These days, it’s completely possible to get discovered on TikTok. Creators like Addison Rae and Dixie D’Amelio have become bona fide stars using the platform. Maybe you’d like to follow in their footsteps. How do you get noticed and stand out from the millions of people already creating content on the platform? One way is by posting TikTok challenges—and more specifically, #actingchallenge videos.
Here, we break down everything from what a TikTok challenge is to how it can help actors get noticed.
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TikTok challenges run the gamut as far as specifics are concerned; but in the simplest sense, they ask users to perform a certain act and then share the video with a designated hashtag. Challenges can revolve around a given dance move or song lyric, doing something embarrassing in public, eating something gross, and so on. The most important thing to remember for any given challenge is to use its specific hashtag so that your video finds the right audience.
This brings us to #actingchallenge TikToks—challenges pegged, as you might have guessed, specifically to acting. TikTok can be a great platform for actors to flex their muscles (and yes, have fun) for the obvious reason that the app is a place to perform in front of an audience. Acting on TikTok is acting, full stop. There are many #actingchallenges, but here are some of the best ones to get you started.
Quickly moving through emotions
This is exactly what it sounds like. The poster cycles through various emotions at a lightning-quick pace, showing off their ability to tap into each at the drop of a hat. Check out a popular example here.
@saracarstens Yes the scream was real, I got a bit overwhelmed by the emotions in this #acting IB: @karlolegend #pov #actingchallenge jewelry: @shopemmavictoria ♬ Arcade - Duncan Laurence
Vintage acting challenge
You know how in old movies, the style of acting is, to say the least, different? Think of James Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s a classic performance, but the popular approach was more over-the-top and a whole lot less subtle in 1946. Performing a brief scene—with a black-and-white filter, naturally—in the guise of a “vintage” actor is an effective way to show off your range. Here’s a great example.
@thechrisbarnett Vintage Acting Challenge! Duet me!#actingchallenge #vintage ♬ Once Upon a Dream - Invadable Harmony
Scripted duets
Also called the “script acting challenge,” this is essentially the TikTok version of line-reading with a partner. It also comes with the potential for huge exposure. Basically, the original poster performs one side of a scene, with their partner’s lines appearing onscreen. The challenge is to then become that scene partner, posting your video side-by side with the original—a “duet,” in TikTok terminology. As a bonus, the original poster will often repost their favorite duets, automatically giving your video additional views. Check out an example of a scripted duet challenge here.
@elianaghen ACT WITH ME by #duet! Use: #scriptactingchallenge you may get featured!! #acting #TikTokTaughtMe #MagicMoment #actress ♬ Script acting challenge - Eliana Ghen
Are none of these quite right for you? Consider creating one of your own!
The TikTok algorithm is strong, which makes the app an ideal platform for actors to get themselves out there in the way they want. Since there are so many users, the app collects a lot of data on their viewing habits and continues to serve them similar content via the For You page. This can be great for actors looking to market themselves—if you do it right. The most important step is figuring out what kind of content you want to create before you start creating it, because you will be categorized almost immediately. This is another reason why #actingchallenges are so worthwhile: These videos will be fed automatically to audiences who are looking for acting-related content.
You Need to Watch These Spot-on Impressions of ‘The Crown’ CastAnother reason you will want to carefully consider what you post is that, yes, it is possible to get cast from TikTok. Casting directors will sometimes scroll the #actingchallenge hashtag specifically for that reason. While the challenges you take part in should, of course, be fun to do and watch, you don’t want to post anything you wouldn’t want referenced at your next audition. Like most social media platforms, the way you use TikTok may end up having an impact on your career. Post accordingly!
