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Category: Being a Film Actor

Articles and ideas and help on how to be a successful and effective film actor.

Comment embrasser dans un film
{:en} Kissing on screen. It happens often enough but for new actors it can’t often be quite traumatic and nerve-racking
Working in Europe – Visas & Work Permits
This article is for actors who need to spend short periods of times in other countries for work - shooting film, etc.
Your Acting Languages
{:en}How many languages can you act in? When you make a profile on enCAST, you need to set your acting
IMDB Pro Links
To see how to use this page, click here. This page has links to IMDB Pro where you can find
Your Profile Pictures
{:en}You can show several pictures on your profile. For actors these will be your headshots. This article explains how to
Self-Taping an Audition
{:en}These days more and more auditions/castings are self-taped. This means the actor films themself performing a scene and sends the
Your Submission Email
The first thing a casting agent sees is your submission email (sometimes called a cover email or casting email). What
Using IMDB to Find Work
A lot of enCAST actors are on IMDb Pro and it can be a great resource to find work if
Comment ajouter un CV à votre profil
{:en}When you add a CV to your profile, the following users will be able to open and see it: the
About Types
{:en}You will often here the word types when people in the industry talk about actors. This page explains what a type is, and helps
Your Headshots
A headshot is a photograph which tells the casting director what you look like. Suppose the casting director (or CD)
Acting Scams
Acting scams are not common and you'll find the 99.9% of casting notices are perfectly fine. However very occasionally you
How to contact a Talent Agent or Casting Director
If you’re an actor looking for work you might be tempted to get in touch with a Talent Agent or
How to Find Acting Work
One of the most important sides to being an actor is finding work. And unfortunately, it’s also one of the
Your Email Address
Not all emails are right for actors. And here’s why you should think carefully about the email you use when
Webinar: How to make the Perfect Self-Tape
This webinar deals with the ins and outs of making that perfect self-tape. Our guest panellists - Anthony Skordi and
A Beginners Guide to Becoming an Actor
{:en} Generally speaking, it’s easy to become an actor. Almost anyone can do it! The difficulty is when someone wants
Your CV or Résumé
After your headshots and showreel, your CV (curriculum or résumé) is the most important document you send a casting agent. It
Nudity at Auditions
{:en}Nudity in a film is fine as long as everyone knows all about it - and agrees with it -
Where to find Casting Calls
The truth is that the more casting calls you submit to, the higher the chances of finding work as an
Film Acting vs Theatre Acting
{:en}Experienced actors often say that there’s a difference between acting on film and acting in theatre. Famously Michael Caine said
Your Showreels
{:en} A good showreel can get you work. And a bad showreel can lose you work. It is your calling
Showreels for New Actors
A lot of new actors have a problem – they don’t have a showreel. It’s a Catch-22 situation: they can’t
How to find a Talent Agent
Every actor, if they want to take their career to the next level, will need a Talent Agent (or TA).
Vimeo vs YouTube for your Showreels
When you have a showreel, there are usually just 2 places you can put it online: Vimeo or YouTube. Both
Playing Ages
Your playing age is not your real but how old you look. For example, you might be 20 years old
Can an Actor have a Tattoo?
The simple answer is, it depends. It depends on where the tattoo is; the size of the tattoo and its
Troubleshooting Showreels on your Profile
We do not host videos directly on our site, but instead you can embed your video from YouTube or Vimeo
Working in Different Countries
Generally speaking it will be the film production who sort out visas, work permits, and the necessary paperwork for an
How to Read a Casting Call
Casting notices come in all shapes and sizes. There’s no set pattern and you’ll see everything from a detailed character
Your Professional Acting Name
{:en} Let’s talk a moment about your name. If you’re new to acting then the chances are that you won’t
Cover Emails to Talent Agents
This article explains how you can write an effective cover email when you are looking to find a new Talent
Handling Guns on Set
All too often we hear of tragic accidents on set where someone is killed or injured by a gun on
Close your Eyes before Action!
Here's a super easy tip to make you look better on screen and to improve your acting, too when the
What’s your Favourite Film?
A good actor watches films and learns how other actors do their job. If they are impressed enough, a good
The Role That Got Away – Scarlett Johansson shares her casting disappointments
For those on the outside, Hollywood seems to be a world of glitz, glamour, and endless success. However, behind the
Being an Extra
Without extras, films are simply unrealistic. Extras – or Background or Supporting artists as they’re sometimes called – add realism to a scene. They are
A Day in the Life of an Extra
Obviously no two days are alike in the world of extras, but this will give you a good idea of
Making an “About Me” Self-Tape
Every so often a casting will ask for an "about me" self-tape introduction where you talk about yourself for the
Can I Send Someone my Passport or ID?
