We have found 19,978 posts across 4 actor forums:
KEEP IT REAL! by Winniehiller • last post Jul 6th
Though 9-10 months out of the year I am coaching an actor on a network tv series, during hiatus I’ve had quite a few new, young actors come to me for private lessons. It’s becoming evident to me that many of them are being taught techniques which are actually harmful to their film and TV careers. This is one of the biggest problems for young actors...especially those coming out of theater programs in colleges and universities and those who attend classes that prey on Hollywood newcomers. But what I’m about to say also applies even to theatrical performances and TV commercials. Bottom line, whenever you are acting...you gotta keep it real! Acting is one of the few human activities in which you must not look like you are doing it while you are doing it. If you are playing baseball you don’t need to hide the fact that you are swinging a bat. Most employees want their bosses to see them working. Even singers get to open wide and wail. But you can never, ever let them catch you acting. The thing is, if you are doing it correctly, you are not really acting...you are BEING. As an actor, you must become extremely aware of pushing your performance beyond the realm of believability. Certainly there are real people in this world who might be described as “bigger than life”, but the fact of the matter is, they really do exist. They have real emotions and an inner thought life. They have a life history that has led them to react in specific ways. They are REAL PEOPLE. So must every one of the characters you play. And you must embody that person, consistently and believably from the moment they say “Action!” to the moment they say “Cut!”. Even William Shakespeare wanted his actors to get real. When Hamlet hires a troupe of actors to reenact his father’s murder, he is horrified at their performances because “they imitated humanity so abominably”. They “strutted and bellowed” and would “saw the air too much with their hands”. I am seeing these same mistakes in actors today. Check out the monologue, below. I often ask my students to learn it, because of the valuable lessons it contains in the text. And let’s face it. If you can believably perform Shakespeare...you ARE an actor. Sure the old English may be difficult to understand at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will agree that no one uses words better. So pay heed to the bard. You are an actor in order to portray humanity as realistically as possible. Anything more or less is a departure from the very purpose of the art...to “hold a mirror up to nature”. To show people who they are and what they are like. “Suit the action to the word, the word to the action”. As an actor, if you can truly “become” your characters rather than “acting” them...filling you own mind with their thoughts, reacting to the other characters in truthful relationship...feeling their feelings, pursuing their goals...it becomes a magical experience for both you and the audience. You are transported to another place in time. And everyone gains a little more insight into what this life is all about. If you have any questions (or want to understand the Shakespeare more thoroughly), leave a comment or message me on Facebook. Winnie Hiller ————— HAMLET - Act III Scene 2 SCENE II. A hall in the castle. Enter HAMLET and Players HAMLET Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to You, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it, As many of your players do, I had as lief the Town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air Too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently; For in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, The whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget A temperance that may give it smoothness. O, it Offends me to the soul to hear a robustious Periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to Very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings, who For the most part are capable of nothing but Inexplicable dumbshows and noise: I would have such A fellow whipped for o'erdoing Termagant; it Out-herods Herod: pray you, avoid it. Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the word to the action; with this special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. Now this overdone, or come tardy off, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve; the censure of the which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theatre of others. O, there be players that I have seen play, and heard others praise, and that highly, not to speak it profanely, that, neither having the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian, pagan, nor man, have so strutted and bellowed that I have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men and not made them well, they imitated humanity so abominably. O, reform it altogether. And let those that play Your clowns speak no more than is set down for them; For there be of them that will themselves laugh, to Set on some quantity of barren spectators to laugh too; though, in the mean time, some necessary Question of the play be then to be considered: That's villanous, and shows a most pitiful ambition In the fool that uses it. Go, make you ready. ——-
DO YOU NEED A DEGREE IN THEATER ARTS? by Winniehiller • last post Jul 6th
