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Part time seasonal acting work

Avocado

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I’m a little older now, and I am getting a day job as a public school teacher. I like that, but I’d like to try acting in the summers. I have no prior [FONT=&quot]paid[/FONT] experience in acting, but I have a little unpaid experience. I mostly just want to see if I can start building foundations now to maybe do acting as a second career multiple decades from now after I leave teaching (which is something far off) or if thats impractical, just doing some minor acting gigs on the side for fun.

I’ll do anything that doesn’t jeopardize my day job...it took me too long to get that and its genuinely not a bad job.

I also wrote a 50k word novella back in high school, but have not marketed it very well because honestly, I feel like it could be better and I threw together the last few chapters of the book to try to meet a deadline. Acting sounds like a more fun part time seasonal career, though.

How does one go about finding small time acting jobs?
 

Doctor Cringelord

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Get head shots done. Call local talent agencies. My grandma used to act in local commercials. It’s a great gig, usually a day or less of shooting, then done. It might lead to more work if someone likes your look and you’re easy to work with.
G
Find out when film productions are shooting near you. Usually they’ll hire locals as extras. Extras work is decent. You usually get fed by caterers, you’re spending a good chunk of time standing around until needed, and you get the experience of seeing filmmaking up close

Those are your best bets if you want to get paid but can’t commit months of your life to a single gig.

You could also try voice acting
 

Stigmata

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Have you considered taking an odyssey into the realm of pornography adult-oriented films?

If you don't mind long stints in uncomfortable positions, and/or the occasional squirt in the mouth or possibly having a prostate exam administered with something a little bigger than an index finger, it'd be a good platform to gain exposure (pun intended) to move possibly move onto bigger projects.

If you don't mind filling out an application that'll possibly lead to you being filled out like an application, I could prove to be a good opportunity for you.
 

Doctor Cringelord

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Have you considered taking an odyssey into the realm of pornography adult-oriented films?

If you don't mind long stints in uncomfortable positions, and/or the occasional squirt in the mouth or possibly having a prostate exam administered with something a little bigger than an index finger, it'd be a good platform to gain exposure (pun intended) to move possibly move onto bigger projects.

If you don't mind filling out an application that'll possibly lead to you being filled out like an application, I could prove to be a good opportunity for you.

Well, I did tell him to get head shots.
 

Avocado

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Have you considered taking an odyssey into the realm of pornography adult-oriented films?

If you don't mind long stints in uncomfortable positions, and/or the occasional squirt in the mouth or possibly having a prostate exam administered with something a little bigger than an index finger, it'd be a good platform to gain exposure (pun intended) to move possibly move onto bigger projects.

If you don't mind filling out an application that'll possibly lead to you being filled out like an application, I could prove to be a good opportunity for you.

I have, believe it or not...though I intend to keep my day job and as such am looking mostly at pg-13 or cleaner right now. Last thing I need is a religious coworker renting a porno and then being like "hey, I work with that guy" and then trying to use that as leverage over me. That would really be my only fear. I've seen it on the news.

edit: Plus, unless there is a market for fat fetish, I'm not sure I'd do well. I have a big belly thats obvious when my shirt is off.
 

Tellenbach

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Join the Screen Actors Guild; they probably have publications with job offers.
 

Stigmata

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edit: Plus, unless there is a market for fat fetish, I'm not sure I'd do well. I have a big belly thats obvious when my shirt is off.

Hey. Chin up, Charlie.

If you can role play as an obedient and shameful cuck husband, there's a hope you yet.

Also, fat is a pretty broad spectrum -- Are we talking about just a little heavyset or sweat profusely while simultaneously taking a shower, fat?

Better yet, if you were walking down a moderately busy sidewalk, and your shoelaces randomly untied themselves, would the logistics behind you having to bend over, without anything to rest yourself on, induce a sense of panic?

You don't have to these questions aloud, but don't let your perceived imperfections impede upon you achieving your dreams.
 

Avocado

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Hey. Chin up, Charlie.

If you can role play as an obedient and shameful cuck husband, there's a hope you yet.

Also, fat is a pretty broad spectrum -- Are we talking about just a little heavyset or sweat profusely while simultaneously taking a shower, fat?

Better yet, if you were walking down a moderately busy sidewalk, and your shoelaces randomly untied themselves, would the logistics behind you having to bend over, without anything to rest yourself on, induce a sense of panic?

You don't have to these questions aloud, but don't let your perceived imperfections impede upon you achieving your dreams.

I'm about 30 pounds overweight and 5'9"
 

Red Memories

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My theatre teacher told me the best way to start is to volunteer to help with plays a local theatre puts on. Help with putting together high school productions or something. Once you get that, or even in a few of those plays (it won't make you money off the bat but it'll get the needed experience) make some of those headshots as suggested. Make some videos showing your acting capabilities. It is about selling your talents.
 

