I've been getting contradicting feedback on this.

This is the second shoot I've done where this happened: during rehearsal I was moving my arms a lot to express myself (unintentionally). I was told to watch my hand movements, so I dialed it back from like an 8 (out of 10) to a 2 or 3 (so MUCH less, but still a little bit). And then I was still called out on moving my arms/hands.

I guess my question is: is ZERO hand/arm movement the goal, or is the goal just for it to un-obstructive enough?

I mean personally I disagree with the over-suppression of movement past a certain point, and I've also been told that I sometimes appear too stiff on camera (and was once literally told to move my hands more). I guess I'm wondering if hand suppression is something people attack on out of a place of acting principles, rather than a place of taste.

This question is directed towards the Canadian Actors. I’m currently a Canadian Actess who would like to accept some work in LA, can I just fly there and show up for the job? or do I need some sort of work permit.

What will happen if I fly out to LA for a month and just try to work? Would really appreciate any help on this! Thanks:)

I’m really nervous sharing this information but may be I need to get it out and hear some support from the community to get over it.

I sent in my package to a few top agencies last week. One replied right away, connecting me to an associate to the main agent. They asked me to send in a couple of self tapes and a slate. I booked a session with a renowned acting studio to record these tapes under the guidance of the acting coach. Sent the tapes 2 days ago, the associate responded with the following message today:

‘Hi (My name), thank you for sending in your self-tape; (Main agent’s name) and another agent reviewed the material but feel you are in direct conflict with two existing actors in your category so will not be moving forward.

We wish you all the very best.’

I thanked them for their time right away and requested feedback on my material. No response.

I definitely feel bummed about it. A lil bit about me: I come with almost a decade of acting experience in my home country. Have a meaty showreel and plenty of credits on IMDb. Moved to Toronto a couple of years ago. I do have an agent currently but they submit me mostly for commercials. Which makes me think they don’t have enough reach for television and films. Also, they aren’t a ‘Top agency’. I have done television all my life but the last two years have just gone by trying to break into the industry here. The number of times that I have thought of going back! However, it wouldn’t be fair to my family or to my own self from 2 years ago who landed in Toronto, full of enthusiasm and aspiration to get global exposure.

As an actor, I’m fully aware that persistence and patience are the keys to embracing this profession but I’m getting older and I’m so afraid that I don’t have it in me to keep going anymore. Especially because I’m far away from my home community, my actor friends (who are so proud of me btw and so I cannot even begin to tell them that I am genuinely struggling here)

I would really appreciate any insight, thoughts, kind words etc….anything to support a fellow actor.

Thank you 🙏🏻

Checking in if everyone else is auditioning out here or it’s my rep giving me b.s about industry being slow.

I'm looking for a recommendation for an affordable, user-friendly camera for shooting a short film.

I'm primarily an actor/writer, so normally I would be looking to hire someone with more experience and their own equipment to direct and do cinematography, but I'm going on a trip and was struck with the desire to shoot a short 5 min film while at the destination. I'm hoping to find a camera that is better for sound/image than an iPhone, but not too cumbersome to travel with.

Any suggestions?

I’m interested in doing a Meisner summer intensive, looking at William Esper or Maggie Flannigan.

I’ve seen a lot of comments saying that the intensive is a great intro to the two year program however I know for sure that I wouldn’t be able to commit to the two year program as I have other commitments over the next year.

My question is, how useful is the summer intensive as a standalone? Will I gain enough understanding of the Meisner method to use it and will my acting improve from just the six weeks?

Hi. I have a self-tape due by Saturday for my agency. The scene involves the character laying on his back on the ground (has been beaten/crawled out of a trunk). My friend will read the other part off cam. It’s just a few lines.

Should I shoot it straight up like all my previous self-tapes and let the acting drive it? Or would I literally set up the camera so I’m on the floor? Seems odd.

Mind you, I still have to ‘slate’ after I do the scene.

Thanks!

For context, the content creator is a friend of a friend. He makes travel content with his family, they go to different countries/regions and basically vlog it.

Roughly 150k Instagram followers and they’re trying to get into YouTube more.

They’re looking for someone to voice-over their videos and they wanted someone without any accents, paid of course. They’ve previously used a male AI voice for voice-overs, but it had a British accent.

My friend offered it to me, but I’m a bit concerned about protection over my voice (like if they ever decide to sample my voice for AI to use it forever or whatnot).

I also don’t know how to start for it (contracts, pay-rate, etc.) since I haven’t done any professional acting or voice acting yet.

hey! I’ve been trying to get onto spotlight for a few years, but obviously there’s a few regulations to get onto it. to get on i’m thinking about doing a year-long drama course (one which qualifies) but is there any way to get on without doing a course. Its definitely something i’m open to do and and planning on doing, i just know you csn get on by doing creditted jobs too, which is the method that is more suited to me. But if i need to go back to school i will lol, especially because i feel like getting acting jobs is a catch 22, because you really get an agent until you get onto spotlight, but you can’t really get jobs without an agent unless it’s SA work. Does anyone know any ways to self submit for jobs which could contribute towards my spotlight?

any tips appreciated, thank you :))

I’m currently studying creative media/filmmaking at college. But I also have an interest in wanting to get into acting. What sort of approach do I take so I’d be able to do both at the same time?

