FAQ

A scheduled, live video session where actors in a cast read a writer's script out loud. Act Write Here helps you arrange one as a writer or attend one as an actor.

Yes. Every step saves as you complete it.

Writers host the table read and bring scripts. Actors perform in the table read and bring their talent. You pick a track of actor, writer or both when you sign up.

Yes! If you’ve already selected actor and would also like to be a writer, go to the top bar menu and you will see Activate Writer Tools. It runs a short second onboarding that only asks what we don't already know, so you skip location and headshot. When it's done, a button appears in the top bar titled Actor or Writer, and clicking it switches you between the two. If you’ve already selected writer and would also like to act, actor, go to the top bar menu and you will see Activate Actor Tools. It runs a short second onboarding that only asks what we don't already know, so we can learn what you want out of the table read as an actor. If you stop halfway through, nothing changes. You're still in a single role as an actor or as a writer. You can pick it back up from the dropdown later.

No, just one account.You will need to complete a short second onboarding, but do not need to sign up with another email to host or perform a table read.

Because the page you were on often doesn't exist for your other profile (actor or writer).

One actor's roles. Many scripts have several smaller roles that don’t interact with each other but are still important to the story. Instead of including actors reading only a few lines, Act Write Here automatically assigns those parts to a single actor, spreading speaking time evenly. These bundles hold up to four characters, and one actor reads all of them. The character who speaks most in the bundle is the anchor, and the bundle takes that character's name.

Bundling gives every actor a real and proportional amount to do. Because without it, a twenty-character script would need twenty actors, most of whom would say nine sentences and wait an hour to just act. It also allows a script with a large number of roles that requires many people to be available at the same time to be cast and read. A good example of this is from Hamilton, in which the same actor plays Marquis de Lafayette in the first act and Thomas Jefferson in the second. It's how a twenty-character script gets read by seven people without anyone sitting silent for forty minutes.

Once a writer uploads their script and completes character breakdowns, Act Write Here automatically bundles the characters. Once this is complete, the writer will be directed to the Characters page where they will see the bundles.The writer will then have the ability to change any of them, drag characters to change the order, split them or merge them, and can see how it affects the speaking time for the actor.

An actor cannot have a conversation with themselves. So two characters who speak in the same scene can never share an actor. Lead roles are broken up across bundles, speaking time is spread evenly, and nobody is asked to switch characters between two back-to-back scenes.

Because that is the smallest that a cast can be. Everyone who speaks in a scene conflicts with everyone else in that scene. The biggest scene usually sets the minimum of the number of actors. If eight characters talk in your dinner scene, that scene needs eight readers, and no amount of clever grouping gets you to seven.

One of two reasons, and the page says which: "Everyone in this script shares a scene with someone else." No two characters can double up, so it's one actor per character. Nothing to change or fix. "We couldn't make out the scene breaks in this script." Without formatted scene structure, it becomes complicated to understand which characters might share a scene, so we try not to guess. Every character gets their own bundle and the writer can pair them up by hand on the characters page.

Each bundle gets a color so you can see at a glance which characters belong to the same reader. The writer can change and reassign the colors based on what they think that character bundle (or lead) would have.

Stage directions get a card of their own, so an actor is assigned to read just the stage directions. This can never be in a bundle since they can take up a majority of the speaking time.

The anchor is whoever speaks most in the bundle, and it's the name the bundle goes by. If the writer chooses, they can move characters around across bundles and the anchor updates itself.

The writer will get a note saying the read will be a bigger room than usual, and then they can carry on. Fun fact, around one in five scripts can't be read by ten people, and we'd rather run a bigger room than turn the script away.

We ask eleven questions to understand your project, your background, and everything saves as you go. Leave and return whenever you’d like, it will be waiting for you to finish where you left off.

PDF (.pdf), Final Draft (.fdx), Word (.docx, .doc). A .fountain or .txt export from WriterDuet, Fade In or Celtx works too. Up to 10MB.

Protecting your script is important to Act Write Here, and your script is shared only with your cast. No AI model, language learning model or third party ever has access to your script. Act Write Here’s proprietary algorithm is running on our own servers, and AI is not used to analyze your script. We also do not offer any AI voices to read your script out loud. This is a human-only platform.

Once you upload your script and complete the character breakdowns, Act Write Here automatically bundles the characters and estimates the table read length.

You can fix it individually within each character box. Rename, add, merge duplicates, and delete anything that’s wrong.

Sides are the one or two pages an actor sees before deciding whether to take the part. They attach to a bundle's anchor character and while not required, they allow an actor to get a sense of the character as well as the overall style of the project.

Usually, one page equals one minute of table read time. So we roughly calculate your page count of the script with an added twenty minute buffer. This accounts for arrivals, introductions and any discussion afterwards. Estimates round up to the nearest five minutes; for example, a 53 page script schedules a 75 minute table read.

