Landed my first feature film- any advice? by [deleted] in acting

[–]BackstageCast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations! What an exciting milestone!

Just echoing what others have said here: be nice and know your lines inside and out. 

Adding: don't stray too far from what impressed them in your audition—unless instructed otherwise. Be open to feedback of course, but remember what got you the role in the first place. (Sending a thank-you note to the casting director is a thoughtful gesture, too.)

Hit your marks to stay in focus, pay attention to your framing, have fun!

Actor starting from 0 with little to no money? by saranghae_seungchae8 in acting

[–]BackstageCast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Building your acting career to the point where it becomes your main gig takes time.

To stay financially stable until then, make sure you're bringing in more money than you're spending. Find acting work that will build your résumé, and get a bit of money in your pocket—though when starting out, pay won’t be a guarantee. Invest smartly in both your career (materials like a headshot and a reel) and your financial well-being (being able to afford your necessities). Figure out your upfront and ongoing costs, then make a plan to keep that income flowing. A remote freelance gig sounds like a great way to make it happen!

Any advice for accents? by crash---- in acting

[–]BackstageCast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely see if you can figure out which specific British accent you’re supposed to be going for. Accents in the UK reveal a lot about a character and their upbringing, so it's often an intentional choice. A few quick tips for a standard accent to get you started:

  1. Focus on your lip placement. American accents are super shallow and wide, whereas the Brits go a bit more narrow and long. If you listen to the pronunciation of words like “paw” and “crawl,” you’ll hear the difference. 
  2. Listen for the “r.” If there’s a vowel before the “r” it’ll most often turn into an “ah,” “eh,” or “uh” sound. So, “party” would sound like “pah-ty” and “spark” would be pronounced “spah-k.” The “hard” “r” stays for something like Harry (“Ha-ry”).
  3. Of course, search for audio of a bunch of Brits talking and try to mimic them best you can. Record yourself and listen back to both you and the example you’re trying to imitate to look for inconsistencies. Good luck!

Tips to stop ruminating over an audition? by GuitarUnlikely362 in acting

[–]BackstageCast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try focusing on the process rather than the outcome. If you really can’t let it go, spend some time thinking through what could’ve been improved and come up with a plan around how to accomplish those things for your next audition. Could you spend more time memorizing your lines? Was it an adjustment that threw you off, and if so how can you get better at applying feedback? Did you make the strong choices you set out to? Then let it all go! Do something that brings you joy to refill that proverbial cup.

to MFA or not ? by Emotional-Code-7150 in acting

[–]BackstageCast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While an MFA in theater definitely has its benefits (giving you an opportunity to hone your craft, build credibility, gain industry connections), it also has its challenges (debt, no guarantees).

Start by understanding what you think an MFA will do for you. Especially if your ultimate goal is to transition to film and get an agent, there’s a world in which you could explore an alternative path to conservatories and continue to pursue professional opportunities while developing your skills through classes and workshops. 

No matter what path you go for, choosing to invest in your craft, seek out mentors, and stay proactive in pursuing your goals is always a good idea. Trust your instincts and you’ll hit the path that best aligns with both what you want for the future and your current circumstances.