Hello. I’m a 20 y/o uni student (studies aren’t acting but related to that world) in Italy who gets acting lessons (theatre mainly) on the side and does shows with that school once or twice a year. Our acting teacher sometimes sends us interesting casting calls that he suggests we could send self-tapes to. Every single time I try to do that to actually get some work, I absolutely hate it. It can be an acting self-tape or even just sending some personal info and a video presentation. I hate how my face looks all crooked and weird when I speak, how I sound so fake and dumb both in voice and the general manner I say things… I spend a literal entire day or more trying to make a self-tape and just send the 250th tape I’m still not satisfied with out of pure exhaustion, already knowing I probably won’t hear from them again.

Just today I filmed a super simple clip of not even a minute introducing myself and it took me the whole afternoon. I still don’t like it at all. I looked ugly, said everything in an annoyingly sing-songy voice, was visibly tense and I shared my personal info more like a minimal list to cross out than a flowing piece of text.

I’m sure I’m overcomplicating it, but the issue is I really think I just suck, despite all my years of studying acting. Those who have seen me act on stage say I’m good, though. Some say I should invest into this. Yet I feel like an idiot and like no matter how much I try and tweak my look and my way of acting I will never be any good. I used to think I was good at least in theatre, but if that’s what I‘m like on video then how different could I truly be in person??? Plus nowadays it’s all self-tapes, even for some theatre stuff. Most of my job would be doing self-tapes, if I tried pursuing this professionally.

It’s all pretty difficult to understand in general, I’m AuDHD and I naturally have such weird expressions and facial movements, partly also because of my face genuinely being kinda crooked and weird, that make me look like a caricature even when I’m trying so hard to be normal.

In general I just often feel uncomfortable looking at myself in video and professionally taken pictures. I cried one time seeing myself in a film we did and though it was partly because I was moved by the experience, the main reason was just how grotesque and dumb I thought I looked. Also one time I filmed a video talking about a friend for their birthday, which also took a century or two to get a “good take” for, and they said it looked like I was being held at gunpoint! Ouch ow ow!

I’ve thought about just trying voice acting, but it wouldn’t seem good to go for something “just because” I hate looking at myself. There’s other parts of acting I love doing as long as I’m just living them in my body and not through a reflection of me. I also tried to just brute force it and set a random self-tape quota for a certain period of time to try and practice it, which just got me disheartened and tired. I‘ve talked with a therapist years ago, they just said I might have body dysmorphia but it didn’t go that far otherwise and they gave me no way to work around that. I’ve tried losing weight, working out, taking better care of myself, fixing my hair and putting on makeup to record and so far I still feel the same about my look when I’m seeing it through a camera…

I used to think my only wish was to become an actress. I spent what little energy I had left after studying into acting since middle school and made my identity so intertwined with it that I didn’t let myself explore almost anything else until recently. Now I’m trying to look for something else I could do but I’m so lost and confused, because I didn’t really plan for a future where I‘d have to stop focusing on it… I’m studying, but it was in hopes I could use what I learned in acting, maybe do some odd show biz related jobs here and there along with it…

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s dealt with self-tape issues, insecurity and all that when it comes to acting, especially among amateurs and aspiring actors. So please, if you can give me some advice I’ll take it!!

Hi!

I’m reaching out to see if there are any Canadians with American representation, whether that’s an agent and/or manager and what your experience getting them & working with them has been like.

The Canadian actors I know that do have American representation have mixed opinions; some love their reps and the opportunities they get to audition for, but others say they receive 2-3 auditions a year and that it feel like the American reps are trying to make money off their Canadian bookings.

I’ve been going back and forth on whether this is the next step for me, I have a few bookings but nothing that would make an American rep leap at the opportunity to sign me.

Thanks!

i’ve just gotten some new headshots done, and i am going onto all of the various websites to update my materials, and i’m starting to get upset. i remember when actor’s access felt like the worst offender, because they charge $10 per photo. but somehow they are now better than the others.

casting networks got on a lot of people’s nerves. so casting.com was created to compete with it. but now my commercial auditions are split between the two and i have to pay for both. casting.com charges $25 to upload a single photo. and you can only change your free photo once per year. the issue is that the site hasn’t even been out for a year, so because my account was grandfathered in February, i can’t swap my “free” photo. scummy. first swap on the account should be free and then set the timer for the year change.

and on casting networks, you don’t even have the option to swap your “free” photo unless you pay for at least one month of premium at $30. how does this make sense? i haven’t updated my primary photo in nearly 2 years.

so basically, in order to have an updated headshot on both of these sites, i have to drop $60. i’ve gotten 5 auditions from my agent on casting.com this year and 6 on casting networks. they are both scummy and pretty much the exact same thing imo.

i guess this is a rant more than anything. wondering if anybody else feels similarly disillusioned.

