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.

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.

The Chance To Perform Is Always There (If You Look For It)

I often receive emails asking me when Zach will be on TV again  or when he will be in a movie on the big screen or direct to DVD.

To answer those questions, he will be seen on television sooner (rather than later) in an episode of "Fresh Off The Boat" as well as an episode of the new HBO series "Sharp Objects" starring Amy Adams.  However, these are not the only projects he has been working on in 2017.

Acting is a tough business because the odds of you landing a part are not in your favor if you stop and think about it:

• Agents and managers submit their clients to casting directors
• By the time all of the submissions are turned in, the casting directors likely have hundreds of submissions to look at
• Out of the hundreds of submissions, they will choose anywhere from 5 to 50 actors to read for the part
• Out of that group of actors, some may get a callback while others will never hear anything from the casting folks about the part
• The lucky actor is finally picked out of the hundreds of submissions that started the process

When you break down the various steps in the casting process, it's easy to see why the odds of landing a role are not in the favor of an actor.

That is one of the main reasons why many actors (like Zach) find other avenues to practice their craft beyond being on a film or television set.

Since July of this year, Zach has either been practicing or appearing in two plays in North Hollywood:

1. "The Marriage Zone" (which recently completed its run with Zach in the role of "Ryan")
2. "Somewhere in the Middle" (which recently extended its run with Zach in the role of "Adam")

Plus, he has been working on expanding his comedy career by playing new comedy clubs and networking with both established and rising comedians in Los Angeles.  He just added The Ice House in Pasadena as one of his regular venues and is already working the main room of the club.

While Zach certainly enjoys being on set and acting in front of the camera, he also understands the need to keep his acting skills sharp between movie and TV roles. I admire him for taking matters into his own hands and creating opportunities that give him the chance to perform in front of audiences that might not have a chance to see him otherwise.

Staying busy, and staying focused, are paying off for him now. I believe that his hard work and dedication will pay off with more big (and small) screen roles in the future.

This actor is also a stand up comedian and a thespian. 

Revisiting The Secret Origin Of This Blog

If there's one thing I don't really "get" on social media, it is "Way Back Wednesday", "Throwback Thursday" and "Flashback Friday".

Don't get me wrong. I find it amusing to see old photos featuring bad haircuts and questionable fashion choices. I understand that people want to look back on their younger days. However, I rarely feel the need to post old items on my accounts. I am much more interested in where I am going instead of where I have been in the past.

Having said that, I've spent a lot of time in the last 48 hours talking about the journey that led us to Hollywood.  We've been working on a project spotlighting the three of us and part of the process has been interviews done separately and together. Sorry to be vague but I don't want to give too much away until the time is right.

The interviews inspired me to look back at some of the oldest posts on this blog. These old posts reminded me that the name of my blog was nothing more than a joke that happened to stick in the minds of friends and people that found my posts online.

Secret Origin of a Dadager:

When Zach and I were getting ready to move to Los Angeles, I did research about managers and agents to try and get a better idea about the business in general. I kept running across stories about fathers who were also the managers of their kids. The fathers of Michael Jackson, Lindsay Lohan and Beyonce kept appearing in search results as examples of fathers who were way too controlling and overbearing. As a joke, I decided to call myself a "Dadager" and the nickname stuck as time passed.

What started as a way to keep friends and family updated on Zach's career has turned into an outlet for insights into the business of acting. I've been contacted by many readers who want more information about certain show business topics and those who just want to say "thanks" for the info.

Looking at my old posts made me realize how little I knew about these topics when we arrived in Los Angeles:

• Casting directors
• Auditions
• Headshots
• Comedy clubs
• Acting classes
• LA traffic
• Callbacks
• Set life
• Pilot season
• Episodic season
• Stage Parents
• Improv at Second City and other venues
• Casting workshops
• Running lines before an audition

I am still amazed at the new info I learn on a weekly basis.

I really appreciate the support and feedback over the years. Your readership has meant a lot to me as my family has navigated the Hollywood machine for the last 5 years.

Plus, looking back at my old blog entries has taught me that a little "Flashback Friday" isn't a bad thing sometimes.

This actor makes each day an adventure in Hollywood.

If You Pass This 8 Question Quiz, You're Ready To Be An Actor

The life of an actor is not an easy one. It looks glamorous from the outside since most people only think about the actual process of acting on a film or TV set. They don't think about the amount of time spent at auditions, the money that goes into acting classes and headshots and the (sometimes) negative feedback from others.

Are you interested in becoming a professional actor? If so, take this quiz to see if acting is the right career choice for you!

Are you okay with not knowing where your next paycheck is coming from or when you will have another paycheck? 
For most actors, consistent work is not something that normally happens. If you are looking for a steady paycheck, this might not be the job for you.


Do you like being rejected on a regular basis?
You don't hear back from a casting director if you don't book a job. You either don't hear anything or you see an announcement online about the actor that landed the part you hoped to book.  If you can't handle the constant rejection when it comes to booking acting roles, you might consider another line of work.


Are you willing to make the choice between paying for headshots and acting classes instead of essential items?
Sometimes actors have to make the choice between paying for items crucial to their chosen profession (such as acting classes and headshots) or buying a new couch or new tires for their car. If you would rather spend any extra money you have on advancing your career, you might be suited for the acting world.

Are you okay with being judged on your physical appearance?
There are many times that the final decision for a role is not based on your acting ability. The casting director is often trying to "mix and match" actors in order to achieve a certain look among the characters. You might be too tall or too small for what the casting folks have in mind. You might have too much hair or not enough hair. You might look more like a brother or sister than the possible love interest of the other actor or actress. Being judged on your looks is a big part of the audition process and you have to accept that fact if you want to make it as an actor.

