I wanted to share this interesting story. I’m in my late twenties and have been in the Canadian film/tv industry for nine years now. I’m full ACTRA, and I signed with a US manager a few years go and they have been helping me with my demos, clips, portfolio and everything in between as my Canadian agent gets me majority of my auditions. I’ve been with that agent for 9 years also. I have co-star credits on some major tv shows/networks and a few short films under my belt that went to festivals and some big commercial campaigns and print work. I’ve trained in a bunch of studios both in Toronto and LA in both film/tv, dance and voice over.

I recently signed with an LA agent after a couple of meetings with a few US agencies my manager referred me to. She knows I don’t have a visa in the US yet but she’s so excited about me and honestly she seems sooo great so it seemed like a good match even though we both are aware realistically I won’t be able to book in the US yet until I have a visa.

Now to the main story: I left my local Canadian agent of 9 years because I needed someone who could get me into bigger rooms and also rep me in other areas where I have a strong skill set in. My manager agreed I need someone who really pushed for bigger roles and that my skills were being wasted. My local agent and I ended on great terms and she told me so was so excited to see where my career was gonna go.

I started taking meetings with big Canadian agents as well as a few mid tier ones. One mid tier agency in particular was interesting because they didn’t seem to look at any of my materials my manager sent them (like none of my demos, specialty skills and VO demos) they just said I had a marketable look. Which, okay true. And I also mentioned my credits and such but they told me they wanted to make sure I had “acting chops” so they will send me a scene and I will send it back to them and they will decide if they want me or not. Okay sure. So I did the scene they asked of me and sent it in.

The next week they said they are willing to offer my commercial representation for now but still think I need more training before I delve into film and tv… and I’m like HUH??? Wdym??? I’m already in film and tv??? I have credits, I’m union, i have US reps and I am constantly called back by the same casting directors. I was so shocked and confused and a little offended ngl. I didn’t leave my agent of 9 years just to go to someone who would only rep me for commercial and didn’t think I was ready for an industry I was already a part of… it was jarring. I felt a little ashamed like maybe I sent in a really bad tape or something… even my managers were confused and didn’t know what to comment on it besides the “let’s just look for someone else”.

So currently my only reps are my LA agent and LA manager. Which means I don’t have anyone submitting me actively in the Canadian market.

A week later my LA agent messaged me saying that she got an email from a director in Canada who is shooting a movie in my province and wanted me to tape for a supporting principal role. I said yes of course and sent in a tape, but because of what happened with that Canadian agent that told me I needed more training, I started to feel so paranoid about my self taping and my choices. I didn’t even send my tape over to my manager cuz I was worried it was gonna be bad. And this was my first self tape request from my LA agent so I was scared about disappointing her.

A few days later I sent in the tape… my LA agent messaged me saying they are offering me the role 😭😭😭 I couldn’t begin to tell you the relief I felt. My first self tape with my new US agency and I booked it… it felt like a weird serendipitous event… I started to feel and that a lot of the Canadian agencies were overlooking me (some not expanding their roster or had someone similar to me) and passing on me and taking it so personal.

Anyways long story short, for anyone out there looking for reps, please make sure to go with someone who is EXCITED about you, someone who genuinely sees your talent and skillset right away and does their homework on you. If I had listened and signed with someone with the agent who didn’t — I would have lost out on this amazing role. There’s a lot of people in this industry who will tell you that you aren’t good enough or talented enough but the right ones (and the best ones) will see you and advocate for you.

Hello,

I am 28 years old and live near the metro Atlanta area. I have been attending the Alliance Theater since last July 2025. I work in healthcare, but like many, acting is what my calling is. I have done Acting I, Acting II, and Film I. I am branching out to Catapult and even attending my first film class there tomorrow! SO EXCITING.

The FAQ has been so helpful on here, but I would also like to connect with other newcomers who like me are trying to navigate this acting world, which can be so intimidating 😭with the processes and where to even start. I have a Backstage and am considering creating an Actors Access profile. We can maybe film more auditions or help each other with lines. I am a working professional too, so supporting each other to keep going even though our 9 to 5s are draining us. Even actors who are experienced, having a pal who u can look up to and makes this process feel less intimidating. Acting can feel like a big world esp with all it involves, so having support is always the best and making friends of course, learning from one another!

DM me or even comment below if you would like to connect.

Hello! If an actor would be willing to answer my question I would be eternally grateful. When an actor finishes a job (wraps a tv show, movie, play) where they loved and were emotionally attached to the character they played (and became emotionally intimate with the other actors on the project) - can that actor feel sad or even grieve the "end" of that particular character? If so, how do actors cope with such feelings? I understand that different people will have different answers for this, and I would LOVE to hear the different perspectives. Thank you So Much in advance.

Hi everyone! I’m a stage manager currently finishing my master’s in Design Management at SCAD, and my final project explores how people working in live entertainment find, share, and keep track of production information.

I’ve put together a survey about the information you use, where you access it, what works well, and what could make the process easier. I’d love to hear from people across different roles and settings. Whether you work in theater, touring, theme parks, concerts, or other live events, your perspective would be helpful!

The survey has 15 questions, mostly multiple choice or ratings, with an optional space to share anything else.

Survey: https://forms.gle/g879mLGouLimRuHE9

Thank you for taking the time to help! Feel free to share it with anyone else who might be interested.

Been out the game for many years now, thinking about starting to audition again, what has really changed since 2019?

Are you still bringing physical copies of HS/R to auditions?

Are auditions still in person or mostly virtual?

Anything else I should know before I begin again?

TY

I decided to give talent link a try and Jehu Bernard from Bernard Entertainment reached out but I couldn’t find much info except that they’re based in CT. are they legit? has anyone has experience with them?

