New York Acting .com is an online community designed in a simple way. Performers are free to post their acting profiles or simply subscribe to the RSS feed for acting jobs, acting auditions and casting calls.
The main goal of this website is to provide an ongoing viable acting resource for aspiring actors as well as for working ones.
Acting jobs, open casting calls and auditions calls are continually added 24/7 on the website.
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How to become an actor
Here, some basic tips. For example, you should always continue your acting performance until the director shouts «cuts» and a few lines after it also. The director decides everything, if you miss a line, you must continue until he decides to stop you.
You should not stop a take by yourself, except for a major reason. The camera, you should never fix your eyes on it. Unless it's necessary for the play.
One other thing never to forget is the mark! It,s almost like half the job done. Make sure to stand at the right place and be ready. Concentrate yourself to help the other actor working with you as well as the crew. A hollywood acting star will have way more liberty off and on set but as we often hear,you are someone only between «action!» and «cut!».
You should always reply «maybe» when asked for a role and you're not available. Don't say «no».
Basic camera lens
First of all, you'll learn with time how to work with the lens but usually you just forget its existence. You need to let it observe you just like a lil bird.
Imagine that you are attached to the lens out from the front of the cam. Images are coposed in depth but not in width.
In a 3shot, the lens should be in the center of the gap, not you.
Let's say you find it hard to hit the mark, simply imagine a «web» from lining up 2 spots at the end position you need to hit.
Girls? Worry about your look? Straight-on shoulders look bad compared to ones angled toward the lens. :)
Vocal tips
Remember the importance of the pronounciation. You don't need to increase the volume but create the intensity through the enunciation and pace.
When the camera tracks you, move slowly but talk fast.
When someone asks you to tone it all down, try to reduce only the volume but don't change your gestures.
Dont speak louder when you speak with an accent, sometimes we tend to but it's wrong.
Just know that when people can hear you without using a mic, you're probably too loud.(Studio audience)
If you play with a movie star never project louder either on series or regulars. Also, keep in mind that wheb speaking at low levels, everything else seems louder. Just be careful about noises and sounds around just as footsteps, dishes, newspapers and even breathing.
Acting for the camera
The best and main acting note you have is yourself. After all, you got that role so use your look and personality a lot.
Learn your lines by heart. Usually you should have the necessary rehearsal time to create the character they need. If not, ask them to change your lines.
You need to find a way to communicate negative thoughts though a positive way.
Have something to do after the shots. Keep yourself ready and alive :)
May sounds cliche but really remember to act like when you're alone in a single shot.
Use your inner voice to guide yourself continually with instructions.
The editor
Try to make the editor's job easier by keeping your work linear so that when he'll need to, he'll know where to cut for your best acting performance.
Most editors like to cut on movements so remember that before an important acting take.
Alwyas keep in mind the company you work for and adjust your thoughts to it.
While speaking, look at the other actors because the editor will look at your «eyeflashes» to cut.
Reactions
Since we watch the listening character on screen, react while actors speak. The reactions must be there before you speak. There's a better result on the intake of breath before your line.
Keep in mind that the camera will not follow the fast movements so you must be careful about fast.
On a multicam studio, the red light means the cam is on so you have to keep your reaction on stand-by until the cam sampled it.
On a final note, remember that you need both talent and mastered techniques to become a believable actor.
Have an organized schedule and be sure of what you want for a career. At the same time, keep things simple. Take your time a go one day at a time, one project at a time and you'll succeed !
Get an acting agent
The acting agencies
Many agencies like the Creative Artists Agencie, CAA, the William Morris Agency, WMA etc are mostly solicited because of their high status. In reality, you need to find someone interested in boosting you acting career. Maybe you can start by looking for a small talent agency that will specialize in their area. Sometimes, in order to find acting jobs, many actors will have several agents for different fields. One for theatre, one for commercials and a voice-over agent etc...
The role of a casting agent
You may still wonder what do agents do exactly? The acting agent works for the production company and for the casting director. The agent will not work for the performer itself.
The agent's job is to provide the casting director with actors and talents when the demand is high. In other words, the casting director and production company survive in the acting business because of the agents.
You are a product, the agents look out for the most talented «products» for the boss. Simple business right?
This is where the agent needs to get and negociate for the best price to get you because that determines the commission he'll receive. One thing with acting agents is how they'll care for details you'd not even think about such as fees on screen credit, the bills and publicity cost.
The acting business
When you have an agent you have way more chances to get acting jobs because the casting directors feel more confident. It's just more professional in terms of representation. It will enhance your credibility. In hollywood and nyc, the acting business is like wallstreet. The more popular you become, the more important your name is for the major casting agencies. And money is there.
Agents are really playing a big part in the career of an actor. Something interesting, it takes the business people's efficiency mixed with the artistic brains of the actor to generate cash and success. Ego-boosted actors don't have the negociation skills of a pro talent agent and that's why a good agent knows the market and how to get the best quality out of a studio for it's client.
Casting calls
A powerful agent will be most likely to get deals with studios. If it's a good rep, he will not only talk about deals but get you to audition and meet the producers as well.
Though, they can't do miracles, they submit the actor to the casting contact and wait for them to call back for an acting job.
But what about the money? The typical ten percent rule still applies. If they only get that ammount of your pay check, you must work for the other 90%.
NYC and LA are filled with acting agents but you need to choose only one. They are exclusive so you can't have more than one per acting field.
Keep in mind that agents are business men first. You may be surrounded by millions of creative ideas and see no reactions when explaining them to your representative. They don't think like you in terms of career. They guy needs money to live and you're his short-term product to sell. You must always keep a long-term attitude for you career and simply go through the normal phases any actor had to go through.
How to find a good agent
You might see some competition between agents to get you sign a deal, especially if you're a talented good-looking fresh and young actor. Be wise and take your time before you sign something. Great and viable agents are often found by word to mouth. Ask the established performers around you who's a good agent and keep a list.
Tasks to prepare yourself
You must prepare yourself even before getting an agent. Websites are cheap now but a website built out of a template won't represent you very well. If you need a simple and high quality portfolio online, don't hesitate to e-mail me. It's one of my best asset.
Here are some tasks you need to do on a daily basis for acting jobs:
- Become involved in acting communities available in your area as well as virtual ones on the internet.
- Make phone calls.
- Keep developping your acting skills and techniques.
- Make good referrals with friends in the acting biz.
- Get appointments.
- Educate yourself with good documentations about how to improve yourself as an actor.
- Print this article or bookmark it ;)
What I mean is that you need daily efforts invested in your acting career instead of making a hundred phone calls after watching «The actors studio» lol.
Get the agent's attention
The more active you are, the more your agent will want to work for you and the sooner you'll appear on screen. Agents spot working and active talents. If any agent wants you to pay for signing with them, he is a theif, the real ones will only get the commissions from your work. Not less not more.
To get your agent's attention an acting jobs, you need to do student films, take acting classes, prepare yourself for auditions, know what's going on in the acting biz actualities, read the trade papers. If you do all of this, you'll impress your agent. Don't waste too much time and cash sending birthday cards and gifts to your agent, keep him informed about where and when you act, that will get his attention for sure.
Questions? info@newyorkacting.com
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