We have found 20,084 posts across 4 actor forums:
Starting my journey of becoming an actor, need reassurance and help. by HekuuuZ • last post Mar 7th
So you know how the story goes about wanting to be an actor, so I'll skip **most** of that and actually talk about how I need help. I know the post is disgustingly long, but bear with me. ​ Some starting info and the situation I'm in: I'm an 18 year old guy and I'm just about to take my final exams out of high school. (I'm from Finland so terms like high school, college and university aren't really the same as in the US or UK. I can clarify if needed, just ask.) In 20 days I'll be done with my exams and by the end of the month I have to apply to a future school to continue my education. Issue is that the places that I'm applying to aren't what I want to do in life. Been thinking about what I want to do with my life for the last 3 years and cramming my head into math, physics and biology seemed like the logical and safe direction. Just now realizing that the distant dream of acting could actually really fit me and even happen is a bit late if I'm honest. The reason I'm too late to change my plans for the upcoming years is due to how applying to schools works in Finland. (Applying to acting and art related schools happens earlier than applying to other schools) The only way for me to fully convert to acting now is if I don't apply to any schools and pay for acting classes/education/whatever myself, which would most likely require me to move in on my own and work a full job to pay the fees. Not an option in my opinion. I've come to the conclusion that pursuing only acting will not work. I'll have to make myself a "back drop" if this acting thing doesn't work out at all. And that back drop will be the education I'm going to apply for. Some details that I missed: \-As of now my experience is really small. The basic school acting stuff I've done but I've never taken an actual class or anything like that. But for the last 3 years I've been a part of a media emphasized class and have been thought the very basics of filmmaking. ​ What I need help with: I need someone to tell me if my plan is ever going to work or even has the chance to work. Be brutally honest, because even though someone has succeeded with a plan like this before and "*Anything is possible! YAY!*", the odds aren't the best. And to make those odds the best I can I need help to fix/perfect my plan. I'm going to split my plan into a couple main checkpoints/steps so that it's easier to follow, but I'll fill in details and plans as needed. Please ask any questions, because I 100% forgot to mention some crucial info. I'll answer as quickly as possible. 1)Finish my exams and apply to other schools. \-Nothing special I can do to change this anymore. Just hoping that I get a spot, if I don't then I'm in for a wild ride and I rethink how I'll move forward. ​ 2)Army. \-In Finland as a man you have to complete a 6-12 month long training period in the army and I start on the fifth of July. \-I have the option to be there for 6 months (if this plan is any good and I have hope) or 12, if I feel like I'm happy there and it feels like the "place to be". \-Now since my army duty starts in July and I'll be done with school by the end of the month, I'll have about 3 months of summer break to play with. During this time I'm going to study acting on my own and hopefully get a part-time job or something like that at a theater or alike. I'll be reserving about a month off that 3 months for things that I feel like are mandatory in life like friends, family and having fun while I'm 18. (feel free to disagree with having this "free" month and please express any concerns or such) ​ 3)Finish army things and continue school. \-After applying to a school in the upcoming month and hopefully being accepted, the school will hold a place for me until I finish army and I'll start school then. \-During my education (3-5 years) I'll do my best to find any way to continue my acting dream. Planning on searching for any kind of experience from theater, to side roles, to commercials or even modeling. ​ 4)I don't know yet/finish school. \-I'll probably be done with school in 2025-2027 (20-ish years old) and that's where my plan stops. Hoping that the connections and skills I've made during all this time can get me at least started in acting and I'll chase my dream until it becomes my job. (While actually working in the profession I studied for and making money) \-The other option here is that during school I somehow got to a point where acting is already a career option and I've dropped out to study acting for real or I got stupid lucky somehow and I don't need to study anymore. (I think this option is highly unlikely since Finland isn't really the best starting place for an acting career in terms of connections etc.) ​ So that's it. The end goal is to become an actor (film, not theater) while being mostly self taught (for now atleast). I'm hoping that my acting career can flourish somewhere outside of Finland (obviously the big leagues lol). My upcoming education will most likely make me enough money to move out of Finland fairly quickly so any ideas/recommendations on where and why are welcome. As I said please ask any questions and help me how you can, suggest things to do during my plan and things to avoid doing to help me add/change checkpoints/steps. AND PLEASE, and I can't stress this enough; disagree with me in any situation you want. It's not going to kill my drive no matter how shitty you say my plan is or how minuscule my odds are, I just want all the possible information/perspectives. Thanks.
