Actor Career Guide and Counseling

Question: To actors: how does it work on the set when an actor has an emotionally intense scene? I've wondered for a long time what happens after each take of an emotional scene where someone has to get angry and yell or scream, or burst into tears, or other emotionally intense moments? Is the actor comforted or "catered to" usually after the end of each take, and is there training on situations like that in acting training? OK thanks for the answer. That's the thing I'm getting at though: how do you avoid "inter meshing" too much and having "psychotic episode"? Are actors ever told or given guidance on how to do that?

Answer: It really depends on the emotional stability of the actor. most healthy actors keep a separation between themselves and the character, making it relatively easy to switch from the character back into themselves. this doesn't always work though. a friend of mine was in a stage production where her character died and was placed in a body bag and left on stage for a good ten minutes. she couldn't move because she was "dead" and when she finally got out of the bag backstage, it took her a good long while to shake out of her trance and come back into the realm of the living. most actors, especially in intense roles are warned against letting their character inter-mesh with their personality too much, for fear of a psychotic episode, which is surprisingly common. if you look at the celebrities on TV, those that freak out are the ones that cannot separate who they are from their media portrayal.

Question: What are the qualities and talent that make an actor/actress good? In other words, what separates the good actors/actresses and the bad actors/actresses? What are the qualities that make an actor/actress good? You hear of people nowadays that many of the 20-something year old young actors are not actors. Why? What makes a good actor good and a bad actor bad?

Answer: A lot goes into acting. All good actors/actresses get to the point where they aren't acting anymore. They're living out their roles. Take Heath Ledger for example. Best actor I've ever seen from The Dark Knight, but ended up accidentally killing himself because of his role (If you've seen the movie, you'd understand). Actors and actresses don't just sympathize with the feelings of the character they play. They empathize. They get into it and become the role. I've read that a lot of good actors have a part of the character they play stick with them because it felt so real to them.

Question: How can producing a film help an actor become better? I know many famous actors and actresses have produced movies and they said it's helped them become a better actor, but how? What is it that they are exposed to in producing that they would normally not be exposed to while acting that benefits them so much? Any information is going to be helpful. I'm trying to get a student who is a model/actor to produce a short video here at the school and want some convincing information to present to him on how it could possibly help him in the future as he pursues his actor/model career.

Answer: I don't see how doing the business work of producing a film could have any bearing on one's acting. It could make you a more compassionate person toward the problems the producers and directors face, but that really has nothing to do with the quality of one's acting.

Question: Actor born in 1913 gave an inaccurate portrayal of what mathematicion? Which actor was born in 1913 gave an inaccurate portrayal of which real-life mathematician in which film? Hint: In one scene a piece of ice was placed atop a dessert.

Answer: Nigel Patrick? How to Murder a Rich Uncle in 1957 Johnny Nobody in 1960 i really dont know if its right .. sorry ..

Question: As an actor for drama - What is the difference between showing an audience and beleving for yourself? As an actor whats the difference between showing an auidience and beiliving for yourself? I got this question for drama could someone explain/answer please? Thanks.

Answer: For an actor to give the best of himself in any role he is playing, I personally believe that he should believe in that character to start with, however absurd or irrealistic that character may be. An actor's role is to convince the audience about the veracity of that character and this is only possible if he gives himself completely to that role. An actor has, as a person, his own character. It is difficult to try to 'be someone else'. It is not exactly that the actor should 'believe', but it is his duty to make it realistic, both in acting and in essence. However much the character may be to his dislike, he should put on a show of liking it. The aim of presenting a play is to make it appear more real, if you get my meaning. I believe an actor should put himself in the place of the audience. He should be able to convince himself as the audience of the veracity and the realistic elements of the play. He is the one who can better judge if his acting is good or not. This gives more scope for improvement. A person usually knows his own failings more than any other person can, however close that person may be to him. I don't know if this is what you were looking for, but I sure hope I have been able to help you!

