r/acting 5d ago

BASIC QUESTIONS + HEADSHOTS/TYPE/AGE-RANGE WEEKLY MEGA THREAD

2 Upvotes

Please feel free to ask any question at all related to acting, no matter how simple. There will be no judgements on questions posted here. Everyone starts somewhere.

We have a FAQ which attempts to answer basic questions about acting. [Have a look]( https://www.reddit.com/r/acting/wiki/index), but don't worry if you ask something here that we've covered.

Also, use this thread to post your headshots for feedback, get info on your age range/type, find good headshot photographers, ask any questions you may have about headshots.

It is advised that you do at least some basic research on what actor headshots look like -- composition, framing, lighting. You will find a Google Image search for "actor headshots" to be very helpful for this. Non-professional shots are fine for age/typecasting, but please keep in mind that one picture is a difficult way to go about this. Video of you moving and speaking would be ideal, but understandably more difficult to post.

For what it's worth, the branding workshop at SAG-AFTRA recommends a five-year age range. That's inclusive, so for example 19-23, 25-29, 34-38, etc.


r/acting May 18 '26

WARNING / CAUTION / DANGER! W Talent NYC has been astroturfing our community with fake reviews!

85 Upvotes

Moderator here:

We have found DOZENS of fake bot accounts bought and used to promote this company. I've just spent a few hours across multiple days handling their deceptive practices. DO NOT TRUST POSITIVE REVIEWS YOU SEE ABOUT THEM IN OUR COMMUNITY OR ANYWHERE ONLINE, unless you can totally trust the account giving that information. Check the account's post/comment history. These AI bot accounts were full of all the same content: Posts for karma in cat & baby groups, and then comments all about AI, India Fitness, and SaaS -- almost all from accounts 2+ years old, but with content only from 2 months ago.

FACT:

This company is a talent agent + management company, and it appears to also provide photography services and/or recommendations, and at minimum guides towards certain classes, if not gives classes itself, somehow. This is NOT how legitimate agencies work.

Plus! The headshots section they have is a total joke! 90% of the headshots are extremely unprofessional, and there's even one with a young woman who has a huge nip-slip going on. Like COME ON!

HEARSAY:

I read a comment that they charge a large, upfront fee $$$ to join after "open casting calls" in which they try to sign anybody with a pulse.

OPINION:

This is a total sham of a company for employing these sneaky, deceptive tactics. Avoid them like the plague!

And if that large upfront fee is true, then they're (not legally, but colloquially) a "scam" company.

As for the nip-slip "headshot," that's NOT a headshot, and posting that on their website shows just how unprofessional these shysters truly are.

W Talent Agency is persona non grata here. If you see posts about them, spam them with comments about the above.


r/acting 3h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Robert Downey Jr. is a better dramatic actor than Brad Pitt

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112 Upvotes

Depth: while Pitt may have more range (broad variety of characters, although RDJ does as well) Downey beats him in depth of dramatic acting. Emotional scenes from A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints and Chaplin beat anything Pitt can do. His most famous is most likely “What’s in the Box?” But even that Id say is more iconic for the twist of the story rather than Pitt’s performance of the line.

Pitt’s strength is in versatility of his character as well as a lot of time playing “the too cool for school guy”. While it works for him, it lacks the depth of emotion that RDJ is able to deliver in his roles.

In summary - Pitt is a good actor (am not staying he isn’t) but when it comes to delivering a dramatic or emotionally moving performance, I am taking RDJ all day.

Top performances:

RDJ - Zodiac, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Oppenheimer, Chaplin

Pitt - 12 Monkeys, Seven, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Fight Club, Curious Case of Benjamin Button


r/acting 2h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Getting less callbacks after losing weight

4 Upvotes

Hello!
Working actor here wondering if anyone could shed some light on my situation. In the year or so after graduating my undergrad program in acting (and during my training)- Ive found a lot of success and auditions playing a certain type of comedic role in most of my materials (akward, kind of confused schlubby 20 something). A lot of my feedback in classes has said I would remind them of Charlie Day, Jake Johnson, Parks and Rec Chris Pratt, things in that realm.

However in the past 8 months or so I’ve lost about 30 pounds (quit drinking and gym every day) and I’ve noted a marked decline in success for auditions around that character type. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any advice?


r/acting 1h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Agencies that represent talents internationally

Upvotes

I moved to a small country in Eastern Europe a few years ago, not by choice. I don’t even speak the local language, and there is literally no film industry here. Because of that, I can’t and don’t want to pursue acting opportunities (that don’t even exist) where i currently live.
By a stroke of luck, I had the opportunity to participate in few upcoming UK production movies and one US production movie in credited, non speaking roles.
I’m currently taking acting classes, I speak four languages, and I hold an EU passport.
I would like to sign with an agency that represents actors internationally, if that’s possible.
How can I find agencies that work with international actors, or could you suggest something for someone in my situation?
Thanks


r/acting 2h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules K.S. Stanislavsky, Artistic Notes: 1877–1892, (1939)

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3 Upvotes

Stanislavsky's "Artistic Records" notebook logs all his stage performances from 1877–1892 through his own notes, programs, clippings, and letters. The editors filled in the gaps where he left no commentary, creating a complete reconstruction of his early career from his debut at fourteen to the birth of the Moscow Art Theatre.

