Actors Advice

The Actor’s Blog: A Day in the Life of an L.A. Actor

frazier — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:29:27 +0000

May 5, 2010

CAN’T GET ARRESTED IN THIS TOWN

This is a statement that has been around Hollywood as long as Hollywood has been around. It’s kind-of self explanatory. It means it doesn’t matter what you do you can’t get an acting job in Hollywood. Even a step further, you can’t even get an audition, an agent, a manager or anyone to call you back or email you back. This is where I’m at right now. I have an agent who hasn’t sent me on an audition for a year and a half. Yes, yes, I know, I need a new agent. But it seems to be one of the hardest things to do. It all makes sense. Times are tough. Agency’s have gone out of business, merged, or have downsized. They don’t have the time or resources to take on a “developmental client” (that’s what they call an actor with no major credits). I’ve never liked that term, “developmental”, it makes me feel like I’m a stupid actor. Anyway, an agent doesn’t want you unless you’re working. Which I’ve always found strange because you can’t get the auditions to get work without the agent. Yes, the catch 22. “They” say then you have to Network to meet people to get work and then when you don’t need the agent they come out of the woodwork.

Here’s what I’ve done in the last few weeks. I’ve sent out 20 headshot/resume’s with a nice cover letter to agents that are mid-range agents. Never send to the big 5, or 10 for that matter. I get one call. Great! Set up a meeting for a week later. Getting ready for the meeting and an hour before my meeting they cancel. For a week now I’ve tried to reschedule and I can’t even get her on the phone or to return my messages. I send out letters & emails and never know if they even receive them. I wouldn’t even mind if they write back and say that I sucked and that I’ll never work in this town. I’ll take that as a win; at least they got back with me. I got a response from a casting director that said “I’ll keep me ears open” The fact that she got back with me makes me think she really really likes me. This is considered a huge win. After seven years I’m starting to see why actors are crazy. It’s mainly from no responses from anything you do. You submit yourself on projects, send H/R to agents, postcards, take casting directors workshops and you get no response. It does make the actor feel like no matter what they do, it doesn’t matter. I’ve been told that I’m talented and that it’s only a matter of time but then no one wants to give you that chance.

So here is the reality of an acting career. It’s not for the weak. But year in year out can start to weaken even the strongest of the strong. It takes a level of determination that is unbelieveable. Just something to think about. Until next time………..

December 4, 2009

My weekly post turned into every two months. Somethings have happened since my last post. I booked a W.S.U. commercial at the end of September. They flew me to Spokecane Washington on a Wednesday shot on a Thursday and flew back. Great experience. I felt like a real actor. Going on location. It’s enough to make me remember why I work so hard to be an actor. The day in day out job of being an actor is not fun. But when you get a part and you’re on set it all seems worth while. There seems to be a “crash” after being on set. Almost a mini-depression. When you’re working as an actor you’re on cloud 9 but when it’s over it’s back to the real world. I think it’s the highs and lows of being an actor.

A short time after that I booked another commercial for guitar center. It was a night shoot. A midnight call time and I got in front of the camera about 4:30 in the morning. My time in front of the camera was about ten minutes tops to say my line, “a hollow body” It was great but leaves me wanting more.

I got a new manager and things seem to be turning around. A possitive frame of mind is so important and so hard to have when things are not going great. I’m starting to think that this is the trick to making it as an actor. Remember, you heard it here first. Until next time.

