Acting : Just a cheeky question by Matthew Nunn

build a resume there are plenty of people looking for actors iin short films and small roles but i would say it may suck but working for free and building a resume is a great approach

I agree with James, Matthew Nunn. Stage 32 has a Job Board that's updated regularly (www.stage32.com/find-jobs). After you finish some jobs, make an acting reel/get someone to make one. It'll help you get more roles.

And you can grow as an actor by reading posts here in the Acting Lounge, reading the Acting Blogs (www.stage32.com/blog/tags/acting-9), and taking the Acting Education on Stage 32 (www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Acting).

Hey Matthew! I started off in the same situation, I come from a small coastal town in Wales and eventually moved to London to pursue acting. In the meantime, there are many things you can do to continue growing as an actor:

Film your own monologues - get a tripod, a plain backdrop/wall, ring light and film from your mobile. Try and do one a week, from all different genres (comedy, drama, thriller, etc). Open a YouTube channel, start uploading them and email them to casting directors.

Accents - how are you with them? How many can you do? Again, you can record short 30-60 second clips and start piecing together your own voice reel, so you have something to send to producers and casting directors.

Writing - write your own material! I cannot recommend this highly enough as this is exactly what I did. I wrote my own series called FRIED, it went on to win 38 festival awards worldwide and landed me a job on a movie which went to Apple TV+

Reading & Watching - read as many plays/books, and watch as many movies as you can! Absorb everything, good and bad.

Student films - find out where the nearest film schools are and offer your services as an actor.

Hope that all helps, best of luck!

Matthew Nunn Great question, and one that a lot of actors can relate to, especially when building their craft in smaller communities. You’re already ahead of the game by creating your own opportunities. Stage 32 has a full library of acting education here, with everything from audition techniques to building believable characters (https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/acting).

Also, don’t underestimate the value of community or regional theater. Even if it’s not film, stage work keeps your instrument sharp, your voice, your physicality, your emotional connection, and it builds your confidence in front of an audience.

And finally, I’d encourage you to stay active here in the Acting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting). Ask questions, share your wins and challenges, and connect with others doing the same grind. Your next collaborator, mentor, or opportunity could be one conversation away.

How are you and your team currently creating work? Would love to hear more about what you’re building!

Ashley Renée Smith my team and I currently generate our own scripts from scratch to filming. We're a small crew but possess all the skills needed - I deal with writing and producing while other friends of mine take care of cam op, lighting, sound etc. We all pitch in in different ways and act in the films we make. It's just a slow process when you obviously need a team of available people but we get good work done when we can. Essentially we're trying to establish ourselves as a crew to gain some traction - even though we aren't in a main film city, the idea is to become known as the people from this town that create great things and are great to work with

Matthew Nunn, I love everything about this, and I truly admire the dedication it takes to build from the ground up like that. You and your team are doing exactly what so many successful creatives started with, making your own work, wearing multiple hats, and building a reputation through consistency and collaboration. That kind of grassroots approach, especially outside a major film hub, can actually set you apart.

If you’re looking to expand your circle and build momentum in your local scene, I highly recommend using the Stage 32 Meetups Page to start a regular networking meetup in your area. It can take time to grow, but it’s such a rewarding way to bring creators together and build a community where you all thrive.

Here’s how to get started:

Post your meetup details here (https://www.stage32.com/meetups), then share the link to your event around other spaces—Facebook or LinkedIn groups, subreddits, or communities in the nearest cities to you. I do the same thing here in Austin, Texas! I post our meetup the first week of each month, promote it in the Stage 32 Your Stage Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/promotion), and spread the word in local groups. Sometimes we have 30 people, sometimes just 4, but it’s always a good time and a meaningful way to make connections.

You’re building something special. Keep going, and let me know if you launch a meetup. I’d love to help share it!

How I work and grow as an actor. One first step is to find an acting class/coach nearby that you can relate too, who challenges you. That teacher and the other students might/should be great for your networking. There are many types of classes. Center on scene study classes, where you learn scenes and work them with scene partners. If possible study at an actual playhouse. Studying plays and doing scenes from plays will strengthen your ability to do shorter film scenes. A good acting teacher will get you through basics and build your acting muscles toward your casting. Also look for audition and acting-for-the-camera classes. There are differences between theater and camera-acting techniques. Improv classes are a must for actors, and are great fun. I hope you can find an improv group to join. Reading books about acting techniques, business practices and bios of actors you admire, and plays (lot's of plays) and other's film scripts. Just find scripts and invite other actors or friends and read through them, live or online. Practice, practice, practice. A biggie: Taking care of your body/spirit/mind is extremely important. From skin lotions to weight rooms, to doctor checkups to dental cleaning, you are your instrument. Actors are never left with nothing to do. Like sleep, meditation, breathing exercises. Talk the stress out of you with people who will listen. There is a lot more that you will pick up from other actors, but when it comes to auditions, reps, managers and all of that, be patient. Those books and your acting teacher(s) will give you strategies and tools to choose from for that. Yes, you will need a strong package of headshots, reels, etc, to attract casting, but mostly, you need to act. You can be the big fish in the small pond, especially since you write and produce. I'd add local actors to your production team. The more actors who know you, help out on your sets/locations, the more you are invited into their projects. We all rise together. And to find actors, I bet you know, just run an ad in your area, they will appear. Better yet, attend local film festivals and meet actors you love. Include them in your reels. Write the best ones into your scripts. Also, there are gobs of fruitful podcasts. For me, Audrey Moore is the best. Mostly, create what warms your heart, follow your story telling passions and have fun. It comes down to that. Fun.

Everyone has offered such good advice already. Do all those things. I can recommend a couple others: as far as acting classes go, if you can't afford private lessons or there aren't any in driving distance, what about your local community college? They usually have beginning acting classes and community college is inexpensive. I did that years ago, even though I studied acting in college and didn't "need" the class, I took acting class at the community college because I wanted to act. And there is always something to learn. Many working seasoned actors still take classes or have an acting coach. Besides reading plays, there are books on acting I recommend reading. Sanford Meisner ON ACTING, Michael Shurtluff AUDITION, Stanislavsky AN ACTOR PREPARES, and Uta Hagen RESPECT FOR ACTING. All available on Amazon or your local library. I also read celebrity memoirs, it's a great way to learn about the business.