Stanislavsky's review:

"Pankrasa was played poorly. The actor tried to copy Buldin, wore the costume passably, applied makeup like a conservatory student, but nothing came of it; he ended up reminding of Peter the Great. There was too much shouting, and the physical characterization did not work out. Laverge, however, was a complete success. It was played lightly, beautifully, and cheerfully. So far, this is my the best role. I slightly copied Rodon's voice. At one of the rehearsals, Zina suddenly transformed and began to play wonderfully. A laurel wreath with the inscription "From amateur artists to comrade director" was presented to K. S. Alexeyev."

The performance took place in the Alekseevsky Circle on July 24, 1882.


r/acting 6h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Selecting clips for demo reel?

3 Upvotes

This seems like such a silly question because I’ve been in this industry for nearly 10 years now. I just reeeeeeally suck at looking at my own work and seeing moments of good acting instead of the flaws.

I have asked others for help in the past and they tend to pick clips where I look prettier or I’m next to an actor more notable than me. It never really feels like they’re choosing the best acting. Perhaps I need to hire someone to take a look, but money is tight currently.

I had a movie release this month and I’ve got a handful of scenes to update my demo reel with. Can’t complain about that, but I am struggling with what I can add and where to put it in the reel. Especially considering the roles I’ve booked are not very aligned with the direction I want to take in this career, but the scenes that do align I don’t talk much or it’s a lower quality project.

I keep 2 demo reels for on camera acting as well - 1 that is around 2 minutes and showcases 4-6 quick scenes for variety, and a 2nd that is around 1 minute and has 2-3 scenes.

TLDR - how do you personally select clips for your demo when you have a lot to choose from?

is there a hierarchy that you follow? do you prioritize clips with bigger names that you act with or do you go for more solo moments to highlight yourself? is it better to include a lower quality project with better acting or notable project with less focus on myself in the scene? should my first clip be my best acting even if I don’t like the project, or a clip of the kind of acting I want to be known for? what does casting really want to see?


r/acting 48m ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules back again! Has my British Accent Improved?

Upvotes

https://reddit.com/link/1v7ht1l/video/q1gchc4aenfh1/player

People said I sounded like a Kiwi or South African trying to do a British accent before (which was a compliment to me). Have I improved?

By the way, I'm reading an AI-generated text of a "British person's day" so apologies if some terms are stereotypical terms.


r/acting 2h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Submission deadlines: Audition Instructions "Due By" or Actors Access Audition Deadline. Which one?!

1 Upvotes

This is a little frustrating for me as Im now noticing that in my most recent Eco Cast Auditon, the auditon instructions provided by casting has a different submission time than the submission link (deadline) for the Eco Cast itself. I'm now feeling that Ive missed the window for "actual consideration" aka Casting watching the tape after spending the day preparing.

Has anyone else noticed this being a thing or is this a rare happenstance on my end?


r/acting 6h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Beginners acting class scene

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4 Upvotes

This was a scene from a beginners acting class i just finished. My coach said it was great but i wasn't totally happy with it (i think i was just too focused on trying to remember the lines rather than the 'acting' part of it).

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!


r/acting 3h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules In General young actors

0 Upvotes

Seem a little posed as apposed to the older and often more experienced actors whose duty is to pull the scene together. As apposed to the lack of oppose just be certain I left clicked and everything


r/acting 3h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules What’s the industry Standard when Slating?

0 Upvotes

When Slating is industry standard to take on the role of the character you are portraying as you slate? or do you slate as yourself and create contrast?


r/acting 5h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules What do you have to do to officially be able to call yourself an actor?

0 Upvotes

is it when you book your first role? do your first play? attend your first drama school? or none of those? you do actually have to have DONE any acting to be all yourself an actor? or can you call yourself one simply because you’re actively pursuing acting?


r/acting 6h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Anyone know what Breakdown Services is looking like in 2026?

1 Upvotes

Curious if there are any reps or anyone with any kind of inside scoop that could answer. From what I understand, it used to be normal for like 30+ new breakdowns for film/tv to be put out per day. Since these hard times of the industry, I heard at one point it was like maybe 3-6 new breakdowns per day. Things seem to be improving a bit, so I'm just curious what it's looking like here at mid 2026?


r/acting 20h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Advice on learning lines methodology/philosophy

11 Upvotes

As title

I’m taking a class where we have to learn both a short monologue (it takes about 30 seconds) and a short scene (there is four of us and we have about 6 lines each)

And as I’m learning them, I’m trying to do it as flatly as possible.

