/r/acting

Photograph via snooOG

This is a Subreddit where anyone and everyone who is interested in the art of Acting meet up. Here, we are a community, a family of users who help each other, share interesting topics and from time to time, organize AMA's!

PLEASE READ THE FAQ BEFORE POSTING


Acting Info


Casting Websites/Breakdowns & Auditions

U.S.--national/regional:

Atlanta specific:


Books & Plays


RULES

  1. You must read the FAQ before posting.
  2. Any posts/comments deemed insulting, abusive, or trollish will result in a temporary subreddit suspension. Repeated or flagrant violations will result in a permanent subreddit ban.
  3. No memes or comedic image/gif posts, please.
  4. Looking for a monologue? Please read this post first and be sure to follow the guidelines therein if you still need to post a request.
  5. No unsolicited links/ads for classes or services. We do encourage you to mention specific classes & teachers or services if someone is asking for referrals.
  6. If you are looking to hire actors, we welcome the opportunity, but please be as specific as possible about project/ audition. If your project is for-profit and you are not paying your actors please do not post here.
  7. If someone is looking for feedback and you hit on them or simply tell them they're pretty, you'll get a temporary subreddit ban.
  8. Any posts looking for headshot/typecasting/branding/age range feedback should be posted in the Thursday headshot sticky or /r/headshots. Any posts not following these rules will be removed.
  9. If your account exists solely to promote your own content, it will be treated as spam.
  10. No Politics. This is not the place to discuss what political things actors say or do in their personal lives.
  11. No Defamation or Baseless Accusations. Read this post for details.
  12. No crowdfunding/begging for money; we are not your financial aid.
  13. No bad faith behavior. Bad faith behavior can include combative argumentation or statements intended to disrupt others’ points of view rather than engaging with them, attempts to provoke others into being caustic, making derisive remarks that add little value, or otherwise participating in discussions to the detriment of others. Making extreme unsubstantiated claims or sharing materials that are low in substance but high in outrage may also lead to removal.
  14. No discussions about nepotism; this has been covered in great detail here. Click here for recent, great discussion on the matter. Or, use the Search bar to find further reading on the topic.
  15. No reviews from new/unused accounts (unless you first verify your identity and the facts with Mods beforehand).

This is a place for artists to:

  • Discuss the mechanics of acting technique (Adler, Chekhov, Meisner etc.).
  • To troubleshoot performance blockages.
  • Discuss solutions for character enhancement or realization.
  • Assist with on-set and on-stage etiquette.
  • Discuss the business of the craft.

Offer your advice with imagination, honesty, and empathy.


Relevant Subreddits

/r/Theatre
/r/Shakespeare
/r/VoiceActing
/r/RecordThis
/r/TechTheatre
/r/MusicalTheatre
/r/TheArtifice
/r/ScenesfromAHat
/r/ActingNerds

/r/ActingPorn

/r/acting

121,396 Subscribers

4

Do I bob my head too much?

I just got my scene work back and although I’m happy with it I can’t help but notice of if I bob my head too much? Any thoughts are appreciated.

3 Comments
2024/12/04
03:04 UTC

7

How do I tell my parents I want to be an actor

I 17 (M) am really interested in acting as a career but I’ve sort of pushed this dream aside up until now so my parents don’t really know about this. They’re somewhat strict (particularly my dad) and both want to see me succeed. So I’m quite worried about telling them, since I do understand how it may come off as a wild and unrealistic goal, and since I’m a teenager a random whim. But I do genuinely think it’s the career that would be most fufilling. Plus I’m afraid they may disapprove of me going to college and majoring in something acting related since the plan has been for my family to pay for college and they may think it’s a waste. How do I go about telling them in a way that makes them take it seriously?

19 Comments
2024/12/04
01:12 UTC

5

Aqua talent- over 2,000 clients for one agent??

I've been looking into Aqua and I'm intersted in submitting but I found they have 2k clients for one agent!!

I don't have an agent so I can't afford to be super choosy... but what are the chances this agency would be beneficial to sign to having SO many people?

15 Comments
2024/12/04
00:53 UTC

3

Vocal Warm Ups

Hi!!! Can anyone recommend good vocal warm ups for the throat? I am a live on air host as a day job and my voice is SHOT after a 3 hour long live. Also, when I am acting sometimes I feel like my voice gets really tired sounding and raspy and would love to vocal warm ups to help prevent this! thank you!

