We have found 19,980 posts across 4 actor forums:
How would you approach an actor for a cameo in your film? by SwimGood22 • last post Apr 13th
Working on a feature script, and my team and I would love to attach an actor for one of the characters. The only issue is - their on-screen role is very minimum and would only be in a scene or two. I know actors have been part of films as cameo roles (i.e Matt Damon in UNSANE) which are smaller, but what is the best approach to getting them attached? Do you even explain it as a cameo in the film?
How to use your resources and network to help your career by Sad_Nebula17 • last post Apr 13th
Hi guys! First time poster here. I've been in the acting game for over a decade. I am now in my early 30s and finally have my agent, but honestly, been a lot of false starts in recent years with my career, which I'm sure many can relate to. I know that's just how this industry works, but my question is: how do you use your network to leverage your career fairly? Meaning, I have plenty of friends who are successful in TV, film and music, who I admire dearly. Thing is, I've always been wary to ask them for a little help introducing me to the right people, as I never want to make my friends feel that they are only there to help me up the ladder. But a part of me just wonders if maybe I've just been missing out on a lot of potential opportunities by being too timid and not bold enough to ask for guidance, mentorship, networking help from my friends. I'm talking people who are well known and have many film and TV credits. I'm thankful that I've gotten to do a lot of amazing networking on my own, but sometimes it just really takes someone else with a track record to introduce you to people. Should I keep networking and auditioning as is? Or should I reach out for a little help, and how? Look, I'm not looking for fame necessarily, what I'm looking for is financial stability and the opportunity to work in my field steadily (I know, an actor's dream!) Also, I live near LA, and am moving there again in the next few months. Feels like my close proximity hasn't deterred me too much, but I know I'm missing out on the face to face networking you get by simply living in the city. Thanks everyone! Happy auditioning.
Protective Styles in Head,shots? by sionaxyw_ • last post Apr 13th
Hi there! For my Black actors out there who wear protective styles, do you think it would be noticeable if I had a slightly different protective style than my headahot? For example, in my head, shot I have knotless braids. However if I took them out and put passion twists or marley twists in my hair and I did an auditon with that style do you think casting would notice or even care? I'm thinking this is something I might be able to get away with but I'm not too sure. Thanks!
I need advice please by aku454 • last post Apr 13th
Hello, I'm a newer actor currently choosing which acting class format to take and I need your advice! I'm a full time college student in LA so I go back to my hometown (not in SoCal) for three months in the summers and one month in the winter. I want to get solid training in the Meisner technique to improve as an actor and overcome my awkwardness and nervousness when talking to other people. The problem is that many Meisner technique studios offer two year in person programs that I can't attend consistently due to my summer and winter breaks. I looked around for classes both in LA and near my hometown and I am faced with two choices: 1. Take a three month in person introductory class in Hometown Acting Class this summer, and then continue my training at a different in person LA Acting Class when I get back to college next school year. 2. Take the zoom option for LA Acting Class this summer, and hopefully transfer to their in person acting classes when I return to college next school year. And just continue hopping back and forth between Zoom and in person (not sure if I can do that...) in the same studio until I complete their training. I just had a talk with Hometown Acting Class and the ball is in my court whether I want to move forward as an applicant and I'm going to have an interview with the LA Acting Class tomorrow. Do you think it's ok for me to jump between Meisner studios from the summer and school year in regards to training as an actor, or is it better to stay with one studio consistently? For the second choice, do you think it's better to take Zoom classes/in person classes with one studio, even though during the summers I won't have the benefit of in person classes? Thank you so much for taking the time to read and/or give advice. I am very grateful and wish you the best day/night. :)
Play for Acting Class by Free-Patient2102 • last post Apr 13th
Hi everyone! I have to perform a 7 minute scene in my acting class with my friend. We need to find a play that has 2 characters, 1 girl and 1 boy. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would prefer comedy but am open to anything. (I am not an actor so am very new to this) Thank you so much!
