How would/did you feel when a director’s cameraman whips out a phone to film?
So just to clarify is the Book an Actor's Work a translation of all three An Actor Prepares, Building a Character, and Creating a Role? If it is is it better to read all three separately or just read an Actor's work. Any info would be super helpful. P.S: This is coming from a high school student participating in Theater who is trying to get the more basics of acting technique such as objectives, intent, etc. I want information about the technique, but I also want practical tips to help in my acting.
I just want to go to a damn play and ENJOY IT. Yet my brain automatically starts judging and criticizing every little detail and making mental notes of what not to do or what could have been done better and how that monologue could have been said differently with this tactic instead of that one and how that costume's tiny little detail doesn't go or is sticking out like one time I saw a show and a character was wearing black heels with her wedding dress and another time a character who was supposed to be from the 1800s had drawstrings sticking out from his pants and the SOUND ugh how the sound does or does not complement the scene and whether or not the sound fades are driving me crazy and how the lighting here and there could have used more of this and less of that and one time this actress put her "cigarette" down and picked up another one without visibly putting the first one out and I couldn't stop thinking about it instead of LISTENING TO THE REST OF THE PLAY and FAKSJDGHAJKCFAH I just want to WATCH a show, and take it in, and ENJOY it, and NOT think about all of ANYTHING. Re-reading this post makes me sound even more like a pretentious asshole and I promise I am not and I truly do wish to turn my brain off and not do this because it takes me so out of the performance when I am focused on every "flaw" which is my OPINION anyway and you know what WHO CARES if the end product delivers that she didn't smush her cigarette so WHAT. I don't want to be listening not to the words and what's being said, but HOW they are being said and how it could be performed better, I just want to take it in as is. After I leave a play, I just feel so depleted and exhausted and like I never again want anything to do with theater or the like. Most of that negative feeling is just disappointment at myself that I didn't even get to experience the play fully because I couldn't stop criticizing it instead for no reason. How do I break this habit and turn off a trained eye? How do I enjoy a performance again without bringing work into it? I'm sorry for the rant guys I just got back from a play and the frustration is still fresh in my mind. Thank you for listening
Hi folks, I'm trying to get up and running as a voice actor and I'm located in Los Angeles, there are a staggering amount of options for coaching/classes around here, so I figured I would ask if anybody had some recommendations to supplement my research into the topic. Any suggestions help! Thanks
Hi everyone. I just wanted to get your viewpoints /opinions on where you think auditions will be heading in the future. For example, how do we think the audition process will shift 5-10 years from now? With more and more of the industry doing self tapes, do you think self tapes would make it possible for actors from any market to audition for roles? How do you think that effects where actors live and work from? Etc. For example, would it eventually be possible for an actor in Kansas to audition for roles in Atlanta/LA/NYC if they has representation? Just wanted to get your thoughts on where you think the industry is heading towards. I just thought it would be an interesting topic!
Hello! So I'm a young actor and I'm trying to find auditions in my area (dallas, tx). But am finding it very difficult to find any work! I've thought about signing up for backstage, but the cost really scares me especially if I can't get any work out of it. Any advice?
Has anyone received a letter from the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD)? I received one today though I've never applied for unemployment, saying they received information that I've provided services for my commercial agency. Within 5 days time, they are requiring me to send them details of dates worked, services performed, how I was paid, etc. As I am not an employee of the agency, just an actor, and have never filed for unemployment, I am confused as to why I am receiving this request for information, and am unsure whether or not this information should be asked of me. Any insight on this? Since the City of LA Finance Office has already been corrupt in their dealings with me, I am concerned about this letter requesting a response within 5 days.
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. 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.
