We have found 19,459 posts across 4 actor forums:
Questions about Larry Moss’ Workshop by gberry31 • last post May 24th
has anyone on here taken Larry Moss’ acting workshop? i was thinking about taking it but i had some questions. how much was it? did you find it beneficial? what is the difference between the “auditioning actor” and the “working actor” as mentioned on his website?
I'm shy and socially awkward. Could I still become an actress? by Luna_and_River • last post May 24th
While looking at a list of electives for my school a few months ago, I saw that my school offers a lot of drama/theatre classes. I had already gotten interested in acting last year, and I almost joined the drama club but couldn't because I was scared that I wouldn't be good enough. But now, after watching lots of movies in quarantine and watching interviews with actresses like Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, and Sandra Bullock, I'm really interested in acting. I don't have any acting experience, so I don't know if I would be good at it or not, but I would love to try it. I know actresses like Rooney Mara are actually quite shy in real life but can act like a completely different person when they're in character. And that's what I love about acting, that you could be a super shy person in real life but transform into someone evil or badass in character. I love the idea that you could be someone else, completely different than you, for a few hours. Even if I try acting and it's just not right for me, I would also want to try different things in the film industry, like directing or film editing. I know the acting industry is extremely competitive and usually more outgoing and fun people get noticed more than quiet and shy people. So, do you think that a shy person like me could be an actress or is it too hard? Also, even if you don't have advice, I would love some encouragement - I'm really nervous about joining drama club or trying drama electives since I've never tried anything like it before and I'm afraid that I'll keep messing up if I actually try it, and I don't want to chicken out. For once, I want to try something completely new without constantly worrying about judgement from others or thinking that I won't be good enough - and who knows, I might actually end up really liking it or even being good at it. Thank you for reading, and if you have any stories of how acting helped you become more confident, I would love to hear it
What are your dreams or goals when it comes to acting? by princezzofdarkness • last post May 24th
For me, I want to show people that as a Muslim Woman, I don’t have to be type casted and play generic roles. I can be a detective, teacher, or a superhero. Whatever it may be, I want people to look past my headscarf and see my talents. Another thing is there’s barely any other actresses that look like me nor is there someone I can look up to. I’d like to change that hopefully and let others that look like me know that if you’re interested in acting and you’re passionate about it, nothing can stop you including your looks.
Will voice acting training change your everyday speaking voice? by Testlove808 • last post May 24th
May be a dumb question. But I've been told I mumble and have a weak voice. I want to be a manager at my company some day and was thinking about getting voice actor training to purely improve my voice for management? Is this logical?
Getting Anxious while Watching others in Movies by potential_key • last post May 24th
This maybe a weird post but i'm going to try anyway. Lately I've been critically watching films to study actors on how they give their dialogue. For instance having subtitles on while they deliver their lines to see the pauses and inflections. I was watching a movie where there was a court room scene and the lead gave a great speech which was led into lengthy dialogue between the Judge and main character. For some reason as i was watching this i started to get anxious. The reason why is because i started to picture myself in the scene and was thinking of all the dialogue i would have to remember. In fact i even thought to myself can i do that? Does this happen to anyone else, Where you watch a long scene and wonder how am i going to remember all those lines and still give an authentic performance?
(Industry question) Can I use freelance voice actors for Flash animation? by tombonus • last post May 24th
I've been in talks with some talented people online that are interested in doing voice acting for my animations. What are the limitations for hiring actors online? These are non-broadcast animations. Once the actors give me their lines, am I free to do with them whatever I need for the animations? No need to worry about legal matters later on down the road?
