I'm Will Westwater and I'm an actor in Los Angeles! I give you a no-frills look at the life of a working actor and pass along some of the things I learn along the way. Subscribe to follow my journey!
Oh my god , that’s a wonderful video I didn’t really feel the 22 minute 😮 thank you so much for the value video 💐 How can I contact with you? I really have a important question and I think you have the answer 🙏🏼
@willydubz If I haven't been casted for anything yet meaning I have no footage, would you recommend just hiring someone to film me doing different scenes?
This was so helpful! I am just beginning and you have kept this real. Other RU-vidrs seem to have an unlimited budget for all this stuff, but this is manageable. Just subscribed!
Hi Will ! thanks for the tips. I am wondering if you bought an external mic and attached it to your phone or camera for your demo reels or just used the device's audio ?
When I was in my 20s, I wanted to do a music demo so I got a hold of this guy and he wasn’t there. I left him a message on his machine. He called me back, but not about what I wanted from him. It was what he wanted from me! He said I just got your message and I love the sound of your voice and I need someone to do a college campus commercial voiceover for me. Would you be interested? I laughed and said absolutely so we met. He recorded my demo for me and I did his voiceover for a West Virginia University. It was pretty cool. I should’ve continued doing it.
Do it for the craft- if you pursue acting for fame, it won’t go or end well. Ever. Doing it for genuine passion for the art significantly reduces disappointment this career will eventually give you. ❤
I am so happy you kept ALL budgets in mind! Most people give 2 options and their “affordable” option would still be a bit pricey! 🎉🎉🎉 Definitely keeping this video saved!
Some how I managed to stumble upon this old video and I really needed this today and that little talk about comparing yourself to others and hearing “no” so much.
Thanks man. This gave me a great tool I've been missing! The open to interpretation lines stump me, but this should be a giant help going forward when facing them and understanding the script.
My goodness I’m so glad I found this channel. This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen for actors. You broke it down so simply & were so informative and knowledgeable. Thank you so much for sharing this!
For social media (thinking Instagram mainly), in your opinion do you think it’s important to have one? Or is it just that if you do, make sure it’s positive and professional? I personally don’t have any social media and go back and forth with how important it is for networking or for how much the industry wants to already see a presence vs being unknown and not having any presence. Thanks in advance for any time or advice!
These are so awesome to watch. Are you allowed to also put in the actual scene? That would be cool to see too. BTW, incredible choices in your auditions!
After many years, I can say that I am pretty happy for not getting my imagined dreamjobs. More than happy and that it is the best thing that ever happened to me
His response sounds pretty meaningless and probably but rude, but from my perspective. A lot of things you said sound really weird, but that is really dependant on culture. Giving script to someone who forgot would be a sign of great disrespect in country where I live, that would mean: go clean something, or you are no more valuable than being a garbage man/assistant in holding papers like a statue. The audition thing, going with parents, you mentioned in one video was also weird, because if someone is going with parents to find a work, that means that the parents probably had to beg them to find a work and that the person is a lazy and not good chouce. That was the first thing that came to my mind, but the reason why is more than obvious and pretty great. And I understand that help is valuable and that it is no shame finding some 9-5 work or side job while waiting for career to develop, but this would be also sign of disrespect from employer. Lot of people would turn it down here, but, of course, the size of market, career paths and the cultural and personal differences are huge.
Veel success to all the people in the comments, but I have to aggree that you are the actor of my dreams. I do not live in LA, i am not US citizen and I am definitely thrilled and amazed by your performance and your amazing villain potential. I hope that I will get an opportunity to get my work permit and a chance to work with you. In any case, good luck, you deserve it.
