We have found 20,114 posts across 4 actor forums:
On "changes needed" to in order to book more high profile work... by MoonSpider • last post Nov 7th
Hey /r/acting. Recently we had a post get some traction where the OP wanted to hear from people who took years to book their first television co-star or other high profile work/professional credits and wondered how they moved to that 'next level.' Specifically he asked: **(1.) why do you think that was (that it took years to get the first big booking).** and **(2.) what was the change you made that finally got you booking?** I wrote the comment below in response, but unfortunately the OP deleted the post and nuked his account. Our moderator u/thisisnotarealperson was kind enough to ask that I make this comment its own post so that it wouldn't be lost if people wanted to refer back to it or search the subreddit for similar questions and similar answers. I'd love to hear from anyone else in the comments about this sort of career transition and how they'd describe it (or advise someone going through the same thing), but if you're just wondering why you're seeing this same big wall of text twice today, I hope this preface explains it well enough. Cheers. ---- As for the "why it took a few years" question, this is just a hard fucking business, and it's made a lot harder when you aren't getting out to audition very often. As for the "what changed," I think working as a reader in a casting office was a huge turning point for me. Nothing really changed in my skillset, but demystifying the casting process and seeing how and why decisions were made relieved a lot of stress about the whole ordeal. After that, when I went in for an audition it didn't seem like me against the world or against some cruel system that was blocking me out from getting the thing I wanted, it was just a familiar working environment. I had empathy for the people across the table from me. I got to see dozens of auditions of many very good actors when I worked as a reader and, as basic as this seems, it really clarified how "not booking the part" was not personal, and which things the actor actually has control over. Many things that drive casting decisions are out of your hands, so there's no point worrying about them. It's only worth worrying about the things you DO have control over: the state of your marketing materials, your professional conduct and personal behavior, and your skill and preparedness as actor. I saw actors who had fantastic reads get removed from consideration because they looked too much like a producer's ex wife, I saw actors with great reads who got dismissed from consideration because they were rude to the casting associate, and I saw great actors we were excited about dismissed from consideration because they showed up unprepared. We once had a full day where we auditioned 20 people for a part and then got a call from production that the project was stalling and wouldn't be moving forward. NONE of those actors got booked for the role, because the role no longer existed. The actors with the best read still didn't "get it," through no fault of their own. But the ones we liked got asked back to read for a different project. Again, I don't think I became better at scene analysis or something during that time, but my attitude changed. I didn't go into an audition with the energy of someone asking for that specific job, I went in with the energy of "a professional actor here to show you some of my work." Because THOSE were the auditions that actually had any sort of advantage in the room. You, personally, can't really control whether you're right for a part, but you can control the fact that you show up fully prepared and comfortable making adjustments on the fly (a LOT of people don't do this) and being a relaxed, empathetic collaborator. The people who were in the running for a role were always completely off book, fantastic at listening, and had a great understanding of the story purpose of the scene they were reading (that purpose is not "get me a job on tv" and you can feel when people think it is). And if the stars didn't align on that role, the office looked forward to bringing them back in for another project. And that's REALLY what you should be shooting for. Heck, just getting an audition is a victory, there were THOUSANDS of people who submitted and weren't called in, so treat it like one. The short film you mentioned _(OP had mentioned writing and producing his own short film)_ sounds like a good way to get nice footage for your reel and a great next step, but even having some short clips from your best self-tapes uploaded is better at getting you called in than nothing. I never saw anyone at a casting office watch more than 20 seconds of an actor's footage, the vibe is very much "this guy has the right look, just check and make sure he can actually act."
Is it... slow for anyone right now? by iluye1 • last post Nov 7th
I’m fully repped, in the Los Angeles market and am a popular type.... used to auditioning 2 times a week average. For almost two months it’s been crickets for me. Just wondering if there’s anyone else out there experiencing this! What do you guys do during slow periods????? My class that I’m in doesn’t start back up until the new year, so I’m out of class for several weeks. I just got more headshots taken for shits and gigs and added them to my profiles. I’ve been looking for self submission opportunities but even there my type isn’t popping up like it regularly is. I’ve even been self taping old sides just to pretend like I have something to do. This is excruciating, I actually feel like I’m going crazy? I don’t want to sound ungrateful for previous opportunities or a like a “lazy” actor, I’m definitely doing everything I can on my end. It’s just never been this slow for me, and especially since my class isn’t continuing until Jan, I’m actually stumped on how else to spend my time ... anybody in LA wanna go on a hike or something? Do you want a scene partner for a tape coming up?!? EDIT: also, I know the moment I am desperate or venting I will usually get some Cmail within hours and then look stupid for complaining. Hoping this happens.
Musical Theatre actor who became disabled. Questions about if voice acting it’s a feasible transition. by moderndaymusicals • last post Nov 6th
Hello, I got my BFA in musical theatre and was working performing regionally in plays and stuff until I became disabled. I was wondering if I had a shot trying voice acting and if you recommend any places for me to start. I don’t have any voice over experience, but I am an experienced actor. I mostly struggle with the technical side of things and have no clue how to record or edit audio and make it sound good. I also don’t know if stylistically I would be a good fit for this and what people are looking for. Just curious if I could pick your brain about if this could be something I could succeed in.