1 Comment
2024/12/04
00:37 UTC

6

This is my first time ever acting. How good or bad did I do? How can I improve? I'm the main guy actor with the black sweater on.

4 Comments
2024/12/03
23:21 UTC

3

Is this a good script to screen process?

Hi guys, I have a film to shoot in March, it is one that requires a lot of empathy and emotional depth. It therefore requires a lot of empathy for me to connect and serve the role and story truthfully. Below I’ve attached a process on how I’ll plan to get there from here till then, please let me know if there needs to be more, if the steps are perhaps in the wrong place, or if things aren’t necessary.

1.) Reading the script and pulling out all the juicy information. Using the W’s: what, where, when, why, who? Etc.

2.) focus in on my character from the script. Who are they? What do they want? How are they going to get it? Who do they know? What are their relationships? What’s their spine? Etc.

3.) from the character information go deep into research. Find articles, interviews, reports, books, stories etc. that allude to this characters life and struggle.

4.) with all this information, write out a full biography of the character right up until the start of the first scene.

5.) hotseat my own character for more information, what’s their favourite food? What music do they like/listen to? Whats their moral compass? Etc.

6 (and onwards.) develop a physicality and vocality for the character. What animal would they be? (and morph that physicality into a human) Where are they from? (What accent do they have and study and work on that accent till it feels comfortable and natural)

7.) further script analysis: find objectives, establish POVs, flesh out relationships etc.

8.) absorb the script. Knowing the lines like the back of my hand. Know my character and the scene so well that it allows for improvisations (if the director allows for it).

9.) start improvising in different situations as the character, alongside other characters if possible.

10.) Let go of everything and be completely open to the moment of the scene, as the character.

4 Comments
2024/12/03
22:59 UTC

2

Oddly Specific Question Regarding Credits

Hi, I hope you all are having a spectacular day!

Last year, I did a vertical format show for "Pocket FM". I signed a release form, where one of the terms was that the producer agrees to provide credits. One of my co-actors sent me an Instagram link where multiple episodes that we had shot had been released.

So, I reached out to the local production company asking what is happening with the credits. Their first response was that the original client and production company decided to not claim credits and wrote the show off, and that it is currently not on air so they aren't able to do credits for it. I emailed them back with links to each of the episodes that are on Instagram, thinking that they weren't made aware of this by the original client. However, their response was that they aren't quite sure how to credit Instagram videos on IMDB and that they're open to suggestions. They also said, "IG doesn't equal to being on air. The series has been taken off their app."

Who draws the line that the same content being on an app is it being "on air" but it being on Instagram is not? Moreover, does this loophole not create environment for exploitation where a production company may say they're deciding to scrap the project, but they end up releasing it on a social media platform without credit to cast & crew?

Please advise how (or if) I should proceed forward with this. Please let me know if there is anything you need me to clarify regarding this situation. Cheers!

6 Comments
2024/12/03
22:14 UTC

4

THOUGHTS ABOUT AN AGENCY

Recently came across Exclusive Artists Agency! Wanted to know if anyone has heard of this agency and or has any reviews of them???

Let me know your thoughts!!!

7 Comments
2024/12/03
22:02 UTC

9

Is Backstage right for me?

I've been perusing this sub and seeing a lot of similar posts (sorry!), but based off my experience level and location, I would love further intel.

I am looking to get back into acting after being out of it for awhile. I am about an hour from a medium-sized city, but my hometown is a big city. Realistically, I'll be in my current location more. I am hearing that Backstage is good to get that experience for those starting out and AA is good for those who may not be in a populated area. Would love anyone's thoughts on this as I would love to take advantage of the Backstage deal they're currently doing!

6 Comments
2024/12/03
21:57 UTC

2

Feeling Stuck in my career - HELP! SOS

Hi lovely folks! This is my first time ever posting on reddit, especially on this thread lol- so bear with me as i navigate this. Please be kind to me and each other <3

Lately I have been feeling stuck and complacent in my career. I'm wondering if more experienced actors/folks who are really good at the business side of things would be able to help me out with some advice or strategies? Hopefully this ends up helping others too! Edit: I don't mean to be indulgent in myself lol I just feel like my situation is specific and I just love to give context to be understood properly.

A little about me for context: I graduated from a BFA program in MT in 2020 (woof) as one of the few latinas at my school. So needless to say, I'm already getting into the industry in a rough spot. I moved to NYC early 2021, hustled for 8 months until I got my agent in the fall of 2021. Working with them (at first) was great- I was getting tons of appointments, call backs, holds, final call backs, etc during 2022. This was mostly when my goal was "Broadway".