Sometimes a production will ask you to send them a scan of your passport or id card so they can
Being in the Moment
{:en} The very best kind of acting always means being in the moment, but what exactly is that and how
Profile Views
When you visit your profile you'll see an item, PROFILE VIEWS. This shows how many people - guests, CDs, other
The Power of Active Listening in Acting
In the world of acting, active listening can greatly enhance performances and leave a lasting impression. Let's explore how this
What we saw right – and wrong – in your Self-Tapes
enCAST recently helped pre-cast a political thriller film in Europe and received over 100 submissions for self-tapes. While some were
How to Annoy a CD and Lose the Job
For actors, the CASTING DIRECTOR (or CD) is one of the most important people out there. The CD is the
English on enCAST
The languages we show on enCAST are fairly general and we do not tend to sub-divide them much. For example,
How to Cry on Film
https://youtu.be/NkkhLPgGx-U Crying on cue can be challenging for many actors. This article provides some ideas to help you cry at
A CV with No Acting Experience
You want to be an actor. You see a job you like. But you don’t have any experience to put
How to use enCAST to find more acting work
As an actor, finding work can be a daunting and time-consuming process. However, using enCAST can make the process a
CV Size
Your CV (or résumé) should be in PDF format, about 1 or 2 pages long. When you submit for a
A guide to Talent Agents (for Actors)
When you are first starting out as an actor, most jobs you get will be through word of mouth or
DIY – Make your own First Film
Making your own films is simple to do, effective, fun, and guaranteed to improve your acting. Here’s where we offer a
Your Calling Card
At the top of your profile is your Calling Card and all users have this. As you can see above,
Scams and Staying Safe
99.9% of castings and auditions are perfectly safe. But very occasionally you might come across a casting or a situation
The Cheque Scam Explained
A while back we got a couple of messages from enCAST actors asking for our help. They’d received a random
Language Reels
Just as a showreel shows video clips of you in action, a language reel (aka soundfile or voicereel) is a
Pre-Production
Once the decision has been made to make the film, the next step is pre-production which is where various people will go
The Problem with Multi-Lingual Showreels
You should always try to keep each showreel in one language only. If you have a single showreel with clips
15 Essential Audition Tips
Here they are then, 15 of the most important tips you'll ever hear about to help you nail that audition.
The DOP
The dop (pronounced as letters: DOP or sometimes just dp) – director of photography – is responsible for the overall
What makes a Rubbish Headshot?
First impressions count. When a casting director (or CD) opens up your application the very first thing they will look at are
Not Enough Time to Learn Lines for a Self-Tape
It sometimes happen. You get a request for a self-tape with 3 or 4 pages of dialogue and just a
The 3 Groups of Actors on a Film
Generally speaking actors can be divided into 3 groups (although obviously there is some degree of overlap): First come LEAD
Your IMDB Credits
Having credits on  IMDb is important for actors as this tells Casting Directors and others about your official experience. In simple terms,
What does it say on your Tin?
Too many actors get this wrong. They give off the wrong message to casting directors and lose work. But follow
Never Password Protect your Showreel
Most actors put their showreel up on YouTube or Vimeo for the world to see and then spread the link
The 10 Second Rule for your Showreel
Did you know that on average, a casting director will watch only the first 10 seconds of your showreel? That
Microphones & Sound
It might seem like a small subject, but it’s important. So you’re on set, dressed up, made up and ready
General Safety at Auditions
As we often say, 99.9% of castings and auditions are perfectly legitimate and safe. In fact, a lot of actors
Ban this word from your emails – NOT!
We're going to talk about a small thing that makes a big difference. It's about the emails you send when
How can I find more acting jobs with my Special Skill?
Let's suppose you are an actor with a special skill. Perhaps you surf really well, or can ride a horse,
Scene Work – Questions I need to ask myself
You have a scene in a film. You know your lines, you know the action. But do you know your
Your Material – an Introduction
{:en}Sooner or later – it could be next week, or next month, or in five minutes time – you are
Actors Without Showreels
{:en}If you want to submit to a casting call, but you don't have a showreel on your profile yet, there
Be Cool – why it’s important to stay calm on set
Acting is an art that requires talent, dedication, and the ability to handle emotions. As actors, your behaviour on set
A Look at Different Acting Techniques & Practices
Acting, an art form as old as the hills, has seen the rise and fall of numerous techniques over the
What’s it like to be a Mixed Race actor in Europe?
enCAST actor Leo Saint Thomas is only 19 years old but he's already been a professional actor for over 10
The Screenplay
In the beginning a writer will sit down at their computer and from their blood, sweat, and tears, produce a screenplay.
