Acting

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

When you just start your acting career and begin to navigate the unknown maze that is your options for acquiring skills as an actor, you really need all the encouragement and support you can get. This, of course, applies to your friends and family foremost because they are your trusted loved ones wh...

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If you feel as though everyone you know is negative and just plain doesn’t “get it,” then take a moment and see your choice to become an actor from your family and friends’ perspectives. An attorney, a doctor, an accountant, or another mainstream occupation is more acceptable than what they perceive a struggling artist’s life to be, schlepping from audition to audition unpaid and having to attend classes in order to hone your skill set. Your spouse probably sees your decision to be without the proper consideration for your collective future together.

One of the best ways to deal with possible negativity from your family is to try and understand that they really do have your best interests at heart, and their intentions are good.

When your parents or significant other responds to you with anything other than, “Don’t worry. You’ll book the next role,” or “Hey, can I help in any way for your next audition?” simply display that you’re being responsible and earning a living doing something while pursuing your acting career.

If they do see that you are completely immersed in this career and are busy with every opportunity in moving forward then that shows you are to be taken at your word and they should see your commitment to your craft.

Whatever the outcome of your specific relationships, always think positively and embrace the challenges and adventures as you navigate your way as an actor. This is a truly exciting and invigorating process. You can be a part of evoking emotion from strangers as they sit in front of their TVs or in an audience by making them cry, laugh, get angry, and be entertained. You can make them forget everything for just a moment. Now that is worth more than you know.

#actors #support

Diction is the way you talk: your enunciation and the types of words and phrases you use.

These exercises are great for actors to practice:

- Yoga hum: Take a deep breath in, then hum while slowly releasing your breath. Do this 5–10 times.

- Dragon’s breath: Stand with your hands on your stomach and ta...

Expand post

Diction is the way you talk: your enunciation and the types of words and phrases you use.

These exercises are great for actors to practice:

- Yoga hum: Take a deep breath in, then hum while slowly releasing your breath. Do this 5–10 times.

- Dragon’s breath: Stand with your hands on your stomach and take a deep breath in. Release the breath with a “hah!” on fast, sharp exhales.

- Tongue twisters: Go through any catchy tongue twisters you know, such as:

She sells seashells by the seashore.

We surely shall see the sunshine soon.

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked

If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, and chuck as much wood

As a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood

Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?

To practice, say the above tongue twisters slowly and deliberately five times in a row. If you’re able to say them without making a mistake, increase the speed. If you make a mistake, slow back down again. The key with tongue twisters as diction exercises is to only speed up once you’re in control of the words and to go faster and faster until you master them at all speeds.

- Practice vowels and consonants: Practice saying and singing vowels using different consonant sounds at the front, in the middle, and at the end. For example, slowly and clearly say the words “poke,” “toll,” “boat,” “cope,” and “stone” back to back, focusing on keeping that long “o” exactly the same.

- Backstage

#actors #voice #vocal #backstage

Maurice Vaughan

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2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Tamika Gemini Marley
4 months ago

Hi, Tamika Gemini Marley. Just wanted to let you know the body text of your post shows up in the Stage 32 app but not the web browser. I'm guessing you wrote the post in the app, so you might need to...

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Tamika Gemini Marley

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Thank you

You're welcome, Tamika Gemini Marley.

Omari Washington

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Hey Tamika, checkout https://www.standingroomonly.tv/.

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Jacob Hayward

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6 people like this
4 months ago

Wow! Thanks for sharing this Tammy Hunt it's right on time and really touching as my Mom just recently dismissed my creative endeavors and asked "Can you make money doing that?" Thanks again! You've h...

Suzanne Bronson

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5 people like this
4 months ago

I always got the response from my parents and teachers, "You need a back up plan." Of course my acting teachers were the opposite. "If you have a plan B than you're not 100% committed to acting and you should not do it."

Ashley Renee Smith

I love that you're talking about this and providing some perspective, Tammy Hunt. It can be a hard road to walk and many don't have unconditional support from those around them who worry about the dif...

António Monfort

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4 people like this
4 months ago

A great advice I ´ll keep that in mind.

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2 people like this
- Tammy Hunt
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Thanks for the brilliant feedback!

Yes, you can contact SAG_AFTRA for a rate sheet.

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Great advice, Suzanne Bronson!

Sydney S

Hi, Greg! There website is a great resource for rate sheets, link here: https://www.sagaftra.org/production-center/contract/818/rate-sheet/document...

Pat Alexander

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3 people like this
4 months ago

Would second contacting SAG or checking their website for the latest rate sheet!

Greg Rabidoux

Thanks everyone, I'll follow-up on your suggestions! yay.

I like seeing actors make comebacks, Sam Sokolow! Demi Moore was in some of my favorite movies growing up. I'm looking forward to seeing THE SUBSTANCE!

I love Demi! This is awesome to see!

Looking forward to it.

This is very inspiring! And Demi is dope! Nothing is fatal or final other than death! As long as you're willing to take shots the world is your oyster

SO excited for this!

This is great Tammy Hunt You know what's funny? Since I took diction at AADA and we had to learn standard stage speech, I notice others' diction as well. I can tell who has trained and who hasn't . Li...

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2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Suzanne Bronson
4 months ago

Thank you for sharing!

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1 person likes this
- Suzanne Bronson
4 months ago

Hope it's a great turnout, everyone enjoys themselves, and you all make contacts, Suzanne Bronson!

Thank you! I hope so too

4 months ago

You're welcome, Suzanne Bronson.

Great video, Aaron Marcus! I've been disappointed (pitches not going my way, not getting writing jobs, etc.). I like to work on a new script when it happens. Working on a new script takes my mind off...

Aaron Marcus

What a great way to stay strong and healthy. Thank you for sharing.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus. Thanks for sharing the video!

William Joseph Hill

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3 people like this
5 months ago

Great post, Tammy Hunt ! It's so much easier to learn a dialect nowadays since you can look up native speakers on YouTube. Though a good coach will help you nail down a specific accent and words/expre...

I think they are also dialect recordings you can get. I remember listening to a cassette when I had to learn a German accent. Cassette, that's how long ago it was.

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2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
5 months ago

Interesting article, Tom Lapke . Not sure how I feel about this as a longtime SAG-AFTRA member. I do know that the elected positions on the various boards are all volunteer union members. I've got mix...

Brigitte Millar

Very informative, thank you.

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1 person likes this
- Brigitte Millar
4 months ago

It does seem incongruent with what the members of SAG AFTRA make.

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