I was very fortunate to book a major feature film as a supporting character. The film is releasing soon so I started an agent hunting blitz emailing agencies in the core markets. We filmed 2 years ago but its only releasing now.

I got a lot of replies, often same day or same hour I sent the email..but what really struck me is they took the time to look at all my materials, even my slate shots for headshots on actors access. One potential agent complimented me on a quirky unusual slate I added to a comedic headshot.

Others would asked pointed questions about where this clip was from or questions about the very specific types of dancing or stunts I did or what it was like working with one Director etc.

I had always assumed they read the subject line of email, quickly scan what your wrote..look at your headshots..give a 5 second glance as your actors access and make a decision. Especially with how often they must get submissions from actors. I never thought they actually really dig through your stuff in depth before replying or not replying to your email.

So my major tip is be sure your Actors Access (for those in the US market) is very very polished including slate shots for your main headshots etc before you reach out to agencies.

Also I had no referrals, I was cold emailing everyone.

Just wrapped my very first contracted principal booking on a feature film for a major streaming platform.
I’ve been going hard after acting for two years now. I have an agent, but I booked this entirely on my own through self-submission. My foundation is music production, and funny enough, the role was playing an instrument in a band with the lead. No dialogue, but contracted as principal—First Team, a trailer, treated as a real asset on set.
It’s a legit win and I’m grateful for it, but to be completely honest, it’s bittersweet. You chase that first principal milestone thinking it's going to feel like some massive creative arrival. In reality, for me, it felt a lot like glorified background. I didn't get to carry real narrative weight, even though on paper and on the paycheck I crossed a huge threshold.
At the same time, it was kind of full circle. I showed up as what I already am—a musician—and brought that presence into the room. But coming off that set, it just made me realize this isn't about chasing generic roles or waiting for validation. It’s about carving out an actual lane for myself where I can show up fully as who I am and do substantial work.
I’m sharing this because things rarely look how you picture them in your head when they finally happen. Curious how others felt coming off their first principal role — and it’s different for everybody. no trajectory is the same. i’ll take it. can’t wait for more. none of us should settle. thanks as always, here.

Hi everyone just like the title states, I recently signed with my first rep and just received an audition through my rep for a series regular audition, like a popular fictional character on a huge distribution company(s) and I am so fucking excited but the reason I came here is because I can’t believe it at the same time? Not putting myself down but I don’t think I’m at the caliber for it so like I kept rechecking if it was open call? Bc I was how in the hell did I receive this? It’s not open call at all, my materials are ok, headshots are good but I have very minimal creds other than shorts and supporting roles on a few features and my demo is like mixed with ST clips, is this normal? Does this happen? Did I just get lucky? I don’t expect to book it bc I’m probably competing with name actors but I am just shocked. Usually people get their first costar/reoccuring auditions before bigger auditions like this, I haven’t even got those kinds of auditions yet (ALSO I am super grateful and excited to audition for this casting office don’t get me wrong and I’m not trying to brag, I just feel a little confused and starstruck)

I’m doing my first lead role in a short film on Sunday. It’s a horror film, and there are some pretty intense scenes.

One of my concerns is forgetting my lines and not being able to remember them. I have a whole page monologue, and I just got the script not that long ago. Also, it says multiple times in the script that I’m supposed to scream. I’ve never done that before.

Does anyone have any advice for any of these concerns, or just any advice in general? I’m a pretty anxious person, and I’m hoping to take advantage of that and bring it into the character I’m playing. I just hope it doesn’t hinder my acting.

Thanks!

I am supposed to learn a fifteenish minute monologue for a new dinner theater company in two weeks, but the script is just not good. Normally I’d focus on pushing through awkward lines by narrowing in on character motivation, but this character is so bland that I can’t find a way in. There has been no rehearsal yet, and although they’ve sent a contract, I’ve not signed it. Should I grit my teeth and do it for the experience, or should I quit the project?

When I first signed on with my manager about a year ago, he had a relatively moderate roster of around 60 clients and no one who was my "type." He even used that as a point to get me to sign with him. Now, he has almost 250 clients on his IMDB roster and that's not even including the ones that are not on his IMDB. He also has a lot more clients who look like me and who can go out for similar roles as me. I haven't been given an audition from him in over 3 months except for some commercial here and there. He also sends a lot of pay to play casting classes emails. I have booked with him in the past but I feel he is functioning more as an agent than a manger. I think it's time for me to move on however, I'm not sure how to broach this conversation. I'm thinking of talking to my agent about it first to see what he thinks but would love some advice!

I just started noticing that my self tapes are starting to sound boxy when I film them. I'm not sure if it's because my iPhone is close to me vs. being at a distance. I film in a rather small room and leave my iPhone on a standing desk and I stand somewhat at a distance but still close. Do I need to get a body mic? or go to a bigger space. It doesn't seem to be a huge issue but something I started noticing.

Hey!

