The Most "LA Thing" That Has Happened To Me (So Far)

I have been in Los Angeles for over 5 years and have certainly had some odd moments since moving here. However, a business meeting earlier this week might be the most "LA thing" I've ever experienced.

I had a meeting the other day with a new business connection. He contacted me out of the blue about working on 2 upcoming projects in the entertainment industry. We are both located in the Los Angeles area so it made sense to meet in person. I have ongoing freelance copywriting, marketing and publicity projects with clients located in New York, Florida, the Philippines and West Virginia so it was nice to make a business connection where I live.

We set a meeting time to get some coffee and discuss the projects. He has a European accent so each mention of coffee sounded like "We will get-uh da coffee and discuss-uh the project over da coffee."
I drove to his office and discovered that his office was his home. No big deal because I work at home as well. The surprise was that we were just doing coffee at his place and not at a coffee shop.

I rang the doorbell and was greeted by his assistant as well a dog that excelled in the art of crotch sniffing. Super sweet dog but extremely fascinated by the crotch region. After making some small talk with the assistant and bonding with the dog, I went into the backyard to meet with my contact and his partner. Before getting into the business at hand, we discussed our personal lives, They were tired from different social events and had meant to relax in the pool earlier in the day. However, they had run out of time before our meeting.

That's when they had a "great-uh idea"...What if we all got in the pool and did our business meeting relaxing in the water????

Without any hesitation, I politely declined by using the (very valid) excuse that I was not wearing appropriate pool gear and did not bring any with me. No problem (according to them) because the giant pink flamingo in the pool was big enough that I could just sit in it rather than having to get my body in the water.

I realize this is easy for me to say since I was experiencing the offer in person. The offer to get in the pool didn't strike me as straight up odd as it sounds. It was more European eccentric and probably something they do on a regular basis.

After thinking about it for about 20-seconds, I agreed to get in the pool. I removed my shoes, rolled up my jeans and climbed aboard the giant pink flamingo. I have never seen the show "Entourage" but this experience was exactly how I imagine the Hollywood in the show was portrayed all the time.

We floated in the pool for a good 30-minutes drinking "da coffee" and discussing the different ways to promote their projects. We even worked on a PowerPoint while my flamingo drifted next to their panda and martini glass floats in the pool. The dog even joined us in the pool at one point.

There was only one or two times that I was floating in the pool and thinking, "How the hell did my life get to the point that I'm drinking coffee in swimming pools and taking meetings on flamingo floats???"

I'm not complaining at all. It is just not a thing I ever imagined happening in my professional life.

It was a very productive meeting and I think great things (creatively and financially) will come from our partnership. I even made it out of the meeting without falling in the pool! If nothing else comes from this meeting, it will make a great story if (and when) I do an Open Mic comedy night around town.

This actor has a stand up comedy date in Burbank this month.

Screening Screeners On My Home Screen

One of the great things about having a kid "in the biz" is screeners.

If you don't know, a screener is a copy of a movie or television show made for the purpose of reviews, trying to get distributors interested in a project or (in Zach's case) allowing industry members to see the movies nominated for awards in Hollywood. (Zach is eligible to vote for the SAG Awards)

It also means that I get to watch movies with him in the comfort of our own home. Don't get me wrong. There is something great about going to a movie theater and seeing a film on the big screen. Plus, it is a good excuse to enjoy food I never eat otherwise such as nachos with the "tastes good but can't be good for you" nacho cheese, caramel popcorn (the only kind of popcorn I will eat) and chocolate covered raisins

Screeners have evolved over the years from VHS tapes to DVDs to digital downloads. Zach gets a mixture of DVDs and digital downloads. It was really nice over the weekend to be able to watch a current movie without having to go out in the California rain to see a film. We watched "La La Land" (still in theaters and up for many Oscars this weekend) in the comfort of our own warm and dry home. It is a beautifully shot movie that I'm sure looks amazing on the big screen. It also looked really nice on my television while watching it from my couch.

Screeners do come with the standard warning to not share them on the Internet or give them to others to watch or attempt to sell or profit from their existence. I don't want Zach to be on the receiving end of any anger over screeners so we definitely keep them "in house".

I'm looking forward to the Oscars because we've been able to watch many of the films up for best picture thanks to screeners. It's a great way to save money and enjoy the best of Hollywood at the same time.

I'm looking forward to watching screeners starring this actor in the future.

End Of The Year Means One More Meeting

Even though the entertainment industry is in holiday/vacation mode for the end of 2016, Zach had a meeting with his manager earlier this week to discuss plans for 2017.

I've always appreciated the fact that she insists her talent roster look back at the year that is ending in order to make plans for the coming year. It's a great way for Zach to see what he accomplished, what he needs to work on and to bounce around ideas for future projects.

The end of the year meeting (naturally) put me in a reflective mood. Some of my thoughts during the meeting included:

• We used to discuss "how to get on their radar" and now we discuss "we know the right people" and make plans based on those contacts
• Zach's confidence during the meeting was much greater than the kid that attended those meetings years ago
• The amazing amount of content options that have been created or seen incredible growth in the last 4 or 5 years (Netflix, Amazon, CBS All Access, Hulu, Seeso, Apple TV, Crackle, Snapchat, YouTube Red and many more that I am forgetting to mention)
• Zach's view expanding while also becoming more focused as he gains a better idea of where he wants to go with his career
• A grateful feeling for the personal and professional relationship we have with his manager as she has been a wonderful personal and professional mentor to Zach
• Being impressed by the way Zach was able to lead the meeting while I was only there to offer advice and be a support system 

There were some items on his action plan from last year that we didn't accomplish or didn't hit the desired goal. On the other hand, there were other opportunities in 2016 that weren't even on the list that Zach was able to run with and grow during the past year. Even though acting is a creative field, it is still very much a business and not something that should navigated without a game plan. After the meeting this week, Zach has a clear idea of what he hopes to accomplish in 2017. I'm looking forward to being part of the adventure and helping him achieve his goals from the meeting even as he keeps his eyes open for new creative opportunities along the way.

This actor is looking forward to a successful 2017.