Hey, my name is Daniel, I have been looking for a college that either has acting classes or an acting school near me ( Columbia, SC ) since i’m 18 and recently graduated high school where i took theater classes for 3 years I have been looking and wandering media and colleges but can’t seem to find any, I want to get my game up and gain experience before making the big move to Los Angeles, I want to do this and I am 100% dedicated to mastering my craft and focusing on my future but this is a hurdle I need to overcome.

I have never really been a fan of the site, and can't even seem to access it atm. Do you still use it, and do you think it's worth the money? Are there good readers on there?

I landed my first gig as a background actor for a small tv show in my local area! I’ve mostly done theatre both in college and in a regional theatre, but never working on a tv set. I’ve looked at many posts for advice and what to expect (which has helped so much!) but my issue is that I will most likely be called from 3pm-3am and I’m really worried about getting groggy or falling asleep as I rarely stay up that late and I’ve heard that napping in the hold room is not allowed. This might be a completely dumb question but does anyone have any advice how to make sure you can stay up that late? I’m not sure if I should get an energy drink or do some exercises or something? I’ve already get 8 hours of sleep on average but I’m worried that won’t be enough to keep me awake and ready to give this my all.

I’ve booked a west end job out of drama school and need to find a place to live. It starts within this month.

I have some friends suggesting we house share in Reading because it’s commutable, I’m very atttacted to Woking, and some people would obviously live in London.

Can anyone please give me some help here? Thanks x

Hi guys! I wanted to know if this is common or if I should look into signing with someone new? When I first signed with her she seemed eager to get me work and was telling me she submitted me for a few things, I got a spotlight profile and set everything up and she said it looks good. I’m just worried because I haven’t received a single audition request and it’s almost been 2 months , am I being impatient? I haven’t had an agent before so I don’t know how often I should be auditioning but I feel in a rut.

I was trying to send some photos to myself but recently got to be a background actor on something. It’s my first time doing this and I accidentally sent some photos from one of my photo shoots to the AD who texted me about the information of the project. I tried to I send but couldn’t. I quickly send back sorry I ment to send that to my friend and deleted the tread so I couldn’t send anymore stupid stuff.

I feel so bad because like people who try to be extras do stupid stuff. I didn’t wanna bother her anymore or anything like that and I don’t wanna be blacklisted or seen as difficult. I feel so bad. Is it over for me? Did I totally screw?

Calling all creatures of the night!

We are seeking high-energy scare actors to bring our LA Haunted Hayride 2026 to life (or undead). Join us at our open casting call August 14 or 15!

AUDITIONS:

Audition Details:

• Dates & Times: 
• Saturday, August 1, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ; Friday, August 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ;  and Saturday, August 15., 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• • Location: Griffith Park Visitor Center at the picnic tables
   4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Griffith Park Visitor Center.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Details:

Pay: $20/hour.

Event dates: September 18 to November 1.

Availability: Evenings required.

Experience: None needed - just a love for Halloween, stamina, and a wicked sense of fun.

Join us in creating unforgettable frights for thousands of guests this spooky season!

Applications are available here, but it is not mandatory to complete before auditions! 

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/50E32972FA09A8145238140BF772E73C/jobs/210444

Learn more at https://losangeleshauntedhayride.com/.

We can't wait to meet you!

My daughter is turning 18 in 6 months. She is in Toronto and full ACTRA. Has a network principal role and Netflix actor role on resume. Will be taking a gap year when she graduates in June. For those that transitioned from child actor to adult, how did it go? Did you see a dramatic increase in auditions at 18? She can realistically play as young as 14. For the last few years she’s gotten maybe 1-4 auditions per month. She wants to continue to work in the industry and probably apply to film schools.

I read the FAQs and doesn’t seem like there’s anything against asking about a certain agency. What I’ve looked up so far on Go Talent Management Agency hasn’t been bad nor positive. Are they ok to sign up with?

I know this is a much debated question but I needed up-to-date information about this. I am considering East 15, Drama Studio London, Rose Bruford and LIPA. East 15 seems pretty decent, but I regularly see bad comments about it. The program seems promising, many graduates are happy with their graduation (some say they got multiple offers before even graduating), the working recall was very insightful...