I recently spoke with Voice Actor David Kaye about his career and he gave some wonderful advice to those who want to pursue their dream. He also turned into some of his characters and it was fascinating to watch and see! by Thegeekofsteel • last post May 24th
[https://thegeekofsteel.com/2020/05/24/41davidkaye/](https://thegeekofsteel.com/2020/05/24/41davidkaye/) https://preview.redd.it/6r4bu3wj7r051.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=80baf2238c8087dce0ca8d8ab328ae45d1934c11
Acting in Isolation - Short Film by S_Student01 • last post May 24th
Hey! I'm an actor (not a filmmaker) but I created this short film about quarantine for the Isolation Short Film Festival just to get creative and keep acting despite COVID-19. I would love to get any feedback regarding either my acting or the filmmaking! Always looking to improve :) Also would love to hear how you guys have been acting in quarantine (maybe through self tapes, scene work etc.). Thanks and Hope you enjoy! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xoTF4Rn7HY&t=46s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xoTF4Rn7HY&t=46s)
Where do they go? by Andrew__IE • last post May 24th
When an actor plays a character that dies fairly early on in the movie, and that’s their only role in the movie, to die. What does the actor do during the rest of filming? Do they just chill around in the studio watching their fellow actors act? Or do they simply film that scene and leave production to go look for other work?
Any actors move from NYC or LA /travel the world & still audition? by June_Etoile • last post May 24th
I'm an actor and love to travel. I have a few decent credits I'm proud of and guest stars and this whole Covid thing makes me see so many leaving NYC/LA (too $$) and they don't have jobs and they are just putting their tapes on from back home from TX to FL to everywhere. Got me wondering if any of you have traveled the world for a bit and sent self-tapes. If they want you and you are somewhat established you can always fly in to shoot, no?
How do actors achieve and maintain a long and successful career and what do actors who were once popular but no longer are do with their lives? by throwaway768901111 • last post May 24th
I’ve been debating back and forth for a few months on if I want to just go ahead with my original career plans (law school I just graduated undergrad) or maybe give working in the film industry a shot. I actually can’t decide if I would rather study acting or filmmaking (I’m passionate about both more so than any other possible career) but I’m really concerned about the instability of the film industry. How do actors reach and maintain success in their careers and how do they maintain that success? Actors like Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, Robert De Niro, and Tom Cruise have managed to maintain success throughout their entire careers and not just fade away after their breakthrough how did they do it? If you manage to break into acting and get hired and maybe experience a big “breakthrough” how do you ensure that you don’t just fade away later? How do you keep getting successful and amazing roles later in life and keep working with amazing directors? I see so many actors that had a brief moment of fame and success and then poof it’s like you never hear from them again or they are doing something on a much smaller scale like being in an abc family tv show or something. What do actors who are no longer getting roles do now? Like if you were once a working actor but no longer are what do you do with the rest of your life?
Thoughts on my Commercial Reel? Also, questions about commercials on Actor's Access in comments. by scootrpoot • last post May 23rd
Advice on acting over the top/hammy/campy/however else you say it. by Tristan_Dean_Foss • last post May 23rd
Alright, a bit of context. I'm a beginner beginner voice actor. In the sense that this is more or less my first time doing something like this, and I kinda need some advice since I can't screw this up, or at least, I don't want to. For context, I'm playing Dio in my own sort of shitpost project, and I want to do him justice in an over the top, hammy, funny way. Sort of on par with the original sub performance, or Tim Curry. This is especially difficult seeing as how I have no theater experience or formal training. Any practical advice?
I need help by billy-werner • last post May 23rd
Where do I go from here? I’m 16 years old and I live In Seattle I have participated in 2 school plays, I have taken 4 private lessons and a 5 week long one class a week camp with an acting studio. I just got my headshots like a month ago. And now I don’t know what to do. I know that we are all stuck in quarantine right now and no one is really working but I just feel like I can be doing more. I’m also reading An actor prepares by Stanislavski. Along with trying to learn some new monologues. My mother works for someone that is kinda in the industry he has a movie being made by 20th century fox and is producing a show for hbo. I just signed up for actors access. And I am wondering what I should do from here. How do I get jobs. Should I try to find a local agency, or try and go for one of the big ones. I also want to do theatre, film, and tv.
