We have found 19,412 posts across 4 actor forums:
NEW COLUMN - Drop Season by SecretAgentMan • last post Apr 9th
https://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/secret-agent-man/how-stay-your-agents-good-side/
Non union and equity PRINCIPAL auditions by muddymudd • last post Apr 9th
What's the etiquette here? As a non union actor can I go to an equity principal audition and possibly be seen? Or are they specifically for emc and equity actors? Confusion on the dos and donts of epas, and I'm perfect for the production.
Anyones face ever twitch while on stage? by supercave93 • last post Apr 8th
I am an actress, I have been acting around 8 years now, and only recently have I noticed when I get into character, my lips, and sometimes my eyebrows start twitching. Does anyone else ever get this? is there any way to stop it happening?
Looking for either people's experience, or biographies to read... by Balthactor • last post Apr 8th
The other day I was talking to an artist (mixed media, mostly watercolor painting) about what I desire in a career in acting and I told her that I want to be able to walk onto a set or a stage and be able to see in the other actor's faces their sense of trust that we're going to do good work. And she told me from her experience growing as an artist that what I need to do is take that end goal and work backwards from it. See what steps I need to take from where I am now to getting there, instead of fretting over not being skilled or good enough yet (at the beginning) to already be a trusted working actor. Saying, of course, that she didn't know what those steps would be since she works in a completely different art form. So, like many people, I was raised in an abusive setting (by a diagnosed NPD father) and taught not to trust myself, but to rely on the judgement of others. My value being dependant on how useful or well liked I am. What I'm asking is if anyone has either a similar experience of moving beyond this into an artistic career as an actor and what steps you took (like I'm planning on taking improv classes to be more in the moment and less inhibited), or if you know of a good biography or similar of successful actors and how they moved forward from difficult circumstances into their careers? What steps did they take? What technique of acting did they use? What were their daily practices in life? Not so I can be a carbon copy of them, but just suggestions as I try to fumble forward.
Working with a difficult actor by FoxyGrandpa17 • last post Apr 8th
So I'm pretty new to film acting and my fellow actor (who was slightly more experienced) was actually nice enough, however there were some things that started to really bother me about him throughout the process. The first thing is, he was a backseat director. This is less my problem than it is the director's, but it still seemed to slow down the process as he had something to say and suggest after every take to them. Now I like to suggest things myself and there's merit to it, but as the actor, I try to restrict myself from "directing" unless asked to specifically or of what I'm thinking is very important to me. The other thing is that he seemed to be a spotlight hog, for lack of a better word. He always needed to be the one speaking at the end of the scene despite the script. Always was trying to find a way to "improve" the script or get more close ups. I know it's important to get the best footage if you but it was borderline obnoxious. He also seemed to be acting for fame. Specifically I remember him saying how he wanted to get to the point in his career where the crew would grovel to him. Again, I liked the guy enough, but seeing him step on my toes or the director's all the time was frustrating, but I didn't want to risk this conflict blocking my performance, so I just hoped the director would say something. How would y'all deal with this, if at all, or am I just making a mountain of a mole hill? TL;DR: Fellow actor was a back seat director and spotlight hog. Was only acting to get famous. These things kept bothering me and stepping on my toes. WWYD?
Andy Serkis? by GeeOKeem • last post Apr 8th
In a world where motion capture isnt appreciated as an acting art in the elitist acting world (oscars) where do we rank Andy Serkis on his acting caliber alone, comparitively to others. I myself am biased in saying he is my favorite actor (very close with Tom Hardy) but i do believe this conversation is seldom had.
How much do you weigh/what is your size? by FluffyWof • last post Apr 7th
We’re all anonymous here so hopefully no one minds! I just wonder because I consider myself a normal size bordering on slim, but everyone says the camera adds ten pounds and so many actors and actresses I’ve met in real life are bloody tiny! And I read about actresses being like, 110 pounds and they’re taller than me! My stats are 166cm, 55 kilos. That’s 5’5.5, and 121 pounds.
An inspiration to all young actors out there. The Rock's journey to a House hold Hollywood name by ZeeCon4 • last post Apr 7th
Whats some of the upsides and downsides of acting? by Natsu_Firefox • last post Apr 7th
Recently Ive taken a major interest and feel very passionate about action. But when I read books and look online it seems like nobody has good things to say. The norm is that actors get paid shit and a whole lotta other bad things. I just wanna know whatre the upsides.
