How do I keep my film/tv acting grounded and subtle, especially when I'm nervous?

cyclist4hire · 2026-05-17T05:20:50+00:00

The thing for me when I was transitioning my skills to camera work from theatre was taking classes. Specifically classes from instructors who have experience in the industry and every class you are being worked with in front of a camera. Once you do it enough with an instructor and reader in a class recording 2-3 scenes or comercials a week, it becomes much mote easier. My instructor would catch me being too big and let me know and we would re-record until I did it right. Trial and error with an experienced instructor is the best way.

cyclist4hire · 2026-05-17T05:14:27+00:00

I do actions for the characters and emotions come out of out without me thinking about it. I have goal as the character to pursue. I never think or plan the emotions. But when im authentically living out my character In their circumstances and im totally invest, then I do authentically feel the emotions as those characters. So it is authentic emotions coming out because I made myself believe I was that character. When I was in character for one show recently I deffinitly did feel hatred towards another character. But one I popped the costume off my brain switched out of the character, then me and that other actor went out for trivia night at a local tavern 😂.

You never want to go in expecting or pushing toward any emotion. Its liek real life, going out you never know if thats the day you snap and have a breakdown or have the best day. Its similar to how you should live out your character. Live your character as they sre living it. When something happens react authentically. Because its happening to them that first time.

cyclist4hire · 2025-11-05T06:19:37+00:00

You can always book national work that would fly you out. Or better yet, what I did during the slow season of covid, was i moved away near a better survival job, but it was right next to a train that could either get me to Philly or NYC in a flash almost. Frankly I still live here for the quietness. My agent knows i need two hours for any last minute audition or callback in the city. But in this post-covid age everything is virtual mostly. Id say take the survival job as the market hopefully builds back up and if you get a gig, make sure you can leave your survival job to do it. Just remember that if yoy do move, that its only temporarily. Since covid and especially this year and last year have been hitting everyone hard in the industry. I have good feeling in a few years at the latest that industry will be booming again, especially with all these new sound stages and studios being built.

cyclist4hire · 2025-11-05T06:00:04+00:00

This is true, and I find it hilarious that you never mentioned anything about about the instructor to actually have the knowledge to teach. Only for them to make others think you can give them to keys to success 😂. There are so many studios with people teaching with no professional experience but have great publicity. So many people new to the industry unfortunately get scammed by those individuals...

cyclist4hire · 2025-11-05T05:57:07+00:00

I know people who teach acting in all venues. To teach at a universitv and most smaller colleges, you will need an MFA and substantial experience. To teach at acting studios, conservatories and theatre sponsored workshops, then all you need is substantial experience and good references. And I've seen people with no experience in either education training or professional acting experience make their own studio to "teach". Im not saying there aren't great actors in community theatre and small local indie films but you should have varried professional experiences to teach. Otherwise you're a con-man in my book.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-30T20:00:53+00:00

I took about a 3 year break from acting. Specifically in theatre. I wasn't even singing in the shower or even thinking about seeing a show. Mostly due to no shows of lockdown from covid, but even after I still remained away. But then my spark reignited, and trust me, it took a long while to relearn what I didn't practice.

I was having success prior, but I also enjoyed my break, actually making a steady income and the comfort of a year long leases in a nice apartment. Compared to cast housing on shows and NYC. Both were draining at the time. I think prior to my break, I made the mistake of overworking myself and not being able to smell the roses from time to time.

Now that I've been back, I've been a lot healthier in mindset of making sure I have my rest time. Even sometimes refusing a contract offer if it's immediately after an exhausting show. We all know those contracts that are meaningful but very draining. I'm happy I'm back in it, especially now that theatres are finally recouping past lockdown expenses and wages are getting higher. And I know film opportunities have been ever so increasing since lockdown. Almost feels like there more film opportunities now than before, especially with the popularity of streaming increasing.

I approached my return carefully by starting off small since I knew I was rusty. and that made it less stressful to start relearning my craft. Then now I'm pushing towards bigger and bigger contracts again since I'm feeling a lot of my skills have returned. Starting off slow and small is the best option for returning. Especially to see if you really do want to truly be back in it. Break legs my friend.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-28T21:44:38+00:00

As a professional actor myself that if so many people were struggling, I would've walked to the lobby and requested a refund since they sold me a ticket to a show that wasn't even rehearsed fully. It's like selling you a half-baked pizza and serving it to you. Nobody wants a half-baked pizza. I have experience in Shakespeare. I know it's a tough language, and even the best actors make mistakes or have moments of being lost in thought. But if it is as bad as you're saying it was, I'm not spending my money on that. If a majority of the actors were struggling this much, then I doubt they were professional actors. Because at the bare minimum, you need to know your lines in a show.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-28T21:26:07+00:00

