We have found 19,242 posts across 4 actor forums:
WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE FOR LA by Winniehiller • last post Aug 4th
I’m an acting coach in LA and have been posting quite a bit here on this subreddit. So I’ve been receiving some questions from young actors hoping to come to LA someday. Some want to know about acting and the business in general. All of my posts are about that, so check them out if you need info. Some have specific questions. Here is one: Q: Do you think getting in student films and such here (Boston)will help me much out in LA? What would make my resume stand out more than others? A: First of all, any experience you have doing work that resembles the professional world, is good. Your number one concern should be developing your skills as an actor. You learn from doing. Do plays and films and whatever you can, just for the experience. Doing scenes in class is a great learning experience, especially if you have an insightful and skilled teacher. Find a good one. Do roles that fit who you are...that resemble roles you might be cast in. But taking a bit part in an amateurish production will not help you at all. At least get involved with people who know what they are doing and create high quality productions. You can learn a lot from watching great actors and working with talented directors. Not so much from bad ones. Putting student films you do in Boston on your resume will only help you in LA if you get some good quality footage of you doing some great acting to put on your reel. It would be just as helpful to get someone with a decent camera to record you doing a few scenes and monologues. The lighting and sound should be good. But even more important, you should be fantastic. And your work should convince agents and casting directors that you are a valuable commodity...cast-able...talented...ready to go. They should be edited together to look professional and tell a story about your capabilities. Edit out other performers as much as possible so that you are the main focus. Reels should be short and exciting. Like a movie trailer for your career. The thing about resumes is that anyone can put anything on them...and they do. Some people’s resumes are more like “career projection” than what they have actually done. But you can’t lie about doing a major motion picture or tv show. They can find out about that and expect to see footage of it. If they can’t check up on it or wouldn’t care to, the only reason to put roles on your resume is to help them to know you better....what kind of characters you could play and see that you have been working hard at your craft. If you have theater on your resume, it should show what kinds of roles you could be cast as, now. You might have played a grandfather in a high school play, but you won’t in the real world. It does help to look like you’ve been busy acting. Some experience is better than no experience. Resumes are also a diving board into conversation. An agent will look at it and ask you a question about a particular production. They really want to see who you are. Tell a fascinating story. Draw them into the conversation. If you can make your interview fun and friendly you have more of a chance getting them to take a chance on you. Don’t just recite facts. Be fun and interesting. But the cold hard fact is that your resume will never be impressive until you get some impressive credits. It’s that Catch-22 situation...you can’t get a job without experience...and you can’t get experience without a job. Just keep setting your sights on the big time projects, do what you can to be seen and make sure you are the best actor they will see. THAT is up to you. Creating your own opportunities is getting easier these days. Producing your own film, web series or play is better than doing nothing. Just make sure that your skills and those of your fellow actors (because they can bring down the quality of your project)are impeccable. No one cares how much you’ve done if it isn’t believable and interesting. Showing yourself in a bad production is worse than not at all. Don’t put anything online that you don’t shine in. It lasts forever. Don’t wait too long to come to LA. The sooner you get access to bigger opportunities, the better. In the meantime, try to be seen for the best projects being done in your area. That is, IF you are ready.
trained, repped, sag actor new to LA, looking for a mentor, or more experienced actors to be friends with. by intothevortex87 • last post Aug 4th
trained in meisner in NYC, have multiple agents in different markets, just signed with an LA agent yesterday, been in LA 3 days now. i have a reel, i write my own stuff, i'm trying to surround myself with other professionals, not amateurs, that I can genuinely learn from. i know my value and what I bring to the table, and I'm really trying to find some good people interested in lifting each other up and helping each other out, maybe even writing / shooting / producing stuff together. hit me up if you're interested.
YouTube Vlogs by Dallas White • last post Aug 3rd
Hi everyone! Aside from my acting career, I’m starting a new branch of content... my vlogs! I’ll be traveling, experiencing new places, and inspiring others to get out in the world to explore. Feel free to subscribe! Thank you! http://www.youtube.com/dallaswhitefilms
Will the role be filled before my audition? by YeezusCrust8 • last post Aug 3rd
So, I've done some small acting in the past. It's definitely not my biggest passion or anything. Sorry if that's hated here. I got asked randomly to audition for a role in a film. They found me. Weird. They asked me to come in tomorrow, but only gave me a day in advance. I told them I couldn't make it because of the short notice and work schedule and we agreed on Thursday of next week. I'm a bit anxious about this now. Should I just get off early and go? Would they 100% fill the role and cancel my meeting if anyone comes up and not give me a chance? Or, is this beneficial to me in that I'll be a later audition? I just don't want to completely miss the opportunity to audition because I didn't want to leave work early.
Actors tip in Los Angeles by HBdrunkandstuff • last post Aug 3rd
If your in Los Angeles and you are SAG join the Sag Conservitory. Enrollment is once a year going on now. Then set yourelf up with an IActor profile so you can start going out for AFI films. There is no better training for the real thing then getting to work on their cycle films. They also offer a ton of classes and workshops but I do it for the opportunity to work on AFI films. I believe it's 40$ and you have to be a member of sag. Good luck.
