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So I'm newish to screen acting, and other than a few commercials, I've been in a few short films and even had a supporting role in a local indie feature.

The short films were all for a film challenge and all of them were completed and screened publicly. I have been having such a hard time getting the footage from the directors, which sucks because I mostly did them for the footage (since it was a film challenge, it was unpaid, but I knew there would be a quick turnaround time unlike with feature films, which can take months to years to finish).

I guess I'm wondering how to go about requesting the footage without annoying the filmmakers to the point they don't want to work with me again. I loved being in the films, but honestly, I probably wouldn't have agreed to some of them if I thought I wouldn't get literally anything for them (one set didn't even provide snacks or food or anything and it was an all day production).

So far, I've asked each director 2/3 times. Once during the screening 2 weeks ago (after congratulating them and catching up) and then with follow-up texts and emails.

After a lot of research, I've decided not to proceed with an agency that offered me representation. I sent them some questions about the contract and they basically yelled at me over email. I've heard they don't have a great agent-actor rapport. They wouldn't answer my questions about the contract unless I called them, so I shot them an email saying I would call them soon, but now that I've made this decision, I'm wondering if I should decline over call or email? Does it matter? I don't want to be rude.

I’ve booked my first acting class workshop and it’s pricey and I don’t think it’s manageable to repeatedly pay for more acting classes priced at $500 for 6 classes. The acting class that I’m going to is called LB acting studios. Is there any decently priced acting classes that you guys recommend?

The past month I was excited and celebrating booking a small part in a SAG feature, first ever I would have ever done. Just got the email today that my role was cut. Never even went on the set. No clue whether to laugh or to cry or anything. Just feel incredibly defeated. What a horrible day.

Basically the title, but what would you recommend, applying through the agency’s website or finding an agent’s email and applying directly by email?
Some agencies have multiple agents, and I’m not sure who it’s best to apply to. I’m a bit confused and don’t know what the best approach is.

Hello everyone,

I have been a living historian exploring the experiences of the British soldier during The First World War for quite a number of years and I have been lucky to have experienced quite a few opportunities including being an extra in a couple of films.

I have recently found myself being asked to take part in a number of events giving an audience an insight into the life of a British soldier during The First World War.

I have recently realised that although I have all the uniform and equipment and the knowledge to wear it and the training and proficiency in marching, being able to use and operate a rifle, bayonet training, trench routine and all the basic knowledge that a British soldier would have had, I do not have the character and the deeper knowledge such as Edwardian slang and that authenticity I feel to bring my character to life.

I have recently been involved in an event portraying the casualty evacuation system during The First World War which showed the British soldier going into action, being wounded and then going through the evacuation system. I have to admit that I felt that I was not portraying the character right and I was hoping to perhaps get some advice in regards to bringing a character to life that people can really associate with a follow as well as some advice in regards to giving an accurate portrayal of a British soldier.

The Battle of the Somme: Dressing station,

Ran this by the mods first and they gave me the go-ahead to post.

I shoot corporate headshots for a living in Newport Beach and I'm building out an actor headshots side of my portfolio. So here's the trade: I shoot your actor headshots, completely free, fully retouched, and you keep every image from the session. In exchange, you let me use the images in my portfolio.

I'm here to help you, but I'll be straight with you: this obviously helps me too. That said, I mean it when I say I want to hand you something you're genuinely proud to submit. You're getting the same effort I'd put into a paying job, not a rushed freebie.

There's no cost by default. We can shoot at my home studio in Newport Beach or do an outdoor natural light session, whichever fits the look you're going for. If you'd rather use a professional studio space instead, that's available too: we'd split 2 hours for $80 total, $40 each, no hidden fees.

Open to men and women, any age or look. If a minor wants to participate, a parent needs to be there the whole time, no exceptions.

If you need updated headshots and a trade like this works for you, comment or DM me and we'll connect to find time.

Hi!

I saw a commercial that I was in that finally came out on Instagram. Since I don’t have the original clip could I screen record the video and post it on my page? I see a lot of my actors friends do this way but I’m not sure if I’ll get in trouble like copyright infringement. I was thinking of crediting the ad agency or client. Any tips?

Just curious what others experiences have been!

Hello Pittsburgh actors. I'm a new actor and I wanted to get you impressions on Donna Bellajac's acting classes. If you've taken and classes there, esp. the beginning course, I'd appreciate and info you can provide. Thanks!

Anyone else feel like some of these One Day Guest spots are essentially co-stars, but they just wanna get actors who won’t do co-stars to audition? 🤔

Hi guys! I’m this has been asked before. I received an offer for a management company in LA

This is their clause about exclusivity/term. Photo attached. It basically doesn’t say anythugn about leaving early.

Thoughts??

Hi! I got interviews and a few offers from these agencies (commercial). My experience is mostly stage on the east coast and I know some consider these "lower tier agencies" which is totally okay with me since I'm just getting started with working in LA :) would love to know people's experience with any of these agencies!

I’m an actor, it’s all I’ve done and I’m good at it. But now the only jobs around me are internet tiktok style commercials.