How To Deal With Different Comedy Crowds And Still Get Laughs

The Burbank Comedy Festival was earlier this month and Zach spent the week absorbing as much info as he could from the other comedians and festival organizers. Overall, I'd give him an "A" or "B+" for his week as each show presented some challenges.

The festival kicked off two Sundays ago and Zach's first show was that night. It was also one of those nights where the audience was not on his side at the start of the show. It's not that the crowd was hostile or not there to be entertained. The reason he had to win them over became apparent a few comics into the show. The host for the evening came out and did 5 minutes that were okay but was well received by the audience. The host brought out the next comic which turned out to be his wife. She did a stronger set and the crowd was with her. As the crowd was laughing, Dana and I looked at each other as we realized a good portion of the audience was made up of their family members. The next few comics were greeted with polite laughter but nothing major. The host then brought out his son to do a set. The crowd was alive and into the show again! Once the son finished his set, Zach came out to do his material. The response was lukewarm at first but he won them over by making fun of tourists on Hollywood Blvd. By the end of the set, I wouldn't  say he killed but he did get more genuine laughter than the other comics who simply scored polite laughter. (BTW...the only comic after Zach that was loved by the crowd was yet another host family member.)

Zach's second show of the festival was the next night and there were no family members involved in the show. The Monday night show was probably his best show of the week. The comic who received the least applause from the audience was the host of the show. His "killer bit" was introducing each comic as an old friend and randomly announcing their city of origin. It got to the point that the other comics would come on stage and let the audience know they had never met the host in their life and they were not from whatever city he announced to the crowd. Zach seemed to connect with the audience as he was the youngest performer on the bill. I think the audience was genuinely curious to see what the kid was going to talk about on stage.

He was supposed to do a show on Thursday night. However, the organizers moved him to a Saturday afternoon show along with the other teen performers of the festival. The Saturday afternoon show at the comedy club is specifically designed for a younger crowd so it only made sense to have the teen comics do the show. Plus, the show was in the main room which is always more fun for the audience and the comics. Dana and I arrived a little bit early so we were able to watch the crowd enter the room. We quickly realized that "a younger crowd" meant a really young crowd. The room filled with parents and their children who were anywhere from 7 to 12-years-old. Little kids are great because they will laugh when they find something funny and don't politely laugh like adults do on a regular basis. However, a good portion of Zach's set for the day involved college and girls. How would that play to the crowd? The show host got the kids in a great mood by doing silly tricks and jokes designed for their age group. The first two comics before Zach did okay but were not loved by the kids. It was finally Zach's turn and he came on stage and started talking directly to the kids. I could tell he was adjusting his set as he was going along to discuss school and superheroes (two big topics for young kids). He definitely held his own and was one of the best received younger comics during the show. The MC killed but Zach was able to read his audience quickly and adjust to fit the crowd. It's a skill that should serve him well in the future on stage and in the business side of acting and comedy.

Zach also took advantage of the fact that being part of the festival allowed him to attend panel discussions and other shows. He watched Andy Dick's set which he said was "strange and entertaining but not laugh out loud funny." Zach was also able to attend industry panels and seminars about getting booked on the college circuit and how to use social media to help get noticed by others in the comedy field.

I'm definitely proud of him for getting into the festival. There were over 800 comics that sent in a submission and Zach was one of the comics that made the cut. He was able to meet comedians from all over the country and get advice from industry professionals. The chance to witness so many different styles of comedy in one week made a big impact on him. He's working on new material right now and it will be interesting to see what he writes after this experience. Hopefully it will be funny and not "strange and entertaining" like his review of Andy Dick.

This comedian starts the new college school year tomorrow.

Not All Auditions Are Performed Equally

When the average person thinks of an acting audition, they picture someone walking out on stage or going into a room to read lines for a group of casting executives. These examples are still sometimes true but they are not always the case these days. There are many times actors audition for parts and are not in the same room with the casting director. Here are some examples of how auditions are currently conducted in Hollywood:

In-Person - The traditional way to audition and one of the methods most preferred by actors. Being in the room with the casting director not only gives actors an audience during the audition, it also allows for instant feedback. The casting director can ask for a different read of the script. He or she might even give the actor a different scene or part to read for on the spot. While it can be a nerve-wracking experience for the person auditioning, the fact that the casting person is there in person allows for an immediate connection to be made in the room.

Eco-Cast - This form of auditioning is provided by a company called Breakdown Services and they provide casting services to the entertainment industry. The service allows casting directors to send audition invites to actors, or their representatives, to record an audition. Once the auditions are recorded, they are sent to the casting office through the designated Eco-Cast account. This method allows a larger number of actors to audition since they don't have to be in the same city as the casting director. It does take away the intimate aspect of the casting process since the audition is simply recorded to be viewed at a later date.

iPhone - While this method is like an Eco-Cast since the actor is recording the audition for the casting director, there are a few ways that it differs as well. When an audition is recorded for submission, an actor normally tries to go into a studio with professional cameras and a generic background so there won't be anything distracting from the performance, Filming on an iPhone gives a greater sense of urgency as well as more of an intimate and "in the moment" feel. Plus, it allows actors to show off their creativity by choosing the manner in which it is filmed as well as any effects or tricks they want to add to make the audition stand out beyond their performance.

No matter which audition method is used by an actor, the end goal is to land the role and be part of the production. Zach has an audition to record on an iPhone this week and he is already thinking of ways to use the phone to his advantage during the recording process. With all of the audition methods available these days, can virtual reality auditions be far behind?

Besides his audition this week, this actor is preparing material for the Burbank Comedy Festival.

Comedy Is Funny But It's Also A Competition

I recently discussed having to make a run to Santa Monica late on a Friday because Zach had to get ready for a stand-up gig at Flappers that night. The one thing I left out of the post was the fact that his entry for the Burbank Comedy Festival had to be uploaded that day or he would be out of luck.

Thankfully, the video was submitted in time because we found out earlier this week that Zach was picked to be one of the Showcasing Comedians in the 2016 Festival. The event received hundreds of entries and the comedians chosen to take part include some familiar names from TV, movies and the comedy circuit of the United States. Comedians enter from all over the country for the chance to compete in the event. Zach's entry gives him three 5-minute spots during the week (Times and Dates TBD) with the hope of being picked to perform during the "Best of the Fest" event the last night of the festival.