A Big Thanks by Barry Culver • last post Apr 12th
Thank you to everyone who gave me advice on nursing my voice and helping me out while I was sick. My voice is feeling much better (as am I). I was able to get an audition done for an indie game. My first character demo had to take a backseat, but it’s still in the works! Appreciate you all!
Billy Porter To Star In & Co-Write James Baldwin Biopic! by Ashley Renee Smith • last post Apr 12th
I'm so excited for Billy! I'm curious, if you could play any historical figure in their biopic, who would it be and why?
Any actors here who aren’t working a living wage on the side? by Civil-Gift294 • last post Apr 12th
What I mean is are there any of u guys that didn’t finish a degree for another subject? And is just working a minimum wage job? Reason I’m asking this is because, I don’t want to go get a certificate or go to college to complete another degree that isn’t acting. Don’t some actors go to university or get a certificate etc. to have a backup job just in case they can’t live off only acting as their jobs? Just curious
Survival Jobs by TypeAffectionate • last post Apr 12th
Hi, I am currently in college and want to go into acting when I finish up; however, I don't want my sole focus in college to be acting when you don't need a degree for it. I thought nursing might be a good choice, because you could work at a hospital, do 3 12's, and be done for the week; however, after doing some reading a little bit ago, maybe I'm not going about it the right way like I thought I was. ​ So actors who went to college, what did you do that helps you pay the bills and still have time to pursue acting (professionally)?
Actors in Chicago by ElGalloClaudi0 • last post Apr 12th
What is the better school to go to for beginners? I have found a few but I also don't have a lot of money
Struggling currently… by Capital_Team_3352 • last post Apr 12th
I just started acting again recently (30F) and am 8 months into classes. I recently started my intermediate level and was pretty confident but after seeing others I just feel like I am not progressing and growing as much as everyone else (or even as good). I’m hoping this class will give me the skills to grow this semester but I keep questioning whether I should continue. I am always so happy to hear other students successes but it does make me feel worse about myself. I get a good amount of auditions but not a lot of callbacks and I don’t book much and I know most of the time it has nothing to do with me and just a part of casting but it’s hard to not think I’m just not a great actor too. How does everyone deal with this? What are some things you do outside of class/work to help you grow your acting?
This is what Kent kasper always comments on actors needing guidance by Proof-Pollution454 • last post Apr 12th
Uk actors. Is it me or has it become ridiculous easy to get on spotlight now ? by bustergaming777 • last post Apr 12th
I’m not saying it to sound elitist or anything but there was a time it was hard to get onto for a reason, now it seems like anyone can just get on it?
Help by Motor-Requirement143 • last post Apr 12th
im 17. im from australia. i live on the island below it and there's literally no acting opportunities. id have to fly to the mainland for qn audition which would cost $500-$800 and I might not even get a role from it. i'm sick of auditioning and not getting anything or almost getting the role but losing it to someone with more experience. directors say they want experienced actors but I have to start somewhere, right? I know that rejection is the main part of the business but I'm sick of it. pouring my hear and soul into every audition and not getting any appreciation in return. I can't afford basic things in this cost of living crisis so I don't know if I can continue to audition and have a partime job anymore. I don't want to give up trying to become an actor. how do I get my big break? I want to be able to afford heat and food. some people spend their whole lives trying to and never do. I don't want to have a failed career and have nothing else to fall back on. I'm not even sure if I should continue studying drama and theatre performance if I won't be able to get a steady job with my future qualifications anyway. someone help me, give me advice or reassure me.
Stagedoor Manor. by Apprehensive_Sea332 • last post Apr 12th
Hi! My names Kyle I was wondering about the "Stagedoor Manor" summer camp in the catskill mountains, NY. I was wondering about how good of a performing arts summer camp it is and if it compares to "French Woods" I'm an aspiring actor and I know "Ansel Elgort, and Natalie Portman" went there. Thanks! I most likely wanna act in film as well, but I just wanna start small and build my way up.