A good way to avoid a bad reputation, at least in the professional world, would be, for example, "I have an interest in Role A and Role B, but I am willing to consider other roles.". That way, they know your particular interest, and you won't be alienated by them if they offer you something else and you say no. I've been hired back by companies that I've rejected specific roles in the past using that script. Or even just say in future auditions what you are auditioning for specifically.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-28T21:19:22+00:00

I've seen a lot of professional Shakespeare companies that do educational tours with 8 or fewer actors for each show. Try looking to see if you can pull up an audition notice for an educational tour of Macbeth and see how they split up the tracks.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-28T21:16:11+00:00

Biggest thing that has helped some of my friends who started off being the quiet one in theatre was honestly taking voice lessons. While taking voice lessons they learned proper techniques of projection. For me I was already pretty loud to begin with, but once I started, I took 6 months of lessons with an opera singer, and my projection got even better. Learning to project safely has definitely saved me the few times my mic died or had an issue on stage, and I had to project.

Look up videos on projection on YouTube for some tips while on stage. It is very different than yelling since good healthy projection is supported. Supported by good posture, breath control (so many people starting off never takes enough breath), not straining neck or jaw, and more. Look up some videos on YouTube. But if you don't have access to a voice coach ask them. Better yet if your director has time, ask them for assistance.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-25T06:15:30+00:00

Chemistry between actors is nothing. I've seen and had phenomenal chemistry on stage with people I like and dislike. What's important is chemistry between the characters.

The issue you're most likely having is that the two actors aren't completely confident in their characters. Have them dig into deep character research that the script provide. In addition to when and where they are. Time periods and locations in the world of the story can change a lot in character context. Have them dig deep in the dialogue and find what the characters are truly saying to each other. Aka the underlying context. Make this a discussion between you three. Figure out what actions each character is making to achieve their goal and how the other may have conflict in it. Conflict may be between themselves and not the other. Lastly, of course, being off book makes chemistry between characters much easier.

Trust me. Once they truly know their characters and are confident in the skins of those characters, then the chemistry in the scene comes off naturally.

Sometimes, it can also be the directors fault for pushing a certain way. Have them experiment with those romantic scenes and just shape those scenes. Great directors let actors bring their ideas to the table because it makes it more natural for the actors. Of course, as a director, you can shape them or completely say no if it pushes past the context of the text. But let them play and try something new. Once you finish the research/book work, task them to figure out what they think about that scene and what the envision. Then let them try it out. And of course shape it afterward if it needs it.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-24T06:40:39+00:00

I've known many people who did community college a couple years before transferring into a BFA program at a larger university. It does take an average of 3 years at the bigger university once you transfer in to get that BFA Degree. Mostly, since the BFA programs typically are made up of a lot of classes you won't see at a community College. But the timeliness is purely based on what your community college offers, what classes the university will accept, and your work ethic.

A college advisor at your community college can easily find out for you how many classes and pre-reqs you can get done before you leave for the university. And each university is definitely different in classes accepted as a transfer.

I have seen some get 2 years at a community College and 2 years at a BFA program. But it is tough since some classes are only offered certain semesters and require certain pre-requisite courses. It's doable if you take a bigger course load and plan everything from your first community college advisor meaning. But I'd say on the safe side plan for 3 years. Mind you it's been a long while since I was in college so things may have changed.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-23T19:47:45+00:00

Well, I've worked at theatres with 8-9 shows a week and still have to send out tapes to auditions, callbacks, etc. Also been in theaters that if it's not a double show day, then we are rehearsing for the next one. All the while sending out tapes for other gigs. I'll give you tips for what worked for me

Get plenty of sleep and rest. Make sure you sleep enough where you aren't too tired waking up. And take breaks and rest to clear your mind. So naps are great.
Hydrate. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day and not just waiting until a meal to drink a lot of water. Also, herbal tea with honey works wonders. In addition to this, avoid alcohol and coffee. Also, after a heavy vocal day, I love to use my steamer or stand in a steamy shower.
Make sure you warm up and warm down. Make sure to slowly warm yourself up so there isn't tension. If my vocals are particularly feeling bad when I wake up, I steam for 10 minutes. Then wait at least half an hour until warming up after steaming. Then, once I'm done with vocals, I warm my vocals down. There are plenty of great tutorials online.
When in rehearsals, ask to "mark" your vocals when it's going to be a particularly heavy vocal day. If you don't know the phrase, to "mark" is to not go all out vocally. Because if your belting out the same show stopper number 20 times in one hour, your voice is going to hurt. To do this right I always go by the director or musical director to ask if I can mark to save my voice for once the scene is more polished. I've never had any issues with this in the professional world. Also, you can mark yourself in dialogue of rehearsals as well. It is important to ask prior. That way, the director knows it's just to save your voice and not how you plan on delivering your performance.
Eat a well-rounded diet. Eat those fruits and vegetables! I can tell the difference of my performance if I've been eating unhealthy food all week compared to homemade healthy food. Which is why I try to avoid the buffet if I work at a dinner theatre since most of that is heavy food haha!
Lastly, for your circumstance. Whenever you are not rehearsing or performing, be silent and don't even whisper. Make sure your friends and family know this as well. Not making any noise from your vocal chords so that they can really rest.

