We have found 19,412 posts across 4 actor forums:
How to become an actress? by ActingEnthousiast • last post Jul 20th
I'm a 22 year old European girl and I will be getting my business degree next year! I'm supposed to start looking for a "normal" job (i.e. business, marketing,..), but I can't help to shake off the feeling that I've given up on my lifelong (Hollywood) acting dream. Or rather, that I have never even tried to pursue it. I have literally zero experience… Since I have this strong “now or never” feeling, I was thinking of applying for a summer program (in English) at a respectful acting school abroad (for the summer of 2019). Something like 5-7 (full-time) weeks? I want an emphasis on acting in front of the camera rather than theater/musical and a hands-on mentality rather than too theoretical. I’ve noticed that a lot of universities have summer programs solely for children or high school students. Can you guys recommend any good summer programs for people of my age? The American academy of dramatic arts in LAA (AADA) has caught my eye. However, I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews about the school. What do you guys think? I’ll be spending almost all of my savings on this summer program, so I want to make sure I’m choosing the best one (price-quality ratio and chances of getting into the business of acting). My preference goes out to LA, since I think most of the auditions take place in LA? After my summer program, I could stay a couple of more weeks in LA to try and get some auditions? Or does this sound better/easier in my head? How does one even get an audition without an acting degree and with 0 experience? Do “open casting calls” even exist? Are there any websites I should check? How do you get an agent? And which agents are the best? I would love to hear your opinions and any information is appreciated! Thanks in advance!!
Ageism in Acting/Hollywood Studios? by TraderLoaff • last post Jul 20th
Is Ageism prevalent in Hollywood and in the acting studios in general? I'm a 26 year old minority man trying to get a start in Hollywood. It's a career change. I live in Los Angeles so its not a big time move for me. LA is home. But I'm worried given my age and minority status I'll have limited opportunities. Also, as a side note, what would be the best Acting Studios for serious newbies to join? Thanks!
actor moving to LA, looking for a cheap room or to spit a studio with somebody in August / September by intothevortex87 • last post Jul 20th
figured i'd put a feeler out on here in case anybody has a cheap living space, bedroom, couch, etc. Or, if anybody is interested in perhaps splitting a cheap studio together? 30 year old male, chill, been doing this for a few years, bartend to survive. coming from NYC. trying to live as cheaply as possible so I can work minimally and spend all my time on the acting stuff, would be cool to live with other actors. moving August 1st and air-bnbing for a few weeks, looking for mid August / September. hit me up if you're interested!
LA vs NY for film/tv by gall0wbooob • last post Jul 20th
Hey guys, first post on here. Might be a long one, so bear with me here. I'm a SAG-Aftra actor living on the East Coast in a decent film market. There is a good amount of legitimate work here, lots of big movies and the occasional TV show, but I am looking to make the next step. I'm 26, have been acting for about 5 years, done a bunch of local independent shit that has never seen the light of day, a couple of local plays, and a couple of small like two line dayplayer principal roles in a couple of the big movies that have shot here. Ideally I would like to continue to build a foundation here, and do some more principal work on legitimate projects, then make the move. While I think the theatre work I've done was essential to helping me grow as an actor and I suggest anyone who is interested in acting to do some theatre work, for now I am concentrating primarily on film and TV. Pros and cons of each: NY Pros: -Closer to home. -People have told me NY is a great market for TV NY Cons: -I know approximately 0 people in NY. -Theatre centric (?) LA Pros: -Have a couple of friends who are actors and live out there. -More film/tv agencies (?) -No more fucking snow. LA Cons: -Other side of the country -"Everyone in LA is an actor." -More expensive than NY (?) Any help at all would be appreciated.
IMDb by alienuri • last post Jul 20th
I had first film project, and my director created IMDb and added my name on it(look like created my profile). Should I make my own account and create my profile better? How to add another work if I get another gig in future? I really have no idea in these stuff. Still not sure how this works.
Voice Actors Needed! by zlistermixes • last post Jul 20th
Hello, would you be interested in playing a voice role for a project ? It’s a non profit project so you won’t be paid but it’s plain and simple and you will be credited! Please PM me if interested or comment and I’ll reach out!