Re education by PolPotato7171 • last post Mar 7th
Premise: So I was raised a bit off and never learned to properly socialize, read body language, change the pitch of my voice, correct facial expressions, small talk etc. It's to the point where people who do not know me well and have no experience with neurodivergent people think I'm autistic. I'm fairly certain I'm not. Just have adhd along with depression and anxiety. So to the point I'm considering taking acting classes to try and learn all those little details that everyone else who was raised properly inherently knows. Would that be beneficial to someone in my case? I've tried people watching(have to make it obvious your not watching someone and let's face it is a bit weird), socializing with strangers, going to parties (even joined a frat at one point) and it's failed rather miserably. I'm not very interested personally in becoming famous or acting in general but if I can relearn or well actually learn atleast some body language, facial expressions, eye contact, correct voice pitch, etc. It would help and go a long way towards helping me. I don't particularly care if people like me but it's rather detrimental to any future careers, goals, friendships, relationships, etc if I come off as autistic. Specific class types I've looked at so far are body and movement, vocal, and improv. Would these be helpful for my purpose? Any thing else you guys could recommend? I fully understand this is not really the place for this but at the same time y'all are actors and who knows maybe I'm not the only one that's thought of doing this. If you know of anyone who has gone this route have they been successful in achieving what they wanted? Have you learned valuable techniques from acting class that has helped you in social situations? And who knows maybe I'll enjoy it and do it as a hobby.
Need advice on how to become an extra or have a minor role. by icepick_jay • last post Mar 6th
I’m interested in roles such as a henchman or something similar. I’d be open to leading roles too but I’m not going to be too hopeful since my looks limit me, mainly because of my tattoos. I just don’t know where to go or where to look. Any advice would be helpful. A little about me: Im a 29 year old Caucasian American. I’m a really specific looking kinda guy. I’m 6 ft, in decent shape, and can change my body type quickly. Can grow any facial/head hair combo. I’m of Russian decent so I look really Slavic, can speak a little Russian and German. I have extensive firearm and hand to hand training. I’m covered head to toe (not my face) in tattoos, a lot of them Russian. I can do multiple dialects really well, accents across the board. While doing sessions with acting friends, I’ve been told that I’m very much a “Method Actor”. Lastly, I’ve been told I’m very photogenic. Currently based in Salt Lake City, UT. Would travel. Any kind of tips would be really appreciated.
I want to become an actor by CompetitiveLynx7570 • last post Mar 6th
I believe I would be a terrific actor, screenwriter, producer and director. I am looking for help to find my path and connections in the industry. Any help would be much appreciated. I’m from a small Canadian town so it’s hard. Thank you.
Ryan Kelley gives the real talk on becoming an actor. by BoiledEggs • last post Mar 6th
Confused about Union vs Non Union VO work and rules. And are we allowed to do a Non Union project if SAG? by princesspretzelnose • last post Mar 6th
Hi all! I’m in SAG and know I’m not allowed to work on Non Union film/tv projects, but does this also apply for VO? Bc non union print work is ok...but very unsure what the VO rules are. Also, I had an audition recently for a big corporation who’s commercial is non union and I didn’t understand why when they have the funds. What constitutes a Union vs Non Union VO? And how do they each affect the VO actor?
Is Discord usually required? by neji_byakugan • last post Mar 6th
Are Discord calls expected of a voice actor? I was cast for a role on an online website and I had to provide my Discord, but will I have to call? Because I can’t call with Discord because it doesn’t work on my phone. So have any of you had to record your lines over a Discord call before? And if so, how often? And what should I do if I’m supposed to do that?
How would you break into the acting industry in 2021 if you have years of theatre experience, but little film work, and you now have time and money on your side as a middle-aged white guy? (Serious) by nibblet787 • last post Mar 6th
I know this is a very specific question to be asking, but I have no other way of even coming close to answering it. Basically, my situation is this: I live near LA and, after years of thinking that an acting career would be pointless to pursue professionally, I've actually come to the opposite conclusion. The reason? I believe Covid has likely wiped out many actors' careers because of the unprecedented financial crush. Most actors were struggling already, I imagine a lot have had to call it quits since all this began. So, now I'm older and (hopefully) wiser. More importantly, I have access to resources that I never would have had as a younger person starting out. And those resources are plenty of time and money. How would you use those two things to put yourself ahead of other people also starting out in my age range? I know I need to pay for a demo (film/commercial/Voiceover), fancy headshots, workshops, and memberships to online booking sites (e.g., Backstage). But, for example, could I also use money to pay for an agent AND a manager? I know they are only supposed to take a cut of whatever I earn, but they probably won't even look twice at me without more film experience.
