly sure my mind is made up—and I’m okay with that. This may have been a dream, and I may have spent many hours/days/weeks working towards it, but I don’t feel like I’m walking away empty-handed. I may never be the voice actor I dreamed I’d be, but I found another passion in the process, and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Thank you to everyone in this sub. It’s been a great resource and fun place to hang out. Keep following your dreams, but don’t get too discouraged if it doesn’t pan out how you imagined. You might just find you needed the journey to discover something else instead. In the end, it’s still a worthwhile endeavor. Thanks!