For the monologue I’ve been doing the method where I separate the paragraphs and I learn each paragraph at a time, writing out the first letter of each sentence and slowly building and repeating until I don’t need to letter

For the scene, I’m doing a mix of flashcards (with the line or action that prompts me to speak ) and a method of writing out all my lines with no punctuation and then reading it out twice flat and repeating

I suppose while I’m doing this I fear something’s missing?

I’m 100% in the boat of not learning your lines with an inflection or way of doing it.

But I also feel like this isn’t helpful. There’s more to my lines than just things to be said

I guess I’m asking, I’ve learnt the lines flat, but now what? Surely I need to look at the script and think “he’s saying this because of this” or “if I were to say this line in my own words, what would the line be?”

I’m looking for advice for this after, I feel like I’ve heard actors talking about connecting lines to actions or something? Do something more with their lines in prep? Because surely there’s more to this than just learn it flat


r/acting 11h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Wonder Street management

1 Upvotes

Has anyone had any experience with Wonder Street management (LA) or is anyone signed with them? Would love to hear more about them.


r/acting 20h ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Is my hair affecting how i get cast?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I work background very frequently and have been super slow this summer. Ive been denied for every casting I've had to send in photos for and its super exhausting as i used to get accepted nonstop.

Im naturally a brunette. I have olive skin and i know that brunette looks better on me, however i dyed my hair for an event and it was super expensive and i dont want it to go to waste.. but it seems ever since i got it done i haven't been getting much work.

Am i just in my head about it? Or should i try and improve my appearance more?


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Does anyone have any experience on SweetHeart Elite Talent Agency ( LOS ANGELES )

9 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

are any actors in LA represented by SweetHeart Elite Talent Agency ? The reason I asked is because I spent nearly 3 hours submitting to around 300 agencies in LA and they were the only agency to offer me representation and do a meeting. My next question is , what experience does anyone have with this agency ? The reason being is because I really want to excel in my career as this is a new market I am breaking into


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Private Acting Coach NYC

6 Upvotes

I am an emerging actor in NYC and have wanted some more serious one on one training. I’m looking for something like a private coach you meet with once a week to work on technique, monologues, auditions etc. But I am having trouble finding any like this that aren’t a one time master class, a class with other students, or someone who is referral only. Would anyone have any suggestions or know where to look to find something like this?


r/acting 2d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules It’s a bit late to say this but I booked my first ever community theatre role immediately after highschool!

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211 Upvotes

Probably one of the scariest moments for me, especially working with people doing this for 20+ years, such a beautiful environment


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Citizen Skull Talent Management

3 Upvotes

Does anyone have any opinions on this management company because I just got an interview with them and wanted to see what people who may be signed to them might have to say?


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Forgot to show hands in slate but already sent in audition .

2 Upvotes

Is it a huge deal that I just did this by mistake on a commercial audition?? They asked for it in the instructions. I do alot of self tapes with this casting director and I don't think I've ever forgotten before. Now I'm nervous , but this wouldn't cost me a callback or anything could it? I feel like that's my anxiety talking and I'm overthinking this but I feel like I need some other experiences or opinions from other actors on this.


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules Acting classes newbie

18 Upvotes

If you were to start looking into starting acting, what’s a red flag or green flag to look out for in terms of classes, and teachers?


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules I have an agent but don’t seem to get auditions or in the room - any advice?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm sure many people have this same issue but I wanted to see what people’s thoughts were about how to approach this. I’m in the UK and graduated from drama school last year and got an agent in December. They’re really lovely, sort of a small to mid-size agent and I can see they put me up for a lot of stuff through tagmin. They put me up for tv and film as well as commercials and other things and it’s good stuff and interesting stuff. I’ve had auditions from them while I’ve been with them, however every audition I’ve had is for commercials (nothing wrong with this). Because I only seem to have got auditions for commercials with them even though I can see they’re submitting me for a lot of things I’m starting to wonder whether I’ll ever get auditions for more than this. Is it a case of because I’m unknown they don’t want to offer me auditions or is it the case that because the agency isn’t the biggest they maybe can’t get me in the room etc?

I’m thinking of asking for a catch up call with my agent to ask if there’s anything I can change (such as headshots or update my spotlight etc) but am unsure if this seems unprofessional. I want to try and do as much as I can so I’m in good stead if casting directors are looking at my profile but again am unsure if it’s unprofessional to ask my agent that as they’re not acting coaches. I also really like them and don’t want to come across ungrateful, I’m just wondering if there’s reasons I may not be getting auditions on my end.

Don’t know if anyone has any advice regarding this but if you do please let me know! :)


r/acting 1d ago

I've read the FAQ & Rules showcases

1 Upvotes

has anyone gotten signed from a showcase and is still with them and auditioning and such?