We have found 19,445 posts across 4 actor forums:
BEATS = TACTICS by Winniehiller • last post Jul 9th
Most acting coaches teach about analyzing your script and breaking it up into “beats”. What does this mean? For me, I prefer to use the word “tactics”. These are ways your character attempts to achieve his or her “objective” in the scene. Your objective is what your character desires to achieve with the other character(s) in the scene. It is a single intention that lasts throughout the scene, from beginning to end (unless an event occurs to alter it, like a fire breaking out in the middle of a marriage proposal). The aim is to change the other character from point A to point B. The other character is resisting the change in some way or has the opposite opinion. This is what propels your character through the scene...and the test of whether he achieves his goal is always in the other character. Remember, the scene is never about you. It is about the other person and whether or not you succeed with him or her. When deciding on your objective, it shouldn’t be too easy and it should be something interesting to attempt...something with a definite success or failure by the end of the scene. So your character is on a singular mission to influence someone else. That does not fluctuate. What does change, (and needs to change to make an interesting performance) is the different ways he attempts to make this happen. He/she tries different tactics to get the other character to shift their position. Think back to when you were a child and you were trying to convince your parent to take you somewhere fun...like an amusement park. You might start out by saying, sweetly, “Mom...I cleaned up my room and I finished all my homework for the weekend...and I did get an A on that history test. Could we go to Disneyland?” We might call that the “I’ve been good” tactic. But even though Mom is impressed with all your good deeds, she says this isn’t a good time for her to go to “The happiest place on earth”. You have failed so far. You need to try something different. So you say, “But Mom, all my friends are going tomorrow. I’ll be the only one who isn’t there!”. Now you are employing guilt to get what you want. We might call this the “poor me” tactic. Still, Mom does not comply. Time to try something new. So you plop yourself down on the couch and cross your arms as you stick out your lower lip and say, “Forget it! You never understand.” This could be called the “pouting” tactic. This definitely does not convince your mother, but it was worth a try. To your chagrin, she says no. This sends you into a desperate flurry. Tears well up in your eyes as your face turns red and you scream, “Just leave me alone! You’re the worst mother ever!” You run to your room and slam the door. This we will call the “angry” tactic. Perhaps not the best move, but what you were hoping for is that she would follow you into your room and say, “I’m sorry honey. I can see this is important to you. Of course you can go.” If she had agreed at anytime during the scene, you would not have needed to try the other tactics. It was her refusal to be affected by the chosen strategy that made you try a new one. In fact if she had shown any sign that one of the tactics was working you wouldn’t have changed it. You would have played it for all it was worth. It is always the other character that causes you to either continue or alter your strategy. The test is in the other person. But there is nothing more boring than playing one tactic throughout an entire scene. When choosing a monologue or scene for audition purposes, you want to look for one that has many opportunities for different tactics. I see actors scream with anger throughout an entire audition, thinking they are being very dramatic. They are just being unimaginative and dull. Read your script carefully and look for the tactics and when they change. If it is well written, they will be easy to find. A tactic can last a whole paragraph or you could have several tactics in one sentence. But you want to be aware of the changes and be able to allow the other character’s reaction to you to trigger them. Look back and see how different each of the above tactics are. Think of how different you could make them. Each tactic allows you to travel to a whole new realm of your character’s personality. This is what makes for an interesting performance...both for you and your audience. One challenging objective with many different tactics = one fantastic scene.
How easy did you find it to switch from stage to screen? by foxofthestorybooks • last post Jul 9th
Being from the country, I have a lot of theatre experience. I love it, but when I move to the city I’d like to delve more into film auditions. This has always been more interesting to me since I prefer realism in acting and I even have the tiniest bit of film experience with workshops, being an extra and whatnot. But as a whole, would you say that the entire acting process feels completely different? Is it almost like starting from scratch?
First ever monologue. Seeking some feedback :) by Ramoach • last post Jul 9th
Why do actors get blamed for poor box office returns? by OnlineJethro • last post Jul 9th
For the most part, the actor didn't write the film, didn't direct themselves or cast themselves in the role they are playing yet they get blamed for poor box office results for the films they are in.
ATL vs NYC vs LA by intothevortex87 • last post Jul 9th
I know this gets asked all the time, but if you really had to choose a place to stay long-term, pros and cons, which one do you think has the most opportunities for film/tv, best cost of living, easy accessibility, plentiful networking, good quality of life, etc.
