We have found 19,978 posts across 4 actor forums:
How do you ask your agent to submit you for projects? by viny1l • last post May 3rd
When I signed my contract with my agent, she explicitly stated that I was NOT allowed to submit myself for things anymore on actors access or sites similar (except for small student films). However, I still occasionally check to see what new breakdowns there are and I found a role that I’m very interested in. Obviously I can’t submit myself, so how can I go about asking my agent to submit me? I’ve only just recently signed with her so I don’t want to annoy her by asking her to submit me when I’m sure she already is doing the best she can to get me in the room.
How to handle bad direction? by neverforgetdream • last post May 3rd
So I'm currently in a play in a community theater. Tldr, director is majorly critical of my interpretation of a character in front of the entire cast. Then proceeds to ask for a number of results. Then stamps my character with a ridiculous and exceptionally particular voice. I feel like a marionette, not an actor. And now my throat is killing me from the (imo poor creative decisions he's forcing on me). He's trying to control intonation, timing of lines, the way I speak, pitch of my voice, energy, etc. I went up to him and asked him for a "seed not a tree" to grow the tree he wants. He gave me nothing other than a list of other actors to imitate. What do?
Headshot-Age Range-Character Type Post - May 3 by AutoModerator • last post May 3rd
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.
Do you use any type of psychoanalytic technique in character development? by neverforgetdream • last post May 3rd
This is something I've been curious about for a while. Personally, I've been a big fan of Jung for a bit now. When I learned about the connections between psychoanalysis and dianetics something in my mind clicked. Like, the whole Scientology thing is very weird. And I like understanding things in all their nuance. So the question of the prominence of Scientology in Hollywood actually fascinates me. Is it incidental to acting or is there something more to it? Jungian psychoanalysis at least is a highly complex and imaginative symbolic process. It makes sense to me that there would be highly complex and imaginative mental processes underlying the cognition of highly complex and imaginative people versed in semiotics. Implying that for highly talented actors with different internal characteristics of this type driving their talent, wellness may be reliant on entirely symbolic processes. Explaining the rise of Hollywood Scientology as a flawed approximation of the medicine that actors need in a world without meaning or dreams. But psychoanalytical techniques are totally rad. Maybe not so much the Freudian ones where all you ever seem to talk about is sleeping with your parents. But the imaginative Jungian ones are super cool. So, my question to you is, do you use anything Jungian (Ex. Archetypes) in your acting?
Help me understand Jeff Seymour's approach by thisisnotarealperson • last post May 3rd
I've seen a few really positive references to Jeff Seymour's "Real Life Acting" podcast and book, and I'm four or five episodes into the podcast and I'm not getting it. I certainly get his premise that many acting techniques can overly complicate things for the actor and distance us from the material rather than involve us in it, but he has yet to really say what his approach is in comparison and most of his attacks on established acting classes/techniques are either straw men or he's putting down a class he's heard about that is just obviously a terrible acting class. I'm sure I should read his book if I really want to understand what he teaches, but there are a couple of other books on my list that I really need to get to first. I was just hoping that since people have seemed to respond really strongly to him here, someone could help point me to what his actual process is, or an episode of the podcast that might be more constructive than what I've heard so far.
Podcast w/ someone making it as a professional actress, I think this community will appreciate it by remainingpace • last post May 3rd
What is the skill level of the *average* working actor? by neverforgetdream • last post May 3rd
In your opinion or observation... I would say based on what I've seen, average isn't all that great. Certainly some actors are amazing. But even the average working actor doesn't seem to be too remarkable. What do you think?
How do I know if it's too late to receive a callback? by Theatregeek99 • last post May 2nd
I had an audition today around 7:15 PM, and it's currently 11 PM where I live. Callbacks are tomorrow evening. I am a beginning actor, so it's killing me wondering if I should have been notified by now. When is a good time to assume I haven't been called back?
How important is a good/famous agent? by FluffyWof • last post May 2nd
I have been offered an audition for a lead in an American Tv show. Highly acclaimed network. I’m not American nor do I have a visa. I’m sure that wouldn’t be a problem otherwise the Casting Director and my agent wouldn’t offer me an audition. However I don’t at all expect to get it, even if my audition is AMAZING, because I imagine they would already be in talks with already famous or up and coming actors to play this part. I’m from Australia, have no representation in America and my rep here isn’t one of the best either. I love her, and I book commercials and sometimes guest roles in my home country, but I always imagine the bigger agencies throwing their clients before me. Am I right?
Do casting directors care/notice if you don't send in a self tape for a role you submitted for on Actors Access? by silkk8 • last post May 2nd
Basically, I have an audition due today for a really cool role, but I'm not satisfied with the final product. It was a last minute self-tape, and with the time I had I wasn't able to get it to where I wanted it to be. I did put in my best effort, though. Realistically, I won't get this role, and if I got called back I probably would have to turn it down due to subject matter that I'm not comfortable with (which wasn't made clear until after I got the sides). The main reason I wanted to do it was to get seen by this particular CD. I submitted for the role myself on Actors Access. Bottom line: Is it better to send in a sub-par self-tape or none at all? Would a CD remember a bad tape and not call me in for something else, or would he not call me in because I declined the audition? I haven't sent the tape in or declined it yet. edit: fixed sentence
Actors with agents: how did you get your agent? by caalittlemiss • last post May 2nd
I know there are all different ways to get an agents attention so I'm trying to see how the majority of people land representation. Did you submit to them and get a response back for an interview? Did you have a friend refer you to them? Were you noticed at a performance and approached? Noticed at a film festival? Other? The more detail, the more helpful. Thanks for sharing!
