We have found 19,242 posts across 4 actor forums:
My First Pilot Season (& No Auditions Yet) by chapstics • last post Jan 25th
Hello, I am an ATL-based actor and I signed with my first agency (not one of the top 4 here, but solid, SAG-franchised, and with a good reputation) a couple weeks before the holiday season. I am a bit more anxious than the average person I admit, but I'm a wee bit worried that I haven't gotten a single self tape audition (or in-person, but I figure ATL would mostly be self taped for this) for pilot season yet. Not a pilot nor current episodics. I'm a newbie with a fair amount of theatre, but only student films and a couple low budget, non-union films on the TV/film side. My headshots are really good (as told to me by a casting director) and my demo reel is eh, in my opinion (I'm working on that by getting in contact with student directors I worked with that haven't given me footage and I even filmed my own scenes with someone who knows directing better than I do to help with this). I read here from one commentor that January is really for the stars/bigger names and that February is when it kicks off for the rest of us. Am I letting my anxiousness get the best of me? I think I'm just really ready to start auditioning is all. I'm still studying/reading up on my favorite techniques, self-submitting, and I will be enrolling in new classes in a month or so. I know my agency has a fight ahead of them with me being new and all, but if, I am getting anxious too early, at what point should I schedule a meeting if I haven't had any auditions? Mid-February? March? (Also, as a disclaimer, I should say that I am not hoping for those big time recurring and/or guest star role auditions, just those under 5/co-stars to get my foot in the door) Thank you for any help! :)
So I am watching Wendy Alane Wright videos by i_want_to_act • last post Jan 25th
She says lot of things and my acting teacher who is also an actor says the opposite of what she says. My teacher acts like you come to his class and you can go get head shots if you want, go out and do auditions, go to Cast Iron Studios when they do open auditions and every November they go open calls for monologues and do some food drive there. He also gives us resources for where to go for auditions and where to film small films or student films to go for. Wendy acts like you have to go to theater school to be an actor and do years of training first before you start to audition and then you do student films and then short films and she acts like you can't just start taking classes and then start auditioning for films. Or is this only LA where talent managers down there want actors who have art degrees in acting or could my teacher be giving us false hope? I used to think you could just go in and audition and you get the part if the casting directors liked you. Yes people have gotten a part just like that with no experience but that is very rare. Those people were just at the right place at the right time like Johnny Depp when he was spotted by Wes Craven and told him he wanted him to audition because he looked like the right guy for a part in the script. Then somehow he ended up with major rolls and a TV series, he is an exception and Wendy was talking about the 95% of people who want to act in the industry, not about the exceptions. but darn, watching her videos made me feel I might be a wannabe actor and I should cancel my open audition for April because what if I fail miserably and look like one of those wannabe actors? Our teacher did tell us we will fail and we have to fail because it's part of acting so that is why I decided to do that open audition. All I know is I just have to practice and pretend I am at the audition and pretend the camera is on so I am not automatically moving my body (something I do when I am concentrating or excited) or my legs and I look right next to the camera while "auditioning." I want to look serious and have the Cast Iron people think I am serious and not make them feel I have wasted their time and their audition slot. They do say on their website you have to make a good impression and take classes if you have no experience and if you want to be an actor, take classes so that is what I am doing. To Wendy taking classes is going to a university or going to Yule or something, probably not taking the class I am now that is only once a week or doing the workshops. But I guess that is LA. :/ My teacher lived down there and he moved up here because he didn't like it down there. He said there are over 160,000 actors there. That is how many you are competing with.
We need to talk about the myth of the "unknown" actor breaking through by thisisnotarealperson • last post Jan 25th
There’s been an uptick here in posts talking about “unknown” actors getting their “big break” in something that turns into a phenomenon. I’m looking at you, Stranger Things. This is almost always a myth, created either by PR machines or by lazy people who have a passing interest in becoming actors. It really only takes a glance at someone’s IMDb profile to learn that they were not, in fact, unknowns when they were cast in that thing that you love. Has it happened in the past? Of course, and it will continue to happen to a few lucky people. Like Powerball, or a lightning strike. Natalie Portman was approached in a pizza shop by a modeling agent, which eventually led to an acting agent, and then she did The Professional. Bria Vinaite, currently starring as the mom in The Florida Project, was discovered by the director on Instagram in her profile that had nothing to do with acting. The anecdotes dot the history of the entertainment industry. So, sure, that’s a thing. And if you want it to happen to you, good news! You don’t have to do a damn thing. Live your life however you choose and maybe someday someone will hand you an opportunity. (I will add that these days, almost every time someone approaches you in public about an opportunity in the industry what follows will be at best an attempt to separate you from a lot of money). For the rest of us though, wherein “rest”=the crushing majority of everyone you see on film and TV, you need to train, you need to find your own opportunities, you need to make connections, you need to meet agents, etc etc. You need to do just one iota of research when you see someone in a thing and think “they’re great! How’d they get this part?” Then you’ll learn that they’ve been at it for a while and did some stuff no one really saw but it got the attention of an agent and they’ve been auditioning forever and here’s a thing that finally crosses your eyeballs. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were not “unknowns” when they sold Good Will Hunting. None of the kids in Stranger Things were really new to the business. Open cattle calls for blockbuster films are almost always a publicity stunt. This is an industry built on lies both benign and malignant and you need to learn to cut through that and do the work.
