For the first time in a long time, I was cast in a short film for a 48 hour film festival. I was a co lead with my other costar and I had an amazing time!

Yesterday they finally had the screening for all the films and people were able to vote for their favorites. I got a lot of compliments from the other directors and actors, I will definitely use this as motivation to keep working as much as possible towards TV and a feature.

I’ve been acting for a little under a year and recently was offered a role as a lead in a short film. I accepted the offer, was then asked for my measurements, and was told they would even adjust lines for me if need be. Now, 6 days prior to the shooting date, they reached back out to me saying they were sorry for the late notice, but the casting director found someone else so they’re canceling the shoot with me. They said they’ll keep me in their contact list, which I appreciate, but I haven’t experienced this before. I think I responded well, but is this a common occurrence in the industry? What would have been the right thing to say in response? I can’t lie, I’m feeling absolutely crushed about it. Especially given I’d turned down a different opportunity, and scheduled to be off at my part-time job for it.

I’m currently on Actors Access and Casting Networks but have been hearing about casting.com more lately.
The subscriptions with all these casting sites plus Actors Access constant costs to add images and videos/ reel can really stack up. I’m only hoping to sign up for it if it is truly worth it. Are any of you guys on casting.com and can share your experience?

How do you get auditions or an agent? I completed an acting courses and been key extras in 3 major tv shows. Anyway i never had an audition in my life. In the dutch industry: how do you get auditions?.. or do i need to take more acting classes?

Was reached out to on Actors Access, wanted to see if anyone is represented by this person? Any experience? Can't find anything. I reached out to the other person on reddit who mentioned him. Haven't heard back from anyone. Is it worth even meeting this person? Can't even find a linkedin. Thank you for your help. x:)

I’m an actor that has been in 2 shorts and a theatre cred, my package is complete; demo reel, resume, and headshots. But I am stuck because there is not a talent agency or management agency that take unsolicited emails. How does anyone solve this issue?

Im new to acting and took my first class. This was the last one in a 6 week program. Tbh, I think it came from my trouble with following direction when she asked me to add a beat between lines. For whatever reason, I just didn't really follow and just did it the same way till she had to spell it out for me to pause five seconds.

I guess I just wasn't really present, but it stuck with me. She said I'd probably get auditions based on my appearance, but wouldn't get casted because acting doesn't come naturally to me. I'd like to make excuses, but I was really too uncommitted to this class. I missed a couple and was always late. I realize that she was prob frustrated with me and more or less when she expressed this.

Is it possible to become a good actor without talent or acting coming naturally to you? Assuming I clean up my act and actually become disciplined in this

I’m just looking for any advice at all about starting acting at 23🙏well to be realistic it’ll probably be later than 23 until I find good courses, etc.

I’m 23F with no experience in acting at all, I’m a really shy person and I feel really awkward with conversations with people I don’t know that much (even tho they always tell me I’m not being awkward), so I can’t imagine myself being good at acting in front of people and in camera☹️ and I’m always wondering, what if I look bad? What if I’m being cringe? What if they’re judging me? What if my English accent is not good?

However, it has always been my dream, I just never pursued it cause I gave up early. I’m also from Malta which I know there is no chance for me to grow here, so I would eventually need to move as well.

Any honest advice would be really helpful, I will be happy to read all the opinions and advice🙏 Thank you!🌞

Hi everyone! I wanted to see if anyone else is having luck with backstage lately or casting networks or anything else. I know about casting.com I think i’m on there bc of my rep but actors access is the one I’ve been submitting to lately. I used to have backstage, but it’s over $30 a month same as casting networks and I’ve had little luck with either compared to aa. Auditions from rep are just dry at the moment so I want to look for more things for myself in the meantime. Just wanted to see how those are going for anyone that uses them because I want to make sure before I just pay $30 a month again they all add up

I don’t mind self-taping auditions now but it was a learning curve. Scored two call-backs but they were both fraught with technical issues and I think that took me out if the running. It feels like Zoom changes my settings every time I open the app!! And it’s very cumbersome to try and fix things on the fly. Do y’all have tips for getting better at live zoom callbacks? Also I’m curious what yall use as your self tape setup. Is there a mount that doesn’t block my screen when I try to setup my phone? Or a way to have my phone record to my laptop so I don’t have to keep taking my phone out of the ring light to review my take? Any and all advice/tips are appreciated tyia

I’m in a beginners acting class, and my teacher said we shouldn’t worry about getting professional headshots until we’re ready to get an agent OR really until we sign with an agency because they’ll want new ones anyways. She is showing us how to take beginner ones at home to just kinda help us with that next week. I have professional ones booked already, but I’m curious what you guys think. TIA!

I am NOT talking about getting a role thru nefarious means.. I mean you’ve been offered the role and you find out there’s an element to it you can’t/won’t do.. For example: Not even for the million-dollar lead role of a lifetime would I ever take a role I had to wear contacts for. Not even the eye doctor can get near my eyes without sedating me.

