Hot Acting How-Tos


How To: Join a theater group
As Shakespeare said, "All the world’s a stage" – step on up and play your part! You Will Need

How To: Project your voice on stage
Theater acting is a fun and creative art form but it can be difficult to project your voice loud enough for the audience to hear if you are use to speaking softly. With a few exercises and practice anyone can have a booming voice.

How To: Boffer sword fight with one-handed strike drills
The Knights of Gray are back, and they're are here to teach you some boffer sword fighting drills to practice with for your upcoming LARP events.

How To: Speak with a British accent
Interested in having a convincing British dialect? Learn how to speak with a British accent in this free entertainment video series.

How To: Analyze a monologue
Monologues are important to any acting career. Get tips for rehearsing your monologue in this free video clip from a professional theater director. Analyze a monologue - Part 1 of 15.

How To: Do basic mime skills
Teri Lynne shows us how to do basic mime in this series of videos. Do basic mime skills - Part 1 of 16.

How To: Talk like a pirate
Impress your friends and neighbors by learning how to speak with an authentic pirate accent. Also included are pirate grammar and vocabulary. Practice hard enough and you should be ready for September 19th (International Talk Like a Pirate Day)!

How To: Fake cry
This is a very quick tutorial on fake crying. Make your eyes well with tears by concentrating your vision above a point of interest and not blinking. It's a super easy way to the real tears effect.

How To: Sound Like a Biological Woman When Speaking
In this tutorial, we learn how to sound like a biological woman while speaking. There are many different techniques to help you speak like a woman, including going into falsetto. This isn't about getting the sound, it's about learning how to not speak with resonance. You want to focus your voice up in your throat instead of deep down. You probably haven't used the muscles for this voice, so using falsetto is a great way to practice. You may be able to speak a few minutes and feel yourself fal...

How To: Change Your Voice from Male to Female
This sequence of instructional videos provides a near comprehensive lesson on how you can change your voice from that of a male to that of a female. This video series is aimed at aiding transgender individuals, but is also useful for people who want to learn to do really great voice exercises and impersonations.

How To: Boffer sword fight with a spear and staff
Okay, you've mastered the boffer sword and the boffer sphere. Now what? Perhaps a boffer staff?

How To: Become a film or theatre actor
So, you wanna be an actor? It's not as easy as you may think. Check out this four part tutorial from Josa Maule, director of the Montreal School of Performing Arts, and learn everything you need to know to become a successful thespian. Josa takes you through all of the necessary steps and offers plenty of tips. This interesting video is very real and honest, and a must see for anyone looking to get into the biz.

How To: Fake shooting a person with a gun for film
Adam from Chemical Reaction wants to show you a little movie magic. This video tutorial will show you how to fake shooting a person with a gun for your homemade film. If you really want to make it look real, get the most real prop gun you can get, but don't use a real handgun. Fake blood is a good thing to get from a Halloween store. Acting skill is the most needed part here... because you can't look like you're being shot unless you can act properly.

How To: Boffer sword fight with a short spear
Live action role-playing. LARP. LARPing. The battlefield. Boffer. Sword fighting. DEAD. Do these terms ring a bell? They should, if you're anywhere but heaven.

How To: Boffer sword fight with two-handed long weapons
Boffer. You've heard it, you've used it, you've died by it, but have you done it well? The Knights of Gray teach you in this video tutorial, how to use a boffer weapon that needs two hands. So, if you're a LARPing wannabe, or a LARP professional, then you need to watch this. You will see what three pivot points for striking with a two-handed foam boffer sword.

How To: Submit an audition video to Playboy
Sexy Playboy Cyber Girl Dana Dicillo has some advice for you in making your audition video for Holly's 55th Anniversary Playmate Search reality show. If you ever wanted to be in Playboy, you need to watch this.

How To: Be Amazing at Improv Acting
Have you ever seen Whose Line Is It Anyway? Many people enjoy watching this show, where they can see people do comedy off the top of their heads. There's no prior thought involved and it can be a lot of fun to participate in.

How To: Cross one eye or speak with an ech-ech o-o
Want to learn a valuable skill? Well, just watch this video tutorial to see how to cross one eye or speak with an echo.

How To: Boffer sword fight with speed tactics
The Knights of Gray brings you this video tutorial on how to boffer sword fight with speed tactics. Yes, that means being super fast for LARPing. Live action role-playing doesn't get much better than this.

How To: Lead improv icebreaker and comedy games
Improv comedy is done in groups of people who need to be comfortable with each other. Learn how to lead improv comedy games and icebreakers in this free theater acting video from a teacher of improvisation. Lead improv icebreaker and comedy games - Part 1 of 21.

How To: Boffer sword fight with ten basic strikes and blocks
A lot of you probably don't know what a boffer is. That means a lot of you probably don't know what LARPing is either. Well, get your head out of your *** an listen up...

How To: Impersonate Christopher Walken
One of my longest videos to date, but well worth it if you have half an hour to kill. This is to thank you all for putting up with me until now what with the voices and poetry and secrecy of my real voice and all.

How To: Shamble convincingly and act like a zombie
No matter how good your zombie costume is, you're going to need to get your zombie walk down to convince people you're trying to eat their brains. Walk, talk and act like an extra on Night of the Living Dead!

