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“How do I find an agent?”
“How do I know what agents to submit to?”
“What does it mean when a production says I’m pinned?”
“I haven’t been paid yet for the background work I did, how long will it take?”
“Do I have to sign a contract with a new agent?
“What do I put in my email to agents?”
“The producer says I have to pay $120 for the script… is this a scam?”
“Everyone says to start with commercials, how come?“
Have you ever had a question like one of these?
These are just a few of the questions I’ve received from actors in the last few weeks. Some of them have come via social media, others as direct emails and others as comments on one of the articles here on the site. I love actor questions! And while I’ve been trying to answer everyone individually, realistically I just can’t. And hey… then only one person benefits. So I’ve decided to change things up a bit and provide new ways for you to get your questions answered. And it all starts right here!
Ask Your Questions in the New Facebook Group!
Have a question about the biz or your career? Post it in the new My Actor Guide Facebook Group! I will be answering some questions directly but you may just find someone in the group who has an answer and can help you out too. This group is new as of August 2022 so please be patient ….. we’re still growing 🙂
Post a Question in Comments Below
You can also post a question in the comments below. Every question gets answered within 1-2 weeks and sometimes a lot faster if it’s a quick fix. You can scroll through other Q&A’s or just jump in with what you need. Note: If you include your email in the comment section of this post you’ll be notified as soon as the answer is posted.
I’ll also be answering questions via videos on social media so be sure to connect with My Actor Guide on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter .
One-to-One Mini Sessions for Specific Questions
Need an answer ASAP? Or have something really specific to you? You can grab a one-to-one “mini-coaching” phone session. (Zoom for outside of North America) Mini Sessions are only $25! They are an affordable, accessible way for you to get one-on-one support, no matter where you are in your acting journey. Click here to book a $25, 15 Minute Phone Session.
TikTok + IG Live
Coming soon! Yes! I will be doing lives on social once a week. If you’re on the mailing list, keep your eyes open for more info.
Thank you so much for being part of the My Actor Guide community, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with you more!
xoxo Hunter
* Please Note: I am not an agent, manager, or casting director. I do not procure work for actors. All information, workshops and coaching are for educational purposes only and are not a guarantee or promise of employment. Thank you for being here!
“What does it mean when they say tell us about yourself, do you just say hi I’m ….and then I like sushi or lol I’m a bit confused” (submitted via Pinterest)
Hi Dharm…. great question! “Tell us about yourself” serves a couple of functions; Casting wants to see how you behave naturally on camera. Are you going to be okay to work with? Do you ‘read well’ on camera? And are you right for this project.
For a really in-depth description of this read:
How to Answer the Dreaded “Tell Me About Yourself” Question for Actors
and
9 Tips for Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” for Actors
Hope this helps! 🙂 Hunter
I want to be a working actress after high school for as long as I can, but my relatives (not my parents, my parents are supportive) are telling me I should just pursue something else and are constantly putting down my dreams. I don’t know what to believe anymore, and my worst fear is leaving show business, especially before I even start. However, I have a great plan for my future in this industry. How can I continue to believe in myself and stop doubting that I’ll randomly change my mind because of my relatives? There are tons of working actors who are in the business for decades so how can I be like them? That’s really all I’ve ever wanted.
Thank you
Hi Lunah, Thank you for your question, and I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling so discouraged. This is really something you should be discussing with your parents. I love that you want to become an actor, but it’s true not everyone will support your dreams. I put together a list of 57 Positive Affirmations for Actors : https://myactorguide.com/positive-affirmations-for-actors and 110 Quotes for Actors to Inspire You to Follow Your Dreams: https://myactorguide.com/110-follow-your-dreams-quotes-for-actors . because you are not an adult yet, I can’t really give you direct advice, but I hope this helps! xo Hunter
Dear Hunter,
I think I need a better way to build chemistry with a role’s love interest. I am in a all-woman production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. I have the part of Bianca. This is very new for me so I asked the girl playing my love interest if we can spend time together for chemistry and comfortablity. We did things like eye gazing and just talked. People are saying the chemistry is working so well and looks authentic. But the thing is it can be draining because I feel so much. Something similar happened with preparing with a man. Our feedback was we looked like a real married couple. I may need to take a break but do you think there’s a way that’s less draining?
Much love,
Jill xx
Hi Jill,
It’s wonderful to hear that you are committing so deeply to the role, but remember, it’s just that – a character and a role. Actors tend to be empaths and emotionally connect easily with a people, but this is about YOUR CHARACTER connecting with ANOTHER CHARACTER.
As with any profession, and especially acting, it’s important to have clear boundaries between work and personal life.
My suggestion would be try to do something to ground you back into the present; something that “Jill always does” – not Bianca. After rehearsal or performance come back into YOUR body and YOUR life. Walking barefoot on the earth and deep breaths can be great tools to ground you back in. Again, remember this is just a giant game of make-believe… and there will be many more!!
xo Hunter
Oh my gosh thanks Hunter! That’s a way to approach it. I can easily get caught up in things. It’s certainly different when the actor’s sex is different from the characters. My character doesn’t kiss a man but actor is a girl. It feels surprisingly different. Thanks for the tip!
xx
You’re welcome! Good luck! 🙂 H.
Hi,
I was wonder if you knew anything about Talent Auditions out of Chicago. They had something on Facebook about auditions through zoom which my daughter did and supposedly made it to next round which is this evening. I thought it was to be on a commercial. However it goes between 750 to about $4500 to do their program of training.
There are 35 good comments on Talent Audition and 11 not so good on BBB but just confused on whether to go through with it or not.
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Oh no!! I don’t know this company but the fact that they posted it as an audition and are now asking you to sign-up for an expensive course sounds like a bait-and-switch. These seem especially prevalent with kids and young / new actors.
1. READ THIS!! >>> How To Spot a Casting Scam
2. Check online with Trust Pilot and the Better Business Bureau.
I hope this helps and please be careful!! Best, Hunter
I Am 23 years old and I’m from INDIA and I haven’t enrolled in any acting school I’m getting the feeling that I’m very late in this industry even if I start now I don know when I will get to work on some big and my preference movies or drama, how to start now and achieve what other have achieved in 6-7 years within 1 year.
Few stepping stones now I’m facing:
Finance to enroll in any acting institute,
Lack of skills.
low self-confidence.
Haven’t done anything in past years or earlier anything related to film not even in college.
so got lots of doubts am I really born to be the best actor in this world or not?
Thanks and waiting or your reply.
Hi Anup,
You can definately do this, and yes, there are of course challenges that everyone faces. 23 is not old at …. there are a lot of wonderful actors who didn’t start until much later. Harrison Ford didn’t start until he was 35!
If you don’t have money for acting classes, read books or MyActorGuide.com! 😀 Follow the Actors Success Path – EVERY STEP! Practice doing monologues and try out for student films.
Here are a couple of articles to read:
How To Be a Successful Actor at Any Age
How To Become an Actor With No Experience
VIDEO: [VIDEO] Becoming an Actor With No Experience (Client Interview)
I hope this helps! 🙂 Hunter