r/acting

This is kind of a mix of asking for advice and asking for feedback! I submitted a self tape today that I felt went well…. And then 12 hours later I was lying in bed trying to sleep when I realized that I definitely pronounced a character’s name wrong. I said it twice in the tape (1 scene, 2 different takes), and now that the damage is done and it’s already submitted I’m wondering 1) has anyone else ever made an embarrassing mistake like that before? And 2) how much do you think something like that weighs on casting? I definitely feel very dumb right now, especially because I had googled the pronunciation of the name earlier in the week and then totally swapped it in my brain! Any thoughts/advice/personal stories would be appreciated as I try to stop obsessing over this lol!

What do you think? Tell me

I have spent most of my training and early career doing stage work. Projecting, filling space, making sure the person in the back row feels something. It is honestly the only mode I have known for years.

Recently I have been doing more oncamera work and selftapes, and the notes I keep getting are some version of do less. Which I understand intellectually. But when I am in the moment it still feels like I am being lazy or giving up energy, even when I watch back and can see the tape looks fine.

I think the hardest part for me is that theatre rewards a certain kind of aliveness that reads as big. Camera rewards a different kind that is quieter but still has to be just as alive underneath. I keep trying to find that internal dial.

For those who made the transition from stage to screen, what actually clicked for you? Was it a specific exercise, a class, just repetition of watching yourself back? I feel like I am close but something is not fully landing yet.

Not looking for the obvious tip of just think smaller because that genuinely does not help me. Curious what the real turning point was for people who have been through this shift.

Is it possible for an agent with an Imdb pro subscription to add a profile pic to your imdb page? (even though you yourself are not a pro subscriber)

Hello! I’ve been looking for courses to improve the way I speak for acting, but most of what I find is either motivational content or tips for business presentations.

My biggest weakness is articulating in general so I’m looking for YouTube channels or courses that actually teach things like voice projection, diction, articulation, vocal expression, stage presence, and exercises I can practice.

Free or paid is fine (even though my budget is not that high) If you’ve found something that genuinely helped you become a better speaker or actor, I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Thanks!

Any fellow industry members have insight on making the jump from NYC to LA these days?

For reference I’m both SAG and AEA, a trained singer with several feature scripts in my screenwriting portfolio. NOT a musical theatre actor. Screen actor who sings.

Lots of discourse online about how much location matters in the current industry climate but as a screenwriter I’m wondering if living in LA would be better for networking/getting my foot in the door and finding like minded individuals. Many say “just live where you want to” and yes have already given thought to the new studios being built on the east coast. Also given thought to the fact many say EPA’s these days don’t cast much they are just mandatory and casting is mostly done via self tape.

I’m asking specifically from a professional standpoint as there are pros and cons to living in both places. Been living in NY for several years.

Thank you!!

I’m nervous as hell. I’m about to step into hair and makeup then set. Everyone has been really nice so far but my costars have actual acting resumes and this is my first film ever. I’m terrified of missing a queue.

Im 18 i went to my first theatre workshop today. I've loved theatre since I was a kid but I didn't have opportunities either in my school or in the city I live. So this is a small thing, but huge for me because it took me soo longggg. Just felt like sharing here.

Also today i realised I don't have stage fear, but I have the fear of being judge by people😭🥴

So yeaa, taking small steps towards my acting journey

I’m 19F, I’m very nervous.Any advice?

I started keeping a log of the miles that I use to go to acting classes, auditions, callbacks, to by props and wardrobe for auditions and to going to sets. 2 questions that I have: 1- Can you deduct grooming like haircuts, beard trimming and manicures and 2- Is it better to deduct the miles or is it better to itemize your expenses?

Any advise TAX wise for actors will be deeply appreciated

Long story short, I gained a bunch of weight due to liver issues and the liver issues is actually what pushed me on this path (life is short).

I am feeling very nervous about my photoshoot today. I worry that I will be wasting my time and money. I found a photographer for $300 and I decided to also spend a little more to hire a make-up artist so I can feel more confident when I actually go in.

Also, because of how fast my liver issues progressed, my doctors are putting me on medications that will likely make me lose a large amount of weight in 1-2 years. So I also worry that this photoshoot would be a waste of time because I will likely book more jobs then.

Since I am very new and haven't even taken any lessons or even have acting experience, I am wondering if I am putting the cart before the horse by getting headshots done. Thank you for reading!

I'm a mixed-race (Eurasian) actor, who speaks English and Chinese fluently. When I decided to pursue acting a few years ago, I was really excited because there seemed to be an influx of projects about people from mixed backgrounds, or projects that were looking for biracial/bilingual actors. A lot of professionals I met told me I had a great niche because of my look/heritage/language as the industry was becoming more diverse. But it seems like those projects are already kind of going to the wayside? Does anyone else feel like that's true? Diversity in big roles seemed to be up briefly and is now down again. Am I just being cynical or is this really the case?

Hi all,

Looking for some advice from you amazing people. I’ve gotten some great notes in the past from this subreddit and I’m wondering if I could lean on some words of wisdom again.

I’m going to do my first ever chemistry read early next week for a play and I’d love some advice. First of all; does it matter what I wear? I know there’s always a “nod to the character” but what if your character is dressed in something you can’t really nod to? Can I wear whatever makes me feel confident?

It’s the same scenes from my initial audition though they have rewritten a lot of lines so it’s kind of like a completely new scene. What else would you recommend besides knowing my lines?

I’ve never worked with another actor in an audition situation, but I’m going to read opposite two different actors for the same character; do I need to change up anything? Maybe do it one way with one actor and another way for the other?

I guess I’d love to know aswell how do chemistry reads tend to work? Of course the chemistry is important but is there anything that surprised you initially before you started doing them?

How do I stop it? Is there anywhere to report it? Look, as a young woman I do like the change IC have brought to our industry for the most part - overly involved ones aside - but does anyone else hate the lack of screening around the regulating of them? I’ve just heard that one of the most deeply unethical people I’ve ever met - who essentially harassed an entire cast and was fired for it - is training to become one. I dread them wielding that much power over people in vulnerable positions. Ugh.

I’m an actor and theatre student and I’ve been getting really into German theatre lately (Brecht, epic theatre, post-dramatic, the German director-based approach to reinterpreting text, etc). Does anyone have recordings of German productions I could watch, or recommendations for where to find some? If you have reading recommendations that’s great too, but I mainly want to be able to see performances in action. Feel free to DM.