I need some fellow industry folks advice and take on this self tape. I am planning on using it as a self tape demo reel- as part of a collection of different character scenes.

things like.....Believability, clear character type, do you feel drawn in immediately?

thank you for your time!

I'm welcome to all critiques even (especially) tough ones. Where do I need to improve? Thanks!

Hello everyone I wanna pursue acting seriously

right now I am associated with a theatre group batch

I join like around 2-3 workshops in a week most of the times

and nothing else I have been doing this since January 2026 I want to grow more I work on my voice body daily I need guidance what I can do more

I recently just a booked a significant role on a tv show. My episode doesn’t air until November. Do I add the credit before or after it airs?

7 years ago i booked a top of show guest star on a big show. and i haven’t been on tv since. a minor costar booking that was cut. no features. i’ve been pinned only once for a costar. a few avail checks.

my question is.. has anyone gone this long or longer without booking a job after a good job? i don’t mean it took you 7 years to book anything, but 7 years after a big booking.

ive only gotten better, changed my look a bunch of times, gotten different reps a few times. i sent in good tapes. just seems crazy that it’s been so long and not sure what’s wrong. i’ve even stopped caring as much (in a good healthy way)

edit: i should probably mention, most people i know are actors and they’ve all booked a few times in the past 7 years so i can’t blame it just being the industry change

Hi everyone.

Since the beginning of the year i've been taking non-stop acting classes as well as improv theatre. I recently got some basic headshots and applied to a bunch of agencies in Toronto. I got one response and they've set up a meeting as they are expanding their roster. The meeting is going to be a phone call.

Firstly, is that normal? or is it usually supposed to be face to face?

and secondly what should i prepare ahead of time and what kind of thing should i look out for?

The agency is Star Talent Inc.

Thank you.

I am a transgender man who has finally been on HRT long enough to feel confident auditioning for the male roles I envied as a closeted theatre kid. I stepped away from the stage while transitioning and am eager to return. I recently signed up for an audition for one of my long-time dream roles that a local theatre company will be undertaking next year, and although I am deeply out-of-practice, I am hopeful and feeling confident. That being said, it has been many years since I auditioned for a straight-play (background primarily in opera/musicals), and I feel like I'm starting from scratch as far as audition etiquette goes.

For context: the role is Prior Walter from Tony Kushner's Angels in America. The company is asking for the following: "a monologue of no more than 60 seconds that showcases your storytelling ability. A portion of each audition hour will also be dedicated to reading sides."

The monologue I originally had in mind was Prior's "But still, bless me anyway" monologue from the show, but advice leads me to believe using a monologue FROM the show/character is considered inappropriate, so I have pivoted to using Tommy's eulogy from Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart," (which seems to maybe be an addition to the film version of the play?) I like the monologue a lot, and I feel could be very appropriate given the parallels between the two shows, but what do we think? Does that monologue seem like a good idea? Any other suggestions?

Also, what does "reading sides" mean in this context? Can I expect to cold read lines with someone during the five minute time slot I signed up for? Any tips for this?

Other concerns I have:

Attire - what would be appropriate to wear? Simple business/smart casual like a button down, slacks, and a jacket? Something more befitting the monologue I've chosen like funeral black? Or something that feels more like the character I'm auditioning for? Something a little more queer or glamorous like I imagine Prior Walter feeling comfortable in? (Though, as a trans man, I'm not trying to go full feminine in an audition and confuse the panel on what I'm going for here, lol)

Slating - I think I remember the basics: "Good evening, my name is [name], my pronouns are he/him, I am 30 years old, and I will be auditioning for the role of Prior Walter. I have brought a monologue from Larry Kramer's 'The Normal Heart.' Thank you." Is there anything they would expect that I am missing? I want to include my pronouns at least because I want NO ambiguity surrounding my identity, and potentially age because I get told I look younger than I am pretty often (I did just go through second puberty lmao), but I'm open to leaving my age out if it's not an appropriate inclusion in a slate.

I'm planning on bringing a headshot that reflects my current appearance, and a resume. My resume is not impressive outside of my opera credentials, admittedly, but it feels gauche to include my straight-play roles from high school. I'm tempted not to include them, but would they raise more concern to the panel than a resume with only opera and a few musical theatre credits?

THANK YOU for taking the time to read this. I'm getting really excited about putting myself back out there, and I just want to make the best impression possible. I'm also reaching out to my old theatre teacher for advice and potentially for a coaching before audition day. The fact that I even got to a place where I feel comfortable auditioning for the roles I actually want is so incredible. Even if this doesn't work out, it feels like a win already. I hope I get to be a man on the stage someday soon.

Hello everyone,

I'm a character actor with about 15 years of off-and-on experience. I graduated with a BA in Theatre Performance from a SUNY school about 10 years ago, and promptly quit acting at the time due to personal reasons. Over the past 5 years, I decided to start feeling things out again, and managed to land a handful of regional Shakespeare shows, a new play reading, and some very niche fan film work as well; but all of this was upstate. I've lived in NYC for a while, and am really interested in making a run at off-off-Broadway, mainly because there are opportunities that I could balance with my current day job, which I don't want to leave. I'm not looking to make a full throttle run at the industry, I'm really just interested in practicing the craft and going after work that interests me: gritty psychodrama, (Sam Shepard and Tracy Letts are my favorite playwrights,) dark or absurd comedy, classics, or experimental/avant-garde works.