Screen Combat Course Feedback by Major_Redux • last post Jul 20th
I'm a martial arts instructor and I'm thinking about doing a 6 week course in screen combat for aspiring actors. I'd like to get some feedback from any aspiring actors about my course content. Course curriculum \> safety, breakfalling and taking hits safely \> camera angles and positioning - being in the right place at the right time \> striking, grappling and groundwork (eastern and western styles) \> weapons (knives, swords, hammers, axes, spears, polearms, sticks, guns) \> improvised weapons (pens, books, credit cards, phones, everyday objects) \> fight choreography and cinematography for fight scenes Course would run for 6 weeks with 6 contact hours a week (3 classes of 2 hours). Curriculum is spread into three 2 week periods starting with basic martial arts concepts (striking, grappling, groundwork, weapons), fight scene case study (students form groups and choose a case study, then try to replicate the scene) and finally creating their own fight scene (students storyboard and choreograph their own scene, which they can use for a show reel). I'm thinking of charging $950 AUD ($700 USD) for the course with 20% discount for students. Also offering a personal 90 second show reel for $500 AUD as an optional at the end of the course. Thoughts? Would this be attractive to a would-be actor?
How do you practice facial expressions? by DeLaGrotto • last post Jul 20th
Not an actor. But is there any actors reference, guide, or youtube videos that shows different facial expressions? Haven't found anything good yet.
What questions would you ask an experienced Actor or Producer by Michael_Dinich • last post Jul 20th
Hey So glad I found this sub, I have a side business where I interview successful people. I have been blessed that a few actors, producers and celebrities have agreed to interviews. Other than being a fan of the work I'm a complete noob to the industry. What questions would you ask these people? My focus on success and productivity, however, I want the interview to appeal to people in the industry as well. Plus I don't want to sound like a noob. ;)
“JUST BE YOURSELF!” by Winniehiller • last post Jul 20th
We actors hear this phrase from directors all the time, and quite frankly, it is the worse thing they can possibly say. “Relax, honey...just be yourself!” It makes me tense just reading it and I bet it does the same thing to you. Why? The answer is very simple... First of all, my goal is to be my character...not “myself”. I understand that what I am being told is that I look tense...self-conscious - which is exactly “myself” at that moment. So...I AM being myself!!! If he wants me to be myself, he obviously wants a different one...a more relaxed one. There are many different me’s. And there isn’t only one “you”. So the correct response to that direction is “Which one?” Because the truth of the matter is, we are all a little bit different with each person that we know...every environment, every situation. The secret is deciding which “you” to be. You can’t be them all at once. You have to be one specific “you”...the one that most closely resembles your character in that specific situation...with that specific person. What do I mean by “different you’s”. Well, as a child, you knew if you wanted something from your mother you would go about it a little differently than if you wanted something from your father. You were a different “you” with each of them. Each friend you have brings out different qualities and personality traits in you when you are with them. Some people make you feel funny and everything that comes out of your mouth is hilarious when you are with them. Some people make you feel stupid and you can’t seem to do anything right when they are around. Different people can trigger all kinds of reactions that create different personae within you to emerge. The same holds with different environments. You are a different you in your bedroom than you are in your kitchen...a different you when you are in the hallway at school than when you enter the classroom. A different you when you are in a casting director’s office, auditioning, than when you are having fun with friends. When you are acting, whether it is in an audition or a performance on stage or screen, you are faced with a dilemma. Let’s say you are playing the role of Sandra who is having a conversation with a character named Jane who is being played by an actress named Rita. You don’t know Sandra, Jane or Rita. How in the heck can you “just be yourself” and which “you” should you be? Well, hopefully you’ve had the chance to read over enough of the script to understand the relationship between Sandra and Jane. You discover that Jane is a beautiful woman that has been flirting with Sandra’s boyfriend. Now you are going to be playing the role of Sandra, so you are going to think to yourself...”Have I ever had a situation like this in my own life?” You remember a woman named Ellie. A few years ago at work, you were sure was trying to make you look bad to your boss. She was after your job...flirting with him...setting you up to fail. It’s not the exact situation...but it is similar. You can use it! So as you are reading your lines with Rita you start thinking that she is Ellie. You imagine you are looking into Ellie’s face. She makes you feel the way Ellie made you feel. You use the words in the script to get Ellie to back off...to tell her that you are on to her. Now you know which “you” to be. You are the person Ellie brings out in you. Even when you must play someone very different from you, you must find