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We have found 19,529 posts across 4 actor forums:

The New Guy by Brandon Keeton  •  last post Jun 6th

Hey everyone! 

  I’m Brandon Keeton, one of the new moderators here in the Actors lounge.  I just wanted to drop by and say hi.
  I just had my first co star on Netflix drop yesterday.  Season 2, Episode 6 of the show “Tires”.  Blink and you’ll miss it!  lol!
  In addition to Acting, I also write, direct and Produce.  I’m directing a little passion project I wrote next month. Fingers crossed.
  I’m excited to get to know you and if you have any questions on anything at all, please let me know!  I don’t pretend to be an expert at any of this but I can tell you how I’ve gone about the journey thus far!
  Have a GREAT day and I hope to hear from you soon!

Tyler Perry RC Airplanes by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jun 5th

What do you do on your free time when you're a billionaire movie mogul? You fly giant remote controlled passenger jets on your estate. Yes, Terry Perry has his own airstrip on his property for this hobby, and he seems to fly this massive  jet over his Atlanta mansion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81T7uZluhWc

Midweek Mod Check-In: Sparking Meaningful Conversation by Ashley Renee Smith  •  last post Jun 4th

Happy Wednesday, Mod Squad!


We’re halfway through the week, and it’s the perfect time to check in with each other and keep the community momentum going strong.

How are you doing? Anything exciting happening on or off Stage 32 for you this week?

This week’s Moderator Challenge:
Start a meaningful conversation in any lounge by asking a question that invites collaboration or reflection.
Here are a few ideas to get the wheels turning, but lets expand from here:
In the Screenwriting Lounge, ask: “What’s a scene you struggled with recently, and how did you break through?”
In the Acting Lounge, ask: “How do you prepare emotionally for a scene that mirrors your real-life experiences?”
In the Filmmaking Lounge, ask: “What’s one lesson you learned the hard way on set?”

The goal? Spark connection. Give members a reason to stop scrolling and start sharing.

Let us know in the comments where you’re posting so we can support and engage with you. Thanks for all you do to keep the community conversations thriving!

See you in the lounges!

Woody Allen by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jun 3rd

I lived in New York in 1991. I worked as an extra on Malcolm "X" and then "Boomerang". This opened the door for me to join SAG. I fondly recall seeing a cattle call announcement somewhere, probably in "Back Stage" for a Woody Allen picture. What made this cattle call special is that Woody meets everyone applying to be extras in his film. We were told to simply hand him our headshots. He will look over the 8x10 resume, may or may not make eye contact with you, and then you walk away. And don't start a conversation with him. No film director does this. Unfortunately, I relocated to San Francisco the day before the cattle call. 

Welcome to Hollywood! by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jun 3rd

Movie studios, networks and streaming services are struggling after the strikes and pandemic; however, as an actor I am seeing many opportunities. So far, I've auditioned for two indie feature films, countless short films and vertical series. So... to any actors out there who have dreams of working in Hollywood, consider moving here. Kern County offers affordable housing. Yes, it is 128 miles north of Los Angeles; however, with self-taped auditions you don't need to be directly in Los Angeles. The only time you need to be here is if you're cast in a production. And in that situation you could rent an RV while you're down here filming--a home away from home. Below is a link to a Kern County promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQlyHNT4geo

Why do actors hate their profession? by Philip David Lee  •  last post Jun 3rd

If you have a business, you need customers coming into your shop or store buying your products and through doing a very thorough job, word of mouth gets out and your store increases in business and one starts to see that the struggles and sacrifices they made to get to make their dreams come through, have paid off. That’s just business logic.


Now as a former security guard, you learn that you work with a team. If one team member is corrupt or unethical, it puts a bad light on the rest of a team. I guess it’s not so in the world of acting and if it is so, those that have reached a certain pinnacle and are past their prime, like to make sure that those younger, have no chance to make it on their own. This seems to be the trend of actors today.
Sean Penn, George Clooney and Robert De Niro have all been very vocal about their political views and yet none of these actors seem to have any experience in governing anything nor do they speak with supported facts but with blanket statements that come off more like the ramblings of madmen. Of course you’re allowed to have opinions and we have Freedom of Speech in this country but is it really a strategic move to make such stupid statements that can possibly hurt the opinions of people you need to keep you relevant? It’s no secret that the age of an actor is pretty much their expiration date. You can deny it all you want, but it’s true and to ignore it just makes you look bad and desperate. It’s in all industries to a lesser extent, but it’s a fact of life and now you add political opinions that help none of your customer base. That is just insane.

