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We have found 19,243 posts across 4 actor forums:

New and Wanting to Learn by slycooper2  •  last post Jul 7th

Hello, all. ​ I'm new to acting in general, as I've only begun my journey a few months ago back in March by taking lessons as a voice actor. ​ However, as I've progressed, I've become fascinated and infatuated with the world of acting as a whole, not just with voice acting. I've watched a lot of videos on youtube about directing, acting, make up, etc. It's a passion that I had that I never knew about, and it's blossoming quickly. ​ I have been blessed enough to have been able to afford about two acting lessons, both of which taught me a great deal that I haven't known. I took an acting class in my freshman year of high school, but as with most high school-related things, it didn't last. ​ Anyway, sorry for getting off topic. I was wondering if anyone could give me just some general tips on acting. How to memorize lines, how to perfect a monologue, etc. I don't have much money right now to afford lessons, and am about to have surgery for a carpal tunnel problem on Wednesday, and will be off from my day job for about a month to recover. I need something to study that I'm passionate about during that time. I'm in my mid 20's, and am dying to get out there as soon as I recover to try and see what I can do. I'm not doing this for fame and fortune, I don't care about any of that nonsense. I just want to do something with my life that I'm passionate about, and that can help me pay the bills. I'm tired of sitting in an office all day. ​ I very much appreciate any and all tips/helpful pointers anyone could give me. Thank you, and God bless you all.

Tips for a director about to rehearse with actors? by JohnKneedep  •  last post Jul 6th

Hey. I'm making my first short film with quite a large budget (for a short) and will soon go into rehearsals with actors, something I've never done. While some have little experience, other actors are actually quite experienced, been co-stars on many known TV shows, etc. We're scheduled for 4 rehearsals, with the last two being off-script. I would appreciate any tips from your - actors' - perspective on the whole rehearsal process. What are your pet peeves during this process, if any, what makes you get better/understand the character/etc, what the director can do to benefit both you the actor and the scene? Thank you!

Can I get some suggestions on my next mic? by gthomascraig  •  last post Jul 6th

Would love for any help the sub may offer. Currently using the Audio Technica AT2020. I do about half of my work from my home studio and would like to do more from home. I'm thinking it's time to step up the mic quality. The AT2020 is a solid mic But it requires too much EQ tweaking to give it some clarity and brightness. Maybe it's just my ears but this mic is too muddy for my taste. Currently I scoop out some boomy stuff around 200-400 and boost around 5k. But it still doesn't quite have the clarity I'm looking for without becoming harsh. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm curious to hear a your opinions. ... could just be my voice that is the problem. Which I'm willing to accept and improve upon. I'd love for a few of the more experienced actors on this sub to have a listen to the audio sample here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZPjBUa-6WWBF6MWoZcOyxbFl3cJ5oJPd/view?usp=drivesdk and suggest a mic that might complement my voice. Especially for narration of audio books. For ad promos or similar projects, the AT2020 might still be the mic for me. My budget is $500 but I'd really like to spend less than that if I can get noticeably better results. Yes I'm aware this is all highly subjective. :) Some microphones I'm interested in: AKG C414 (used this mic in a studio recently and I liked the sound coming through the headphone monitor. Problem is I never heard the final audio so can't say for sure.) Rode NT1 (I like that it is good at blocking room noise, and it's not expensive, but is it better for my voice? I've used an NT2 for a gig in a studio and liked it but.. is there much of a difference in build quality between the NT1 and NT2/Nt2a? CADe100 (Never used this mic but I've heard the samples online and liked the tone) Open to other mics of course. Thank you. More samples if curious: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=16tJi9RGd-iQhJQYE-CzUOhREbb0D8s7p

Actors of London where would you recommend living? by Lukiniobro  •  last post Jul 6th

Where is most of the Film and TV industry in London?