For NYC theatre/music actors - do you feel that Hollywood stars are taking your jobs or that there is still opportunity to be leads in Broadway? by Giggling_again • last post May 23rd
So I love NYC and told everyone when I was 5 I would move there. At 18 I was living in the East Village and going to a major NYC college for writing & acting. But in my junior year, a teacher announced Neal Simon was going to off-Broadway. I felt really cheated as he could put up a show at ANY Broadway theatre! Off-Broadway was really the dream and Broadest a semi-pipedream. Soon, Broadway was taken over by movie adaptations and also tourist-trap entertainment like GREASE, with it's revolving cast of C & D-list actors to attract multiple screenings by autograph-hunters (some couldn't even sing)! So Off-Broadway became the place every KNOW theater actor/writer fled to so they could do original plays/revivals w/o catering to Hollywood! I got disillusioned and thought if I'm going to only be allowed access to regional theatre in NYC maybe I could do it somewhere cheaper AND NO SNOW! lol But now I'm getting the NYC bug again and with 1 possible (not-my-favorite) career change can make a lot of money and have time to write & audition. I know Covid-19 has ended auditions and shows for a while and maybe even another year, but do you think NYC still offers the chance to perform at the top theatres or do you feel finding a nice area with a good regional or community theater is better if you're no longer chasing the fame/money aspect? Areas considering are: Las Vegas, Atlanta, FL ?, Nashville - your suggestions?
What classes do you recommend (I’m in NYC but I assume there’s are classes online for COVID, right?) by thetendy • last post May 23rd
There are a lot of scams out there - or just actors out of work who want to make a buck. I’m a trained actor, I’ve worked professionally, but moving into voice acting is where I want to take my career full-time, eventually. I know there are no shortcuts. Are there any classes that have moved to Zoom that any of you have taken and can vouch for? I don’t need absolute beginner tips - I’ve taken courses on the absolute basics before. I want to actually practice the craft. Thoughts?
Looking for tips on how to sound more emotionless/boring. by BlootToons • last post May 23rd
I posted on a general subreddit but then realized I'd probably yield better results here, since most of you guys are voice actors. I want to have some fun narrating over some of my animations. But I want to do so without emotion, completely deadpan. I want my words to sound extremely sincere/serious, no matter how absurd/funny the sentence is. If you're familiar with the very dry and often monotone narration style in comedies like Arrested Developement, Nathan for You, or the Royal Tenenbaums, that what would be the best examples of what I'm talking about. Any tips?
Your Hollywood dreams are over. So are mine. (Working LA-based actor - or at least I was) by HingstonBurley • last post May 23rd
Long post alert. I had to write this out and didn't have anywhere else to put it, so here goes. If you haven't already, look through these articles/interviews on the future of Hollywood production: [https://deadline.com/tag/reopening-hollywood/](https://deadline.com/tag/reopening-hollywood/) [https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm\_source=digg](https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm_source=digg) Deadline's reporting is often sketchy but I find the quotes from production executives very telling. Here are some, all emphasis mine: Tyler Perry: “We would be looking at about 200 people in quarantine — that’s cast and crew, we would have to *cut crew way back.*” And another one from him: “*I have not written any big scenes with many extras*. If it would be 10, that would be the most.” ([https://deadline.com/2020/04/tyler-perry-production-plan-coronavirus-atlanta-studio-1202917968/](https://deadline.com/2020/04/tyler-perry-production-plan-coronavirus-atlanta-studio-1202917968/)) Showrunner Kurt Sutter (The Shield, Sons of Anarchy) : "And I do think that there might have to be some conversations in terms of *how much personnel is actually needed to get the job done."* And another: "Everyone is going to have to go in and say, *I can’t have the same expectations I had a year and a half ago.*" [https://deadline.com/2020/05/kurt-sutter-sons-of-anarchy-mayans-mc-reopening-hollywood-bringing-back-tv-dramas-coronavirus-1202926382/](https://deadline.com/2020/05/kurt-sutter-sons-of-anarchy-mayans-mc-reopening-hollywood-bringing-back-tv-dramas-coronavirus-1202926382/) Michael Mann says: "I think any new production that’s about to begin, the production’s going to be faced with the business affairs side of the studio saying, *insurance companies aren’t going to insure us against claims because of COVID-19."