Career questions tagged film-acting
How can I build my professional acting portfolio while being active in college, what will professional companies most look for ?
I'm a seventeen year old in high school, and am going to college for theatre. More specifically live theatre. I've had experience in competitive and community plays in the past and have enjoyed both experiences thoroughly. However, I've never experienced theatre on a professional level, as there haven't been any opportunities available to me. This is concerning as I intend to become a professional actor post-college, and have currently had zero experience to put in my portfolio. What are the most important factors that casting agents look for in an applicant, how can I build those skills during college so Ill have experience in the field prior to application?
What does it mean to be a truly great filmmaker ? #Spring25
There are so many different things that a young filmmaker can do to improve, but I want to know what truly makes a great film and a great filmmaker.
What made you stay? #Spring25 #FilmIndustryProfessionals #Strikes #AI #NewMedia #Streaming
To all Film Industry Professionals: After the uncertainty in the Film Industry over the last few years are you still enjoying your profession? In what ways have you had to adapt to survive in this industry? Do you find meaning in your work? Is the pay worth the sacrifice? How did you sacrifice to get where you are today? Are you making a full living wage off of your creative work or do you have a second supplemental income? Would you ever consider leaving for another career, if so which one? What would you tell all aspirational Film major student today? #Spring25
How do you get into the screenwriting industry?
I am interested to making a career out of acting, screenwriting or playwriting, as well as using my musical abilities of singing and songwriting. I understand that networking is key but as an actress I have only done background work, and student films, plus an online commercial. I don't have an agent and am uncertain as to what that process is like or when I should look into one. Also I am in school (Sophomore year) to obtain a Film degree as I find that most screenwriters have degrees. I realized early on that I am natural writing and dialogue comes naturally to me I just don't know how to put it together to be a professional piece of work and I am curious to connect within any one who has gone through this process and are successful.
What's YOUR best way to stay motivated and consistent in college, or just in general
I'm not gonna lie- being in college has been EXHAUSTING to say the least. I feel like I've done enough to to earn myself a doctorate, and it's only my second year! Espically with being a film student, the late nights shooting with early morning classes can be alot for me- not to mention my job, applying for scholarships, working out, and maintaining a social life, to name a few. To any creatives, or anyone's who got their life down to a science- how did you do it? And what could I do to find at least a little bit of stablity in this seemingly always unstable environment?
How do I get in to a movie at the age of 13?
How do I get in a movie the age of 13?
How should I tell my parents I want to become an actress/start acting at 14?
I am a 14 year old girl and I do ballet at a pre professional level. I train 5 times a week for atleast 2 hours a day but it’s more often like 4/5 hours. I still love ballet and would not like to quit but I want to persue acting also. How should I tell my parents. I’m concerned that they won’t approve and won’t let me try acting in films or shows. I don’t want to act for fame or money either. I want to act because I have done a little and I loved it. How should I ask?
Help! I have too many (performing arts) career interests!!?
I am a very ambitious person when it comes to what I want to do as far as my career goals. But, I have so many interests and things I want to do, that I just don't know how to either pick one (or a few), or just somehow try a bit of everything or something. Currently, I am interested in singing, acting, playing piano (solo, orchestral, accompaniment), and teaching piano/voice. I know opera combines singing and acting, so that might be an option, although I don't know how that would look with piano/piano teaching. I also think it would be really cool to be on Broadway! I could also go down the path of just focusing on teaching, and I think being a piano professor eventually would also be very interesting to me. I also could just choose between singing/acting, or piano, but that seems IMPOSSIBLE. I could never choose and abandon one of them, but I just don't know how I can make them work together. I think my main problem is that I don't know how I want my life to look like, so that's why I find it so hard to choose. If I don't do all of them, I feel like I'm abandoning opportunity in that field. Honestly, I just want to know how I could do it all if that's even possible.
What are some challenges you might have to deal with being in the filming field?
I'm currently a 11th grader in San Francisco.
What kind of good paying jobs are out there for a media communication major ?
I am pursuing a degree in media production, but does this degree realistically open up opportunities to get a good paying job ? I love the degree and learning about and doing media but wanted to know am I wasting time on a non-useful degree.
How much money can I expect to make doing short film movies in high school?
what type of GPA do I have to maintain to be able to do acting, in school or out of school?
What are the requirements for acting? How long does it take to make it into the main stage of acting like doing movies with Blumhouse, Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and etc?