This may sound like a strange request but... by Yarrpe  •  last post Jul 6th

I wanted to see if there are any actors with a good amount of experience who would be able to have a conversation with me. I just have so many questions and I need to find out a lot. Not just about the world of acting but if it’s right for me. It’s all just too much to just ask post by post and I would like to really go into some details. So if there is anyone out there who would be generous enough to lend me some of their time and just have a talk on some type of voice call I would really appreciate it.

the casting process is insane so give yourself some credit by bracake  •  last post Jul 6th

Full disclosure, I don't work in Hollywood at all. But I've got a relative who does and recently she had to cast a minor role in a movie and we ended up looking through the (30ish) audition clips together. And guys... we were rejecting them for the most innocent shit. I think there were only one or two auditions which we dismissed for poor acting. Everyone else was fine, but they were "too stereotypical", or "too boyish" or "too conventionally good-looking" - all stuff that is highly influential in deciding casting but ultimately not stuff that you the actor can control. Anyway it was kind of an insight into how maddening the life of an actor must be (to do all those auditions and not know why you didn't get the part) so I just wanted to let you know, a lot of this shit is out of your hands. The film people are looking for a very specific thing and you can be great and also just not that thing.

Archetypes for Actors: Carl Jung and The Core Four by Will-Kelly  •  last post Jul 6th

How should I record voiceover for a 5-year old male child? by Kashingkan  •  last post Jul 5th

I'm working on a long-term animated project called Kashingkan, and I'm nearing completion of my second episode. In this episode have a male character who is 5 years old and has 4 or 5 lines of dialogue. I tried recording the lines myself and heavily adjusting the pitch so my voice sounds high, but it sounded really unnatural. Normally all of my voice actors are just friends or acquaintances that come over and record when I ask them to, but who could I get to do these lines? An adult female? I know a handful of willing adult females I could ask, but is that the best way to go about it? Should I get an actual child for the role? I know some parents of younger kids who might do it, but I really hate the idea of working with kids in general. Kashingkan is not appropriate for young kids to watch anyway. Any advice for a complete amateur?

Reputable agencies in Toronto for background actors/extras? Any experience with TFX? by YoungDaggerDick69  •  last post Jul 5th

I was going to apply to ML but the reviews have gotten worse. So I'm thinking of applying to TFX (Toronto Film Extras), was wondering if anyone recommends it (or any other agency). Thanks.

Bad Meisner acting teaching? by jkdkind  •  last post Jul 5th

Hi all. I've been attending Meisner acting classes. The focus of the class is the repetition exercise. First few sessions, all went well. I was following impulses, paying attention to partner, honestly laughing, crying, getting angry, embarrassed etc etc. But then a couple of sessions ago, the teacher seemed to start placing a premium on 'building'. I'm there repeating my partner, and the teacher starts saying 'build', 'build', 'build'!, and essentially forces me to go down that path even when that's not my impulse at that moment, and to get to an intense emotion. The result is the opposite of building, and I become self aware, rather than paying attention to my partner. To me, this seems the very opposite of what Meisner is based on, i.e in the moment, with your partner, following impulses, EVEN if that moment is not necessarily 'going' anywhere, as long as you a picking up on cues and then repeating etc. The other thing forcing the 'Building' seems to do is I become aware that my partner is not honestly feeling the emotion when forcing the build, and then I definitely don't build. This seems like bad teaching to me, where a premium is placed on building (almost like result orientated direction, which is a bad path to take for an actor), rather than just following impulses, even if the repetition is boring. Something will eventually come from the fact that it is boring if you don't force it. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with this? Thanks

Advice for someone looking for voice actors? by Childofhistory75  •  last post Jul 5th

My dad and I are huge fans of R.C. Bray and original audibles like Man on the Mountaintop. I would love to one day have my book adapted to an audio version. I'm curious what are good directions to give when doing a cast calling? Or the best way to give directions to a voice actor? TIA!