September 3, 2009

It’s funny how you feel from one day to the next. Just a little thing like an audition can bring about hope and the idea that maybe all the hard work will pay off. I had an audition today for a very small part in a reinactment( is that the right spelling) anyway, show for Discovery Channel. Doesn’t pay much but it was a big casting office and always good to get in front of them. But on top of that I had a great audition. My preparation the night before was good, I was almost memorized. ( But always have your sides in your hands, just in case. Learn to site read so if you go up on a line you can easily pick it up and continue.) I controlled my nerves and went in and nailed it. I was “good in the room”, meaning I was relaxed, confident, polite, charming, and most of all didn’t over stay my welcomed. Believe it or not all of that is very important in an audition. I think over the years the hardest part about auditioning is the nerves. You really have to get yourself to a place where you really don’t care but you still have to care. Which I know sounds like a bunch of horse sh** I think what I’m saying is that you have to put everything into your preparation and then when you go in focus on the scene and then let go and know it will be there. Everybody is different but I get more nervous if I haven’t prepared enough. The better I know it the more relaxed I am. If I don’t have to worry about the lines it opens me up for so much more emotion. Or it gives me the freedom to play with the beats in the script where I can find “the funny” in the lines. O.K. enough actory talk. So what I’m saying is “luck is when preparation meets opportunity” So all I need is the opportunity. Until next time…….Actorman

September 2, 2009

So much for everyday Blogging. Is that correct, blogging? Anyway, I have to say that 2009 has kind of sucked. Here’s the thing. Acting is a hard path to take. Then on top of that you have the worst economy of our lifetime to make matters worse. It’s bad for the actor b/c the jobs that actors take: (i.e. waiting tables, yoga instructors, coffee places, personal trainers, dog walking, personal assissants, and so on) are the jobs most affected by the bad economy. I have lost over 50% of my personal training business this year 2009. I have had zero new clients this year. Never in 20 years of training has that happened to me. I would say that about 80% of being an actor in L.A. is about being able to survive long enough in order to get that opportunity that comes along once in a blue moon. It gets really really old to live at the bottom of the barrel. I’ve cut back and cut back and cut back and still it’s not enough. Debt is mounting b/c there’s always something that comes along that you just don’t have the money. In August my car tags had to be renewed. Most states it would be under $100 but not California, it was $317 dollars. When you make about $300 dollars less than what it takes to live, $317 dollars is a ton of money. So it goes on a credit card. Flat tire; credit card, got to go to the doctor; credit card.

I know that you have to “pay your dues” and all that but sometimes I ask myself “When is enough is enough?” And I don’t know the answer. Everyday I do tons for my acting. Submissions, phone calls, letter writing, read the trades, see movies, watch t.v. to know the tone of each show, lately I’ve been putting auditions on tape and emailing the audition in hopes to be called in to read for a role. I go to casting workshops to meet casting directors. I try to build relationships with people in the industry which to me is the hardest thing to do. So I do all this stuff, trying different things and still nothing. Not even a phone call to say hey got your stuff, or sorry already booked the role. I mean nothing. Sometimes I just want to scream out the window to see if anybody will notice.

I do so much just to be called into the room and it makes me start to wonder why. Why I’m I not called in to read for anything. I wish I knew the answer. I know that I don’t have the most impressive resume’ but I can’t get anything on my resume’ if I don’t get called in to read for a part. Could it be my headshot? Every person, every casting director I’ve come in contact with said it’s great. Plus I have seven or eight different headshots so if they don’t like one there are many others to choose from. I’m I not likeable? I’ve always though I was but how do I come across??? Which leads me to the last and most important question: Am I a good actor? Some have said yes and I’m sure some have said no but there are so many that have never given me the chance so how do I know?