Plus, he has the opportunity to attend panels and seminars that focus on club owners, talent bookers, working the college market and other industry related topics. It gives him the chance to trade notes with comedians who have experience working clubs in other cities. He's very excited to perform in front of his comedy peers but it also means he needs to write some new material before the event. Three 5-minute spots might not sound like much but that's three different sets to fill during the week.

Once I get more info about the dates and times he is performing, I will share it with you. If you're interested in seeing his entry video, it can be found in the video section of the link below:

Scroll down the page to see Zach's entry video.

"He's So Funny!!!"

From the time Zach was a little boy, people would tell us that he was a funny kid. They were correct because Zach has always been a very verbal child. I always figured his chatty nature came from having two parents who both spent 20+ years on the radio.  He has always been quick with a joke and skilled at holding the attention of a crowd. In fact, he always enjoys entertaining the crews on the sets of the various movies and television shows he works on in Hollywood.

About two years ago, he decided to give stand-up comedy a try. This decision was easier said than done because he was only 15 at the time. There are not too many comedy clubs that allow anyone under 18 (or 21 depending on the venue) to get on stage. Zach had to get his start playing restaurants, coffee shops and other places that would allow performers of all ages to work on their act.

After a few months of performing at random venues, Zach was on the same bill with some other comedians in their 20s. They were all very encouraging after the show and spoke to him as a fellow performer and not like a kid. He started running into them on a regular basis on the open mic circuit and this led to a few comedians inviting Zach to be part of their shows around town.

It was always amusing to watch Zach on the same bill with these guys because they were a talented crew of hip hop comedians. Their sets would consist of a multitude of curse words and sexual jokes that were always funny. However, you could feel the surprise in the room when the nerdy 16-year-old would launch into routines about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and high school. Zach would win over the crowd a good 90% of the time but it took them a bit to realize the young kid was a comedian on the same level as the others on the bill. In fact, he was better than half of the comedians since his act wasn't solely based on curse words.

From Sal's Comedy Hole to Busby's East to the Blu Elefant Cafe and beyond, Zach worked on his set in any venue that would allow him to perform. Venues such as The Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory were beyond his age limit and it seemed like his comedy career was mostly limited to open mics.

All of that changed in the last few months.

Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank has an open mic and Zach discovered that he was allowed to try his material in the club.  The first night he went to Flappers, he was armed with some of his best material as well as a few new bits. Once he got home that night, I asked him if he received any feedback from the folks running the open mic. He proceeded to show me a coupon for a free pizza that is awarded to the best comic of the night.  While this might not seem like a big deal to you, it was his first time at the venue and a free pizza is always a big deal to a teenage kid!

Zach attended more open mics at the club and was eventually invited to perform on the Saturday night before Easter in The YooHoo Room at Flappers. He was booked with a group of comedians opening for the headliner that night. I had no idea where he was scheduled on the bill that night so it was a matter of waiting for him to get called to the stage. He was the last act before the headliner took the stage!  Pretty good for his first booked gig at the club. Plus, he was the youngest comic on stage that night. He killed that night doing new material as well as a few bits that have always done well with crowds of all ages. He has been invited back to open for another nationally touring comic as well as be a guest on their podcast.

He is still too young to play many of the comedy clubs around town but he is making a name for himself in the Los Angeles comedy scene. Zach's goal is to be a cast member on "Saturday Night Live". Between his stand-up comedy, writing his own material and improv training, he might be on the show sooner rather than later.

Actor. Stand-Up Comic. Second City Cast Member. He's a busy teen performer.

What Do You Do After Pilot Season?

The annual event known as pilot season is almost over. The question facing many actors is whether to stay in Hollywood to try and book a job or head home for a few months until episodic season begins in August.

There are acting jobs available if you're willing to stay in town and audition for them. In fact, here are some of my favorite casting notices that recently found their way to my email inbox:

• Looking for a 35-48 female of any race who has pole dancing skills to play a crime solving exotic dancer. Must be willing to exhibit skills during audition process.
• Looking to cast male middle-age actors (40-55) who have experience in fencing, swimming and riding a bike while blindfolded.
• Have a love for gritty 70s crime dramas? Think "Dog Day Afternoon" mixed with "The French Connection" as portrayed by kids in the age range of 12-14.
• Looking for unknown actors to portray a couple who have never met in person but have fallen in love online. Must be willing to cyberchat your most intimate secrets to your costar.
• Seeking a rodeo clown with barrel rolling skills to take part in a film about jobs that are not appreciated by the general public.
• Think "The Avengers" with heroes you've never heard of. Casting athletic males 20-28 to portray heroes who want to do the right thing but can't afford a real headquarters. They meet in the basements of their homes. Gymnastics skills are a plus.
• Know your way around a video game? Would you be crushed if you couldn't play on a regular basis? Indie film looking for males and females 16-25. Must look the part of experienced gamers who have their world turned upside down when they each suffer an injury that ends their game playing days.

Do you fit any of the above parts? Think you have what it takes to book any of these jobs? If so, good luck and break a leg!

This actor always looks forward to auditions...And booking jobs.