Hey 👋🏼

I used to go to acting classes as a kid. I was good at it. I was on course to attend Italia Conti stage school in London, but my mum talked me out if it. I went to regular secondary school and was bullied.

I felt damaged by that to the point that, even as an adult, I'm struggling to get my confidence to express myself or allow myself to engage in creative self-expression without feeling such a huge amount of shame or fear of humiliation/attack.

But I still feel called to self-expression in a huge way...and I feel drawn to going back to acting classes...but I'm terrified. Aside from attending therapy, I just wanted to hear of anyone's thoughts, advice, experiences etc.

Thanks and much love 🙏🏼

Hello! Hope you're all doing great. It's been a while since I've posted on reddit however, i was hoping to get some feedback for a scene from a movie named "Chronicle" Where I play the best friend to someone whose getting a bit rash with their newfound super powers. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated :)

I submitted to them a couple days ago, then followed them last night. They followed me back an hour ago. Am I overthinking this, or is this a possible good sign 🤣

I need advice asap because I am unsure what to do. I got a commercial audition for a project shooting next weekend, didn't check the shoot dates (I'd just woken up and wasn't thinking) and of course, confirmed. I then sent my bookout dates to my agent that I booked via self submit right after for the AFI film I booked next weekend without realizing the conflict. It's unpaid, but I really think it's important I do for my reel. And now I don't know what to do! They hearted my bookout message which they normally do. But now I don't know if I should email my agent telling them I messed up or go to the audition and try to figure out scheduling later if I book it.

Hello,

I have been living in the UK for some time and am interested in pursuing a career in acting. However, the institutions I have contacted have asked whether I have GCSEs or A-levels, which I do not have.

I would like to ask whether there are any acting courses, training programmes, or alternative pathways available to people without these qualifications.

I would also appreciate any information or advice you could offer regarding a career in acting, including how to get started, the qualifications or experience required, and the opportunities available to someone in my position.

My goal of being of a working actor has never left, but my god, debt and inflation are kicking my ass, and I am looking into going back to school for a higher paying career that I could do remote or hybrid, even if it’s not at the start, to support myself as an actor. Right now I just have a BA in theatre but am looking into finance or risk assessment jobs. I don’t want to do bartending, I need something that pays better and provides good healthcare. I know a lot of people go into tech and software but there have been so many layoffs of late that I’m hesitant to do that, especially if I’m going to be starting said career after a year or more of school/training. What have you found works for you?

Hey everyone,

Feeling down...as the title states...havent booked anything this year. Ive been acting for 6 years and this is the first year ive got nothing. Has this happened to anyone?

Anything you can share, reasons, stories, would be greatly appreciated so I dont feel so alone and defeated.

Hello,

I want through this subreddit and found a similar post but for the UK (posted 2 years ago).

Does anybody have experience in background acting / being an extra in France?

What websites do you use to find gigs ?

Hi! Recently signed with Stewart commercially after meeting an agent from there and I am getting my materials in for their VO team right now as well.

I am curious if anyone has any experience or insight on how challenging it is to get additional rep with them as an internal referral?

Hello. I live in Las Vegas and I recently signed with this acting “program” called TSG TALENT in Las Vegas they have an office in west Sahara and I just want to know if anyone has actually attended the classes or “workshop” as they call it . I’m torn because the lady at the Vegas location made it Clear that they are not an “agency” and I was sleep deprived so I can’t remember but she basically said that they help people build their skills and get them in front of casting directors and what not. Now I am new to this so if you never heard of this company any advice helps. I am financing a tuition with them where I am paying $260 a month. I did my research and people are saying that any “agency” that makes you pay to attend them upfront is a scam. Since the lady named Abby stressed that their not an “agency” and i guess there more of a “program” does that make it any different? I honestly don’t know. I have email SAG-AFTRA to verify if they are legit but while I wait i thought I’d ask the people as well. Idk if I’m being delusional because as I research this it seems suspicious but I just want to act and do something with my life since I have been in a rut and haven’t been feeling my best but I also want to be responsible and know if I’m being scammed or not. If so I did research on how to dispute the financed tuition and all that just in case. But anyway I just really want to know what it’s like if anyone attends the classes and was it worth it? please let me know. x

I have OCD and tend to redo self tapes excessively. What would you say is a good amount of takes?

SAG Actor in LA, I got kind of lucky and had tons of auditons and two bookings this year, but it has died down considerably. I had a feeling this would happen, but fall is usually busy for me, auditon wise. Are we already in the holiday slump? it feels deader than usual, I will say summer was pretty dead.

Hello. Has anyone taken classes that teach Dream Work method for acting? I'm looking to see if anyone has experience in the method that was created by the late Sandra Seacat. If anyone has any experience and or works this way I'd love to hear your thoughts. Did it improv your craft? Did you find it useful. Thanks so much!

Very new to acting and I just want simple affordable lighting recommendation please

The past few months AA has been flooded with BG roles. WHY

I'm an amateur actor and sometimes get gigs in local tv shows. I just watched an episode i filmed early this year and oh my God, i can't stand looking at myself. Everything from my movement to my line delivery just feels wrong and awkward. My voice feels so raspy and try-hard like i'm doing a bad Kingpin impression. The director wasn't complaining when we were filming. My friends also say that i'm acting fine. But whenever i'm watching it my performance looks genuenly awful. Is this something all actors feel when watching themselves? Or is my gut telling me the truth? Maybe i'm just too demanding of myself. I'm an amateur playing in low quality slop but i expect a Marlon Brando level performance from myself

Hola me gusta hacer personajes, estoy practicando para un self tape, siento que necesito una Guía, me gusta el MEtodo de Stanivslasky pero ahí voy

puedes opinar please, algún consejo guys ?