Anyways, in 2023, the goal was similar, I was even working for half of the year at different theaters, under-stuyding principals, going on for those tracks, etc. As I'm coming into myself as an actor and an artist, I'm discovering what I'm being sent out for isn't really resonating. For example, I am a girl in her 20s who can believably play 18- why am I getting an appointment for a character in her 40s-50s? When I respectfully asked this question to my agent, their response was "Why should you care? It's a non-union tour?". I hopped on the phone with them, explained that I believed I would get cut, given the part just isn't "right" for me. My agent asked me to go anyways and I did, because an audition is an audition, and guess what: I nailed the audition and...yes... got cut. No tea no shade, I just knew it wasn't right for me. This situation tended to repeat itself frequently.

Towards the end of 2023, something changed. I've always been a lover of acting and story telling first and foremost, I'm also someone who is very motivated by my gut instinct. My gut was telling me that MT just isn't it for me anymore, and I was feeling a call to focus on my acting skills and become more of a "straight" actor vs. an "MT" one. I give my agent a call, let them know about where I'm at, tell them I want to focus on film/tv, they said they love this new "era" for me. They tell me to take class, recommend a few places, I tell them yes yes yes and we hang up. This phone call was in December of 2023, I have not gotten a single appointment for any tv/film projects to this date from them. I asked for my submission report in the summer and for the last three months they have only submitted me to theater- MUSICALS, after we had our conversation. I had a follow up convo with them asking why this was happening and they didn't have a real answer for me.

I self submit like crazy, update my AA, self tape frequently, all that jazz. I've been in acting class pretty much all year, directing a world premiere of a musical (directing was my minor in college) and even booked and shot a vertical short last month (a start). I get tape requests for lots of tv/film projects, so I know I am marketable in that industry and I know I am good at it. I feel like I am being gaslit into thinking wanting to make this switch is crazy.

Long story short, is this normal agent behavior? Every time I ask them a question, they either only answer half of it or don't respond at all. For instance, just yesterday I asked about updating some of my clips on AA, asking them if using a good solid tape or two to supplement my skinny on camera reel would be good for now until I book more? They haven't responded and probably never will. Is this not a question for an agent? If the answer is no, then for who?

I am a pretty self aware person, I would like to think, and I am not needy or pushy when it comes to my agent. I send follow up emails only after a few days or a week passes, I always email/text before I call, I try to be considerate. They have also told me they prefer me to be annoying and over communicate vs. nothing at all.

I know, if given the chance, I could be on SVU, Equalizer, etc, to start. A casting director I work on/off with even got me an appointment for Equalizer. It just feels like my agent either doesn't believe me or maybe doesn't have the connections they say they do? I know things take time, but I feel like only getting one appointment, for theater, from my agent all year is pretty crazy- or is everyone in a similar boat? I want to feel like there is momentum in my career, even if it's slow or takes time.

Am I not acting the way a client should act? I know I am new to the industry as a whole, but especially tv/film- after a strike mind you, so I'm trying to keep the circumstances in mind.

I want to feel more in control of my career and don't know where to go from here. Do all agents act this way? Is this normal? I know agents have lots of clients, I know I'm not the only one, but it kind of feels like my agent isn't.. trying? I am open to another conversation, but it feels like that's all I've been doing lol.

If I do try to get a new agent, how would I go about it? I feel like lots of agents want you to already have co-stars on your resume when you submit to them. I'm feeling a little in the dumps about it all. I have no idea how to get started- I understand theater but am brand new to the film side of the industry so I'm learning as I go. A goal of mine is to move to LA within the next 4 years, so there's that to consider too. I also originally got my agent in a very non-traditonal way so I'm a little green when it comes to seeking new reps.

This post is kind of all over the place, but any advice would be so so helpful. I want to stop feeling stuck in this place. Just looking for some guidance and actionable steps from my elders/peers. Thank you for reading, I know it's long lmfao.

5 Comments
2024/12/03
21:33 UTC

6

practicing acting outside of class

from a non-working, non-represented, beginner who is just getting off the ground; are there any things you can do in your everyday life to excersize or build your acting skills while you're not in acting class?

7 Comments
2024/12/03
20:51 UTC

2

Anyone in Seattle taken classes at Freehold theatre before? Would love to know your thoughts on Meg McLynn, Carter Rodriquez, or Josh Kenji. How much of it was warm-ups and exercises vs doing scenes with partners or improv or Meisner?

