You haven’t failed enough to have the level of success you want.

Every day there are posts about the OP’s deeply l-rooted desire to be an actor or questions about how to book a role in a move or tv show…

And what it boils down to is this:

Wanting the reward without the work.

There will always be exceptions where actors get cast with little to no experience and with no industry connections but for the majority of actors, drastic “leveling up” never comes. It’s just the grind of auditions, the elation and devastation of avail-checks that go nowhere and unresolved pins, getting new headshots, going to class, and wondering if leaving the industry is a better idea - day after day after day for years.

Wanting to avoid that struggle will never get you to where you want to be because the struggle IS the path!

It’s the same in the gym: it’s the struggle that produces the results, it’s failing that ultimately produces gains.

So don’t try to avoid the struggle, don’t try to avoid failure - try to fail MORE and BETTER. And if you ARE currently struggling and failing: congrats! You’re on the right path!

Be bold. Be brave. And go fail more. ♥️

Repost because someone who found out my identify from my other account and told me they would not cast me irl for their show for posting this question online (not this show)

Heyyyy, I’m still newish to acting and this is self tape I did in class last week. I know this scene comes from a movie but I never watched it and I had no context besides the actual short text, so it probably is different. Also, 2 bad things I know now is that I’m off center and I also did jumble up the lines a lot haha, I really just tried to let whatever flow flow, but next time I’ll study my lines better.

Theres some other things but I really would like to also know any of your feedback- brutal honesty please! Thanks!

Maybe it’s me but I’m noticing more and more Actors becoming coaches. My instagram is flooded. Even in the voiceover world it’s becoming more saturated. I’m constantly getting DMs from actors asking if I want to coach with them or sit in on a class for $30. I have 2 coaches that I trust with self tape audition.

Is it ok to not want to work on anything or do anything because you feel tired or fatigue? Sometimes I don’t feel like doing much of anything to be honest especially when it is acting related or writing related. People make you feel so lazy by not wanting to work or do anything but sometimes you need to just relax every now and then.

Where do you look at for callback auditions. Do you look at the reader (casting director or whoever is there) Or do you set up an eye line? I’ve never had a professional acting callback before so I’m just interested in learning about what to do.

Hi guys ! The title pretty much says it all. I am only 23 (yes I am still very young) but I constantly hear a clock ticking in the back of my head. I feel like it's so much harder for women to book roles as they get older (even when they are objectively still really young like 30s/40s) and time goes by so quickly... But maybe I am biased and it's also more difficult for men as they get older ? Honestly I don't know :/ I feel like the industry is harsher on women.

Hey!

As title says, I am trying to build a self tape reel. Shot this scene and am thinking of retaping but want a really clear idea on areas for improvement in this next run.

Any feedback (great or small) would be super helpful 🙏

Thank you!

On the 15th of August I am going to do a scare actor audition. It is my first time ever and I have only ever acted once. Does anybody have any tips and anything I should know before I do the audition?

I'm thinking about taking a Shakespeare class there. How is it?

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I'm about to submit to a bunch of agents. My demo reel is old, and self submitting to indie/student/low budget projects to GET up to date footage for a new reel is taking way too much time and not exactly happening at the rate I'd wish. I'm wondering if people have used a collection of self tapes/auditions as a "reel" instead or in addition to a reel?

I mean to me, its a great indicator of what an actor looks/sounds like, level of engagement/watchability, how do they look and sound NOW, etc.
But I also would imagine agents might look down their nose at it. Thoughts/experiences? Thank you for reading!

I've been in LA now for a decade and I feel completely disheartened with where I'm at.

I haven't been able to book any work in years. I've spoken to my reps about it, got feedback from casting directors and teachers, and they all say my work is good.

But no matter what I seem to do, nothing seems to budge. I haven't even been able to book a student film in over two years.

I know the industry has been taking hits and so many of us are in the same boat, but it's beyond frustrating.

I've been focusing more on fully living my life outside of acting and enjoying my friends and family, but I'm deeply missing acting.

After 10 years to not even have a TV costar credit leaves me feeling like I've utterly failed.

I'm desperate for some inspiration or ideas.
-----------

Has anyone had luck by changing something up in their process? I've heard of many people hitting a booking streak after certain life changes or mindset changes. I'm curious if anyone. has a personal story in that vein?

Hey friends,

For some context - (29M) I’ve had a decently successful run in the Film industry over the last 10 years. Supporting and guest star roles on notable series, with some success/lead roles in the commercial and indie film scene.

I’ve also worked in the service industry for the last 10 years to keep the bills paid consistently and to have some semblance of routine (Acting gigs can be sporadic, following the saying “hurry up and wait” most of the time). The flexibility helped with being able to take acting gigs as they came (which always pay very well).

I had worked my way up to a high paying position as a server in a fine dining restaurant - but the 8-10hr late night/into early morning shifts paired with how you get treated often in this line of work finally took a significant enough tole on my mind and body for me to say goodbye to it for good (or at least try)

I’ve googled and ChatGPT’d and reddited loads of alternate career paths that can both coexist with acting AND lead to a stable/steady long term career but nothing has inspired me to take action, or has shown promise for being a high income job.

The closest choice I’m at right now is a PT at some boxing or kettlebell gym. But there isn’t a lot of stability in that job either.

I’m at the stage in life where I want to provide and build stability for my kids one day without giving up acting. With the amount of work, money, and life I’ve put the career at this point, it would be silly to give up now. Especially since I’m at the point where each audition is basically a dice roll at a significant amount of money or even life changing success in the career.
Again I’m just desiring a bit more stability while I keep working on those gigs that come along.

Anyone have any ideas they’d like to offer? Any success stories of their own?

TLDR; Actor looking for well paid alternative career paths to coincide with acting career. Hopes for stability and savings for future family.

