My greatest lesson was to stay proactive. I will occasionally get booked for gigs from my agency, but I have been getting more work this year, because I kept searching and applying for roles by myself, kept writing and creating for myself and kept networking with people. Relying on others to do us favors is not gonna cut it. We need to forge our own paths.
Always good advice/tips. I've learned this business isn't for everyone. I see aspiring actors drop like flies, or they don't fully commit to training taking off months at a time and then coming back to class. This is a life long journey and you really have to love it to hurdle the business side in order to get to enjoy the art. You really have to want it.
Hello Kurt! I have been watching your videos for the past 3 years. I started watching you in my 8th grade of middle school and have been keeping up over the past years to the point where I am a sophomore in high school. Anyway, I just want to say thank you. After 3 years, I have finally signed with an agency here in nyc at 15.
I had a speaking role on Good Behavior (2016), and Atlanta season 2 (2017). I booked one role this past year since then and it’s a simple one-liner. Many, many auditions during the past nearly 10 years and my biggest take-away is learning to deal with the rejection in a healthy way. Also having a full-time job outside of the industry is extremely helpful in this long game.
I don't even look at it as rejection because you successfully got through the door and you were invited to audition. There's probably millions of others that will never even get invited to audition. That means you did something right up to that point and the rest after that isn't even up to you. There's roughly 26 reasons that you didn't get the part which have nothing to do with your performance (that's also the title of an article in "Backstage" from a few years ago). Every audition is a success if you look at it that way. Having a full time job outside of acting is not only helpful, it's critical. It's important to have job that pays well enough to support an acting career because it's not cheap to start an acting career - if you're going to do it right anyway (acting classes; headshots; car; phone; casting sites etc). Another way to look at it is this: if you're only booking 20% of the auditions you get that just means that you have to get through the 80% you don't book in order to get to the 20% that's going to pay off. It's *always* going to be a numbers game no matter how good you get at it.
@@tomasalman250It's critical to do both jobs. You *have to* do both jobs unless your regular day job is also an acting job but that's possible to achieve also. There's performance jobs at Universal Studios which aren't actually TV/Film jobs. Somebody has to play the Beetlejuice character inside the park and that's a regular full time job - I've met that guy BTW, I work at Universal and we sit in the same smoking area just past "Take5" restaurant. On the lower lot there's all of the characters you see during the tram tour like the Norman Bates character - that's a full time job. The guy who does the voice of Megatron on the lower lot is a friend of mine (we go to the same acting school right down the street from USH) And those are all union jobs - not SAG/AFTRA, they have their own union so if you can get in there then you have job security as an actor which is incredibly rare. Actors almost never have job security. One easy way to get on the roster as a performer is to submit for Halloween Horror Nights and then once you get in you're eligible to join the union and apply for other performance jobs inside the park. I'm on the roster as a performer but they hire thousands of actors for every HHN season and sometimes you just slip through the cracks. That's what happened to me - I slipped through the cracks and got on the roster but didn't get one of the parts - BUT now that I'm on the roster I get an email every time they're casting again so I don't have to audition for HHN anymore. I'm already in and maybe (hopefully) next year I'll end up performing during HHN. My goal is to eventually get the Norman Bates part on the lower lot because I am the "creepy guy" type. I always get cast in those types of roles - I already perform in several other live action horror shows. It's so much fun that I would PAY to do it - I can't believe I actually *get paid* to do it.
I stink at auditioning. I have much opportunity here! As an older SAG member, I’m fortunate to get quite a bit of auditions, just need to improve. I love auditioning for commercials as they pay extremely well; better than TV & movies. Great to see a new video Kurt! You look marvelous! Good luck! Homework: I wish I started acting training earlier! I know it’s never too late but I’m shy and attending classes with much younger actors is uncomfortable. Luckily, the acting community is filled with kind people who want help and is a small world, so always running into someone on set I met before.