Virtual Self-Tape Readers by nukeman35 • last post Jul 9th
Hi Folks! As actors, I'm sure some of us find it hard to find a partner to read especially when we're on a tight submission deadline. So I was thinking, perhaps this can be a friendly thread for people to offer/ask for reader whenever a partner is needed virtually. (If there is an existing thread for this, I apologize in advance) My idea is mainly having people comment with their offer and how they prefer to be contacted to "shake hands" and arrange a reading session. Also a program I recommend that can facilitate this (on phone or PC) is Zoom which also can record your cam session with your partner. Break A Leg, Everyone!
MFA Programs by Adjourned • last post Jul 9th
Hey guys - I've asked this in the Discord before, but didn't get much of a response. Does anyone know of MFA Acting programs that offer stipends, partial/full-funding, teaching assistant-ships in the US, UK or AUS? I'm a Canadian actor looking to audition for MFA programs, and sadly there's only one MFA Acting program in Canada that I know of. I'd love to audition for a school in the US, or the UK, but funding is going to be an issue, as already expensive schools double in price given my 'international student' status. In case anyone wants to know why I'm looking at getting an MFA - there are two reasons: 1. It's a terminal degree, and I'd like to teach acting at a University or CC in the future. 2. More training. Any advice or words of wisdom are much appreciated.
Why aren’t you hanging out with celebrities? by Mylifereddit • last post Jul 9th
What would you respond to this question? Say it comes up you worked on a movie with big celebrities and eventually they ask this. Why aren’t you hanging out with celebrities?
Was Sam a recruit? She has mentioned several times that she knows very little about the game. by bluemoonsan • last post Jul 9th
On feeds she told Rockstar that she did very minimal research prior to entering the game as well. I know recruits typically have a large social media following, are on those ‘ actor’websites, or have auditioned for other CBS shows..so how was Sam found? It’s pretty obvious she didn’t apply herself.
Recent Drama School graduate looking for some advice. by cameronben47 • last post Jul 9th
Hey everyone, Firstly I wanted to say thank you to everyone apart of this community. This career choice can be incredibly daunting at times and knowing these is always support really means a lot. I just graduated from drama school about 3 weeks ago and I have a lot of questions I think you could help with. \- Being in a structured drama makes it incredibly easy, because you have to be in class at certain times and someone telling you what to do all day. What do you do daily to be a better actor and stay focused? \- What voice and body work do you do? \- For approaching agents, my plan is to self tape three different scenes showing three different sides of myself. What are your thoughts on this? \- In terms of agents, I don't know anything about them. How should I pick which ones I am going to approach? \- And lastly, I have set up some meetings with working actors and directors over the next couple of weeks. What questions should I be asking them? Thank you so much!
Is acting a viable career option? by DaBluBerri • last post Jul 9th
I want to make people happy. I really feel like that's what I'm supposed to do with my life, and I want it to happen. However, I don't want to waste four years of my life pursuing a dream that will end up being Just a distraction from an actual career. It seems like everyone wants to be famous nowadays, so I feel like my chances of making a living and surviving off of acting are slim to none. So basically I'm asking you fellow actoids who are currently in the business, if the day to day stress of whether or not you'll find a job or even an audition, and the low wages is worth it to follow my dream, as opposed to working an average job with a solid retirement plan. Thank you for the help!
Is there an alternative to method acting? by GeeOKeem • last post Jul 9th
Im personally not a big fan of method acting but it seems to be the most mainstream technique, is there any other useful techniques? Of so would you mind sharing what exactly they might entail?
Getting my feet wet... by Jeff C. Zarinelli • last post Jul 8th
Why is acting as a couple in student films always feel so awkward? by MissDramaQueen • last post Jul 8th
As above. Idk why. There's just not enough couple interaction like touching or kissing. It's not like I want to kiss all my handsome actors. But why do student films always feel like there's a lack of chemistry between the actors who are playing as a couple and what can be done to improve things?