Asking for advice/ranting. by Alexisbettethanyou • last post Mar 6th
I've been acting my whole life for as long as I can remember I've been acting, signing up to acting classes, doing everything I can and I cannot see another career path for me at all. I feel like I'll be miserable in anything else other than something to do with performing (Granted I do have other performing options but being an actor is the dream) But my parents make me feel like I shouldn't ever try, I know I'm not bad at acting as my drama teachers and classmates have told me I'm good, but they know how much acting means to me. I just don't know what to do. I'm in year 10 and I'm worried about doing sixth form and what I should do after. I really want to go to drama school and stuff but I honestly just don't know. I'm not sure what this is more of a rant than anything, but any advice of getting As in drama, doing sixth form/college, anything I can/should be doing as a young actor because I don't know what else I can do with my life if I can't be doing this. I don't even want to be a fucking hollywood actor, I'd be happy acting in a small stage show group in small towns putting on shitty christmas shows you know
Anyone have an experience with an abusive/bully teacher? by OkCombination7141 • last post Mar 6th
Luckily I’ve never experienced one until recently. I thought I might be mad for a day or two and then be over it, criticism doesn’t typically bother me that much (the healthy kind) - but I still keep thinking about it (I quit the class after the first day). To be clear, this wasn’t constructive, it was totally destructive and demeaning. Apparently it did more damage than I thought, my confidence plummeted to an all time low and hasn’t inched from there since, even though I KNOW in my mind they’re a bully and I’m not a bad person or bad actor but was pretty dehumanizing. Any tips on getting over a bully of a teacher?
Making characters unique? by azulalovesyou • last post Mar 6th
Hi all! I'm a first-year theatre acting student in (hopefully) a BFA program and have been fortunate enough to get work outside of school! I'm currently starring in two professional productions right now and after some rehearsals/character analysis, I realized that there is a lot of overlap in my performance of the two characters. They are both young people in the same age range. I know the motivational differences and backgrounds of each of them (Uta's 6 Steps stuff, y'know), but I further realized that I may tend to subconsciously blend a lot of characters together in my work for the sake of "being natural". I think it is far more important to be authentic to a character and I also think lot of characters I play tend to just extensions or alternate version of myself. (You know those actors that always play themselves, not the character? Think Tom Cruise.) I value my craft and don't want this to become a habit. I am going to reach out to some of my instructors for more thorough advice, but was wondering if anyone on this subreddit had some methods in which I can make my characters more unique, so I can act as them, not as myself. Thank you!! Edit: spelling
Shouting in front of a crowd. by Awkward-Ideal • last post Mar 6th
I know theater actors project their voice to reach the entire audience. But when acting on camera, do you need to be as loud when your told to shout in front of a crowd. How do film actors go about this?
Questions about last names, social media, and applications by sunriseoctober • last post Mar 5th
I'm in my 20s and today I just found an application for a project that specifically focuses on people in their twenties, especially actors with little experience. I've just started out and I'm trying to fill out the application and update my resume but I'm struggling a bit even after reading the posts on the side & info. online. I'm white and mixed and Latinx and I have a hyphenated last name. I was just talking to a friend and they mentioned not including my Hispanic last name because of discrimination. What do you all think about that? Also, I found out about this project through a drama professor at college. On the application it asks for age, our name, email, mailing address, and Instagram. Is it normal for applications to ask for your mailing address? I guess I feel a bit hesitant to give it out, but it is for a legit theater company and my prof. told me about it. Also, as I'm just getting started, I just have a private insta for friends with 0 posts and very few followers. Should I bother putting my @ on the application? If I don't put it, do I leave the slot blank or but N/A? Also, when filling out a resume, if you played a different part in each act in a play, how do you write that out on a resume? Thank you for your help
Posting a Character reel for constructive thoughts.. by summersofresh • last post Mar 5th
I'm confused because I saw several actors have posted their character reel on here for helpful advice from others in this group. I just posted my reel and it was removed right away. Can someone explain to me why this is?