How to Become a noticed actor? by rhoades2rocky43 • last post Jan 24th
Hello, my name is Taylor Rhoades and I, like many people, want to pursue acting. I always wanted to be involved in film for my whole life. I began writing and led to wanting to direct but a year ago I realized I love acting. I have acted in seven different short films and I grow each and every time, getting better and better. I want to know, if anyone can help me, how to get bigger or find the opportunities to get out there to have acting as a career. Being involved in film is a dream of mine and I'm just looking for tips or help of any kind. Thank you so much.
What are reddit's tips for future actors / directors? by Jan_Emanuel • last post Jan 24th
Hello! as a complete beginner in this world I would like to gain some insight. My question is deliberately very diversified. The answers to my question could be how to handle and invest a very big sum of money, some real-life tips ( don't you ever, ever start an affair with an actress, only because she must be at the set for a long time ) or something specifically for directors ( you might want to gain some infos about the audience for which you are creating a series ). I chose reddit to ask my question because of the gigantic amount of smart people, who can be reached over this platform. Thanks for reading and every smart answer :D !
Reshooting Old TV Scenes for a Reel? by onionsandradishes • last post Jan 24th
Would it be a terrible thing to shoot some two person scenes from old tv shows for a beginning reel that can be edited to feature each actor? I have access to people and equipment from my filmmaking class to make one. I just don't have any great script ideas and the student films I have done have mostly been voiced over public solitude stuff. My public library has about a million dvd box sets of old teen dramas like Dawson's Creek and the OC. I bet that if I looked, I could find a bunch of scenes that I could make look good.
Motion Capture in Texas by toaster_bot • last post Jan 23rd
I'm a actor/motion capture performer with a few small credits. I'm interested in moving to a larger market, but I'm not ready for LA. Does anyone know anything about motion capture opportunities in Austin/Dallas? I know there are a lot of game studios, but are there many auditions? Is there an agency that works more with people interested in mocap? My own research has not been positive, but I thought I should ask. Thanks! -toaster_bot
Help me find my Brand!? by Tonytarium • last post Jan 23rd
Hey fellow actors! I am in the tedious process of trying to hone in on my brand, or how I'll sell myself to the industry. I've made a list of adjectives in a google document and I'm hoping you all can help me out by scrolling through a selecting 5-15 (or more!) words that you think represent me based on my headshots! I am trying to gather as many responses from strangers as possible because it is important to understand how others perceive you at a glance. Thank you all! Headshots: https://imgur.com/a/JTf7Y Survey: https://goo.gl/forms/fmgsMk51CmKt9wlG3
Typecast as a period actress, not quite sure what to do with it. Please help! by Sakemetekika • last post Jan 23rd
I'm currently taking an auditioning class and we had a NY casting director come in as a guest. She'd stated that due to my intense eyes, I looked like a period actress; and that I would suit roles like a maid, 1950's french woman, or mayor's wife type character. I live in the Kansas City area and know that there aren't very many (if any) castings that fit this type. I'm also young (early 20's), so some of these possibilities wouldn't be a good fit for me. Any ideas?
Getting Sick by Brent • last post Jan 18th
I just got hit hard with the flu. Fortunately, I didn't have any gig this week, but wondering if anyone out there has had experience with having to do a role while ill. And how did it go. I think the best solution is to not do it, stay home...
One-Sheet -- What to include? by Angela Sauer • last post Jan 18th
I'm doing an agent mailing soon and am designing a one-sheet oversized postcard. It's been years since I've made one of these, and I don't really know what I'm doing. What do you generally include on a one-sheet?
Any Kent (UK) Voice Actors/Actress willing to give some insight by Deanusbrignus • last post Jan 16th
Hello, My name is Dean and I am looking to maybe get into the voice acting world. I've done some voice over work for tutorial videos for my place of work, to which many people have suggested that it should "be a thing" I have a love for video games and several amazing actors such as Liam O Brien and Matthew Mercer etc Now, I appreciate that anyone can give advice, but what I was more interested in is if there is any one, in Kent (UK) who'd be willing to host me for a couple of hours to kinda tell me...if i'm crap or should actually pursue this as an option. It'd be great to hear myself on someones actual sound kit/whisper booth, as opposed to my echoey Blue snowball in a large room. Apologies if this wasn't the right place, but gotta start somewhere!
