We have found 19,293 posts across 4 actor forums:
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?
Actor in LA - Unusual Circumstances - Advice/Guidance appreciated by DevonCar310 • last post Jul 11th
## Hi! ## I apologize in advance for this lengthy post. I also have it posted in r/entertainment for advice from non-actors. ## Cutting to right to the chase - I am an aspiring actor living in LA and have been living in this city for a couple years now. I am in a “situation” within the entertainment industry that I would like to receive any kind of advice/feedback on. Considering I am relatively “fresh” and unknown, there is a bit of uncertainty in said situation. It all started shortly after I created my actor profiles on the well known Casting Sites (LA Casting, Actors Access, Casting Frontier) and a even on a few of the “lesser used” Casting platforms. On one of the less popular Casting sites (yet still a somewhat known and respected site), I submitted to a slew of different projects Casting in LA. A few days after this, I received a call from a production company that was filming a short and asked me if i was available to come in ASAP to be one of the leads in this short because who they had casted originally didn’t show up. Me being an opportunist, made it happen. I went in right away, rehearsed my scenes, and then performed/filmed the material and then that was it. Half way through this particular shoot, the main staff of this company pulled me aside and told me that I am perfect for a role in a series they are going to start shooting with plans to have distribution done through Netflix/Hulu/Amazon/Other streaming networks (Score!! Right?) Of course, I had told them I was interested! I wanted to do my research so I searched this company on IMDb Pro and found their profile. A few projects listed over the last year or so with minimal information about each project and the company itself. They have a website (amature-ish) and are incorporated under a LLC business. Considering this day and age, there are so many new opportunities for people to get their content in front of an audience, so I really didn’t think too skeptically about this search. About 3 months after this conversation, I received a phone call from them asking if I were still interested in being a part of this project. They described this role to me as a supporting role that will eventually become one of the main characters of this series. I am ecstatic because of this great sounding opportunity to act and potentially be on a show on a professional streaming platform. They had then asked me to meet them a known Casting location in LA on a specific date to sign the contract. Now this is where things get fishy - yet I did not realize it at the time. I was fortunate enough to find an agent since moving to town and told them about this opportunity. They had asked me to get them in touch with this production company, so I did. After a few phone calls back and forth with production and my agent, I was somewhat confused. My agent had told me that the production company would not send them the contract they wanted me to sign, even after I had emailed production the signed contract between said agency and myself - literally confirming that they are indeed my agent. I called Production back and asked for the contract myself so I could have a lawyer read it over. They declined to send me it. My agent then tells me that they felt the staff member they spoke with on the phone seemed very green, unprofessional, and didn’t understand industry basics in terms of working out these deals. They then discouraged me from doing this project. At the time, I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t want me on a project like this (full script for all seasons completed and ready to shoot), so i called production back and asked if I could be apart of this project without my agent being involved. They were happy to tell me yes. So although I haven’t seen the contract, I confirmed my attendance for the signing of the contract. A day prior to the signing, I asked if I could bring in a legal representative to help me understand the contract. They declined me bringing anybody else in the room with me to sign. I still go by myself anyway. They have a few of us there on the location they gave us and brought me in a separate room and presented me the contract. They were very non-chalant about it and just said ask them anything that doesn’t make sense and they would break it down for me. I questioned a few things and then immediately got the vibe that they were over me asking questions and hurried along the process. I told them I really wanted a lawyer to look at this because there were a number of things I just didn’t understand and didn’t want to take up too much of their time or patience. They again declined, and then said if I don’t sign in that moment that they would be obligated to move on from me and find a new actor to fill the role. Me not wanting to blow a great opportunity, go ahead and sign the contract. The series has over 6 seasons, all apparently fully written into a script. I signed on for each season through to the end. When it got to compensation, I was offered a “buy-out” option for $75 an episode, which would mean I would lose out on potential money if it were picked up for distribution against the deferred payment, which was 3% of net profits from said deal. They also said the “buy-out” option would mean not having my name credited on the show anywhere, even though I was signing onto a prominent role in the series. Me not knowing any better and without any guidance available to me, accept the percentage. I’ll also add that the production company is producing this independently and not with any agreements with Sag-Aftra. Feeling a little unsure still, I was too overjoyed to have just signed a contract for a series in LA. I was so excited because of how hard I’ve been told it is to book things like that being non-Union. I am sent the script and I begin learning my lines. We started filming that next weekend. There was no table read or anything. We went straight into filming a few different scenes for the first episode. After filming that day, which didn’t seem to weird, I had asked the director (who owned the company and also wrote the script) if it would be okay for me to meet with the other actors outside of filming on the weekdays to go over our material together, you know - build a relationship so we would have chemistry on the camera. I was quickly shot down and told that all rehearsals would be coordinated through the production company and that we weren’t allowed to get together to practice even at a private location. I sort of understood where they were coming from... I