7 Tips Every Actor Needs To Know About Being A Professional

I often discuss specific topics surrounding the world of acting such as auditions, agents and acting classes. While these are important topics, there are still many parts of the business of acting that are important for anyone interested in making acting their career. In no particular order, here are a few tips that can help you on a daily basis:

• Don't Be Late - While this might seem like obvious advice, many people don't take it to heart. There are thousands of actors in Hollywood trying to book jobs and be successful in this field. Even though traffic is horrible here, there is no reason not to plan ahead so you will be on time for a job or an audition. In fact, it's always better to be early than simply be on time.
• Learn Your Lines - Once again, this is amazingly obvious advice but it's not always followed by actors. Unless the job you booked specifically calls for improv, learn the lines that are sent to you. You need to know the lines by heart before you can begin to dive into the emotional aspects of the role. Also, don't attempt to make the lines "better" by tossing in your ideas and improv. Unless you want to insult the producers and writers of the project, don't simply change the lines to "fit your character" since you didn't create the character!
• The Business Isn't Fair - Most people know this fact but a few cling to the belief that they've done nothing wrong when they don't book a job. Also, you might book a role and then your part is cut for time. Your dream project might lose its financing. Don't dwell on why something didn't go your way with your acting career. Holding in the negative feelings and energy will only hold you back.
• Make A Choice - Will you conduct your career being prepared and ready to put in the work? Would you rather fly by the seat of your pants and hope that a big break lands in your lap? How you navigate your career is up to you but be prepared for the good and bad results of your approach.
• Don't Be Your Worst Enemy - When it comes to actors, they are their own worst enemy. From being unprepared for an audition to not rehearsing for a booked job to not arriving on time, you can do more damage to your credibility in the industry than anybody writing a review of your work.
• Get It Right The First Time At An Audition - You are not entering an audition to be coached by the casting directors. You are there to blow them away the first time. They might ask for different line readings because the production is not absolutely sure what they are looking for when it comes to character motivation. Be flexible and give other line readings if requested by them. When it comes to first impressions with your initial reading, be prepared to blow them away! 
• Don't Make Excuses - The production that hired you for a job doesn't care that traffic was bad this morning. The casting director at an audition doesn't want to hear how your power went out and you couldn't download the audition sides. Your agent doesn't care why you didn't show up for an audition they submitted you for that happened three hours ago. Acting is a business and these excuses don't matter because there is always an actor more than willing to take your audition slot or work the job you were late arriving to on the day of your shoot.

Acting is fun. Acting is an art form. Acting is also a business with many rules and expectations that should be obvious to all actors. Keep the above tips in mind as you navigate the world of Hollywood and you'll be viewed as a professional ready to get the job done at all times.

This teen actor has been taught to always be professional when working or auditioning.

A Definite "Living In Hollywood" Story

Zach had one of those auditions yesterday that screamed "You Live In Hollywood!" as he was in the moment. The audition didn't require him to study and learn a script. The audition was actually more of an interview with the person behind the project as well as a chance for the people auditioning to showcase their talents beyond acting.

We arrived at the audition and (of course) there were no parking spaces to be found so I dropped Zach off and left to find a parking spot. The audition was held near the Beverly Center in a dance studio that was a little off the beaten path. (FYI....I found out later in the day that it is the studio where the pros and celebs of "Dancing With The Stars" rehearse.)

Zach was already checked-in and waiting for his turn when I finally walked into the building. We didn't have a chance to chat because he was called into the audition room right as I was walking in the door.

After about 5 minutes, Zach emerged with an odd look on his face. We walked outside and he asked me to Google a photo of a certain movie legend. I did as he asked and Zach confirmed that the interview was with the person in the photo.

I then asked, "So what was it like chatting with Francis Ford Coppola?"

Yes...the director of "The Godfather" films, "The Outsiders", "The Conversation" and so many other great movies.

Zach said he was asked to enter the room and go "sit next to Francis". Zach knows who Mr. Coppola is, and what he has directed, but he had no idea what the director looks like in person. That lack of knowledge helped Zach keep from being nervous because "there was a good chance that it was another guy named Francis." Zach went on to describe the audition/interview as being pretty relaxed and he even had a chance to test out some of his stand-up material on the famed director.

I don't think the fact that he spent one-on-one time with such a legendary Oscar winner hit Zach until he was back in the car. The first person he called to share the story with was his mom and the second person was his manager. I could hear his manager laughing on the phone and telling him what a great "Hollywood story" he had to share with his friends.

It's way too early to tell if Zach will get a callback for the project. The one thing he did get from the audition? An experience with a Hollywood legend that he will never forget.

This audition story is a memorable one for this actor.

What Should You Know Before Moving To Los Angeles?

I'm often asked how people should prepare for moving to Los Angeles. It's a big city and can be overwhelming if you don't have a plan of attack when you get to town. I've discussed acting classes and how to find an agent and manager in the past. Even though those are important parts of the process of being an actor in Los Angeles, there are other bits of information you need to know when you relocate to Los Angeles.

The first thing you need to do before you relocate is decide if you really want to be an actor. Los Angeles is filled with good-looking people and you (more than likely) look like many of the other actors you'll see at an audition. Do you really want to spend your time auditioning for the same parts as hundreds of other actors? Can you accept the fact that you (more than likely) won't walk right into a steady role on a TV show or a leading part in a movie? If you can't see yourself doing anything else with your life then you are (more than likely) mentally ready to join the ranks of struggling actors in Los Angeles.

The next step in the process is making sure you have enough money to survive when you first get to Los Angeles. It should come as no surprise that L.A. is an expensive city. You should have anywhere from $5000-$10,000 in the bank when you make the move. Why? You have to find a place to live and also provide the first and last months rent as well as a security deposit when you get a place. You probably won't have a job when you first get here so you need money to survive. You'll need food and furniture for your new place. Plus, moving here doesn't mean your other bills such as student loans and car notes disappear. It's not that hard to go through all of your money just getting set-up to live in Los Angeles much less continue to live here on a daily basis.

Do you want to move to L.A. to study with a certain acting coach? That's a great idea but you don't really need to be here to study with the coach. Acting coaches often do lessons via Skype so you can do scene studies from the comfort of your own home. Do you feel like your acting skills are at the level to compete in Los Angeles? If you can't answer that question with a definitive "YES", you're better off studying via Skype and saving your money.

How attached are you to the city where you currently live? Is it where your entire family and your best friends live? Relocating and leaving your support system behind is not an easy thing to do. Phone calls and social media are great but they don't always make you feel better when you car breaks down or you have a bad audition. Be ready for some lonely days and decide if you can handle being away from the people you love the most on a daily basis.

