Becoming an actor in New York - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

dualman7 · 06-16-2004, 02:22 PM

I've graduated from college with a degree in Mass Media. As most graduates, I am going through the panic phase wondering what the hell am i going to do with a "Mass Media" Degree and a minor in marketing.

I did some theater in High School, and even though I know it doesn't compare, I would love to go to some auditions and give it a shot to see how i stack up and if there might be a future in it. My question is how do people find out about the latest auditions and etc? is there a website?

Any info would be greatly appriciated.

maleficent · 06-16-2004, 02:32 PM

All the theater types used to walk around with copies of Backstage , a newspaper -

the website also lists casting notices.

From the people I know who wanted to get into to the theater, I beleive you probably need to have head shots taken - with your resume.

quadro2000 · 06-17-2004, 12:27 PM

Congrats on graduating!

Acting in NYC is a very competitive business. The ultra-professional level (auditioning for big movies, television, and Broadway) is near impossible to do without an agent getting you appointments in front of the casting people, and it's also difficult to get an agent in the first place. It doesn't sound like you're at that step yet, so you'll be best focusing on things like student and independent films, and off-off-Broadway theater.

Maleficent has it right, all the way. Auditions for films and plays are listed weekly in Backstage, which comes out on (I think) Wednesdays. You can also buy a subscription to the website which gives you all the same information.

You need to have an 8x10 black & white headshot with your resume on the back. Most of the projects listed in Backstage will ask you to mail a headshot and resume to a specific address, and if they like what they see, they will call you. Other auditions just give you a general date and time to show up (these are called "open call" auditions), and when you get there, they will ask for your headshot and resume.

Headshots can be expensive, anywhere from a few hundred bucks to a thousand, plus the costs of reproductions. I know a few low-cost headshot photographers; PM me for some recommendations. Low-cost, however, is still a few hundred dollars.

That's a start. But actually, the best thing I can do is recommend a few books that I've read and think are great for actors just starting out in NYC:

An Actor's Guide: Making It In New York City

How to Sell Yourself As an Actor: From New York to Los Angeles and Everywhere in Between

Best of luck!

World's King · 06-17-2004, 12:39 PM

It's all about who you know/blow.

Okay...

Idustry magazines are a great way to go. You'll find them in almost every coffee shop. Unemployed actors and artists seem to be drown to coffee shops.

Go to a few shows. If there's ever a "meet and greet" with actors or directors or anyone... go for it. Ask questions. They are always happy to help out up-and-comers.

And to tell you the truth I have no idea what I'm talking about. This is what Nathan Lane said to do on "Inside the Actors Studio" the other day.

06-17-2004, 04:47 PM

http://www.castingaudition.com/

http://www.actingdepot.com/audition.htm

http://www.auditions.net/

I don't use these, but heard they're good. I go through NW audition sites/newsletters.

06-16-2004, 02:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
dualman7 Crazy	Becoming an actor in New York I've graduated from college with a degree in Mass Media. As most graduates, I am going through the panic phase wondering what the hell am i going to do with a "Mass Media" Degree and a minor in marketing. I did some theater in High School, and even though I know it doesn't compare, I would love to go to some auditions and give it a shot to see how i stack up and if there might be a future in it. My question is how do people find out about the latest auditions and etc? is there a website? Any info would be greatly appriciated.

06-16-2004, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	All the theater types used to walk around with copies of Backstage , a newspaper - the website also lists casting notices. From the people I know who wanted to get into to the theater, I beleive you probably need to have head shots taken - with your resume. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

06-17-2004, 12:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	Congrats on graduating! Acting in NYC is a very competitive business. The ultra-professional level (auditioning for big movies, television, and Broadway) is near impossible to do without an agent getting you appointments in front of the casting people, and it's also difficult to get an agent in the first place. It doesn't sound like you're at that step yet, so you'll be best focusing on things like student and independent films, and off-off-Broadway theater. Maleficent has it right, all the way. Auditions for films and plays are listed weekly in Backstage, which comes out on (I think) Wednesdays. You can also buy a subscription to the website which gives you all the same information. You need to have an 8x10 black & white headshot with your resume on the back. Most of the projects listed in Backstage will ask you to mail a headshot and resume to a specific address, and if they like what they see, they will call you. Other auditions just give you a general date and time to show up (these are called "open call" auditions), and when you get there, they will ask for your headshot and resume. Headshots can be expensive, anywhere from a few hundred bucks to a thousand, plus the costs of reproductions. I know a few low-cost headshot photographers; PM me for some recommendations. Low-cost, however, is still a few hundred dollars. That's a start. But actually, the best thing I can do is recommend a few books that I've read and think are great for actors just starting out in NYC: An Actor's Guide: Making It In New York City How to Sell Yourself As an Actor: From New York to Los Angeles and Everywhere in Between Best of luck! __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers

06-17-2004, 12:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	It's all about who you know/blow. Okay... Idustry magazines are a great way to go. You'll find them in almost every coffee shop. Unemployed actors and artists seem to be drown to coffee shops. Go to a few shows. If there's ever a "meet and greet" with actors or directors or anyone... go for it. Ask questions. They are always happy to help out up-and-comers. And to tell you the truth I have no idea what I'm talking about. This is what Nathan Lane said to do on "Inside the Actors Studio" the other day. __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

06-17-2004, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
:::OshnSoul::: Guest	http://www.castingaudition.com/ http://www.actingdepot.com/audition.htm http://www.auditions.net/ I don't use these, but heard they're good. I go through NW audition sites/newsletters.