I get it, it happens and I am grateful for the opportunity. Often time I can guess I am a backfill when they reach out super last minute and asking if I can fit into pre-selected wardrobe. But them telling me directly in the offer is different. “Our original actor cancelled on us, if you are still available would you like to fill in?” I can imagine myself being insecure on set knowing that they didn’t actually want me.

Sorry, just a rant.

Thanks to marvel, I automatically associate that with the cinematic universe. Casting stated " plus a slate (MCU, name, and role you are auditioning for) "

So...what does MCU mean?

Hi, I hope this is the right place to ask this. There’s an ad from Core Casting at Glassdoor for motion capture actors $50/hour for a major tech company. The company doesn’t have much of a social media presence and I actually called the number which goes to a voicemail that hasn’t been set up yet. Has anyone heard of this? Thank you

What I have realized is that sitting and waiting for PR to just happen, for the movie to get picked up, or just rely on someone to push your project out is a gamble, so…

Months ago I started promoting my own stuff. When I get a role, I pay for my own interviews, articles, social media posts, I even secretly paid for a magazine to reach out to the director to talk about my movie and ask questions mostly about me.

So, anyone has more similar ideas on how to promote yourself and your movies?

So, I am an aspiring teen actor. The only "experience" I have is being in a play back in the 4th grade (lol) and I'm going to be in a musical for my class in like two days. I already have a Backstage account.

So, my dad was pulling in to our driveway and he heard on the radio if he texted "Casting" to a certain number, that we would get a chance to get an audition to be in an agency as long as we were part of the first 200 to do so (we were :) ). My dad, thinking quickly, immediately texted it to the number (along with my really younger sister), filled out the info, and I got an email about it.

I read it, and basically this agency has casted for Netflix, Disney, Nickelodeon, that sort of stuff.

It also said that my audition to be part of this agency is gonna be on a Zoom call on Saturday, with a famous Disney actor, and all they basically said was "Don't be late, dress to impress, and memorize a commercial from your age group in the following chart". I looked at mine and it was a Cocoa Puffs commercial. Here it is: "Cocoa Puffs To keep me from going cuckoo for the great chocolate taste of Cocoa Puffs, I'm going to ride up and down this elevator all day long. 11th Floor, MUNCH!..12th Floor CRUNCH! YES I'm Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! Being cuckoo sure has its ups and downs!" So, I've been practicing for a few days. My dad who is a professional in this kind of stuff, told me to act like myself because I thought since from the script, I had to seem kind of crazy, so I acted like my character, and tried to act cuckoo for it. He told me to be myself, I tried not doing the cuckoo version of the character, and he said that I did well that way.

I'm pretty excited, but I don't really know what to do since I have never been in this position. For example, I don't know how many of the 200 people they are going to admit (I guess is the right word...?) to allow to be represented by the agency, so I guess what I really want to know, is "What do I do?", "How does this work?" that sort of stuff. I would appreciate your input.

BTW the company is called Casting Call Inc.

Also, here are some movies that they have cast for, I haven't heard of a few, but here they are: High School Musical the Series, Loki, Squid Game, the Thundermans, Stranger Things, Riverdale, the Summer I Turned Pretty, Team Kaylie, We Can Be Heroes, Vampire Academy, Never Have I Ever, Vogue, Mavrik, Dolittle, Descendants, Fresh Off the Boat, Girl Meets World, Bunked, Harpers Bazaar, Modern Family, Thor, the Righteous Gemstones, Mom, Shameless, This Is Us, Think Like a Dog, GQ, Yellowstone, Young Sheldon, Kirby Buckets, the Bold and the Beautiful, Euphoria, Sydney to the Max, Star Trek: Pickard
EDIT: The Disney actor I am doing the audition with is Larry VanBuren Jr., just got an email about it

Is anyone else having issues logging in to Casting Networks? Can’t login via app or website. It just times out. This has been happening to me for a while. Sometimes it works but many times it doesn’t. I just keep trying every couple hours until it works. Anyone else experiencing this?

Trying to find student film postings online for roles that I can submit myself for. I am on backstage, actors access, and BU casting (really not a fan of the BU casting website). For months there have been pretty much no roles that I am able to submit myself for and I check literally every day. I’m a 28 year old male and it seems like all of these student film roles are for people in their earlier 20s. If there are any other good websites for student films in MA or anything that people know of I’d love to hear about it. Thank you!

This agency is based in New Mexico. Though it sounds like they like to sign people on a nationwide contract. Anyone have any experience? Are they legit?

They’re on the SAG franchised list.

Hey I really need an opinion on this, I’m asked to play a prostitute as a background extra for an upcoming show. There is no nudity and no touching allowed but I am scared that this will somehow affect my future career. This is only a background role. Should I be worried?

Hi all, recently did a short film which involved both things mentioned in the title and was wondering if putting anything of that nature in a showreel is a-okay or a bit too intense?