How To: Nail the cold script reading at an audition
Cold readings are the toughest parts of many acting auditions. Having to act a script you've never seen before convincingly is key to you getting the part. This video will give you some tips for nailing your next cold reading and wowing the casting directors.

How To: Take a great headshot that will get your acting roles
If you're an aspiring actor, your headshot is a vital part of your arsenal. It is the first thing that most casting agents will see, so it has to be perfect. This video will give you tips for getting the heashot you want, the one that will get you your big break!

How To: Perform your own one-man show
Talent show or theater audition coming up? Want to improve your street performance techniques? Looking to impress your friends and family by performing alone? A one-man show might be intimidating, but putting on a good performance isn't that hard!

How To: Memorize lines by identifying the root of a scene
In this tutorial, we learn how to memorize lines by identifying the root of a scene. First, know the way you work as an actor and know the other people you are around. Next, know what the material is and what the scene is about. If you are familiar with what you are talking about, you are going to be more engaged, rather than just memorizing a line. Another trick is to write your lines over and over, so your brain will understand what you have to learn. Also, make sure you say your lines out ...

How To: Find the right agent or manager for your acting career
In this tutorial, learn how to find a successful agent that can advocate well for you and truly believe in you as an actor. Learn how to choose the right agency, agent and team to help your career. Hosted by a successful manager, this tutorial will help you know exactly what to look for when making this important decision.

How To: Maintain family & married life as a Hollywood actor
In this clip, learn how to raise a family and have happy relationships in the fast paced world of Los Angeles. The lives of those in the entertainment industry are often hectic and involve odd hours, so keeping strong bonds is hard. Check out these tips from Kathleen Cooke and keep a happy and healthy life amidst the chaos.

How To: Keep strong morals as an actor in Los Angeles
In this video, actress and producer Kathleen Cooke talks to you about how to keep your moral ground in Los Angeles. As a struggling actor you will be offered jobs that may challenge your morals, and by following Kathleen's tips you will know how to deal with them and establish boundaries.

How To: Get yourself an agent in Los Angeles
In this video, producer and actress Kathleen Cooke, offers advice on how to find a fantastic agent in LA. You won't find much success in Hollywood without representation, so listen to Kathleen's advice and make sure you choose the right one and how to impress them so that they sign you.

How To: Get a great, effective headshot as a Hollywood actor
In this tutorial, learn all about headshots from producer and actress Kathleen Cooke. Kathleen will tell you all about what you need for a great headshot that will work in Los Angeles. From what to wear to how to pose, Kathleen will get you started. Chances are the headshots you have from back home won't cut it in LA, so make sure you have a great set and carry them with you - always!

How To: Behave when on a film or TV set for the first time
In this tutorial, actress and producer Kathleen Cooke tells you how to prepare yourself for stepping foot on a television or film set for the first time. As an actor, you must be aware of the set and protocol. There is a heirarchy on every set, and you must know how to respect it. You must also learn the vocabulary - if you do not know what a gaffer or a honeywagon are, it's time to hit the books and study!

How To: Find a roommate when you first move to Los Angeles
As an actor, finding a roommate is important. Chances are, you will not be making much money right away and will need to save on the rent and bills. Also, having a roommate means you will have a built-in friend when you first move, as well as an (often) already furnished house to live in.

How To: Find yourself an acting mentor in Los Angeles
One of the most significant ingredients that there can be in a young actor's career. Mentoring helps you make great, smart decisions. If you have a mentor, or someone who has been through the same experience before, you will learn so much more and be better prepared to face life as an actor. In this clip, Hans Obma talks about the importantce of finding a mentor in the entertainment industry.

How To: Develop good habits as an actor
In this tutorial, actor Hans Obma give you very important tips on how to practice your skills every day and improve. You will learn how to make acting a daily habit so that when you are in front of a casting director you can stand up with confidence and wow them. Follow along and form some great habits with Hans.

How To: Know what it is like to move to Hollywood as an actor
Moving to Hollywood can be a huge change for some people. In this clip, actress Julie Crisante tells you all about what you can expect when moving from a smaller town to the big city of Los Angeles. Prepare yourself for the hustle and bustle..and the traffic with these tips and advice.

How To: Adjust to living life in Los Angeles as an actor
In this clip, actress Julie Crisante explains some of the hardships you might have when you uproot and make the move to Los Angeles. Make sure you are ready for the major adjustment you will be facing. Los Angeles is an incredible city - it is beautiful, the people are friendly and always fun - but moving as an actor can be difficult for some. A lot of actors wind up leaving in their first year when faced with the cost and competition. Stay focused and stay in LA with these helpful tips from ...

How To: Get a good agent to represent you as an actor in LA
In this tutorial, learn the difference between good agents and bad ones in Los Angeles to make sure you get the best possible representation. Actress Julie Crisante will offer you some tips to make sure you get the best possible agent to guide you through your career.

How To: Find a good acting class to attend in Los Angeles
In this tutorial, actor Shaun Pilkington offers his advice for choosing the best acting classes in Hollywood. LA is a town full of actors and there are many resources available, make sure you pick the best classes and become the very best you can be in your field.