Thoughts on American actors attending universities in England? by viny1l • last post Aug 3rd
I’m 21, graduated high school, but have yet to go to college. I frequently take classes at a local acting studio, was happy with it, and didn’t feel the need to waste thousands of dollars on college. Now, however, I’m interested in pursuing a higher education. I’ve always been fascinated by English actors and how they seem to be so well rounded in the sense that film actors also seem to have a very strong stage background so I’ve been wondering about possibly applying to universities overseas. Is it worth it to spend thousands to learn in England? Will film casting directors care if they view my resume and see, for example, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts listed? I know there are many great colleges here, but I think it would be a great learning experience and just a great experience in general to attend a university overseas. I know broadway and theatre care more about where you were trained compared to film and tv so I guess I’m asking if having a proper college degree from a well known university on my resume will help at all for a career in film/tv.
LA Headshot Photographer Thread. Who's who? by Strang323 • last post Aug 3rd
Hey LA Actors, This post is intended to suss out a non comprehensive list of who's who of LA headshot Photography. This isn't the final stop, but maybe a jumping off point for those looking for new and reputable headshots in LA. Leave a comment with the name of a professional headshot photographer doing work on par with today's industry standard. As reputable names are posted and confirmed I will edit this thread to include them. Keep in mind - stay positive and constructive - this is a subjective topic. LA Professional Headshot Photographers partial list. * Bradford Rogne edit: formatting
Demo reel production compaies by Myactor07 • last post Aug 2nd
hello fellow actors, i could not find this question on the forum so I have to ask this question. I'll be brief ok. I have been cast in many indie films, cast as lead in plays and just finished 2 web series. however, can not get raw footage or any...
Trouble Getting Auditions by Xeldin01 • last post Aug 2nd
Hi Guys, I'm a little bit confused at what I should do. I'm a represented Actor, I've had some Auditions this year, but lately it's been excruciatingly slow, and I know it's not a slow time because my Acting friends are all running circles around me. They're booking TV Series...
It's one of those days I'm feeling blessed... by fieryroad • last post Aug 2nd
Usually we don't express happiness or gratitude... So here it goes. I feel so happy and thrilled whenever I realize I was meant to be an actor. Thank you, universe. Cheers :)
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Aug 2 by AutoModerator • last post Aug 2nd
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.
Directors, please don't do this by GandalfTheGhay • last post Aug 2nd
[u/idontthink\_so](https://www.reddit.com/user/idontthink_so) Created a post where he reaches out to a girl he thinks is a good fit for the role he/she needs to fill for a short film they are making. The girl cut her hair, and this fellow felt it unprofessional on her part that she did this. Don't blame actors for changing the way they look when you don't explicitly express that they should keep their current look, they may need to change it for another upcoming role and despite what you may think your short film isn't the center of their world. Also, if an actor goes to the trouble of filming an audition **WHICH YOU REACHED OUT TO HER AND REQUESTED**, don't be this person - " I did not open the video because the whole situation made me cringe so hard I closed the mail." People put time into producing the best audition they can, so at least let them know before hand if you are generally an incompetent and unprofessional person. :) Post I'm reffering to: [https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/comments/93qezu/actors\_please\_dont\_do\_this/](https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/comments/93qezu/actors_please_dont_do_this/) Edit: Also, wigs are a thing.
FINDING PURPOSE AND RELATIONSHIP IN A MONOLOGUE by Winniehiller • last post Aug 2nd
Hi...some more acting advice from me, acting coach Winnie Hiller. Yesterday I posted about how to hone in on your objective in a scene and how to figure out what it is really about. This morning I watched a young actress’s video of a monologue she posted on this subreddit. She did a lovely job, but it was missing exactly what yesterday’s post was explaining. You see, even in a monologue, the scene is never about you. It’s about what you want from the other person. Every word should be directed to that person for the purpose of doing something specific to them to change them in certain way. The monologue is from the movie, [Monster](https://youtu.be/-MBtsGn8dOk). Here are my comments: You should be saying every word of your monologue for a particular purpose with the person you are speaking with. Imagine they are asking you questions that you are responding to. How could you have killed all those people? Were you ever normal? Right now, the whole piece has a very dreamy quality, but is rather one note. You are remembering a different time in your life for a reason. Revisit it fully in your mind as you use these memories as examples of why the other person is wrong. Because it is an opening narration in the film, it doesn’t feel like a personal exchange even in the original. I’d probably give Charlize the same direction if it was a stand alone piece. In the movie, this opening has none of her later brilliant characterization and pain in it. But as a monologue, you need to create relationship and purpose with the person you are speaking to. Imagine the conversation leading to the first line. Perhaps the person you are speaking to is Charlize Theron. She came in to talk to you about playing you in the movie. She’s asking you about your history...how you got where you are (in prison)...what led you to be a murderer. She’s a beautiful movie star, just like you always wanted to be. You know they are going to call the movie “Monster”. You don’t want her to think you are a monster. You want her to know you had dreams and goals. You want her to believe your life began innocently and with an ambition. You had hope, purpose, a plan. It is not just a hazy memory. It is proof that there was once a piece of your history in which what you did make sense. And it wasn’t your fault your life ended up like it did. Maybe the line immediately preceding your first in the monologue would be, “Wow...Charlize Theron! You sure are beautiful...you know...I always wanted to be in the movies...”. Now every line is to convince her that you started out just like her. The opposition is that you feel Charlize is looking down on you...judging you...thinking you are a monster. Your job is to convince her she is wrong. Even if you want to do this monologue completely out of context with a different scenario, you would need to fully create that scenario with someone to speak to for a specific purpose. You are responding to their opposite opinion in order to change them. The scene is not about you. It’s about them.
