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!!!!

Russjns

First of all DON'T PAY ANY MONEY to "register" or any other kind of nonsense with an agent. They are the scammers.

I've lived in Los Angeles for over 10 years, and I have to say that it will probably be tougher for you to do the work from outside of Los Angeles, but it CAN probably be done.

I think you did the right thing by making the calls while you were in town. I would recommend hitting up Samuel French Bookstore next time, grab the agency book, the manager book, and do the phone calls from your home. Send out your headshot and resume/ make follow ups, get a reel together, and keep on the agents. My assumption is that it will be really hard for you to get a commercial agent, because there are times when I get commercial auditions the day of, and there are times when I'll go out for auditions every single day for a couple weeks. And the more times you tell your agent that you can't make an audition, the more likely they are to replace you with one of the thousands of other actors who look like you who CAN make the auditions.

We are heading into pilot season in the new year, so this is prime time to put yourself out there. If you can find a way to get ahold of the breakdowns, then you could submit yourself. Actors aren't supposed to get them, but we all find a way. You can also register for nowcasting.com or one of the other reputable casting notice sites.

JUST REMEMBER NOT TO PAY ANY MONEY FOR A MANGAGER OR AN AGENT. REGISTRATION FEES ARE BULL**** SCAMS (sorry for the cursing) THEY MAKE MONEY WHEN YOU MAKE MONEY.

I hope this helps. Just so you know, I have friends who live in Portland, OR, and he flies down and takes meetings/auditions every so often. And he's doing what he can in Portland (improv/independant movies/etc) I think he just let's industry people know that he'll be in town for the week, and he takes as many meetings as he can. That would be my final suggestion to you. But definitely pursue agents first (non-fee based ones) and get the literature so you can do it at home, because lord knows that calling someone and asking them for a meeting that afternoon, or that week is pretty rare. I have an agent and manager now, but I remember it took me over 6 months before I got a meeting with my manager. After probably 50 submissions to various managers.

Anyways, hope it all helps. Good Luck!

__________________
Russ
My website
Los Angeles

ActMonkey

Thanks Russian, I was excitied by the call backs I got from the "I kidding myself show" but I just got off the phone with one of them who does pretty much all his business online and he wants 200 dollars, 100 for the registration and another 100 a year for maintaining my profile on the website. Right away I was turned off by his offer and the whole thing just went south from there to me. I think the only thing at this point is going to help me is working on my craft by hiring an acting coach here where I live and like you say, keep working on those agents in LA. That's what I really want. Thank you very much for your advise, I'll PM you when more develops.

Thanks!