Reviews of Vancouver Film School Acting Programs and Recommendations by glizabethchuk • last post Nov 6th
In February I auditioned as part of VFS’s live audition tour and I got in, but given how expensive it is (tuition and living costs), I want some honest reviews from people who studied there. From what I’ve read I know it’ll be a lot of hard work, but I’d love some more information on the quality of education and if it prepares you to be a professional actor. I know I want to pursue acting so if you have any recommendations for other programs I’d love to hear them! I’d prefer something no longer than two years, and that has a focus on film and theatre or just film. Thanks!
Filming emotional scenes by jennmca • last post Nov 6th
I know with comedy, usually each scene is performed multiple times, of course depending on time and other external factors. Sometimes multiple takes are used for opportunities to improvise. But when it comes to very heavy scenes in dramas, are those typically filmed only once? Some performances seem so emotionally taxing I couldn’t imagine the actor being able to get themselves to that place more than once multiple times in a row. Just curious what filming one of those scenes looks like
The new Actor’s Access layout is crap. by SalesToMarketing • last post Nov 6th
I can’t filter by region on my phone when I’m web browser. The app doesn’t filter by region. What are the developers thinking? It was fine before!
I’ve always had this thought in my head...Why can British and Australian actors do American accents better than Americans can do American accents??? by finger-sock-monkey • last post Nov 6th
If someone can answer this I’ll give them a million dollars in 200 years.
Leaving my agent by frenchtrees • last post Nov 6th
I want to leave my agent. What should be my first move? What should I ensure before I move on. Would you recommend leaving without representation if youre getting nothing from them anyway? (London based actor. Recently graduated drama school)
Should I consider a different name? by dontcallmebythat • last post Nov 6th
I’m starting to get more into personal branding, and it got me thinking about my brand as an actor. I have a fairly common name, and even though there aren’t any famous celebrities with my name, there are plenty of IMDB profiles. I really don’t want to completely change my first or last name, but I will if I have no other options. I’m currently leaning towards having a letter in the middle to distinguish myself, like John A. Doe. Is that a common practice for actors or does it seem off-putting? Have you had to change your name because somebody else had the same name? How did you make your decision?
What happens when an actor gets injured before filming? by momthinksimpurdy • last post Nov 6th
Contracts are signed, then an actor gets hurt right before filming. Can they be replaced? Or are they not allowed to participate in anything that may result to injury before a shoot altogether?
Morning routine before an audition in NY? by Theatercm • last post Nov 5th
Hey guys! As many of you are non-eq/emc hustling actors, you probably have your morning routines down before heading into an audition. Can you walk me through what that looks like? I’d love to know the specifics like when you workout, vocally warm up, put your makeup on, center your...
Freelancing -Auditions by roundincircles • last post Nov 5th
When you are freelancing with a commercial agent, how long does it take to start getting frequent auditions?
Any one a teacher and also an actor? Could use advice. by thesadoptomist • last post Nov 5th
So I am super passionate about theatre but I am also passionate about teaching. I know a lot of actors work in schools in some capacity or another (at least where I live). Some people say that doing both theatre and working as a teacher just doesn't work out and others find that there is quite a good balance. If any one here is/was a teacher, I would love to know your story and whether or not you find that you are able to per-sue a career in theatre while you work in education. Thank you :)
How to find auditions by xHey_All_You_Peoplex • last post Nov 5th
How do you find auditions without having to pay for backstage and stuff. And I mean legit auditions. I’m not talking about crazy big things but just little background stuff in shows or movies or commercials, maybe main roles if it fits. Writing a story about an actor and just need the basic how to
Is Woody Harrelson a good actor? by Farts_N_Fellatio • last post Nov 5th
What are your thoughts on him?
Who's going to AFM? by Emily Lapisardi • last post Nov 5th
Our production company has an office at AFM for the first time this year! We're featuring our most recent project, "Kecksburg," as well as several others. Just wondering who else will be there. Hope to see you in November!
What is your “business side” of stuff you do as an actor? by fafa444 • last post Nov 5th
I know we all keep working on our craft. I have no trouble keep doing that. But I wonder what everyone do as business side of acting ? Especially as a beginner actor ?
Are there any casting apps out there? by Taereth • last post Nov 5th
Hey So I'm studying User Experience Design and as I'm an amateur actor, I want to combine the two and program a casting and networking app for actors (initially for people in switzerland, which is where I live). My idea could be described as LinkedIn for actors, producers and other people involved in the acting business. I was wondering whether there are any apps that fill that role already, as I can't really find anything out there. Also, if you chose to use such an app, what features would you like to see, besides finding gigs/participiants for your projects? Things I'd like to implement so far: -Customizable profile pages (Info,skills,previous experience,showreel,links to website, maybe connection to other online communities like backstage) -Filter function -Guides for new actors -Another idea I had, even though I'm not sure whether I actually like it, would be the possibility to rate people you've worked with, so others could see it. Is an app like this something you would personally use? Cheers T
Character Development by catflemington • last post Nov 4th
When it comes to creating a new voice, what's your inspiration? I usually like to pull from emotions or personalities from video game or cartoon characters. Right now, I'm looking to the Neverwinter Nights voice sets as well as those from Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. I'd say both games offer some interesting bits of personality in all their characters. Granted, there were only around 30 voice actors on Oblivion so characters do begin to blend together at times, but I digress.
when to use union affilliation on actor's bio by NobodyNamedSmith • last post Nov 4th
Hey! If you are an actor in the union, would you label yourself an Actor or SAG-AFTRA Actor on your bio on say a social media channel like Twitter? Curious what y'all chosen to do.