I'm in the same boat. I started late in life and I'm usually the oldest person in any acting class that I'm in. But I love the feeling of community and the bonding experiences that I have on stage at school and during rehearsals. I suck at auditions also but one thing I've learned over the years is that it doesn't matter what you think. The best audition that I ever did was for a role I didn't get and the one that I felt was the worst ended up being my first paid job as an actor. I left that first one feeling almost "high" from it and had so much energy that I spent the rest of the day walking around Hollywood just feeling the vibe - I walked all the way from CAZT to Franklin; then Beachwood and walked all the way to the Hollywood sign - didn't get the part. The other one was a train wreck. I didn't have a car at the time and had to take a bus to NYFA (when they still had offices on the Universal Studios lower lot off Barham). The bus broke down; I ran several miles wearing a suit; arrived late and drenched in sweat. The director shook my sweaty hand and I thought the audition itself was horrible. I got the part. So I decided that from now on I'm no longer going to let the "outcome" dictate how I'm going to feel after the audition. I'm going to *decide* how I will feel because that's my job as an actor anyway. Emotional preparation is one of those tools we learn in school that also comes in handy in life.
The biggest lesson I learnt so far is that being uncomfortable doesn't always mean that something is bad for you. Most of the time, it's the thing that makes you grow the most. Especially when you finally go out and seek places. By the way, thank you for the vids. They always motivate me man.
Appreciate you! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to audition or be on any big projects due to dealing with a medical condition and also getting a cochlear implant a couple days ago it’s gonna take me a couple weeks to heal even months to start hearing like normal person. I know I will be back bigger and strong stronger and get more opportunities than I had before.
Tremendously useful to keep in mind! It's also helpful to families of actors to understand that we go through these swings of excitement at an audition and disappointment at not landing the role. Not being part of this system can make it harder for those around you to understand how to react when we get excited or weather disappointment: it goes with the territory.
Thank you always for your insight, knowledge and wisdom of the business. Booking has been way much slower this year! And I have yet to book a major commercial without the small perpetuity Claus. Stay up Boss!
Thank you so much for your videos! They've been incredibly helpful, and your authenticity really resonates with me. I’ve gained so much from your tips-they’ve made a huge difference. While I haven’t landed a role yet, I’ve had a few auditions, and I know I wouldn’t have gotten this far without watching your videos.
Thanks Kurt I am going for my audition tomorrow actually my first haha. Very appreciate your video came in at the right time:) i am really grateful for the insight you share thus far and I am going to put some of it to test :) Keep em (video) coming !!!
I just added this video to my playlist for the day. Thank you for the new video! I found your channel a few months back and I was hoping for a new video :) Great channel! As new Actor I have Listened to a lot of great advice from this channel. WooT!
Thank you for this free, valuable content! I have wanted to pursue acting since I was a kid. Now that I'm 38, I feel like trying it out but I have zero experience whatsoever unless you consider knocking on doors for my job as experience. Thanks again!
I've always loved your videos. They're so helpful & it's nice to hear from working actors. I am sort of past beginner, I've done independent projects & have a commercial agent. Do you have advice for people looking to get their first tv roles & bigger commercials?? I feel like most videos out there are for beginners...❤
Big fan of this page Kurt and have been subscribed for a good little while. Just moved to Atl from Ohio about a year ago, what’s the best classes locally down here to attend?
It’s tough out there man. 2016-2022 minus the pandemic was amazing. The goddamn strikes and industry consolidation have decimated the work opportunities. Most ATL actors work in real estate or Home Depot just to make ends meet, further increasing that sense of ATL being a day laborer market as LA people swoop in still to take the bigger roles.
The main difference is that in class you're being guided by someone who is an actor and trying to help you and they know how. At an audition the casting director isn't always an actor; sometimes they're idiots who don't understand how actors work and don't know how to guide you to make adjustments. Also in class you usually have more time on stage; in most auditions you get two minutes then you're out and they call the next actor in. In class you usually have plenty of time to prepare for what you'll be doing on stage; sometimes at auditions you don't even get to see your sides until two minutes before the audition but usually you have 1-3 days to prepare.