* [https://deadline.com/2020/05/michael-mann-resuming-ansel-elgort-ken-watanabe-hbo-max-tokyo-vice-heat-prequel-1202934528/](https://deadline.com/2020/05/michael-mann-resuming-ansel-elgort-ken-watanabe-hbo-max-tokyo-vice-heat-prequel-1202934528/) More quotes: "There is talk of productions commandeering entire hotels to create safe zones where those working on a movie or TV production can stay and congregate." And: "The priority will always be to keep the *stars* of TV shows and movies from getting sick." And: "... studio executives and creators are wondering whether it would it be jarring to depict characters having a family dinner, for example... or go to a crowded restaurant." [https://deadline.com/2020/04/how-hollywood-reopens-coronavirus-shutdown-production-insurance-actors-crews-1202908471/](https://deadline.com/2020/04/how-hollywood-reopens-coronavirus-shutdown-production-insurance-actors-crews-1202908471/) This from a TV producer: "I believe this will be something we’ll be doing for at least a year, maybe two.” And producer Lynette Howell Taylor: “I immediately went into ‘OK, what can we do with *five people and a camera?’”* From a feature producer: “There are so many movies on the docket, but you might see one of the smaller ones get a real good shot,” the executive says. “Who wouldn’t like a nice *four-character* horror-genre movie right now?” [https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm\_source=digg](https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/restarting-production-coronavirus-pandemic-hollywood-1234611125/?utm_source=digg) What's my point? Unknown actors are fucked. And I mean even more so than normal. I'm an LA-based actor at the guest star level and I do ok. I have a good imdb page, my reels are filled with stuff you'd recognize. I am not a name actor by any means. You don't know me, but I work. I've been here some years and have slowly been working my way up the ladder to what I hope some day will be a series reg. Through it all I have eaten shit, acted my guts out only to lose a role to the director's buddy, put up with insulting teachers and downright shitty classes, shot shows then been cut out of the episode, been released because my role was offered to a fucking YouTuber, gotten squeezed on rates thanks to the power of streaming services, witnessed asshole celebs verbally piss all over the show that makes them millions, changed clothes in my car 150 times, paid god knows how many parking tickets because casting was running late, hooked up other actors with agents only to have them ghost me when I asked for a return of the favor, and generally kept my head up through all of it. I've also had my share of wins so I am not complaining. This business has never been fair, and I knew that going in. But through everything, I did it because I believed there was potential in it. That if I played well with others, did the job well, and stuck with it, eventually there was a fair chance I'd rise through the ranks to play with the big kids. Now, that potential is gone. It does not exist. Not for me, not for you, not for hopefuls who are thinking about moving here. It only exists for the name actors. They're the ones who will come out when this is over and say, "See, we were all in this together and we made it to the other side!" to their 36 million Instagram followers. Why do I say this? Read the articles above and understand what's being said by Hollywood's decision makers: Covid is expensive and we need to offset the increased cost of production. We sure as hell aren't going to pay for it so we need smaller crews, fewer locations, shorter shoots, smaller casts. SMALLER CASTS. Say you're a showrunner who's now looking at spending 10-20% of your budget on making your set medically safe. You're not going to eat that money, it has to come from somewhere. You'll cut grips, cast, art department, catering, post, anything you can get away with and still tell the story. If *Grey's Anatomy* needs to kill an episode's C storyline to save $25k in cast cost, they won't even think twice. There goes a TOS guest star and two co-stars, along with their residuals. Writers will be given the task of figuring out how to tell the same story with fewer characters. For TV that means you're going to see shows with far fewer actors rotating in and out. On a show with a large ensemble cast, they'll just use the regulars for everything and skip the co-stars and guest stars altogether, or drastically cut their number. Those are the roles you and I might get. In features you're going to see super small casts, as small as 4 (!) according to the reporting by Variety. Lynette Howell Taylor wants to shoot with 5 people and a camera like it's for a nice student film. Forget all the supporting roles, they won't be there. That's no problem for the big shot actors, but for everyone else, there will be no work. At all. Smaller roles are how actors come up in the business. They're the stepping stones needed to earn credibility with those who write the checks. The only people who rise to a high level without going through these roles are the kids of insiders: Zoe Kravitz (daughter of Lenny), Daniel Radcliffe (son of an agent father and CD mother), Billie Lourd (daughter of Carrie Fisher), etc. If you're already a series regular or a star, you will be production's top priority. You'll be protected and coddled even more than