We have found 19,293 posts across 4 actor forums:
The 8 Characters of Comedy by saintjerkm • last post Mar 26th
Hey all! I've been watching some videos featuring Scott Sedita, an acting coach and author out of California. He's coached many actors in sitcom and comedy television including Matt LeBlanc (Joey from Friends). He released a book called "The 8 Characters of Comedy" and I've been watching his breakdown of the characters here ( https://vimeo.com/46944068 ). I was just wondering if anyone here had any other kind of advice on acting in sitcom and in comedy (not really my strong suit) in terms of developing character, what to look for in a script, and how to "be funny" while also being honest and truthful within the scene. THANKS!
How to get reps as an actor? by CharlieCleanShave • last post Mar 26th
Stand ups and improvisers can get on stage every night and do a show but actors have to prepare more and shows don't seem as immediate. Auditions? Classes? Small theater?
A million apologies if this is misplaced; what if I don’t want to be an actor but want to take acting classes? Do those exist? by Death_Star_ • last post Mar 26th
First off, I have the utmost respect for actors; it’s a tough craft and it looks easy until it’s painfully obvious someone that someone can’t act. Why do I want to take acting classes? I moonlight as a writer, and I’ve heard anecdotes of acting classes helping them with characterization and the rhythm of dialogue. I don’t live far from LA but all the classes around seem to be for those looking to become professional actors. I am just looked by for the equivalent of cooking classes to help me cook better, not to become a chef. Any ideas what terms and key words I should search for and/or where to go? I always thought, “take classes at your local community college,” but I can’t find any. Thanks in advance. Best of luck to all of you.
Cruise Line? by theeverydayingenue • last post Mar 26th
Hi, everyone! I’m a musical theatre actress primarily and I have several professional roles under my name. I wanted to take a break from teaching in order to work on the Disney Cruise in youth activities, but I was encouraged to audition for the shows per a friend of mine. My question is will 25 be too old to work for Disney? And I do not have a degree in musical theatre but I do have training. I’m worried that will hurt me when I audition. Any tips and tricks and insight into ship life is welcomed and appreciated :)
Actors who have moved to Toronto/Vancouver/NY/LA- at what point in your career did you relocate? by danikabananika • last post Mar 26th
I'm still pretty new to acting- I've been doing this for less than a year. Where I live, I have a really well paying, flexible job, there is far less "competition" here (I hate that notion, I just mean there are fewer actors in my category) and a relatively large number of projects. Eventually I'm wanting to relocate to Vancouver, but the plan was not to do so until I had a bigger resume which could be a few years. My circumstances have changed and there is a possibility of moving there at the end of this year. My agent is in Vancouver. I'm concerned that that could be too soon for someone who's as green as I am.
Acting With No Money by karinakamble • last post Mar 25th
Hello, I'm an aspiring actor and I live in Los Angeles. I'm still in high school and I do online school so I have a lot of time on my hands. I really want to get into acting classes and get some experience. I'm not the theatre type so I don't really like getting into that stuff. I wanted to get help from more experienced actors. My parents struggle a lot financially and acting classes are VERY expensive. Anyone know any affordable acting classes or possibly free ones?
What was the main motivation or reason you became an actor? by cdg110 • last post Mar 25th
Was it a childhood dream of starring on tv or film? Or a tradition in your family? I'm curious.
I feel like this might be a scam by Nativedavid33 • last post Mar 25th
I have no idea if it's a scam or not. They claim to be a talent agency in the seattle/spokane area knows as MAM or Mitchell Actors and Models. I can't find anything wrong so far, which is what really freaks me out. I am not trustworthy of the internet at all and I want help in identifying a scam or not. They say they are a SAG-AFTRA affiliated agency. The clients seem to check out so far, but I haven't found mention of this specific company. All feature films they say they have cast have all taken place in areas near the office, yet something tells me it might be a scam. I have no idea. Maybe I'm just so used to getting scammed that I am not trusting my only opportunity. The website is here for anyone who wants to try and find something wrong with it. http://www.wearemam.com/
How do child actors become actors at such an early age? by Arsamesesgey • last post Mar 25th
Like how do they succeed? They dont even have much experience. While adults are struggling to even get discovered... life is fucking cruel
ACTRA/Equity's Influence on the Canadian Market by coreycmalone • last post Mar 25th
I'll be heading back to Canada shortly and focusing on my career there. I started professionally in the UK so I'm not so well versed in how influential the actors unions are in Canada. I have some proper experience on set, but I'm not ready to unionize. Is it mainly that union actors have first pick of the roles? How screwed am I if I don't join right off the bat?
