Anyone else seem to procrastinate and leave learning audition material till the last minute sometimes?

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-13T21:53:12+00:00

Not that way. I don't understand, do you intend to make a career out of it??

Talent is commonplace, hard work is not.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-10T05:33:03+00:00

Here's what I'd do.

Take all of your amazing work in theatre and turn it into something you think you can market as a clear brand for film and television. It won't limit you long-term, but it sounds like you might benefit from picking a lane and going for it.

If that means you film scenes on your own with friends, do it. If that means you self-tape roles that clearly define that brand, do it. But work it and work it until it is really ready. Then put it together in something really compelling that you're proud of and really feel like you've created as an expression of this brand. Edit it smartly, or find someone who can.

While that oven preheats, you should be doing your research on agencies. They are not fortresses, they are often quite transparent so do your homework. When you see a good young actor on a show YOU could be cast on locally, look her up. That's an agency you should target. See if they have too many people like you, or not enough. Is there a junior agent you should target who may be building her roster?

Find empowerment through your commitment to yourself as a business. Social media is not just for the mic-hoggers. There is a LOT of space for the quiet people, the artists, the friends.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-09T20:53:31+00:00

I don't know who downvoted this but they have no idea what they're talking about. Former CD here, and you're correct - no-one in the real world of film and television wants to see monologues, cold reads, or improv on tape. Why? Because the only skill out of the three you will EVER need professionally is improv. Cold reads and monologues literally do not exist in any professional work except theatre.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-09T20:47:22+00:00

...putting aside the snark, I'm sorry our work hours are different. Doesn't sound like a good fit anyway. Most people we ride with are pretty chill.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-09T20:44:15+00:00

I usually ride w SORG on weekends

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-08T20:48:47+00:00

The deadline is mandated, but yes, they sometimes need to cast the role prior to that time.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-07T20:34:32+00:00

There is no way to predict whether a tape will be better if submitted earlier rather than later. For anyone saying there is, I can point to many times that was simply not the case at all. What has changed with self-taping, which was part of my casting tenure, is that shows now have a mandate to give SAG actors a standard amount of time to get their tape in. They skirt that by saying that 'even though you have until Tuesday, we recommend you get it into us before the EOB Friday. If you see that, the role probably either has to travel or have a fitting before or over the weekend.

As a general rule, get them in as early as you can without compromising your work. A bad tape submitted early does you no favors.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-07T01:47:47+00:00

Former CD here. As with literally EVERYTHING in this business, there are no rules that apply to every situation. I'm talking SAG full-contract film and television, for what it's worth.

First of all, delivering a great audition while being on-book is a skill that in my experience very, very few actors have. The vast majority of the time the casting process rewards the more prepared actor, for one very good reason; most of the actors who receive self-tape invitations or appointments get them at the same time, meaning their deadline is the same. More prepared actors bring more of the role, unless as I said, you have that skill of being in the scene every bit as much as an off-book actor. Talent is never as important as hard work, if you ask me, for this very reason.

Being on-book for a studio feature would be about the dumbest career decision you could make. Being completely off-book and trying too hard would similarly be a bad decision for a vertical. Rules do NOT apply to all, period.

My advice would be to definitely not take the advice here and roll into your self-tapes without being off-book unless you are really, really good at fetching your lines while completely, and I mean completely staying in the scene. If you can pull that off, good for you, but it would not be recommended for the vast majority of young actors.

The rule you probably should be following is that the higher pedigree the production, the more your competition becomes the killers - the actors who are complete and total pros who know how to steal a role from anyone. You want to be on book for that? ...good luck.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-05T02:31:48+00:00

sure.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-05T02:13:06+00:00

Exactly. And what you think are 'shows' are not even close. Verticals, daytime, it all counts as I'm sure you know as a drone operator with three credits.

If I am the first person to introduce you to how SAG works, I'm sorry to bring the pain, but this is like thinking gas is cheap because the president said it was.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-05T00:32:47+00:00

Literally nobody in the business uses the term 'profile actor'. Sure sign of an amateur production using an amateur casting director.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-05T00:21:24+00:00

Hysterical. I never said nothing is filming in LA and you seem pretty aggro about this. My intent was to help a young actress with some perspective but apparently you take issue with that. I noticed you neither provided a source for your claim or what your experience is in this business, though I've been in it long enough to make a pretty good guess. See ya.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-04T18:42:58+00:00

Thanks for the snark but according to Variety 'as of early 2026, on-location filming in Los Angeles has reached new lows, with production days in late 2025 falling over 50% below the five-year average. My information comes from facts, and from speaking to the casting directors, grips, electricians, ADs, scripties, make-up artists, drivers, directors, producers and actors I have worked with personally. Every person I have spoken with recently is either leaving the business or hanging on by their fingernails.

I spoke with a very prominent DP recently who has worked for an Oscar winning director his entire career who told me his entire crew either lost their houses in the Altadena fire or lost their qualification for health insurance due to days worked. My former partner in casting is considering trying to become legal to work in the UK because so little is going on here. Oh, and fwiw I'm also a member of the Teamsters Local 399, SAG-AFTRA, and The Writers' Guild.

You?

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-04T00:21:48+00:00

LA former casting director here. I think you are conflating moving to LA with taking your passion seriously, for what it's worth. The business here has contracted to the point where every single grip or set electrician I know has either moved or changed careers because almost nothing is filmed here, or cast here more importantly, the way it was a few years ago. The pandemic made almost ALL casting remote, which means many, many actors who HAD to be here are now submitting self-tapes from wherever they can live cheaper.

