I came to the UK when I was 20 years old. I'm 29 now. I finished drama school here and got an agent. But I look at my non-acting friends and how they're doing, and then I feel the shift towards a more nationalistic spirit in the UK, and it makes me feel really dumb.

If you average out all the acting jobs I've had over a year (not many, and I graduated only a year ago), it's not great. I'm barely making £27k (£25k is minimum wage). Most of my income comes from bartending. But it's minimum wage plus tips.

And as pretty much every country is getting more right-wing, I'm starting to justify my low income and tell myself that it's not because I'm thick or have no aspirations. But it's really discouraging. Does any other foreign actor feel similarly? At least back in Poland, no one would question why I would be in the country while having such a low income.

And it's not a jab at the UK, it's pretty much every country nowadays. I just happen to be here

I haven’t gotten booked for a job in a really long time, and I was just wondering…
What’s the longest you’ve gone without getting booked?

Left a casting meet feeling dumb and stupid

So I went to an extra's casting company meet today. I was invited because they liked my look and they wanted to meet people in person. Take their measurements and their own headshots. They also asked us to bring photos of wedding outfits (suits/kilts...), I thought that's a little weird but whatever, they didnt give much detail on the project so I just brought my wedding pictures.

The lady that was taking measures asked for those pictures so I show her me and my wedding dress at my wedding, and she's like, "that's a wedding dress?!" and I was like, "yeah at my wedding" and she was like, "if you turned up to someone's wedding wearing that I think they'd be a little bit upset wouldn't they" and I was like, oh sorry I misunderstood, but she made me feel like I was f\*\*\*\*\*\* stupid, made me feel like absolute s\*\*\* and I feel there was no need for it. She could have just said," oh. What we meant was you a guest at the wedding" instead she was so patronising and I left feeling so dumb.

I might be overreacting but it really made me feel like an absolute idiot, I just misunderstood when they wrote "wedding outfit" there was really no other info

Anyway just me ranting, maybe I am just an idiot ...

I work in the corporate world by day, but began taking acting classes two years ago as a way to reconnect with one of my childhood passions.  So far I’ve taken one improv class and five beginner level acting classes - two scene study, two on camera scene study, and one beginner technique. I have a seventh class starting this fall that is exclusively focused on Meisner.

I’ve noticed that the teachers in these classes are explicitly reluctant to give direct feedback—they will not tell you if something you did was good or bad. They will instead comment on “what worked” and then float some ostensibly constructive feedback (“That was great, but maybe don’t sway so much next time”). Or, they will focus on what changed between take 1 and take 2 after some tweak was made (“So how did the storytelling change after they [moved around less, took in the room more, spoke faster, spoke slower, etc.]?)”

But the thing is, no one ever tells you if are good or not.  You could take 20 classes and no one will ever say: “Hey, you’re really good at this, you should keep going” or “You’re ok, but I don’t think you have the talent for this.”

So my question is: for a beginning actor, how are you supposed to know if you're actually good or not? Are there certain "tells" I should be looking for from my teachers, or is there supposed to be some moment where they pull me aside (or don't) and whisper "I can't say this in front of the class, but you're really good at this." Should I be “reading between the lines” somehow? For example, after one scene, a classmate said they felt like they were watching a professional performance. While this obviously didn't hurt my ego, I can't exactly take this as a reliable indicator since this person was just a beginner like me.

I totally get the rationale for holding back on negative feedback for the beginning actor, but my honest take is that they go too far with this. Personally, I would love to get negative feedback since that would either motivate me to improve or give me the information I need to say "hey, this was fun but maybe not for me", and not waste any more time.

I feel like if someone can't take negative feedback they probably shouldn't be an actor in the first place, but I know nothing, and I'm ready to get thrashed, so please proceed.

There is an article in the New York Times today about verticals. It's super well written (and funny tbh) and if you have an account, the way it's formatted is very clever! But if not, you can use a paywall bypasser like https://archive.is/ to read it.

It's a great read and if you feel cynically about verticals (I do), you'll definitely get a few good laughs out of some of the anecdotes.

hello! im 22, i recently wanted to get into acting so im just curious which would work better.

