Acting forums, all in one place

19,193 posts from Reddit, Stage 32, the Backstage community and Delphi, newest first. Every title links out to the original thread.

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Is it possible to work as both a background and principal actor?

I live in NYC and I believe I’m SAG eligible with 3 Union vouchers but I’m waiting until I’m a must join so I can take some classes then build up a reel and resume. I know background work is a different thing from principal work but I was wondering if anybody has been able to do both? I get booked as a lot of different…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Do I Need A Reel To Apply To Actors Access Jobs?

I’m a young actor in Chicago and I’m just starting my career. I want to apply to things on Actors Access but they always ask for a reel which I don’t have. My question is, can I use self tapes I’ve recorded in the past for a “reel”? Or should I avoid it in general and just apply without a reel?

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

SAG Eligibility question

I’m a background actor who has gotten a few roles that have granted me TH waivers. I have 3 TH waivers currently, which I understand makes me SAG eligible. I’ve just been offered another role which would be my 4th waiver. Would this 4th waiver make me a must join? Looking at the SAG eligibility checker, it says I’m sti…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Secondary Theatrical Agents

Question for you all! I live in LA and am rep'd here with both a theatrical agent and manager. While I've had a handful of auditions, work has been slow for me and I know a big part of that is that as an actor with so few credits and studios currently seeming to be unwilling to take risks on no-name actors, I've turned…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Anyone worked for The Dinner Detective?

I've been studying acting and improv for over a year and have just freed up time to audition for some simple roles. I was approached on backstage by The Dinner Detective for an audition. The teacher, cop, detective is one of my main archetypes so thought this might be a good opportunity to start developing the characte…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Any Brits in Canada?

Im Looking to make a move towards the end of 2022/early 2023 ... I figured its very hard to get a O-1 for the states (I have solid regional and European touring credits in and a few Short films but after attending a load of seminars I realised its a little far off) and would love to work a little more in film, however…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

acting audition websites lowdown?

Is there a consensus of what websites are best for an actor to use, is there a lowdown of differences between actors access vs casting frontier, vs, backstage, vs. ??

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

My parents tell me I can never make acting a full career, are they right?

Recently my school has wanted us to really think about our careers, and something I love more than anything is acting. I’ve played in a dozen musicals or plays, drama club member since the 7th grade, never feel anything more amazing then performing on stage. My parents have always been supportive of all my acting stuff…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Do agents like persistence?

My against is also an actor He said he will help with making a demo reel and find scripts for me to join his commercial division. Every so often I'd ask him about the scripts and I know they are busy so I tend not to spam or prod a lot. So my question is do agents like to see persistence? He said he liked my persostamc…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Need a little acting class advice..

So, I’ve been in a couple of different acting schools during my years in LA, one of which I did 2 year full conservatory program. But since I always wanted to learn the Meisner technique, I started taking classes at a Meisner school a while ago. The beginning classes was really fun. Learning a new technique was sooo ex…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

I want to become an anime voice actor, any tips?

I have seen a lot of English dubs in anime, and I kinda wanna get myself involved with voice acting in dubs. Do any of you have advice or any tips on what I have to do before I can attempt to be an actor at Funimation or something like that.

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

How to get over voice anxiety

So I'm trying to work up the nerve to record my voice so I can start doing storytime animations. I have everything set up, but I've been having a lot of anxieties about recording my voice I know that this is something that a lot of people deal with when they first start out, but in my case, it's a bit more complicated.…

Reddit

Reddit · 27 Oct 2021

Help with demo reel

Anyone know of any good companies out there that can help out with my demo reel. Or better yet are there any pro voice actors here that could help me out with it? I have one put together but would like some professional opinions. Thanks y'all!

Reddit

Reddit · 26 Oct 2021

How have directors given you notes between takes?