Yes, I completely forgot to mention that I prefered the pictures of you in regular T-shirt, looks more appealing, but I assume the shirtless ones are important for commercials and boxing roles. Thank you once more and good luck
You have a great feminine side in your appearance, that seems ellegant and definitely great and important for some rolls, like a musician or for roles of older period. Don't give up on it
Villain role. The suggestion was playing a role of a villain that will betray his friends and family. He will become a hero at the end. My suggestion was excerpt from a script I've placed aside for now due various reasons and was a first suggestion that naturally came to my mind when I saw your acting. In case it is interesting for practice or type of character, he will have fight with girl at the end of the scene, but sorcerer will interupt their fight and cast a spell on her, claiming that it is his fault and later will blackmail him and demand that he do more horrific stuff. His road to becoming hero will be tough, but he will become one eventually
Or try a scenario of this type, something demanding. In a far away land, in a cold castle, live king Harrod and Queen Mathilda, with their princess. They are happy, and the Kingdom is prosperous, but, the evil sorcerer is plotting a conspiracy against king, so when he hears that his daughter needs a new teacher, he envisiones a devious plan. Protagonist Veezie, lived an ordinary life as a simple peasant relatively close to King's castle, and waited for a miracle to happen and change his life, with head full of a dreams, while reading knight tales and practicing when sorcerer came to his village, presented himself as a important member of court who is in trouble because the professor is ill and offered him a great amount of money to do him a favour: to go to work as a replacement in a castle as an important teacher, beacuse he is so smart and nobody can replace him. The condition is that he gives her a Black Book of tales. He is a replacement for just few days, and he should bring a cousin, because contract involves a professor and his assistant and he does not want to get caught. He agrees, eventhough it seems suspicios, the big money and his pride are at stake. He lies to his cousin, Celine, tells her that it is matter of life and death and brings her to a journey. They come to the entrance of the kingdom , but she doesn't want to go further. Celine suddenly stops and exclaims, tired of running after him and tired of his malice that grew bigger during their voyage: I do not plan to humiliate you and your dreams, and hopefully this will not sound like it, but we are both aware that this is completely stupid and waste of our time. Veezie: There are a lot of stuff you do not understand. Celine: But I think I do, and I think you understand me as well. Veezie: After a long time, this is the first time we've got- Celine: We? You mean, you? Veezie: Please listen, here is the road to the castle and our promised future and possibly the only way to make something of our lives, and I do think I deserve it and have all it takes to have my life different than being a farmer. Do you really wanna live with the pain that comes with hard work like our parents did? Why waste opportunity that is so easy? Celine: Do you really think that he would offer you something so easy and wonderful if it is really that great? And the pain... do you really think it is all about the pain? And where am I in this? Do you ever think about me or it is all about you? Veezie: You didn't answer. Celine: Maybe because you are talking to yourself. This trip is and was only to suit your dream, but I do not want to take part of it nor endorse this madness. Veezie: Just stop. Now you're being pathetic. Celine: No, I will not. I do not wanna destroy my life nor help you in this matter. Veezie: You have to.. I cannot do it on my own. I need you, just a couple of days, you cannot go. You must not ruin my dreams. Celine: You, you, everything was always about you. Veezie: It's not the time to be jelaous. Celine: No. I want something else for my life and I will not help you destroy yours. Maybe I am stupid, but I do have my dreams, and maybe is all irrelevant to you, Veezie: Celine.. Celine: But I deserve my happiness. It is still not too late, the Guin is waiting for you, your friends and parents do love you and care about you even if you think otherwise. Veezie: I will not let you go. Celine: Turns around. Veezie: Wait, just wait. But she is walking away.
The reading of a script depends on the script or the type of roll, it is better to leave some projects undone. Or bad ideas, but generally the great advices. Helped me in some aspects
Really strong villain, or, maybe a man that is broke and out of luck, possible addict who is going through an emotional break up with his girlfriend/wife. Something that will get you out of your comfort zone, a homeless guy or almost one may be the right thing.
Try having more fun while you are acting, as much as you are comfortable, without pressure or to be a bit more relaxed. Your approach and dedication are great. Or maybe you can read or rehearse a protagonist role with a really strong villain, some Oscar winning scenario, something that seems scary. Or some role that will be engaging and funny, bu do find excellent script, that will boost your acting tremendously. Maybe I am wrong, but a new approach can help you find more roles
Hi Will, another helpful video, thanks! I see the video is from four years ago but wondering how important do you feel it is to have a social media following as an actor? If anyone else here has thoughts on this question please share, thanks!
Absolutely zero experience lol im thinking maybe if i can get my foot in the door by working on a set of some kind maybe i can meet someone that has connections to open a door or two . Just thinking i have to start somewhere and some time ....
