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Actors` Exchange/Questions Answered by Expert Peter Messaline
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Training/Education | 1/31/2012 |
| Q: I am 31 years old and have just gotten back into acting after stopping for nearly 10 years because ... A: What little I can see about Humber doesn't look wonderful, and that's not good news even if it's ... | |
| Training/Education | 1/31/2012 |
| Q: I am 31 years old and have just gotten back into acting after stopping for nearly 10 years because ... A: I think that college courses would not be very useful. You have been living in the world and ... | |
| I am confused! | 2/23/2011 |
| Q: Just want to double check a few things: 1. Is acting about the thoughts of the character? Please ... A: I shall try to give you the answer you want, rather than dealing with your questions bit by bit. If ... | |
| Auditions help | 2/17/2011 |
| Q: I am auditioning for a British Drama school, and they ask you to prepare a modern British monologue ... A: Look at the plays performed by London theatres over ten years ago. Any play you recognise is likely ... | |
| Booking jobs | 2/6/2011 |
| Q: However I have limited access to auditions and want to book more acting jobs including ... A: If you are in a professional production now, you already have the best set of resources. Get to ... | |
| my son is 13 and trying to become an actor | 1/3/2011 |
| Q: We have paid for my son to go to acting classes and IPOP in Las Vegas. We live in Sacramento, Ca and ... A: First of all, do your due diligence by searching "John Robert Powers" for the experiences people ... | |
| Voice Acting (for Anime) | 12/2/2010 |
| Q: I hear that this is the hardest form of acting, but I want to have this as my career and I am ... A: Not necessarily the hardest, but certainly one of the most competitive. I believe that you are ... | |
| Broadway Revue | 10/20/2010 |
| Q: I've recently moved to a small town in Wyoming where there is little to no culture. A friend and I ... A: I'm not a singer (pure idleness on my part) so I think your best bet would be to contact the AFofM, ... | |
| How to talk like Lina Lamont in Singin in the Rain (without spraining your vocal chords)? | 9/10/2010 |
| Q: I am a mezzosoprano, so I have a naturally low to medium-pitch voice. I auditioned for the role of ... A: I think this is the key to what you want: http://tinyurl.com/34sa6rw At all costs take care of ... | |
| acting | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: iam 21 years old and i want to get into acting my long term goal is make it to hollywood. i dont ... A: I'm guessing that you are starting community college, and acting is looking better and better. Stand ... | |
| acting | 7/6/2010 |
| Q: I'm 23 years old and I would like to ask if I would still have a chance to start an acting career? I ... A: If you are sensible enough to be talking about classes, I think you have every chance of starting as ... | |
| Acting/Modeling | 6/10/2010 |
| Q: I am currently trying to get into the entertainment industry, but I am having trouble getting ... A: You are entirely welcome. Thanking people for there assistance is a very valuable habit to hold on ... | |
| Acting/Modeling | 6/9/2010 |
| Q: I am currently trying to get into the entertainment industry, but I am having trouble getting ... A: You are being active and you're pushing ahead, which are very necessary if you want to be an ... | |
| inquiry and request | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: I m asking about if I practice voice acting , is smoking may take affect on this profession ? ... A: There are very few places where there is much voice work done. Generally, the special skills needed ... | |
| inquiry and request | 4/27/2010 |
| Q: I m asking about if I practice voice acting , is smoking may take affect on this profession ? ... A: Certainly smoking does stress the voice, but many opera singers smoke and have no ill effects. Just ... | |
| Teen Actress | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: I have a question. How do actors become famous? I'm a teenage girl with an amazing voice and acting ... A: You're not going to enjoy this. First off, a bucket of cold water. There. Now I've got your ... | |
| Filing Canadian Taxes for Non-Residents | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: I worked on a commercial which shot in Vancouver and ran nationally in the U.S. I was taxed on the ... A: Your Canadian tax will depend on how long you spent in Canada, and how much you made here and in ... | |
| Tyler briggs | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: i got an invitation by tyler briggs to be in so many shows and movies but one thing scares me. im ... A: I don't know anything about Tyler Briggs, so I can't badmouth him, for legal reasons. However,if you ... | |