Paid Demo Reels??? Do they actually work? by estelee0mat • last post Aug 2nd
I've got a lack of real footage from short/student films that and I'm now in the typical actors dilemma of deciding whether it's time to pay a service to shoot some demo reel scenes for me. Does this actually help get auditions/agent attention? Will CDs see right through it? Are there any other (better) alternatives besides obviously getting cast & getting footage in amazing indie films/having a friend with a super nice camera?? I'm willing to spend the 500-1000 if a demo reel service will actually benefit my career, BUT I also want to make that it's not looked down upon & will still be a valuable asset/worth it for me 6-12 months down the line. Thanks in advance for the help!!!
5 yr old daughter was cast in a large theater production. What's next? by coolhands1 • last post Aug 2nd
My 5 year old daughter was cast in a traveling production of a Broadway play. She will be paid well for her work and has been told she has the option to apply for the local actors union. At her age are there benefits for drawbacks to being in a union? Should we hire her an agent? She has been in a performing art preschool for 3 years and LOVES being in stage, I see this as something she will choose to pursue in her future. As a proud/nervous parent I want to be as bet prepared as we can. What do I do now?
A little confused on the whole you can only work on union films. by Khoula • last post Aug 2nd
For example, can a SAG-AFTRA actor work on other union films, or does it have to be completely under SAG? Also, what union is in charge of movies such as disney? This really confuses me. Keep in mind I am very new to all of this show business stuff which further leads to my confusion. Any answers would help. Thank you so much!
Agent submission question by actor2018canada • last post Aug 2nd
A few months ago, I sent my stuff to a few agencies, and my number one said that they're not taking any people on right now. I already submitted to them once before that like a year ago, and they said they already had someone in my look and age range. If I submit a third time, will it look desperate? Needy? Will they just delete my submission? Will they even remember me?
Finally gonna look for an agency by rosereese • last post Aug 1st
Been wanting to be an actor my whole life, didn’t actually put my dreams into action til I was about 10. I’m now 17, and a senior in high school. I’ve been in multiple school plays, church plays, one student film for school, and a few skits for the broadcast club at school. I’ve been to one casting call, my first real audition. My age was sort of why I never really looked out into an agency before. but now I’m old enough for my own decisions about my career. I want to do this for life. I know acting is a job, trust me I do. But that’s not all I want out of it. I love the lifelong friendships and one of a kind experiences you make on set. Even me just being in plays for the city, got me a few friends I wouldn’t trade anything for. Acting is a passion, being able to step into a much bigger world. Living in these various characters worlds and their lives is always a blast. I do have a few connections in the industry, some close friends that are actors. One of my uncles is also a cameraman for a studio in California. I know I may be too old to pursue a career, but I’m gonna try anyway. I won’t be able to be the kid actor I always wanted to be, but nonetheless the same mindset applies. Anybody got any advice for me as I start to reach into the much bigger world? I have my resume typed out, cover letter, and headshots available. Do I need anything else ? Thanks in advance .
Biography Advice? by worldtraveler9700 • last post Aug 1st
I was asked to teach a class through a local theater in my community and they asked for me to provide a bio. Specifically, they asked that I mention how I worked on a major feature film even though I only worked as extra and the film itself will not be released until next year (the production company is still using the working title and everything). Now I am a working actor so I would never put it on my resume but would it be okay to put it in my bio? I'm assuming it's because they want me to sound as qualified as possible but I'm also concerned that because the film is still using its working title and I signed an NDA that it could be a conflict in the future. I'm totally fine with telling them no but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were? Thanks.
Rote Memorization vs Verb Focus by dtonationify • last post Aug 1st
I'm reading Dee Canon's "In-Depth Acting", and in one of the chapters she keeps stating blatantly her opinion that rote memorization is bad for the actor, and does not allow for changing inflections if and when the director calls for so. She says, that once you have chosen an active/transitive verb for your beat, you should read the text and try to focus on affecting/saying the text in a way that you execute your verb (i.e "To entice"), and this will get your text into your head. I know that opinions on this matter differ... What is your opinion? How do you memorize your text, rote or this way?