
Your Go-To Hub for Acting Tools and Industry Tips. From casting platforms to courses, find what you need to stay ahead in your acting career!
These sites are key for finding auditions and casting calls tailored to your experience level. Be sure to keep your profiles updated!
Actors Access
A major casting platform used by top agents and casting directors, offering a wide range of audition opportunities in film, television, and theater. Only agents have access to the big professional auditions. The ones actors have access to are open calls.
actorsaccess.com
Casting Networks
A trusted platform for commercial, TV, and film casting opportunities, providing actors with tools to manage their profiles and submissions. Only agents have access to the big professional auditions. The ones actors have access to are open calls.
castingnetworks.com
Backstage
Great for actors at all stages, Backstage offers both casting calls and valuable career advice, along with a wealth of articles to enhance your skills.
backstage.com
Casting Frontier
A trusted platform for commercial, TV, and film casting opportunities, providing actors with tools to manage their profiles and submissions. Only agents have access to the big professional auditions. The ones actors have access to are open calls.
castingfrontier.com
Playbill
A go-to resource for theater auditions, Playbill provides a dedicated job board for Broadway and Off-Broadway opportunities along with industry news.
playbill.com/jobs
NY Castings
Focusing on opportunities in New York, NY Castings offers a variety of auditions for film, television, and theater, making it a key resource for local actors.
nycastings.com
Stay on top of industry trends and breaking news with these must-follow sites and publications. Knowing what's happening in the entertainment world can give you a professional edge.
Deadline
A leading source for entertainment news, Deadline covers breaking stories, industry analysis, and exclusive updates on film and television.
deadline.com
Backstage Magazine
The magazine arm of Backstage, it offers insightful articles, interviews, and advice tailored for actors and industry professionals looking to stay informed.
backstage.com/magazine
Variety
A prestigious entertainment publication that provides in-depth news, reviews, and analysis on the film, television, and theater industries.
variety.com
The Hollywood Reporter
An authoritative source for entertainment news, The Hollywood Reporter covers everything from breaking news to feature articles about film, TV, and the business behind them.
hollywoodreporter.com
Playbill
In addition to casting, Playbill features news about theater productions, upcoming shows, and interviews with industry professionals, making it essential for stage actors.
playbill.com/news
The Wrap
An entertainment news site focused on breaking news, analysis, and critical reviews in the film and television industry, with a unique perspective on Hollywood.
thewrap.com
The Ankler
A newsletter offering sharp commentary and insider analysis of the entertainment industry, focusing on Hollywood trends and industry shifts.
theankler.com
These apps can help you stay organized, prepare for auditions, and even network with other actors.
Track Your Talent
Our very own app - keep track of your auditions, industry contacts, actor finances and more, all in one place.
Track Your Talent - iOS
We Audition
Find a reader anytime, and be a reader to earn some extra cash.
We Audition - iOS
Actor Trade
Find a reader anytime. It's free, but you'll need to earn rehearsal time by being a reader.
Actor Trade - iOS
Rehearsal Pro
Leading app for learning lines.
Rehearsal Pro - iOS
Line Learner
Another app for learning lines.
Line Learner - iOS
Scenebot
Get practice scenes each month & feedback.
Scenebot - iOS
Castability
Get practice scenes each week & feedback from casting directors.
Castability - iOS
Your headshot is your calling card. Here are some photographers to get you started.
There are SO many more than listed here - simply Google search, or search on instagram for 'actor headshots' and find a photographer who's style you like!
Just make sure they specialize in actor headshots - a model or portrait photographer may take good photos, but they'll most likely miss you audition opportunities.
Vanie Poyey
https://poyeyphotos.com/
Michael Roud
https://michaelroud.com/
Cameron Radice
https://www.radicephotography.com/
Peter Carrier
https://www.petercarrierphotography.com/actors
Stephanie Girard
https://www.stephgirardheadshots.com/
Marc Cartwright
https://www.marccartwrightheadshots.com/
Rachel Stella
https://www.rachelstellaphotography.com/headshots
Chris Thurman
https://www.thurmanheadshots.com/
Check out our FREE e-book (link on home page) for recommendations on the type of acting classes you should be doing - then Google search for the ones closest to you. You may have to drive a distance to get to one, or at the very least, find an online zoom course or acting coach. You need ongoing classes, in person or at the very least via zoom so you can get immediate feedback. You can find good coaches by doing a search on the TMFA facebook group.