| acting and how to start? | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I'm 16 years old and i really like the idea of being an actor, but i don't know how to start. i know ... A: Acting is a job, so you have to look at getting the right qualifications, which in most cases in ... | |
| how to get started | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I'm a highschool student and for as long as i can remember i have always wanted to be an actress. I ... A: End of advice: You need to find out for yourself about the details of an acting career -- how to ... | |
| how to get started | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: I'm a highschool student and for as long as i can remember i have always wanted to be an actress. I ... A: Use the college site, and any more you can find, to find out all you can about the sorts of things ... | |
| how to get started | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: I'm a highschool student and for as long as i can remember i have always wanted to be an actress. I ... A: My sympathies about Indiana and the casting policy! However, there are forty actresses who give ... | |
| i really want an acting career NOW!! Help me please!!1 | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: okay, my name is ariel and i am sixteen years old. i live in the bahamas but the thing is ...... i ... A: First thing is, keep your dreams, hold on to your desire to improve your family's state. Don't let ... | |
| pay for screen test? | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: Is it normal procedure for a casting agency to ask you to pay $35 to take a screen test? I've never ... A: Good choice, I'd say. Better to have a ten percent chance of something that's all right, than to ... | |
| pay for screen test? | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: Is it normal procedure for a casting agency to ask you to pay $35 to take a screen test? I've never ... A: I compliment you on your courtesy. 35 independent film credits! Perhaps you should go the ... | |
| pay for screen test? | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: Is it normal procedure for a casting agency to ask you to pay $35 to take a screen test? I've never ... A: I should say that I know of nowhere where this is normal and accepted. However, who knows what is ... | |
| Actor's Tax Kit 2000+ | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: I was just wondering where in Vancouver you can buy or order a copy of the Actor's Tax Kit 2000+? A: I'm delighted that you are interested. We have moved on from Tax Kit 2000+, with its basic ... | |
| Acting - 18 years old | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: I am a first-year university student living in downtown, Toronto. I acted variously throughout ... A: My thanks for your question. I think you may be looking out of what feels like the constricted cell ... | |
| becoming an actor.. | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: i want to make it as a big time actor.. i plan on going to acting classes.. doing some short films ... A: I'll assume you mean the NY tri-state, not the Chicago or Pittsburgh one. I don't know how old you ... | |
| Warmup techniques | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I am just wondering what techniques would you use before a performance? Cheers Reuben A: "A large Scotch and a brisk walk to the stage!" This legendary reply by an old actor is close to ... | |
| Being able to adapt to charaters | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: ... and a "stageaholic", which means i'm addicted to that feeling you get when you've been onstage ... A: It is a high, isn't it! Don't listen to the person who said it's because you're a woman. Look at ... | |
| cost of pilot season | 6/9/2009 |
| Q: I'm thinking of going to LA for the pilot season staying from 3 to 5 months. how much money should ... A: Yes you can write it off. The more important question is, should you be going? Here's a response I ... | |
| taxes for self production | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Messaline, thank you in advance for your advice. I know it comes from a background of sound ... A: I am flattered by your interest. The Tax Kit is now expanded into a CD! Try it here: ... | |
| Acting | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: I recently failed out of college because the entire time I was there I realized that it wasn't the ... A: If I were you, I'd try to get back into college, even if it's in a different subject. Becoming an ... | |
| Finding a relevant monologue | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: I am auditioning for Helen Keller in the miracle worker and am asked to prepare a monologue under ... A: No-one can advise you on a really good audition speech, because the speech is a product of the ... | |
| Good acting. | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: Messaline, What exactly is 'good acting' and 'bad acting'. What do good actors do to prepare ... A: There's really no single answer. Good acting and bad acting are a matter of fashion and context, ... | |