Aside from being political, one can just be unhinged or have an overinflated ego. Talent like Rachel Zegler and Cynthia Erivo tend to think they are more important than they really are. We all know about the Zegler meltdown and now Erivo is starting to throw around attitude. It doesn’t bother me because I don’t care what she does or who she does it with. Bottom line, she’s just a singer that acts or an actress that can sing. None of these talents build anything. They don’t build homes or building or towns. They create no solutions or ideas to better the human race. They are distractions. They are a playground for the mind before the body has to get back to the daily grind of hard work. Why do they think their opinions matter so much? They don’t.

So actors, your job is to do the material to the best of your ability and to just shut up. Investors don’t care what you think. The audience seeking entertainment doesn’t care what you think. They don’t need you! No one needs you! We watch you because we like you but if wish us not to like you, we won’t watch you! There are tens of thousands of actors that could take your place and only a couple hundred of productions that need actors. The odds are not great. Don’t make them insurmountable. When silence is no better than words, one should remain silent.

Working as an Extra: What’s Been Your Experience? by Ashley Renee Smith  •  last post Jun 3rd

For many actors, working as an extra is the first on-set experience you get. It’s a chance to observe the flow of a professional production, pick up unspoken industry etiquette, and sometimes make connections that lead to future opportunities.

But it can also come with long hours, limited direction, and the challenge of staying motivated in the background while staying professional.

So let’s open it up:

Have you ever worked as an extra? What was the project, and what did you take away from the experience, good or bad?

Was it a stepping stone to something bigger? Did it help you understand what kind of actor or storyteller you want to be?

For anyone just getting started, what advice would you give about showing up, staying ready, and making the most of your time on set?

Let’s share stories, lessons, and tips, it’s all part of the journey! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

(And if you’re currently working background and looking to level up, Stage 32 has acting classes and resources to help you move toward your next role: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/acting)

The #1 Acting Advice That DESTROYS Careers (Here’s Why To Avoid It) by Aaron Marcus  •  last post Jun 2nd

The #1 Acting Advice That DESTROYS Careers (Here’s Why To Avoid It)

https://youtu.be/lQ1gH_Rwmnw

Have you received helpful or horrible advice? Share it here and on the channel so we can learn from you.

The Key To Day Playing Roles? Motivation! by Matthew Gross  •  last post May 31st

I learned a valuable lesson today. Once you identify your castable look(s) as a day player actor, the next step is to identify your character's motivation(s) when auditioning. Day players may have a single line or a few lines, so there's nothing really there for you to  draw upon, and that is why "motivation" is key.. Motivation Example: You're character  is happy that day, because s/he is about to go on vacation. And once you know "motivation" you have creative options when auditioning. I think  moving forward, I may provide casting directors 2 or 3 different readings based on unspoken motivation choices.  

What are your best tips for learning lines? by Alexandra Stevens  •  last post May 31st

As I gear up for a performance in July I start to feel anxiety about line learning. I feel it is not my strong point and imagine others, especially younger others, find it a lot easier. I've tried just learning them mechanically, walking as I say the lines and changing direction once I get to a full stop. I've also used apps like Cold Read. I feel like i haven't found the way that works best for me. So interested in what works best for you in order to learn your lines. I'm very aware I need to know them inside out and back to front in my sleep to give my best performance so it's important for me to master the line learning. I will appreciate hearing from you on this. 

How to research and prepare for an acting headshot session by Adam Hammudeh  •  last post May 31st

A little article I wrote with useful tips for actors on how to get the most optimal and presentable headshot. I am a headshot photographer from London, specialising in acting headshot photography, and I thought I might share some of my expertise with you all. 

We all know how important headshots are for professional actors - it might be the first point of impact and an open door for your audition. Neglecting that can set you way back in your career and completely ruin any chance of being noticed and cast. But when you finally decide on having your portfolio refreshed, how are you going to proceed? 
This article can shed light on some main issues and ways to optimise the results. 
I hope it will help some of you.

https://www.framedduckstudio.com/blog/how-to-headshot



*Picture of Joe Holweger, represented by Fiona Cross agency

Dream Acting Job by Suzanne Bronson  •  last post May 30th

What is your dream acting job? What Genre or Franchise would you love to be in? For me it's Star Trek.  I love sci-fi. Star Trek The Next Generation was my favorite show when I was a child. The new iteration is awesome. I would full on nerd out if I got cast in Star Trek.