What to expect from an acting short course? by 100101010110001101 • last post May 2nd
I want to do a short course in acting, just because I think I might be good at it and I want to try it out. However I’m not sure what to expect, which makes me nervous. My irrational fears: - I’ll show up and in the first class I’ll have to stand in front of the class and pretend to be a tree that is being chopped down or something ridiculous - I’ll have to sit and recount a past trauma to the class so I can learn to cry in front of an audience on cue - The teacher will be one of these people I’ve read horror stories about who makes the students do all these weird exercises that makes every one uncomfortable Questions: - Should I go to acting classes expecting to find a lot of it embarrassing or am I being completely irrational? - Is this just something I should be expected to overcome as an actor? - How do you think about embarrassment and humiliation as an actor. - Is fear of humiliation common among actors? - What are the different types of acting classes and what should I expect from them?
How to know whether you’re actually good? by glossipgirl • last post May 2nd
I get told a lot that I’m a good actor but because it’s always from friends, family etc. I feel like I have no idea whether I’m actually good at acting or whether they just tell me I am so my feelings aren’t hurt. Advice please?
Starting my dream by Scarpetti • last post May 1st
Today I woke up this morning having the feeling of “ just gotta get it “ My name is Brandon and I’m a submariner . im currently in Honolulu , hi . I live a comfortable life but , here comes the cliche , I feel like empty . im...
As Hollywood Finally Addresses Its Pay Gap, Trans Actors Still Struggle To Find Work by BlankVerse • last post May 1st
GOT Actors by Dishevelment1991 • last post May 1st
Hello all, I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I'm a game of thrones fan. I think that show really pushed me to persue acting (at a drama school in the U.K across the Atlantic for me). bc of how much I love the characters and I wanted to be apart of something that affects me as much as that story does. What do you guys think of the acting on the show? I think it's great to be honest. Emilia Clarke apparently gets hate but I really love her as Dany. I know that she, kit hargington and much of the other young cast were basically kids right out of drama school with no credits and I wonder what led them to choose those specific actors...what do you guys think? Isn't getting such an opportunity kind of the mystery that is luck? (Plus timing and talent). Sometimes I'm like overwhelmed with wanting to be apart of something like that, not for money or attention but because of how much heart is in that story and I hope I get the opportunity to be apart of something like that one day. And hope you guys do to.
Middle eastern actors... by baryll • last post May 1st
Do you have any tips for getting SAG roles or moreso the opportunity to read for SAG roles. I have an agent, read for LA agent - she will sign me once I book a SAG role even if it is a one liner. Literally no idea what to do besides just wait but I have been training since the 3rd grade. 21 now. Made a backstage the other day additionally, literally no clue wtf to do.
My ideal type of acting would be to have roles on TV shows, but I really don't want to be famous. Are there any options for me? by A_Hopeful_Actor • last post May 1st
It sounds like a silly question I know, but is there a way to try out exclusively for small roles which may for example be a reccurring character who only says a few lines every few episodes? I'm thinking of times I'll google who an actor is, and they'll have a couple thousand instagram followers or less, and not really have a "fan base" who interact with them, yet they get to actually have some form of career in TV acting. Thanks in advance for any responses!
Idk whether or not to leave college (want to be a voice actor) by GeeOKeem • last post May 1st
I've been wanting to voice act since my junior year of highschool but my mom kept telling me to go to college and get my degree which makes sense. I went into communications and was extremely unhappy so recently i changed my major to theatre to work toward my goal. The only thing is i'm still unhappy. I have no motivation for school at all even though i feel this obligation that i should be doing. Now luckily because of the pel grant, and my adoption etc im going pretty much for free, in fact the school gives me money at the end of each semester around 1,800$. I feel like i should be going because i have the opportunity to go but im not happy. The biggest obstacle however is if i leave i lose my adoption health insurance and my mom loses the money she gets from my adoption which she needs and these are the two big things she keeps bringing up (plus she doesnt want me to move to LA or Dallas to work and would much rather me stay close). If i were to go on her health inssurance theres no way shed be able to afford it because her current jobs health inssurance is complete garbage. Her at age 57 and a software engineer doesnt think she can find a job at her age, which i dont find to be true but im inexperienced in the working world and have no idea. I just dont know what to do at this point. I want to work full time and begin saving up to take acting classes, (my school only has acting 1 and i already took it.....) and i can already begin to audition for projects online because i have all the equipment. I guess my question is do i drop out, and risk the health insurrance dissapearance or stay in school untill im 24 to get a degree that wont gaurantee me a well paying job at all. My thought was also i could save up so just in case i struggle int he future i could get myself certified in something but thats worst case scenario.
Becoming a voice actor by AndyFieldVO • last post May 1st
The number one thing you have to do to be a successful voice actor is get acting training. It's voice ACTING, after all. Assuming you're doing that, THEN what do you do? There's so much more to it, just like there's so much more to on-camera acting. I teach a beginner class - there's some acting training, and a lot of "how to make it happen" training. The assignments will take you out of your comfort zone in baby steps and get you going. More details here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqenrx5exM