Finally, do you enjoy sitting in traffic? I'm talking about daily mind-numbing traffic that stretches on as far as the eye can see on a 24/7 basis. There is never really a time that traffic is light in L.A. The drive that took you an hour one day can be a two-and-a-half-hour epic event the next day. Your 4PM audition might require you to leave home anywhere from 90-minutes to two hours early depending on the part of town you have to drive to for the audition. If you hate being stuck in a car, this is not the town for you. If you can't handle the stress of never knowing how long your daily drive is going to last, this is not the town for you. If you can go with the flow and listen to podcasts, practice your lines, warm up your singing voice, get into character or get a friend to ride with you so you can use the carpool lane, you will be able to deal with the 405 on a daily basis.

In the end, the final choice about whether or not to move to Los Angeles has to be your decision. The advantage of being in the center of the movie making business has to be worth all of the sacrifices you'll need to make to move here. Think long and hard and make the decision that is best for your life. If you do move to Los Angeles, I hope you love it here and find much success!

This actor made the decision to move to Los Angeles in 2012.

Why Do You Need An Acting Coach?

One of the first steps to success as an actor is finding the right acting coach for you. Finding an acting coach that you trust and feel comfortable with can lead to a lifelong relationship. I've met many acting coaches who still do sessions with well-known actors because those actors who have achieved success still count on the direction and feedback of their coaches to help them with auditions and scenes in jobs they've already booked.

An acting coach does much more than simply recite lines and say "good" or "bad" to their acting clients. Here are some of the reasons every actor can benefit from having an acting coach:

• An acting coach who spends any amount of time with their clients will begin to learn their strengths and weaknesses. Once the coach is tuned into the skills of the actor, he or she can help the actor fine-tune their skills by working on areas that are lacking while making sure their strengths are kept in fine shape.
• Acting coaches help actors absorb the material to the point that it becomes second nature and natural. Strong character choices come from the actor feeling confident about the material they are performing.
• One of the best skills an acting coach can possess is making the actor feel at ease. Actors that trust their coach are more comfortable being open and vulnerable in front of an audience as small as one person and as large as the crowd for a Broadway play. Inspiring confidence and getting rid of any nerves before an audition or show are some of the best skills possessed by an acting coach.
• Acting coaches will go over every aspect of a scene. There is more to a scene that the lines spoken by the actors. What's the motivation of the character? What kind of clothing does the character wear? Is there specific body language that the character would project? What is the relationship of the character to others in the scene? What is the location of the scene and does that have an impact on the way the scene should be played?
• A good acting coach focuses on the individual actor and does not simply lump them in with a larger group. Even if there are actors working together in a scene, the coach is paying attention to each person and assessing their performance. There is rarely a "you guys did this or that" summary after a scene is over. The coach addresses each actor personally and gives detailed notes about the individual performances. 
• Are you feeling like you need some new audition material? Have you outgrown your "go to scene" or feel like it needs some freshening? Your acting coach can help determine if your standard audition scene can be revived with a few tweaks or if you need some new material that plays to your acting strengths. Once you have the correct material, the coach will help find "spaces in the scene" that showcase your skills.

The best acting coaches are the folks that used to be actors or are still working actors. They know the daily challenges and anxieties faced by those trying to make a living as a working actor. Isn't it better to have someone on your side who understands what you are trying to accomplish with your life? They also understand that acting is about individual choices and don't try and impose their idea of line readings on you. They might suggest a certain character outlook but they leave the final decision up to the actor. The coach is there to encourage and aid the journey of finding the essence of the character. Sometimes the best choices are the natural choices made by the actor. A good acting coach helps the scene play as "real" and not come across as forced and unnatural.

Unfortunately, you often get what you pay for when it comes to acting coaches. Be sure and do proper research before spending the money on acting classes and a specific coach. Choosing the wrong coach not only hurts your growth as an actor but it can also damage your bank account since you won't be getting a good return on your investment.

This actor has been blessed with some very good acting coaches during his career.

Five Tasks To Perform Daily As An Actor

The image most people have of the daily life of an actor is one of glitz and glamour. Lunch at The Palm, shopping in Beverly Hills and parties with A-list actors in the industry. Isn't that what the daily life of an actor is all about?

Not really.

There is a lot of work put into the daily career path of a person living the acting life. An actor has to work on their craft more than once a week at an acting class in order to get ahead in the industry. There are many lifestyle choices that go into helping an actor find success. Here are five tips to help you be more successful in your daily journey as an actor:

1. Networking - Even if you don't have a job currently booked, there are still plenty of ways to work on getting ahead in your career. Join a writing group. Sign up for a casting director workshop. Do an open mic night. Workshop a play. Write a screenplay. Get feedback from fellow actors and people whose opinions you trust. The important thing is to not stay in bed all day. Take at least one step forward per day in your acting career by networking and showcasing your talents to others. The extra effort will pay off in the future. 
2. Look your best at all times - Los Angeles is a town where you never know who you'll be talking to at any given time. I've had conversations with studio executives, directors, talent coordinators and writers of major motion pictures without knowing (at the time) what they did for a living. There are industry people all over the place. They might be dining next to you, getting gas at the same time or shopping at the same store. It's vital to look your best at all times. Being presentable in your everyday life shows that you care about your appearance and not looking like you got out of bed an hour ago, Acting is a business as well as an art form and you wouldn't go to a job interview looking less than professional. The professional and "put together" impression you make on the stranger next to you can pay off in a career break further down the road.
3. Be prepared to be on call 24/7 - Even though you might not have a set schedule where you have to be somewhere from 9 to 5 on a daily basis, you will essentially be on call 24/7 on a daily basis. Planning trips at any point of the year other than the Christmas holidays is almost impossible since booking an audition can happen seven days a week. Auditions don't take the weekend off so going out of town for the weekend is sometimes difficult. I'm not saying that you can't take a vacation but be warned that you might miss out on an opportunity for a paid acting job. You are probably friends with fellow actors which is a good thing because they will understand when you have to cancel plans in order to make a last-minute audition in Santa Monica that happens an hour after the call for the audition. Plus, you need to learn multiple pages of dialogue in the hour that you'll be stuck on the 405 trying to get to the audition, There's also a good chance that you'll be asked to prepare multiple scenes for the audition only to discover that the casting people only want you to read the first scene. Being an actor means having to be prepared to sacrifice quality time with family and friends and significant others in the pursuit of your craft.
4. Maintain your look - Casting directors, agents and mangers often think of actors as "types" as opposed to actual people. The casting people make a breakdown for a part and decide if they want you to audition based on how they perceive you. Agents and managers scan casting notices and breakdowns and submit the clients they feel have "the look" for the part, They might think of you as a wonderful person with many redeeming qualities. However, if you don't register top of mind as having the right look for a part then they won't submit you for the audition. Your look is your calling card. Keeping yourself in shape and playing to how the industry perceives you is a daily exercise in keeping yourself relevant and prepared to kill at an audition.
5. Take care of your number one fan - The person most invested in your career is the person who looks at you in the mirror every morning. You are your biggest cheerleader and your biggest resource. It's up to you to determine how hard you want to work and how much motivation you have on a daily basis. The more often you put yourself in front of others, the more often you'll be top of mind when it comes to parts and auditions. Your time is valuable so don't waste it obsessing on the parts and opportunities that others have in front of them. Be a self-starter and make your acting future your number one priority.