am used to seeing actors in TV and Netflix already who spend a good amount of their off time together or even living together, which is what mainly confused me about this. We got together a few more weekends and then took a small break for the holidays. After the new year, I was told we would be filming every weekend and was sent a shoot schedule with each date we would be filming. So I clear my work for those weekends to become available. The first three weekends, I did not get any email, text, or phone call confirming which scenes we were filming and where. So I reached out the day before each scheduled weekend and asked if we were on. Those first three weekends they got back to me the next day (on the day of filming) and said I would not be needed on set. I was okay with it the first weekend, but the second and third I began to grow frustrated because I had cancelled work to be available for those days I thought we were filming. So I was missing out on that time on set AND income. They got a little better and started telling me a few days prior to shooting if I was needed or not, and if I was - I received the pages of the script we were shooting. All seemed good for about a month. Then it became me texting and calling them the day we are scheduled to film for even a lick of information. Amongst all this, I befriended the cast, who also felt similar to me but too stoked to question in fear of getting on someone from productions “bad side” I saw where they were coming from and took on that mindset. I accepted the fact that I would no longer be able to work on the weekends to keep my availability open in the event they needed me on set. One day we were filming, the other cast members were discussing their time at a rehearsal for the project and asked where I was. I had not received any information about said rehearsal. Confused, I asked production about it and they said they felt I didn’t need to rehearse with them because I was a “pro” I laughed it off. They then invited me a rehearsal a few weeks later. At this rehearsal, while waiting for the rest of the cast to arrive, the director and i started chatting about the project. He casually brought up the fact that Netflix picked up the series for distribution for FIVE SEASONS. This was exciting AND confusing to me all at once because even I had never heard of a project getting picked up for that many seasons without the distributer seeing ANY FOOTAGE. I then notice he doesn’t tell anyone else. I told a few people on the cast and they asked the director if it were true and the director casually told them all yes. Before the end of the night, I asked them about compensation. Mainly how that would all work because I had not much info to go off of. The director told me that we need to finish the first season and have it go through post first before they received compensation from Netflix. At this rehearsal, there were moments where the director and production staff were acting mildly inappropriate. One of the girls on the cast is really pretty and to be blunt - has a great body. The director had asked her to do a few squats with me on her shoulders. I was slightly uncomfortable and declined but then felt immediately pressured into “playing along” by production staff. I obliged and did what they asked. They then asked her to move a bit closer to where they were sitting and to face with her backend towards them. I didn’t see or felt the harm until after the fact. After this rehearsal, production told me I was good to go. The other cast members weren’t allowed to leave - even though it was around 11pm and we hadn’t touched the script in over an hour at this point. I head out. I’m hanging outside when the girl who was asked to do the squats came running out of the building balling her eyes out. I immediately go to her and try to find out why she was so upset. She explained how uncomfortable she felt and that when she said something about it just before she left, the director threatened to take her role away and fire her from the project. That night, I called another member of the cast and asked if they had felt uncomfortable or at least noticed anyone else feeling uncomfortable by production. They said they didn’t really feel anything and kind of brushed it off. I believe they said something to the director about me calling them about this because the next day we when we were filming, I was brought into a room with the production staff at the end of night before I left. They told me we were no longer holding rehearsals outside of filming days because “someone on the cast couldn’t take jokes” they then sternly told me to cut off all communication with the rest of the cast. The only way they said I can talk to them is through email and the production team had to be CC’ed on all email. They were clear about me not catching up on life with them on set and that we are only to talk about the script and our scenes when we’re together on set. After this, I did not hear from them for over three weeks. After numerous emails and voicemails, they got back to me one week and gave me the address for our next day of filming. I show up ready to rock but immediately felt hostility and awkwardness from production. The director would not even look me in the eyes and one of the productions staff members seemed to be trying really hard to make me feel unwanted on set (not including me in on their conversations, asking the other cast members to come with her to the other room when I was sitting with them, just a bunch of high school bullshit to be honest). During the filming of one of my scenes on set that night, that same production staff member kept yelling “Be professional!” While I was chatting with a few of the extras nearby waiting for the director to get ready and call the scene. This was making me extremely uncomfortable. At this point, I’ve been on a few other sets and NEVER felt this kind of hostility or feeling from any one person sharing the set on the talent and production side of things. I am not sure what is really going on. Has anyone ever had this kind of issue recently? I've never heard of cast members not being allowed to hang out off set. I know of actors who choose not too, but not because they are told not too. You’d think that in this current day, most people would be extremely cautious in terms of making anyone feel insignificant and/or sexually uncomfortable. I do not expect anyone to hold my hand and walk me through this, but I just wanted to share this on-going experience and see if anyone has any advice or feedback they’d like to chime in with. I apologize for the lengthy novel, but if you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for your time. I look forward to any responses. Thanks!