I (21F) would LOVE to go to drama school more than anything. I am currently in my final year of university studying English and really wanna delve deep into the art of acting and hone my craft. I was really hoping to go drama school next year and do an MA or MFA. The problem is, I'm finding it really hard to balance drama school auditions with the final year demands like my dissertation alongside other modules and my job I work 15hrs a week. In addition to that, 1 am struggling to figure out how I'm gonna pay for it all so I decided it's probably better if I focus on uni, saving and hopefully finding a grad job/ scheme, then applying for drama schools.

However, the more I think about it, the more I feel like I could benefit more from a BA as l've only been acting for a year. By the time I start my masters it will be 3 years, but I just want to find some acting in the do this year to fulfill the acting bug. The acting classes I've been to here in the East Midlands (UK) really haven't been my cup of tea so far, but maybe I've missed something? And I didn't get cast for my uni's play so | just would love to know if anyone has any suggestions of what I could try to get some more experience.

Got cast in my first vertical (reelshort) and I’m a day player. The call sheet says to come camera ready. But they told me to bring options for clothing. Am I supposed to show up wearing one option and then changing into something else if they don’t like it? Thanks!

Blumhouse recently did a open call and I’m wondering if anyone has received a update or self-tape request?

Here is the excerpt:

Why do you say that you have kissed the ground I walked on? You should kill me rather. I am so tired. If I could only rest—rest. I am a sea-gull—no—no, I am an actress. He is there too. Ah, well—no matter. He does not believe in the theatre; he used to laugh at my dreams, so that little by little I became down-hearted and ceased to believe in it too. Then came all the cares of love, the continual anxiety about my little one, so that I soon grew trivial and spiritless, and played my parts without meaning. I never knew what to do with my hands, and I could not walk properly or control my voice. 

I don't understand what "He is there too" is referring to. Is it the bird or the man? Is she saying he is there just watching her fail, or is he taunting her? Would really like to know. Thank y'all!

Update:

Thank you all so much for the encouragement and support! Initially, I was unsure whether to share my story. I initially thought I might be overly sensitive and tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.

After reading all your comments, I feel much more reassured about my experience and how I handled it. I’ve decided to cancel my remaining time with her and take the loss, as I don’t want to waste my money on her and am looking to find a new coach. However, I don’t think I’ll leave her a public review. I don’t believe ruining her will do anything good for me, and she already doesn’t make money anyway, so I’m not in a position to cause financial harm to anyone.

I truly appreciate everyone taking the time to share their thoughts and advice. Thank you again for all the kindness and encouragement! ❤️
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I started taking acting classes two months ago, and I've had several uncomfortable experiences with my instructor.

She questioned why I chose a scene that wasn't written for an Asian character and suggested I stick to roles that match my ethnicity or have Asian accents.

On multiple occasions, she's also told me not to speak my native language at home. Most of her feedback focuses on my accent rather than my actual acting.

For context, I work in a senior-level business role and communicate in English with executives and clients daily. Another acting coach has also told me my English is clear.

I'm open to constructive feedback and improving my skills, but why should my ethnicity limit the roles I can play? And why should being bilingual be treated as a disadvantage?

Has anyone experienced something similar? Is this racial bias or normal coaching?

I'd also love recommendations for acting coaches who embrace diverse backgrounds and focus on developing acting skills!

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For context, I told her that my primary interest is in commercial work, and the characters I selected mostly align with my professional and business background. I also explained that I’m already working with a vocal coach to improve my voice and delivery, so I’m aware that this is an area I’m actively developing.
My goal in taking acting classes is simply to learn the fundamentals and become more comfortable and confident on camera. I have no intention of pursuing a professional career in television or film. I’ve been a commercial model for several years, and this year, I want to focus more on video commercials rather than just print modeling.
Ultimately, I’m looking to build practical acting skills that will complement my existing commercial modeling experience, not transition into traditional acting.

Hello,

I am 28 years old and live near the metro Atlanta area. I have been attending the Alliance Theater since last July 2025. I work in healthcare, but like many, acting is what my calling is. I have done Acting I, Acting II, and Film I. I am branching out to Catapult and even attending my first film class there tomorrow! SO EXCITING.

The FAQ has been so helpful on here, but I would also like to connect with other newcomers who like me are trying to navigate this acting world, which can be so intimidating 😭with the processes and where to even start. I have a Backstage and am considering creating an Actors Access profile. We can maybe film more auditions or help each other with lines. I am a working professional too, so supporting each other to keep going even though our 9 to 5s are draining us. Even actors who are experienced, having a pal who u can look up to and makes this process feel less intimidating. Acting can feel like a big world esp with all it involves, so having support is always the best and making friends of course, learning from one another!