How long does grind short film movies take to get recognized by the big production studios? How long does the process take.. does it take no process does your short film have to go viral to be recognized?
How to become a working actor? And how to get an agent
Since 2022 I have been taking acting classes and I am looking forward to continue taking them in 2025. I have profiles on Backstage, Actors Access and check Playbill everyday. I booked some jobs there. I know that getting an agent doesn't guarantee getting acting jobs right away, and that this career path requires a lot of patience. I feel ready to find a show-biz partner to work with, but I don't know how. Would acting showcases be a great option? Or submit on their websites? I saw several actors being able to book job without the need of an agent, is it through the casting websites that they do that? Or networking?
Why is it so hard to get acting jobs in the black community? Is it more complex then just skin tone?
I was a theatre magnet student for 3 years, I'm 16, and I am very interested in getting back to acting and Broadway.
I'm a 14-15 year old living in a small town, though I have aspirations of being an actor. How would I start my acting journey?
I have no prior experience with acting, so I'd love some help on where to learn acting and how to audition for roles/build my career afterwards. Thanks!
How do I start acting? I'm 14, and got in a casting for heartland but didn't get in.
How do I start an acting career? and how do I be good at it? I've been in a casting for Heartland, but they didn't choose me. I'm good at poetry and fake fainting/falling, my mom says I could be a good voice actor and I can do many accents. I'm 14 though
How can I get into acting professionally at age 16?
I have been acting in school plays and musicals for 8 years. I have also taken theatre and acting classes.
could you start acting at 12?
i was wondering could i start acting at twelve? one of the main concerns i had is my genetics made me tall young at 6'1 so i don't know if i could do roles my age. and secondly how do you even start out acting as a whole? i think theatre and musicals are cool but i find films and tv more interesting.
What is representation in acting?
For performing artists, what are the key roles I should know about? I've heard for actors, it is about management but I've also heard these people called agents, or representation.
What is the best way to get in front of casting directors?
I have dance and theatre experience and am a performing artist. I took some time off and it is still my dream and passion to work in entertainment. I am 33 years old! College doesn't feel like the right fit at my age. I don't have transportation or much means to speak of. I was working as a data analyst in the technology industry and was laid off. It sounds ridiculous, but it was a real wake up call. I idolize artists that have made impacts in fashion, music, film, tv, and on the stage. But I am absolutely clueless on what to do.
What education and skills does it take to become an actor/ voice actor?
When I was younger, I use to laugh at the characters that I see on tv like Jim Carrey. So when I grow up I want to make other people laugh, smile, and make their day.
How can I become an actress in Hollywood if I don’t live in the US?
I am (15) already in acting classes, and do a bit of work in the film industry in my country, but am yet to find an agent. I am very aware of the hardships and unlikelihood of me being successful but I still want to try. I know I might have a chance if u get an agent in the US but not many accept international clients. I have a house in the US but I cannot move to the US ☹️
Would I be able to use my senior pictures as acting headshots?
I'm a low-income student in Los Angeles, who wants to pursue acting. I'm an incoming senior in high school, and I can't afford getting professional headshots. I'm planning on taking at-home headshots sometime in the next few months, but after receiving my senior pictures back, I saw a few that looked like they'd also work for acting headshots, in the meantime. Would it be too unprofessional to use them right now, before I can get better ones taken?
What do I do if I find myself wanting to pursue many (creative) careers?
I want to pursue acting/voice acting, writing, art/animation, and filmmaking. I hear that acting is a very time-consuming job that requires a lot of commitment, but I also want to do writing and filmmaking, so what do I do about that? Is it possible to juggle all of these careers at the same time? I have a passion for all of them so I can't imagine having to give them up for one choice.
How can I put my foot in the door acting in LA if I come from a low-income household?
I'm a 17yo who's turning 18 in September. I really want to start film/tv acting, but I don't have a lot of money to get headshots, lessons, etc. I'm going to be doing intermediate theatre this year (senior year), and I have prior experience doing acting classes in/out of school in the past. I look younger than I am (would do very well at 18tpy) but my biggest hurdle is just...starting. I can't afford $500 headshots, and even the $300/month classes are a huge burden.
How can teenagers realistically portray adults when acting? #Sping2024
I am a 16 year old interested in making my career in film acting, directing, writing, and producing. I am creating a TV sitcom set in 1950s New York. All of my actors will be high schoolers, who will be portraying adults. How can I sell the idea to distributors such as Tubi, even though adult characters are being played by teens.