7 Well-Known Actors Who Used Backstage

SelfSubmit U September 29, 2018 2:37 Auditions Self Submit

Seven working actors, from Sandra Bullock to James Earl Jones, on how Backstage listings got them their first jobs.

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7 Working Actors Who Found Jobs Through Backstage

Drawn from what is actually said on camera, so you can decide whether to spend the 2:37 watching it.

Backstage started as a printed newspaper for actors

Dustin Hoffman described his early career on a radio interview by saying that in those days, auditions were listed in Backstage, which was the newspaper for actors. He was always sent out for the juvenile and character juvenile listings.

Sandra Bullock credits her whole career to weekly listings

In a Backstage interview, Bullock said every single thing she has today is because she picked up Backstage every Thursday. The habit was weekly and consistent, not occasional.

Denzel Washington saw it as the only obvious way in

Washington's point was that everybody has to start somewhere. When you are asking how to get into the business, somebody hands you Backstage.

Viola Davis used it because she needed a way in

Davis is quoted saying she needed a way in and used Backstage. The framing is access, not prestige: a route into the business for someone with no other connection to it.

James Earl Jones booked his first job off a listing

Jones's advice was to keep reading Backstage, because that is how he got his first job. The emphasis is on continuing to read it rather than checking once.

Jonah Hill went from reader to cover in three years

Hill said he could not believe he was on the cover of Backstage when three years earlier he was living with his parents and reading it to find a job. James Franco also called Backstage one of his first introductions to the business.

Testimonials answer the question of whether the projects are real

The recurring doubt is whether jobs found on casting sites are worth pursuing. The counterargument offered here is not a sales pitch but seven working actors on record saying the listings were how they started.

Acting Craft is built by what casting looks for on an actor website.

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Full transcript (380 words)

00:00 Do you ever wonder if finding jobs on backstage really works or if the projects are really worth it? Well, stick around to find out a handful of more than working actors who thinks so. On this channel we give you free tips and resources to help you get more auditions from your online casting websites. So, if this is your first time here, make sure you hit that subscribe button so you don't miss out. Although we have many clients who have successful experience with backstage, there seems to be confusion if backstage is really worth it. So instead of taking our word for it, we're counting down our top seven testimonials from more than working actors. Number seven, Sandra bullock, Sandra bullock, credits where she is now because of backstage. She sat during a backstage interview. Every single thing I have today is because I picked up backstage every Thursday. 00:55 Number six, Denzel Washington. Everybody's got to start somewhere. Washington says, where else would you go? You're like, how do I get into the business? Somebody gives you backstage number five, Viola Davis. She's quoted as saying, you needed a way in. I used backstage number four, Dustin Hoffman describing his early career in a radio interview. Hoffman said in those days if you went for auditions, they would list it in backstage, which was newspaper for actors, juveniles, character, juveniles. That's what I was always sent out for. Number three. James Franco Franco says backstage was one of his first introductions to the business. Number two, Jonah Hill Hill is quoted as saying, I can't believe I'm on the cover of backstage. Three years ago, I was living with my parents and reading backstage to find a job, and number one, James Earl Jones. Jones says, keep reading backstage. That's how I got my first job. Are you surprised by any of the actors mentioned on this list? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Every week we will be sharing free tips and resources to help you get more auditions from your online casting websites. Make sure you hit that subscribe button and get notifications so you can get up-to-date tips on building a strong online casting profile that gets you more auditions.