I am a fairly new actor, and did my first competitive commecial in February. I received the payment per the rate we agreed on if the advertisement airs (which is much higher than the amount I would've gotten if it did not air). I did not think post would have been fast enough to air the ad by the time I got paid, but today my agent paid me even more for "further usuage."

Does this mean post is done, and if so, how would I be able to find the ad?

(Neither the brand advertised or the production company has posted it on any of their platforms).

Received an audition for a guest star in a SAG pilot, but the character description reads “can play the role of a woman”, which I cannot. (Context of the sides do not explicitly characterize her as a specific gender.)

It was brought to me by my agent. Is it better to decline and chalk it up as a mistake or just do it as my male self and risk wasting everyone’s time? I contacted agent about it but they haven’t responded.

My previous post was me asking for advice on a job that I booked in London. I got a message from them a few days ago saying that I’m of the clients favourite and asking for my availability on a specific date. In my mind I assumed this meant that I would be booked for this job. Today I got a message from them saying the client decided to go with someone else! How frustrating is this to hear, giving me false hope. Any idea what could have happened for the client to say I’m one of the client’s favourite to no longer being selected. Thanks.

Hey all,

Have a question I've been thinking about for some time. I work as a Stunt Performer in Ireland and the UK but my major goal is more acting. I'm curious if I'll be able to transition into acting over time (I do classes with various schools over the years). Do you think I'm going to pigeonhole myself into stunts.

Appreciate the feedback.

Hi there, I'm currently trying to put together a new showreel with more current work to apply for agencies and this is something I haven't come across yet that I don't have a clear answer to.

I was in a music video for a decently large band earlier in the year as part of their lead single, in the video I have a scene with dialogue that plays out. I'm really happy with my performance in this clip and feel it shows my performance strengths, I do follow this clip with a dramatic scene from a short I took part in how ever I can't find a clear answer about if this is a good idea. Do people include these types of clips in their Showreels?

Thanks in advance and hope you are all killing it!

I’m M, 21 living in UK

I’ve been acting professionally for about 2 years but have trained and been involved with acting most my life.

I’ve mainly worked on film and had no issues with stuff like this but when it comes to regional theatre, for the most part, I find it almost unbearably gatekeepy. I went to a show last night full of local creatives and attempted to network after but was only met with disinterest, judgmental looks and ignorance.

It’s so frustrating because all I want to do is get involved and befriend these people but it feels like if your an outsider then you’re an outsider and there is no way in.

I have my own theory on what the issue is. I’m a white male (I am gay but not obviously) and I feel that the majority of people in the regional theatre scene are only interested in “minority” a lot of the top players where I’m from are female or of ethnic backgrounds and don’t care if you’re a white man. I know that sounds ridiculous but spend one night networking with these people and you’ll see what I mean. It’s like if you aren’t enough of a minority then you’re of no interest. It’s such a sad thing because it becomes just preachy activist crap instead of actually good theatre. (And I’m the biggest defender of theatre that sends a message of political value, but like I say it feels closed off to me)

Any other experiences like this?

Hello! To anyone who has used Repunzel...did any agents comment that they could tell you used an email tracker?

I've heard that can be a turn off to agents and that they can tell. But I've also heard of so much success with Repunzel!

Would love to hear thoughts.

Thanks!

Hi,

I am a full ACTRA Member, young actor. I have been with a top agent for a long-time but we ended up outgrowing one another.

I have been doing interviews in my search for agents and I have narrowed it down to a very reputable TAMAC agency, and a very reputable non-TAMAC agency that is well known around Canada. According to a website rankings, they are both in the top 10.

I am really struggling to decide between the two mainly because I have no idea whether I should be sticking with TAMAC or not? Does it make a difference? They also have completely different management styles (like genuinely could not be more opposite).

If you have any feedback on this or your agent experiences I would really appreciate it! Feel free to message me privately

I've only been at this for a couple of years. Don't currently have an agent. People tell me not to submit to any agencies until I have a reel, but you can't put together a reel without speaking parts, which you typically can't get without a reel. The classic work catch-22.

The other day, I received a message via Casting Networks that an agency was reaching out to me about possible representation. I've gotten a few of those before, which I usually ignore, because a quick Google search of the agency's name+"scam" usually tells me all I need to know. This time, though, this agency didn't come up with any scam results, which actually made me more suspicious. I looked them up on the SAG website, and this agency is actually SAG franchised, which is a good sign, as far as I'm aware.

Is there still a possibility that this is a scam, even though they're listed as SAG franchised? Why would a legitimate agency reach out to some rando with no reel and next to no noteworthy credits? Is that a common thing? Or did I possibly just get lucky and I'm filling a particular "type" niche that their roster might not already have?

recently watched the actor Charlie Wright known for playing Rodrick in “Diary Of Wimpy Kid The Long Haul” a movie that was not well received, Charlie getting a lot of the hate now I think he did great in the movie, however he stated that the negative attention the movie got hurt his career. Is this the case for other people can being in a bad movie kill your career?