Until next time……. Actorman

August 18. 2009

I guess there is no perfect time to start a blog. So today August 18, 2009 I will start my actors blog. A look at the ups and downs of an actor in Los Angeles. Now this is just my experience, my journey and my opinion. My journey started 6 1/2 years ago when I moved to L.A. Of course I was acting in Dallas, Texas before that for many years. My blog might be about things that are happening right now or they may be about things that have happened in the past that has brought me to where I am. This will be a very real and personal account of my life. This will be my diary for everyone to see, well right now no one is reading this but maybe I will get people interested in reading soon. Oh, by the way I’m dyslexic so I can’t spell or put sentences together very well so if you see a mistake, sorry. And yes the irony of how hard the word; dyslexic, is to spell is not lost on me, I have to look it up every time. Wow, a dyslexic actor. There are many but we will talk about dyslexia later. So the plan is to write every day but I know it won’t exactly be everyday but hopefully at least three or four times a week. I decided to write a blog because I really need to be in therapy but I have no money so I thought a blog would be the next best thing. Speaking of being broke, I just ran into my ex girlfriend and found out she is marrying some rich guy she met at the restaruant she works at. I still think she met him while we were going out but whatever. It only makes me sad about my current situation. Would she have left me if I wasn’t a broke actor? I’ll never know the answer but it shows you how much sacrifice it takes to pursue an acting career. I have found out that saying you’re an actor to most women in L.A. is like kryptonite is to Superman. As sad as that is I won’t give up saying that I’m an actor and proud of it. I think the right woman will get it but it surely narrows the playing field. So I guess that my first blog entry. I had no idea what I was going to say but that’s the beauty of it just speak from the heart. I think I need a really cool sign off line like “Keep reaching for the Stars” but I think that one is taken. How about “Stay tuned for more ActorLife……….” And I’m going to sign off with my alias… Actorman

Hollywood North

frazier — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:26:47 +0000

Hollywood North helps actors, models, casting directors and talent agents communicate more efficiently with each other. Actors and models have the ability to create personal portfolios which include photographs for the talent industry to access.

http://www.hollywoodnorth.com

Resources

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:09:12 +0000

Actors Advice provides the best in resources for actors moving into Los Angeles. Here are a few links and resources to help you get started:

www.launcut.com
Description: We are a booking service that places people on higher rate background work on soap operas, commercials, movies, tv shows and print. We guarantee 3 jobs per month or you pay nothing for the service!

Please call us to schedule an interview.

Uncut Team
310.458.2017

campusmen.com

www.talentjug.com

ACTOR’S ADVICE AUDIO SEMINAR: DOWNLOAD NOW!!

frazier — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:37:08 +0000

The first Actors Advice audio seminar is now on sale. John and Scott have
recorded their “So you want to be an Actor in Los Angeles?” seminar
specifically designed for you and your mp3 player! They have split this
informative audio seminar into three key parts. The first part covers a few
things, such as:

-What to do before you move
-Moving to L.A.
-Getting a flexible job
-Important things you will need for acting success

The second part covers:

-Acting once you are in L.A.
-Headshots
-Demo reels
-Internet sites
-Workshops

And finally, part three:

-Getting an agent and Manager
-Promoting Yourself
-What does it take to be a successful actor in L.A.?

John and Scott have taken their years of experience and combined their
knowledge into three audio seminars. You can download these audio files for
$20 each payable through paypal only. Click here or on Services and buy them today!

Also, we are offering two pages of reference material for only $12!! It’s a list of the best casting workshops, acting classes, acting coaches, internet sites, photographers, photo reprints,demo reels, and reference books. We’ve done the hard part for you. It has taken years to develop this list of the top people in town and it’s yours for only $12!!!! Click here or on Services and buy them today!

Quote of the Week

frazier — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:30:46 +0000

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius

The Rule of Seven

frazier — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:38:52 +0000

In marketing there is the rule of seven, which states that a consumer has to see or hear about a produce at least seven times before they will try it or buy it. In acting it is the same thing, the only difference is you, the actor, are the product. So when you market yourself to agents you should pick ten agents that you would like to target and submit to them. Then in a few weeks follow up with a postcard and let them know what you are up to: i.e. just got a call-back for a commercial, taking class with a great teacher, etc. Anything that lets them know you are out there working on your craft. You can also find out if those agents go to showcases by calling their office. If they do, sign up for that showcase so they can see you in action. (I should point out that you want to blow them away, so only get in front of them if you are ready. If not, take acting classess and study before putting yourself out there.) So now they have seen you three times, just four more to go. BIG MISTAKES people make are postcarding them every week or calling their office everyday. Send a postcard when you have something to say and no more than once a month. If you are really working you will have something to say once a month. So now you might be thinking “well at that rate it might take me seven months to get an agent.” EXACTLY!! Or even longer. Remember this is not an overnight success kind of thing. You might get lucky and get an agent with-in the first few months you land in L.A. but don’t be surprised if it takes a little longer.