Choosing Between Two Agents - Second Opinion(s) Appreciated! by unromanaclef • last post Jul 11th
Hi /r/acting, I've been very fortunate to have been offered representation by two agencies, but am knee deep in the process of overthinking everything! Wondering if anyone's around just to cast a pair of fresh eyes over the info I've gathered and offer whatever input they have - I think I'm getting bogged down in trying to nitpick my way to a decision because they both have big positives, and just need some help refocusing. [**Agent pro/con/other details table here**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WPaHf6QcNyES0RDlh01mHiyQatpLorBz/view?usp=sharing) **(most of the specifics in here - yellow = things I'm particularly keen on, red = particularly concerned about).** **About me:** Early twenties, female, Asian descent, non-U.S. Been freelancing in a regional market with reasonable regularity/success for the past four or five years; currently live about three hours outside of a major market but willing and able to travel to castings at short notice (it's a thing here). Finishing up a degree - officially graduating in December but coursework will be done by the beginning of Nov, hence needing to be based where I am, but minimal contact hours. Looking to start priming my CV with some more Film/TV work and setting up relationships in major markets in the next 6 - 12 months for when I do move. Need someone to help me get in the door, and possibly guide me through some new waters -- but obviously while still retaining autonomy over my own career choices. **Agent A overview:** Scouted me from Instagram, of all things - was playing around with how the algorithm seemed to work, tagged a few small agents in a headshot and received a message back. Single agent boutique agency, around 90 - 100 actors rostered (and seemingly based all over the country), with another odd kind of affiliate section with around 30 dancer/model/unsure talent from who came from past agencies who just want to be submitted for the occasional commercial? Previously worked as a model booker, then an agent for a mid sized model/actor agency and launched their own agency last year, so not new to the industry but new as a company entity. Had seen scouting calls from this agency before, but as it seemed very new and unknown did not expect to be interested. However, was very impressed over the phone w professional approach to work, personal management, practicality and openness about the business details - financials, different markets, casting brief figures, etc. and was super warm/personable. Have a similar mindset but am a little concerned about how I fit into this roster (a few similar types already), that they were willing to sign me so quickly (off of a phone call), and that there doesn't seem to be much of a cap at this stage on roster size. Also wary of overall rep/branding - being very new the site, design, etc need some more work. TL;DR: Better personality mesh, bit more understanding/flexibility for current circumstances, and what feels like more freedom to make choices in my career and also incredible commission structure (10% film/tv, dropping to 5% for an ongoing role, 15 commercial, none on theatre because there's so little, and none on self-sourced work although they'd look over the contract and give a risk rundown); but unsure if they have a clear idea of what they want/feel they they could do with me and whether they've completely found their feet in starting their own agency yet. **Agent B overview:** Responded to a request for rep email, asked for some additional materials. Also single-agent boutique with up close and personal management like Agent A. Bit of a stronger/more established rep, with a much more professional branding. Slightly smaller roster - around 60 - 70 actors, tightly controlled size. More of a Type-A kind of person - maybe how you'd envision a 'stereotypical' agent? Agent is a very blunt character, which I like, and friendly even though we might not have clicked in quite the same way I did with Agent A; very go-go-go, seemed to always be in a rush - but also potentially pushy, so unsure about possible personality clashes. Could stress me out/steamroll over me over time as I'm generally a little more introverted (but could potentially bring me out of my shell and be pretty goddamn blunt back, tbh I'm struggling to get a handle on this person's personality.) Seems to have a lot of US casting briefs come through. Was very clear about what they liked about me, where I fit into their roster (very few 'ethnic' faces despite a lot of those briefs coming through), and