How much acting do you actually get to do in your acting class? by UnencountersOfUnkind • last post Mar 5th
I recently audited an HB studio acting class and it seemed that people really didn’t have that much opportunity to actually act or do scenes together? The first hour (around 55 minutes) was literally just people talking about why they want to act and how they “always knew they were actors” and that they “were always acting since they were kids” - so that’s almost half of a two hour class that’s like $250 a month, and you haven’t done any acting yet. Then there was maybe a 5 min breakout room session followed by monologues, each about 5 min, followed by more talking. Then when it actually got to some solo scene work, one person took like 15 minutes to do theirs theirs and then maybe 2 more people did 5 min scenes and that was it, class over. Most people didn’t even get to do the solo scenes. It seems like you really don’t get to do that much acting in a class like this. When I compare it to an improv class where there’s maybe a 10 min warm up and then just nonstop work until the class is over, it doesn’t seem like “regular” acting class has the same returns. Especially when you could easily pay for 1 to 1 coaching for the same price. What do you guys think?
I'm scared. by Toast-WithButter • last post Mar 5th
I want to be an actor so I'll be going into acting classes when covid has gone a bit. But I'm scared people are going to judge me for what I look like because I'm from a rough area. Also because I don't don't have the best social skills and my confidence isn't that good so I'll look and be awkward. Any tips to get over this fear would be very much appreciated. Thanks for reading.
I need help and guidance from you fellow actors and filmmakers. by ItsJustALameUsername • last post Mar 5th
Hey. I’m from Turkey and about to graduate from high school soon, currently 17 years old. I have always wanted to be an actor blah blah blah... How cliche. Actually my passion has always been filmmaking. On camera or off camera, doesn’t matter. Since acting is a huge part of filmmaking -although many people won’t agree- I am also interested in acting. My acting experience is limited to theatre stuff we’ve done in school. I was planning on taking acting classes and getting into the local theatre in our city, but then boom, Covid-19 hit. Damn you, Covid. I am such an introvert with no friends. I like it this way tho. I don’t even have social media accounts, which is pretty unusual for Gen Z. I even created this account on Reddit only to post this. I am not craving for fame or attention like most people who say “I want to be an actor”. Most of them only want to get famous. But no, I won’t shame them for wanting to get famous. Like, it is not a crime. You are free to do it, but it is just not my thing. I don’t think I will ever have social media accounts unless I want to promote my work, social media is hands down the best tool for promotion in the age we live in. Most of you people are from the US, no suprises there. But can you actually guide someone who is outside the US? I don’t want to make it into Hollywood, or make it big, or go to the US... I like Turkish cinema. No, I don’t mean those Turkish TV soap operas with no passion which they produce only to sell them to Southern America, Eastern Europe and Middle East. We don’t watch them, you guys out there shouldn’t too. Maybe they can produce something that are actually creative, if you don’t. Turkish TV industry is the second biggest TV industry, after the US, of course. Pretty suprising. I like Turkish cinema. I like our directors who are passionate in filmmaking, not only caring about money, like Nuri Bilge Ceylan, if I had to name one. I am going to attend to college soon. I hope things will go well for me. Starting with acting, and then directing films. Good plan tho.
Recording dialog with telephone by julian-bruckner • last post Mar 5th
I have written a dialog and it's my intention to hire multiple voice actors here to record that. The problem is that the setting is meant to be very casual and they will interrupt each other sometimes (intentionally), laugh together etc. Now I wonder if it is reasonable to expect the following workflow to work: They establish a phone connection to each other (I will pay that, that's not the thing to worry about) and listen to the telephones downlink via earphones, while they record their voice with ordinary equipment and also feed it into the telephones uplink. They then send me all the audio files and I sync them up. Therefore, the telephone aids them to know when to say what etc. but the sound quality will be above the mediocre quality of telephony (even when using HD Voice, which can't achieve anything like a audio CD) Has anyone tried this before? Did it turn out well or not? Are there things to make sure before? Apparently, more and more people use mobile telephone exclusively and may not have a phone line in the first place. What about latency and delay? Can this become a big issue? Are there reasonable alternatives to this approach (meeting in-person is NOT possible even without COVID the voice actors might be spread around the world). Thank you for your time and I'm happy to help by answering your questions.
How do you brand yourself on social media? What is your brand? by Food_Pre-Chewer • last post Mar 5th
Not your typecast at work, but your brand as an actor/person.