What I'd like to know is where to find auditions! I'm not in a great area, so that hinders my abilities somewhat. I have a subscription to Backstage I need to use more as well...
The biggest lessons i have learnt in my acting career is Luck and ving a Must side job for consistent flow of money.. or else ... It wud be very very difficult to survive only on Acting !!
I think one of the biggest things I've learned is that you should always have something else you like to do (potentially as a career even). Burnout is a real thing and doing crappy temp jobs that plummet your energy and motivation can be a real problem. No one told me that when I wanted to be an actor as a kid that it would basically mean I would only get to do that as a job maybe 5% of the time and then spend most of my career auditioning at home while working retail 95% of the time. As a result, I never went to college. So now I don't have anything lucrative to fall back on while I'm auditioning.
Wish I knew…there are not many SAG opportunities-especially for those who can’t just up and move to a different city or lie about where they live. I used to get both SAG & NonUnion auditions 2-3/week. When I became a must join and went from Non Union to SAG, auditions went to 0. I also wish I knew that one day I may have to consider being a financial core of SAG versus SAG, (which no one wants to discuss in a real way).
I have been really puzzled if college classes counted as acting classes because I have seen a bit of your content and heard that I need classes for even a chance of acting. I just wanted to ask from an expert because I’ve also heard it everywhere but you put emphasis on classes. Hope to hear back from you.
Hello Sir! I had a question regarding my acting career. I’ve been watching your videos for a little over 2 years now, and I wanted to know if music videos are considered as a form of past experience or if they can be used as a demo reel. Hope this message reaches you as soon as possible!
Hi Kurt! I was inspired by Mikey Madison to become an actor I start my acting classes in January through march I wanna know how can I balance my full time job and my acting career? Never been so excited on finding something to do for the rest of my life:)
Hey Kurt. I’m Isaac. I’ve been acting for 4 years now. And have only been training for one round (5 months). I am about to apply to schools (post secondary). I live in Canada but do you have any recommendations on if you should even be going to school for this. And what the difference is between College and University. Thank youuu
Without coin, connections, crews, clout, computer code, control, corporate communities, and opulent opportunities... no matter WHAT you pursue, it will fail. At least, it will fail regarding the way society looks at things: ya gotta be rich, popular, powerful, and influential. And if you lack those things, then yer *nothin'.* A nobody. A zero amongst millions more. That's just the way reality works. #copium
7 months later!! Welcome back!!
My greatest lesson was to stay proactive. I will occasionally get booked for gigs from my agency, but I have been getting more work this year, because I kept searching and applying for roles by myself, kept writing and creating for myself and kept networking with people. Relying on others to do us favors is not gonna cut it. We need to forge our own paths.
Always good advice/tips. I've learned this business isn't for everyone. I see aspiring actors drop like flies, or they don't fully commit to training taking off months at a time and then coming back to class. This is a life long journey and you really have to love it to hurdle the business side in order to get to enjoy the art. You really have to want it.
Hello Kurt! I have been watching your videos for the past 3 years. I started watching you in my 8th grade of middle school and have been keeping up over the past years to the point where I am a sophomore in high school. Anyway, I just want to say thank you. After 3 years, I have finally signed with an agency here in nyc at 15.
Congrats on your accomplishments and getting signed!
Welcome back Kurt ! I saw you in Juror n°2. Congrats 👏🏾 Always great listening to you 🙃
Biggest lesson so far : Enjoy the moment ✨
I had a speaking role on Good Behavior (2016), and Atlanta season 2 (2017). I booked one role this past year since then and it’s a simple one-liner. Many, many auditions during the past nearly 10 years and my biggest take-away is learning to deal with the rejection in a healthy way. Also having a full-time job outside of the industry is extremely helpful in this long game.
Is it possible to do both jobs?
