Hello hello hello!
I'm a professional actor, I've worked in film, tv, theatre, radio and video games. Have been working professionally since 2000, both overseas and in Australia.
Thought this post would be a laugh on the off chance anyone's curious. Ask Me Anything!
Sweaty!
Do I need to look good to get a gig ?
Nope. To an extent what you look like is going to dictate the work you get though. The profession is one where stipulations can be made which would usually run contrary to discrimination legislation for any other profession. When was the last time you saw a toothpaste ad with an actor who didn't have straight teeth?
Does your yearly income fluctuate a lot?
Yes, radically. Only the very fortunate have regular, full time acting work. For the rest of us it's job to job.
How do the actors with substance problems still get work? There are certain actors with issues that are common knowledge in the industry.
Well that's a little outside of my experience, but I'd say the same way anyone else with substance problems gets work - manage, hide, disguise and so forth.
And 'common knowledge' might not be as common as you think. Notable examples are all well paid stars…the rest of us are looking for the next job and can't afford to have anything signalling 'Don't hire this person' so if we do have a problem, we'll keep it hidden and managed because you don't want to put off casting people/directors.
Because they get the job done and most people do not care about what you do with your own head unlike you apparently.
I wish yours had been less shaken as a child.
Do you still have to be a member of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance to get a gig ?
To be honest I don't know? I wouldn't contemplate not being in the union, I've had to use them before to resolve issues so to me it's not a question. I can only suggest that Australia workplace laws would say that employment dependent on union membership would be discriminatory?
In the UK you don't have to be a member of the union to get work.
Have you appeared on Home and Away or Neighbours?
Not as yet.
What kind of Aussie actor are you!
hangs head in shame
How do you recognise if someone is a good actor?
They are in politics..
Ha! Fair comment.
I voted that one up but looking at most pollies these days I fell a bit conflicted. A lot of them are LOUSY actors and not in the least bit convincing in their roles.
And the crisis actors are even worse! :)
Did you believe them in that moment? Did you believe their part of the story? Were you entertained? Is your disbelief suspended?
I'd say those are pretty good benchmarks.
Is professional acting, and the media industry, getting owned by youtube celebs and internet media?
10 years ago my students wanted to be actors and movie stars, now they want to be youtubers.
What would you do/implement to make the world of acting and performance more credible for consumers?
10 years ago my students wanted to be actors and movie stars, now they want to be youtubers.
For some reason you appear to have a problem with your students controlling their own careers - Youtube and "the internet" - instead of being controlled by another entity which usually answers to a profit seeking master that lends some credibility by being a gatekeeper that places controls on their property - traditional film, TV, advertising …
World has moved on bro, the traditional gatekeepers do not have control anymore.
Its not my problem. It means that students were previously influenced by the 'model' of entertainment provided by television and movies, and now they are attracted to entertainment developed and created by teams and individuals for free via streaming services, i.e. youtube.
Students are going to pave their own path, and i'll provide all the support and encouragement to get somewhere realistic and aligned to their developed skills.
And not all students want this career, but every generation has girls and boys wanting to emulate their idols on tv and in music. Its profit that drives all industries, and its fair to feel/sense that credibility is failing in the industry. the pull or drive to commit isnt there. How does it reflect on actors in the business? Are there less people becoming traditional actors, with training, now more than ever?
Diji1, how does your comment encourage improvement, or help someone to think deeper about the topic?
p.s. the traditional gatekeepers still have control. They are still there, and just because you're not consuming television (like a lot of people, myself included for 20+ years now), they are still tailoring television and advertising to the people who remain. A lot of new gatekeepers have joined (i.e. mobile gaming, ozbargain). New pull for the consumer.
Make it more accessible, and I think Netflix/Amazon is helping that. That's what's great about YouTube, it's accessible, there's less barriers to consumption. The more obstacles you put in an audiences way, the less likely they are to watch.
It's competing for eyes and attention. I think strong stories always get an audience, that's why the industry hasn't gone bang out of business overnight. TV and film writers have great stories. It's about getting them to audiences better.
Personally I prefer seeing a film maker's creation on a big screen in it's intended format, but not everyone feels that way and want it on the go, ready to consume. And if you want to capture that market/audience you need to cater to them.
As for the creative side, I think it's a great medium to get work made. Channels/studios are getting gun shy because they want guaranteed returns. They won't take risks on unknowns. YouTube/Vimeo helps give them an outlet.
Personally, I'm not worried about YouTube celebs in the least. They operate in a different sphere and have their own markets.
thanks for the response. I would not have considered what you have shared
How much would you average an actor income?
That's nearly a full sentence, keep trying.
Yoda's cover as "John" on OzB has just been blown!
Not enough. ;)
so what's the plan? you just keep drifting from one small job to the next? How you going to get your big break?
You keep working and that's about it. Working, networking, creating work. Hopefully the pieces all fall into place.