Do you really want to have a career in acting? You need to take every opportunity to learn from the best and perform with the best. I must tell you, as much as your parents will object, college is not always the best place to learn to be an actor. If you want to be in the film and tv industry, you need to start getting professional credits for your resume. Same with theater. No one will ever require you to have a college degree to be an actor. And if you wait to pursue a career in acting until you graduate, you are at a disadvantage age wise. Hollywood, NYC...and you can get started in some other major cities...but you need to be somewhere where you can be getting credits for your resume. And to do that you need to be studying with the very best teachers. Try to think about why you are in college. How does it project you onto your life path? If you are just going to get a piece of paper or something to fall back on, then I hope you are majoring in something that you can truly make a living at, and you will enjoy...because that’s what you will be doing...not acting. It’s an old cliche, but “If you fail to plan, plan to fail”. There are a couple of Universities and conservatories that can actually propel an acting career, like Juilliard, Yale, NYU, Cincinnati Conservatory...and there are a few others with outstanding faculty, in which agents will seek out students as clients. Otherwise, it’s not going to do you much good. But if you must go to a school that no one cares about, then be as creative as you possibly can while there. Learn to be a film maker, a screenwriter...anything you can so you can create your own opportunities. If you are going to arrive in Hollywood or NYC hoping to start an acting career in your mid-twenties without any credits, you are going to need to create your own. Agents are going to want to see excellent, professional level performances on a film reel. They want to see you do what you do. Come prepared. Bottom line, you need to have the correct skills. I have taught child actors in Hollywood who became quite skilled and worked professionally...then went away to college and came back pushing...overacting...so much worse than when they left and thinking they knew it all. If you want a film career you need to act for film. If you want to have a stage career you still need to have authentic, thoughtful and emotionally driven performances. From my experience, many theater departments do not produce these kinds of actors. And students come out older, no credits and with such a debt that they can’t even afford to launch an acting career. Cold hard facts. On your time off, come to Hollywood or New York. Take some classes with highly regarded teachers. Meet some agents and casting directors who can give you feedback. And above all, your acting must be believable, fueled by subtext and thought. Don’t try to show what you character is feeling. Feel it, working from the inside and allowing your outside to follow. Every scene is about using your lines to change the other characters. It’s not about you. It’s about changing them. Oh...and if you are just dabbling and trying to figure out if you want to be an actor...then yes...act in anything you can. Take classes, join clubs. No need to minor in acting. You don’t need a degree. Just experience. Read books on acting. Watch and analyzing other actors’ performances. And whatever opportunities you have....keep your performances real and organic...spontaneous. Feel free to ask me questions. Hope this helps...and all the best to you.
Better All Around Actor by 489326843 • last post Jul 6th
Tobey McGuire Or Topher Grace. One Could Say Tobey Because He Takes It More Simply.
Just got cast in a show with local director, really want to audition for his next upcoming show. How to proceed? by CommanderDJ • last post Jul 6th
Hi everyone! Long time lurker here, posted a few things in the weekly/daily discussions but never a full post. I have a bit of a unique situation that I’d love some insight on. So I just got cast in a theatre production at an equity theater in my region. Super excited, first time at this theater and it’ll be my first Shakespeare show so even more excited for that. The director of that production, let’s just call him Jim for the sake of this, is directing a show at arguably the biggest theater in my region a few months after the show I’m in with him goes up. That second show happens to be the show with my number one dream role in it. I very badly want to at least throw my name in the ring and see if I can audition for it. Not expecting a handout, just wanna audition and show him what I got. I went to the EPA for that theater’s season, and have not heard anything since. And frankly, my audition at that EPA was subpar and I wish it was a little better. At the auditions for the Shakespeare show I’m in with him he was blown away by my monologue. He was very very impressed and him and I talked for like five minutes after I did the monologue about that specific monologue. It was great. I got a callback shortly after and at callbacks we read in groups and he had everyone in my group leave as he said he wanted to speak with me alone. He offered me a part right on the spot, telling me he had wanted me in that part the second after I did my monologue. So in short, Jim seems to like me. I so badly want to audition for his upcoming show. Is it in bad taste to shoot him an email and be like “Hey Jim! Super excited for [Shakespeare Show]. Can’t wait to start working with you. I saw you’re directing [Show Title] at [Theater]. Was wondering if I could throw my name in the running for [Character Name]. If you’re holding auditions anytime soon, I would love to be a part of that. Thanks!” Is this a good idea? I know the whole point of this industry is to network so is this the best way to go about this? I hear stories about how actors tell directors they know they’re interested in a project and then they at least get to audition. Any advice would be great here. Thanks so much r/acting! TLDR: Got cast in a show by a director who’s directing a show with my dream role in it a few months after. Can I send him an email letting him know I’m interested?
Actors! What’s something you were told was very hard about this business that came surprisingly easy to you? by cmrizzle • last post Jul 6th
How did you know you wanted to be an actor? by kyle768 • last post Jul 6th
How's your survival job going? Making enough to meet bills and be free for auditions? Want to just vent about it? Ask about other actors' jobs? by thetendy • last post Jul 6th
These conversations come up every so often, but I figured we could get an updated one!