Question: How does one become an Actor/ ress? What is is that you have to be able to do to be an actress/or? I know, I knwo, you need to study and practice. BUT before you do that you have to have some special abilities to become an actor. Eg., I am an Interpreter. I know that not every person who spreaks a foregn language can be an Interpreter. Because you have to think and operate the Language in a ceratin way. I believe, it is same with acting ( and any other profession) : there have to be things that only an Actor knows how to do and when and why. So, tell me, please, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN ACTRES// OR? I know there is a Technique involved and you can learn it and master and apply. BUT before I go to an acting school, I'd like to know if there are ( and I am sure that there are) prerequisites / required/ absolutely necessary skills/ abilities I have to have. Eg. - Let's take Interpreting again: before you are trained to be an Interpreter ( and that's when you truly know if you can be one) you at least have to speak a foreign language. So, same with acting: before I am taught any basics, what do I have to have?

Answer: There is no special ability you need to start acting, other than the desire to do it. Before you commit to a large-scale training program, I would suggest auditioning for a play or musical at your school or local community theatre. Many community theatres and professional theatres offer classes for kids and adults. I highly recommend checking these out. Your ability to interpret can only help you in your task. You only need the desire and commitment to act. I suggest reading several books on acting and auditioning to get you started--there are many to choose from. Audition by Michael Shurtleff is one of the standards. Start within your community to cut your teeth on your first production. I also recommend volunteering backstage to get to know the ins and outs of how a theatre works. If you are in a major metro area, you will have no problem finding many companies to act and volunteer with, but even small communities have local theatre. Just do some research, check out your local library or bookstore and start reading plays and auditioning. That's what it takes. Get to know the classics and contemporary dramas and comedies. Read up on different styles and schools of thought in acting, check out classes and teachers, training programs and etc. But do your research!! Not all classes/ programs are made the same. If they promise you more than an acting/ technique class--RUN! You might also look into putting together a resume and have a headshot taken of yourself. Eventually, as you get more serious, you should train in voice and speech, movement, scenework and monologues, and so forth. Hope this helps and break a leg!!

Question: How did the actor Chris Cardona get his start in martial arts and kickboxing? How did the actor Chris Cardona get started in martial arts and kickboxing? He has starred on daytime soaps and also owns the famous Bellmore Kickboxing Academy.

Answer: Not exactly what you are asking but this may help - I did Mountain Boarding in Buffalo, USA but then I started to train back into wing chun and it really improved by using this invention! http://www.martialarm.com Regarrds

Question: Is it possible to become an actor for movies and commercials in Canada? I really wanna become an actor but I live in Canada. Is it possible to become an actor here? I really dont wanna be in plays and theatre but I really want to act in movies and shows like drake and joh or iCarly or something.

Answer: Of course! Know the saying," Nothing can keep you from reaching for the stars?" well it's true, not even where you live. I think it's great you want to be in acting. Degrassi, a famous show is filmed and directed from canada! Go online and search acting up on google for a list of places. Good luck with it! I'll watch your show when it comes on! lol

Question: How to become an actor in television commercials? How does someone get to be in television commercials or do voice overs? Many of the people in TV ads do not look like models, meaning they are average looking. Do you have to be a professional actor with a resume? What are the steps to getting into the business? Would you need an agent and how would you go about getting started?

Answer: There are as many answers to this question as there actors doing commercials and voice over work. There a number of trade publications available - depending the area of the country you live in, some are more useful than others - Variety, Backstage, Etc. 50% of obtaining a job in that industry is just getting out there and sending demos or auditioning, 40% is purely luck that you are exactly what they are looking for or listening for. 10% is all the other stumbling blocks. You do not have to a professional actor for most commerical work - you just have to get to the auditions. Some may require that you are a member of an affiliate union such as AEA (Actor's Equity), SAG (Screen Actor's Guild), or other releated unions. Unless you are working full time and need contract negoitations or someone to manage your workload, you do not need an agent. Agents are useful, but not necessary when you are starting out. Agents basically do your homework for you - if you are just starting out - you should be doing you own homework. Pick up a copy of Variety or Backstage and read thru them for a better idea of what is out there.