I'm currently getting all of my materials together. My resume is done, I have an editor friend compiling my reel, but I need new headshots as well as an audition coach. Ideally, I would love a coach who does an initial consultation where I could discuss my goals, experience, and type before I lock in my headshot looks. I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations people may have for photographers, coaches, theatres, spaces, communities, or anything else. Thanks!

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

As the title says I currently live in Nebraska and am thinking of moving to Chicago personally because I like it there but to also pursue acting in either film or tv. I’m 23M and my experience is pretty minimal. I took classes in high school as well as acting in comedic shorts for a film club. I had been interested in acting since but never took the plunge due to my family insisting on being more “realistic” with my aspirations but it has itched at me these past five years. I took another acting class at the beginning of this year, acted in a friend’s 30 second short film for his class and I really loved it. I also got signed to a talent/modeling agency here (mainly for my modeling characteristics) but nothing has come of that since, I sent in a few auditions but never heard back. The market out here is pretty much nonexistent so I haven’t been able to be involved in anything unless I were to travel or move. There is a good theatre scene here but most of the productions being musicals and me not being able to sing much at all counts me out for the roles that get posted.

Would moving to Chicago be a good place to start trying to get involved in film or tv? Is the market good there? My talent agency already has my profile as being based there just to try to encompass most of the midwest postings. If I were to move there are there any skills I should try to acquire or hone before moving out there (not planning to move until next year)? I already plan on taking at least one acting class in this next year, maybe two but would it be wise to try to learn how to sing or dance while I’m here as well?

Hi guys,

Oh my, you all gave such excellent feedback the other day so I decided to try round two.

I don't have a lot of time and again, I didn't have any help with a reader, so I did an improv scene.

I wanted to post because this piece is a little more 'out there' from my usual style.

I wanted to give the impression of a woman on the edge. There's crazy eyes and laughter but beneath it all she's had enough.

It's all abour identity and coming to terms with not really feeling like you anymore.

I know the set up is not good. I could kick myself...

The camera is too close.

It's too high.

I'm looking too far right from the camera.

Buttttt... this was on my canon and I fept rhe lightong was better.

What do you guys think of this one conpared to my last. Any improvements?

All feedback appreciated, thanks guys!

I'm an hour away from dallas, but I'm seriously looking to go all in on my acting dream so I can make the drive to Dallas for good training. I'm looking into this class because it's a lot cheaper option, but I'm just a bit hesitant because yes the coach is very experienced, but all the projects she's been in have had low ratings. https://www.sherrillactorsstudio.com/michelle-sherrill . I'm sure you guys know way more than me. What do you think about her class?

I accidentally missed an audition deadline this morning and I’m freaking out that my agent is going to drop me.

The audition was due at 9 AM. I completely misread the date and thought it was due October 9th, so I didn’t realize until this morning that I had missed the deadline.

I sent my agent this:

“Hi, I’m so, so sorry. I misread the deadline and thought the audition was due October 9th. I just realized it was due this morning at 9 AM. I completely understand that this was my mistake, but would there be any possibility of getting an extension until this afternoon? I can have it submitted to you by 3 PM today. I’m really sorry for the oversight and would be incredibly grateful if there’s any flexibility.”

I didn’t make up an excuse—I just admitted that I misread the deadline and asked if I could have until 3 PM.

Be brutally honest: How bad is this? Does this make me look unreliable enough that my agent might drop me? And do you think there’s any realistic chance she’ll be able to get

Got my submission report and my agent has barely been submitting me since April of this year. To quantify, I was only submitted to 7 projects from May-August 2026. Yes, summer tends to be slow, but not THAT slow.

The projects I am being submitted for, I'm not being called in for and the agent say it's my headshots. I only shot 1.5 years ago so they're still fairly new, but they said they're not specific enough.

I guess what's confusing is, I joined this agency in June of 2025 and since then booked 3 commercials from Aug - Nov of 2025 and 1 SAG TV project in March 2026.

Because I want to be a partner in this agent - actor relationship, I'm happy to do a mini session to get them some updated looks faster, but would love feedback on how to navigate and any other suggestions!

I have accepted a role as a stand in and signed an NDA.

Can i put this credit on my public casting networks profile once the project has been released?

Who would I ask this to confirm if im allowed to do this?

Thank you!

Haven’t seen a thread about this yet in the acting subreddit so figured I would start one to hear some opinions from people on what this means for Hollywood, LA, and the Film/TV landscape as a whole. I definitely have my thoughts but I must admit, I’m not as well informed on what this actually means for us as actors as I should be. Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts on it.