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.

Acting and Performing Opportunities During the Holiday Season

The holidays are almost here and everyone likes to find ways to make extra money to buy gifts for family and friends. While there are plenty of retail jobs available, there are a number of opportunities for actors to make money while still being able to use their acting skills.

• Halloween theme park jobs - It doesn't take long to get to a theme park if you live in Los Angeles. We have Universal Studios, Disney, Six Flags and Knott's Berry Farm and each one of them does some kind of holiday festival or event. Actors have the chance to work as characters that scare park guests as well as hosts/performers in shows. Zach has been working at "Halloween Horror Nights" at Universal during Halloween. The event happens at night which gives him time during the day for auditions and school. (Yes, I know that Halloween is almost over but it is something to keep in mind for next year.)
• Holiday singing and dancing - Halloween is not the only time theme parks need performers to entertain guests. Christmas is a big time for employment opportunities thanks to the parks putting on holiday themed live shows that include song and dance numbers.
• Work in a retail environment without having to sell items - Song and dance numbers also happen on a regular basis in malls and department stores. They hire performers to entertain shoppers with Christmas carols, perform background music while people shop and (of course)  work as elves and holiday helpers while Santa Claus is talking to kids.
• Entertain the public around town - There are agencies that hire singers and performers to entertain retirement communities and schools during the holidays. It is a great way for singers and dancers to practice their craft while still making money.
• Demonstrating products - These are the folks you see at Costco on the weekends sharing news about exciting products, promoting great deals and sampling amazing food items. While it is a sales job, the person promoting the product still has to memorize a script and be convincing about how great the item is and why shoppers can't live without it!

The above examples are just some of the ways actors can do what they love (perform) and make extra money between booking roles. The holidays are stressful so any chance to get out in public and perform for others is welcomed by those who enjoy entertaining for a living. Plus, all of these jobs certainly beat sitting in an office all day doing a temp job in front of a computer!

This actor has been scaring people at Halloween Horror Nights

Why Are Commercial Auditions Slower In The Summer?

Almost every actor in Hollywood has had a conversation with their agent or manager in the summertime where the actor complains that the number of auditions has been slow. The agent or manager will always reply by saying that it is slow this summer.

That answer translates to....It is slow every summer in Los Angeles.

It is certainly busy in the winter and early spring during pilot season. Auditions pick up again in the fall when episodic season begins. Thankfully, episodic season is not the only work opportunity in the fall.

Commercial casting increases towards the end of summer thanks to a number of factors:

• Christmas commercials increase in number as companies make their annual pitch for holiday dollars to be spent in their stores
• The increase in Christmas commercials also means an increase in modeling and catalog work as companies display the items they have for sale this holiday season
• Car commercials are big as automakers try to get rid of older models as well as introduce the autos for next year

Plus, the summer TV schedules on the major networks are mostly filled with reruns, games shows and reality TV shows. Many advertisers save their ad dollars for the fall when the majority of the scripted TV shows start their seasons. This means casting directors have more commercial work in the fall.

The important thing for actors to remember is that they are not doing anything wrong if they have a lack of commercial auditions in the summer. It is simply a slow time for actors in general.

Actors should enjoy the quiet time and work on personal projects that are important to them. If they get really lucky in the fall, they won't have any spare time to work on those passion projects.

This actor is staying busy with stand up comedy and stage plays.

How To Survive Pilot Season

Pilot season is underway and you can feel the tension across the city. Everyone is comparing the amount of auditions they've had so far, what parts they went out for and wondering why they didn't get the call for certain parts. While pilot season is an important part of the year for actors, they also need to learn how to stay sane and survive the next few months. Here are some tips to help actors remain calm during pilot season:

• Keep Your Focus - Pilot season is busy and you could be driving to multiple areas of town in one day or multiple times during the week. Stay focused on your work and don't stress about Los Angeles traffic. Stay in the moment with your acting and don't worry about your agents or managers of any other "business" aspects of the television industry. Your agent and manager help you get in the room but it is your talent that will get you a callback for a project.
• Find An Outlet - Pilot season is more than going to auditions. It is also keeping track of new projects, submitting yourself for parts besides the ones your agent and manager handle, making connections and getting your name out there even more than you normally do during the year. It's a nonstop process but you need to make time to relax and let your mind rest. Go to the gym. Meet friends for dinner. Go hiking once or twice per week. Give yourself time to take a deep breath and think about something other than acting.
• It's Not Always You - There are a dozen or more reasons why you might not book a part. Your acting ability might be the last reason you don't book a pilot. They might have been searching for a "certain look" and you didn't match what they had in mind. The part might have been rewritten to be an older person or the opposite gender or even written out of the show completely. It might have been budget reasons. It's certainly disappointing if you don't land the role you were after but keeping it all in perspective is vital to staying sane during the pilot season casting process.
• Be Prepared - The art of being prepared is more than just knowing your lines and being off book. You will often be given a copy of the entire pilot script. Read through it so you know what the show is about beyond the part you hope to land, Showing an interest in the entire script and knowing how the characters interact with each other will go a long way in making you stand out in the eyes of the casting director. Being in the room is your time to shine and show you have what it takes to play the part as well as be an important part of the acting ensemble. 
• Don't Let It Define The Rest Of Your Year - Don't let the success or failure you have in booking a pilot define the rest of your year. Pilot season is only a few months out of the year. If you don't book a pilot, it doesn't mean you will be unemployed for the rest of the year. Keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities down the road. It might seem like the end of the world if you don't book a pilot but it can also mean there is something better waiting for you later in the year. Stay positive and keep your eyes on the goal of being a working actor.

This actor has had a couple of auditions in the last few weeks.

VITs For Your Next Audition

With pilot season gearing up, and auditions becoming more frequent, it is more important than ever to have a good audition. A good audition experience is more than simply knowing your lines (although that is an important part of the experience). Here are 5 VITs (Very Important Tips) to help you have an ideal audition each time you enter the room.

1. Know your lines – You will be sent lines for your character when you get your audition time. Unless the audition is completely improv, there is no reason not to know your lines. Even if the audition is for a voice-over gig, you should still know your lines in order to sound natural and not like you are reading right off the page.
2.  Don’t try and fake it if you don't know your lines – Casting directors would rather watch you read off the page instead of watch you stumble your way through an audition. It’s better to be honest and admit you don't know all of your lines. Would you rather the casting director remember your honesty or remember you as the person who butchered the part?  
3. Always have a resume and headshot – Just because you got an audition doesn’t mean the casting director knows who you are when you walk in the room. Always bring your resume and headshot (complete with your contact info) to an audition. If you want to be remembered, be sure and have your materials ready to hand over when you enter the audition room.
4. Make a good first impression – Some actors take the baggage of their day into the room with them. Always be on your best behavior and act like you are having the best day ever. You might not get the part but the casting director could keep you in mind for another role in the future. Being professional at all times means a good chance of paying off with a future booking. 
5. Remember what you wore to the audition – If you’re lucky enough to get a callback, wear the same outfit you wore to the first audition. As great as you were as an actor, there is also a good chance that the casting director liked your look. Wear the same clothes again to reinforce the idea of you playing the part in the mind of the person making the casting decisions.

Be sure and put these tips to good use this pilot season. It never hurts to have some tips and tricks up your sleeve to stand out from the rest of the audition crowd. If you get the attention of the casting director in a positive way, your chances of landing a callback and booking the part are better than the others reading for the role. I hope these VITs make you a VIP during your next audition!

This actor has a voice-over audition today.

Are You Prepared For Pilot Season?

Are you ready for pilot season?

Even if you think you're ready for pilot season, and answered "yes" to the above question, here is a checklist of the items to take care of before pilot season begins.

• Don't Be Unprepared - Know your lines and be off book as quickly as possible. Being able to perform your lines without having to constantly look at the script allows you to connect with the casting director or your scene partner, Would you rather showcase your acting ability or your skills at reading off the printed page?
• Stop Worrying - Worrying too much about booking a role during pilot season can put too much pressure on you and have a negative impact on your performance. It is an important time of the year in the acting world but not important enough to psych yourself out and ruin your chances during an audition. Relax and be yourself so the casting director is able to get a natural performance out of you.
• Have Your "Essentials" In Place - The competition during pilot season is fierce so you need to have some essential items in place before you get to Los Angeles, Even if you already live here, it's still important to have your "acting essentials" in place. These essential items include:

1. A place to live - Rent prices greatly increase during pilot season because so many people are looking for housing. Landlords know they can charge the higher rates because of the number of people in town for 4-5 months. Don't think you'll get to Hollywood and be able to 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 and it is expensive to live here for months on end as well as on a daily basis. Make sure you have some savings set aside just in case.
3. Agent and/or Manager - There are hundreds of actors submitted for parts in TV shows. If you don't have an agent or a manager, it will be tough to get your headshot or demo reel to the right people in the casting department. I'm not saying it can't be done but it will be harder for you to make it in the door to read for a role. If you do have an agent and/or a manager, stop in and see them because you want to be top of mind when they are submitting talent to casting directors,
4. Headshots - Please have headshots that match your current look. Don't be "that person" who is at least 10 years older than their last set of headshots.
5. Online Presence - I'm not simply talking about social media even though that is important, I'm talking about ways to showcase yourself and your acting abilities online. Is your current acting reel on the Internet? 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???

• Acting Lessons - Regular classes with an acting coach will keep your skills in good shape. Even if you don't want to take a regular acting class, be prepared to do private coaching sessions before a big audition.
• 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, etc. Be sure and leave a set of audition clothes and extra headshots and resumes in your car. It's always best to have an emergency supply on hand in case you don't have time to run home before a last minute audition.

The start of pilot season is just around the corner. I hope your acting wishes all come true and, even if you don't land your dream role, you have a good time chasing your dream of being a working actor. 

This actor is hoping to have a busy and successful pilot season.

Three Tips For Actors Starting Their Hollywood Journey

The act of moving to Los Angeles to chase your dreams is just the first step in the process of being a professional actor in Hollywood. There are dozens of tips and tricks to make your life easier but here are three important lessons every actor should know as they begin their career:

1. You will feel alone - Child actors and teen actors always have a support system in place because they have some form of their family with them in Los Angeles since they are underage. However, it seems that the majority of actors who move here in their 20's or older are almost always alone when they arrive in town. It takes a lot of inner strength to pack up and leave your family and friends behind and move to a place where there are thousands of other people also trying to make it in the same field. This business is not for those who can't take rejection easily. It takes hard work as well as an almost ridiculous amount of belief in your acting ability to survive. Be patient and give yourself time to get settled and, before you know it, you will discover where you belong in the acting community.
2. The people you think are "your enemies" are not against you - It might appear that some casting directors and producers never seem to like your work during an audition. You need to remember that they choose the actors they call in for auditions. Your agent or manager might submit you but the casting directors and producers pick the people they want to see during the audition process. They must like something about your acting style if you keep getting asked to audition for parts in front of them. Don't enter the room with a "me against them" attitude. Enter the room knowing that you are there for a reason. They keep calling you back so they must see something in you. Know that you've already won part of the battle because you were selected to audition over hundreds of other actors submitted for the part. They are not your enemy. They want to give you a job but they just haven't found the right part for you (yet).
3. You need to be more than a good actor - One of the unspoken factors that goes into landing a part is who you are as a person. There are hundreds of actors who would love to book the part. However, they might be missing the one quality that sometimes makes a difference in who books the job. Being a good person is just as important as being a good actor. The amount of time actors spend each day on the set can be anywhere from 8 to 12 to 16 hours. That is a lot of time spent with the same people 5 or 6 days a week for months at a time. The odds are that you are not a big enough name in the acting world to get away with being a jerk to everyone on the set. Being a pain. as well as having the reputation of being a pain, is one of the easiest ways to not get a part. I am convinced that Zach's acting skills got him the recurring role on "Bella and the Bulldogs". I'm also convinced that being professional as an extra in many episodes also got him the part. He was never late, worked hard, took direction and was kind and respectful to the entire cast and crew, Zach had earned the trust of the cast and crew. His reputation of being a professional who was also easy to work with served him well during his audition for the part of "Quiet Chris".

Don't be discouraged and don't give up easily. Whenever you are feeling down, just remember you are not the only person in this town feeling the same way. If you approach your acting career with the knowledge that your big break will not happen overnight, you will be prepared to face the challenges coming your way in Hollywood.

This actor is in it for the long haul.