We have found 19,242 posts across 4 actor forums:
Can you be pidgeonholed as an ensemble actor? by poliwhirldude • last post Jul 14th
I know that, in film, if you appear too much as an extra, you’ll start to get a reputation of being an “extra actor” and won’t be brought in for speaking parts. Is this the same for theatre? If you get too many ensemble roles- even at huge theatres- does that change the way people see you? Might you have a harder time getting leads, or is any credit good credit for the resume?
There Are No Stupid Questions - Jul 14 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 14th
Please feel free to ask any question at all related to acting, no matter how simple. There will be no judgements on questions posted here. Everyone starts somewhere. So ask away!
How do you practice and more by donnie_marko • last post Jul 13th
Hey friends!! I have a few questions, and I have always gotten such awesome advice and responses here, so I thought I would reach out again. My first question is just about how you practice your craft. I am a visual artist as well as an actor, and when I want to practice my visual art, I know exactly what to do. I get out some paper and media of my choice, I select an exercise or element I feel I need to improve, and I go at it for a few hours. Musicians do this by picking up their instrument and challenging themselves. My problem is that I am not sure how to challenge myself as an actor on my own outside of a class setting. What do you guys do to practice your craft in your spare time outside of class/auditions/rehearsal? My second question is about the industry. I am new out of college and nearly all of my work is from the stage, and unfilmed. I want to get a demo reel together, but I am not sure how or with what. What are your thoughts on getting a demo reel if you don't have any short/student films to include? Is it okay to rehearse some monologues and use those? How necessary is a demo reel? Thanks again friends!
Can you name any examples where actors perfected “bad acting” in a role? by LightningCurry • last post Jul 13th
I’m looking for any shows or movies where a character is portraying someone who has an acting gig and is really bad. So I would imagine they would be oscillating between good acting (their real life) and bad acting (their gig). I was thinking Disaster Artist would have this but it actually didn’t. The only thing they had was a scene for scene mimic at the end, and a meh “bad” performance by Zach Efron. I’m curious how much I can learn about bad acting by someone who can come full circle and be so deliberately bad. It seems extremely hard to do. I would love to see a sizable example if anyone knows of one. Thanks!
Time to revisit the idea of conservatory programs? by db_333 • last post Jul 13th
So I'm in my early 20s and have been going at this acting thing for a little while now. I've always been repped and am currently very happy with who I have, although I need more auditions. The biggest problem, as I'm sure many of you can relate, is just that. Auditions. Opportunities. Forget fighting for the role, fighting for the chance to fight against 100 others is the battle. I was talking to a friend today currently in a top acting conservatory. He's talking about the offers and contracts he's getting for leads in feature films (not huge blockbusters, but features nonetheless), roles in network shows, opportunities to be a part of writers rooms on big Emmy winning shows... and we're the same age. And, of course, he tells me that these opportunities have come simply from being a part of this big conservatory. The alumni network and casting people at the school are so good that they're getting him around all the problems I currently see myself having with no foreseeable solution other than a shit ton of work and a huge amount of luck. I feel like, when you have actors graduating from programs like that with those opportunities right there, the cards are wildly stacked against people like me who are going it alone. Of course it's possible to make it that way, but the difference in the opportunities my friend is getting are even more worlds apart than I had ever imagined. It's made me realise that if I want my absolute best shot at really making it, I need to be in one of those programs. I'll still try if not, but it's like going it alone vs. getting into one of the programs is like buying a lottery ticket vs. entering a local raffle, but with the same prize. Am I overreacting? Is there more I could be doing to further my chances without a huge conservatory? Because I'm trying to be more selective by doing work that pays at least a small amount, and that will further and advance me and my career in at least a small way, but of course with selectivity comes less opportunity... so I've not been working much lately. Thinking of starting to make my own work... but anyway, is it worth going through that crazy expensive and time consuming application process again? Or am I underestimating my chances without ready made contacts or a big school behind me?
No responses and rejections from agents? by actingstarterpack • last post Jul 13th
Long time lurker, now time to for me participate. Do you guys know what to do when you get no responses from agents? I have good headshots and also a demo reel made from self-tapes. The self tapes that I had were at the professional quality. It's basically what you would see as an audition from a working actor. I am feelimg really upset because I don't know what to do. A few months back I messages the agents directly using their emails I found imdbpro. I didn't get anything. Now I submitted in their general submissions because I felt that maybe I was coming off as too aggressive by emailing their at their addresses. I made a list of agents who repped actors most like me, and sent them a well thought out email.... after getting no resomses or rejections, I emailed every agent in my city since there is no point in being picky anymore. I addressed the emails directly to the agents name. I am not sure what to do. I have two questions. Is it better to email the agents directly or is it better to follow instructions and send directly to their general submissons? Also, at this point, I don't know what is the issue. I feel there is the option of hiring a production company to shoot scenes, but honest ly.... I feel my self tapes are better only because the focus is on me purely. I think its a stronger show case of my acting abilities. I also know agents accept actors with class footage and self tapes as mentioned on their websites.