Voiceovers - are they a hobby, or are they your Business? by seattlevoiceguy  •  last post Jul 5th

I'm Joshua Alexander, been doing voiceover since 1993 and I am very grateful. :-) Many clients have chosen me to tell their story: Nutrisystem. Uber. Zillow. Cadillac. Wrangler. Microsoft. John Deere. 4Ocean. Ecolab. Unicef. Deloitte. Enterprise. Specialties are E-Learning, Instructional Videos, Narration, Movie Trailers, Video Games, Cartoons, Documentaries, TV & Radio Commercials, Educational, Internet Video, and Podcasting. I've got a diverse voice portfolio available for your perusal and incorporation into your project including the following accents: British, New York, Scottish, Southern US, Australian, Russian, Mexican, Italian, Elderly, Emperor Palpatine (Return of the Jedi). Vocal influences include Jason Hildebrandt, Stephen Russell, Mike Rowe, Peter Cullen, Sam Elliott, and David Attenborough. I run the north Seattle Voiceover Meetup at [**www.meetup.com/Snohomish-King-County-Everett-Seattle-Voice-Actors-Unite**](https://www.meetup.com/Snohomish-King-County-Everett-Seattle-Voice-Actors-Unite) \- feel free to join if you're in the area? I also run the Global Voiceover Artists Network - hope to see you there! [**www.facebook.com/groups/globalvoiceovertalent/**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalvoiceovertalent/) If you're looking for an inspiring blog to give you encouragement on your Voiceover journey, check out [**www.voiceactorblog.com**](http://www.voiceactorblog.com/) \- lots of good stuff for you there. Sorry for all the links but I'd love to stay in touch. I average 5-10 jobs per week and provide free video consults as well, so if you'd ever like to chat about how to gain traction and really get some good work, let me know. Additionally I do free video versions of your demo reels for posting on YouTube and elsewhere. And a partridge in a pear tree! :-) Blessings - go get 'em and keep on voicin'. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Joshua Alexander Seattle Voice Actor & Voiceover Artist for hire e: joshua@voicetalentseattle.com p: 206.557.6690 w: [**www.seattlevoiceactor.com**](https://www.seattlevoiceactor.com/)

How do you throw yourself into a role? by neuraltransmission  •  last post Jul 5th

I’m an amateur actress who does acting on the side. I’m by no means talented, but I love it. I’m looking to improve, but I’ve noticed that whenever I take on a role, I find myself deliberately planning tiny details to be convincing versus just immersing myself in the world of the character and letting things happen. For example, I might intentionally make my voice break to show distress or bite my lip to show the character is uncomfortable. I think including small body language and vocal details is what separates good from great, but I can’t help but feel like this all happens much more naturally for seasoned actors. How do you really take on the role of a character and feel what they are feeling?

I would love to see good actor demo reels. If anyone wants to submit their reel to this thread I’d love to check it out. by markmann0  •  last post Jul 5th

I’ve just gotten some of my recent footage back from a few lead roles and I’m now working on putting my first real reel (you like that?) together. I would love love to see some of your demo reels. If you have one feel free to post it here and I’d love to check it out.

Ariel Theme Park Casting Question by S_Gertie  •  last post Jul 5th

Possibly more film marketing related rather than acting -- but might be a different topic than the usual for a fun Friday thread. (you can downvote if you hate this topic and I won't feel bad) ​ With the recent casting of a black actress for the part of Ariel in Disney's "The Little Mermaid", how are they now going to cast for their performers in the theme parks? ​ The goal with the theme park actors is that if a child sees the same character multiple times on their visit that they can believe it is always the same person. ​ Will they now have both dark and light skinned actresses running all over the parks as Ariel on the same day--maybe staying in separate areas or maybe treating them as different characters who can be at the same location together? Or will they try to change everything over to fit their new star and try to push up the sales on the new film? Or just stick with the original version for the parks? ​ What would you do for the casting of the live theme park actors in this situation?