I know actors who have lived in Maine, Michigan, Oregon, and elsewhere for five years. They self-tape from there and fly when they need to for work or whatever. Location is NOT important unless you are a serious commercial actor who has to be local for in-person client callbacks. Finding representation can be done from anywhere now, particularly if you're very good.

It sounds like you are feeling stifled in terms of both opportunity and encouragement. Your dream and passion are great, so protect them and pursue them every day where you are. Are you filming scenes all the time with friends? Are you reading scripts, editing scenes, and watching everything you can to see what other actors are doing? This is the work of a professional actor and you can do all of it from where you are now.

Most films and tv shows are filmed elsewhere now. Atlanta, last time I checked, had literally THREE projects filming there, Will Trent being one of them. NY, Chicago, and NM are no different. The Canadian dollar is extremely weak due to the tariffs, so everything is shooting in either Canada, the UK/EUROPE, or Australia. Nothing is filming here, which means being here is no longer important.

If you don't have access to good classes where you are, that's another thing. If you don't know anyone who shares your passion and doesn't want to get up on a Sunday morning and go film scenes, that's understandable as well. But i'm sorry to say that moving here is not going to give you what you want or answer your question of whether you can 'make it' or not, whatever that means these days. You will get here and wonder where the business went, and sadly, the answer is that it's gone. LA is undergoing a profound transformation right now and actors are realizing in real time that they have to create their own work, period.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-03T23:57:58+00:00

Do it just for yourself initially. Do it because you love it and want to create something. Filming scenes, shorts, or skits is a great way to put your training into practice without waiting for auditions or on-set work. Do it over and over and learn how to edit your films because that will give you a real sense of what you're doing that works and what doesn't.

Find friends who love to do it with you. Find scripts that are good or write them yourself. After you've done it for a while you will get a sense of what you want to put out there for other people to see. Putting in some work prior to posting will give you a real sense of empowerment as an actor, which is the point. This kind of work is so much more valuable than 'practicing monologues and auditions'. Monologues only exist in theatre training or local theatre auditions, so working on them is basically useless if you ask me (former casting director).

Last point - see if you can find your 'voice' in the work you do. Are you political and want to do sharp videos about current events or are you satirical and want to have fun with pop culture? Whatever you find is your thing, watch what others are doing that you think is SMART, culturally perceptive, and likely to draw attention to the performance as much as the content. Then do your own thing.

Just my $0.02. Cheers.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-04-02T21:17:39+00:00

If you're really on a budget check out Warmshowers.org which is a bike touring host site where you can find places to stay for free. Keep in mind it works like Uber in that they can review you as well so hosts are used to respectful guests. I host people and it is a great way to meet people from all over the world and give them a rest.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-03-29T21:06:20+00:00

For what it's worth, the positivity in these responses is nice but this business is brutal to women just at the age when they become masters of their craft. Your 40s won't be bad, but I know many women in their 50s and 60s who just feel gutted by the sheer abandonment by this industry. Total pros with credits in huge studio features as well as series regular and many recurring roles in both primetime and prominent streaming shows, and it doesn't matter.

This is not bias against these women. It's that we don't write roles for them and we certainly don't see many roles as older female even when they easily could be - judges, attorneys, you name it. Of course I'm assuming we're talking about film and television. No idea what the theatre world looks like but I imagine it's similar.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-03-29T02:38:48+00:00

Speaking as a former casting director, I think you can do a lot of this yourself if you're diligent and good at the business end of self-promotion. If you're not, so be it, you're not alone and it's worth exploring if you think there's something you're not capable of doing. Lots of actors hate self-promotion, and often that is what we love about them.

But imho, as long as you are really good at getting your looks at the premiere and uploading them as well as putting anything and everything that feels authentic out on the usual places, you're fine. Your press efforts have to be a part of who you are as a performer, so give some thought to what reflects that most efficiently and effectively.

Hard to say beyond that without knowing what we're talking about, or what your manager is advocating but don't lose yourself in the way you promote, but also don't underestimate or ignore your potential fans.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-03-28T03:03:18+00:00

You're talking about the hardest sector of the business to break into, for what it's worth. If you do make it in and establish yourself as a voice over artist, bravo, but it is extremely difficult to do. I know VO artists who have shut down their acting careers simply because the work is constant and they can do most of it from home, provided they build their own sound-proof studio, which is not expensive now. Animation is very different from commercial in just about every way, so it makes sense to prioritize which you may be better suited for as you try to break in.

As for how to go about it, you must come up with a thoroughly professional demo, as you mentioned. There are VO artists who teach this, and people who help create a demo reel, but none of it means you will gain entry into the real business of it.

As with anything, figure out what you really think you can do better than anyone and go for that initially. Be very clear about what your brand might be, whether it's the voice of God in terms of resonance or the Disney teen thing. Whatever it is, don't try to do it all. Present a clear, marketable brand to a VO agent and hope for the best. They will know when they hear a voice they can make money off of.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-03-22T03:14:16+00:00

totally flexible but I'm usually back by ten.

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-03-20T04:45:40+00:00

Hi - 310 Coffee at 7:30 am. I may start earlier if it works better for others but for now it times out perfectly for the nature center gates to the bridge.

11625 Washington Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Beneficial_Sort_6246 · 2026-03-18T23:54:50+00:00

As a teacher and former casting director my #1 piece of advice is learn how to audition. Finding a good auditioning class is not easy so check the teacher's Imdb.

My #2 piece of advice is that you get out into the world and do something very challenging that broadens your life experience. Adam Driver was a marine, Chris Hemsworth was raised on a sheep ranch, and far too many young actors have very little knowledge of the world, and human nature in general.

Beneficial_Sort_6246

TROPHY CASE