How to look more engaging on camera by BluePlate55 • last post Jul 13th
First off, I'm not an actor, but I'm hoping some of you may have advice for me. I'm a teacher who got the chance to film a TV pilot about my work for a major cable network (whoo!), but the show wasn't picked up (boo!). I got to see the pilot though, and it was crazy because I felt like I was pretty animated (verging on hammy at times) while we were filming (I was the host), but on the screen, I looked almost bored, not like like a TV personality at all but more like a regular, background person. (This was not the feedback I got from the producers--they just kept saying I was doing great--but something I noticed myself when watching). It is a common thing that facial expressions and attitudes translate more subtly on screen? In the future, how can I seem more like I belong on TV while still remaining myself in my professional capacity (ie, not acting like a parody of myself)? All tips and expertise very much appreciated! Sorry if this is the wrong sub for this question! The TV world isn't a place I'm used to.
Theatrical superstitions by epicninja5432 • last post Jul 13th
Hi all, So I’m performing today (Friday 13th: infamous for its bad luck connotations) and it got me wondering, **how many of you guys (and gals) are superstitious when it comes to performing?** **Is there any things you do before (or during) a performance that’s quite routine for good luck?** I was waiting to go on stage the other day when another member of the ensemble asked me to wolf whistle for him because he said his mouth was too dry with nervousness, so I practised whistling backstage and remembered that in another performance a friend told me to never whistle back stage (origins relate back to when sailors did the rigging and stuff and they whistled to signal scene changes, so actors whistles would confuse them and could result in technical issues and injury) Obviously there’s the big ones: The Scottish Play, and saying ‘break a leg’ It’s quite funny the way actors are superstitious but a bit fascinating at the same time
Finding Monologues and Resume questions by ShadyNero • last post Jul 13th
Hello all, so I just finished my 2 Years at the William Esper studio in NYC and now it’s time for me to dive into this mad world of acting. I’m wondering how most of you found your monologues? I also don’t have a reel and I’m on backstage and I see a lot of the good work is requiring some sort of reel which is fine but I don’t have one so my plan is to record a monologue at one of my friends with professional equipment to have something for the video section. I feel like I fit into a dark and brooding type of role, or even a “The Pillowman” style of dark. Is an overused monologue an actual problem or should I not think to hard about that and do whatever I find enjoyable. Resume: I also don’t have a big or meaty resume I basically have class and a few community theater plays from my hometown and obviously my physical. I thought adding a small personal section would be good at the bottom just talking about how I like to work and what I can provide for them. But I’ve heard mixed reviews on this. I know it’s a bit unconventional but I feel like it would make me standout a bit more since I don’t have a lot on there. But let me know if that is just a big no no And should be saved for the cover letter. Any advice you have is appreciated. Right now I’m only on backstage and I want to branch into actors access but I feel so limited without any video of me. Anyways thanks for reading my anxiety ridden post, I wish you all the best in your endeavors!
Would love some advice! by SecretFamousMan • last post Jul 13th
Hi there! I'm a 20 year old on-camera actor with about twelve years experience. I'm professionally represented, working out of Chicago, and a member of SAG-AFTRA. I'm happy for being this far along in my career, but obviously I want to go further, as my goal is to be consistently working out of L.A. within two years. With my status as a SAG-AFTRA member, I find my options somewhat limited to the union productions I audition for. I've told my agents I'd like to audition for more theater, but I'll be honest, I'm in a dry spell. I had a good audition for a minor part in a TV production yesterday, but that was my first one in a few months. I guess I'm getting kind of restless, and I'd love some advice on what more I can do to make sure I can reach my goal of being able to support myself through acting. Right now, I'm living with my family and I don't have a 9-to-5 job outside of acting, though I'm currently looking for server jobs near me. When I'm not auditioning, I watch movies, read scripts, write scripts (I just had my first completed short-form script get put into consideration for this talent showcase at one of the big networks), and of course read plays. I'm also auditing an acting class next week to see how the studio runs things and if I'd want to take more classes there. I'd love some advice on how to meet more creatives near me (I live in a small town about 40 minutes from Chicago), and how to take more control of my career. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you!
