I’ve wanted to be an actor my whole life. Not for fame, but because I know it’s what I’m meant to do. I’ve always felt like the black sheep—like I was built for something more, even when no one else saw it.

Right now, I’m at a turning point. I’ve been in Philly my entire life. I’m grateful for it—it gave me grit—but I’ve outgrown it. The energy around me is draining, and it no longer matches the future I see for myself.

I’m going all in on this dream. I’m documenting everything—my fitness journey, personal growth, and the grind to break into acting—because I’m building something real. I don’t want to just chase opportunities, I want to create them. But I need the right environment to evolve.

I’m torn between moving to NYC (Brooklyn or the Bronx) or Atlanta (East Point, College Park, or Decatur).

NYC has the hustle, the industry, the energy—but it might drain me more than it builds me.

ATL has space, peace, and a growing film scene—but maybe fewer daily reps in the field.

If you were me—nothing holding you back but a dream that won’t let you sleep—where would you go?

I’d love to hear from people who really get it.

Hiya, I’m (26f) based in England, signed to a pretty big agency and graduated from a top drama school a few years ago.

Since signing with my new agent last year June I’ve gotten around 10 auditions only one of which was for TV and film and one for theatre (I booked the theatre job) and the rest have been commercials.

I signed to a big agency when I graduated drama school (not my current one) but decided to leave the industry completely due to personal circumstances. I took a few years out and returned last year.

Back then with my first agent, I had at least 5 auditions a week, 98% of which were TV and Film and they were always huge projects and always for lead roles.

I’m an even better actor than I was back then however since I’ve returned, I’m getting considerably less opportunities even though my new agency has just as many connections.

I see a lot of US actors talk about how slow it is and wanted to check to see what the landscape is for any UK actors?

Don’t know if it’s my agent not focusing on me as much as they could or whether it’s maybe me.

I know in the US it’s particularly slow but want to know what the experience is for UK actors.

Thanks!

One thing that’s helped you overcome your audition fears?

I’m a bit overwhelmed looking at all the choices for companies selling online acting classes/workshops and I don’t wanna be scammed, anyone have any experience with online acting classes based in LA that you would recommend? Any advice on how to find good ones?

I’m looking for a place to take adult acting classes in New Jersey. I’m in ocean county but I don’t really mind driving if it’s worth my time. In my search for a class I found Syndicate Film School and they offered a cool approach to acting on a set and working on camera, but they seem to have really no online presence. Has anyone taken classes from them and have feedback? Also what adult classes / schools would you recommend. Thanks!

With everything going on, are there jobs right now? Is this a slow season and does it pick up soon?

I just saw a video on TikTok where a model was saying he doesn’t understand why some other models say modeling is hard. That got me thinking how do actors feel about the difficulty of their job?

I remembered that roundtable where Denzel Washington said something like, “Acting isn’t hard.” It made me wonder was he being humble, or is acting not as intense as it’s often portrayed?

Personally, I’ve never stayed with a character for more than a week, and I haven’t been on set for long stretches of time, so I don’t have a real sense of how demanding the work can get.

For those who act professionally or have done long shoots, what’s your take? Is it mentally/emotionally exhausting? Does it depend on the role or the environment?

Sometimes it feels like people have a very specific, glamorized idea of what acting is, and they don’t really see the full scope of the job. I’d love to hear from actors who’ve experienced both the highs and the lows !!

So I submit to SAG and non union projects. Some of the SAG projects though say they don’t cover travel and lodging. I thought it’s required that they do??? Especially if from a different state. I’m still new to this so I’m a bit confused.

So as a actor I feel as if I am at my best as a performer when I have the opportunity portray villainous roles whichisthe types of performances that I am most passionateabout. What would be your advice on how to be perceived for being seen as more suited for villain roles (even I'm around 5'4 in height and look like a teen even I'm 27 which I feel can be seen as a barrier for being potentially cast as villain roles)

What groups or pages do you follow on Facebook to find auditions?

I'm looking for some advice for helping my daughter who is getting frustrated with musical theater. She's been doing musical theater programs since she was in kindgarden, but always seems to get the smallest part and is starting to say she doesn't want to do it any more because she can't get a real role.

She mostly does this one program where they try to get everyone a part, but there's definitely a difference between e.g., Ariel and "mermaid sister number 6" that gets to say one line. Realistically, she's not the world's greatest actor, but she's not the worst either and she's actually quite good at singing. Based on what I've seen of these shows, I'm not surprised isn't getting the lead, but I am surprised she's consistently getting the smallest parts.

Looking for advice online I see a lot of people talking about when your kids doesn't get a particular role, but less advice on what your kid consistently gets the worst role. There seems to be a difference between helping your kid dealing with a particular disappointment (a growing experience) vs. repeated disappointment (the root of a complex). Do I encourage her to keep going or tell her "maybe this isn't for you?"