Can't get natural tears on stage (advice needed) by fieryroad • last post Jul 6th
Hi guys. I'm in drama school training to be an actor, attending my last year from September. Whether well-perceived or not by the audience, the ability to tear up is considered an additional asset for the actor. So far I've found myself incapable of crying... I've tried many things (found on wiki and such) but I'd like to cause it naturally, without drops or tricks. I'm the kind of person who would cry easily in their life. But on stage, even though I am told very nice things about my acting, it's hard to get carried away and lose myself to the point that could cause me to tear up. Teachers say I usually am on the "brainy" side of it. Emotional memory hasn't helped, though I've had my share of experiences to use for this. I consider taking my contact lenses off in case that might expose my eyes to more sensitivity... It is something I haven't tried yet because I can't see very well without them. Any help from the more experienced? Thanks guys
I want to brainstorm. What are the best paths to stardom? by mfletcher1006 • last post Jul 5th
I think that if any of us were told what the price was that we had to pay in order to achieve the level of success we want in this business, than we would pay it. That being said the price itself is not inherent or obvious in any way. I watch my friends all struggling down different paths that they are sure will lead to stardom. They want at least to be paid actors, but in their hearts they want to be stars. But none of them seem to have the right answer... Some put all of their time and money into theater degrees in college, acting classes, and workshops. Others say that experience is the best teacher and working as background and paying your dues will get you there. Others say writing your own content and staring in it is the way to go. Still some say "just get noticed, then work on your craft," and they sink themselves into posting on social media and networking. And so many say just drop everything and move to L.A. and things will work out. Modeling, screenwriting, working on crew, directors assistant, stuntman, YouTube star, stand up comedian; there are a hundred different paths that people say to take to get there, but which one is the surest? Which one is the right path? Where should we invest our time and efforts and which paths should we avoid? What do you guys think? If you had to map out the path to your dream where would you spend your time? Where would you put the most effort? How do we get there? Please discuss.
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - Jul 5 by AutoModerator • last post Jul 5th
Use this thread to post your headshots for feedback, get info on your age range/type, find good headshot photographers, ask any questions you may have about headshots. If you are posting a DIY headshot for feedback, and not just a snapshot in order to get feedback on your age range/type/etc, it is advised that you do at least some basic research on what actor headshots look like--composition, framing, lighting. You will find a Google Image search for "actor headshots" to be very helpful for this. For what it's worth, the branding workshop at SAG-AFTRA recommends a five-year age range. That's inclusive, so for example 19-23, 25-29, 34-38, etc.
Actor Website and Headshot Feedback by Flair4theatricks • last post Jul 5th
Hello! I'm new to reddit, so please be kind! My agency hasn't been very helpful with getting me auditions or giving me feedback on my new headshots/site, so I'd love to get some honest feedback and constructive criticism on my acting website from this community: [www.rachaelalethea.com](https://www.rachaelalethea.com) I'd also love to connect via IG: [www.instagram.com/rachael\_alethea](https://www.instagram.com/rachael_alethea) (I do follow for follow, but if you're just trying to increase your numbers and unfollow later, I'll do the same.) xoxo https://i.redd.it/b9kv3709i5811.jpg
How long are actors typically on avail? by unicorn626 • last post Jul 5th
As of 5 minutes ago it's been 3 days since my agent called to tell me I'm on avail for a national commercial. I officially sgned with them 8 days ago, so I wasn't expecting anything this soon. I'm used to just letting an audition go and forgetting about it, but shooting is in LA next week so this feels a little more stressful. Long story short how long are actors typically on avail? How long should I expect to get an answer...?
Experience travels by dtonationify • last post Jul 5th
today i was honestly thinking of ways i could expand my horizons before really launching into the real world and business of acting, i have been acting since my childhood and right now i am on the verge of adulthood (i'm 17), and I was thinking of a few things i could or should do (and maybe other actors could too) before professionally starting to pursue their BA or MA in the arts: * trip to rural Nepal? for a year or so - away from the modern, materialistic world. maybe there, you could experience true human nature, or see for yourself how other people around the world might act and live differently then us in the western one. kind of like to give a perception on the different ways people live their lives, however stupidly and boring they may be (and implementing these thoughts and experiences into characters we are chosen to play in the future) * homeless for a year? ok, i know it sounds crazy - but bear with me for a while. potentially, you could be exposed and unveiled to thousands of different experiences than the ones we are granted in real life; being (very much) at the mercy of others, trying all you can to find food and an ideal living for yourself, maybe while working a labor job (cleaning windows) ... (of course- you can have money in the bank or a place to stay/rent for emergency situations), but over all just experiencing a different perception in life (like the Nepal idea) * enlisting in the military? originally from Canada, grew up in Israel, and coming back to the US, i have never really fought for something I stand for, and recently i thought going and giving my part to the country by serving (and i'm talking about being deployed for tours) in Afghanistan/Iraq (i know i'm going far again, and war is no joke), but honestly, being this close to danger and fighting for something you stand for to overall seems like an experience that every actor should have, even though like many teachers (Hagen, Chubbuck etc.) say that even if you weren't in a "life endangering" situation you can implement a similar situation of sorts. i feel being dedicated to something, fighting for a cause, having extreme discipline and overall using less of your emotions (and using more impulse) of course, through all of this, i will still be up to date and practicing in order not to let my skills that i have acquired so far get rusty opinions? have you ever though/will do something like this?