Avocado

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My theatre teacher told me the best way to start is to volunteer to help with plays a local theatre puts on. Help with putting together high school productions or something. Once you get that, or even in a few of those plays (it won't make you money off the bat but it'll get the needed experience) make some of those headshots as suggested. Make some videos showing your acting capabilities. It is about selling your talents.

The Academy at The Shreveport Little Theatre
I found our local theater
 

Doctor Cringelord

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I have, believe it or not...though I intend to keep my day job and as such am looking mostly at pg-13 or cleaner right now. Last thing I need is a religious coworker renting a porno and then being like "hey, I work with that guy" and then trying to use that as leverage over me. That would really be my only fear. I've seen it on the news.

edit: Plus, unless there is a market for fat fetish, I'm not sure I'd do well. I have a big belly thats obvious when my shirt is off.

The elephant in the room in those stories is

why the fuck was the religious person renting pornos in the first place? They didn't have a problem with wanking to whatever depravity they viewed, but then they felt a moral obligation to go ruin someone else's life by outing them?
 

Avocado

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The elephant in the room in those stories is why the fuck was the religious person renting pornos in the first place? They didn't have a problem with wanking to whatever depravity they viewed, but then they felt a moral obligation to go ruin someone else's life by outing them?
It happens, believe or not.
 

Yuurei

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My theatre teacher told me the best way to start is to volunteer to help with plays a local theatre puts on. Help with putting together high school productions or something. Once you get that, or even in a few of those plays (it won't make you money off the bat but it'll get the needed experience) make some of those headshots as suggested. Make some videos showing your acting capabilities. It is about selling your talents.

I tried that.

They asked for a resume. Can't get jack shit anywhere.
 

Avocado

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I tried that.

They asked for a resume. Can't get jack shit anywhere.

Wow...even for hobbyists just trying to get their foot in the door?
 

Yuurei

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Wow...even for hobbyists just trying to get their foot in the door?

For anything

- hobbyist trying to get thier foot in the door
- A person with 6 yrs exp stage management
- Trying to get credit for field work for my Anthro degree; at some tiny, po-dunk Japanese history museum! ( I had 5 yrs special study in Far East history, hell, they heard me correct my classmates for shit’s sake!)

...but...I don’t want to bring you down. You should definitley try. You know; don’t exoect the worst but be prepared for it
 

SurrealisticSlumbers

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Yeah, sorry but you don't approach this as a "hobby." I'm not trying to be mean, really.

Professional actors take acting classes (yours truly has a Theatre degree), send out resumes and headshots to prospective agencies, and join Backstage.com. As others have said, you need to be your own salesman. Actors are entrepreneurs by default. Unless you were a child actor, you will be facing constant rejection by casting directors, be forced to apply for roles that don't pay sh*t, be willing to approach film students and beg them for a role, do very (and I mean very) low-budget films, and volunteer in the community. Anything that adds to that resume. Because that's the only thing that will ever catapult you to higher-paying roles where you're doing more than just breaking even.

Did you think about how you'd arrange to fly or drive out to the set? Casting decisions are made pretty quickly and you need to be able to get out there at a moment's notice for filming. Ask yourself: Can you take off work at the drop of a hat? Can you cough up the transportation costs to get your butt on a plane or drive umpteen miles to the film set? Are you able to commit to a grueling schedule, mental and physical exhaustion, and a work environment laden with stress? Would you be comfortable with snippy people directing your every move?

This is just not something you go into on a whim.
 

Avocado

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Yeah, sorry but you don't approach this as a "hobby." I'm not trying to be mean, really.

Professional actors take acting classes (yours truly has a Theatre degree), send out resumes and headshots to prospective agencies, and join Backstage.com. As others have said, you need to be your own salesman. Actors are entrepreneurs by default. Unless you were a child actor, you will be facing constant rejection by casting directors, be forced to apply for roles that don't pay sh*t, be willing to approach film students and beg them for a role, do very (and I mean very) low-budget films, and volunteer in the community. Anything that adds to that resume. Because that's the only thing that will ever catapult you to higher-paying roles where you're doing more than just breaking even.

Did you think about how you'd arrange to fly or drive out to the set? Casting decisions are made pretty quickly and you need to be able to get out there at a moment's notice for filming. Ask yourself: Can you take off work at the drop of a hat? Can you cough up the transportation costs to get your butt on a plane or drive umpteen miles to the film set? Are you able to commit to a grueling schedule, mental and physical exhaustion, and a work environment laden with stress? Would you be comfortable with snippy people directing your every move?

This is just not something you go into on a whim.

I know how tough the market for creative work is. I may not have much acting experience beyond a play in high school, but I’ve been trying to sell my home-crafted sci-fi novellas for years with very little luck. I still write on the side as a hobby, but I’m pretty sure at this point its not really going anywhere and once I get to a “sticking-point” on a novella, I slowly start resenting the book because I want to work on another project but here I am doing this one—so I only finish half of the longer works I start. I do very well writing short story anthologies, though, and I have finished a few novellas. Acting sounded interesting to get back into because its another creative outlet for me—I tend to cycle through those.