Tax Help? LA Actor hired in NYC as Local Hire by timrasputin4 • last post Apr 12th
Hello, I booked my first real acting job in 2022 on an NBC show and got paid a decent amount, but also had a lot of expenses with it. I'm a bit confused if I can deduct anything though. Maybe some kind and knowledge person here can help: • Paid via W-2 (around $10k for two weeks) • Live in LA but had to travel to and stay in NYC, paying for my own flight, cars and hotel (roughly $6k in expenses) Paid my manager 15% of total (roughly $1500) Paid SAG initiation fees (roughly $1k) Earned: $10k Total expenses: $8.5k As you can tell, I didn't really *net* any money on this job, but needed to take the role for my career. Now it's tax time, and I'm not sure if I need to pay Fed/State taxes on the full amount, since it's a W-2 and I don't have enough for an itemized deduction (filling jointly). I'm assuming writing these off as a "business" expense on a Schedule C would trigger an audit or get flagged, since my income for this job will be reported on a W-2? I also have to file state taxes in both NYC and CA? Any help or advice would be much appreciated, as it doesn't seem fair that after all of these expenses I now need to pay taxes to the government on the full $10k.
Stage name or ride it out? by Current_Confection63 • last post Apr 12th
I’m really new to acting, I’ve been self submitting and just booked my first gig . It’s still a few months until filming. I always planned on using my real name and try not to get ahead of myself but I feel I might have a problem. So my last name isn’t super common…. However, there is an actress who has used the French version (same as mine) and also the American version of my last name. We also have the same first name . Which she’s gone by the name and nickname. Basically she’s credited under different variations of the same name as mine. For how long she’s been in it and how many credits she has, I’m assuming she’s joined the union. From what I understand , if I were to join the union, I’d have to change mine? Is it better to just do it now from the get go? I don’t want to cause confusion with the job I just booked. I also don’t want to worry about it if I don’t need to.
Summer Intensives (Meisner): Where to? by Hi-raeth_ • last post Apr 12th
Hello my fellow creative minds <3 ​ I am in a bit of a pickle. Please, allow me to explain my situation. I would be humbled to receive your advice. ​ I am an actress from The Netherlands, and the acting industry here is really tough to break through. Thanks to God, I met an internationally recognized industry professional who has seen my talent, and who wants to invest in me and help me achieve my goals as an aspiring screenwriter and actress. I am not new to acting, although I do need to train more. I know little about the industry and what the best places are for people of color to practice their craft, which in my case is acting AND screenwriting. I will get back to acting school in August in The Netherlands, but I also want to expand and go abroad in the summer of 2024, and after. My main question is: What is the best place for an actress of color to flourish: The United Kingdom, The United States, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta - Georgia, or London (for example) ? Or somewhere else? One of my coaches swears that I should go to London and do theatre until I bleed, but I would like to study the Meisner Technique in the US at the Neighborhood Playhouse or the Meisner Esper Studio. ​ I would really like to follow a summer intensive that focuses on the Meisner Technique. What would you recommend me to do? I am feeling miserable not being able to express myself through acting. All advice is greatly appreciated, my friends. Thank you, if you've read my post thus far. ​ Never give up, keep your hopes high. Nurture your artistic soul.
How many people do CDs ask to self tape on sites like casting workbook and backstage? by Neontetra2323 • last post Apr 12th
I self submitted for a big network tv series as a recurring costar and got a request for an audition today on casting workbook! The casting director is a big name and I am SO excited but I wonder just how excited I should be, haha. What is the ballpark for how many actors they might ask for a self tape audition for these types of casting calls?
5 Successful Strategies I Used to Act Full-Time - For 37 + Years by Aaron Marcus • last post Apr 11th
I have been so fortunate to work as a full-time actor.