I'm directing my first short soon. After watching a few videos, and reading a few directing books, I'm seeing that it's a good idea to pull an actor aside to give them notes, instead of in front of the other cast and crew. I’ve seen many posts, videos, essays, etc. on using the right words, and speaking the actors’ lan…

Reddit

Reddit · 26 Oct 2021

Is this a real offer?

https://www.famestreet.com/cgi-bin/members/pm.cgi?action=display&login=id-fantastic-ww&session= Hi, so sorry if this is a very stupid question, but I’m a teenage boy and would really like to be an actor someday. I found this listing in class to be an extra in the new fantastic beasts (sorry if that’s wrong, I’ve never…

Reddit

Reddit · 26 Oct 2021

How to deal with an ensemble mate in a bad headspace?

To give some backstory, I am in Uni for theatre acting, we are a few weeks away from performing our play, and it's clear that one of our ensemble mates is in a really bad headspace, obviously I'm not a therapist, and depsite majority of us in the cast being pretty close with one another, I dont know everything about th…

Reddit

Reddit · 26 Oct 2021

Genuinely at a loss for how to move forward.

Yes, it is the same story as everyone else’s. I’m from a small town that’s an hour away from any cities. Even the bigger ones have little to no market outside of local commercials (which are EXTREMELY competitive- no agent, no audition). There are five reputable theatres within thirty miles of me and they rarely cast m…

Reddit

Reddit · 26 Oct 2021

why are you an actor?

I’m curious because my fuel for acting is something that’s changed so dramatically since starting college, graduating 2 yrs ago and then again during covid lockdown. What’s beyond “I just love it :)” like why though? Or “I love storytelling”, again why? I’ve been investigating. Right now I see acting, especially doing…

Reddit

Reddit · 26 Oct 2021

Can I voice act under a different name?

I'm interested in getting into voice acting, but my birth name is just so plain sounding. I know that other actors have stage names and writers have pen names. Is there anything like that for voice actors? If so, how could I be paid under it instead of my birth name? Would I have to make a whole new bank account for it…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Acting Resources & Tips in England for American Actors

Hey guys, I hope everyone is doing well so far! I’m looking for some advice regarding acting in the UK. I shall be staying in Newcastle Upon Tyne in Northumberland from January until May. I’m very excited about my trip and my goal is to get into acting for British film and tv during my stay. I was wondering does anyone…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

How long should I remain on first refusal before reaching out?

I'm new to all this, and I received the following message from casting after a small audition for a really small, 1-5 line role, in an Indie film (non-union, with established indie actors confirmed). This was sent to me after my audition, on 10/19 (6 days ago). Filming is for late November. "At this moment our Director…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Publicity recs for mid-level actors ?

One of my regrets after booking a marvel series was I had no publicity when it came out. (I was a no name) / I just got my first major part in a film (you’d know the company) and I’m hoping to get some kind of publicity when it comes out - I know I can’t go to the big dogs when it does come out Bc I ain’t no A lister b…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Uk actor wanting a change

I think this is probably the best place to ask for help so here it goes. I am an actor from the UK and (as the title of the post says) I am looking for a change. I would love to move to the US and become something I can be proud of. I’ll get to the point now and ask my question. Are there any agents that I can contact…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Please can someone offer some advice or an opinion? My acting anxiety is so bad that it's hindered my ability to act to the best of my ability. I feel so lost, confused and hopeless and don't know whether or not to move on.

So in a nutshell I have a decent boutique/mid-level agent but I'm not getting self tape requests/auditions for scripted TV/film. Each day it gets to 6pm when the offices close, I check my emails and there's nothing. It makes me feel so low and like I have no future in this job if I can't even get auditions, and makes m…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Benefits of living in LA

I already live in LA so I don’t see any reason to leave. What benefits are there to being based in LA as an actor? Most actors I know are from New York so I know a lot more about that world. Are there any specific things in LA to take advantage of that other areas can’t offer?

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

On adult content

I saw a quote on Twitter in regards to BDSM erotica that I agree with (being in that lifestyle). Not verbatim but they said something along the lines of “that this is a form a theatre, a different style of actors, and a more layered form of sex”. I’ve come “out” as kinky this year and notice a lot of actors are in that…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Actors on Anti-depressants?

Hey guys I was just recently diagnosed with OCD (something I’ve suspected for a while) and though I just started therapy the idea of meds is already on my mind. I have a lot of friends who are on meds and it helped them a lot, but the thing is none of them are actors. I was talking to my psychologist about this and he…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Unionizing at the Regional level?