This actor likes to write and create his own material.

My Favorite Casting Notices That Shouldn't Exist

There are hundreds of casting notices sent out every week in Hollywood. While most of them seem normal, there are others that make me do a double take after I read them.  Here are my five favorite odd casting notices from the past week:

1. Dirty Disney Burlesque Show - What more needs to be said besides that great title?
2. Male 18-35 needed to play the part of penguin wings that are able to fly after the owner of the wings takes mushrooms in an Arctic trailer park. You will not be playing a penguin. You will be playing the wings.
3. Soft bodied Korean senior citizen needed to perform hardcore rap song about the dangers of too much Viagra on a consistent basis. Must be willing to be nude except for a prosthetic FOV (Friend of Viagra). 
4. Do you like trains? Do you like having coal on your face? Do you enjoy wearing a train conductor hat? If so, join our new theater troupe that performs guerrilla plays in front of unsuspecting Amtrak passengers. Must be willing to keep performing no matter how much the passengers might complain.
5. Looking for a female 49-65 to play the part of a sexy grandmother to three llamas. Must not be afraid of llamas. Must be willing to feed llamas. The llamas are the stars of the production so you must be willing to accept second billing to the llamas.

The above casting notices are the ones that made me laugh the hardest this week. They are also the notices that made me curious why they even exist.

I guess the only answer is..."That's Show Business!"

I'm not sure how this actor feels about llamas. He does enjoy trains.

Are You Treating Acting Like A Business Or A Hobby?

The majority of actors say they are actors first and foremost. While this might be the case in their minds, it's not always the case in their actions. While acting is certainly an art, it's also a business that needs to have a plan in place to grow and succeed.

Think about the amount of time and money actors spend on headshots, classes, workshops and trying to get the attention of agents and managers. All of that effort makes being an actor much more than a simple hobby. Being an actor means that you are a person involved in the business of acting as well as an artist. In fact, you are really a salesperson because you're trying to sell yourself and your skills to agents, managers, casting directors and producers. You are trying to convince them to buy the services you are offering over the services of other actors. The product you are selling is yourself and your audition is the equivalent of your "elevator pitch". Your headshot, wardrobe and style of acting are all part of the brand you are building and promoting to the industry decision makers.

With the knowledge that you are an actor and a product, have you taken the time to make an overall business plan? Brick and mortar businesses make long-range plans that cover multiple years. Making a plan for 1 or 3 years doesn't lock you into only following that path. It does provide you with a map to follow with enough freedom to take unexpected detours when new creative business opportunities appear that need your attention.

You also need to take time and make sure that your brand is focused and is the same across all platforms. Casting directors and producers look beyond your headshot and audition. They will take the time to find you on social media. Don't appear professional on one platform while having dirty jokes and risque photos on another social media site. It's fine to have that content if that is your brand but make sure that the product you present is consistent and on target.

Also, don't be afraid to change your approach and your brand. Businesses don't stay open by refusing to adapt and change to the demands of the marketplace. Not booking any jobs? Not moving forward with your career? Maybe it's time to assess your brand and make the necessary adjustments to have a more marketable product.

Recognizing the fact that acting is a business and not just an artistic expression might be the first step you need to take on the path to success in your chosen field. If nothing else, looking at how you market yourself to the industry can help you decide if acting is going to be your career or simply a fun hobby in your life.

This actor tries to keep his brand family friendly.

How Do Actors Get Around Los Angeles Without A Car?

Now that you've moved to Los Angeles for pilot season, it's time to make your way around town. Learning the ins and outs of the 405, the 101 and the 5 as well as when to take surface streets to avoid traffic jams is essential to saving time going to auditions. But what if you come to town without a car? How is an actor supposed to get around town???

One of the major factors that determines how easily you can get around town without a car is where you live. For example, Santa Monica has the Big Blue Bus that can get you from Santa Monica to as far as Beverly Hills or as close as Venice. Public transportation (or what counts for public transportation in LA) is the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority or Metro. On the plus side, Metro can get you somewhere for a couple of bucks. However, the stations are scattered and, at best, are few and far between. Planning trips around town is not very practical if you don't live near a Metro stop. Having said all of that, living near a station means you can take advantage of the trains that run about every 10 minutes or so during the day and around 20-25 minutes at night. Metro also has bus service if you'd rather not take a train.

How about riding a bike? It's great exercise and there are plenty of bike lanes in Los Angeles as many people choose to bike instead of drive. The danger of riding a bike is being the super sweaty actor at an audition.

As with any major city, there is Uber and Lyft to get you around town. There are definite advantages to these car ride services as they save you the hassle of finding a parking space and are available 24-hours a day on demand. The downside is the rides are automatically charged to your credit card. Regular customers need to encourage their friends to use the services so they can get free rides. Otherwise, the charges to your credit card can become a large amount before you realize how much money you've spent on rides.

Like many actors in Los Angeles, you will more than likely have a regular job to help pay the bills. Although it can't be done with all jobs, living close to where you work is a goal for many in Los Angeles. Being able to walk or ride a bike to work is a big help in your life without a car.