yourself within the character. Let’s say you are playing a cheerleader’s mother who is murdering her competition on the squad. You would never do this (hopefully). But there is some circumstance in which you would murder. Perhaps if your child was being attacked. So...for your character, her child losing her position on the cheerleading squad is equal to you witnessing a life threatening attack on your own child. You know which “you” you must play. It is “as if” you were saving the life of your loved one. In a way, as actors, we are always “playing ourselves”. We can’t actually “become” someone else. But we can relate to our character’s relationship with the other characters and the situation they are faced with in the scene. It’s one more way to “get into the head” of our character. Think like them. Respond like them. And relationship is one of the most important aspects of any performance. What if you are acting alone? If you are looking into a camera to do a commercial, which “you” are you going to be? You get to choose by deciding which friend or family member you are going to image that the camera is. Do you want to be relaxed, loving, helpful....or firm, authoritative, and demanding? Maybe you want to be funny and charming. Instead of just trying to be those things, choose the person who brings those qualities out in you. When you look into the camera, you are looking into their eyes. You see their smile. They bring out the “you” that is needed. I believe we can use just about every acting technique in real life, and this is no exception. You know how nervous you get when you have a big job interview or a promising date? Your friends tell you to “Just be yourself”. But you ARE “being yourself” even if you are hyperventilating and about to throw up. You just want to be able to be a different “self” in this particular circumstance. So instead of seeing a potential boss or love interest who is judging you, perhaps you can imagine that you are meeting a friend of a close friend who is new in town. You want to make this person feel at home and welcome in a new place. Instead of an interview or date, the meeting turns into a warm “get together” in which you are the host. You put them at ease. You already have a lot in common. There is no reason to be nervous. You are a completely different you...a you that will get a much better response...but nevertheless, YOU. YOU are not just one person. You have a wealth of characters you carry around with you all the time and are at your service when needed. It’s all a matter of choosing which one. And when you find the right triggers for bringing them out...you only need to do one thing. “Just be yourself!” If you have questions, please feel free to ask in the comments below. ❤️
Film Festivals by Jay • last post Jul 19th
Film Festivals .......There must be hundreds going on during a course of a month, I see many actors (mostly non-union and working free of charge) posting how they were nominated or picked up an honorable mention for this film or that short but my question is does this actually do...
method acting by GrundyBenson • last post Jul 19th
First of all, I'm no professional actor, but it has been a hell of a year for me, and i gotta say, it has been quite entertaining. Method acting irl is a real hoot. Although i was quite disappointed. People always mistake me for the character that i play. This journey will definitely be memorable and insightful. I leaned a lot. Especially fake crying. Boy that was hard to pull off. That is all. What about you guys? How was your method acting experiences/stories?
Opinions on Professionalism by AndYouHaveAPizza • last post Jul 19th
Hey fellow actors, I just need a small place to vent a situation that happened this past weekend. I was recently in a musical that ran over the month of June. Our lead also runs his own small musical production company and asked the cast if any of us were interested in auditioning for his upcoming production, which he's directing. I replied that I was in fact interested (this was a few weeks before auditions). Two days before auditions and I hadn't heard anything back. I emailed him reiterating my interest and he responded that audition slots were "full, but we'll fit you in no problem." Great! So I show up to auditions with my song piece, they squeeze me in, and I was called back two days later to read for a specific part. After the callbacks the director said we'd hear by the end of tomorrow regarding casting. Two days go by, nothing. I wait over the weekend as I know casting can sometimes take a little longer than anticipated. Still nothing. Monday morning I see an Instagram story he's posted about the show's first music reading. Now, I don't know about you guys, but every single stage callback I've ever had has reached out to people regardless of whether or not they got a part. It's just common courtesy if you're going to bring someone in multiple times to read for your production. Add on the fact that this was someone I had just finished working with on a production, and it all just left a really bad taste in my mouth. No correspondence until I reached out twice about an audition, and no response until I reached out after callbacks. Just a lack of professionalism overall. Anyway, it's been bugging me the past few days and I just needed a place to write out my frustrations. I'm finding that working with friends in this industry (I'm in LA for reference) isn't exactly what I imagined. The lack of communication and professionalism is staggering, at least in certain circles I run with. Any of you have similar experiences?