Since the rules for unionizing have changed recently, I am curious… Say, for example, the entire pool of local talent in a Regional community all start to unionize (all who are able, given the changes.) Would this be a good thing long term? ~~~~~~ I’ve had some conversations with other actors in the theater I am curren…

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

How to get insurance as a actor?

I'm a non-union actor in LA, and I'm looking to reduce my insurance costs. Unfortunately, I'll need to purchase my health insurance plan. Has anyone worked with a broker or other organization to help me out? Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this...

Reddit

Reddit · 25 Oct 2021

Do I need a good sounding voice to become a voice actor?

I’m really interested in voice acting atm and am really inspired by Robin William’s genie performance in Aladdin. Am I able to learn to improve my voice or do I already need a good and nice sounding voice? I’m 17 and sound like an ordinary British teenager, is my voice able to improve?

Reddit

Reddit · 24 Oct 2021

East 15 in the UK Alternatives

24 y/o female auditioning for drama school here! I’ve had my heart set on East 15 for a while as I kind of always believed it was one of the best low-tier drama schools if that makes sense? Objectively and factually, I am a rada and lamda quality actor, but the “ease” of somewhere like East-15 sounds very attractive. B…

Reddit

Reddit · 24 Oct 2021

Can't find any roles to submit for, is my only option to make my own work? (27M)

This post will mostly be an industry rant so I apologize. It just seems like there is nothing for me to submit to on backstage or even actors access. Most of the stuff now is just useless for reel experimental silent student films, dating shows, background roles, paid to play showcases, and other stuff in that realm th…

Reddit

Reddit · 24 Oct 2021

Monologue advice for Pride and Prejudice audition?

Hey guys! This is my first audition after literal years away from acting/theater (since HS, though I took an online acting class during COVID ‘20). It’s for a local theater doing P&P and they’ve asked us to select a comedic monologue. I was wondering if it would be incredibly tacky to select a funny monologue from anot…

Reddit

Reddit · 24 Oct 2021

Why would someone want to join SAG by doing Background Extra work?

I don’t understand why someone would want to join SAG/gain eligibility through collecting background vouchers? Out of the few ways to join the union this seems to be the most amateur/“disingenuous” to me. It’s not nearly as impressive as actually booking a principle/speaking role on a SAG production, there’s no compari…

Reddit

Reddit · 24 Oct 2021

3 Pieces of advice I wish I could have given myself 10 years ago

I've been at it here in LA for over 10 years. Now, I'm getting ready to move. Honestly, so relieved. I thought it'd be a fun post to offer three things I wish I could have told myself when I was getting my start in lala-land. (Maybe you can comment with yours?) Here we go: 1) Subscribe to Backstage or as many casting s…

Reddit

Reddit · 23 Oct 2021

OG Short

Hi all! Fellow actress here (wearing multiple hats like many of us do in this industry). I have been focused on making my own content and wanted to share a short that I co-wrote and produced as well as starred in (I’m wearing the orange striped shirt). Would greatly appreciate any feedback, like/comment on the video, o…

Reddit

Reddit · 23 Oct 2021

I turned down an agency and want to know what you think

I applied to a good agency that seemed perfect for me. They responded one month later and the discussion went great with them so I said I wanted to sign with them and they seemed pretty happy about it. They told me they would send me a calendar so I can share my availabilities and never did. I sent them a message a few…

Reddit

Reddit · 23 Oct 2021

Be real with me

This is my (21f) Throw away account for presumable reasons. Ever since I was young, i dreamt of being an actress but i never acted upon that desire becuase i also wanted to be a marine biologist. Yes, I feel like every child goes through this because the idea of it sounds fun. But now that im going on 22 , I feel so lo…

Reddit

Reddit · 22 Oct 2021

I haven’t sought representation because of my day job. Is this a mistake?

Hi guys, I’ve been studying acting for 3 years (2 in person, and then taking a few online classes throughout the pandemic). I haven’t sought commercial or theatrical representation because I didn’t think I was ready in my training, but also because I have a 9-5 day job and I didn’t want to waste an agent’s time by havi…