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When I moved to Los Angeles from Arizona almost 30 years ago, I was not connected in show business, I had very little money, I had no job and no relatives here, and it was pretty much on a wing and a prayer.  I would not recommend it.  I waited tables, worked as a receptionist, did plays at night, sang in nightclubs, and wore my feet to a nub chasing my dreams.

The best thing I ever did was take a temporary job in a casting office.  I learned quickly what matters.  I learned the basics of contracts, what people (casting people) expect from an actor at a casting call, how things unfold with the wardrobe and production departments once you are hired.  I learned the technical things, but that is not what matters. Read the rest of this entry »

Most actors who are just starting in the business need to supplement their income (or HAVE an income) from a job that is other than acting.  It is important for the actor to be available during the day to go to auditions so a 9-5 job doesn’t really work.  A lot of actors are waiters/waitresses because the hours are so flexible and they can get away at a moments notice if it’s important.  Part time work is ideal, or night-time work if it allows you to have the time and energy to get to any appointments you may have during the day.
My friend Mary Pat had two jobs when she came to Los Angeles.  She demonstrated and sold Salad Dressing in local supermarkets and also worked for a Market Research company doing focus groups and product testing.  It put her in front of the public and gave her some cash to take class and rent a car and have a place to live.  She told me it took her three years to get to a point where acting was supporting her, and even then there were stretches of time when she had to go back to a “day” job.   It’s important to be able to sustain a life in Los Angeles as you pursue a career, as you never know how long it will take to get noticed.

In many other articles, Beth Maitland and I have addressed the subject of how an actor looks.  We have advised actors to always look like their photos, and to dress for the part they are going to audition for.
We’ve written about the “type” you think you are and to be realistic about that, and to try to keep fit in order to address whatever challenge a script might give you.
We encourage any actor coming to Hollywood to keep up whatever fitness regime they had or to start one before you get here.  Firstly, you, as an actor, are judged on how you look.  If you are going for an acting audition for a Soap Opera it will be especially important.  Beth Maitland has been on a soap for many, many years and writes about this in many other articles already published.  It is entirely appearance driven.   A lot of the business is. Read the rest of this entry »