what some of the next steps might be. Said they'd be involved in everything from workshopping sides if I needed it to what sort of haircut I should be getting. Would definitely push hard, but am concerned that they're a little disgruntled about my location. Also mentioned I might come face to face with choosing between eg. important family events and auditions - appreciated the honesty but came with a side of, 'How much do you want it?' so wondering if a value misalignment might occur there down the track. More likely to drop me. Actors on roster also seem to tilt in favour of musical theatre, which isn't really my area of focus or expertise - apparently balance of work between film/tv/commercial is pretty even w spikes in MT but agent admits MT is their biggest passion. Commission: standard 10% theatrical, 15% commercial. I'm aware that this is a lot of info but I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed and Agent B is kind of tapping their foot for a decision, so any opinions would be very much appreciated! (Read: please help, am drowning, decisionmaking is hard.)
Good riddance! Get rid of those pesky actors, make them get REAL jobs. (Sarcasm) by wwhimsicott • last post Jul 11th
There Are No Stupid Questions - Jul 11 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 11th
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!
Got an acting school offer today :) by Ramoach • last post Jul 11th
You guys have been SOOO helpful. I have never had formal training (not even school plays), so this subreddit, YouTube and online articles have been my teachers. Thanks to all the actors and coaches out there for the insight you offer to new actors <3 Never change r/acting!
Talent manager commission fee negotiation (really just an agent) by LBVisitor • last post Jul 11th
Hi, Needing advice. Love my manager. But he really is just an agent. Gets me auditions. I give him 20 percent when I book a job. This is his agreed upon commission fee for all his actors. He takes agency fee from client as well as 20 % from me. I’ve had no issue and happy to do this for years. Freelanced for years. Not signed. He’s gotten me a lot of work and I’ve made him a lot of money as well. However, last almost 2 years I’ve been freelancing with two agents who only take agency fee from client and nothing from me. They (these two agents as well as my manager) are all submitting me on the same projects though. So if my manager submits me first and i book the job, I’m paying him a lot more money that i would have if an agent submitted me first. So I’d like to keep working with my manager and negotiate him only taking agency fee from production and not 20% from me as well (same as my SAG franchised agencies do). Anyone done this successfully? Advice? Etc
Realizing now, how similar different industries are... by fieryroad • last post Jul 11th
Hollywood, for instance, is a vast business, with few actors as "top names", surrounded by the lesser known names, supported by the "nobodies"... How does one move up in this ranking system? How many of us around the world put all our hopes on the chance of living a "Cinderella" type of story? Or do you, in time, feel alright with the fact that you are doing something you love, yet remain relatively unknown and underrated? It appears that acknowledgement and work are two different things... Happens everywhere.
RADA Shakespeare Summer Intensive by tittiemcvitie • last post Jul 11th
I'm really interested in doing the Shakespeare intensive summer course at RADA next year (this year's already sold out) and I was wondering if anyone on this has done the course themselves/knows anyone who had? Honestly, I know it sounds stupid, but Shakespearian acting isn't necessarily the route I want to go down, but I was reading about the course online and you get classes in voice, movement, stage combat, etc. so I think it could be really useful. After all, Shakespearian acting is a very particular and emotive style of acting and it's something I think a lot of actors struggle to master, so I feel like the course could still be invaluable - not only because it's a special skill to have, but also I guess because the stuff you'll learn about movement and voice etc could maybe be applied to other performances. Anyway, sorry for rambling... So has anyone here done the course themselves or know anyone who has, and would you recommend it? Cheers!
Headshots by Yousifusif96 • last post Jul 11th
I am getting my first ever headshots taken sometime next week and i am curious since I am just starting out as an actor whats the necessary headshots needed to be taken. Thank you in advance!