Would love to know what you liked and didn't like, and who you would recommend.

2 Comments
2024/12/03
20:04 UTC

5

I feel like I’m never In character any advice?

Ive acted my whole life I’m currently 18. I want to be come a truely great actor but I always feel like I’ve never been in the moment and I’m always thinking of what to say next any advice how to get deep into character? I know so many people my age who are deeply in character and just become the character I was curious if anyone else has this problem and how were you able to get into character?

11 Comments
2024/12/03
19:19 UTC

4

Talent agency

Has anyone dealt with Wink Talent in Michigan? I applied for representation, got an email back stating they would rep me and set me up with an account on their syngency website. I had to give them no money or anything like that. Did a bunch of looking into them and they seem legit. Only thing I think is weird is I haven’t signed on with them (like a contract), and other than a generic email, haven’t personally been reached out to by my agent. I at least figured I would have an interview or at least a phone call. They have not even seen footage of my acting.

3 Comments
2024/12/03
18:28 UTC

2

Casual photos?

I’m applying to an open casting call and they asked for “a few casual photos”. Could anyone explain and/or give a fee examples of what they mean by casual? This is my first time applying to an open casting call so any advice is welcome. Thanks!

4 Comments
2024/12/03
18:26 UTC

1

I’m looking for a script of A Search for Signs of Intelligent life in the Universe

I have found some scripts and monologues online, however none of them are consistently the same. The words are different for each one. Also any good performances that I can watch online? On Lily Tomlin’s website she has the script but it’s quite different from the play version

5 Comments
2024/12/03
17:54 UTC

2

Richard III at the Lyric Theatre Belfast.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
17:32 UTC

1

Acting school

Hi, I’m a French highschooler. I want to study abroad (anywhere in the UK or in New York bc I have family here). However, I don’t understand how the application system works. Also, I was told the equivalent to Parcoursup was UCAS, but there’s so many options, I don’t know what to pick! Do I pick everything? Anyway, I need someone to help me get through this who know about it better than I. Thanks!

2 Comments
2024/12/03
17:25 UTC

3

Readers for auditions

How do you all go about finding readers for auditions? What is a constant struggle you face when trying to find someone to read with you?

8 Comments
2024/12/03
17:14 UTC

3

Been signed for a few months and nothing

So I’ve been signed to my agency for a few months now and they have submitted me for a bunch of things but I’ve gotten no auditions or self tape requests. Is there something I can do? Should I message them? Or is it truly just a waiting game?

6 Comments
2024/12/03
15:51 UTC

1

Call For Submissions

Final Edit-

Thanks to those who have sent me DMs! I will look over everything and respond to every message I get, it might take me a minute but if you reach out to me in good faith I will respond in kind.

Also, I just got off a call with one of the agents I work with and I told him a bit about my quest for new talent and why. He reminded me that few agencies are actually SAG-AFTRA franchised anymore; most opt to solely join the Association of Talent Agents (ATA). The point is, I need talent that has legitimate, industry-known and recognized agency representation.

2nd Edit— to clarify, I need talent that has NYC and/or L.A. based SAG-AFTRA legitimate agency representation. Sorry that was unclear in the original post.

Edit. Some bullet points about me:

-I lived in NYC for 20 years, during which time I was an agent's assistant, then an agent, then a manager. I lived in L.A. until 2023, then moved to a different part of SoCal. Two of my past clients have won Tony Awards for acting (while I was repping them).

-I completely get why the community would find this suspicious, but it truly is not a scam. I no longer live in NYC or L.A. and therefore it is difficult for me to scout talent live. Why not on Reddit? I'm sure there's some brilliant actors on here looking for support.

-I need to bring on a minimum of 3 new people, and again, they must have SAG-AFTRA legitimate agency representation. (This has to do with securing access to certain software-as-service subscriptions only reserved for entertainment professionals on my side of the desk who need a certain number of talent on their roster to qualify.)

<end edit>

Hello. The mods have vetted this for authenticity. I have been in the business for roughly three decades. Currently I am a talent manager and I used to be a talent agent. I am looking to bring on some new clients. My sole requirement is that clients must have SAG-AFTRA legitimate agency representation. Besides that, I'm open to considering any working actor who wants an extra voice of support and advocacy on their team. I have had some success on the theatrical front; clients have been nominated for and have won Tonys and other awards, etc. I am not as connected in the realm of film/tv but my goal is to expand my reach there, so I'll be particularly interested if your resume has recent and relevant film/tv work. To be considered, please your send materials (pic/res/reel/etc.) via any cloud link to my DM. If I want to take the conversation further, I'll be in touch. Thank you.