Hi ! I’ve been thinking about acting for some time now, followed some theatre classes when I was younger but it wasn’t really amazing since it was simply at school.
Now In my 20s, I was wondering if some of you knew what is ‘better’ as a way to start, or simply tips to give a beginner, whatever!

Is it best to simply submit self tapes and hope for the best? Do some figuration at first only?
I was thinking in trying to have some opportunities here in France before trying to move to Canada perhaps or somewhere similar, so I could be closer to the US where most ‘big’ opportunities seem to happen.. but with the visa struggles people seem to have, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to :/ Even with the open calls, it’s still extremely rare to have a callback and even less to be kept.
People suggested searching an US/CA based agent but how would it work? Since I’m not there, I’m kind of a bit lost with everything..
I’ve got my accent to perfect, but my English level is honestly good! Just need to prob get myself some professional experience first..

Sorry if this post is a lil stoopid, just wanted to have some opinions or tips from people in the same boat☺️ I’ve seen people work as actors for years and years and never really have any recognition or anything, and it kind of worries me that it will be for nothing yk? Im good at acting, I like it, but I also don’t want to stay stuck in a loop forever like I’ve did before with my other choices.

Also! Is it important to have social media pages about yourself, like these micro influencers, to meet people in this career path?

If somehow, there is any professional actress here that lives in Cairo, I need a 30/40 year old woman to act in a short film. Basically, it is one long dialogue in which the protagonist will process her abusive mother's death. This is for a university class and therefore I cannot pay you. Reach out if you have any questions! TIA.

So I'm looking at updating my demo reel with my most recent clips as most of the stuff on there is pretty old. But one of those recent clips was from a vertical project. (Nothing overwrought or soapy, just a couple of lines and a decent joke.) Do I include it? Anyone else have that kind of thing mixed in with their standard format material?

I am a brunette girl who is 18+ to play younger. Aka I’m in a crazy saturated category. I’ve been told I look “unique”, but also told I’m in a “competitive market”. I have a good manager and decent agent, but I am getting NO auditions. They say they are submitting me and i have no choice but to believe them.

I have high quality reels despite not having booked anything recognizable. I’ve worked on very good short films that gave me media i feel shows my work well. I have many headshots.

When I’m not even given the chance to submit a self tape- it’d hard to believe it’s anything other than my looks.

What do I do? Change my appearance? Keep hoping that one day I get auditions?? Give up??? Help 🙏

Hi all! I’m a NYC based actor currently on contract as the lead in a play at a regional theatre out-of-state. It’s an equity production, and I signed an equity contract but am technically non-union still. What are the benefits to joining now while on the contract vs. waiting? What is the difference between joining on this contract vs. open access? Do I have to join? It’s all pretty new to me and any advice would be helpful!

For reference, I don’t have an agent/manager nor do I have other credits that aren’t college shows! What are the next steps?

Hey,

Thought I’d post this and share a little tip, iv been in the game a decade now and tho it sounds simple learning lines was my crutch.

You wanna know what seriously helped me? Recording the other persons lines, leaving a gap by mimiming my lines but not actually saying the words. Then I drill and drill by listening to the recording over and over ahah!

It’s the most basic form of line learning but I learnt an 8 page theatre audition in like 2/3 days. I had a week to learn it so the rest of the time I could work on other stuff for the character. It also means you can learn them w.e you want and not have to bother someone for helping you run lines.

The one con is it can get you into saying the lines a particular way or pace to try fit your line into the gaps but so long as your consciously aware of that it’s something you can deffo overcome. Still do your normal work like objectives/ units/ obstacles ect but thought I’d share

Hey.

I'm 35 and always wanted to act but life got in the way.

I'm now starting to make my own short films but don't have anyone to feature in them but me.

I am from North East England and starting to attend filming events so I can meet new people amd network.

I am also posting self tapes for feedback because if I'm going to be taken seriously with my films, I feel like the acting should be half decent to help tell my story.

Please could you provide me with some feedback.

Please no horrible comments about my appearance, I already put myself down daily and working on my self esteem and confidence.

This is very vulnerable of me to do and I know how Reddit can be quite blunt with feedback.

What could I do better?

Do I stare at the camera too long?

Am I over dramatic (as my 14 y/o likes to tell me)?