As for your questions:

Did you think about how you'd arrange to fly or drive out to the set?

This is Shreveport, Louisiana. While the new governor took away the tax credits for filmmakers, there are still local venues and films here. Also, Dallas, Texas is only 2 hours drive west of here. That city is a major acting hub for our region. I could catch a job there and still have a possible (if still painful) commute to Dallas. Also, we have community theaters here I could eventually work my way into.

Can you take off work at the drop of a hat?

Since I am starting a public teaching job this august, I will be able to take off pretty easily 10 days a year after I get tenure in a couple of years, though I see the teaching job as my PRIMARY job, so I’d prefer to just work around it by using my summers off. During the year, I’ll be using weekends to rest and make lesson plans, so that’s out. I’m more planting seeds to pursue acting full time later in life by building a resume and experience now, since I have every intent to have a career as a teacher first before committing to acting later. Low budget work is fine, since I am making 47,000 salary as a teacher and only paying 5k for benefits and 9k for taxes. I just want to get my name out there and pay my dues.

Can you cough up the transportation costs to get your butt on a plane or drive umpteen miles to the film set?

Yes, by the time summer rolls around every year, I’ll have a decent-sized warchest to pull from.

Are you able to commit to a grueling schedule, mental and physical exhaustion, and a work environment laden with stress?

Yes, but only seasonally.

Would you be comfortable with snippy people directing your every move?

I’ve dealt with that before. I can deal with it again.
 
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Wow...even for hobbyists just trying to get their foot in the door?

I helped out as a costume designer assistant for a play at my university and didn't have to submit a resume. Granted, I knew the costume designer because she was once my professor, but I know many are often looking for people to help out. They were flexible with my schedule too since I was a student. Not sure if you are a student, but perhaps you can try volunteering for a college play? It couldn't hurt to try.
 

Avocado

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I helped out as a costume designer assistant for a play at my university and didn't have to submit a resume. Granted, I knew the costume designer because she was once my professor, but I know many are often looking for people to help out. They were flexible with my schedule too since I was a student. Not sure if you are a student, but perhaps you can try volunteering for a college play? It couldn't hurt to try.

I helped out as a costume designer assistant for a play at my university and didn't have to submit a resume. Granted, I knew the costume designer because she was once my professor, but I know many are often looking for people to help out. They were flexible with my schedule too since I was a student. Not sure if you are a student, but perhaps you can try volunteering for a college play? It couldn't hurt to try.
I am no longer a college student as of 1 week from today. My best bet is community theater.
I was too busy working at a pharmacy job I hated to do anything fun on the side during college...but I saved up enough money that I quit the retail pharmacy tech job that was only paying me 12.75 an hour and varying my hours between 4 and 26 hours a week, like they were playing some sick game. Luckiliy, I have a 47,000 a year salary job lined up for this august doing more enjoyable work as a special education teacher. Not only is the pay increase a relief, but I like this kind of work better. My mom really wanted me to stick with the pharmacy job longer saying “not many people have the priviledge to make almost 13 an hour” and “stick with the pharmacy and get a masters of social work. You look would make a better social worker than a teacher,” but the constant shifts in hours were driving me so crazy and my step father beats me and my mother is invasive, so I wanted to move out quicker...plus I think the latest pharmacy was about to get rid of me anyway and I’d already burnt my bridges with all the other pharmacies in town.

TL;DR I’m glad college and my childhood and my short adventure into pharmacy are behind me and I think the rest of my life will be better.
 
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I am no longer a college student as of 1 week from today. My best bet is community theater.
I was too busy working at a pharmacy job I hated to do anything fun on the side during college...but I saved up enough money that I quit the retail pharmacy tech job that was only paying me 12.75 an hour and varying my hours between 4 and 26 hours a week, like they were playing some sick game. Luckiliy, I have a 47,000 a year salary job lined up for this august doing more enjoyable work as a special education teacher. Not only is the pay increase a relief, but I like this kind of work better. My mom really wanted me to stick with the pharmacy job longer saying “not many people have the priviledge to make almost 13 an hour” and “stick with the pharmacy and get a masters of social work. You look would make a better social worker than a teacher,” but the constant shifts in hours were driving me so crazy and my step father beats me and my mother is invasive, so I wanted to move out quicker...plus I think the latest pharmacy was about to get rid of me anyway and I’d already burnt my bridges with all the other pharmacies in town.

TL;DR I’m glad college and my childhood and my short adventure into pharmacy are behind me and I think the rest of my life will be better.

I'm sorry to hear about your family situation. Yeah, it's probably best to get your finances sorted out first and then after you can try out for community theater. And since you'll be a teacher, maybe you can seek out plays during the summer since you'd probably have more time off then?
 
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