Question: How does the pay for a theater actor managers work? I know that a manager for an actor can take 10% - 25% out of an actor's paycheck. Part a of this question is what is the going average right now? Part b is: for long term engagements (i.e Broadway, Crusielines, etc) how does that Payout work then? Is it usually a weekly smaller? Is it (the above amount) every week? or is it a one time thing? Does anyone know this answer? Oh, and does anyone know where i can fine samples of these type of contracts online? Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer: They get paid every time you get paid. 15% is average, in New York anyway. Say you had a manager and an agent (the two are not the same thing). If the manager takes ten percent and the agent takes fifteen, 25% of each of your paycheck goes to agents and managers every time you get paid. Broadway minimum is about $2000 a week right now.

Question: Who is the youngest actor in a car movie? My class has this assignment that we need the write an autobiography of a young actor. I decided to do someone that is in a car movie. But the thing is, the person has to be under 16! Please help me, and if possible, please link a source for that person!

Answer: Ten-year-old TATUM O'NEAL, along with her father Ryan O'Neal, made a great "buddy movie" called PAPER MOON in 1973. In this, her First film, she WON a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award (!!!) for her portrayal of... uh... Addie Prey (?). Anyway, check it out ! (You might know her as the little girl / lead in the original Bad News Bears movie.)

Question: How to become an actor in the Philippines ? I am just a 12 year old girl from U.S. & I'm trying to pursue my acting career when I go to the Philippines. I could understand Tagalog, but I can't speak it fluently, but when I speak Tagalog I don't have an accent at all. I am really good in acting drama scenes & many more. I'm just wondering when I go to the Philippines what should I do first so I could get discovered as an actor ? I am pretty tall for my age, but some people say I'm short. I have white skin , but I'm pretty chinky. I could sing and play the piano by ear if you need more details. If you want know how to look , just email me.

Answer: well talent scouts or whatever you call-ems usually look for new talent in the malls. so maybe you can doll up and go shopping and one might approach ya. go to the really nice malls though. like shangrila, greenbelt, any nice mall in ayala, etc. :) i dunno. thats usually how they do it. and you have an advantage: they lurve exotic looks. you're american right? then lucky you.. are ya tall? maybe you can also be a model. try joining the Candy magazine model search. i think its around feb or.. well i dunno. just buy the Candy magazine every month to find out the details. i joined there once. never got chosen in the final ten though, lol. as if i had the chance.,, well goodluck...

Question: What should i become actor or chef also, how do get to become one? I have always been wanting to act, but i love cooking and i dont want to do like rachel ray I live in New Orleans aka Southern Hoolywood. I want to become an actor more than a chef but what do you think i should do.

Answer: you could do both. go to school for cooking. and do acting on the side as a part time job. it will work out good

Question: What do you give an actor after a theater performance? What is an appropriate small gift to give to an actor? Similar to bringing a flower to a dancer after her performance. My friend is male. He's playing Scrooge in my local community theatre.

Answer: We actors love flowers too! A small box of chocolates or a small teddy (for a woman) is good too, but flowers are the biggie.

Question: How do you become a actor on Disney channel? I want to be a actor on disney channel. How do you know when their are auditions and how do you get the lead roles?

Answer: OMG! i wanna scream.!! EVERYONE wants to be famous from the disney channel it's like a drug!! You will not get a lead role! you are asking these questions which mean you probably have no experience. Which means no agent. If you are just starting now it will take YEARS for you to get an agent, not to mention experience to get that agent. NOW, if you want to be an extra for a show, heres some links that you can contact the casting directors. www.actinginfo.blogspot.com/ Good Luck to You!

Question: What is the name of a famous current actor whose last name is the field of a profession? Think of the first and last name of a famous current actor. Insert the letter "g" somewhere inside the first name, and you'll get a profession. The last name is the field of the profession. Who is the actor?

Answer: Jude Law? Judge Law?