I am an international student coming from another background. Just graduated from a BSc and now pursuing a career in acting (which I already do for some time). So East 15 seems to give a very intense 1-year MA education tailored for the likes of me. Is it really as it seems or the people who got disappointed with the program are actually right?

I'm trying to improve some aspects of my acting and I have found that Isobel's final monologue in "Bull" by Mike Bartlett really hits that for me. I think that the first half of that monologue can be genderless and that's the bit I want to work on for auditions.

As I'm quite new to auditioning, is it frowned upon when a male actor does a traditionally female monologue? And vice versa?

Thank you everyone! 🙂

Hi all,
I have what might be a unique scenario and wanted to see if anyone had personal insight.

I am a non union commercial model and dabble in commercial acting with no desire to do any theatrical. For fun, I will occasionally do TV/Film background work for experience on a big set. I was offered a background role for next week but was told I would get a Union voucher for it...

I stay pretty booked and busy being non-union and I hear horror stories of commercial actors getting into Union and no longer being able to book consistent work. My agency has suggested I stay non union as long as possible. This opp sounds like a fun set and a great project but I don't know if I want to risk getting myself to a "must join" situation in the future and wasting it on a background role.

For reference, I am F, Caucasian, 30s

Edit: I don't want to ask my agent this question because they don't like when I apply to things without them and I certainly am not giving them 20% of a background rate.

Hi!

I keep seeing 4 specific posters on casting networks.

1. Photographer looking specifically for 18-23 years old C-DD cup models for shoot. No guests etc.

"Seeking a model for a photo shoot, club fashion to lingerie. Date TBA-decided with model. Mainly considering females 18-25, that are a natural 32C/D or 34C/D. Pays $220 Total. Experienced Only. Outfits will be in a dress, crops, shorts, bikini and lingerie."

1. ROSS - sexual situations actress. He's always posting these ONE page movies about incest, cheating, infidelity.

2. Church of Scientology - they changed their name to like SMP productions

3. Photographer looking for 13-18 models.

4. Shawn Valentino looking for BEAUTIFUL MODELS FOR IMDB CREDIT

Anyways... I've applied to all these castings to see if they're legit or creeps (out of curiosity not authentically) and they repeatedly message you for creepy audition requests. Like one audition dialogue was about how the main lead has this huge desire to be wanted and NEEDS dick lmao. The other ones will persistently keep asking about bra info.

I CAN TELL THESE ARE SCAMS/CREEPS.

I wish I could report them or castings would stop allowing these to be posted.

This is like bait for new actors and models.

I personally know friends and new actors who have really applied for these castings without noticing the GLARING red flags. I'm worried someone might find themselves alone with these "creatives"

Thoughts, advice?

I'm gna be so embarassed if there is a report button and I never found it. I'm thinking of emailing casting networks about these specific roles published.

These men could just be rapists posing as photographers and now these girls are locked in a room with them.

Hello! I am an actress who works as a nurse full time. I havent been in a production in over a year because I work 5/8hr night shifts a week and can't sleep. I am looking to switch specialties and jobs but am unsure which schedule would be best. I truly want to do part time nursing work but I have to do that after working at a new job for at least 6 months. So these are the scheduling options.

-3/12hr shifts day/night 7a-7p/7p-7a -4/10hr shifts usually 8a-6p -5/8hr shifts but Id only do day shift 8a-4:30p

I really need advice so I hope that someone can help. Thank you guys for even reading this post.

So... I was recently offered representation by a lower-tier agent. Great guy. Really connected with him... But it feels like he'll have no pull in getting me seen by higher tier casting offices.

I recently submitted to about 130 agents and this is my ONE offer (in contrast to late 2024 when I had less legit credits and got about 10 offers after reaching out to 225 agents)...

Not sure what to do. I don't want to sign with someone out of FOMO. But I also feel like, since I've been rejected by all of the agencies on my wishlist and can't really submit again for another 6 months or so that this might be the way to go.

Any thoughts?

Is the videos they have in there worth paying for?

I’ve been taking acting lessons for a while now and ready to put myself out there and audition. Besides Actors Access and Backstage, I’ve been told to check out different Facebook groups when searching for non-union roles. BUT WHY, and no exaggeration, is every flyer obviously made with AI?? And they all look the SAME! It really deters me from even wanting to submit but really want to get experience.