| how do i get into acting? | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: im 15 and it has always been my dream to get into acting however i didn't take drama for my GCSEs ... A: There are a number of possible acting courses at British universities and colleges, and you should ... | |
| Help | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: i wish to become famous i know it sound stupid but i can sing though i have no band mates i can act ... A: The choir will help. Follow the rest of my advice, and look for more ways to show yourself to ... | |
| Help | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: i wish to become famous i know it sound stupid but i can sing though i have no band mates i can act ... A: You can't aim at becoming famous. That's like aiming at being an Olympic athlete. All you can do is ... | |
| Tax Question | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: First off, I have your book "The Actor's survival kit" which I've found to be very helpful. ... A: I'm delighted that you found The Actor's Survival Kit useful. It's always good to hear we've reached ... | |
| Actor career | 1/29/2009 |
| Q: Good morning dear Mr Peter. I would like to ask the question about actor career posibilities in my ... A: I will now proceed to give you bad news, but I hope you will be able to use it in your future. Here ... | |
| pilot season in the US | 1/21/2009 |
| Q: My question is, last fall I attended to actor expo in London and met with a guy who arranged ... A: You have an impressive résumé, and you are obviously a talented, enthusistic, and successful ... | |
| Agents | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: Okay, so I am just going to lay it out on the table. I am 18 years old and I live in Pennsylvania ... A: Right off, don't waste your energy worrying about your online popularity. No-one ever got hired from ... | |
| Strating out | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: I have been trying to get into the acting biz for years. I currently am with an angency, but I have ... A: You don't give me much to work on, but I can suggest some things that may help. At your place in ... | |
| Stage Name | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: My name is Claire and I'm an actress/opera singer. I have adopted a stage name of Freya Morgan as my ... A: with all the necessary background to make a useful answer possible. There are all sorts of ... | |
| professional jobs on the side of acting | 12/9/2008 |
| Q: I have been pursuing acting for about 4 years. I am sag and aftra. However, I have been doing more ... A: Congratulations on getting SAG and AFTRA in four years! Where are you based? I assume you're in one ... | |
| Acting | 11/26/2008 |
| Q: I am a 16 yr. old teen looking to get into the acting business. I am not scared to be infront of a ... A: No agent will want you, because there's nothing to show whether he could get you work. Legitimate ... | |
| pilot season paperwork for Canadian actors | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: in California - I have an agent in Canada and my husband has dual citizenship, but we've never ... A: Two questions here:- Is it a good idea to go down for the pilot season? You mention that you have a ... | |
| Starting a career in the performing arts | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: Peter: I'm 25 years old, but I look like I have 15 and I recently graduated from a bachelor in ... A: Lots of people run away to join the circus, because it looks like the opposite of the life they now ... | |
| Repeitable Actor/Singer Schools/Programs in DC | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I have been searching for repitable acting schools in dc that will enable me to train as a ... A: If you will Google "Acting drama course DC", you will find lists and lists of possible information ... | |
| Greek monologue | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: I need a monologue in Greek, for a woman, with the pronunciation and translation. Any ideas on ... A: Then try to find a Greek contact who would work with you on a short piece. If you can't get to a ... | |
| Greek monologue | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: I need a monologue in Greek, for a woman, with the pronunciation and translation. Any ideas on ... A: A couple of things: You have given me no information to build on. Who called for a Greek monologue? ... | |
| Breaking into Acting/Singing | 10/15/2008 |
| Q: I am extremely interested in becoming a famous broadway star or singer but I have no idea how to ... A: You are lucky to be so close to NY and still in high school. There's still time for you to build ... | |
| Breaking into Acting/Singing | 10/15/2008 |
| Q: I am extremely interested in becoming a famous broadway star or singer but I have no idea how to ... A: You don't say how old you are nor whereabouts you live, but I'm guessing you're in high school and ... | |