If you do need a car in a tight spot or just to run some errands outside of your neighborhood, there is a car-share service called Zipcar that allows you to pay an hourly rate to use their vehicles. From auditions to job interviews to needing a vehicle to carry groceries home, Zipcar is a good alternative when a car is the only option for you.

You can always take a cab and spend way too much money if you enjoy that kind of thing. Cabs are easy to come by downtown and in many tourist spots around the area. Good luck finding one in the middle of the day in the Valley.

Finally, make friends with people who don't mind taking you places as long as you help out with gas money.

It's not impossible to exist in Los Angeles without a car during pilot season (and beyond). It is nicer to have your own transportation so you can drive to an audition at your pace. Plus, everybody in Los Angeles should have to experience going to the California DMV at least once in their life.

I can't believe this actor is old enough to have his own vehicle.

Where Are You Going To Live During Pilot Season?

The craziness of pilot season is just starting in Hollywood. When actors make their way to California, they are always concerned about having their resume and headshot and management in order. Many of them don't give enough thought to where they are going to live once they get to Los Angeles. Rentals are at a premium during pilot season because landlords and homeowners know they can make a killing renting out apartments and spare rooms.

Pilot season also creates a big demand for hotel and motel rooms. Besides the actors coming to Los Angeles for pilot season, there's also a big demand for rooms thanks to the number of awards ceremonies at this time of year. You can certainly find an apartment for rent but be prepared to pay a higher price since most apartments that offer short-term leases have already been booked. The remaining few can make big money since there is such a demand for places to live.

How do you go about finding a place? Two of the most popular online sites are Craigslist and Airbnb. Although you can narrow your search some by location on Craigslist, Airbnb is more focused as it gives you a checklist of items to search for in an apartment or rental property. There is also a very helpful online site from Westside Rentals that allows landlords to list properties that have opened in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. There is also the option of taking over an existing rental by subleasing it from a person who is moving before their lease is over.

If the actor coming to Hollywood is a child actor with a parent who is employed in the corporate world, there is always corporate housing rentals. This would require some coordination with the company that employs the parent but it is certainly worth checking into as a housing option.

The other thing to worry about when finding a place to live is LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. There are dozens of casting locations that host auditions on a regular basis. A good number of them are in the Hollywood, DTLA and San Fernando Valley area. While you might find a rental place that has a cheaper price in Orange County or Simi Valley, the amount of time spent in traffic getting to an audition might make the idea of living further out not worth it in the long run. Many auditions are last minute so being in Long Beach doesn't make it easy to get to Burbank in 30-minutes to an hour for a time sensitive audition window.

Here's a few numbers to give you an idea of how crowded the acting field is in Los Angeles. Just taking the amount of adults out of the equation (since Zach is still in the teen category), the California Department of Labor issues around 50,000 entertainment work permits every six months. (The work permits for minors must be renewed every six months.)  The vast majority of these work permits are for minors working in the Los Angeles area. Add in the large number of adult actors also in Los Angeles for pilot season (much less year round residents) and you'll have a good idea of how many people are searching for housing in Los Angeles.

I'm not trying to scare you off from being a part of pilot season. I just want you to be prepared for the competition for housing that goes along with the competition for booking roles and the increase in traffic from the new (temporary) residents.

If you do decide to join us in California for the next few months, enjoy your stay in Los Angeles!

This actor makes the San Fernando Valley his home.

Where Were You Four Years Ago?

I can still remember the feeling of change in the air in January of 2012. I was spending my time taking care of business and school related odds and ends as Zach and I prepared to head to California. 

My time was also filled with Internet research trying to find an apartment while not knowing anything about the various cities in the Los Angeles area, touching base with friends before departing, making sure my truck was ready for the drive and trying to determine how many of our belongings could fit in my truck and still be a comfortable drive to California. 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, some sneakers, 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 our computer.

The afternoon of January 19^th, 2012 was a bittersweet one for us.  It was Zach’s last day at school and I went to pick him up as usual. I didn't say much to any of the parents that I visited with each afternoon because I didn't feel like having a long conversation about our plans. Zach came outside about ten minutes after school ended with a look that was a combination of sadness and excitement. The idea that we were going to California the next day hit him at that moment. We were excited but nervous at the same time. His friends were coming over to our house that afternoon but Zach still had one more task before leaving school. We went back inside so he could (as a joke) put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on his locker until he returned to school.

Think about how you feel on Sunday night once you realize you have to go to bed because of work the next morning. There is always a feeling of dread about the next day. I didn't feel a sense of dread because I didn't want to go to California. I was dreading the road trip that I was about to undertake in the morning. 

Dana, Zach and I hit the road at 5am on January 20th as a light dusting of snow fell over St. Louis. I took the snow as a sign to get the heck out of town! Dana took a week of vacation to drive with us and help us get settled. She needed to make sure her family was safe in California.

We made good time the first day as we went from Missouri to Oklahoma to Texas to New Mexico. We spent the night somewhere in New Mexico because the combination of high winds, winding roads and UFO talk made us ready to rest for the night. We hit the road again on Sunday around 8am and went from New Mexico to Arizona to California as we finally arrived in Los Angeles. 

We left at 5am on the 20^th and got to our hotel in Universal City at 10pm on the 21^st. Our drive across the country included stops in Tulsa, Amarillo, the car museum at Russell’s Truck & Travel Center in New Mexico (3 miles from the Texas/New Mexico state line), a hotel stay somewhere in New Mexico, fast food in Albuquerque and our arrival in California. 

After a week, Dana went back home and we settled into our new routine of being apart for what we thought would be about six months before heading back to Missouri. Dana and I were pretty sure that the lure of football season and his friends would make Zach want to go back to Missouri.

That's what we get for thinking we had any idea what the future held for our family! 

Here's to four years of Hollywood, child actors, stage parents, porn king neighbors, a cross country family relationship, a TIA stroke, agents, managers, making new (and good) friends, a near death hospital experience, family visiting us in California, blogs, casting directors, Disney, Nickelodeon, improv, making a life in California, Russian cell phone kings, high school graduation, sky poison (rain) sending the California natives into a panic, filming television shows and movies in Los Angeles as well as Missouri and Oregon, a series of freelance gigs that have found me working with people in the entertainment/physical fitness/life insurance/crowdfunding/spices/public relations/social media management/plastic surgery industries, theme parks, college, baseball, traffic, learning our way around Los Angeles and the three of us living in the same city again.

