Acting News: Discover the Type of Actor you are in Hollywood

I spend a lot of time with actors. I live with an actor and there is always some sort of discussion about acting happening anywhere you go in Los Angeles.

After spending a lot of time around actors, I've come to the realization there are two types of actors:

1. The actors who work hard and prepare for auditions. They understand they can't book every part and they try to learn from each audition. 
2. The actors who always seem to be looking for a reason why they didn't book a part or get called in for a second, third or fourth audition.

Not sure what type of actor you are? Here are some reasons you might be your own worst enemy when it comes to your career:

• All actors are unique and bring a certain set of skills to the table. However, some actors don't remember this fact.  They get inside their own head and try to be a certain "type" that is currently hot with the public.  You need to remember the audition room is going to be filled with actors who resemble like a certain "type". The key is to stand out from the crowd.
• Always have a headshot and resume with you in a bag, vehicle or briefcase. In fact, have two or three in your car at all times. You need to be prepared in case you get an audition for that afternoon in Glendale but you are currently all the way out in Long Beach. Plus, you probably won't have time to stop by home and pick up a headshot and resume. ALWAYS have spare extra headshots (and extra audition clothes) in your car!
• There is no need to obsess about things that are beyond your control. You can't control how young or how old the production office is casting the project. You can't control if you were the first person picked for the part or the "backup choice" because the first person for the project wasn't available. Just focus on doing the best job possible.  Whether you are the first choice or the last choice for the part, count yourself fortunate to be a working actor.
• The casting director doesn't care if you "didn't have time to read the sides".  All the casting director wants to know is if you can play the part as envisioned by the director and producers. Show confidence instead of giving excuses.
• Don't complain about the acting business being unfair.  It is actually not unfair at all. It is a business with the same amount of uncertainty and lack of stability as any other business in the world. The only thing that makes it "unfair" is you trying to make excuses about it not being fair.
• Don't stress over any lines that you messed up during the audition.  Did you roll with the bungled lines and keep going without calling too much attention to it?  Don't obsess while you are in the audition room and don't obsess about it after the audition.  Congratulate yourself on being called in for the audition because there are many actors that did not get that opportunity.

The biggest obstacle to your success might be staying out of your own way. The definition of "success" is different for everyone. Determine your ultimate acting goal and focus on making that goal a reality. By focusing on the positive parts of your acting journey, there is less of a chance you will end up getting in your own way.

Survey Says...Time to Film!

Filming a TV show is not always confined to a sound stage. Location shoots happen all across the city of Los Angeles and these shoots involve the arrival of film crews, equipment trucks, actors, security and blocked roads.

A TV show filming in a building near you can be a surprise if you're not paying attention to signs posted in the area near the location shoot. I'm not talking about signs that are posted the day of the filming. There are signs alerting people to the upcoming production posted anywhere from a few days to a week in advance of the filming dates.

One of the signs/notifications is a filming survey and it looks like this:

This filming survey was posted in the lobby of our building a few weeks ago. The form is not the one used to request the approval of filming activities. It is posted so the company that coordinates filming permits for on-location shoots will know if anyone has any concerns about the proposed filming location, dates or times.

The amount of complaints or concerns they get varies per production and neighborhood. Some people just don't care because location filming is a part of daily life in Los Angeles. It can be a pain at times because traffic can be stopped and parking can become an issue thanks to the production trucks. Overall, it is not that big of a deal.

However, some people HATE filming that takes place on their street. They don't like the extra vehicles and activity and they seem to view it as a major inconvenience to their lives even though most film crews go out of their way to be respectful to those that live in the impacted neighborhood.

The only time I hate having film crews on our street is when they take a lot of the extra parking spaces.  We have two parking spots in our building but we have three vehicles.  I park on the street because I want Dana to be able to easily park in our garage and enter our building since she leaves early in the morning for work (and it keeps her safe). I let Zach park in the other spot because he is coming and going at all hours thanks to school, acting, stand up gigs, auditions and hanging out with his friends. I don't like the idea of Zach having to find parking late at night and walk through the neighborhoods to get to our building.