Auto Casting places actors directly in roles based on their filters, interests, and schedule. When your project matches with them find one, we cast and email them right away. Open Table Read involve actors who have chosen not to utilize Auto Casting. They match your breakdowns, have received notification of the match, and can claim roles themselves on a first come, first serve basis. All standard accounts have this option. Reserved Table Read are available for premium level writers to cast their full table read. No actors are cast unless you say so. Actors can apply for roles in their match after reading the character breakdown, but the writer makes the final call. This applies to premium writer accounts only.

You must finish all the required project details and submit the character bundles to casting.

Yes. Fields stay editable, and you can replace the script. When you do, the cast is notified, so nobody prepares with the wrong draft.

Your Matches page gives you nine matched actors a day, drawn from every open role across all your projects. Filter by project or by one specific role. Each card tags the actor with the role they best fit.

Five per role, which keeps it a shortlist.

On your Cast page, under the bundle they applied for. Accept one and the other applications for that bundle close automatically.

Yes, if you've activated actor tools. Any open bundle in your own project gets a Read this part myself button, stage directions included.

Yes, from the Cast page. The role reopens. There's a separate report path if the problem is behavior rather than fit.

The project moves to Scheduled on its own, the cast gets the full script and the date, and the group chat opens.

If the cast isn't full 48 hours before the table read, your Cast page shows a banner offering three options: Proceed with partial cast (available with one or more bundles cast), Reschedule, or Cancel. Proceeding needs at least one actor cast. There's also an open bundles page listing unclaimed roles that are available for any actor to claim, and you can also choose to read the part yourself. A fuller partial-cast flow, reassigning bundles across the cast and offering to understudies, is on the roadmap and not built yet.

Up to nine. It refreshes daily, so you can see new roles as writers create projects.

All matches provide information on the writer and their project, script length, character breakdowns, and sides if available. Act Write Here creates character bundles which automatically assign multiple parts to a single actor when needed, spreading speaking time evenly through the entire cast. These bundles hold up to four characters, and one actor reads all of them. The character who speaks most in the bundle is the anchor, and the bundle takes that character's name. One role per project. Once you hold a role in a project, the rest of that project's roles disappear from your feed. Auto Casting places you directly in roles based on your filters, interests, and schedule. When we find one, we cast and email you right away. Standard includes open reads you can claim outright, 10 minute scripts and reading stage directions. Keep in mind other actors may have matched, too, so it’s first come first served. Hit claim, and if it’s still available, the part’s yours. Apply are Reserved table reads in which the writers select their casts. You can browse and submit yourself for as many of these roles as you like without spending any tickets. The writer will let you know when casting is complete. Invitations come from writers you’ve worked with previously for specific roles in their latest project. Filling now are table reads happening within the next 24 hours that still have open roles. You can claim as many of these roles as your schedule allows. All shows all active listings, including Standard, Apply, Invitations, and Filling Now.

The project's title, logline, synopsis, rating, genre, time period and themes. The page count and how long the read will run. The whole bundle you're offered, plus who else is in the script. The sides. And the writer's profile. If you choose Auto Casting, you’ll see the matched project information.

When you are confirmed in a cast.

On an Open Table Read, 10 minute script, and reading stage directions and if it’s still available, the part’s yours. On a Reserved Table Read you apply and the writer decides. You can browse and submit yourself for as many of these roles as you like without spending any tickets.

No. Once you hold a role in a project, that project's other roles leave your feed.

Because a bundle is already one actor's whole part, and may contain more than one character.

If you need to step back from a project please withdraw as soon as possible. Once you click withdraw, the role reopens, the writer is told, and the sooner it happens the more chance they have of filling it.

Usually one of: Your preferences are narrow enough that nothing qualifies. Your availability doesn't overlap any scheduled read. Your casting switch is off, in Calendar → Availability. You've already seen your nine for today. There aren't enough published projects from writers.

They're your avoid list, and they're treated as consent rather than preference. Anything flagged with one of them never reaches you.

If you're not free when a read happens, you're never offered it. This way you’re only seeing table reads that fit your schedule.

Set your time zone at the top of the Calendar → Availability page. Availability is stored in wall clock time in your zone, so the zone has to be right first.

Five minutes before the start time.

A five minute intro, then the read, then up to a fifteen minute discussion. The writer moves it from one phase to the next.

The table read has already added an additional 20 minute buffer within your scheduled table read to prevent this from happening.

Only the actors and the writers. No audiences, just the creatives freely creating together.

Yes, writers are in charge of the room and can mute all participants. You can also remove participants if there is an issue. Writers have the responsibility to maintain a positive and creative atmosphere.

The project moves to Completed and stays in everyone's history.

Beta: nothing. Tickets are switched off across the app. Publishing a project costs nothing and claiming a role costs nothing. No balance is shown and nothing is charged.

The currency the platform is built around. One ticket equals 30 pages of a project. Writers spend tickets when publishing a project for matches, actors spend tickets when claiming a role.

Reserved Table Reads are available for premium level writers to cast their full table read. Nobody is cast unless you say so. Actors can apply for roles they match in the breakdown, but the writer makes the final call.

Yes. Replacing the script notifies them.

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