Acting

Whether you’re an actor, voice actor, casting director or anyone else related to the profession of acting, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on technique, audition strategies, headshots and all other topics related to the sweet science of acting

Brigitte Millar

yes, thank you, I agree.

Suzanne Bronson

Awesome

Mark W. Travis
How Directors can best work with actors. Let's ask the actors.

As a director (and directing coach) I am really interested in hearing from actors. We get a lot of advice from directors on how to work with actors which is of course very interesting but many times not that useful. How about we open the conversation and let the actors tell us what works for them, w...

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Suzanne Bronson

On this topic guess what: there's an education class coming up :

Directors: How To Work With Actors From Audition to Post Production

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/4-part-class-directors-how...

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Emma Louise Burdett

As an actor, the thing that I find important is when the director gives me space to perform the scene initially without trying to control everything from the start. That can make the actor feel tense,...

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Mark W. Travis

@Emma Thanks for your comments, Emma. They are very helpful and insightful.

Mark W. Travis

Suzanne Bronson Thanks for the information on the class. It looks very interesting.

Brigitte Millar

Hi all, Thank you Mark W. Travis for asking this question. Firstly, I agree with Emma Louise Burdett. What she says makes absolut sense. Also, I have been priviliged to work with high profile academy...

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Glenn Axelrod
Portraying Coach Mark Reynolds: My First Acting Experience with Memorized Lines

Just wrapped up one of my first acting clip where I fully memorized short lines and acted with someone else on the other end. Three days ago, I couldn’t remember any of it, but after studying for 3.5 days and listening to the script on Speechify until it became an earworm, I was able to recite 95% w...

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Paul Molnar

That is incredible, Glenn! I once collaborated with an actor who had a unique technique for memorizing lines. He transformed his dialogue into a rap, which helped him remember the lines and added a fu...

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Glenn Axelrod

Thank you, Maurice! Yes, we went deep into this. I did miss one word in the script, but that happens. Everything else was spot on. I’ll be doing more of these. I think the next one will be from Chicag...

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Glenn Axelrod

Thanks, Paul! That’s an amazing approach—turning lines into a rap must have made rehearsals a lot more fun and memorable. I love hearing about creative techniques like that; it’s inspiring how people...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Glenn Axelrod.

Pat Savage

awesome congratulations

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
Voice acting

Hi everyone~ this is just a random question more than anything but is it very hard to get into voice acting? What do you absolutely need to do first, for instance?

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

That’s great to know Maureen Mahon, and very interesting!

Rutger Oosterhoff

I fully agree with Mario Leone; but I think there is one more point he left out because it's so obvious, still it must be mentioned, 'know your material!!'

Amanda Toney

I’m loving all the great advice here - thank you everyone!

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

That is very true Rutger Oosterhoff lol

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

I agree Amanda Toney lots of great and helpful advice :D

Ashley Renee Smith
Don’t Miss TOMORROW'S Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up LIVE on Instagram!

Hey, Performers!

Don’t miss this Friday’s Stage 32 Community Wrap-Up LIVE on Instagram with

Head of Stage 32's Community, Ashley Smith, & Community Manager, Kay Ross! You can tune in on the @Stage32 or @Stage32Scripts Instagram accounts every Friday at 10:00 am PT/ 1:00 pm ET, to keep up to date on al...

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Tammy Hunt
Directors On Working With Actors

“It’s incumbent upon a director, if you want to pull the best performance out of an actor, you have to really work to who they are and how they work, and not just expect them to hit a mark every time. You have to be very adaptable in the approach that you use with every different actor.”

– RUSSO BROT...

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Rebecca James

Great read - thanks for posting!

Darasimi Ibrahim

I have nice nollywood movie’s story lines but I don’t know how to work on them

Loren E Chadima

this is great thank you for posting.

Randall Paul

Wow great points. Stanley Kubrick's comment on not working with fearful actors hit home. I've seen it when he's working, he was so engrossed with the filming, it wasn''t a question in his mind that he...