EVERYBODY ACTS by Winniehiller • last post Jul 12th
I’m working on writing a book for people who act. Which means it’s a book for everyone. Maybe you’ve been doing theater, TV and film for decades. Or you could be a beginner. Maybe you’ve never even read a script and have no intention of ever being a professional thespian. No matter which you are, you act. You’ve been acting your whole life, whether you know it or not. Let’s look at the word “ACT”. What does the word mean? Let’s imagine you tell someone you were doing something and they ask you, “Did you complete the act?” What do they mean? Most likely they want to know if you finished what you were doing. You were in pursuit of a goal. You wanted something and that desire set you into ACTion. You either accomplished it or not. So acting is to be in pursuit of a goal. Accomplishing a goal might take strength and physical effort. It might take getting other people involved to help you. You may need to speak to people...try to persuade them to come around to your way of thinking. People and circumstances will oppose you, so you will try different means of convincing them to be on your side. When you really want something, you will do whatever it takes to get it. That’s acting. Sometimes we say we want something but we don’t ACT like we do. We won’t do whatever it takes to get it. That’s because we don’t really want it. We want something else, more. For instance, we might say we want to study for an upcoming important test. The plan is to buckle down and hit the books. But what we really want is to avoid studying. We begin to try to convince ourselves and others that we are going to get started soon...that we will do better after we’ve watched a little TV. We might employ more tactics to NOT study than to study. Avoidance is actually a pursuit. Either way we are trying to get something. We are ACTING. The point I’m trying to make is that for as long as we are alive, we are always acting. We always want something. We are always trying to get it. As soon as we complete one goal, we have another. Even when we are sleeping we are in pursuit of getting the rest we need so we can wake up ready to go out and accomplish more stuff. So you see, no one lacks any experience at acting. We do it womb to tomb. Some people think of acting as playing a character. If that is your definition, my argument holds. Everyone is an actor. Everyone has some kind of character. Everyone plays different roles. Sometimes you play the part of a parent. Sometimes a boss. You play the lover and the villain...the hero and the victim. The only difference between you and the greatest actors who have ever lived, is that they have the skills to do what you do naturally, ON CUE. They can take on someone else’s desires and go to work at achieving them with someone else’s words. It isn’t easy, which is why most people are pretty bad at it when they first try. They, in most cases, are only reading the words...reciting the lines. They are not going after anything. They are not using their words for a purpose, so they are ineffective. But sometimes the character we play in real life is ineffective. At some point everyone has had the experience of being too shy, too frightened or lacked the confidence or determination to achieve their goals. They needed a different character to get the job done. In that case, wouldn’t it benefit everyone to learn to employ one during these times...to have the character that could do what needs to be done? So I plan to write this book for all you actors, whether you confine your performances to the real world or delve into the fantasy world of stage and screen. I’ll be sharing some of it here on Reddit, so tune in and follow me if you are interested. Shakespeare tells us “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”. Guess we all might as well learn to act.
submitting for managers as non-local? by mirrorsarereflective • last post Jul 12th
Hi guys, I've asked this question before, but I wasn't able to get responses. There are a few managers that are of interest to me. Some of these rep actors from Canada, Australia.... There are also actors who are repped by managers that live in different provinces (or states if you will). All these managers seem to be located from a significantly far away city in comparison to the actors. How does one go about submitting for managers like this? Do we have to meet them in person? I don't get how this process works.
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Jul 12 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 12th
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.