Any tips on balancing a full time job?
any tips on how to handle rejection in a healthy way
I don't even look at it as rejection because you successfully got through the door and you were invited to audition. There's probably millions of others that will never even get invited to audition. That means you did something right up to that point and the rest after that isn't even up to you. There's roughly 26 reasons that you didn't get the part which have nothing to do with your performance (that's also the title of an article in "Backstage" from a few years ago). Every audition is a success if you look at it that way.
Having a full time job outside of acting is not only helpful, it's critical. It's important to have job that pays well enough to support an acting career because it's not cheap to start an acting career - if you're going to do it right anyway (acting classes; headshots; car; phone; casting sites etc).
Another way to look at it is this: if you're only booking 20% of the auditions you get that just means that you have to get through the 80% you don't book in order to get to the 20% that's going to pay off. It's *always* going to be a numbers game no matter how good you get at it.
@@tomasalman250It's critical to do both jobs. You *have to* do both jobs unless your regular day job is also an acting job but that's possible to achieve also. There's performance jobs at Universal Studios which aren't actually TV/Film jobs. Somebody has to play the Beetlejuice character inside the park and that's a regular full time job - I've met that guy BTW, I work at Universal and we sit in the same smoking area just past "Take5" restaurant. On the lower lot there's all of the characters you see during the tram tour like the Norman Bates character - that's a full time job. The guy who does the voice of Megatron on the lower lot is a friend of mine (we go to the same acting school right down the street from USH) And those are all union jobs - not SAG/AFTRA, they have their own union so if you can get in there then you have job security as an actor which is incredibly rare. Actors almost never have job security. One easy way to get on the roster as a performer is to submit for Halloween Horror Nights and then once you get in you're eligible to join the union and apply for other performance jobs inside the park. I'm on the roster as a performer but they hire thousands of actors for every HHN season and sometimes you just slip through the cracks. That's what happened to me - I slipped through the cracks and got on the roster but didn't get one of the parts - BUT now that I'm on the roster I get an email every time they're casting again so I don't have to audition for HHN anymore. I'm already in and maybe (hopefully) next year I'll end up performing during HHN. My goal is to eventually get the Norman Bates part on the lower lot because I am the "creepy guy" type. I always get cast in those types of roles - I already perform in several other live action horror shows. It's so much fun that I would PAY to do it - I can't believe I actually *get paid* to do it.
I stink at auditioning. I have much opportunity here! As an older SAG member, I’m fortunate to get quite a bit of auditions, just need to improve. I love auditioning for commercials as they pay extremely well; better than TV & movies. Great to see a new video Kurt! You look marvelous! Good luck! Homework: I wish I started acting training earlier! I know it’s never too late but I’m shy and attending classes with much younger actors is uncomfortable. Luckily, the acting community is filled with kind people who want help and is a small world, so always running into someone on set I met before.
I'm in the same boat. I started late in life and I'm usually the oldest person in any acting class that I'm in. But I love the feeling of community and the bonding experiences that I have on stage at school and during rehearsals.
I suck at auditions also but one thing I've learned over the years is that it doesn't matter what you think. The best audition that I ever did was for a role I didn't get and the one that I felt was the worst ended up being my first paid job as an actor. I left that first one feeling almost "high" from it and had so much energy that I spent the rest of the day walking around Hollywood just feeling the vibe - I walked all the way from CAZT to Franklin; then Beachwood and walked all the way to the Hollywood sign - didn't get the part.
The other one was a train wreck. I didn't have a car at the time and had to take a bus to NYFA (when they still had offices on the Universal Studios lower lot off Barham). The bus broke down; I ran several miles wearing a suit; arrived late and drenched in sweat. The director shook my sweaty hand and I thought the audition itself was horrible. I got the part.
So I decided that from now on I'm no longer going to let the "outcome" dictate how I'm going to feel after the audition. I'm going to *decide* how I will feel because that's my job as an actor anyway. Emotional preparation is one of those tools we learn in school that also comes in handy in life.
I screamed when I saw you in Our Little Secret 🤩 been watching you for a couple years and you’ve been so helpful .Thank you !!