We live in a nice area but I am concerned with keeping them safe.  Plus, they both drive nice cars and I feel the odds of someone stealing my truck with 160,000 miles on it are pretty low compared to their vehicles. I can usually find a spot close to our building but there have been times that I've parked three or four streets over thanks to a large number of cars in the neighborhood.

FYI...The production crew did film some scenes for "Good Girls" near our home. It wasn't too bad because they were on Ventura Blvd in a restaurant so they were already filming on a really busy street. The production trucks didn't make that much of a difference in the daily traffic of the neighborhood because is is already a busy area thanks to restaurants, retail shops and grocery stores in the area.

I've never watched "Good Girls" but I might have to start so I can see our neighborhood on TV.

This actor has been on location many times for TV and movie shoots.

FYC...As Far As The Eye Can See

While summer is making its presence known all across America, there is another season dominating the conversation in Los Angeles.

It's FYC season in Hollywood.

FYC stands for "For Your Consideration".  It is the phrase used to catch the attention of Emmy voters as they decide on nominations for the ceremony later this year.

No matter where you drive in the Los Angeles area, you will see billboards and signs with the letters "FYC" or the full phrase, "For Your Consideration", plastered across a photo related to a certain TV show. It could be a photo of a certain actor or actress, the entire cast of a show or just a reminder to recognize a certain program, writer or director.

In the past, these billboards along with boxed mailers and "FYC Nights" (where the cast and certain crew members of a show do a Q&A and screen an episode or clips from the program in front of a crowd of fans and industry people) were enough to grab the attention of voters. However, the massive number of "Peak TV" shows means studios have to go to greater lengths to get on the radar of voters.

Here are some great examples of "forward thinking" campaigns from the last few years:

• This year, Netflix used part of Raleigh Studios to do a "behind the scenes" look at some of their shows with costumes, sets and other interactive elements 
• Last year, Hulu had women parading around town wearing red dresses and bonnets to promote "The Handmaid's Tale"
• "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" is using billboards this year that are supposedly written by the talent manger on the show to describe the various characters
• Hulu did a fashion show at The Grove a few years ago showcasing the clothing selections on "The Mindy Project"
• Silver Lake Dog Park was the site of a promotion for "Triumph's Election Special 2016"
• While ABC hosted a block party and live table read for "Black-ish", they have completely suspended any efforts for Emmy nominations for "Roseanne"

It is helpful to have friends who are voting members of the Television Academy. They receive mailers containing selected episodes of TV shows being used to get votes for a show or certain actors and directors.

Plus, many of these DVD mailers are for online steaming services. If you don't have every streaming service, there are certain shows you can't watch. However, find a friend with screeners and you might be invited over to watch shows you wouldn't have a chance to see on a regular basis. (Cough...."The Tick"....Cough)

The nominations for the Emmys are announced on July 12th. That date will officially mark the end of "FYC Season". Even though the nominations are announced on that day, I'm sure the marketing departments of TV studios will already be making plans for next year.

For your consideration...Check out some new photos on Zach's IMDb page.

Are You a Happy Actor?

As the end of pilot season nears, let's look at some of the common fantasies of being a "successful actor":

• Land a starring role on a TV show
• Turn your TV success into a successful movie career
• Win lots of acting awards
• Become a rich and famous person that is adored by the public

While some of these items might not be on your acting bucket list, many people want these dreams to come true.  Will achieving these dreams make you a happy person?  How can you tell if you're happy as an actor????

Life beyond acting - Acting is a wonderful way to spend the day but some actors become unhappy with their chosen profession because of a lack of outside interests.  If you just focus on the next audition or roles other actors have landed, you will burn yourself out on any enjoyment of your craft.  Venture outside the acting world by volunteering with a charity or playing sports.  Outside interests in Los Angeles help you "get a break" and appreciate the time you spend on acting more than ever.

Watching other actors - As an actor, watching other actors can help determine if you are happy with your chosen profession.  Do you watch another actor with envy since they got a part you really wanted? On the other hand, do you like to discuss the great work they did? The way you view other actors says a lot about your state of mind.