DM me or even comment below if you would like to connect.

I wanted to share this interesting story. I’m in my late twenties and have been in the Canadian film/tv industry for nine years now. I’m full ACTRA, and I signed with a US manager a few years go and they have been helping me with my demos, clips, portfolio and everything in between as my Canadian agent gets me majority of my auditions. I’ve been with that agent for 9 years also. I have co-star credits on some major tv shows/networks and a few short films under my belt that went to festivals and some big commercial campaigns and print work. I’ve trained in a bunch of studios both in Toronto and LA in both film/tv, dance and voice over.

I recently signed with an LA agent after a couple of meetings with a few US agencies my manager referred me to. She knows I don’t have a visa in the US yet but she’s so excited about me and honestly she seems sooo great so it seemed like a good match even though we both are aware realistically I won’t be able to book in the US yet until I have a visa.

Now to the main story: I left my local Canadian agent of 9 years because I needed someone who could get me into bigger rooms and also rep me in other areas where I have a strong skill set in. My manager agreed I need someone who really pushed for bigger roles and that my skills were being wasted. My local agent and I ended on great terms and she told me so was so excited to see where my career was gonna go.

I started taking meetings with big Canadian agents as well as a few mid tier ones. One mid tier agency in particular was interesting because they didn’t seem to look at any of my materials my manager sent them (like none of my demos, specialty skills and VO demos) they just said I had a marketable look. Which, okay true. And I also mentioned my credits and such but they told me they wanted to make sure I had “acting chops” so they will send me a scene and I will send it back to them and they will decide if they want me or not. Okay sure. So I did the scene they asked of me and sent it in.

The next week they said they are willing to offer my commercial representation for now but still think I need more training before I delve into film and tv… and I’m like HUH??? Wdym??? I’m already in film and tv??? I have credits, I’m union, i have US reps and I am constantly called back by the same casting directors. I was so shocked and confused and a little offended ngl. I didn’t leave my agent of 9 years just to go to someone who would only rep me for commercial and didn’t think I was ready for an industry I was already a part of… it was jarring. I felt a little ashamed like maybe I sent in a really bad tape or something… even my managers were confused and didn’t know what to comment on it besides the “let’s just look for someone else”.

So currently my only reps are my LA agent and LA manager. Which means I don’t have anyone submitting me actively in the Canadian market.

A week later my LA agent messaged me saying that she got an email from a director in Canada who is shooting a movie in my province and wanted me to tape for a supporting principal role. I said yes of course and sent in a tape, but because of what happened with that Canadian agent that told me I needed more training, I started to feel so paranoid about my self taping and my choices. I didn’t even send my tape over to my manager cuz I was worried it was gonna be bad. And this was my first self tape request from my LA agent so I was scared about disappointing her.

A few days later I sent in the tape… my LA agent messaged me saying they are offering me the role 😭😭😭 I couldn’t begin to tell you the relief I felt. My first self tape with my new US agency and I booked it… it felt like a weird serendipitous event… I started to feel and that a lot of the Canadian agencies were overlooking me (some not expanding their roster or had someone similar to me) and passing on me and taking it so personal.

Anyways long story short, for anyone out there looking for reps, please make sure to go with someone who is EXCITED about you, someone who genuinely sees your talent and skillset right away and does their homework on you. If I had listened and signed with someone with the agent who didn’t — I would have lost out on this amazing role. There’s a lot of people in this industry who will tell you that you aren’t good enough or talented enough but the right ones (and the best ones) will see you and advocate for you.

so im applying for a christmas acting job as an elf!! i need to do a self tape and would like some advice. i don't have a ring light or anything and can't really buy stuff, so what should i do for lighting?? also do i state my previous acting experience before i start, or do i just introduce myself?? thank you!!

Hello! If an actor would be willing to answer my question I would be eternally grateful. When an actor finishes a job (wraps a tv show, movie, play) where they loved and were emotionally attached to the character they played (and became emotionally intimate with the other actors on the project) - can that actor feel sad or even grieve the "end" of that particular character? If so, how do actors cope with such feelings? I understand that different people will have different answers for this, and I would LOVE to hear the different perspectives. Thank you So Much in advance.

Hello Everyone I am Trying To Become An Actor And I am Finding It Really Hard To Find Casting Opportunities in My Area I Am Based In Sheffield And 13 years old does anybody know what acting opportunities for my age in Sheffield

I lowkey need advice, i act. I’ve done work on tv series, musicals, short films etc. but i cant seem to get an agent. i have up to date professional headshots. and theres little acting opportunities where i live. they either go to established actors or i just never manage to get a call back (rarely). i know this is expected but do i honestly just do small gigs here and there until im done college and move somewhere else and try get an agent, or do i just be “realistic” and just use my college degree to get a sustainable job. how does one even acquire an agent if you have some experience and headshots. i dont get what im doing wrong