For more tips on the rule of seven and how it applies to agents and casting directors check out our hour long consultations under the Services link on the home page. Until next time. Frazier

Acting Quote of the Week

frazier — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:06:09 +0000

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s
finding the similarity in what is apparently different,
then finding myself in there.”

Meryl Streep

Submitting Yourself for T.V. & Film

frazier — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:26:39 +0000

I have notice in the last several months that it is getting harder and harder for an actor to submit on projects for T.V. and films. An actor can still submit on projects through actors access and L.A. casting but the ability to submit on projects on the breakdowns have become very difficult. I have heard that some actors get the breakdowns that go to agents and managers and drop their headshots to the casting offices for the roles that they fit. For years commercial casting is done 100% on line, mainly through L.A. Casting. Casting directors for T.V. and film have slowly been adding electronic submissions. Some saying, “submit electronically, follow up with hard copies.” Now almost all the breakdowns say, “submit electronically only” which means only agents and managers can submit. The days where an actor could hustle around town and drop off their headshot is coming to an end.

It makes sense that this would happen. It is much quicker for the casting director. Within one hour of putting out a breakdown a casting director will have over 5,000 submissions. Yes you read right, 5,000 submissions for one role. No more waiting all day for a delivery service to drop off thousands of headshots that you have to sort, open, look through, and sort again. Plus, less paper is better for the environment, cheaper for the actor (less printing of headshots) and a time saver for the casting director. But the big problem for the actor is that working on your on behalf just became a lot tougher. And now more than ever having a good agent is the most important thing. Now, how do you do that….. We will talk about that next week when the topic will be “How to get an Agent in L.A.”

Until next time. Frazier

Best Headshot Photographers in L.A.

frazier — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:33:02 +0000

One of the first things you will want to do when you move to Los Angeles is to get new headshots. I am going to list the photographers that I have had a personal experience with or photographers that many actors have had a good experience. I’m not going to list a lot because I want to narrow down the search for you. Also, I won’t quote their prices because they could change over time. Most photographers in Los Angeles are charging somewhere between $200- $600. The more you pay doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a better headshot. The best headshots will come from an actor that knows what they want to convey and the chemistry between you and the photographer. I’ll cover more about what makes a good headshot in The Weekly Column. Here is the list.

Headshots Only 323-906-0163 www.headshotsonly.com

Michael Helms 818-353-5855 www.michaelhelms.com

Teren Oddo 310-717-6331 www.headshotsbyterenoddo.com

Brie Childers 323-855-7456 www.briechilders.com

Theo & Juliet 310-973-7315 www.theoandjuliet.com

Mary Ann Halpin 323-874-8500 www.maryannhalpin.com

Photograph Reprints

Isgo 323-876-8085 www.isgophoto.com

Reproductions 323-845-9595 www.reproductions.com

Ray The Retoucher 818-760-3656 www.raytheretoucher.com

Digital Express Etc. 323-655-2639

*Argentum 323-461-2775 www.argentum.com

*(My pick for the best in town)

SAG Continues Two-front Battle

frazier — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:48:04 +0000

Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild on Wednesday accused the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers of offering a union contract worth tens of millions of dollars less than the one it signed with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. “It’s obvious that they are trying to get us to bargain up to a deal they already know is unacceptable,” SAG executive director Doug Allen told the Associated Press. The AMPTP declined to comment on Allen’s accusation. AFTRA issued a statement saying, “SAG hasn’t won any increases for its members — perhaps because it’s been too busy trying to undermine the AFTRA deal to be able to negotiate one of its own.” AFTRA also condemned SAG’s strategy of urging co-members of both unions to reject ratification of the AFTRA agreement in the hope that doing so would increase SAG’s leverage at the bargaining table. “The great majority of the current dramatic TV schedule is made up of SAG shows,” AFTRA said. “That is the source of SAG’s bargaining leverage and will not change just because the AFTRA deal is ratified.”

-from imdb.com