ActMonkey

Hello acting world, I've been on this forum for a few weeks but haven't had time to write. Well, for starters I'm not a "spring chicken". I'm 37 and have been acting locally for the past 7 years, but I don't live in LA or NY and all I ever hear is you got to move to either LA or NY. I was in drama way back in high school, did my plays, and always enjoyed acting, but my first love is aviation and that's what I pursued and became successfull. Then later in life after I've accomplished my aviation dream, I decided to pursue another goal which happened to be acting.

For the past 7 years I've been with a local agent in my hometown who is a sweet old lady (bless her heart), but I feel that I've gone as far as I'll ever be able to go with her. The movie industry used to bring alot of work where I live but not anymore, and there's very little that ever comes around here. In the past 7 years I've done 3 commercials and can count the number of times I've auditioned, gigs around here are too far in between. Yes I can here all you out there saying the same ol thing "go to LA! go to LA!"But you see this is where I think I differ a little than most in this crazy game. Like I said, I already have a career that I love, I'm married, have two great kids, a new house pretty much everything is set where I am, acting is more of a passionate hobby for me, but most unique is the fact that because I work for an airline, I have the ability to fly to any audition or film location at a moment's notice for free! so you see, I'm not about to make my family pack and move to LA just so I can pursue my acting ambitions. I want to be perfectly clear, I don't mind the leg work and putting in my dues, believe me in the aviation buissness it's no different, but I can do all that from where I live now! if someone called me out of the blue and said "Hey, I got someone who wants to meet with you" or "Hey, I have an audition for you but you have to be out here in LA or NY in the morning", I'd say no problem. Which is why I'm here asking you guys what should I do? I've been trying to get to the next level, I've begged my agent to get me an audition in LA, I've just got back from Orlando for that "Talent Rock" which is just one glorified talent show. I have to admit It was fun and I met some real contacts, but the whole show was for young people and kids. All the workshops, people in the industry, all said the same thing I really don't want to hear, "if your serious, you got to move to LA or NY" I talked with Producer John Daly, he's produced The Terminator, Platoon and many other great flims, and I point blank asked him, "What should I do, I work for an airline and I can be anywhere, anytime, my schedule is flexable "guess what he told me? yup even he said the same thing "change your base to LA" he did take my headshot and resume and gave me his email which was cool. (real nice guy btw) I got two call backs after my reading but they were agencies form cities other than LA, I want an agency from Los Angeles! (I know, who doesn't right?)

Anyway, now that you see my dilemma, what do you think? I have LA overnights all the time with my flying, which is another reason I can stay in my hometown and still audition in LA ONLY IF I HAD AN LA AGENT. In fact, yesterday I was in LA and I pulled out the yellow pages and called every agency in the area, there all gone for the holidays but one recording mentioned something about registration? twice every week registrations are held, you come in don't wear white, pay 20 bucks for a digital photo and your registared with them. Maybe you get some tv spots or something but hey, its a start huh? Well I've rambled long enough, so what do you guys think? and please someone tell me something other than move.

Good luck to all!!!!