Time for class - What is your reaction when it's time for an acting class? Are you happy to be going to class?  Do you look forward to supporting your classmates?  If not, are you counting the minutes until class is over and dreading the whole experience? If going to acting class is a chore, it might be time to examine the level of passion you have for your acting career.

Is acting still an adventure - Think about the times your family asked you the dreaded question, "When will I see you on TV and/or a movie?"  This question is asked of almost every actor.  You can give a vague answer or share your adventures with them. Tell them funny audition stories. Describe the casting director and let them know how you stood out from others in the room. Share your Hollywood journey with your family and friends.  You are experiencing moments others can only dream about enjoying!

A thankful feeling - While you might not have landed that big part in the next Marvel movie, you did audition for the role.  That's an opportunity thousands of actors did not get to experience. Take the time to appreciate what you've experienced so far in your career. Keeping the highs and lows in perspective helps you enjoy the journey.

While it might seem obvious, it should be said that being miserable is easy but being happy is better for your daily life.

Are you happy and positive about where you're going or are you worried about what you haven't achieved yet? Are you letting the past drag you down?  

The answer to those questions might help you determine the future direction of your acting career.

This actor seems happy with his acting and comedy careers.

Do You Know Your Tax Deductions As An Actor?

Tax season is here and everyone is trying to figure out last minute deductions to save money this year. If you are not sure what deductions you can claim as an actor, here are some tips to help you save money and (maybe) get a refund this year.

• Self-employed actors can deduct expenses directly related to acting activities that are not viewed as "extravagant" when it comes to properly doing their work. In other words, the deduction must be deemed to be "ordinary and necessary" in the eyes of the IRS.
• Some actors try to deduct everyday items like makeup and a gym membership on their taxes. However, the use of these items must be clearly defined by the actor. For example, makeup for a photo session or a stage play can be deducted but makeup bought for use during a normal day cannot be deducted. A gym membership is rarely deductible because it is considered exercise and not "research" or "training".
• Clothing is also an area to be handled with caution. An outfit bought for an audition can fall into the deduction category but clothes bought to wear to lunch or the beach are not considered tax deductible. 
• Items that might count for "research purchases" include magazine subscriptions and books for the purpose of staying up to date on your profession. Movie tickets can count as research for your job as well as some (or all) of your cable, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu subscriptions.
• Fees paid to your reps or a PR firm can be marked as business expenses. However, you will need to provide statements showing your payments as well as examples of the services they provided. Also, fees paid for acting classes, private sessions and casting director workshops might be good deductions for you.
• Keep track of your mileage as you drive to auditions, agent and manager meetings, acting classes, rehearsals and acting jobs. They can be counted as business trips. In addition, out of town travel for work can include some deductions. 
• Did you mail anything related to your career last year? Fed Ex, UPS and USPS expenses that were a result of mailing resumes, headshots and other career items can fall into deduction territory.
• Resumes and headshots, along with postcards and fees charged by sites like LA Casting, can all be classified as "promotional expenses" when filling out your taxes.
• Finally, making business calls can be written off on your taxes. Plus, a new phone can be a tax deduction if you have the proper paperwork to show its business use.

I hope the examples listed above help you save some money. As always, consult with a tax professional when using the above deduction examples. To quote the JP Morgan website:

"This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult with your own tax, legal and accounting team before engaging in any transaction."

Take the money you save on your taxes and invest it in your career with new headshots or taking an acting class.

This actor is finishing his taxes this weekend.

Celebrity Sightings in Everyday Life

According to "La La Land", Hollywood is the city of stars. It doesn't matter if you are actively looking for celebrities or just going about your daily routine. You are bound to spot a famous person if you a resident here for any length of time.