[Office Hours] feat. Comedy Expert, Author, and Instructor, Steve Kaplan by lightsvber • last post Jan 13th
Heads up, comics! If you’re an up-and-coming comedian, comedienne, or comedic writer, you know how tough it can be to develop your craft and find your way on the comedy circuit. Luckily, a renowned comedy expert will be dropping knowledge on the Backstage Community forums today that is sure to...
Question by Samantha Bowling • last post Jan 11th
Hi everyone! Quick question, when emailing a headshot and resume, is it best in pdf or Microsoft word, or does it not matter? Thanks :)
Acting Classes by Evangeline Flores • last post Jan 10th
Hello. Where are your film acting classes held?
Getting Together with Fellow Actors by Tomster • last post Jan 10th
I'm in Manhattan, and I'm looking for a good cheap place to get together and chat with fellow actors. Ideally I want somewhere that has lots of seats, and we can get a group together. Something not too crowded. Any ideas? Most coffee shops are overrun with people, or only...
When is it appropriate to announce a role on Facebook? by Looking4Advice • last post Jan 9th
Hi everyone! This past year I booked a recurring role on a television show. When is it appropriate for me to announce this on Facebook and social media? I want people to know about it before it airs but I often don't see other friends post about their roles until...
I'm back! by Brent • last post Jan 9th
Wow, this message board has changed. I guess all the old posts are gone, as was my old account. I used to be "BrentontheMove." It's been awhile since I was here last. I thought I'd come back and impart any knowledge I can as I get some good advice when...
Resume Help!!! by Anikka Se'a Prescott • last post Jan 8th
Hello everyone :) I am trying to put together my acting resume as I have an audition with a small local company at the end of this month. I am having quite a bit of trouble with formatting and terminology! Could anyone please give me a hand? Any help is much appreciated xx Thank you!!!
Actors and Actress Needed for DC Comics Fandub! by Kaaandooo • last post Jan 7th
Hey everyone! I’m putting together a video on the DC Comics ‘Vengeance of Bane’ storyline which will be posted on Youtube, but I need help. **These will be paid positions in Australian Dollars (AUD) through Paypal, please check Paypal’s currency exchange to avoid confusion).** The characters are listed below with sample lines. These characters are South/Central American in origin as this is roughly where the story takes place. They all speak English (with the occasional Spanish word), but they should have a Latin American accent (I understand this is vague, but if you have specific questions, I’d be happy to answer them). The only exception to this would be the character “Bird”, who is from the USA. Additionally, **all of the roles are male except for the Young Boy which should be a female voice.** Also I suggest you check out the link to the images/scenes of these lines to help you understand the context. https://imgur.com/a/E3BMv Feel free to audition for as many of the roles as you want and be sure to send the auditions to mynameiskendo@gmail.com. If I feel like you may be a good fit for the role(s), I’ll contact you to further get a gauge of your voice, your range and answer any questions you may have etc. Then if we come to an agreement on everything we can get started! Looking forward to hearing your auditions, thanks everyone! :) **CHARACTERS** ~~**Young Boy – 6 years old. Abandoned. Latin American accent.**~~ ~~*“Can anyone hear me? Osito? Light...It hurts... Is someone there?”* [Scared]~~ ~~*“The nino is dead, Puerco. But I am here.”* [Sinister tone]~~ ~~**Prison Warden – Middle aged, overweight, wealthy, corrupt. Voice sounds a little gruff, with a Latin American accent.**~~ ~~*“Your mother has left you quite alone, little one. You must fend for yourself”*~~ ~~*“I will not have such abominations in my prison! He is a **BANE** to everything holy!”*~~ **Puerco – Prisoner, Overweight, sinister, manipulative.** *“In this place, you must have friends... Manana, then. We will become good friends tomorrow.”* [Sinister] *“One so small can slip beneath the notice of the guards. He will be useful to me.”* ~~***Bird – American, Imprisoned Jailhouse lawyer. Above Average intelligence, Loyal.***~~ ~~*“I got screwed by some partners in Gotham. They tell me you’re a kid who’s going somewhere. You need anything, you call on me. You got magic. I could use some of that.”*~~ **Trogg – Brutal, loyal, Protective.** *“The boy does not want your filthy hand on him, Puerco. Release him."* ***“I SAID RELEASE HIM!”*** **MISC** ~~**Tortured Man**~~ ~~[Man screaming in agony due to electrical torture]~~ ~~**Random Inmate**~~ ~~[Fight sounds, sounds of pain due to knife stabbing]~~