Hello, I was planning to take some meisner classes in London next year. I was wondering if someone has had experience with BECK ACADEMY of DRAMATIC ART run by Acting coach Fay Beck?? I’ve been looking for information on that place hopefully I can get a feedback soon!

I recently was offered to be an extra in the next film from my favorite director. However, they're shooting in a city that although I'm currently in the process of moving to, I won't actually be fully moved into when they're shooting. Is it worth it to travel just to be an extra on the movie? Normally I would say obviously not, but this is a really big production (like over $150 million budget production) and it's from my absolute favorite director so I don't know if that changes anything. Please be brutally honest with me lol.

^{Curious to hear people's opinions.}

I thought I'd share my story, as I felt particularly inspired after revisiting the movie that made me want to begin acting (La La Land!) 8 years ago, I watched that movie on a shitty laptop with a 9 inch screen, not knowing what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. All I knew was middle school, and my drama club extracurricular that I loved, but was only sorta-kinda serious about. After all, the arts was not something particularly pushed forward at the time, especially in the country I'm in. Something about that movie however gave me the push to want to actually do something about what I loved.

Fast forward to today, I'm 21, about to start my second year in my acting degree, with a few non-school related shows under my belt (not just as a performer, but also as assistant stage manager). Of course, many things along the way solidified me wanting to do acting, such as the people I've met, the stories I've been able to tell, and the sheer love and will that the people have around me to keep local theatre thriving. My love for acting is more than just love now, I treat it seriously not only as my career, but to also to trailblaze for other kids, who like me, need that extra push to plant that seed to nurture their craft.

I am an Eastern European actress and I’ve just moved to London. I have done a lot of work back home, mainly television (some projects as a principal character) but also theatre. Have a bachelor’s in acting, and have recently made the infamous Spotlight profile. Could anyone please recommend best agencies to try to reach out to?

Hi!
Im a super new actress and I received an open casting call that fits my description. it asked for all the typical things and said "acting/demo reels (if have, not required). Because I am a new actress, I dont have any sort of thing. ive been practicing a few monologues, but im not sure if they are good enough to be considered. Should I submit the monologues, or just not include it?

Thank you!

Hey guys,

currently hip pocketed by an agent!

We’ve been in contact for a while and feel it’s the right time to discuss potential rep- for those who may have been in my boat, how did you bring it up, and how did the conversation go? I'd love to hear your experiences!! Thanks :)

So I made a mistake and cast a friend who can’t act. He can barely memorise small parts of the script and no matter the direction (e.g. less, more, vent, relent) the lines are said the exact same way.

In the future I’m not making this mistake, but due to some unique circumstances (which I’m not getting into) I’m pretty much stuck with him as this character.

I don’t expect award winning but I at least want something that doesn’t break the illusion too much.

You guys have any tips or tricks?

So far what I’ve thought up is:
- have him hold something/do something with his hands
- face away for moments when he has to emote.
- change up the lines/simplify them to his way of talking.

Hi everyone!
I just bought my first TIFF membership (the regular $125 one), and this will be my first year attending TIFF. I’m an actor based in Canada, and while I’m excited to see some great films, I’m honestly just as excited about the industry side of the festival.

My biggest goal isn’t just watching movies. I really want to meet people, learn from others, and immerse myself in the film community. I just want to put myself in the right environments, meet fellow actors, filmmakers, directors, producers, casting people, and start building genuine relationships.

I have a few questions:

• What are the best networking opportunities for someone who only has a regular TIFF membership?

• Are there talks, panels, receptions, happy hours, or other events that actors should make a point of attending?

• Are there unofficial TIFF events that are worth checking out?

• Where is the best place to find events? (Both officially and unofficial)

• Are there certain hotels, cafés, bars, or lounges where people in the industry tend to gather during TIFF?

• If you were attending TIFF as an actor for the first time, what would you prioritize?

Really excited for my first TIFF and would appreciate any advice you have! Thanks! 🎬

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice.
For a bit of context, I’m in my mid-20s. As a teenager, I did a lot of amateur musical theatre before moving into part-time professional screen acting training through classes in my early 20s (I work full time). I’ve had a few health setbacks over the past couple of years, but I’m finally at a point where I’m ready to start building my acting credits.
My goal over the next year is to get onto Spotlight and start putting together a showreel by working on student films and short films.
Recently, one of my old amateur theatre companies invited me back to audition for a play. It’s a great opportunity, but rehearsals would be a few evenings a week over a six-month period, so it’s a significant time commitment.
I’m feeling really torn. On the one hand, it would be valuable experience: performing regularly, learning lines, working with other actors, and developing my skills in a live environment. On the other hand, if my long-term goal is screen acting, I’m wondering whether that time would be better spent taking more screen acting classes, networking, and auditioning for student and short films.
Has anyone been in a similar position? If your goal is screen acting, would you take the theatre role, or focus entirely on building screen credits instead?
Any advice or perspectives would be really appreciated. Thanks!

There is something about a live audition that keeps you in it. Another person is reading with you, there is actual energy in the room, and you just go. Selftaping feels different, and not always in a good way.

When I watch back my takes I can see myself thinking. These tiny moments where my brain checks out and I am half monitoring myself instead of just being in the scene. In a room that does not happen as much because there is no option to stop and reset. You just ride it out.

The tricky part is that selftape is not going away. More and more auditions are selftape only, and you basically have to get comfortable performing for a camera in your living room with a reader who is probably half distracted, or sometimes just your own voice recorded on your phone.

Theatre people I know seem to hit this wall especially hard. The adjustment is real. Some people figure it out fast and some never quite crack it.

Curious how others have worked through it. Did it just take reps or did something specific click for you? And if you use a live reader versus a recorded one for your offcamera lines, does that actually make a difference in your performance?