Branding Survey! by LunaYves • last post Jul 12th
Hey guys! I need your help with a branding survey (2-3minutes). I'm an actress and I want to find out what my brand or typecast is. If you could click the link below and fill the survey out I would really appreciate it! Thank you! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeI1QR26LIyUZdzaRwJHPQkKWMrm1tnvnx8DR5S8-r-mrnOqg/viewform?usp=sf\_link](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeI1QR26LIyUZdzaRwJHPQkKWMrm1tnvnx8DR5S8-r-mrnOqg/viewform?usp=sf_link)
Received a scam email today, here's what it looks like to you guys who have never seen one. by RunningWithTheBoys • last post Jul 12th
Hey guys, so today I received a scam email today, but instead of deleting it, I thought I'd show some of you guys what it looks like if you're unfamiliar. So, here it is: >Dear RunningWithTheBoys, > Thank you for responding to our casting call, it would be really nice working with you. RAW Films is an award winning Film & TV production company based in California. As an industry leader in DRTV, we specialize in advertising for the screen, specifically; TV commercials, web films, homepage videos, corporate documentaries and digital content. Over the last ten years we have produced over a thousand films for a diverse range of clients. These include key players in the automotive, fashion, technology, finance and FMCG sectors. > We are casting models and actors for an upcoming shoot for our client (Mobiloitte) Mobiloitte is an award winning web, cloud and mobile application development company. It does next generation mobile application development for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows platforms. It has been named among the top mobile application development companies by Silicon India. >PURPOSE OF THE SHOOT : A commercial for a location based mobile app online (website) video. The location based mobile app helps marketers target the right audience. This is a business to business brand video where we'll show the brand marketer and how they use this app to target the right consumers for their business. >ROLES >(1.) Consumer (Lead): Male & Female, 18-67 >A well-dressed, millennial consumer; the video will have a voice over so you will not have any lines; to date the action is as follows: you will be in a coffee shop searching for a product (maybe clothing or a furniture) on your phone; then you will pass by or be near a clothing or furniture store and get an add on your phone that makes you want to walk into the store; and you may make a purchase at the store; we'll need you to get a manicure before the shoot, which we will reimburse. >(2.) Brand Marketer (Lead): Female & Male, 18-45 As the brand marketer, we're looking for a sophisticated personnel who's working at tech startup. The video will have voice over so you will not have any lines. You will be on a computer using the location software to better your results. >USAGE :Twelve (12) months usage across the UK, US, Canada India and Ireland. Usage includes: web, printed collateral, digital/social/mobile, print, public relations and one press kit. >EVENT DATE : 21st & 22nd OR 28th & 29th July 2018 >SHOOT LOCATION : We will be shooting at a location around you, but transportation will be covered if we have to fly you out to Los Angeles. Full details of location to be provided to you in due time. >COMPENSATION & UNION CONTRACT DETAILS : $1,000/day and $4,000 for usage [Totaling:$6000]. This is expected to be a two day shoot which involved up to 4-5 hours daily or we can arrange a full day shoot for you in case you have a tight schedule. There will be a model release form upon acceptance." >WARDROBE & MAKE UP : We’ll cover your hair and make up as well as your wardrobe. Your wardrobe consist of high end fashion products (clothes, shoes, custom wears and fashion accessories). A wardrobe allowance will be allocated to you and you’ll be instructed on where and what to shop. >RETAINER & PER-NEGOTIATIONS : You’ll be receiving an upfront payment from the sponsor of the event, this is to ensure payment for future services or work to be rendered. Part of this upfront payment will cover for your wardrobe expenses. >EXTRA INFO : You may come to the shooting location with a friend or family if it makes you feel more comfortable. An actor/model coach will also be on site to offer you a profound change of mentality, guideline & confidence. Don’t get me wrong: it’s rewarding and a privilege to be part of the jungle that is the fashion and entertainment industry. But this same line of work can slice your confidence into pieces. Time and time again I’ve seen models ask painfully vulnerable questions. Am I pretty enough? Am I the right size? Do I have what it takes? I fully understand the importance of having confidence, and if you’re a working model, you should too. No, I’m not talking about faking confidence or putting on a forced smile in the casting room. I’m talking about really feeling comfortable in your skin and embracing every quirk and trait that defines you. This is where working with a commercial modeling coach comes in. >COMPANY NOTE: "In addition to representing talent, RAW Films also offers training and related development services to models and actors for additional fees depending on experience level and select division(s)." >REWARDS: This will be a fun day of shooting as you get to keep your wardrobe. The videos will be posted on various social media platforms with name and link credit. >INFORMATION REQUIRED : Below are a list of the required information in order to consider you for this amazing opportunity. >LEGAL NAME >STAGE NAME (IF ANY) >PHYSICAL ADDRESS (NO P.O BOX) >CELL # >AGE >EXPERIENCE (IF ANY; NOT REQUIRED) >TWO RECENT PICTURES >REFERENCE >SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM >PREFERRED ROLE : >PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS: By providing the information requested above, you agree that if you are chosen for this shoot, you oblige to the terms stipulated above (usage, compensation, wardrobe & make up, retainer & negotiations and rewards). If you do not agree with any part of the policy & terms, or if you have any other dispute or claim with or against us with respect to the Terms of Use or the Media Services, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue further communication. We will not sell, rent or provide your personal information to third parties or unaffiliated Internet Brands. Your personal information is shared with third parties with your consent, except in circumstances where the law requires it to be shared. >Thank you & Looking forward to hearing from you soon. >Regards, >Joe Priestley >RAW Films >priestley@raw-films.com >www.raw-films.com >“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” — Paul Caponigro But RunningWithTheBoys, how do you know it's a scam? It seems like a great opportunity! 1. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS! This random email is offering me a total of $6,000 and the fishy thing is they are NOT requiring any auditions for it. 2. This is THE easiest red flag to spot and it is this made up thing that doesn't exist called your "wardrobe allowance". In this email, he writes *"A wardrobe allowance will be allocated to you and you’ll be instructed on where and what to shop."* Furthermore, they write, *"You’ll be receiving an upfront payment from the sponsor of the event, this is to ensure payment for future services or work to be rendered. Part of this upfront payment will cover for your wardrobe expenses."* What this means is that they will send you a check anywhere from $6,500-$10,000. You will cash the check in to the bank and it will go through, as bounced checks or fraud do not get detected right away. They will ask you to send the excess money back OR to use some of the extra money they sent you to pay the make up artist or some other made up person through mail. The check you write or online payment you make to pay this imaginary person will not bounce, as it is your money. Later, you discover that their check was fraud and you are down maybe about $2 grand of your own money. 3. *"You may come to the shooting location with a friend or family if it makes you feel more comfortable. An actor/model coach will also be on site to offer you a profound change of mentality, guideline & confidence."* No professional shoot will specifically allow you to bring anybody to the set with you. Also, as an adult, nobody will ever provide you with an actor/model coach, whatever the hell that is. If someone is paying you $6,000 to do a job, you better damn well know how to do it. This "Extra Info" paragraph is put in just so they can prey on the vulnerable. 4. *"In addition to representing talent, RAW Films also offers training and related development services to models and actors for additional fees depending on experience level and select division(s)."* This is a really weird business set up if you think about it. They say they are a Film & TV Production company and now they are saying that they are also an Agency as well as a School. 5. From the information required list, the last one says *PREFERRED ROLE* which again, is really fucking weird. They should have put up a professional breakdown on a casting website with the different 'roles' they're offering and that's how role submission normally goes. If they're offering you all this detailed information about their shoot and $6,000, you would think their own client or casting department would know which role they want you for because commercial casting is normally picky as fuck. Why would they have the actor pick? 6. I know the wording looks good and even their website looks good, but don't be fooled. They posted a link to their website here: http://www.raw-films.com/ which is just a duplicate of another fake website here: https://www.feelthebeatvideo.com/ which is probably also just another fake duplicate of another website. **Don't get scammed. And remember, if it's too good to be true, it is.**
Getting worried. Agent got me one audition this year by Unhelpfulhelpful • last post Jul 12th
I switched agents last year and my new one has gotten me a total of two auditions in 9 months. I've managed to get myself two or three more. I don't live in the US but I have a lot of friends in my country who are auditioning regularly. I've fixed my headshots twice, changed up my showreel, done more training. EVERYTHING. Everytime I apply for new agents I get the same no response or standard rejection so I can't even leave my current agent. What the hell am I doing wrong? I've gotten great feedback from casting directors and classes and used to get maybe 5 or 6 auditions a year with my previous rep. Is this a way of telling me I should just finally give up on being an actor?
Appropriate time to send another email? by worldtraveler9700 • last post Jul 12th
I was recently contacted about replacing an actress who dropped out of a project and immediately responded saying I was interested in reading for the part. The person who contacted me replied to my email and elaborated more on the project and said that if I was still interested they would email me the sides. I said I was and now I've been waiting a little under a week for them. It's an indie project so I can understand if the people working on it have other responsibilities to take care of but I'm wondering if I should try sending an email again. Is it professional to do this after a week or so has gone by or should I just wait?
Uncomfortable With Sides/Script by Blessings_Found1 • last post Jul 12th
I've recently had a director reach out to me to audition for an upcoming film they're working on. I responded to their message and they sent the sides last night. I read the first set of sides (I have no idea why they've so much and are also requesting a two minute monologue on top of that) and they were cool. The script is a little juvenile for me, but I look really young and I could act the part so whatever. I just opened the second side and I don't like a word that I see present in the script. I don't use that word in my day-to-day life, never have, and I despise anyone who uses it. It's a racial slur that some people use as regular dialogue. When I saw it, I immediately though I'm going to e-mail them back to tell them I'm no longer interested in the audition. I don't want to have to say that word and don't think I have to. It's not like it's a time piece --that'd be different. It's a contemporary piece and it's completely turned me off. Actors, actresses, anyone...what would you do? I really hate that word and I never use it ever.
Finding Actors by Russell Comber • last post Jul 11th
Years ago, I hired a student in NYU's Tisch program. He found actors willing to simply build their portfolio on a site. Does anyone know any sites like that? I'm looking to POSSIBLY start casting for a dramedy of mine, but it would be done on a showstring budget. Any suggestions on websites to find these actors?