Here are just a few classes to get you started:
ACTING BUSINESS
HWC Winners Course
The most in-depth course we've seen on the business side of acting. Our founder took this course when he got to LA and after implementing the lessons learned, got an agent and booked 12 commercials in the first 3 years - all principal roles for big companies like Pepsi, Amazon, Popeyes, Morgan & Morgan, Dave & Busters!
HWC Winners Course website (affiliate link - we appreciate you using this link to sign up - to help us keep going)
The Biz of Acting
6-week online course taught by Dylan Mooney - working actor and certified instructor from the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in LA.
The Biz of Acting website
Materials Makeover
Personal assessment of your actor package and casting sites by Joanna Delane – working actress and Hollywood talent agent for SAINT.
Materials Makeover website
Relationship Roadmap
Learn how to network as an actor and start getting direct offers.
Relationship Roadmap website (affiliate link - we appreciate you using this link to sign up - to help us keep going)
ACTING TECHNIQUE
UCB
Improvisation. Focuses on long form improv.
https://ucbcomedy.com/training-center/
Groundlings
Improvisation. Focuses on character and skit style improv.
https://groundlings.com/
Playhouse West
Meisner technique.
https://www.playhousewest.com/
Margie Haber
Margie Haber technique.
https://margiehaber.com/
Howard Fine
Howard Fine technique.
https://www.howardfine.com/
Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute
Strasberg technique.
https://strasberg.edu/los-angeles-theatre-film-school/programs/
LA Acting Studios
On-camera class.
https://laactingstudios.com/
Hey I Saw Your Commercial
Commercial classes.
https://www.heyisawyourcommercial.com/
Laurie Records Commercial Classes
Commercial classes by casting director Laurie Records.
https://www.laurierecordscasting.com/
Line Runner Tapes
Commercial classes.
https://www.linerunnertapes.com/
Networking is crucial in the acting world. These online communities can provide support, collaboration opportunities, and more.
Just a couple vetted ones here to start - search Facebook for more actor groups to join, you can also follow the Instagram hashtag #actorlife for more motivation.
TMFA
A Facebook group filled with casting directors, directors, coaches, working actors & other industry professionals. Make sure to search the group to find an answer before asking a question!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/843656639050766/
Rehearsal & Self-Tape Partners for Actors
A Facebook group to find rehearsal partners and self-tape readers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/rehearsalandselftapepartnersforactors/
Networking is vital for making connections in the industry. Film festivals and networking events can help you build relationships with casting directors, filmmakers, and other actors.
Sundance Film Festival
One of the top festivals for independent films, offering actors a chance to showcase their work and network with industry professionals.
https://festival.sundance.org/
South by Southwest
A massive media event that blends film, music, and tech. The film portion attracts actors, directors, and producers, making it a prime networking hub.
https://www.sxsw.com/festivals/film/
Tribeca Film Festival
A prestigious festival with strong industry attendance, Tribeca is a great place for actors to network with filmmakers, casting directors, and fellow actors.
https://tribecafilm.com/festival
AFI Fest
Run by the American Film Institute, this festival is attended by top filmmakers, actors, and casting directors. It offers a great chance to make connections within the industry.
https://fest.afi.com/
Film Independent Forum
A gathering of filmmakers and creatives looking to connect and collaborate.
https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/forum/
Stage 32
This online community is designed specifically for entertainment professionals, offering a digital space to network and find in-person events too. It's useful for both casual and more structured networking.
https://www.stage32.com/welcome
Learn How to Network
Learn how to network as an actor and start getting direct offers.
Relationship Roadmap website (affiliate link - we appreciate you using this link to sign up - to help us keep going)
Keep an eye out
Keep an eye out for networking events through the TMFA Facebook group & WeAudition Instagram page. Australians in LA can also check out events with the Australians in Film group.