The Camera Crew
After the director comes the camera crew. Depending on the production this can be one person or a team of
Your On-Set Bag
Every set is different. You might find yourself in the middle of a field with nothing but a flimsy tent
IMDB Pro Email Template
To see how to use this page, click here. You can use this as a template for writing to film
Never Leave the Set without Telling Anyone
When you’re on set there’s often a lot of down time. You might be sitting in your trailer for hours
After the Audition is Over
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFuu5ksDQbo So… you’ve seen the casting notice, you’ve sent your application, you’ve gone in for the casting audition… What now?
Pretend Actors & Real Actors
We have been working with actors for many years. Together we’ve help make feature films and short films, TV series
Do Actors need Formal Training?
When it comes to the world of acting, one burning question often arises: Do actors need training? And the answer
Colour-Blind & Colour-Conscious Casting
Colour-Blind vs Colour-Conscious Colour-blind casting is a casting method that promotes diversity and inclusivity in the entertainment industry by casting
Getting into – and out of – Character
enCAST actor Leo Saint Thomas is only 19 years old but he's already been a professional actor for over 10
Casting Directors – an Introduction
For actors, the casting director – or CD – is one of the most important people out there. Essentially the CD is the
Your Signature
You and your name are your brand. And like all brands, you need to let people know about it. One
Interrupting and Being Interrupted
Look at these few lines of dialogue: A: I came round but- B: I know, I know, I should have-
Should you take a role in a low-budget ‘silly’ film?
As an actor, it's not uncommon to come across opportunities for roles in films that may seem silly or even
Wardrobe, Hair & Makeup
The wardrobe department dresses you. Hair does your hair. Make-up does your make-up. Fairly obvious really! Gossip wise, they are
The Second Unit Director
On a very large production there may also be a second-unit director. The second-unit is a small crew which often
Live, Online, Auditions
Online auditions are becoming more common these days, especially in times of pandemic! Often, to save time & money, and
Why you need a Showreel
How important is a showreel for actors? Here professional actor and acting coach Raquel Gardner offers some excellent advice on
Pause before Action
You’re on set. The lights are up. The sound is rolling. The camera is rolling. There is expectancy and tension
Boost My Profile
Would you like a quick boost to your profile on the enCAST social media? Simply put, a boost is when
NUOVOIMAIE
{:en} NUOVOIMAIE, which stands for Nuova Istituzione per la gestione collettiva dei diritti di esecuzione degli artisti interpreti o esecutori,
The Shoot
Once the money is in place, the roles have been cast, the crew (all those working behind the camera, from
A Self-Tape Audition from the Actor’s & Casting Director’s PoV
It's rare to get in-depth feedback on your audition, but we were lucky enough to get just that for this
Privacy/Security for Actors
Being an actor is, by definition, a public affair. But that doesn't mean every part of your life is open
The AD
The person most actors will deal with on set is the AD or Assistant Director. Big sets will have several
The Director
At the top of the whole pile is the director. Quite possibly they are the only person who doesn’t seem
How to handle auditions you don’t book
As actors, we all attend hundreds of auditions and perhaps book just a handful of them. Here professional actor and
How to Book Bigger Roles
As actors we often plateau; this means we reach a certain level and find ourselves doing the same type of
Actors & Team Work
In film making, actors are only one part of a very long and intense process. They are important because without actors
Working as an Actor in Malta: A Brief Guide
enCAST Castings on Malta - enCAST Actors on Malta Malta is a small island in the Mediterranean with a population
One Task a Day to Success
No one ever says becoming a successful actor is easy. You might have the looks, the talent, the ability, and
The Meisner Acting Technique
Meisner training, named after Sanford Meisner, an influential American acting teacher, emerged in the 20th century as a significant departure
My Headshots are Upside Down
Sometimes when you upload a picture to your profile you will see that it appears upside down. The reason this
Post Production
The morning after the final day of shooting, while the crew are working on a new project and the actors
The Naturalistic Approach to Acting
Naturalistic Acting is about making the characters on stage or screen feel real, like people you might meet in your
The Lighting Crew
And making sure everything looks good on film is the lighting crew. As you might expect they will light the
Casting & Audition Workshops
Casting or Audition Workshops are a valuable resource in the world of acting, offering aspiring actors the opportunity to hone
Method Acting
Method Acting, an influential approach in the world of acting, has had a lasting impact on the craft. To truly
What Scenes to Include in a Showreel?
For creating an impactful showreel, here are a few pointers: Powerful Opening Scene: choose your best scene first, if you
Should I Submit to this Casting Call?
Before you make the decision to submit for an acting job, it's important to consider 4 main criteria. These will
Profile Audit & Mentoring
Are you losing out on jobs? Do you need a professional to take your profile & acting to the next