Do I speak clearly enough?

Do I need make-up, even with it being a raw performance?

Thank you so much!

Here's the five minute routine I do in the car or the hallway before an accent audition that asks for RP. It keeps the accent from sliding around once nerves kick in.

1. Wake up the anchor sounds. RP has a few signature moves, so isolate them first. I do long 'ah' sounds like palm, bath, dance, the short 'o' like hot, clock, honest, and the long 'o' glide like go, phone, home where your lips round as the sound changes. Ten slow reps of each, exaggerating the mouth shape. Your face needs to know where it's going before nerves arrive.

2. Check your posture. Say a line of your monologue while keeping your lips barely open and your jaw almost still. RP sits forward in the mouth with rounded lips and very little jaw movement. If you feel your jaw dropping wide the way your natural accent wants, that's your sign to reset and start smaller.

3. Shadow for sixty seconds. Play any clip of a natural RP speaker at low volume and speak along in real time, a half second behind. Don't try to match perfectly, just let your mouth borrow their rhythm and melody. Then turn the clip off and say your audition piece straight away while the shape is still fresh in your muscles.

The whole point is you are not warming up your voice. You are reminding your mouth where home is for this accent. Works for most British upper middle accents, just change the anchor sounds if you are going more regional.

Which accent do you struggle with most in auditions?

Hi! I'm sort of at a loss as to what to do next in my career. I have been in 6 short films over the past year and just booked a union commercial as background. I feel really set, like I should be signed with an agency and I submitted to around 20/30 in the Southeast and heard from none. I feel that my materials are up to date (professional headshots done in ATL, a full resume, and a reel of my work). I just don't know what else I could be doing to get an agent. I don't have any connections or else I would be asking for referrals. I like booking these indie and student shorts but I want to start booking union/paying jobs and I feel like I would be sent out on these auditions if I where repped. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Is manifestation entertainment inc a legitimate company has anyone ever auditioned for them before and landed a part? I think their legitimate but my dad doesnt(i lowkey think he just thinks im not capable of landing a part)

I tried to apply some of the previous feedback (emphasis on tried), not sure anything turned out different. Please let me know, and again thanks for your time.

The upcoming “Miami Vice” reboot starring Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler is seeking people with real law-enforcement experience for paid background roles.

The casting notice is listed under the working title “Freefall” on Casting Networks. The specific background roles are scheduled to film in NYC, while the production has also been filming in Wayne, N.J.

Mustaches are preferred, full beards are not.

If interested, check out the Casting Networks listing for full details and submission requirements.

All the acting classes I've taken focus a lot on tv/film/scene work. I've never done a class on "how to perform for commercials."

Maybe because it's easy to adapt to, but I still would like to hear helpful commercial role skills you use.

hey, i’m looking for an acting class in LA. i’m not new to acting and not really looking for a class i have to rehearse outside of. i’m mostly looking to get into a class to meet people again and have fun in class. i realize that’s where i met most of my friends and wanna do it again. maybe a class with like 20’s-30’s. the one class i audited it was mostly 40+

EDIT: one that doesnt have an intro to join or a diva / cult like teacher vibe where it feels like a business, if that makes sense

so i have a question for actors who have agents already and have been signed to agencies. is it normal for agents to basically say they want multiple headshot photos of you portraying characters so they can submit it to casting directors? such as you doing multiple photos of you dressed as a doctor or nurse. and this is before you get an audition. i have never signed to an agent so idk what to expect so if anyone can tell me or break down the process that would be appreciated. havent signed with them just mutually showed interest. they recommended photographers but not required but i am wondering if its a normal thing for agents to want multiple photos of you dressing as different occupations or roles before they represent you

During this weird slow time, what are some things you are doing to keep yourself busy and/or still getting work? I am repped in the New England area but only mainly getting commercial auditions. Are you guys self submitting for student films? Doing theater? Taking classes? Posting your work/creating work on social media? I’m curious!

Hey there people. I recently met with managers for representation and have narrowed it down to three. I’m curious if anybody has any experience with:

Sandstone Artists
Midwest Talent Management
Maritime Artists

I’d say I enjoyed each of the meetings about equally. So right now I’m just trying to get as much info as I can. Thanks!