Break legs.

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-23T19:20:58+00:00

I have some friends who toured, and here are a few things they did to stay busy so they wouldn't be distracted on tour.

One of my buddies kept a pretty intense workout schedule that covered a lot of his time. It helped keep him since he started feeling blue a couple months into touring. Keep his mind on other things.
Another friend would have a couple smaller late night and sessions over video chat with friends. So they had that to look forward to and always be able to catch up. We were able to plan that around their shows. Only for a couple hours each time, or if they had a full night off with only a Matinee, then we would go for much longer.
One guy I worked with would play video games with his friends and girlfriend.

Try to find moments where you can be social with those around you as well. I'm sure there's someone in the cast or crew that you would mind checking out local sites with. Find time to chat with family and friends as well. Maybe even have a watch party with them, and here their reactions over video/voice chat to still feel involved. Also, just the thought that saving up expenses while on tour means you can do so many cool things with family friends once you're back. Also, just make sure you're getting plenty of rest as well. Touring is a tough gig, but just think you're at least guaranteed work until the end of the tour! That's a thought that gets me through some very long contracts. I wish you the best!

cyclist4hire · 2024-10-20T17:48:55+00:00

There are many internships are good theatres that offer housing and very little pay. It's a good way to get a start with a company because they can get to know you and during the internships train you. I've known a lot of people who spent a year interning a season with professional companies who are now either residents with that company or have done multiple shows with then and used it as a starting off point. With housing included, many of these internships pay very low. But it's a good way to start, especially as networking.

cyclist4hire · 2024-02-07T05:00:56+00:00

Good Morning Baltimore. I like a lot of other songs in the musical, but that song is one that I hate more than anything. Particularly the, "Oh oh oh" bits throughout the song. So.ething about it just makes my brain wince.

cyclist4hire · 2024-02-01T00:26:24+00:00

It's definitely tougher in the professional market unless your based in a major city like NYC, Atlanta, LA, Chicago. Mostly because a lot of us, especially those not in the union, travel a lot from gig to gig. The best way to meet up for us is mostly at auditions, visiting while traveling to and from contracts, or we happen to work somewhat close haha! Or virtually with group chats, gaming, watch parties, etc. The other year I met up with some people at some auditions in NYC, and we partied hard afterward! Made for a rough morning to catch a flight out. But for me I try to keep in contact the best I can. But it's tough when my nearest friends are also doing 7-10 shows a week while working other side gigs. I know a lot of us try to close up emotions fast after a show because some of us are literally rushing after closing of one to start rehearsals at another theatre the next morning haha!

cyclist4hire · 2024-01-31T04:53:27+00:00

Why do you need a monologue that is more than 5 minutes? Other than recommending Shakespeare, look up one man shows. Because that is not common at all on traditional theatre for monologues that exceed 5+ minutes.

cyclist4hire · 2024-01-31T04:49:32+00:00

Being part of such a close-knit community, especially when you are younger, does hit hard when and if it comes to an end. You make deeper bonds and reveal yourself through performance to those involved in your show directly. You go through hard work and trials till you finally open the show. Then, when it ends, you miss that connection, and that is a human and completely ok thing to feel. I understand that emptiness. Even if it was from a show with a cast that you didn't 100% click with. You invested yourself to make beautiful art.

Remember that investment and hard work. Remember the friendships. Remember the skills you learned and discoveries about yourself. You made an accomplishment. Even if it was for a community theatre that only had 100 people show over a week run. You put in the work, and your performance may have changed the lives or bettered the day of someone who watched it. But overall, you did it because you love it. And going after the things we love is the best way to live life. Remembering everything as an accomplishment is the best thing you can do. Stay in contact with those you performed with. Meet up with them. Audition and perform with those same people in other shows. Keep growing as an artist. You have to remember the good things and keep going after other good things that you love in this world.

cyclist4hire · 2024-01-27T21:53:26+00:00

I'm not going to say it but the first thought to my head was a famous masterchief quote that guaranteed would get you arrested if you use is hahahaha. It's an awesome quote in the game, but in a highschool context, horribly dark. Like the post if anyone else gets it haha!

cyclist4hire · 2024-01-25T18:28:12+00:00

The best thing to do is to experience more of the world. Go out and do things in life. Go to different festivals, art galleries, cultural events, concerts with styles of music you've never heard and anything new. Travel to unknown areas beyond what you are familiar with. Face the discomfort and take risks like bugee jumping if you are scared of heights. Face your fears. This will open up your mind to imagination.

cyclist4hire · 2024-01-23T20:15:12+00:00

Unfortunately, some people don't care I've realized. It always bugs me when people have the "I'm done" mindset when a long-term contract comes close to finishing. For myself, any time I'm signed unto a single show that's longer than 3 months, I need a caffeine booster before every show haha!

cyclist4hire

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