A friend of mine has been having a rough week. (Week as in it's been 3 or 4 days, I know today is Monday.) Constant panic and anxiety and they FINALLY told me what was wrong. My friend is 20 and has basically been an adult since childhood. Had to grow up mostly alone, was mentally abused, was always treated like an adult, left school at 15, because it was a bad environment full of - and I quote - "immature shits." Worked from then on. Lost every friend they'd ever had, one of them with the dramatics and extremities of a divorce in some elements. This friend also looks older and with their level of maturity, attitude, dress sense could easily pass for early-mid 30s and has been mistaken for 10+ years older for years. As you may have guessed ... friend wants to be an actor, and has been playing characters of different ages (teens - 40s) for 5 years in local productions. But friend (for reasons I can't fathom) is currently freaking out over their future when they leave local stuff and start going out for screen auditions and possibly obtain an agent. About the whole five year playing age standard. They had no idea it existed. I told them about it and I think that's what started the freak out. They can believably play people from about 18 to mid-30s, I'd say possibly even older but I haven't seen it. (I'd like to! But I'm mainly confined indoors and can't go to their theatre often.) But they're freaking the hell out about being forced into an age bracket, especially one close to their real age. (And I'm sorry friend for telling internet strangers your actual age, but they don't know you.) They're aware that you don't have to tell anyone your real age in this business, unless a minor. And they're aware they can set their five year range at anything that's believable. But they're still really distressed about "what if they find out" and "what if they find out AFTER I do something noteable for an older character" type of stuff. So I'm hoping to get some comments that'll help calm their nerves - positive comments, negative comments, whatever comments. (Doing this without asking. Again. I'M SORRY. I'm just trying to help. They'll be reading this after, if I get any responses.) Here's my personal opinion on it: The strict five year playing age is ridiculous. There are celebrities I look at who are 27, who look exactly like others who are 47. There are people who look the same now as they did in a TV show 10 years ago. People don't age linearly, people don't all age the same, and it's about ability to portray a believable character and not your actual age or a tight age range, in my opinion. Last night they had a few hours of peace after sending me an article (I can't link it; it's on my phone, this is my computer) that said something about someone wishing you could list your range as 0-99 and let casting directors decide if they think your look and your believability matches what they need. I agree with it 100%. I'm actually working on a TV series (I've been a professional writer, among other creative things like acting, music and illustration for 20 years) that has a main character with the same views. The character then gets on to play both a 36 year old and a 22 year old in the same year. (A ... TV show ... about actors in TV shows? Gasp.) And I've sent this friend countless listicles of actors playing younger and older. (Usually 20s-30s playing teens, and 30s-40s playing 70s.) Then, alas, I discovered Jennifer Lawrence has played 10+ years older! Uh, Reddit, the hell? It won't let me attach the link to that sentence so here: [https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-age-movies](https://www.vogue.com/article/jennifer-lawrence-age-movies) I don't know much about her as a person, but hey, Hollywood seems to think it's believable. (My friend has no interest in Hollywood, by the way - we're both London based and staying that way.) And it's a perfect example of DEFYING the set five year playing range, as she's played 16-mid 30s all in her 20s. (Have sent that article to friend. Waiting on response once they're off work.) And in the mean time I'm hoping to get the opinions of other actors. What do you think about 20s playing 30s, 30s playing 40s, etc? If they can pull it off I see no harm in it. It's good to be as flexible with as much range as you possibly can in this industry.
TLDR: during very emotional singing scenes I sound like a happy 6yo running through sunflower fields, due to my voice type (and I can't change that). What can I do as an actor to bring hopelessness across, only using my voice? I'm going to need it while I sing, unfortunately all my climaxes don't sound as heavy as the music requires so I'm looking to you guys for solutions. I know this might be a weird question for this sub, but I asked r/singing and nothing came out of it so I'll try it here. Due to how my voice sounds, my high notes are bright and light. Imagine a 6 yo singing happily (but on pitch) in a body of a 18yo. Usually, I sing traditional songs and/or musical theatre. These styles are known for the fact that, for getting emotion across, they use high notes. When a character feels really hopeless, euphoric, angry, whatever... Get that high note out! Usually, these singers have a heavy sound in their high notes, so they're able to convey the emotion to the audience. However... I don't have that heavy sound. So now, I'm looking for other ways to make my voice sound as hopeless (yes, specifically hopeless) as I can, while still sounding as bright as a happy 6yo running around in sunflower fields (that part is unfortunately not going to change). I'm looking for acting tips, whatever you guys use to make your voice sound as miserable as you can. I've got the movements I'm going to make down, so that'll help a lot, but we're going to record it too and with only my voice, it just doesn't come across as hopeless as I'd wish... Thank you guys for answering!