There hasn't been a dull moment since we arrived in California. I can't wait to see what the next year brings for all of us.

This Actor Explored Los Angeles With Me After We Moved Here.

A Night Of Hollywood Rock 'N' Roll

Like a lot of people who came of age in the 80s, I loved the music that came out of the Los Angeles rock scene. Dana also loved the metal music that came out of Los Angeles. A partial list of the bands that we both liked at the time includes Motley Crue, Dark Angel and L.A. Guns. One major difference between the two of us at that time in Memphis was the fact that Dana got to work at a radio station that played that genre of music. I also worked at a radio station at the same time but we played such cutting edge Los Angeles acts as The Bangles, The Go-Go's and Nelson.

We both thought how cool it would be to hang out on the Sunset Strip at The Roxy, The Whiskey or The Rainbow. A night filled with rock 'n' roll, booze and half naked rock fans seemed like a great idea. I've spent a good amount of time on the Sunset Strip since moving here but I never pictured the majority of my time being spent at Nick on Sunset while Zach was filming at Nickelodeon.

Flash forward many years and Motley Crue is wrapping up their tour and life as a band at The Staples Center. While not quite the Sunset Strip, there was a definite "L.A. Vibe" to the show since the Crue is considered a hometown band by the city.

The final show was on New Year's Eve but we were there the night before on December 30th. I was expecting the crowd to be nothing more than a convention of 80s burnouts and over the hill rockers. I was surprised by the wide range of people in the crowd. It was a combination of people who loved the band in the 80s and came to the show dressed (not in an ironic way) in their 80s gear, parents with kids that actually seemed excited to see the band as opposed to being dragged to the show by their parents and a large portion of people who wanted to see the Crue one last time.

Dana thinking about the music while I'm thinking about the price of beer at the show.

Instead of a beer soaked venue like The Whiskey where the sound is loud and the only souvenir is a hangover, there was a pop-up shop full of Crue gear that also included Kings jerseys with the Crue logo on it. Instead of simple bar food like onion rings and fries, Staples had salads, sushi, McDonald's and California Pizza Kitchen to keep the crowd full and happy.

My favorite Crue item of the night.

When the Crue comes to mind, I think of loud music, pyrotechnics and half naked girls. The show had all three of those things but two of them were slightly disappointing. Staples Center is a great place to see a basketball game but it kind of sucks for a rock show. The venue is so large that the sound gets lost as it leaves the stage. The music volume and even the pyrotechnics sound seemed to be at low to medium volume most of the night. Motley Crue sounded great but there is no way I should have been able to have a conversation with the guy next to me at a normal volume. I never had to raise my voice to be heard over the music.

The most rock 'n' roll thing that happened all night were the guitar and drum solos and even those seemed like they were happening far away from the crowd. There were plenty of shots on the TV screens of the half naked dancers who seemed to be having more fun than any of the band members on stage.

After the show was over, there was not a rush for the door to get to the next bar before it closed. A good portion of the crowd was discussing being up for work early the next morning.  It was a great show but a far cry from the debauchery I always imagined a Crue show would be from footage I saw in the 80s.

There is still a great rock scene that happens on the Strip with the rock lifestyle still being practiced on a nightly basis. It wasn't all that apparent at the Crue show but it was a good night for Los Angeles rock music. It showed that no matter how old the band (or their fans) the love of rock music still builds a community no matter where the venue is located in Los Angeles.

This Actor Didn't Want To Hang Out At Motley Crue With His Parents

Pilot Season Is Almost Here

It's officially 2016 and the Hollywood machine is gearing up for the coming year. It's also one of the busiest times of the year in town because pilot season is close to kicking off.

All of the casting directors and production people return to work this week. In fact, Zach had his first audition of the year today. Not only is this the time of year everyone is returning to work, it's also the time that a large number of actors are relocating to Los Angeles for pilot season.  

The time that pilot season happens used to be defined as January through April. With more cable networks and streaming services producing shows all through the year, there is some pilot casting that happens throughout the year. However, the majority of pilots are cast during the traditional time period.  

In order to get the most attention for their potential series, producers will try and cast a big name in one of the lead roles. The big name could be a former TV star returning to the medium or a movie star who is not considered a marquee name anymore. Once the main choices/big names are locked into the project, the casting folks will start to work on filling the secondary and smaller roles.

If the pilot does not have any big names attached to it, agents will submit their roster of actors for any and all available roles in a pilot. The casting directors then call in the actors they are interested in seeing for an audition. They continue to call actors in for callbacks until the available roles are filled. Once the cast is in place, the pilot episode is filmed and shown to the network for approval and audience testing. Even if the series is picked up by the network, not all of the actors will make it to the screen in the fall. Some of the roles will be recast due to network notes and audience testing.

Are you an actor that already has an agent and lives in Hollywood? Great! Make an appointment with your agent and get a game plan ready for pilot season. Make sure the agent has your current headshot, resume, demo reel and social media links ready to use when they submit you for a role. It never hurts to attend some workshops to get your name and face in front of casting directors you already know or have not had a chance to meet in person.

Are you an actor moving to Los Angeles for pilot season and looking for representation? Good luck. It will be more of an uphill battle for you since most agents and managers are focused on their current pool of talent and are (normally) not looking to take on anyone new at this time of year. Also, the short term rent prices are crazy since rental property landlords and apartment building management companies know they can get premium rates due to the competition for available rentals. I'm not telling you not to chase your dreams but you might want to wait until the amount of actors competing for available parts is smaller. Many actors only move here for pilot season and then they return to their homes.

It's too early to tell what types of shows will be big this pilot season. It's always interesting to see what parts The Artist is submitted for by his agent.  The next few months should make for some entertaining stories from Hollywood before pilot season 2016 is over.

This Actor Felt Confident About His Audition Today.

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