| Sandra Thomas, Tyler Briggs | 6/12/2008 |
| Q: i have a passion for modeling. i have been receiving e-mail from instantcast asking me to model for ... A: Well done for searching around. By now you will have seen the complaints about this company. I ... | |
| JRP | 6/9/2008 |
| Q: I just got down with an audition with John Robert Powers, are you familiar with that company and ... A: The simplest thing for you to do is enter "John Robert Powers" into a search engine. Google gave me ... | |
| acting and college | 6/2/2008 |
| Q: I've been in the performing arts pretty much since grade school but more so on the musical side of ... A: Congratulations on your research sources so far. You might also look at the many sites featuring ... | |
| Acting and School | 4/10/2008 |
| Q: No matter what, my parents will not budge, so on that regards I must become a pharmacist. It's kind ... A: You will not get an agent who will be any use to you. You say yourself there is no work in the area ... | |
| A legal agent in the Seattle/Tacoma area | 3/7/2008 |
| Q: I read your answer about Tyler Briggs. I too was approached by this man and now know that he is a ... A: Here are the SAG and AFTRA franchised agents in WA. ... | |
| to become an actor | 2/9/2008 |
| Q: to whom so ever it may concern, would like to tell you that i have done stage shows in the main ... A: Being cast requires someone to take a bet that you will be right for the part. No-one can know for ... | |
| How to get started | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: I am 17 years old and I would like to get into the business of acting. I have no type of ... A: Here is one column by a LA casting director. Look at the material she has on there advising people ... | |
| How to get started | 1/10/2008 |
| Q: I am 17 years old and I would like to get into the business of acting. I have no type of ... A: Not a lot to go on here! Whereabouts do you live? Are you still in school? Do you read a lot? Are ... | |
| where to go from here | 1/8/2008 |
| Q: i am 15 years old, going on 16 and i really want to get more into acting. ive alway been in camp ... A: Treat acting as if it were a career choice. Which it is. Find out all you can about the job of being ... | |
| First time audition | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: There is an audition to get into a casting agency and I would really like to have a go and see what ... A: A few things to think about here. 1) First of all, it's not unusual for actors to feel terrified ... | |
| Tyler Briggs and Sandra Thomas | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: My name is Mary Hope. I'm 14 and a little scared. I found a website called instantcast.com. I got an ... A: I congratulate you on your instincts. I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that Mr Briggs is running ... | |
| from: Special | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: <b>Hello My name is Special. I just turned 13 and I have a lot of experience in performing and being ... A: First of all, the bad news: You are now heading into the worst years for getting film and TV work. ... | |
| i need to know, help | 8/20/2007 |
| Q: my son is beautiful, many people tell me this always. i would like to know how you get 30 weeks for ... A: You are obviously upset, but thank goodness you have contacted Ask An Expert! This is a scam. No ... | |
| Acting in college | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: I am planning to attend college in a large city, probably new york, but am wondering what I should ... A: If you are in high school wanting to be an actress, you should be looking at theatre or film acting ... | |
| character development | 8/16/2007 |
| Q: how do i begin to develop my character?i need to become a character but i dont know where to begin. ... A: Nora! Phew. OK, first thing is to read the play quickly all the way through. Don't worry about bits ... | |
| character development | 8/15/2007 |
| Q: how do i begin to develop my character?i need to become a character but i dont know where to begin. A: This is the basic question underlying all acting! People have very different ideas about whether ... | |
| How do I take a bigger step? | 8/9/2007 |
| Q: I have been very interested in acting since a very young age. I know I'm only 12, but I have so much ... A: Sydney, congratulations on an excellent letter. You are doing the right thing by working in amateur ... | |
| Where to turn? | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: having read the site im hoping you can help me as it seems you know alot. Im an actress from ... A: Contact Equity about the visa question. They will have the latest UK/US information. I don't ... | |
| Acting in Canada | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: Hope everything is doing well. I'm 20 years old and I leave in Montreal. I always wanted to be an ... A: Go for it, girl! You have that Montreal confidence and presentation that will serve you well in the ... | |