Went to an agent showcase in LA a few days ago because, hey, freelancing can be tiresome and I needed somebody more dedicated to my career. Four agents present. Did a monologue from a tv show episode that aired 2-3 years ago. Finished and waited for feedback. Most of them said they had never seen the show. One guy on the end piped up to ask, “Which actress?” I told him. Honestly, that actress was partly WHY I chose this monologue: we look similar, are a similar age, and have a similar repertoire of skills according to what the show calls for. Also I felt confident with the language. Showcase some Classical ability! “Well, you’ll never do the monologue quite as good as her, right? You should choose something different.” Smile. Nod. “Thank you!” Kind and bubbly exit at the end. Home. Seething. Angry Minecraft mining. Calm cat petting. I just...don’t understand...how people MISS what we’re trying to do. I’m not trying to be “as good” as her. I’m trying to be as good as myself. How MY body and voice tells the story. How I fit into, and have an understanding of, the Jungian/Campbellian archetypal spheres I have strengths in, that instructors tell me I have strengths in. Anyway, </rant>, there are a million agents out there, and only a handful are going to be right for you. Listen to their advice this showcase season, but be confident in the body of your training. Walked out with score sheets in hand and went over them in parking lot. Found a gem: “Great monologue choice! Matches your resume well.” She never said anything in the room, but I KNOW she flipped that headshot over for more than 2 seconds, and that’s what matters to me. Sometimes it’s the silent ones.
HELLLO! ​ New actor here, sort of, with a question. I was asked to prepare a favorite story or speech to give to the Director for the audition. I am bit confused as I am not sure if they would like something like a personally prepared story or a piece that highlights my best acting qualities. What was asked is down below: ​ Please prepare a favorite story , or short speech for the director. Please choose something that lets us get to know you better and that is under 2 minutes. ​ How would you approach this? Also, side question, how do you personally bring "you" to the audition? How does everyone leave their mark? ​ Super excited for this audition POGGERZ!
I’ve always wanted to be an actor but certain people and reasons had made it seem impossible. However, recently, I’ve decided to simply go for it, and I auditioned for a musical (and got in!). I was wondering if any of you had any tips on how to hone acting. I would really appreciate it
I’ve always wanted to be an actor but certain people and reasons had made it seem impossible. However, recently, I’ve decided to simply go for it, and I auditioned for a musical (and got in!). I was wondering if any of you had any tips on how to hone acting. I would really appreciate it
I’ll be moving to LA next month and was struggling to decide which casting website to sign up for as they all require payment. - backstage - actors access - la casting/casting networks Any suggestions?
For years i have dreamt of being an actor. I've never been brave enough to take a step toward that dream. Not even an inch. Anxiety catches up with me and scares me out of doing anything about it. What if i'm not good enough? What if i do it and hate it? ​ But today i've taken a step. I've signed up to a weekend introductory course in August, to 'dip my toe in the water' of acting. ​ I'm nervous, scared and excited. ​ I can't wait.
Is it possible that by exploring that rage that you might open that up in yourself and not be able to close it back up again? Has anyone ever had feelings of fearing they may loose control afterwards in their personal life? Or maybe just the role itself changed them negatively, ie: outlook on life, ability to trust/open up to loved ones?
I'm not gonna jump head first into the characters and stuff just yet. For now, just looking for some simple voice over work, like for ads and stuff. Can anyone point me in a direction?
Hi, I'm just at the beginning of my path as an actor, and I'm trying to find my personal artistic process (or method, if you like). So far I've read "On acting" Meisner, "The Intent to Live" by Larry Moss, and some Stanislavsky. I know that many actors go through a different process for each role they play, but I'd like to find some cornerstones that I can use to work on each character I play (mostly in monologues, scenes and badly written student short films :(, at this point). My biggest problem right now is about intentions: when working on a script I try to find solid, original motivations for my words and my actions, and I find this very useful to better understand the character's behaviour and make it interesting. But when it comes to actually play the scene or the monologue, I think that the character would not think that way, he wouldn't need to think "why am I doing this?" for everything he says, he would just naturally "be himself", as we all do. I find it better to study the given circumstances and the character (who he is, his objectives, his relationships, ect) and try to think like he would think, to feel what he would feel. When I'm playing the scene, my emotions are usually triggered by imagination or emotional memory, and I try to achieve my objective and play in the given circumstances in which my character is at that particular stage, rather than preoccupying about brief intentions. Rational thinking would stop me from feeling, from being: actively thinking about my intention would "break the scene" and would keep me from reacting (and I'm sure the camera could see it too!). So I guess my question is, shouldn't the study of intentions be just part of script analysis? Shouldn't the actor do it before actually playing the part, rather than thinking about intentions while being in character? Also, what techniques (and by whom) should I look into to develop my process? Your thoughts, inputs, and advice would be very appreciated :) And sorry for my broken english, it's not my first language.