Here are some celebrity encounters that happened to us while we were simply living our daily lives:

• The Black Power Ranger - Zach was recently at a comic shop when another customer entered asking for a copy of the Justice League/Power Rangers graphic novel. He heard about the book and wanted a copy since his character was in the story. It turned out he was the actor that portrayed the Black Ranger in the first generation of the Power Rangers franchise.
• Brian Posehn - This is another celebrity comic shop encounter. Posehn is a fan, as well as a writer, of comic books. I've often seen him shopping for books at various stores in the area.
• Kayne - Zach almost ran into Kayne at the grocery store . Neither one of them was watching where they were going and almost had a collision. Thankfully, Zach was much younger so Kayne didn't feel the need to yell at a kid.
• Toby Keith - Dana and I were walking Doc one day when a giant redneck vehicle parked near us. A lumbering redneck stepped out of the vehicle and spotted Doc. He walked over to pet him while saying "Hello Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupeeeeeee". Doc smiled and wagged his tail. It seems that Toby Keith liked our dog.
• Various Kardashians and Katherine Heigl - They shop at a Ralph's near our home. The oddest part is the grocery store is nowhere near the area of town where the Kardashians live so I can't figure out why they shop at this particular location.
• Shia LaBeouf - I had an encounter with Shia late last year that can best be described as a staring contest on his part.
• B.J. Britt - Dana used to work for the Lupus Foundation of America. B.J., along with other cast members of "Being Mary Jane", was a celebrity guest at the event. We got a chance to chat with him as were working the walk and he was great with the crowd. 
• Margaret Avery - Margaret is also part of the cast of "Being Mary Jane". Dana had the opportunity to lunch with this lovely lady before the walk and found her to be charming and down to earth. 
• Nick Cannon - The MC for the Lupus walk one year. As nice in person as he seems on TV. Nick took the time to work the crowd and talk to everyone that wanted to meet him. He even went on the walk with the participants. 
• Mike Farrell - The voice of "Pa Kent" from "Superman: The Animated Series" and part of the cast of "M*A*S*H*". He came in our store back in December. He seemed like he a nice guy even though he DIDN'T BUY ANYTHING!!!!
• Casa Vega - A very "old school" restaurant that has been in business since 1956. I have walked to it many times to enjoy their food. It is also a favorite of many celebrities. Over the years, I have seen stars such as Blake & Gwen, Jessica Simpson, Mariah Carey, the Kardashians (again), Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez entering and leaving the building.
• Studio City Farmers Market - There is always a crowd of paparazzi at this Sunday valley staple. While I don't understand why there is a demand for photos of celebs buying fruit, I guess someone wants to see photos of Sandra Bullock buying oranges.
• Hal Sparks - Zach opened for Hal during the Burbank Comedy Festival. We had the chance to chat with him after the show. Hal was very complimentary about Zach's comedy and also gave him some very helpful advice about how to further his comedy career.
• Mike Arnoldi - Don't recognize the name? Mike was a child actor in the various "Bad News Bears" movies. He is now a publicist for red carpet events 

We've also had the chance to meet other actors and directors over the years on various sets and at red carpet events. These encounters were at places where you expect to meet others in the industry.

It's always more interesting to see celebrities in "real life" when they are not "on for the camera". We have met very few jerks over the years. It just proves that if you treat celebrities like regular people, they will act like everyday people around you.

This actor doesn't act like a jerk to others.

Have You Taken Care Of Your "Pilot Season Essentials"?

Even though streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu provide new content throughout the year, pilot season is still a big deal in Hollywood. Actors flock to Los Angeles every January to try and book a role in a pilot on one of the major networks.

Even if you think you are completely prepared for pilot season, there is still a checklist of items to help you make the most of your pilot season experience:

Have Your "Essentials" In Place - Whether you already live in Los Angeles, or you are making the move here for pilot season, there are a number of "essentials" you need to have in place. They include:

1. A place to live - Rent prices increase during pilot season because of the number of people looking for housing. Don't think you'll arrive in Los Angeles and easily find an affordable place to live. Have your housing set-up in advance of your arrival.
2. Money - Los Angeles is not a cheap city when it comes to housing, gas and daily needs like food and clothing. Make sure you have some savings set aside in case of an emergency.
3. Face Time with your Agent and Manager - If you have an agent and/or manager in place, stop in and see them before pilot season casting calls begin. You want to be top of mind when they are submitting talent to casting directors. There are thousands of actors trying to land parts in pilots. Make sure your team knows you are ready to work by taking the first step to discuss your pilot season goals.
4. Online Presence - Social media is certainly an important part of your online presence but it is not the only way to showcase yourself, and your acting abilities, online. Is your current acting reel online? Is your IMDb page updated? Do you have your own website with clips, credits and a bio telling people more about you? If you answered "no" to any of these questions, what are you waiting for???