usual since you're one of a handful of people whose absence could really impact the show. Everyone else is expendable except you. Everyone else can fuck off if they get sick, someone else will do the job. But no one can replace the names. "But this won't last long," you say. "They can't do this forever!" you say. It's long been shown that once Hollywood finds something that works, they stick with it. Once producers figure out how to tell stories with fewer people, these changes will las as long as audiences don't switch off. That could be five years? Ten? More? In the end they'll see Covid as a blessing to their bank accounts. Meanwhile, for those of us who stick it out paying insane rents and going through all the bullshit that comes with living here (wildfires, earthquakes, $4 gas, dodging Covid hotspots)? We just, what, keep waiting? The future will be filled with shows with micro-casts made up of people you already know. Get ready to see the same actors doing like 15 shows, and networks and streamers will be fine with that because they'll have something to fill their slots. Honestly, who wants to see fucking John Krasinski in everything? I mean he's a nice guy and all and I have nothing against him but COME ON. The man does a few YouTube videos and gets a full series pickup on CBS. Just look at the shiteating grin on his face in this article from the Hollywood Reporter: [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-krasinskis-some-good-news-sells-viacomcbs-massive-bidding-war-1295491](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-krasinskis-some-good-news-sells-viacomcbs-massive-bidding-war-1295491) What a joke. The haves will take everything from the have-nots if they can. Features have been casting names soley on their social capital forever. There are shitty actors who continually work because they have a brand, not because they're good actors. Studios want to make their money back and they think getting name actors is the way to do it. That mostly doesn't work ([https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Math-Claims-3-Actors-Capable-Increasing-Box-Office-Grosses-43377.html](https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Math-Claims-3-Actors-Capable-Increasing-Box-Office-Grosses-43377.html)) but whatever. TV has been the place for us nobodys to cut our teeth. Now that's going to be celeb-only too, because networks and streamers are panicking, and when you panic you don't take chances with unknowns. You go with what you know. This situation has screwed everyone in entertainment, but especially me and you. Are you an unknown actor? Thinking of moving to LA? Don't. There won't be opportunities for you for a while. Stay home and save money because you need to make at least six figures to have a decent standard of living in this town. You here already, but barely scraping by? Stop dreaming for one hot minute and understand that things will not get better for you. Thinking you'll just do background work to make your minimums and get health insurance? That work is gone and will likely never come back. The potential is gone. The NAME is what matters now. Giving actors a chance to work does not matter now. Why does it have to be this way? If we know anything about Hollywood, it's that they will do whatever they have to do keep the money flowing into their pockets. Not yours, theirs. They'll only pay you if they need you. And right now, there are people sitting by their pools devoting every bit of their brain power to figuring out how they can tell their story without you. This is sad because it means there will be a thinning of the herd for sure. Maybe that's ok because LA already has too damn many actors. But it's also confusing, because if the traditional way of getting a seat at the table...starting with booking co-stars, then guest, then recurring and finally regular...or working supporting in features for a while...if that ladder has been broken, what replaces it? What the fuck are we supposed to do to advance our careers? I may sound like a bitter old to you and maybe I am. Or maybe I'm right and see the writing on the wall. Go ahead and crucify me for crapping all over your dreams. This business was already incredibly hard. For those of us without name recognition, it just moved into impossible territory. But keep your head up! Stay positive! Follow your passion! Guuuuh. TL;DR: If you're not a name actor, you're screwed.
Can we talking about self-producing, and whether or not it's worth while to make a short film SAG, say if you are directing it, producing it, or acting in it, and want to submit to festivals? by take3400 • last post May 23rd
Can you submit non union films to festivals? if you are a SAG actor but you are not acting in the short but only directing it, and all the actors are non union, can the film be non union? would it benefit you to make it SAG? does it literally not matter? I understand SAG leads to distribution, but if you're not trying to do that, and just want to win some awards at festivals, wouldn't it just be easier to make it union? As a SAG actor, can I be a writer on a non union project?