16 Comments
2024/12/03
14:08 UTC

1

BASIC QUESTIONS + HEADSHOTS/TYPE/AGE-RANGE WEEKLY MEGA THREAD

Please feel free to ask any question at all related to acting, no matter how simple. There will be no judgements on questions posted here. Everyone starts somewhere.

We have a FAQ which attempts to answer basic questions about acting. [Have a look]( https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/wiki/index), but don't worry if you ask something here that we've covered.

Also, 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.

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. Non-professional shots are fine for age/typecasting, but please keep in mind that one picture is a difficult way to go about this. Video of you moving and speaking would be ideal, but understandably more difficult to post.

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.

1 Comment
2024/12/03
10:00 UTC

5

I think I fucked up my submissions :/

So I'm mixed race. I'm middle eastern and white but I'm pretty pale and not stereotypically middle eastern looking. That being said I look very northern Syrian/turkish and "ambiguous" depending on my hair and tan and makeup.

If I have my hair naturally wavy with some curl gel and go out I get people speaking to me in French, Russian asking if I'm Brazilian, Colombian, Slavic etc. Even my nail tech who's an immigrant didn't think I was American.

So I read it's smart to put ur ethnicity in the subject of an email to an agent with ur age to grab their attention. I'm NOT a POC obviously but I put that im ethnically ambiguous in the subject line and mentioned I'm middle eastern in the body of the email.

However, bc I got my headshots in winter and the light was so strong I look VERY pale, and not as ambiguous as I do irl. I'm nervous that this could be off putting "click-baity" to agents or perhaps overthinking.

could this hurt my chances?

13 Comments
2024/12/03
07:55 UTC

77

Jace Veal, who played “Young Loki” in “Loki” Season 1, is currently facing homelessness at 17 years old. He left his home due to abuse, and unfortunately, social workers have not been helping him.

7 Comments
2024/12/03
07:16 UTC

8

Can my Agent/Manager see every photo I have uploaded to AA?

I’m in the middle of seeking new representation. My rep told me a while ago they didn’t want me to get new headshots, but I did anyway. I want to have these uploaded to my AA profile for others to see (separate from my AGENT’s AA profile for me) but am still wondering if they would be able to see that I have them uploaded to my personal account. Just not sure how much crossover there is between your agent profile and your own.

5 Comments
2024/12/03
03:40 UTC

0

How illegal is it to lie about being 18 or over (I am 16) when auditioning for professional musical theatre roles that specifically say that performers must be at least 18?

I can't find much solid info and I'm based in Australia

16 Comments
2024/12/03
03:17 UTC

13

Getting over self consciousness

I am not an actor, but i’ve always loved the idea of acting. I used to love performing when I was younger but as I got older I stopped myself from doing things like that (lest I be seen as flamboyant).

Deep down I think i still want to get into it, but any time I try I stop myself. I can’t fully give myself into playing through anything — it feels humiliating and I hate that I feel that way.

I suppose the end goal would to be able to ‘act like no one is watching’, which feels so alien to me, but I think it would be a shame if I let my shame stop me from ever seeing where this path could lead.

Does anyone have any experience with this? How did you push through it? What kind of steps did you take?

9 Comments
2024/12/03
02:22 UTC

1

Suggestions for acting scenes with accents or character voices?

American acting student looking for a two-person scene that needs to have accents or character voices. I’ve mainly been looking at scenes from film or TV series to use in an acting class. We are male and female scene partners but we could also do a scene with two men. Any suggestions?

Some ideas I’ve had - LOTR (Frodo and Gollum or Sam and Gollum), Harry Potter (Harry and Hermione or Harry and Ron), BBC Merlin or Sherlock, Bridgerton. We’re just struggling to choose a specific scene so far and open to either comedy or drama. I’ve been mainly looking at British accents but we’ve also talked about strong Northeastern US accents (New Yorker, Boston, New Jersey) or something like the Godfather. Any favorite scenes to recommend or advice is much appreciated! Thank you!

1 Comment
2024/12/02
21:21 UTC

1

End of year gifts?

In previous years I've gifted my agents/managers a small gift card to Starbucks for the holidays. Wondering what other people have done or are doing this year! Do you guys give anything to your team?

2 Comments
2024/12/02
22:38 UTC

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