How do talented Actors like Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver work on multiple roles in a year? by Hingehead • last post Apr 6th
It's insane how a person especially like Oscar Isaac shifts between multiple roles in a given year (I.E. Star Wars Force Awaken; X-men Apocalypse; Show me a Hero). Adam Driver also does the same thing. His body went through drastic changes , going from thick muscular look in Force Awaken to nearly 4% bodyfat, thin look in Silence, back to thick and muscular look for later film projects, especially his shirtless scene in Last Jedi. Just what does it take to tackle so many roles in such a short period of time? It is astounding!
What is the standard rate an actor should be paid? by Dats_Russia • last post Apr 6th
I hope this is allowed. I want to hire a local actor in my community to try my hand editing. I do NOT want to ripoff the actor. This is a serious production I want to do. What can I do to ensure the actor is accommodated properly? I do NOT want my inexperience to be an excuse for not doing things right. I have the money and means to pay the actor. I do NOT expect the actor to pay for anything. I simply want to hire the actor and compensate them for work.
Describe the physicality, wardrobe and mannerisms that come to mind for an actress playing a "3rd wheel friend" by The_Actors_Throwaway • last post Apr 6th
Thanks.
Introverted actors out there -- how do you expose yourself in acting when it's hard to expose yourself in personal life? by astrosoil • last post Apr 5th
((lmao is "expose" bad wording)) I ghost this subreddit because I'm really into film, but to be frank I'm also very interested in the art of acting itself. For years I've thought about what it would be like to act but it's always been just that way-- a thought. I'm very passionate about fictional but True storytelling and depth/complexity of characters within those stories; I also enjoy observing people and catching mannerisms and thinking about what makes each person them. (Lol is this irrelevant thoughts for actors, idk.) But here's the thing: I'm a very introverted person who is really guided with how I reveal myself -- I'm that type of person who takes a while to get really close to / feel comfortable around people (unless somehow we Click immediately or have a great conversation). I've always really really wanted to try acting but have always been afraid of how other people will see me, etc. etc. all of those useless thoughts that can be swallowed by a simple (hearty voice) "Just put yourself out there and go for it! You gotta start somewhere to get somewhere !!" (which yes, i understand is necessary for me to Actually Try Acting) Anyway I'm curious (1) if there are people who are actually experienced and really into acting who identify as very introverted, and (2) whether there is some sort of dichotomy between your acting self and normal self which doesn't somehow feel contradictory to your existence. Also, (3) if you feel introverted, was it hard to get into acting / how did you start doing so? Or perhaps this isn't a problem at all. Just curious to see what y'all have to say !
Leaving My Agency: how should I go about pitching to other agents in my city? by throwthrowmedown • last post Apr 5th
I'm an actor from Toronto and have been with the same agency for 4 years. Things haven't worked out on both sides and I'm looking for a change of scenery. Should I be emailing agents through a casting site (Casting Workbook has an ePitch service for example and all my information in one place) or should I send emails with my relevant resume/headshot/reel separately? I've never made an agency switch and am looking for any and all advice, thanks in advance!
[Office Hours] feat. Social Media Expert Heidi Dean, Part II by lightsvber • last post Apr 4th
We're hosting a brand new Backstage Office Hours session with social media professional and Backstage Expert, Heidi Dean on Thursday, April 5, 2018 starting at 4pm ET. For 24 hours, Heidi will be returning to the Backstage Community forums for her second Office Hours session! Join the conversation as she...
Can I self-submit if I sign with an agency? by mixednuts24 • last post Apr 4th
I'm wondering if it is better to wait to get more indie short film credits before signing with an agency. Can I keep self-submitting once I sign with an agency or should 100% rely on them? What if they only submit frequent booking actors?
Monologue, mimic source or improvise? by Ihopeugethatecrimed • last post Apr 4th
Just finished recording a monologue from a Christopher Nolan movie. Question is, is it cool to mimic the source actor's mannerisms and inflection? I definitely got into character and delivered from feeling. It wasn't exactly like the source actor, but it was very close. Is that likely to be seen as cool that I can mimic or lame that I didn't do my own interpretation?
Too old? by anonbug22 • last post Apr 4th
Hey all- all I’ve ever wanted was to be an actor. Right after highschool I got an agent and started auditioning. This went on for years and I would always audition and I never really got big roles. Then I took a break and worked in other creative industries. Now I’m 25 and I realize that all I wanna do is act still. I’m applying for agencies but I feel too old - as a 25 year old woman, i know that’s silly but that’s the industry. Any thoughts on starting again as an older actor? It just can be very discouraging when you see people so much younger than you with all this experience already.