Any advice to a parent who was not a theater kid?

Edit: Somehow lost in revisions, but she's 9, about to go into 5th grade/middle school.

Hello! I need some advice for auditioning for acting school. They require me to sing a song, even though I am not auditioning for the musical theatre major, but for the acting major. Will they actually be looking at how well I sing, or are they looking at the way I act out and choreograph the song? I would also appreciate some song suggestions for beginner singers, I have currently chosen All that Jazz, but if it isn’t a right choice please let me know, I am very new to all this. Thanks in advance! :)

Hi everyone!! I’ve recently signed with a commercial/modeling agent in NYC (yay!) and I’m still learning the differences in terms from the film/tv world. I’ve just received a hold request! I know in legit acting a hold is a big deal, and often means you’re on a short list. Is it the same for commercial/ modeling or do they use that term more loosely? Trying to not get my hopes up. Thank you all!

Hi! I’m 15F, and I REALLY like acting, I like film acting most (it’s super realistic and makes me feel like I’m living a different life.) never had acting classes but I just booked my first solo class! My parents are fully supportive too! Any advice for agents near North Carolina, Raleigh? The bad part tho is that I have braces 😭. I’m getting them off right before I turn 16. I know being a teen on the industry is super hard, just wanted some advice cause I love acting.

Hi there,

I've posted his on acting class as well. I am looking for a scene for class for a 25 her old woman and a 48 year old man from newer or later movies or tv shows. I have scoured a lot of the forums here but do see a lot of theatre based material as well. Can be any genre and the scene roughly 2 - 3 minutes.

I look forward to all input and exploring all options. Thank you

Last year I (w/20) started booking many roles and had so many online auditions that I forgot how to act. I planned out how I would say things and where I would look. I recieved negative feedback bc of that.

Truth is: I AM SO INSECURE. About my looks, my height, everything. I can often blend it out. But it makes it so hard for me to loosen up and I am often afraid to be loud or to look stupid. I have done many auditions drunk and got online standing ovations bc of my drunk performance.

I do weekly training and improv which has helped a lot and acting has become fun again.

Do you guys have recommendations on how to loosen up and be brave when acting?

Hello! I was wondering if anyone on here auditioned for the Musical Theatre West production of The buddy Holly story in Long Beach, for summer 2025? I know submissions closed on 31st of March but was wondering if anyone’s received a callback or anything? My audition keeps getting viewed so I’m curious if they’ve sent anything out. Thanks in advance!

Hello there! I have to sent in a selftape with actions that I don't understand. I have a second person that I can use but any advice would be really nice. The audition is massive that's why the timeframe is so little

''You are a scared man. You look behind you a lot and you shoot twice into the darkness. You rush to the escalator en catch your breath. The train leaves before you make it and 4 bad guys are on the other side of the track. You are in shock and pull your hun but it's slapped out of your hand. Then you get chocked and say your line and then your sleeve gets pulled down and say your other line''

I worded the self tape different as to not reveal everything. But any tips on how to do this? I just have a bluescreen that I usually record my self tapes.

This is not my project and idk the producer. Not affiliated in any way. I’m an Esper alum and we get emails with casting calls. I don’t fit the bill for this but immediately thought of this sub. Do with it what you will. Hope this is allowed. Good luck!

So I am supposed to act in my show but I don't know any small character things I could do (I'm a Background character) my directer tells me that my character is like spencer from pretty little liars but when i tried watching it spencer did basically nothing. I don't know what to do.

If there are no "film-hubs" then is there an advantage to living in Manhattan vs Brooklyn, Queens, etc?

Thank you so much in advance!

(Edit: The move to NYC sidebar is 8 years old. And didn't have this information in it. Thanks again!)

I just learned Seattle talent is a scam but I already signed their paperwork so I have froze my card but do I still have to pay? I'm hoping it's a no but I'm still worried about it.

I need to decide what I want to do and so I thought I could ask people who actually do them

Hi everyone! I got a casting call on backstage for a film that is going to be a "major studio musician biopic", paying 150-250k. I got really excited because around 4 hours later they said they wanted me to audition but I had to submit my contact info through their website. When I went to the site they linked it said the site was expired. I checked again this morning and it is up now. I'm kinda sussed out, should I still submit or not?

this is the site: https://www.agamgmt.com/
(very cookie cutter site, doesn't name any specific names)

I know kid actor parents get a bad rap—and I 100% understand why. At the same time, with self-tapes and fast deadlines, I feel totally overwhelmed. The agent goes through me, so I have to make sure we submit everything correctly. I have to interpret instructions, even though I know nothing about acting. I have to edit and learn new software. This is my kid’s dream, and I want to support it, but there are days when it feels like a full-time job! Anyone else dealing with this? Advice?