Managing Expectations by Matthew Gross  •  last post May 30th

This is a first. I auditioned for a day player role this morning--self-tape. Later today, production announced a change in venue. The shoot will not take place in Los Angeles. It is moving to Atlanta. This means all the work I put into my audition is out the window. They will hire an Atlanta local hire. Sometimes you just have to say, "Oh well... I did my best." 

Casting call in atlanta by Ray Fine  •  last post May 30th

Hi team!  I just posted a job for actors in the ATL area for my screenplay Dumbbell.  It's in the jobs tab.    If you know anyone please send them my way!  Mush love! 

VEO3 and Artificial Intelligence applied to ART by Max Sappa  •  last post May 30th

"If I had fifty-three minutes to spend as I liked, I should walk at my leisure toward a spring of fresh water."

A quote from a beautiful book that you will find in this video (please check the link in the comments) about the modern relationship between art and AI. Is this tech going to spell the end of creativity and in turn, the human soul?

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ez8POATA5g
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKRtiXroTVX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Thanks!

Max Sappa

#AI #creativity  #writing  #art

Clips used in the montage (by YouTube creators via VEO3):
Jerrod Lew - Google Veo 3 Demo - Accents and Voices - • Google Veo 3 Demo - Accents and Voices
Jerrod Lew - Google Veo 3 Demo - Movie Scenes and Character Voices - • Google Veo 3 Demo - Movie Scenes and Chara...
Jerrod Lew - Google Veo 3 Demo - Emotions - • Google Veo 3 Demo - Emotions
Jerrod Lew - Google Veo 3 Demo - Simulation - • Google Veo 3 Demo - Simulation
Google Deep Mind - Veo 3 demo | Sailor and the sea - • Veo 3 demo | Sailor and the sea
László Gaál - Veo3 test // non-existent car show - • Veo3 test // non-existent car show

Day Player Actors by Matthew Gross  •  last post May 29th

I fell into a common trap back when I was a kid studying acting at the Maryland Academy of Dramatic Arts in Bethesda. I convinced myself that I was destined to be a star. But in late March, I made a significant course correction. I made the intentional decision to focus solely on day player roles.

That shift changed everything—especially my marketing strategy. Believe it or not, day players are marketed similarly to background actors. Casting directors want performers who physically resemble the characters they’ve envisioned. If you match that vision, you’re invited to audition.

Since adopting this new approach, I’ve had 10 auditions—two for feature films and the rest for short films and vertical series. Not bad for a couple of months.

The biggest challenge with day player roles is making the character believable, especially since these roles often come with little to no backstory. Day players are functional—they serve the narrative. However, the scripted dialogue often contains subtle clues about the character's motivation. Once you understand that motivation, you can build a backstory that adds depth to your performance—through stage business, vocal inflection, and other nuances.

I’m excited about what’s ahead. Letting go of the “Hollywood star” trap has helped me reconnect with the craft, and I’m really enjoying the process again. In fact, I’ve got a self-tape audition scheduled for tomorrow!

Join the FREE Stage 32 Community Open House this Friday, May 30th at 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET! by Leonardo Ramirez  •  last post May 28th

Are you new to Stage 32 or looking to get more out of your time here?
Learn how to build meaningful industry connections, explore resources, and get live tips for making Stage 32 work for you. Plus, join in on a live challenge for your chance to win a FREE Stage 32 Webinar or Executive Pitch Session!
Register for free: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-community-open-house-webcast-1

Mind of Thoughts by Berthe Tanwo Njole  •  last post May 28th

Hello everyone.

My name is Berthe Tanwo Njole and I'm a Belgium based actor. Our film, Mind of Thoughts, has reached the quarter-finals of the Stage 32 Short Film Contest ! We're very happy and grateful. We can't express what this means to us. Thanks to Stage 32 Team

Taking risks by Justin Elijah  •  last post May 27th

so I’ve been moving forward very slowly in my career for years, playing it very safe. And I now feel like it’s time to take some risks and just plunge into the unknown.

as it stands right now I work a full time job and the schedule completely prevents me from attending classes and going to booking without fear of losing the job. 

my question is what do you guys think about taking that risk? if you think it would be a good idea to do what are some other ways to supplement that lost income without the full time job that provides flexibility for advancing my career?

2 Proven Tips That Get Actors Commercial Modeling Jobs by Aaron Marcus  •  last post May 27th

2 Proven Tips That Get Actors Commercial Modeling Jobs

https://youtu.be/WU4NfwfQsUs
Do you have any tips for getting commercial modeling jobs? If so, share it so we can learn from you.