I found my stage name (I can't say here), and no one has it on IMBD, and I check websites so I don't see anyone who has it.

How would I register it? It's a great name, but I am surprise it's not taken.

Earn your SAG card and register it.

Speaking of stage-name, is it necessery? I mean, how do you know if you need a stage-name or not?

My Russian name is quite confusing to pronounce in English (especially last name), so that means I'd better think of a stage name for myself?

Maybe there are some good articles on this topic? I would appreciate any advice.

NOPE!

A lot of famous actors have their real name:
-Phillip Seymour Hoffman
-Gene Kelly
-Will Smith
-Alec Baldwin
-Jack Nicholson
-Johnny Depp
-George Clooney

A lot of people get stage names to sound more marketable, more unique as to not get confused with anyone else, etc.

Some people would have had a harder time with their real names:
-Cary Grant-Archibald Leach
-Marilyn Monroe-Norma Jean Mortensen
-Kirk Douglas- Issur Danielovitch Demsky
-Tom Cruise- Tom Mapother

quote:

Originally posted by Pavel:
Speaking of stage-name, is it necessery? I mean, how do you know if you need a stage-name or not?

Perhaps if you have a very difficult to pronounce name... but it all depends.

Here's a visual/audial test I like telling my friends to try:

Find a few of your favorite movie trailers (ideally ones that have the actors' names pop up at some point). Now imagine your true name appearing or being said.

Does it work? Can you see it?

Now picture the stage name you're thinking about it. Does it work? Does it sound as natural?

How about hearing your name in the "movie trailer voice"? Can you hear Don LaFontaine (rest his awesome voice soul) saying your name? How about hearing your name announced on SNL, Conan O'Brien, Leno, Letterman, etc? Does it sound ok?

A number of my friends have taken (or will be taking) stage names, and I like their true names better. I rarely think the name they choose is better than what they already had.

And I think unique names add to your uniqueness and marketability. In a world full of John Doe type names, I think unique names can make you more memorable. I suppose this is one reason people might change their names, to add some spice, but to me, it just feels fake.

But that's just me

But you could very well run into the problem of having your real name already registered by someone else, or perhaps if your name is -also- OJ Simpson, or some name that is already tied to someone famous/infamous that you don't want to be associated with; then it's probably a good idea to change your name. I saw an IMDB credit with the name "Michael Phelps", and no, it's not the swimmer.

It's probably best to discuss this with your agent/manager/friends/family to get some general opinions, but most of all, go with what feels/looks/sounds right to YOU.

quote:

Originally posted by Mystique:
How would I register it? It's a great name, but I am surprise it's not taken.

Once you get your SAG card you can officially register it. I believe you can even call SAG in advance to see if the name is available.

When you register with SAG, you have to sign up with some alternative names as well, in case there are any problems with the name you are trying to register, so have those ready as well. (Generally, people's alternatives will be either using their middle name as their last, having both their middle and last names, alternate spellings of any combo of their names, using an initial somewhere, or, as you're talking about, coming up with an entirely different name.)

Good luck registering when you're ready! I hope you get the name you want!

I got a stage name for acting.

Question!!

If we you already picked a stage name for acting do you use it with commercials also like is it something you tell your commercial agent you wanna use??