We have found 19,446 posts across 4 actor forums:
I have 3 years - how do I use them efficiently? by DailyOops • last post Jun 29th
I'm starting a 3-year theatre training program soon and since I'm not the youngest (straight out of university), I wanted to use this time efficiently in order to be prepared for the professional world as soon as possible after finishing. The program itself is quite intense, so I won't have much time during the school year, but summers are 4 months long, which feels like plenty of time to either waste away or use towards bettering myself as an actor. I know it sounds pathetic, but I don't want to be "just another fresh drama school grad" when applying to agencies later, I want to have something more to show than just a certificate of completion and a couple of student films. So my question, if you had 3 years to jump-start your career, how would you go about it?
Calling casting agents to introduce yourself, or follow up - are weekends ok? by coldlikedeath • last post Jun 29th
Hi all. I did look for this question in the FAQs, didn’t see it. Over in Northern Ireland, I’m calling casting agents and getting my details out there. I am aware that people have lives and jobs and sometimes the only time that either I or they can take or make calls is bloody lunchtime. I tend to leave work early if there are calls I need to make. But is placing a quick call to casting agents just to say "this is me, I’m here, maybe we need a little talk before I lob my cv at you" ok? If I’m told, ring back Monday, that’s fine. I’d apologise for bothering them and go on my merry way. The problem is that when I did call G (a casting agent), and we talked, she said yes of course, send your details, and I did. But the fucking email has gotten delayed, don’t ask me how. Should I call her to say it is on the way? I don’t want her thinking I’m not serious. I dunno. Any help appreciated, and I’m starting out, so I know there’s shit I don’t know, unwritten rules I can’t see or haven’t learnt to read yet. Please be kind.
Is it sacriligeous to ask a prominent family member in the business for a referral/chance? by abielizgar • last post Jun 29th
I have a cousin who I've only met a couple times when I was younger who is currently a "big deal" in the business. I am friends with him and his mom on facebook, and my late dad and him were definitely closer, because they were the same age range growing up.. But I am wondering if it's "wrong" to ask him if he could possibly help me get a foot in? We all well know that a lot of people get their start or even breaks, because they KNEW somebody 'important' or were referred to by someone. By the way, he's the executive producer/show runner of a very popular show on Netflix right now.. I am definitely still training and do believe in the right timing, but I really am tempted to see if he'd be willing to help some way :/
First steps as an actor by thinkinglongterm91 • last post Jun 29th
Hey guys, So I have some tricky questions about starting my acting career. First of all I have to say that I´m a total beginner and looking for a great acting school. I´m thinking about moving to vancouver or toronto vs. Los Angeles. What do you know about Vancouver and Toronto and LA? Which city would you prefer? First plan was to move to Los Angeles, but I´ve heard that for a beginner it´s better to start in canada because the competition is not that kind of hard like LA. Option A is to move to vancouver or Toronto, working in a half time job and go to acting classes. Option B is to move to Los Angeles( Not sure If I get a working visa, visa for studying for sure) Looking forward for your answers :)
California State Universities in proximity to acting by BJM33 • last post Jun 29th
Hello! This upcoming fall will be my last school year at my community college in San Diego, California (been here all my life). With that in mind, I will be applying to colleges and hope to transfer to a CSU in the Los Angeles area. I will not be majoring in acting, but rather Business Administration. I was hoping to attend school for business while also pursuing acting on the side (otherwise my family would probably disown me haha). What schools would be best in proximity to where most auditions, studios, etc are? I’ve considered CSU Long Beach and CSU Northridge. Any advice or insight would be appreciated! Thanks.
Which path should i take? by Thresh_On_Your_Face • last post Jun 29th
Hi guys so i’m from the UK and am trying to get into acting. At the minute i’m doing acting lessons with an academy/agency and after the course as a whole is completed they take you on. I also have a place at Lancaster University for the 2018/19 term but the agent said if i go to uni he won’t be able to take me on. At the minute i’m 21 so all’s i need to get on spotlight is an agent (as a young performer) but if i get a BA in performance then i think i’ll be eligible to join spotlight anyway. However, the uni route will take 3 years. Which route is the best? Should i study the 3 years at university or forget university and join the agency? Thank you very much, apologies if none of the above made sense. Edit: the agencies name is Stirling Management
Self tape auditions by Roman Blat • last post Jun 28th
Disturbing but great character. https://youtu.be/NJsmLM22yyM Instagram: @RomanBlat @RabidArtWork
When does Episodic season start? by theatreguy • last post Jun 28th
When does Episodic season actually start? july or august?
For someone with no experience/education in acting, what can I look out for in films which are good/bad acting methods? by number001 • last post Jun 28th
While watching movies, how can I tell what is good/bad acting? Once I know whats good or not, how can I learn about it to become a better actor? Is there a good resource to be able to learn the basics of acting, so I could pick out these things, and learn to emulate?
What type of class should an actor start out with? by Throwaway66410355 • last post Jun 28th
The only classes given nearby are on-screen/audition technique classes which I feel unprepared for. I learn valuable information with these classes regarding casting and the technical side, but I still feel unprepared if I were to go and audition and actually get a job. I would have no technique or foundation on how to approach the script and character.. In our on-camera classes all we do is the technical stuff and defining our "want" in the sides, which is obviously important if you want to work for film/tv.. BUT.. I would love to have a technique or basic understanding on what I'm bringing to the audition room. Is it unadvisable to jump straight into audition/on-camera classes if you've never done any theater or training prior? Because that's all I have available to me now..
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Jun 28 by AutoModerator • last post Jun 28th
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.
I feel like I'm wasting my time. by orkan20001 • last post Jun 28th
So, to keep it short, I'm 17 and going to take classes next year. Until then I've visited many workshops but as you appreciate, due to economic reasons and school it's impossible to do that all time. But this is bothering me, I feel like I'm wasting my time at school. Also, I really have no idea how I can evaluate my time. To take those classes I have to pass school first of course. I've been to many auditions, musical theatre included. Got even chosen for a part, but declined it after, as I'm too young it might harm my voice. My goal is it to be a theatre actor btw. Really don't know what to do.
got a callback but never actually got it? by lazyxlibra • last post Jun 28th
So a month ago I had an amazing audition for a TV show and a week later I had an availability check and notification that I would be called back, but to hold tight for more info. 3 weeks passed, absolutely nothing. This week I checked in with my agent to ask for any updates and he suspects they ended up going another direction. My agent told me he called and got no response. is this unusual? it seems highly unprofessional to tell an actor they're coming back into the room only to give radio silence. it was for one of the biggest casting directors in my city as well, which is super sus to me. I'm also pretty upset that agent never followed up with me until I reached out to him almost a month later. Kinda makes me wanna make a move to a new one (there's other things piling up to me making the switch, but yeah)
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)