Hello! I live in New York City. I signed up for a Beginners Acting Class with the Barrow Group, which begins in April. I plan to get headshots taken soon. Aside from that, my interest in acting is brand new and I have no experience. I have seen many threads about the benefits of signing up for Actors Access. I was wondering if it is worth it to sign up for Actors Access with no acting experience and only headshots? I would be looking to land roles in student and indie films for both the acting experience and to eventually put together a reel. If it isn't worth it to sign up for Actors Access at this point, what would you recommend is the best way to audition for student and indie film roles in NYC? Thanks!
Do you use any apps that specifically help you as a voice actor? Maybe apps that help you practice? Or apps that help you audition? Or apps that help you warm up? (etc) Let me know what you use and how and I'll quote you in my next article
We are still amateurs and are always looking to hone our talent as voice actors. But by stepping out of our voice acting comfort zones and doing other jobs inside the entertainment industry like writing, filming, editing, and so on. We feel even more prepared when we do auditions or voice acting gigs for clients. Mostly because now we know what writers and directors are expecting and looking for, since we've spent some time in their shoes. Maybe this might help you, maybe not. But try doing some writing yourself or even get into the role-playing side of video games, record it and try to lip sync your characters. It's been a lot of work for us, but man! It's fun and rewarding when you get to see the final product come together knowing you had a hand in it. https://youtu.be/Adp0Who9XT0 Feel free to critique us, We are more than happy to learn from you masters out there :)
I live in Colorado Springs for the time being and I'm working on writing my own screenplay for a short film. I'm in talks about moving to L.A. to work on a Hollywood movie along side the directors but nothing is set in stone right now. I want to make my own film for the time being, and I'm not sure how to approach getting actors for the part. If anyone in the area is interested, or if you know of any ways to attract talent, that would be very helpful!
Hello. So, this could be a question for art in general, but I believe actors would give more depth to their answer. What fulfills you in acting? What are your goals on it? What makes you like acting and why is this important to you? Thanks in advance!
I wanted to welcome my friend and Karmalicity referral VIC STAGLIANO. https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3312212 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3312212/ He's currently on General Hospital and co-star of Cryptoheads... Thanks for joining Vic!
I suffer from social anxiety, but theatre is therapeutic for me as I feel like I know what to say and what is going to happen. After and before, I feel despondent. Im sure the casts im in hate me, or other avoid me which doesnt help getting cast again. So my question, what can I do bare minimum to be accepted by casts and try to keep a decent rep as an actor?
Is acting more of natural talent or practice? Of course I'm aware that nothing is absolutely black and white, but I've always been really fascinated by how actors/actresses can be so different, to the most minute detail according to their character in which they're playing. Is it possible for someone who's really horrible at it in the beginning to become good or even excellent at it if they continuously put in the effort for years and receive professional training? Or is it not going to work if you don't have a bit of talent to begin with?
Blonde, tall, not thin, not big, average, thirty’s. Travel to pa area. Dm me
Yay! I’m in a show for the first time since high school and I’m 38, but a young 38.
Title. I was helping out with set design recently and had to cover for a minor role that I surprisingly did well in. After the play people were asking for my insta/twitter and were shocked that I didn’t have one. I always wanted to be recognized by name if I ever flourished, not from interacting over text or by my handle. Is it worth making one? Does it help with good exposure?
I have zero desire to start an Insta or Twitter. For that matter - I never post on Facebook anyways, and I’d like to deactivate it so I only use it for Messenger. The only reason I don’t is because I find local auditions in FB groups. I keep seeing conflicting info on the importance of social media as an actor. What are your thoughts? Am I shooting myself in the foot by not really using social media? And secondly - I use my FB page to promote a business of mine (not MLM, but B2B in a non entertainment realm). Would that hamper how I’m perceived as an actor?
I have been involved with a company and their work. They want me to pretend I am being prank called for a pre-recorded session that will be aired live with the idea being presenting it as authentic and real-time and the parent company wants to make sure actors can't list themselves as actors linked to their stuff to make sure the veil of authenticity stays on. I am not allowed to know the company I'm working for and the NDA requires me not to disclose it and I will not be given the information. The job pays fairly well and is for a 'pretty large company' radio broadcaster in NE US and they've given me a link to their previous work and they seem legit. Should I take the job?
I am starting acting classes in a couple weeks but I have vitiligo around my eyes that's pretty noticeable and hard to miss when you look at my face. Any advice in what to do? Do I leave it or try to cover it up with makeup? (something I've never done before). My goal is to become an actor but this always lays heavily on my mind. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
When directing a show, how much do you think it takes away having one actor play two characters onstage. (This show is a comedy written by my 11 year old sister). Anyways, I’d just like to know everyone’s thoughts on this concept.
Hi all, I'm an actor from Turkey and I have a sense of "modernist" art. In order to be able to become an artist "literally", I strive for having theoretical background as well as for acting practises... but I am not really sure how to connect with like-minded European or American artists and where to find the latest art news and what's going on in the world. I'd appreciate it if somebody can guide me in this regard! Ciao!