| Acting in Canada | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: Hope everything is doing well. I'm 20 years old and I leave in Montreal. I always wanted to be an ... A: First, you're not too old. More schools are looking for students with some living experience to draw ... | |
| hi | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: im an international student and currently im in Baylor university,im majoring in biology(pre-med),i ... A: My sympathy with you in your struggle. Congratulations on trying to deal with it sensibly, instead ... | |
| Need Help Finding a Play | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I am a collage student, and vice-president of or drama society. We are interested in doing a play ... A: Your problem is that usually play listings do not talk about the setting of the play! Nothing comes ... | |
| Audition Help | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: Hey! I'm auditioning for "The Secret Garden" this coming saturday. I really want the part of Dickon ... A: You'll never get the perfect song! Everything will be a compromise. With this little time to ... | |
| personal manager's rates | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: for nyc...what are the fees personal manager's are asking for from their talent ?....10% or ... A: I'm not a NYC maven, but I believe that personal managers regularly charge 20%. Here is a quote from ... | |
| decisions... | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: i am now at the age of 22, having just finished studies in law (a degree and a masters) and now i am ... A: Let me ask you to step back and ask yourself whether it is possible that on the edge of professional ... | |
| Acting | 9/30/2006 |
| Q: I've been cast as the Lead to the fall play, "Curtain going up." my director told me today after the ... A: Read the play quickly, just for the shape. Read it again, paying special attention to your ... | |
| English Actress | 9/1/2006 |
| Q: What a lovely resource this is! Thanks in advance for your help. I am a British (theatre) actress, ... A: Helen: I like you already! www.actratoronto.com has a listing of reputable agents in Toronto. TAMAC ... | |
| Getting into the Acting Industry | 7/25/2006 |
| Q: I'm !8 and I just got out of high school Don't have alot of acting expierience except for ... A: First off, there are no good or bad reasons for becoming a professional actor. Exactly what you do ... | |
| acting | 7/13/2006 |
| Q: do you have to have to go to acting school to qualify for an audition? A: In a word, no. However, every audition has different rules, set by the company doing the audition. ... | |
| Audition Help | 5/19/2006 |
| Q: I'm auditioning for my dream play of Beauty and the Beast on Monday (A summer stock production -- ... A: The first question breaks into two. Your audition nerves are unavoidable. Everyone gets tense and ... | |
| moving to Toronto | 4/17/2006 |
| Q: I am an Australian actor. It looks likely my partner and I will be moving to Toronto within the next ... A: If you are going to be in Toronto for some time, it may be possible to audition for next year's ... | |
| making it as an actor | 9/29/2004 |
| Q: you probably get this alot, but I am very serious about persuing acting as a profession, and I ... A: You remind me of me! But you're better trained already. OK, you are going to college to take a ... | |
| Agent Letter | 6/2/2004 |
| Q: I want to become an extra or have a walk on role in movies,soaps and other tv programmes. However ... A: You are doing well to be asking around for information. Carry on your cautious approach. Don't feel ... | |
| Acting | 4/22/2003 |
| Q: my name is Sebastian I am fourteen years old and I am soon going to go to High School, I want to ... A: Connections won't help you for a while. Right now, go to your library and ask for the sections on ... | |
| movie extra | 2/3/2002 |
| Q: During a search in a database for publications on movie extras I came across a article on EXTRAS! ... A: Film companies visiting smaller centres typically advertise locally for extras, often simply with an ... | |
Peter Messaline
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Career advice for high-school students and beginning performers. Canadian tax advice for artists of all sorts. Research resources for those looking for performance-related answers.
Experience
I am a Canadian performer, tax preparer and writer.
I have supported myself as an arts entrepreneur for thirty-five years.
I am the most-published writer in the business of being a Canadian artist.
I have written on arts tax matters and prepared performer taxes for fifteen years.
Organizations belong to
ACTRA, CAEA, AEA, British Equity.
Publications
CAEA Newsletter
ACTRA Branchline
The Agents Book
Actor's Survival Kit
Tax Kit 2000+
Making It (Federal government career management for culture workers)
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