Can a shy person act by BeamBM • last post Jul 8th
I am hella shy and really have never done well socially but I have always wanted to be an actor, is this possible for someone who is super shy and has mild social anxiety? And if so got any tips? Would be much appreciated BTW I’m 18 and have no experience
actor moving to LA August 1st, figured I'd see if anybody on here was looking for a roommate by whatislife12123 • last post Jul 8th
nyc based actor here finally making the move to LA, pretty psyched. i'm 30 and very chill, i'll be bartending at a place in hollywood, checking out the class / workshop scene, etc. would love to live with some other actors to get a lay of the land, figured I'd check here in addition to facebook gypsy housing, and craigslist as a last resort lol. budget is 500-800. not opposed to sharing a room while I get situated in the city if it's cheap enough ;) if you have anything available i'll send you a link to my website and stuff so you can check me out. thanks guys
DON’T WASTE YOUR WORDS! by Winniehiller • last post Jul 8th
As actors, we start the journey of playing a role by being given a script or perhaps just a piece of one. What is it? Just little bunches of alphabet letters, all lined up in rows. Some of them you will need to speak. Some you will need to hear and respond to. They are all important. So what do you do first? You read through every line, carefully, making sure you understand all of them and their purpose in the scene, as well as the plot as a whole. Then you begin asking yourself questions: “Who am I?”, “Where am I?”, “Who am I talking to?”, “What do I want?”. Getting to know your character is crucial...discovering what propels him or her through the story and understanding their desires. This is what makes you talk. You, as your character, always wants something. And he or she is often using words to get it. You need to understand how your character sees the world and what she/he thinks about it. This is what makes you speak your lines. Every line...every word has its unique purpose in your pursuit of a goal. You are trying to change the other character(s) with your words. Words are your ammunition for getting what you want. So you will need to shoot them into the eyeballs of each character you speak to so they will enter them and hit the bullseye of their hearts. One word can have a multitude of meanings, according to their context. For instance, the word “soft”. You can say “Oh, this bunny is so soft!”, meaning it is pleasing to the touch. Or you could say, “Ew, this apple is soft!”, meaning it is gushy and rotten. You might say, “That guy is a little soft.”, meaning he is a bit weak and ineffectual...or say “Turn up the music, it’s too soft!”, meaning the person who lowered the volume annoyed you by doing so. Ultimately it is what you think as you say the word that makes it truly effective. If you said every “soft” the same way, you wouldn’t be using the word for all it is worth and you wouldn’t be doing your best at achieving your goals. You’d be missing your target all together. Suppose your character is describing himself to a girl he is trying to get to go out with him. He says, “I think you will find that I’m quite intelligent, fun and very sexy.”. Each one of those adjectives means something very different. If you say them all the same, you are wasting your ammunition. Thinking of what he specifically means by each word and sending them straight into her heart will most likely get him the date. But your character may not be that confident. Perhaps he thinks he is stupid, dull and a terrible lover. Then he will think these things as he is saying the others. It is far more important what you are thinking as you say the words than what they actually mean. You can say “I love you” and think “I hate you” and visa versa. It’s what you think that counts. We call this subtext, and your performance should be rich with it. In real life, every time we speak we must choose a limited number of words to say something that means so much more. The same holds true for your character. What does he really mean? That is what you must think as you say the words written in the script. Otherwise you are just reading. There will be times when you have nothing to say in the script, but that doesn’t mean the words stop. They continue as thoughts in your mind. The other character’s words trigger you to think actual sentences in your mind as you listen. These thoughts propel you into speaking. It’s a constant flow of words and you don’t want to waste a single one. They are the bullets of your intention. “Ready, aim, FIRE!”
Opinions needed regarding college. by TroiasAchilles • last post Jul 8th
Hey all, I'm a 24 year old actor from dublin Ireland. I've been Acting since I was 18 and have previously done features, shorts, theatre etc. I have a strong reel and have been signed to a big agency in london previously. However the last 1-2 years have been so difficult. The irish industry is very clique-y and London is difficult to breach unless you have a footing there. I'm also currently studying in New york for the summer. The reason I'm posting this is because I was offered a chance to study at a top 100 law school in the world. This college in Ireland also has an amazing drama society. I only say this because not only is the degree pretty good, I would be able to go on a grant and actually get paid to go back. The contact lecture hours would only be 12-15 hrs a week with about 10 extra hours for assignments etc. My reason for thinking of accepting this would literally be that this would help me to support acting down the road. Every job I've worked has literally paid fuck all and is barely even survivable. I also want to eventually get to the states and pursue acting in Los Angeles or New york but getting a visa here without a degree is incredibly difficult. My question is does this sound like I'm somehow ''betraying'' my dream and goals of being an actor. or does it simply enhance them? Acting always comes first and getting paid to study and then eventually be able to better support myself whilst continuing to act seems to make sense.. Would appreciate any thoughts.
Looking for Auditions! by Molly Hansen • last post Jul 7th
Hey guys! Are there any casting directors or basically anybody, looking to cast people in a production? I’m really hoping to keep looking for auditions! It would really be helpful. I’m looking for Auditions in the NYC area! Thank You
Headshots, Video Reels Help by Molly Hansen • last post Jul 7th
I need new professional headshot, I’ve gained a substantial amount of weight since the last time my headshots were taken! I also need help with a video reel, never had one but I heard that it helps when finding an agent and furthering my career! Photographers in NYC please comment or message me on price and hopefully we can schedule an appointment to get new headshots taken! Thank you!