We have found 19,413 posts across 4 actor forums:
Any actors here have full on high-stake careers/specialties outside the fine arts? (Doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc.) How do you do it? by RealQuidditchQueen • last post Jun 28th
I was that kid in school that liked every subject - Biology, English, Chemistry, Drama, History - you name it, it was my favourite. In college now and I've narrowed it down to science or law but I love theatre. Like, a lot. I've managed to snag a backstage jobs at local theatres and have been an extra on a couple shoots and LOVED every second of the process. But I'm a science nerd and studying for the MCAT as well. Everyone says I'm going to have to pick one thing I like and drop the other, since they are both huge time commitments. Are there any doctors here who've managed to pursue medicine and acting? Or any other similar career? How do you divide your time? A few months/years acting, and a few months/years doing a locum (contract clinic)? I know people have done it (Amar Sidhu, Monika Gobaira, Ken Jeong, Mayim Bialik, Gerard Butler, John Cleese), heck, even Anton Chekhov was a medical doctor! I would hate to have to pick between two things I love!
Watching Uta Hagen taught me so much by Stephen Foster • last post Jun 27th
The whole idea of creation is mysterious and wonderful, it’s a bottomless craft, which is why I love it so much.
—Uta Hagen
I read and used Uta Hagen’s book Respect for Acting, and always thought I could never understand her teachings. It felt like she was speaking of techniques so elevated and lofty that I could never live up to them, like I was always doing them “wrong.” And then I saw her perform in New York City in the two-character play Collected Stories, and the light bulb went off. I understood! I was doing all those things in my acting! Everything she did was specific, honest, and even raw. I became very excited about my acting and the craft of it because I knew I was able to act with that depth while being funny. Every object she touched had a specific vibration, every cross she did about the stage had energy behind it. About five years later, I saw her in another two-character play Six Dance Lessons and lightening struck twice. In her performance nothing was vague. Every word and every intention (even the Kleenex) was clearly drawn.
Watching Ms. Hagen was an eye-opening experience for me, and I went back and reread her book and this time I understood that what she is teaching is “practice.”
What I learned from the experience is: while we can pick up an acting book and study the craft in classes, what really matters in the end is how we use them. Ms. Hagen spent many, many hours in rehearsal and in practice at the HB Studio before she ever put herself onstage in front of audiences. It takes many hours of rehearsal and research to get a part “right.” The audience must never, ever see an actor’s “homework.” They are there for the show! They have bought tickets and want to be entertained, and so do casting directors, directors, and producers. They want to see a performance. That’s why you do “acting practice” in privacy.
My first audition tape by Angie101 • last post Jun 27th
Im trying to go for my first audition but its a tape. MY character is tough, cagey, charismatic and i cant find a monoluge fo it.
Anyone else ever feel that post film/play longing? by MickyKaMoodle • last post Jun 27th
What I’m trying to describe is that after you finish a gig you have this longing, you don’t know when you’ll see your cast members again, and all the time you spent with them is likely to come to zero. Performance is coming up soon for our play at my college and I realize I’ve been taking a lot of the rehearsal time for granted, networking and friendship wise, and that after our performance is done I’ll just be sitting on my ass on YouTube again or just being alone until I am cast in something else. I’m gonna miss my cast members and hope I am along side them next season. It’s my first official play. Wondering if other actors here feel the same way in theatre or film.
Is modeling (successfully) a good way to get discovered? by parthvader4 • last post Jun 27th
I assume a lot of models-turned-actors get discovered this way but what are your thoughts?
How to get into big franchise open casting calls by yourself? by fedorableneckbeard • last post Jun 27th
I’m a small time actor in college right now. I’ve acted in a few short films that have went to festivals and stuff, but nothing major. I heard of a Spiderman: Far From Home open casting call for a speaking role of a gender non-conforming character between 18-23. I am actually gender non-conforming and have been trying to at least audition for something of this caliber. Does anyone know how to get into an open casting call with no help from any talent agency? I’ve been doing a lot of research online and all the stuff I could find were trying to charge me money (Nine9 and Alan Bates) Does anyone have any advice or leads into where I could get my foot in the door on this? Sorry if I sound amateur at all.