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Mark W. Travis

Randall Paul. I think that quote was from Lee Daniels (Precious, Empire) and not Stanley Kubrick. Regardless, it's a great quote. From my experience fear is a constant aspect of every actors world. Th...

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Aaron Marcus
Here Are 5 Powerful Reasons For Declining Acting Jobs

Here Are 5 Powerful Reasons For Declining Acting Jobs

Out of nearly 1,300 bookings, I have turned down less than 10 auditions/jobs. It is hard for me to turn down work.

However, it is essential that we say no to offers in certain circumstances. Watch the video - https://...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus. It was definitely a lesson learned.

Aaron Marcus

Great points, William. In the last Union negotiation, one of the key issues that they resolved was not allowing companies to scan Union extras, pay them a full-day fee (less than $200) and have their...

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Glenn Axelrod

This is really good about the five powerful reasons. I can relate—I’ve turned down some roles or auditions myself, and that goes beyond just acting; it applies to any profession. Through...

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Aaron Marcus

Thank you so much for your thoughts, Glenn. You are right on target. This applies to any profession. I have accepted bookings where I made very little money, but I needed the experience and contacts,...

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Tammy Hunt
Top 5 Things Casting Directors Look for in Self-Tapes

1. Performance. When you’re self-submitting, casting folks have high expectations. Even though you may have just received the copy, we assume that you’ve had time to work on the material and can bring your A-game.

2. Personality. Since casting is asking for your self-submission in lieu of an in-perso...

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Chiara Mattioli

Highkey needed this thank you so much!

Lakshmi B Ajith

Thank you, this has been truly helpful.

Rebecca James

I love that term - bring your A-game! Great notes - thanks!

Glenn Axelrod

Hey Tammy Great Insight! Thank you for posting this! Question? For self-tapes, I was advised in my acting courses to wear a black shirt, but that seems like a one-size-doesn’t-fit-all approach. Wouldn...

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Glenn Axelrod
Rediscovering the Art of Acting Through Online Resources and Self-Study

I've been diving into a lot of YouTube courses and online resources lately, and I'm learning so much that my previous acting classes didn’t cover. It’s becoming clear to me that truly embodying a character goes beyond just memorizing lines. You have to understand the character, bring them to life, k...

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Tammy Hunt
Self Tape Wardrobe Tips for Character Types

Mom and Dad

Having a parental look will go a long way for commercial auditions and day players. Having a solid cardigan or polo you can throw on to look approachable and relatable can suggest the role. You want to look a little conservative.

Flirty

If it’s within your range, having a flirty or seduct...

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Sam Sokolow

Great tips, as always, Tammy Hunt. Flagging this for my network (and sharing with several actor friends).

Philip David Lee
Greetings Actors

Hello all of you actors that are out there doing your thing. My name is Philip David Lee and I'm a screenwriter/Director in Maine. I'm wondering if some of you need material for your reels that will expand a producer's knowledge of your range and talents. I have a 10 page short called SUFFERING abou...

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Rebecca James

Nice idea Philip David Lee! Best of luck!

Loren E Chadima

Great offer for actors - how generous.

Aaron Marcus
What Actors Need To Know Before Signing Agency Contracts

What Actors Need To Know Before Signing Agency Contracts

Are you considering signing an agency contract now or in the future? It’s crucial to understand specific details that can make or break your acting career. Many actors overlook critical elements in agency contracts...

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Claude Gagne

Don't sign unless you have a way out. Period. Look at John Fogerty for an example. He lost a lot of money believing in lawyers and agency that royally screwed him.

Aaron Marcus

That is a great point. There used to be a clause in a SAG-AFTRA contract where an actor and give notice if they don't earn a certain amount by a specific time period. I don't know if that still holds....

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Claude Gagne

It's long story he has in his book, "Fortunate Son". Have a read. It's pretty depressing though. He lost all his songs from Credence Clearwater Revival and millions, and millions from a crook and Fantasy Records.

Aaron Marcus

Wow, that is a horrible story. I guess he didn't own the publishing? I honestly don't know how people can knowingly cheat other people and sleep at night. Thanks again.

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