Same!!!!!!
Same too!
i was wondering where you went, welcome back! thank you for all your help!
Return of the king
The biggest lesson I learnt so far is that being uncomfortable doesn't always mean that something is bad for you. Most of the time, it's the thing that makes you grow the most. Especially when you finally go out and seek places.
By the way, thank you for the vids. They always motivate me man.
Awwww snap! Kurt posted!
Kurt is back !!! Yes sirrr
I’m here tapping in from The Land lookin to expand! Thanks for the information!
The master is back!
Love your channel. Few things make me happier than when I see you pop in a show I’m watching. Super gratifying!!! ❤❤❤❤
Appreciate you! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to audition or be on any big projects due to dealing with a medical condition and also getting a cochlear implant a couple days ago it’s gonna take me a couple weeks to heal even months to start hearing like normal person. I know I will be back bigger and strong stronger and get more opportunities than I had before.
What a lovely year-end review of some very important concepts for actors, new and not so new. Thanks, Kurt.
Tremendously useful to keep in mind! It's also helpful to families of actors to understand that we go through these swings of excitement at an audition and disappointment at not landing the role. Not being part of this system can make it harder for those around you to understand how to react when we get excited or weather disappointment: it goes with the territory.
thanks for all your help kurt!
This is great! Thanks for making these!
Thank you always for your insight, knowledge and wisdom of the business. Booking has been way much slower this year! And I have yet to book a major commercial without the small perpetuity Claus. Stay up Boss!
Thank you so much for your videos! They've been incredibly helpful, and your authenticity really resonates with me. I’ve gained so much from your tips-they’ve made a huge difference. While I haven’t landed a role yet, I’ve had a few auditions, and I know I wouldn’t have gotten this far without watching your videos.
Thanks Kurt I am going for my audition tomorrow actually my first haha. Very appreciate your video came in at the right time:) i am really grateful for the insight you share thus far and I am going to put some of it to test :) Keep em (video) coming !!!
Your videos are so needed, thank U!
I was nodding along during the whole video haha, thank you for your honesty and for sharing your knowledge, every video is so helpful!
I just added this video to my playlist for the day. Thank you for the new video! I found your channel a few months back and I was hoping for a new video :) Great channel! As new Actor I have Listened to a lot of great advice from this channel. WooT!
You’ve been such a great help on helping me learn about the industry and what to expect!!
Love to see you back, man!
Thank you for this free, valuable content! I have wanted to pursue acting since I was a kid. Now that I'm 38, I feel like trying it out but I have zero experience whatsoever unless you consider knocking on doors for my job as experience. Thanks again!
I can wait to start my journey as and acting and its all thanks to you.
thank you for sharing your advice dude i appreciate ur videos!!
I love all your videos, you are great!!!!
I've always loved your videos. They're so helpful & it's nice to hear from working actors.
I am sort of past beginner, I've done independent projects & have a commercial agent. Do you have advice for people looking to get their first tv roles & bigger commercials?? I feel like most videos out there are for beginners...❤
Welcome back!! I started to get scared!
missed your videos! also congrats on juror#2
Good info. I'm experiencing that.
thank u for uploading again
Missed you!
Welcome back
WE MISSED YOU!
Welcome back 🙂
Just saw you on Juror#2,Congrats!
This is the face of a man who acted opposite of both Lindsey Lohan AND Kristin Chenowith. An absolute legend!
Big fan of this page Kurt and have been subscribed for a good little while. Just moved to Atl from Ohio about a year ago, what’s the best classes locally down here to attend?
It’s tough out there man. 2016-2022 minus the pandemic was amazing. The goddamn strikes and industry consolidation have decimated the work opportunities. Most ATL actors work in real estate or Home Depot just to make ends meet, further increasing that sense of ATL being a day laborer market as LA people swoop in still to take the bigger roles.
Nice to see you 😊
The Yue has returned! Hallelujah. 🙂
Great video 😊
I’m just starting out I wish I knew more about auditioning and how it differs from doing a scene in class or on set.