Student actor, rejected from production directed by friends. Am I right to feel slighted? by Emeraldcoast2k • last post Mar 25th
I feel really silly typing this, but I need to vent at the moment, and I feel there are people here older/more experienced than me who can talk me out of this slump. I never acted in school, but when I got to college I threw myself into it because I always felt a calling to be on stage and I never had the confidence until I left my hometown/high school. I got cast in two major roles two years running in the annual production staged by my academic department at college, which generates a large amount of interest and is always a massive event. I performed brilliantly and am extremely proud of myself, and learnt a lot along the way as well as making great friends. These experiences made me realise I love acting and I want to pursue it as far as possible. Recently some friends/acquaintances of mine pitched an original comedy to a big theatre group at our college and were successful in gaining funding and support to bring it to a rather major event in our country, a big success for them as writers. I was very pleased for them and thought the opportunity was too good to pass up, so auditioned for a role and felt I performed well. Several mutual friends also auditioned, including some who I have previously acted alongside. In any case, they turned me down, and I now feel rather dejected. I’ve only been acting at all for two years so obviously I really haven’t experienced rejection, and until now all feedback I’ve received on my prowess has been very positive. I can’t help but feel somewhat insulted, as ridiculous as I know that sounds, because I know that the people I auditioned in front of are colleagues of mine and that they almost certainly chose one or two mutual friends over me for the role(s). I don’t quite know how to face up to this on a social level, because I see these people very regularly at college, and they’re constantly talking about how excited they are about bringing this production to a bigger stage. I don’t know how to look at and talk to these people without thinking “I’m bitter and jealous that you didn’t pick me and I wish I could be a part of your production”. Ultimately I know I’m just a college kid and I’m being melodramatic, and I’m VERY new to all of this. But any advice would be very much appreciated, as well as any pointers for what I might do in the future in terms of attitude as I pursue acting further throughout and beyond college.
Actor turned producer/No film school needed? by Theurbanalchemist • last post Mar 24th
I have aspirations of producing one day and I thought of taking a year off one year to get the basics of producing in class. Like, a full sail university course. Looking at a film like Pacific Rim 2, starring and produced by John Boyega, is that route necessary?
Actor reference by joeycormier • last post Mar 24th
I'm taking acting classes currently with an actor represented by a big agency in Canada. It was purely a coincidence, but I've had my eyes set on that same agency for when I'm ready to be represented. I've read that agents can refer actors to another agency, but would an actor do the same? Or is that unethical?
SAG New Media Taft-Hartley closed. Options? by Hypegiaphobia • last post Mar 24th
I have been working on creating a New Media project for over a year with the intention of using it as a method to obtain my union card. Apparently many aspiring actors and some scam artists also did this and did so in ways that pissed off the union. I just today found out (because I hadn't checked the new media site for a while) that this no longer seems like a viable option to Taft Hartley into the union. I have been a working actor for many years. I have a masters degree in acting. Most of my work has been commercials, some non-union tv as well. I live in the Philadelphia area. The project I was developing wasn't a "scam" just to get into the union. I legitimately wanted to make this thing and also use it as a stepping stone to elevate my acting career by being proactive. I called SAG New Media, they said they won't even consider a Taft Hartley for a new media project under $50k. That's what they told me at least. Has anyone else had any a different experience with Taft Hartley recently or know other viable options other than waiting for work to come to me and hoping I get brought in to be seen for a union audition when something comes in to town?
Question about MFA Acting Programs by meanpuffiethingy • last post Mar 24th
I just started taking acting classes, and was browsing through some MFA Acting Programs out of curiosity (e.g. Julliard, NYU Tisch, Yale, etc.) However, I was confused about what they were looking for exactly. There are programs that say (or imply) they are looking for "potential" and "trainable" students that can become good actors. However, at the same time, many programs ask for 3 letters of recommendation. I'm unsure whether the recommendations need to all be about my work as actors, but it seems these programs want their students to have amassed a good chunk of prior acting experiences under their belt. For those who have gone to MFA programs (esp for Julliard, etc.), how "untrained" can the student be to get accepted, or how much experience do you think they are looking for?
What are your thoughts on imdbPRO, Backstage? by baryll • last post Mar 24th
Has having these accounts really helped you if you are a signed actor? I eventually plan on making one but I feel like until I have booked a job or two it’s not worth the investment. What do you guys think? Do you get inquired often or are you just submitting via their awful search engines?
Is it normal for an agent to demand actors never discuss pay with other actors on set (or with clients)? by CulainnMusic • last post Mar 24th
As the title says. Is it normal for an agent to demand that an actor never discuss what he's being paid with other actors on a set, or with the client/production staff? It seems kind of fishy to not be allowed to talk to anyone about what you're being paid. How do you guys feel about it?
How do you include the audience into the world of the play? by actingreflection • last post Mar 24th
I'm interested in exploring the relationship between actor and audience. How do you do the play without completely ignoring the audience, or (on the other end of the spectrum) catering to their reactions (e.g. wanting laughs or applause). I would love to know what you all think! Thanks a bunch
What do you all think of successful actors that are not so upbeat or confident? by castdex • last post Mar 23rd
I've been reading here often that CDs want to see actors be confident with themselves on and off camera, which I understand on their part. But have any of you ever thought about actors like Kristen Stewart or Michael Cera that don't come off as upbeat as CDs supposedly look for? How do you think they pull off auditions and get roles?