Taking a different step on my path to becoming a professional actor. by bigguysmalldog • last post Jul 5th
Friendly reminder: Assume the best in people on this sub, not the worst by GeniusUnleashed • last post Jul 5th
After a lengthy back and forth in a previous post because a person felt "insulted", I felt it would be a great time to discuss our ability to "choose" how to react to situations. As actors, we're all highly empathetic and sensitive people, it's the thing that draws a lot of us to acting. That sensitivity can lead to hurt feelings sometimes when things get misconstrued. When posting on this sub, choose to assume the best in people, not the worst. Email and text (messaging) can be a very misleading medium, and it's easy to misconstrue something we read choose to be hurt by it. I for one, am a very direct person. I rely on my charm in person to cover for my directness. Unfortunately my directness can comes across as gruff or terse when written down and I can't rely on a smile or smirk to diffuse the content. I'm aware of this and do my best to avoid mistakes, but I'm not perfect. As English speakers, we come from a plethora or locales, and regional colloquialisms change from city to city, state to state, region to region, country to country, and continent to continent. So instead of assuming someone is putting you down, try to give them the benefit of the doubt that they aren't trying to hurt your feelings, and remember that no one has the power to "make" you feel something. We're all here to learn more about acting and we need to remember that there is no "right way" to do something, every area is going to be different, just like every agent, CD, director and producer is going to give conflicting directions on how to do something. It's the most frustrating thing (for me) about our industry. If you're unsure about someone's comment, don't be afraid to ask. If the person seems like they're having a bad day, thank them for their comment and move on with your life, it's the easiest way to end/diffuse a potential problem. If the person says they weren't trying to hurt your feelings, take them at face value and respect that we don't all think the same way or talk the same way. That being said, if a person in on this sub, and offering advice or responding to a question, let's all try to remember that we're here to help each other, not hurt each other (emotionally or career wise). Let's assume the best in people, not the worst.
I just hate the lack of feedback after auditions! by Theurbanalchemist • last post Jul 5th
So I’ve been going in for various casting directors for various shows/films for about two years. Loving the journey even with its ups and downs, but I hate not receiving some feedback as to how I did or why I didn’t book after something like a callback or directors session. I understand casting has a lot to do, but a nice “Hey we went with someone else, thanks for coming in” would kill days of anxiety and stress
Why are harsh teachers often the norm? And how do I “just get over it”? by ActorOnAJourney • last post Jul 4th
About to get into acting. Went to acting school, graduated and took care of my grandmother who was sick. Back now and basically starting over. I’m fine with being rejected in auditions. I am fine with critiques that are necessary but what i don’t understand is why some teachers simply must be harsh and unnecessarily almost insulting and somehow we normalize it and consider it a strength if we can handle it Yet in a normal job it would be seen as bosses being cruel unnecessary assholes or even harassment or discrimination Personally for me it was when a long time ago in school we were allowed to pick monologues and so I chose one and yet was asked to come to the front of the class after I announced my choice. My teacher put his hand on my shoulder and pointed to well dressed actors and said “ see you can play this role, and you can and you too and you too and oh by the way it has nothing to do with race but *you* (looks down with a smug smile at me) are a Shanley actor. Sit down.” Half the class snickered or giggled. Basically he meant I would never play any upper class person and to sit down. He was referencing playwright John Patrick Shanley whose characters are usually Bronx ghetto inner city people I never lived in the ghetto or spoke ghetto. I was poor and had limited wardrobe but it said nothing of my talent and I didn’t dress ghetto. One can be poor and not look like a thug or act classless What he didn’t know was I had been cast as Olivia in Twelfth Night by someone else and a part in Queen Elizabeth! I had won my $15000 scholarship off my damn Shakespeare Macbeth performance ffs. He took away from my limited cheap ugly wardrobe and my minority race IMO and deduced that I was some ghetto stereotype. He didn’t have to make a spectacle of it either He could have talked in private to express his views or at least allow me to perform it and then critique it he could’ve even just said “if you want to be taken more seriously for these types of roles will be helpful if you could try to get your wardrobe to look a little bit more sophisticated” but without the smug smile and without putting me IN FRONT of everyone I was shy and insecure after he said that and regret not saying something. If I had I’m sure I would be labeled as “easily offended and in need of thick skin” when in reality this guy is not allowing me to show my range or give me a chance Had he mentioned it to me in private and respectfully than I would’ve let him know that I was really struggling but that I would work on my image more. I was after all only 19 and had no job to save money with because school lended me no time to work except in the summer if it’s something I have to put up with then tell me how I’m supposed to respond & not develop resentment or feel like a doormat I haven’t taking an acting class since I graduated and some teachers were awesome
