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.
Hey r/acting! I'm 19, from Chicago, fairly confident in my looks, and finished my first year of college in Upstate New York. I'm looking for ways to start taking acting seriously and start getting more experience. I started off in high school by complete accident as I walked into the wrong classroom. Teacher asked me to read a couple of lines and I was the lead actor there for 4 years. My high school basically had zero budget for theater so it wasn't taken too seriously. Now that I'm at a decent university, I took two theater classes, one for acting and another for playwrighting, and both of my professors in those classes have asked me to audition for a school production next semester and have given me a list of things to read. I'm confident I'll receive a role in school, but I want to make this a career. Initial plan was to major in Astrophysics but holy fuck did I get destroyed by physics my first semester
This was posted by one of our leads in the film I recently AD'd. It absolutely made my day and I wanted to share that if you are a new or aspiring actor you CAN ABSOLUTELY ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. 10 years ago I had no experience as an actor, as a writer, as a producer. a coach or a director. Keep learning, keep growing in your craft and do something every day to foster forward motion. Wishing you all success!
I just interviewed Broadway Veteran Peggy O'Connell ("My One and Only") about her new book "Prudence Pickle Presents: Etiquette for Professional Actors". The interview and book are full of all the unspoken rules of the theatre and film sets and many professional and beginning actors don't realize how many of these rules they are breaking. Following this advice can help you avoid losing jobs and gain a positive reputation in the industry. Check out the interview! ​ [Etiquette for Professional Actors](https://youtu.be/qV5aUtaGB6E)
I'm in Chicago and was wondering if Talent Link is specifically just for those 2 cities. That's what it seems like but wasn't sure.