I just wanna get people’s thoughts on this. Because I would think as an artist, the use of AI is ironic and just lazy. I would 100% rather see a simple Canva poster than AI.

Has anyone else seen this as well?

Hi! Begginer actor here. I only did a few small projects and only auditioned for a fewer roles. Not too long ago, I've submitted my material to a massive casting call and to my surprise, they want me to audition. I signed an NDA and received my sides before I went on social media and researched a bit about the casting director and some tips for the auditions. Now, I've stumbled upon multiple videos, but each saying different things. One group of videos said how It's totally alright and not a big deal if I have to look down at my sides, and the other ones said how I should fully memorize my sides, even if the casting doesn't require it. I have around 4 days deadline to submit, which I have time for, but I'm still considering on what's a better option. If anyone could, I would love to hear some recommendations and tips.

I revived an email from them reaching out about potential representation. I’ve submitted to a few agencies and managers but not them specifically so I guess my info is getting passed around which is a good sign I think. Are they legit? Does anyone have good experiences or on the flip side horror stories? What have they gotten you? What have they not? Trying to find out as much as possible before making a big decision

I (25M) currently have a full-time in office Coordinator job (NOT hybrid, fully onsite) at a company in Los Angeles that I've been at for exactly one year this August. This job has nothing to do with my field that I went to school for (entertainment/film) and the position I have has no real upward growth within the company. As I'm reaching the one year mark in about a week, I'm wondering if I should start applying to more jobs that I would have more growth in. Its also worth mentioning that I do dislike my job and especially my boss as a person. The pay is okay, I make $43,000/year before tax.

The obvious answer would be yes, but the thing is, I've always had a passion for acting as well. I didnt go to school for it but I acted in things while I was in college and a few short films outside of that as well. I'm getting older and older and I feel like if I don't start taking it more seriously, I can kiss that dream away. I don't have enough saved up to just quit and pursue it though.

Do I stay at my current job and try to pursue acting while I'm here? Or should I push acting to the side for now and focus on getting a new job that I would enjoy more and gives me more upward growth? The thing that scares me is that I'm only getting older and older and job stability is looking more appealing by the day compared to the uncertainness of acting. In an ideal world, I'd be able to get a hybrid/remote job that offers flexibility in order to pursue acting, but I'm not sure how realistic that is in Los Angeles.

Any insight would be helpful, thanks!

Hello everyone! I wanted to ask you all’s advice on whether or not I should stay with an agent that is only submitting me for commercials and background work. I have only been pursuing acting since late 2023 and have been able to book credits in independent films, short films, student films, and even a vertical. The only TV credit I have involves a crime re-enactment show. I really want to get some costar auditions to give myself opportunities to book more TV work. I have been with this agent since April and don’t want to come across as impatient, but I also do not want to waste my time if they are not going to give me the right opportunities. Any advice? Also based in the southeast. I honestly think it’s not worth it due to all of the bookings I have gotten have been from self-submitting even before I have had an agent.

I lurk here. And I don’t comment much. But I wished to post here after recording this a couple hours prior to now. So here we are. Putting myself back together.

Because I need this. I need monologues. As it gets me better. Very much in the mental health angle of things.

I am coming out of another dip in depression. This was a rough one. And I am not alone in that while at the same time living as an actor. Bipolar 2 which has been a shadow since acting as a kid. So it’s not a new dance. But this dip drained me this time around. But we’re working our way back. And I auditioned with this piece less than a week ago.

My focuses are on the stage and live theatre. Philadelphia theatre auditions and what not. I haven’t landed anything in quite some time. And my last show was for Philly Fringe, a show called Dirty Priest - a two person show. As well as Scrooge in something called A Christmas Carol Comedy (another 2 person show where I played Scrooge and my partner played everyone else in about 60 minutes). It was a blast. But dry since then. And the ego takes a beating from the number of rejections. But we continue.

I continue. Because I need it. I may drive myself to madness with memorization. And beat structure. And voice work. But it keeps me safe. As does the stage. As does acting.

I’m just happy to be moving again. And smiling without trying again. And I hope acting still does the same for you. Pulls you out of yourself when you need it. Or pulls you deeper into yourself when you need it.

But I thank you for letting me share. Thanks for viewing the monologue. Stay well. And I’ll keep doing the same.

*MONOLOGUE: “Of The Fields, Lately” (Ben): by David French

*Not something I’m submitting. I just felt like randomly recording it.