Best Acting Advice if just moving to Los Angeles
If you’re moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, you’ll need all the help you can get. Not only do we welcome you, but we wish you the best on your journey! This blog post is full of acting advice that will give you a head start in Hollywood. Don’t go into the entertainment industry with eyes wide shut. You will be disappointed at best. Instead expect to make your mark and keep pushing until that happens!
It’s a daunting task to find work when you first arrive to Los Angeles, but if you want to be a star in Hollywood, you need to find your place just like you would any other career. The only difference is you are going to be in front of the camera making millions of people smile.
Moving to Los Angeles? Acting Advice to Get You Started Faster:
1 One of the best pieces of acting advice for any newcomer to Los Angeles is to get an agent. An agent can help you get auditions and give you guidance on your career. But how do you go about finding an agent? Start by seeing who is currently looking for clients and network!
2 Talking about networking, you need to be a social butterfly as soon as possible. Go to events, workshops and any other type of social gathering. Get cards made up and start introducing yourself. You could be mingling with other actors, maybe even industry professionals and of course a few wannabes. However, remember everyone in Hollywood knows someone who is looking for an actor. That’s just how it works.
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3 Attend workshops to hone your craft. This is different from acting classes (see those below) the workshops typically are more of a gathering and an exchanging of ideas. Not to be mistaken for networking events either, the idea is to learn and embrace while being part of something bigger.
4. Get into acting classes. We know that actors need to act. In fact the more you do the easier it will be. So get involved and see what you can do to be part of the acting and entertainment community.
5. Find the local joints and go there. From the coffee houses that have famous faces to the little known theater performances, you need to be actively involved to be noticed. Don’t shy away from the idea that to be seen must happen to be hired.
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6 Have all your audition gear. Headshots, cards and a positive attitude when you leave the house. Yes, you need to have all the equipment that an actor needs to find an agent, a part and a studio to call home.
7 Dress the part. Don’t leave the house looking less than what you want people to see. Period. You moved to Hollywood so play the part. Fake it until you make it and then, hire those folks to do your hair and make up.
8 Volunteer. Don’t know if you have time? Well, consider making some. It’s a great way to meet people in the entertainment business. And it also offers you a chance to explore Los Angeles while helping folks in the community.
9 Know where the studios are in the area. Find the studios and check them out. Not in a creepy way, but it’s good to know how long does it take to drive there, where the parking is and what is necessary if you get an audience gig, an audition or even a request to show up. It helps with the nerves to have the details and it’s likely you will be at all of the studios at some point.
10. Get your Backside to the Auditions. If you live in Los Angeles there are zero excuses why you can’t try out for EVERY audition you can. Traffic isn’t an excuse and neither is being lazy. Commit to going to every audition to further your career.
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11Check out the Community. There are a number of free and low cost ideas for anyone to explore in the Los Angeles area. You don’t always need to pay for admission for concerts either. The outdoor music venues have live music every weekend during the summer and there are many places that offer low cost or free tours to explore.
12 Try the Public Transportation. OK, so you have a car and you don’t need to take the bus. Fine, we feel you. However, we encourage everyone moving here to check out the buses and light rail so they know what to expect. Why? Let’s say your car is in the shop after an accident. Or it was towed as you forgot to pay a parking ticket. At least you can get to your auditions and work without the stress of not knowing how public transportation works.
13. Tell people you live in Los Angeles. This is very important when you are auditioning, especially online. A casting director and production crew prefer working with locals, no matter what they say, as deadlines creep up and they want their actors closeby to keep on task.
14. Make your home comfortable. It’s going to take a while for your career to flourish. Find a place where you feel good about relaxing, working on your lines and living your life. Your success will come with a positive home balance.
It’s LA Baby…Make it Happen
15 Check out a few shows with paid audiences. It’s a good way to get inside the studios and see what is up. Keep in mind you might just be filling the seats, but it’s a positive experience that can add to your perspective of the business. Don’t make it a full time habit though – audience members get paid pennies and they get kicked around too much.
16. Watch out for the Party Scene. It’s one big party in Los Angeles. Hollywood is known for the over the top insanity of sex, drugs and drinking. The myth is real my friends. It’s one thing to let your hair down once in a while, but quite another to lose yourself in the scene and destroy your opportunities. Take steps to steer clear of party people and the party scene – the studios (as well as agents) don’t take kindly if you make headlines for negative actions.
17 Kick it at the 99. If you are looking for inexpensive food to stretch your budget, consider the idea of checking for groceries at the 99 Cent store and other Latin and Asian grocery markets. Super King, Superior Grocers and even Ranch 99 have less expensive items (for the most part) compared to Ralphs or Vons Grocery stores.
Live Like You Need A Part
18 Don’t Buy New Until You Are Settled. You don’t need big bills to worry about. At least wait until you have a few gigs under your belt. There are dozens of used stores and thrifty stores all over the Los Angeles area that offer great deals for furniture. You can find a bed, sofa and even stylish clothes inexpensive as you start out in the LA area. Be willing to see what you find second hand.
19 Have 2 solid and clean shirts wrinkle free in the closet. Yes, this sounds bizarre, but if you live in Los Angeles and you don’t have a white, blue or red shirt that’s solid, we have to ask what are you thinking? Last minute auditions need clothing to be logo and design free. It’s an essential piece of wardrobe you might need when you least expect it. A few solid shirts in the closet will get you through any audition – even at the last minute. This sole piece of acting advice could change your life if you show up looking right!
19 Connect with all the audition services online. Obviously you can connect with them outside of Los Angeles too. The difference now is you can place your information with a reference to the community and watch more requests for auditions come in. Actors who live locally do get more auditions.
In Conclusion
If you follow the acting advice and all the tips, you’ll be sure to make a great impression at your next audition and your life in Los Angeles will be fun. Remember, it’s all about how you make the journey!. Good luck!
Do you have any other acting advice for people moving to Los Angeles? Share your tips in the comments below!
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