Male Rapier Duel by MonksHabit • last post Jun 27th
As an actor I often fall into the trap of trying to be a nice guy, wanting always to be liked. Swordfighting is helping be break out of that people-pleasing habit and embrace my inner villain! This is me at my most dastardly: [Male Rapier Duel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOIvOlTXDuw)
My natural self is anxious and animated. by smithmcmagnum • last post Jun 27th
I recently re-watched the famous Michael Cain video and now it's got me stiff as a block of wood and half as interesting. To be clear, I'm not blaming the program. I just feel that I am naturally animated when I talk. In life this has been called charming and funny and part of the reason I've been encouraged to pursue acting. I *am* a character. Yet on film it is a detriment. **But**, I also have generalized anxiety (meaning I have anxiety pretty much always). So from 1-10, my calm 0 looks like someone else's 3. As a result, it comes off as nervous on film. I can't find the balance between naturally being me (*which is animated and always somewhat anxious*) and this manufactured "calmer" version of myself, which just turns into droopy eyed zombie. And in those instances there also seems to be an "acting" rather than just "being," which stops me from fully being present. I *am* getting therapy, but that takes time and I want to act *now*. Surely there are many actors who have high levels of anxiety, fear, ADHD, etc. Yet, it doesn't show on film. How do they channel this properly?
Advice for New Vancouver Actors by coreycmalone • last post Jun 27th
I will be making a move to Vancouver in a couple months, and I was hoping to get some solid professional advice on some industry information. I'm leaving it pretty open. I made a post on Facebook about it, but the information I received was pretty useless. Some things I'm looking for are: \- Important CD names to look out for \- Ongoing Networking Events \- Voiceover Studios \- Top Film Schools \- Where actors hang out. \- Physical Actors Resource Centres (If Any) \- Background Agency Information \- Non-Hospitality Work that is Flexible for Performers and; \- Essential first steps that should be taken (Not as a starting actor, but more so as someone who is merely entering a new market.)
Where to post survival jobs? by hekkoman • last post Jun 27th
Guys hi, We are hiring tour guides, and it's very popular survival job among actors. Could you recommend acting sites that allow posting of survival jobs? I saw mentions of Playbill.com, Mandy.com, Casting Networks - but not sure if they allow that. What board is good place to be seeing by actors which allow survival jobs? (NYC area)
Move to LA by itsscottedwards • last post Jun 26th
Any actors/actresses/producers/directors/writers interested in moving out to LA together and getting started? Serious inquires only.
SAG-AFTRA by Film_actress_star • last post Jun 26th
Hello, I have jumped onto a new project and the director is claiming it is a SAG project and that all of the actors on the project must be SAG members. I asked if I could get the production id to look up the project on the SAG website, but...
For comp cards by thatloudblondguy • last post Jun 26th
Hey actors, does anyone have a preferred site for making their comp cards? I'm just searching the sites that came up on Google and the first page of options are all pretty terrible. Does anyone have a diamond in the rough or a lesser known site they use?
Theatrical Agent or Manager by gunnerinc • last post Jun 26th
Hi Acting Reddit Community! I have a question, what do you think is better if you do not currently have theatrical representation, focusing on partnering with an agent or a manager? I would love to get your feedback. By the way I really enjoy reading everyone's posts and replies. There are so many great actors and industry professionals on here, and I also champion all of the new actors who are eager to get started in the business! My Best, Gunner Wright [www.gunnerwright.com](https://www.gunnerwright.com) [https://www.instagram.com/splitlane/](https://www.instagram.com/splitlane/) 2018 Acting Reel: [https://vimeo.com/188616171](https://vimeo.com/188616171)
Just saw a short film I was in and I was terrible in it. I'm baffled. I felt good during filming. by AlarmingPosition • last post Jun 26th
I felt great during filming, I felt like I got the character, I felt confident. I was eager to get the footage back to use on a reel but to my horror I was awful. Most of my interactions had been cut or they cut away as I was talking. And what little remained was just bad (just me, the other actors were fine). I looked nervous and disconnected. I've been told by many people that I'm a good actor (taken many classes + continuing improv classes), but that I just need to break through with my "confidence issues." I'm amazed at how much it's showing on screen, *despite* how I was feeling in the moment. I honestly felt like I was doing everything right. I felt very present during filming, but it just looks like trash to me, now. How could my radar be so far off? Is this common? And now that I think about it, I've been getting a lot of auditions since I started in LA (February) but I've only gotten this and one other very minor role. I just don't know where to go from here.
What do you consider a ‘good actor’? by montethos • last post Jun 26th
Id really like other thoughts on this
Saw the $75 headshot price...but I wanted to see what this community thought first by ottwrights • last post Jun 26th
Can everyone be an actor and is it easy? by actuallyjake • last post Jun 26th
A lot of people say that everyone can be an actor, I never believed that but maybe it's just me. I've also read on the internet that it's really hard to get a job as an actor and make a living with it, is that true?
Discuss a performance you saw recently - Jun 26 by AutoModerator • last post Jun 26th
Talk about a performance you saw recently, in any medium-stage, TV, film. Good or bad; what did you like about it? What didn't seem to work? The more specific the better.