I feel I cannot morally or professionally continue to be a part of this company. Is there a tasteful way to leave a show? by urkel940 • last post Jul 4th
To be brief (I'd originally typed an essay but who has time?) while I respect the people in this company, they a part of an archaic practice in theatre I find a tad systemically racist, and falsely darken the skin of actors. I did not know this would be part of the process before I signed on. I actually declined its use until about midway through the run when I was told to begin use of the practice. I've been doing it for two weeks, and I cannot continue. Without trying to sound like a white knight-- I am a young person attempting to make any sort of difference with art, any sort of progression. This is not the way. To add on, it is run and essentially upheld by people ages 18 to 28. Without going into to much detail, it is a place that feels and usually acts like it is. A place run by people ages 18, to 28. I respect the people in this company, it's director, and it's staff. Many have been here for years. Many are my friends from my home town. How can I tastefully leave the company in good hands, the role I have is supporting and with an understudy who is very very talented. And seems much more in line with the show and company's values and style. I know there is no feasible way to do this without burning a few bridges, and I wonder in what way it would be best. Is acting a job in which you can, quit? Two weeks? Is that too long, and would make people feel uncomfortable? Or do I prep my understudy and jet? Stick it out and not include it on my resume maybe, but it just feels soul crushing. I am new, and looking for a bit of guidance.
Any thoughts on Angie's in Ottawa? For actors obviously, not models by i_dont_69_animals • last post Jul 4th
As the title says
WHAT YOU THINK IS WHAT YOU ARE! by Winniehiller • last post Jul 4th
When I was a little kid, whenever someone said something mean to me, I would reply in a singsongy voice, "What you say is what you are". Now I'm an acting coach and I tell my students "What you think is what you are". It's really the key to authentic character portrayal. In many acting classes, students are asked to do a lot of exercises to "Get out of their heads". In other words - stop thinking their own thoughts. Their own thoughts are often self critical and self conscious, making a good performance impossible. But what many actors are not taught, is that if they get out of their own heads without replacing their thoughts with the thoughts of their character, they end up with a mindless performance. The trick is to know your character well enough to know what he or she would think in every situation. For instance, if you are playing a murderer, one of your thoughts might be,"You deserve to die, you worthless SOB." If you are playing a victim you might think a thought like, "Bad things always happen to me". If you are playing a loser you might think a thought like, "Nobody likes me. You probably won't like me either". If you are playing a hero, you might choose to think a thought like, "You can count on me. I know how to take care of this". Actors need only think their character's thoughts constantly, as well as respond to others with their character's thoughts. These thoughts lead into the scripted words in a constant "stream of consciousness". Of course it takes a great imagination to understand and create an entire thought world for your character. But the thoughts will create feelings and emotions in the actors and the audience. It all snowballs into a very realistic experience. What does this have to do with all you "non-actors" out there? Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage. And all the men and women merely players". Whether you realize it or not, you are choosing the character you are playing every moment of your life by the thoughts you allow to run through your mind. Who do you want to play in this comedy/drama of your life? It's your choice. You are the star of the show, for sure, but will you play the victim, the loser, the villain or the hero? A lot of it is determined by the thoughts you choose to think. If you are thinking thoughts that you wouldn't say out loud, you need to know that you are projecting their message loudly and clearly, even if your lips aren't moving. The other characters in your story are responding to them as though you were saying them out loud. It's a heaven or hell creating situation. On stage or off, "What you think is what you are". Use your imagination to think about what kind of character you want to have. Think those kinds of thoughts. They will trigger the emotions and feelings that will attract what you want in your life. You are doing it, randomly anyway, when you allow your mind to "go wild". Might as well play the role you truly want to play. That's the end of today's lesson. Now that you are all trained actors, you can go out and "knock 'em dead", playing your role of a lifetime. I see Tony awards and Oscars in all of your futures! #winniesactinglesson