We have found 19,412 posts across 4 actor forums:
You just never know what the casting director is looking for. by cranekicked • last post Nov 16th
My agent sent me in to read for a doctor role on a network sitcom. Being Asian-American and inching into the 40s age range, the industry has begun wedging me into this "type" even though I don't feel I can pull off a convincing doctor. (5 years ago it was Asian gangsters.) I get to the casting office and there are actors in their 40s to 50s representing the whole Asian spectrum. There are a few I swear who I've had a physical with! Point is, everyone there actually looks like a real doctor and that there's no fucking way I'm gonna get this. The casting associate calls me into the room (gulp) and we get right to it. I do the first scene and I think it went alright, we do a second take with a minor adjustment. The second scene is going smoothly and I see the associate is really into it, until I fumble the living shit out of my final line but played through it. When we finish, the associate says it was a good take but if I wanted to do it again I can. I'm thinking, you know what, I did well for the majority of it but the role is probably gonna go to the dude who looks like the South Asian version of the Most Interesting Man in the World I saw out in the waiting area. So I decline the offer for a second take, thank the associate, and leave the office feeling I did a decent enough job but they have far better options than me. As they say, you're not there to chase perfection in the audition room but to show them what you can bring to the role. Fast forward 4-5 days and I get the email from my agent that I booked it. **TL;DR** the next time you get called into an audition for a role you don't think you're right for, just remember you have no idea what casting is looking for. Also, it's not critical that you get all your lines right.
Interpreting direction by willemwhitfield • last post Nov 16th
Hey guys, I’m hoping to get some insight from other people about some direction I was given for Hotspur’s speech from King Henry IV part 1 (which i presented as an audition piece) The context of the Monologue is that Hotspur is defending himself to King Henry. He’s extremely angry, but is trying to convince the King that he’s done nothing wrong. In the audition I was directed to kneel on the ground with my hands behind my back and another actor, who I’m delivering the speech to, walking around me in a circle. The director said that she wanted to make me “work for it”. Im not sure what the purpose of the direction was, and I feel that whatever the director was trying to change in my performance is one of my blind spots as an actor. What do you think they meant with their direction?
Does anyone else feel so unnatural watching themself act? by TheJanitor5000 • last post Nov 16th
I recently watched a video of a play I did a while back and it feels weird seeing yourselves on video of course, but I feel like my acting comes across very unnatural. This is a while back so I certainly was a worse actor than I am now but still...
Canadian/Toronto Actors: experiences with Stratford Birmingham Conservatory and Randolph Academy? by miceinwalls • last post Nov 16th
Has anyone been to either and can anyone tell me how their experiences were? Also, if the quality was good? ​ I don't know many people who have been to either, since most of my friends are in the film/tv rather than for theatre (which is mainly what stratford conservatory is for). ​ ​
I've been slacking but I'm going to change :'( by Torontoactor2018 • last post Nov 16th
I'm (mid 20's M) an actor based in Toronto. I never trained in it formally but I did start as a dancer/performer. Several years ago, I got very lucky and got on a popular TV show with lines as a main role and got 5-6 episodes which is what got me into the union. I've been a union actor for the past 4 years. I got my agent about 16-20 months ago and I've landed a few parts and I've just been auditioning. My headshots look great, my reel is decent.. but needs to be updated. I however haven't been practicing my craft for the last little while. I was in a class but I'm not really close with any actors in the city. I've been doing this mostly alone and it's been tough all while holding down a job and some side gigs (it's tough for everyone, I know). My more full time gig is filmmaking and I've been doing that for much longer. I would definitely consider myself a professional in it. I know I should be filming myself and practicing but I just don't. I know I'm in a fantastic position that many people are working to get to and I feel guilty that some of this has just been handed to me and I'm just squandering it. I'm on the edge of paying off all my credit card debt/student loans right now and getting out of an extremely deep depression and I know I just need to take a step forward as I've been paralyzed by a fear of failure, anxiety, and a negative feedback cycle/habits (being alone probably exacerbates all of this). I guess I'm just working through a lot of things right now but I'm going on the record to just say fuck it. I'm going to create something and just take a step everyday in the ANY direction I can with my acting, to explore the lay of the land so to say. There isn't a "right" way and me trying to figure out what that is and how I can make things perfect is just procrastinating and resisting what I should be doing. At first, I was super stressed out I wasn't landing roles when I first got my agent but now I realize, I need to be in it for the long haul, the long game and it's really relaxed me a lot. I know sometimes people need to be humbled to get their shit straight but I don't want to disappoint my agent or get dropped by them either so I'm going to just go for it. I just wanted to get that off my chest. Thank you! ​ ​
Podcast interview with Steppenwolf actor Francis Guinan by theworkingactors • last post Nov 16th
[https://workingactorsjourney.com/podcast/episodes/francis-guinan/](https://workingactorsjourney.com/podcast/episodes/francis-guinan/) ​ Season Two of **The Working Actor's Journey** continues with a wonderful and long-time Chicago actor, Francis Guinan. ​ **Listen to the podcast episode** » [*Ep #14: Francis Guinan on Being Blue Collar and Slightly Undisciplined*](https://workingactorsjourney.com/podcast/episodes/francis-guinan/) ​ **Francis Guinan** has been a Steppenwolf Ensemble member for 30 years. We chat about discipline and focus; messing with other actors onstage; great directors; rehearsal questions; John Mahoney; Shakespeare; younger actors; current passions, and lots more! Plus, he works on a piece from THE REMBRANDT, which premiered at Steppenwolf. ​
