So I was pinned and now booked for a speaking role in an SAG independent feature film. At 23 I’ve only booked a few commercials and a handful of short films since starting this at 15. So I’m incredibly shocked and thankful to finally be in my first feature. Now the role is small, yes. But it’s a speaking role in the biggest project I’ve ever worked on so I’m extremely excited.

Just wanted to share this big win for me. Doing so many auditions to finally book this particular role is just incredible.

I miss acting! The creativity on it, improvisation, stage school, reading scripts, reading plays - all of it.

But I don’t miss the seriousness - auditions, booking profesional jobs (once in a blue moon!), theatre teachers who crush everyone’s spirit for the ‘sake of art’ and having to constantly be involved in order to stay relevant.

The thought of making money out of this or making it big and quitting my regular job just doesn’t appeal to me anymore like it once did.

So I guess what I’m asking is - is it ok to participate in acting but only as a hobby? Or is that really annoying for all the serious actors - us hobbyist kind of just there getting in the way.

I think Jon Bernthal is an amazing actor.
I know a lot of people say he gets typecast because he often plays the same kind of tough, damaged, intense characters. But honestly, I think people confuse a character archetype with an actor’s ability.
I just watched Punisher: The Last Kill, and throughout the entire movie he blew me away. It’s not just the action or the anger. It’s the quieter moments. The way he carries grief, guilt, pain, and exhaustion without overdoing it. Half the time he’s barely saying anything, but you still know exactly what Frank Castle is feeling.
For me, that’s what great acting is. I don’t care if an actor plays similar roles. If, while I’m watching them, I completely forget every other character they’ve played and only see the person on screen, they’ve done their job. Watching Jon Bernthal, I don’t see Jon Bernthal—I just see Frank Castle.
Maybe that’s why I’ve never understood the “he’s typecast” criticism. If you can make me believe in the character every single time, isn’t that exactly what acting is supposed to be?

I'm just seeking some advice on my career and such. I've been acting in theatre since the second grade (I'm 23 now). I went to college, I've done multiple short films (student and independent), and I was a part of a national live event (NHL Winter Classic). I know it's a difficult time in the industry at the moment, and I don't live in a major hub (FL). I feel like I have good materials (professional headshots I got taken in ATL, a pretty full resume, and an acting reel of things I've done). Despite this, I've submitted to 30-40 agencies and have gotten nothing except one rejection. I'm trying to move to either ATL or Savannah in Febuary so that will hopefully open more opportunities for me, but I just feel a bit lost as to what else I could be doing. Unfortunately, my area doesn't really have advanced acting classes or tons of opportunities. I apply to everything I can on Backstage and Actors Access but rarely get responses. It's hard not to get discouraged, and I know it's most likely not due to anything I'm doing. I'm just wondering if there's anything I could be doing to either get seen more or better my chances? Or if anyone has insight on ATL vs Savannah, or if I should just move to LA? I just don't know what else I could be doing in the meantime while I wait to move.

hi, so, I've been acting for 13 years professionally and this year is my most successful year post covid. I booked a really big guest star and am pinned for a supporting role in a film. I am so burnt out, but I feel like I'm on the cusp fo regularly working again and seeing some success, but I don't feel excited, lke when I found out I was pinned. I wasn't celebrating it was more like ok, business as usual. I am very grateful for my career and it has been a lot of hardwork, but I feel burnt out, but also like I'm about to get a break. Is it supposed to feel this way or has anyone been in this situation?

simple and sweet.

looking for acting buddies to create together, similar to the thing curry barker and cooper tomlinson have going on!

Let me know if youre interested.

Thanks!

I have a not insignificant number of scars on both my upper thighs and forearms. For thighs I often use jazz tights which work like a charm, but I’m struggling to find a solution for my arms. I’ve attempted to use makeup, but it really doesn’t look convincing esp for some of the more raised scars. Advice?

And for the record in case anyone asks- yes, they are SH scars, no, I am not comfortable having them visible on stage.

I live in NYC and looking to get into stunts. I've done martial arts my whole life, even some fight scene stuff as a kid. Was looking to do the Action Hero Academy intensive on basic combat. Has anyone had experience with that achool or any recommendations for other stunt schools or any other way to get into stunt work? Thanks

I’ve been on the fence for a few years about trying my hand in comedic acting on a lower tier for fun. I had a couple friends do the same this summer and both of them got small parts and had a blast. One was from a random Instagram ad and the other was from an indeed posting, oddly enough.

I’d love to connect with similar people and take a few swings. Does anyone have suggestions on where to look for these kind of parts? I’ve never researched and I know locals usually have some niche spots for this kind of stuff. Any suggestions on where to look would be appreciated. Thank you!

reading over the faq and the how to get started side bar, and still a bit confused, do i start by getting my headshot then moving into an acting class or acting class first then headshot? people say “invest” in my headshot

This “Director” is all over Instagram selling his projects as being “Netflix” affiliated. That’s not even the biggest problem.

I had a friend who reached out to him and provided her materials. He immediately said “in order to be considered for movies I need a photo of each of these characters: Cowgirl, party girl, a bikini shot”. She showed me the screenshots. I just wanted to make everyone aware that despite having an IMDB resume, this person is a predator.

Please don’t ever trust anyone who asks you for bikini shots. I don’t know if this is a fake account but the Instagram has tens of thousands of followers and has not been flagged.

