Acting

Thanks Elena! I do have a question for you...where do you post a lot of your castings? I've not found the right fit for an agent yet, so I of course don't have access to all the breakdowns. I'm on Backstage, ActorsAccess, and Casting Networks. Are there any other sites you'd recommend? I don't want a single breakdown to fall through the cracks that I have access to without an agent.

Hi Lydia,

I post most of my castings on Backstage but recently switched to Breakdown Express (the casting site associated with ActorsAccess). Haven’t used Casting Networks yet but it seems like another great resource. In my opinion, those 3 are the top ones. So I think you’re on the right sites to keep up with.

Great, thanks Elena!

Welcome and thank you for the offer Elena Lockleis.

Wish you success in your career!

So, you didn’t make The Locksmith, but you watched it, correct?

Karen, I read your comment twice. Then for clarity I made an edit.

Original: So I took a chance on an unheralded little movie ; The Locksmith.

Edited: So I took a chance and watched an unheralded little movie ; The Locksmith.

My editor is pleased, I presume !

Good plan, Jill. Have fun!

Thanks for sharing this, Tom! How does signing up for health care work through the unions? And what are their "fiduciary duties"?

Dear Tom, My friend Tom. I wish you happiness!

Umm, well... I've had to dissolve my company from Maryland and start anew in California - but that's more because of the move and less because of COVID. I'm also no longer afraid to both speak with and pay for a lawyer. That hourly rate is TOTALLY worth it for checking contracts before you sign anything!

Now it's about a knowing. Like you said in your article, it's business and now more then ever I must treat it as such. I've skilled up with audio (DAW) and now I'm an promo/trailer (writer/edit/producer) As for relevant in the industry...in these times,

finding a way to collaborate with other artists (not limited to vo) actors/directors/writers.

Oooooh good ones, Karen "Kay" Ross!

Love those, Marci Urling. "Skilling up" is such a good way to describe getting better and investing in yourself. Thanks for sharing!

Good read. Always the reminder...you are a business. I love the creative process and collaborating but at the end of the day, it's a business.

Hello Mel, I would pretty much enjoy that I guess. If it can give you a kick - great! If it is a mutual kick - AMAZING !! I need some company as well here, I'm sitting on a few projects and it is definitely always worth it and welcome to collect a as advices, opinions from professionals. It isn't necessary to say but since the lockdowns I guess we all have way less interactions, which sometimes should be considered as a luxury:-) But seriously, this morning I took Cezar out for walkies and I was thinking about exactly that kind of interactions I would love to find. And then, I see your post! So , you decide . I don't believe in hasards, you should ,for sure, think twice before throwing in the lion's pit. :-)))

I'm interested. I just saw this post.

What market are you in? Here in Atlanta, we've been booming since August. Over 30 or so TV/film projects currently in production. But in LA and NYC, word is projects are much more limited. So depending on your city, you have different options. If things are "closed" where you are, you can still figure out the bigger Casting offices in your area, and find out what they're doing on social media to stay connected to actors. Many CDs have become more present on social media during the pandemic, doing IG lives, Twitch streams, Twitter AMAs, etc. Arguably, this is a better time for establishing/cultivating connections with Casting.

Additionally, a lot of the schools have had to pivot to Zoom classes and workshops to prevent from closing, so I'm sure there are some opportunities wherever you are. The great thing being that with Zoom, you can find a class ANYWHERE and still enroll.

Not sure if any of that helps...

I'm in southern New Hampshire so sometimes I head down to Boston for small gigs (usually student films) or local theater in my area. I depend on public transportation to get to Boston which is obviously no longer a safe option and the bus line I preferred has completely shut down. No local theater because it's not safe indoors and too cold and wet outside. The monthly workshop I went to hasn't moved online it seems. Not sure about paying for zoom classes, I'm on a budget. will look into what's available I guess...

You can check out the cast by going to the IMDb page at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12496552/

Melanie Scroggins voice acting must be incredibly fun. But I can imagine how your performance can undergo highest scrutiny because everything coming from you is caught on recording.

Do you have to do any prep work for your voice?

Side note: I heard a story from a video game voice actor that had to record a ridiculous amount of time. The strenuous recording took a tole on her vocal chords. All she wanted to do was drink milk to soothe her throat, but I guess milk is bad for voice actors. That's hard work.

Steve James Yes! That is so on point. Especially about being ready to take whatever direction is given, which often means pivoting from the initial delivery. It can be so hard to adjust, but it's crucial.

Oscar Ordonez So sorry I'm just now seeing this!

Yes, it is a lot of fun but can be nerve-wracking in a live session because it is 100% about you and your performance. To answer your question, f I have an earlier than I'd like directed session, I go through some basic vocal warmups I learned in musical theatre and I do some mouth opening exercises (I really like Bill DeWees's warm-ups on YT). But I usually don't warm up too much for auditions since auditioning in and of itself is a warmup. Ha!

Oh no! So sorry to hear about that actor. Hydration is key, but I've been hydrated and in sessions before where I feel like my throat is going to close up it's so dry. It just takes a lot of work to keep those chords warm and "watered", so to speak. Demanding video game sessions are really difficult I imagine, which is one reason actors get paid more for that kind of video game work. Pros and cons, right?

Melanie Scroggins I can imagine!! It takes a little talent but I'm sure it's a lot of work just like anything else! I'd love to hear more work that you do :) Best of luck.

Thanks so much, Oscar Ordonez! You can check out my previous work here if you're interested: https://www.melaniescroggins.com/previous-voice-over-work/

Reach out if I can ever help you in any way!

Hi Karen, thank you for your responce and question. Since it is happening now, the true deadline in 'as long as it is happening' . But I do also believe the feeling people could have of 'being stuck at home' doesn't stop after the pandemic, there the deadline also moves, and hopefully we stay able to create short monologues for our MISSING PIECES channel. But. I would like to see monologues coming in, and know the feeling of having a deadline helps, here is the one for you: DEADLINE for submission by Karen "Kay" Ross: Next week, thursday 11th of June. And we will have new deadlines every week. We have created a concept for all stories. If you want to write, sent me an email, and I will sent you the concept: missingpieces2020@gmail.com :-) And to everybody in the world please #staysafe #staycreative #blm

Hey, Hidde Simons! Let's see if we can get more people on board, then! I can't tag people in the comment, but I can share this post's link via DM. Will you share this post with five actors in your network and ask them to comment and participate?

I just saw this and clicked the link to youtube. One looked like it was just posted. Are you still doing this? I'd love to share and participate.

Hi Walter, thanks for your interest in Missing Pieces. The project is still in full effect. Last week we posted a monologue from Zanzibar and today we where filming one from Brasil. Let's see how you can participate. :-)

@Hidde COOL idea. Two way win, participants get thoughts off their chest and the audience enjoys cos its helps us realize we are not alone in this weird new world. Documentary style could morph later on into a fictional series once all this is over. (providing folk wanted to do this) I'm getting carried away now, remembering a streaming from real life course London film school. I did a lot of biking in the Netherlands in noughties living in the Haig and I'm hoping things are back to normal for you now in that respect. I miss the Netherlands, don't know if they still do the fresh herrings straight from river, gut them and then salt and vinegar? Fifteen years ago we used to walk back from work, have herrings and a few beers. Stay safe!

This is the 2nd thread I've seen regarding the short film program! I'd love to see these films. Are there plans to show them here?

Congratulations Arielle Haller-Silverstone

Congratulations!

Very Nice of you to share your experience. Can we see your film?

Congratulations