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Casting in Hollywood is unlike acting auditions in most other parts of the country.  Because it is mostly a television and film industry (as opposed to theatre) most potential agents, managers, casting agents, producers, directors want to see what you would look like on film or tape or digitaly captured in some way.  They want to see how you come across on the medium they will be hiring you for.  
Actors in L.A. all have a demo reel.  It is a five minute or so DVD of their past work that shows highlights of what they can do.  It should be varied and show a range of parts that will encourage people to hire that actor again. It should be edited well and show the actor to his/her best advantage.  If you are not the featured player, if it’s not really good content, people will take a look and pass on that actor.  Most people judging those reels make up their minds about you in the first minute.  Important – I’ll repeat that – you will be judged by your first minute of video.  That’s not to say they won’t view the whole thing, but if they are not interested they will stop after about a minute. Read the rest of this entry »

I have already written about my friend Mary Pat’s concept of “Powerful Partnerships”.  Briefly, they are the friends you meet at the beginning of your career that will help and nurture you through your entire life.  It is so important to start class as soon as possible when you arrive in Hollywood.  Not because you need to learn acting, but because you need to network and meet people who will help you find your career.
Powerful Partnerships develop over time and you begin to care about someone else’s career as you do your own.   If you can’t get there, to that place that you care about someone else’s success, the power and generosity of this concept will pass you by.   If you see someone that is talented and you back them up, you help them out – the same thing will happen to you.  You show up for them.  You walk the dog if they have auditions or work, you help them with lines or running a scene for class and they will do the same for you.  You create a family, a support system that every actor needs.  It’s not an easy career path and actors need as much ‘family’ and support around them as possible.  You will have some very wonderful times and some very difficult times and during those difficult times your faith in yourself will fall away, your faith in your talent will fall away – you will need those friends, those “Powerful Partnerships” to help you find your way back.

When you are new to Los Angeles it will seem a daunting, huge city with no center.  It is important to establish a life and normalcy and find a way to get information about the business.  One of the greatest information sources you will have will the acting/scene study class you take.  Get into one as quickly as possible and through those contacts you will discover a lot about what you need to know about Los Angeles and your niche in the business.  There will be people who have gone through what you are and will be happy to help you in your career.  A lot of the time they will be your friends and career-support the rest of your life.  It is important to know that you are NOT in competition with anyone.  Share your leads and knowledge with your friends – help them get a career, and they will help you. Read the rest of this entry »

Beth Maitland and I have written a great deal about the importance of the first year of your career looking for acting jobs in TV and Film. You have to be prepared to pay your bills for at least a year to give yourself a chance at a career.
Now, you may walk into a casting office and be just what they are looking for, or impress someone at a restaurant that knows the head of casting at Warner Brothers Television. It’s not only possible, these things happen all the time in Hollywood. One chance encounter can lead to an entire career.
It’s possible. But not probable. Read the rest of this entry »

Beth Maitland and I have an online seminar on “Marketing For The Actor” and one of the things we discuss is: The resume.
Your resume is your calling card along with your photo.  We will discuss the photo is other articles, but let’s concentrate on your resume.
Do not lie.  Never.  Do not exaggerate.  If you say you can play the trumpet and ride a horse, you’d better be able to play Dixie at a gallop because you might get hired to do just that. Read the rest of this entry »

Beth Maitland has written about this subject in terms of what to wear to auditions in detail and we thought it was necessary to address how you take care of yourself.  How you look.  How you feel.  What kind of shape you’re in.
The acting business accommodates a broad range of types and people.  You are what you are and we encourage you to celebrate how you look, no matter what that is.  You will be selling YOU.  Know the product and don’t try to make it into something it can never be.  Some people will always be character people.  Some people are born with what society regards as “good looks” and they should celebrate that as well.  We are not saying a good looking person can’t be a character or visa versa, it happens all the time.  We are advising you to realistically see how you fit into the big picture and help yourself by encouraging that fit. Read the rest of this entry »