Maybe get yourself on the next series of Big Brother for publicity, if that's still going…
Thanks but no thanks.
@IndianaBargainHunter: Good call… my partner calls it "I Used to be a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!"… gets me every time ;-)
Who would you consider the best actor working in Austalia today? Also, who is your favourite big screen actor?
Tough question. I don't know all the actor's working, so I can only answer from who I have seen. I've always rated Guy Pearce, think he always does a good job. I love 'Jack Irish'. Cate Blanchett always does interesting work. Ben Mendehlson, Richard Roxburgh. Adrienne Pickering.
Ben Mendehlson is an amazing actor. I was blown away with his work in Bloodline. And he seems to be getting top gigs at the moment.
Joel Edgerton is also up there for me.
Agree about Ben. His performance in 'Killing Them Softly' was superb.
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Would you rather be stuck in a lift with Harvey Weinstein or Kevin Spacey?
What would you do for the opportunity to work with Brett Ratner?
Neither.
What's your definition of 'stuck'?
I think he meant "impaled"! haha
Harvey Weinstein as from what's come out so far I think as a male I will be ok
What's the biggest film/TV show you've been in?
Stingers in Australia. I was also in a comedy series in the UK.
I'm English so I might know it?
Stingers was a undercover cop drama with Peter Phelps from memory.
@Chewie: lol sorry I meant I might know the comedy series in the UK but I also didn't know what stingers was so thank you.
Great show.
Comedy is even harder to do well (i.e. be funny). Any truth to that? Thanks.
Absolutely because humour is subjective.
Were you a main character in Stingers?
Nope. Small role.
The laptops listed in the "Notebook Catalogue" do not match the laptops listed on the website. Alot of them are not available or have no stock. Why list laptops you no longer stock?
I'm guessing it's because it's a harder act to follow than expected.
I think you wanted a different AMA thread?
Bahaha, can't stop laughing.
This is comedy gold!
/buys tazdevil76 a virtual beer
Have you ever cracked a mongrel in the middle of a sex scene?
If so, what was the fix?
Being surround by 30-40 people whilst your naked and trying to do a job kills any remote semblance of arousal.
Is the supplied lunches good or bad?
Good, tasty.
Bad, the camera adds on kilos.
The Mission Impossible 2 food spread was awesome!
Is it true that actors can have a relatively active sex life with colleagues ?
Depends on the individual. It doesn't necessarily make sense to have a relationship on set/backstage and ruin a: the chemistry and b: the working relationship.
When will they make a new season of Rake?
I believe it's currently filming.
I thought that might have been cancelled.
Do you have to sleep with someone to get a role in shows/movies? Not particularly You but in General?
No.
There are unscrupulous directors and producers out there who do take advantage of inexperienced actors, and use their position to do so, for sure. I mean just look at the news for the past few weeks.
But generally, no.
A good agent or if a casting director knows you well helps though, no? I've gotten all my commercial work from a casting director
If you get a reliable relationship going with a casting person, that's awesome. That's gold. If you can get on good professional terms, fantastic. Chances are you'll get remembered and called in again and again.
Who your agent is can really boost your chances. In the very first instance, you're only as good as your agent, and by that I mean if your agent can't get you seen, if they don't have the connections, it doesn't matter how talented you are. If you're not getting seen by casting people, that's it.
A mediocre actor with a great agent will go further than a great actor with one where the relationship isn't working.
@IndianaBargainHunter: Yeah; I've gotten more gigs from the casting agent than when I actually had a talent agent. Reminds me that I have to send a thank you/Christmas card soon :)
how long can you fake it?
Fake what?
You know, till you make it
Once you go blacc, you can never go back…
Where's your IMDB?
On there somewhere. ;)
WOT?
Given that Brando is the greatest screen actor of all time, who do you think comes in at a distant second?
Honestly it's a tough call, and personally, I don't think he is.
I think Samantha Morton is brilliant. And Olivia Colman. Michael Wincott is incredible on screen.
Re: Olivia Coleman.
There's something so sexy about her. Does it translate in real life or is it only on the screen?
Certainly agree about Colman - she was brilliant in Broadchurch, actually missed the series ending.
missed the series
endinghaving ended.
She was very good in Broadchurch. I agree she is a fantastic actor.
Which ending? S3? Because the other two are on Netflix, in case you missed the end of one of those.
@ceebee: Thanks ceebee. I did not express myself clearly … and trying to fix the wording did not help. What I wanted to say was, I miss the series, and wish it could continue to Season 4 :-)
Ah! Okay! I understand now. Yes, it's a great show, I miss it too. Colman and Tennant have great chemistry.
Brando had to have his lines plastered all over so he could read them. Watch his films. Everytime he says something he looks away first to read them.
What's your favourite acting performance in a movie?
Richard Farnsworth in 'The Straight Story'.
And Eddie Murphy in 'Bowfinger'.
How was this couch?