What is your experience with Backstage? Is signing up worth it? by chrissyteiganswings • last post Jul 19th
Submissions On Casting Frontier/Actors Access/Backstage Via Agents by OmgImSoTired • last post Jul 19th
So, when I signed with an agent a few years back, I was told that my accounts with Actor's Access, Backstage, Showfax, etc. would all become free via the agency. I know my agent can submit me freely via those, but the only thing I seem to not have to pay for is my Showfax for getting sides. Is there any way I can submit myself freely like my agent can? I'm not convinced he's putting me out there, despite being told that I'm being 'submitted for everything,' considering the last audition he sent me on was two months ago and it was an open call.
Macbeth's Soliloquy by ABlokeCalledGeorge8 • last post Jul 19th
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3p2HnNicug](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3p2HnNicug) A video comparing the performances of different actors performing the 'Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow' monologue from William Shakespeare's Macbeth. I think Ian McKellen and Joseph Millson had the best portrayals, however I really enjoyed Bill Camp's (the homeless man in the birdman scene ) performance. I feel like it's somewhat unique. Whose performance did you like the most?
Would Love to Follow Reddit Actors on Social Media... by RyanLJ14 • last post Jul 19th
But I'm not sure if this is a thing? I would like to show my support for fellow Redditors in the business even when I'm not on Reddit, and I think it'd be a great way for the community to become even stronger. I'm an actress in Phoenix, AZ, and one tip I picked up from a Marketing for Actors workshop was forming social media "pods-" essentially a group of folks who follow and engage with each others' posts- mostly to boost visibility in the algorithm- BUT I'm genuinely interested in seeing what people are up to and how they're making their craft a brand. Again, if this is something I shouldn't be proposing (or if there is already a dedicated thread for this sort of thing), please let me know! IG: ryanljenkins twitter: ryanljenkins SC: ryanljacts facebook.com/ryanl.jenkins14
How long do I have to work tech before I'm accepted? Am I being taken advantage of? by skeletonwar2014 • last post Jul 19th
Hi guys. I've been trying to get immersed in my local theater community. There are two theater companies in my local area and they both put on a show about every 2 months. I try to audition for every show I can, and have been doing this for about a year and a half. It seems that these shows always cast the same few people in our local circle. After every audition cycle it's always the same spiel from the directors; "I'm sorry we couldn't use your talent but we'd love to have workers for tech!" I'm friends with some of the "always casted" folks and they said that doing tech is just the opening steps into getting into theater circles. Is this true or am I being lied to? Sorry if this comes off as whiney or rude and shit. I just got the cast list for this season's shows and I'm automatically included in the tech for each of them and it peeved me really bad. **Edit: I should mention that both of these theaters are volunteer based, there are no wages for actors or tech.
Want to pursue acting in Hollywood by Reptilianhumanhybrid • last post Jul 19th
I’m going to get straight to the point. I want to move to Hollywood, LA to pursue acting. I have no plan, no money, just a little bit of natural talent and strong will. Is it unrealistic? Of course it is but what would you do?
What if you're interested in the EU film industry? by fieryroad • last post Jul 19th
The American market seems more "open" - at least from what I read here... Some of my favourite films would be Kieslowski's "Three Colours trilogy", Polanski's "Venus in Fur". Also "The Lobster", "La Vie d' Adele" and such. I adored "Café de Flore" (I think that it was made in France and Canada). Some more general examples of films would be the "Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight" trilogy, "Call Me by Your Name", Woody Allen's "Matchpoint" etc... You must get an idea of what I mean by now... Where do you get auditions for this type of - kind of more "sophisticated" films? There usually isn't much fuss around them... Would be grateful for any opinion.