The main difference is that in class you're being guided by someone who is an actor and trying to help you and they know how. At an audition the casting director isn't always an actor; sometimes they're idiots who don't understand how actors work and don't know how to guide you to make adjustments. Also in class you usually have more time on stage; in most auditions you get two minutes then you're out and they call the next actor in. In class you usually have plenty of time to prepare for what you'll be doing on stage; sometimes at auditions you don't even get to see your sides until two minutes before the audition but usually you have 1-3 days to prepare.
What I'd like to know is where to find auditions! I'm not in a great area, so that hinders my abilities somewhat. I have a subscription to Backstage I need to use more as well...
The biggest lessons i have learnt in my acting career is Luck and ving a Must side job for consistent flow of money.. or else ... It wud be very very difficult to survive only on Acting !!
Do you offer 1:1 classes?
Bro waited for CoryxKenshin to be back first to come 💯 you're the best!
Ive missed you!
I think one of the biggest things I've learned is that you should always have something else you like to do (potentially as a career even). Burnout is a real thing and doing crappy temp jobs that plummet your energy and motivation can be a real problem. No one told me that when I wanted to be an actor as a kid that it would basically mean I would only get to do that as a job maybe 5% of the time and then spend most of my career auditioning at home while working retail 95% of the time. As a result, I never went to college. So now I don't have anything lucrative to fall back on while I'm auditioning.
Looking good, Kurt
Saw you in Lindsays new movie!!!!
i saw your in Juror No. 2!
Wish I knew…there are not many SAG opportunities-especially for those who can’t just up and move to a different city or lie about where they live. I used to get both SAG & NonUnion auditions 2-3/week. When I became a must join and went from Non Union to SAG, auditions went to 0.
I also wish I knew that one day I may have to consider being a financial core of SAG versus SAG, (which no one wants to discuss in a real way).
I have been really puzzled if college classes counted as acting classes because I have seen a bit of your content and heard that I need classes for even a chance of acting. I just wanted to ask from an expert because I’ve also heard it everywhere but you put emphasis on classes. Hope to hear back from you.
He's finally back 😅. Now after this we'll have to wait until we're all celebrities ❤❤
I’m hereeeeeee
Hello Sir! I had a question regarding my acting career. I’ve been watching your videos for a little over 2 years now, and I wanted to know if music videos are considered as a form of past experience or if they can be used as a demo reel. Hope this message reaches you as soon as possible!
Kurt, Can you teach us your process when breaking down a script
Hi Kurt! I was inspired by Mikey Madison to become an actor I start my acting classes in January through march I wanna know how can I balance my full time job and my acting career? Never been so excited on finding something to do for the rest of my life:)
Hey Kurt. I’m Isaac. I’ve been acting for 4 years now. And have only been training for one round (5 months). I am about to apply to schools (post secondary). I live in Canada but do you have any recommendations on if you should even be going to school for this. And what the difference is between College and University.
Thank youuu
Hello I’m a very young actor still in school and I want to become great. Do you have any specific tips for me as a schoolboy?
For anyone know of audition roles in Canada 🇨🇦 I can’t seem to find any
Kurt i just saw you in " Our Little Secert " with Lindsay Lohan. You did another awesome job. What was it like working with Lindsay Lohan?
50k for a commercial?!?!? WOW
Dear Kurt, God bless you in Jesus Christ! 🙏🏼🙂
😊👏🎥
“Kurt Yue isn’t coming back”
That’s the stupidest things I’ve ever heard
It's possible , but is it probable? Hmm
Without coin, connections, crews, clout, computer code, control, corporate communities, and opulent opportunities... no matter WHAT you pursue, it will fail. At least, it will fail regarding the way society looks at things: ya gotta be rich, popular, powerful, and influential. And if you lack those things, then yer *nothin'.* A nobody. A zero amongst millions more. That's just the way reality works. #copium
You're getting old