Have Reliable Transportation - Make sure your vehicle is in good shape because you'll be spending a lot of time on the 405, 101. 134 and other number filled roads. It is a good idea to have an extra set of audition clothes, headshots and resumes in your car. An emergency supply can save you a lot of stress if you don't have time to run home to prepare for a last minute audition.

Acting Lessons - Regular classes with an acting coach will keep your performing skills up to date. Even if you don't want to take a regular acting class, be prepared to do private coaching sessions before a big audition. A private session can help you get "off book" as quickly as possible. Knowing your lines, and not having to constantly look at the script, allows you to connect with the casting director and/or your scene partner during an audition. Would you rather showcase your acting ability or your reading skills?

Relax and Stop Worrying - Worrying too much about booking a role during pilot season can impact your acting performance thanks to the pressure you are feeling. Don't get in your own way and ruin your chances during an audition. The casting director will want to get a natural performance out of you and that won't happen if you are filled with worry.

Pilot season is here and you will want to make the most of your opportunities. Once you have the "pilot season essentials" covered, you can focus on acting and landing your dream role

This actor is looking forward to a busy pilot season.

Six Years and Counting

At this time six years ago, we were preparing for a road trip to California. 

We left St. Louis around 5AM on January 21st after much discussion, soul searching and moments of doubt. The decision was made to take Zach to Los Angeles to pursue his acting dream. 

My truck was filled with as many of our belongings as possible while still being comfortable for a long drive. We had to take a good amount of Zach’s clothes since he would have auditions and other acting events. I took some jeans, about ten shirts, a pair of sneakers and most of my socks and underwear. I figured I could buy anything else I needed once we got to California. We also packed a TV, Zach’s Xbox 360, pots, pans and a computer.

Even though she was staying in St. Louis for a little while before moving to Los Angeles, Dana took a week of vacation to help us get settled. She needed to make sure her boys were safe in California before she could relax.

As we traveled across the country, I looked forward to the adventure as well as getting away from the Midwest winter. I would be able to enjoy the weather in California while making it back to Missouri for late springtime weather.

I never made it back for the nice weather in the spring.

As I look back on six years in Los Angeles, I am glad to say some of the first kids Zach met here are still his good friends to this day. Plus, he has an acting coach that has been a good mentor to him and a manager that has been supportive of his every move. His comedy career continues to grow and his acting career has taken him to film and TV sets around Los Angeles as well as across the US.

Dana has worked for nonprofits, continued her voice-over career, grown her iCandy brand and been successful working and living in Los Angeles. 

As for me, here's to six years of observing and writing about:

• Child/Teen actors
• Stage parents
• Comedy clubs
• Agents
• Managers
• Hollywood
• Comedy festivals
• Auditions
• Los Angeles
• Casting directors
• Disney
• Nickelodeon
• San Fernando Valley
• Improv
• TV and movie sets

I've also spent six years making a living doing marketing, public relations and copywriting jobs in the industries of:

• Cosmetic surgery
• Cryptocurrency
• Spices
• Physical fitness
• Events in small towns in Texas
• Insurance quotes websites
• Protecting your home from hurricanes and other natural disasters
• Crowdfunding
• Library ladders
• Moving companies
• Too many others to mention

I couldn't imagine that we would be here six years. I was just taking it day to day when Zach and I were here by ourselves once Dana went back to St. Louis. We were in a new city and only knew each other. My main concern was helping him figure out how to start his acting career here. Even though he can drive himself to set now, I still help him keep track of his auditions, wardrobe, head shots and other daily essentials of being a working actor in Los Angeles.

Thanks for reading my blog for the past six years. I look forward to sharing more adventures from Hollywood with you!

This actor already has a big audition lined up in early February.