They have no direction at all, the scripts are AI generated, and they already have a video of someone else doing it from a video they stole so there’s no actual acting going on. They just want me to copy the video of some talentless prick who clearly doesn’t know how to act.

And now they won’t even hire me because they say my videos didn’t get a high click rate.

I want to act. Not drown with no money while I’m dripfed AI scripts and told my acting isn’t in the ‘tiktok style’ (shit)

There is litterally nothing else I want to do with my life but now I don’t want to even do this either

Very curious. I live in the bay area but there’s basically none for short films except a few times a year. Like maybe 5 times a year lol.

Hey all, I've run into this before and always get kind of in my head about it, and I'm wondering how you all handle it.

I had to cut my hair and grow a mustache for a show I'm doing, and I have a couple of auditions coming up in the next two weeks. And when I say cut my hair, think going from full hobbit-hair to clean-cut office guy look. I have some shots with short hair, but they're 5+ years old at this point-- my shots with my longer hair are about 6 months old. In addition, I don't have facial hair in any of my shots.

How do you all handle this? Try to rush getting some new shots? Just explain in the room? I know it's maybe not the biggest of deals, but like I said above, I always get in my head about not looking like my headshot, and I'd prefer to not have it on my mind.

BTW the auditions are EPA appointments I've signed up for, so I don't have a direct line to the CD or producers to give them any kind of heads up.

Frequently on set, I've heard background people say that the moment they joined SAG they stopped working as much. And I've been hesitant to join for that reason.

Does anyone have any real world experience with the transition from non-SAG to SAG to elucidate?

This is under the premise that one is doing predominantly background work.

Pretty much the title. Which one would actors who started out with very little connections consider the best?

I have had a sub in backstage and gotten a couple things off that but have hit a bit of a wall considering that they are not a ton of projects in there.

For reference, I am a white female minor in the Chicagoland area if that matters.

Hi there! I’m 16, male from Ireland. Ive joined multiple casting websites the last few months, uploaded my own headshots, not professional ones, details etc, however I can’t seem to get noticed at all, is there anyway I can get noticed easier? There Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of work for actors my age at the moment. Is there somewhere I could send self tapes or monologues for professionals to critique?

I've had 3 SAG commerical auditions this month that have had less then 24 hour turn arounds. 2 were self tapes and one was an in person audition, like my agent texted me at 11am for a 4:30pm audition time. has anyone been experiencing this?
i'm in LA for reference

Hi everyone!

This is my first post, but I need advice on a recent set interaction.

I recently did my second background experience on a feature film set and spent about four days total shooting. It was an amazing atmosphere and I made some great friends with the production team! One of them, specifically being the Key Background Coordinator, who has worked on multiple movies and is well respected across multiple agencies.

He was very kind, put me in many shots and had a banger back and forth. He made the experience lighthearted and even would pull back on the monitor clips of me and my scene partner that they got stills of.

When I left set for the last time, him and some of the team are coordinating people onto the buses, and while I’m saying bye to him- he stops and says:

“I wanna ask you- do you want to do this? (meaning film as a career)”

I replied, yes of course I do.

and he hands me his phone, to put my number and contact info into and says “I will contact you for future stuff, put in your name and the recent project.”

I was so happy, even if nothing came of it, just the sheer kindness of saying that.

I’m now trying to understand what to do now. After looking up and seeing how fast this industry is, I just wanna find his contact info, say thank you, give my measurements and info- and leave it be. That’s what atleast the internet and forums say. I’m just unsure, plus, I don’t know how to find his contact info.

What should I do?

I read an old essay years ago and it randomly came popped into my head today.

Laurette Taylor , one of the great stage actors of the early 1900s, most famous for originating Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie had a simple theory for great acting: watch a kid making mud pies. They're not performing for anybody, they’re just fully absorbed in turning dirt into cake that you start believing it too.

Pretty simple. Imagination and doing.

We’re all born with this ability.

Then the common problem of getting stuck in your pops up because you started worrying about doing it “right”

Basically, I think good actor training should follow the Yoda rule…. You must unlearn what you have learned.

Which is kinda the whole the idea behind independent activities.

Rebuild your innate skill before you throw on the extra weight of script and character work.

Thoughts?

Hey everyone,

I'm a 2nd year college student and I do a lot of acting with my college theatre group. I really want to break into screen acting, but I can't travel for auditions right now, and honestly there are zero casting calls or auditions happening in my city anyway.

A senior from my college who acts in web series gave me some advice recently—he told me I should just start putting my acting out there on social media. It made a lot of sense to me, but I'm pretty stuck on where to actually start.

In theatre, we're always given a script or a topic to work with. On social media, you have to do everything yourself from scratch.

So I wanted to ask:

what kind of content actually works for actors online?

Should I post short monologues, relatable comedy, character studies, or dramatic scenes?

And how do you guys come up with original ideas when you have total creative freedom?

Would love any advice or ideas from fellow actors/creators!

so back in my home country i have connections to the industry but it’s so bad its just influencers and ads and i can take the easy path of becoming an actor or should i do the harder part study acting in new york and then become an actor based in new york?