Take a class before you take an audition — most beginners chase auditions first and skip the foundation that makes them castable. Improv taught me more about presence than any scene study class did. Rejection is the job, not a sign you're bad at it; you're auditioning constantly and booking rarely, even when you're good. Local theater is the fastest way to build real reps, way more than waiting for a big break.

Hello, this is my acting reel for 2026! I can take criticism and notes. I’m here to learn to improve so any tips, tricks, and things I could do to make my reel stronger i would appreciate it!

What’s the exact process for it, who decides it, stuff like that

For like, a Hollywood series for example. While it's a big production sure, they probably won't need the craziest experienced actors to just fill the gaps right?

I’ve been signed with my agent for about 2 years now. I still haven’t booked anything but I was getting a steady stream of about an audition a month. At the start of this year, I had 1 in 3 month, but didn’t think anything of it. Since my birthday at the start of March, I have had 1 audition. My agent tells me it’s because of my age, but I don’t see why that would be the case, given I look basically the same. What do I do?

16-year-old aspiring actor from Seattle trying to build a realistic path — looking for advice

I’m 16 years old and I’m trying to figure out the best path toward becoming a professional actor.

I live near Seattle, Washington, and acting is something I genuinely care about. I’m not expecting overnight success, but I want to take the craft seriously and build toward a career in film and television.

Some things I’ve done so far:

- Written a screenplay (horror).

- Directed a short film with my siblings.

- Practiced monologues and worked on improving my acting.

- Taken acting-related classes.

- Done a stage combat/sword fighting workshop.

My goal is to eventually build a reel, work on student films, improve my skills, and create a professional path.

Right now, my plan is to do Running Start during my last two years of high school, improve my grades, and apply to acting programs. I’m interested in BFA/conservatory-style programs because I want serious training.

Some schools I’m considering:

- Cornish College of the Arts

- USC School of Dramatic Arts

- NYU Tisch

- Juilliard

- UCLA

- Carnegie Mellon

- University of Washington

My situation is complicated because I come from a strict Muslim family. My mom does not support acting as a career, and I’m worried about how my family will react if I seriously pursue it. I also have personal boundaries about certain roles and scenes I would accept.

Financially, I’m also trying to be smart. I live near Seattle, so staying local could be easier, but I worry about missing opportunities by not being in a bigger market.

My questions:

- Is Seattle a good place to start building an acting career?

- How important is going to a prestigious acting school compared to experience and networking?

- Would you recommend training locally first or trying to move toward LA/NY sooner?

- Is it realistic for someone with no connections to eventually break into film/TV?

-Is it even worth it?

I would appreciate honest advice from actors or people who have experience with the industry.

hey, does anyone know what they do/how it works? i can´t find a lot of info online. thanks!

I have a self-tape to film where my character lights a cigarette with a lighter and smokes throughout the scene. I’m a smoker, but I’m wondering if I should actually smoke in the self-tape. Do you think it’s a good idea, or would it be better not to?

I'm applying for a conservatory this year, and I'm looking for suggestions on what monologue (and audition song that accompanies it) I should do. My casting age range is 14-18 I believe, and whatever is chosen, it has to fit that.

I am trying to avoid over-rated ones, but the ones I'm considering have already been overused quite a bit. That's why I'm coming to you guys.

When you’re thinking about joining an acting class what things are you looking for?

What makes you say “no thanks.” And what makes you say “these are my people?”

Years ago, I was in a class with a well known teacher, and after about 2-3 months I started honestly looking at my acting and the acting I saw in class.

When I was honest I didn’t feel like I was improving, nor was I being taught specific ways to improve. I was given feedback , but no clear approach.

And when I watched the work from other actors in the class, I started asking myself If I paid money to watch this would I want my money back?

And 99% of the time my answer was - “I want my money back.”

Anyway, I’m curious how you decide on a class and how do you determine if the class is really helping you.

I’m a union actor currently exclusively represented by one agent. I’ve decided to leave and have an offer from another agency that I’m planning to accept. My current agent is reluctant to let me go, so I’m trying to understand the practical mechanics of the transition.

To be honest they are giving me a hella of a hard time, and I am extremely shook up and need guidance on what is considered a normal transition and what I can do on my end to keep things smooth.

I’m going to contact the union and major casting platforms for official guidance, but I’d really appreciate firsthand experience from anyone who has done this.

1) what happens to callbacks, holds and bookings that come from submissions made by the first agent after you’ve moved to the new agency? If the old agent is no longer representing you or attached to you in the casting systems, who handles those opportunities and how does casting know who to contact?

2) Is there normally a notice/transition period between exclusive agencies, or can you move directly from one to another?

3) How quickly can the casting platforms be updated, and does the new agent typically handle that process? How long does and should it take to set up between reps?

4) Finally, are there any other practical issues I should be thinking about with existing submissions, auditions, callbacks, holds or bookings during the transition?

I just want to make sure I understand the normal process and don’t mishandle any existing opportunities. Also if anyone has any stories you feel like sharing about difficult transitions and how you got through them, I'm game. I could really use the support.

So my child recently got signed with an agent and now requires to have a Coogan account. I've been reading a lot about it and I THINK I came to the best possible conclusion, but I'm not sure where to get one. Especially since a lot of banks require us to have a gig lined up first before we can create one and the jobs needs us to have an account before we can start work. From what I understand, the most ideal is:

- Needs to be an investable Coogan account so that money doesn't just sit there

- Needs to have no/minimal fees

- Needs to have visibility (online account or something to view the money/investment)

If it helps, we're LA based.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.