When is it time to quit school and focus on acting full time? by t626 • last post Nov 16th
Hi all, so I wanted some advice on this predicament I’m in. Get ready for a story because I’m incapable of summarizing. I signed on with my agency for my 18th birthday a little less than 5 months ago. Auditioned for most of the summer and was put on avail about a month in, but didn’t get the part. 4 months in and I got my first co-star (I had 3 lines). The morning before that gig I auditioned for a guest star appearance. I found out I nailed it a week later. Off to NY for a few days. A week after I got back I was invited back to NY to do a paid workshop with a few other bigger actors (the producer saw my reel from the episode). Long story short I’m still in school. I quit my job a few weeks ago once I got the first gig in NY because they weren’t very accommodating with this or school... but you know it paid well and I gotta pay for school somehow. My mom was upset at first because she thought I wasn’t ready and hadn’t gotten enough parts to prove it- until this latest workshop. Primarily because the producers and writers reached out. Not my agency. If I nail this and get the part I’ll miss the last month of next semester, which could potentially waste thousands of dollars. Even now it’s difficult balancing school primarily with attendance. Lots of professors are pretty strict about that, and only one of them has been accommodating (with the exception that I keep up and do extra work when needed of course). I love school. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a film major and did this as my back up plan but I still really enjoy my classes. Not as much as acting professionally of course, but I’m so scared to take that leap. My parents are actually suggesting I take a semester off if I keep getting parts (say once a month). Not to toot my own horn, but so far my risks have all been worth it revolving around this issue. I promised myself if anyone ever took me seriously with this that I would never say no. This ALWAYS comes first. And I always at least go on the initial audition. I feel like now is too soon... but like I reeeeally don’t want to waste my money on school if I’m not going to finish it you know? Just seems like thousands of dollars I’m flushing down the toilet. School is always there right? But I don’t want to ever be in a situation where I’m fucked with no acting and no degree for a decent job. What do you guys think? Should I let this job determine my faith? If I get it I’ll have a decent theatre gig for about 12 weeks, and another great thing to add to my resume.
Best Casting Websites by MissAndreaDraper • last post Nov 15th
What are the best casting websites for California actors?
Thoughts on A1’s? by Gavgem345 • last post Nov 15th
Hi Guys! I was just accepted to A1’s this year and I wanted to know about people’s experience in the past with it and how they felt about the audition process :) comment below :) any info is helpful!
Anyone Reccomend a Great Podcast on Acting? by Jade Robinson • last post Nov 15th
Being a very busy minded person I like to constantly be absorbing information and listening/reading/watching interesting content from people in the industry. Can anyone recommend a great podcast, or even a video series on advice for actors/screenwriters/filmmakers in general?
NYC Repped Actors: Who Do Agents Want You to Train With? by tragicomic • last post Nov 15th
Hi! Wondering if anyone can shed some light on who agents are recommending right now in terms of coaching, specifically on-camera, but generally as well. I know certain studios have better reputations than others, but are there recent trends/interest in individual coaches or teachers specifically? It would be great to...
English / drama or just drama at university? What’s the difference? by Gwts200 • last post Nov 15th
I want to become an actor and I’m using uni as a safety net if I don’t get into drama school. I’m wondering whether it’ll be more beneficial to study a English and drama course or just a drama course? Would a solely drama course be more beneficial and give me greater opportunities ?
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Nov 15 by AutoModerator • last post Nov 15th
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.
music video eligibility as a SAG-AFTRA member by cnote1011 • last post Nov 15th
Hi! I'm getting a little ahead of myself but I'm curious. I'm a singer- and that's the main goal. I also am signed w an acting agency and have booked a non-union commercial. I had an audition today that asked if I'd be okay with being SAG Eligible if i got the part, so I started researching. I know Union actors can't take non-union jobs after joining, but would I be able to be in my own music videos, since they're my creation? Any insight would be great! Thank you!
Giovannie Espiritu: Actress And Filmmaker Discusses How To Be Successful by Michael_Dinich • last post Nov 15th
Discussion with Actor John Tague about how to make it. by Michael_Dinich • last post Nov 15th
Which day jobs have flexible times for actors? by man_from_orion • last post Nov 15th
Hi there everyone!. I live in South Africa and I'm slowly but surely making a name for myself in the acting scene. Problem is, I'm currently doing mostly future work and don't have a permanent role yet. It doesn't cover all the bills... So I've been trying to figure out what day job I can get that has flexible hours so I can also be on set during the day. Does anyone have any suggestions?
What is the most important thing an actor can do to further themselves in this business? by TheaterNerd • last post Nov 14th
Besides the obvious of working on one’s craft, taking lessons and the like, what do you think is the most important thing an actor can do to help themselves? What have you noticed helped you the most?
Casting Director Workshops by futurebro • last post Nov 14th
Been thinking about trying to build relationships with casting directors through classes since I've been unsuccessful in finding an agent so far. Does anyone recommend one of these over the others? One on One Actors Launchpad Actors Connection Any others? ​ Any advice in general about this?