Can you handle criticism?
It is the job of casting directors as well as producers and the director on set to give you feedback about your work. If you are the type of person who thinks that every choice you make is the right one at all times, you either have to learn to accept criticism or find a line of work where nobody will give you any sort of guidance or direction. I don't know if such a job exists but maybe you can find it.

Are you prepared to disappoint your family and friends?
No matter how much you plan ahead, there will be a time when your manager or agent calls with a last minute audition or booking. Actors often have to miss dinners, birthdays and holiday trips home because of the last minute nature of the industry. There will be many times that your family and friends will be upset with you and discourage your choice of such an unpredictable career. Being an actor means giving up precious time with them as you follow your dreams.

Does the thought of your friends living a normal life make you jealous?
Hopefully, you will be happy seeing your friends get married, have a steady job and buy a house where they will raise a family. Does the thought of having a "normal life" make you jealous or does it not seem appealing at all? If seeing your friends raise a family while having a regular job makes you jealous, you might not be cut out for the life of an actor.

Is acting the only career choice that makes you happy?
If the thought of being an actor makes you smile and brings you happiness, you have made the right choice so get out there and kick some acting butt!

How did you do on the quiz?

If you scored 7 or 8 points, you are ready to live the life of an actor.
If you scored 5 or 6 points, you might want to think twice before moving to Los Angeles.
If you scored 4 (or below) points, stay home because the uncertain life of an actor is not for you.

This actor is still working hard to succeed in Hollywood.

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.

What Should An Actor Do After Pilot Season?

The TV upfronts are over and the fall television schedules are set for the main networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The CW).  While the upfronts represent a beginning for the actors who landed pilots that got picked up, this time of year also represents an ending for some actors.

The months of January-May are a busy time in Hollywood. A great number of actors move to Los Angeles during this time of the year for pilot season. Since the number of actors is much larger than the amount of available roles in pilots, the end of pilot season sees many of the temporary residents of Los Angeles head back to their hometowns.

Will they eventually return to take another shot at their acting career in Los Angeles? A good majority of them will say "Yes" when asked this question. However, some will go back home and never find a reason to try again in California.

What about the actors who didn't book a pilot but decide to stay in Los Angeles? What opportunities remain for them in the time between the end of pilot season and the start of episodic season in late summer/early fall?

There is plenty to keep you busy if you know where to look or if you want to create your own opportunities:

• Casting directors continue their work in the summer months because movies and commercials don't stop filming during this time period 
• There have been multiple auditions in the last few weeks for plays in Los Angeles so think about trying the stage this summer
• The time between pilot season and episodic season is a chance to update your resume, get new headshots and make sure your social media is an accurate representation of your brand as an actor
• Schedule meetings with your agent and manager to review how pilot season went and what you can do to prepare for episodic season
• Pull out that script you've wanted to complete and create a project that plays to your strengths
• Take an acting class or attend workshops in order to keep your acting skills sharp

Acting opportunities in Hollywood don't stop just because pilot season has ended for the year. It might take some extra effort on your part to find a project or a role that fits your skills. Just remember that it's worth the effort because you might find the part that kickstarts your career and helps you become a working actor.

This actor has booked a few roles since pilot season ended.

The Changing Landscape Of Headshots

Zach got new headshots earlier this year and I finally had a chance to visit a photo lab and get them printed. I went there Friday night and arrived about 15-minutes before they closed. I was the only customer so I was able to chat a bit with the guy working the front desk. I noticed that the photo lab seemed to have more video recording equipment than in years past. He said video production is one of the ways they pay the bills these days because "headshots aren't as big as they used to be."

I never thought about that fact before but he is right. Headshots are still important but they are not as important as they were in the past.

Let me explain.

When someone mentions an audition, one of the first things you probably think of is the image of an actor with his or her headshot in hand waiting to see the casting director. While this still happens, it doesn't occur as often as it did in the past. Many auditions are now recorded and instantly emailed to the casting director. There is no need for a printed headshot because the agent or manager used a jpeg of the photo to send to the casting office.

Even if the audition is in person, there will be times when the casting team have the headshot pulled up on their computer so there is no need to hand them a printed headshot.

Zach did two auditions last week and none of the casting directors asked him for his headshot.

If this is becoming more of a trend, why did I get new headshots printed? Because there are some casting directors who still want the actual headshot (with the resume on the back) even though they already have the photo and resume information on their computer. It might be a habit for them to ask for the headshot or they might want it because "that's the way it has always been done".

Plus, you still need a good headshot to showcase your personality. It doesn't matter whether it is a printed copy or an emailed version of the photo. You need to invest the time and money to find an experienced photographer who can convey what you bring to the table as an actor with your photo that (hopefully) serves as a good first impression.

A headshot is much like a business card in Hollywood. You present it to casting directors as a form of introduction as well as something for them to keep so they will remember you in the future.

This is another reason you need to use an experienced photographer for your headshots. A good photographer takes into account how the photo will look on the printed page as well as digitally. He (or she) will make sure the lighting and touch-ups on the photo work well in any format.

Plus, a good headshot is something to give family members who like to show off “their actor” to friends and other relatives. It's worth the money to make mom and dad happy!

This actor has new headshots on IMDb.

How To Get Ready For An Auditon

While preparing for an audition might seem like an easy process, there are many steps to follow once the email hits your inbox.

Don't believe me?

Here are the steps Zach Louis took this week during his latest audition process.

Step One
Zach received an email on Monday for an audition from his commercial agent.

Step Two
Confirmation of receiving the email and then letting his manager know he had an audition.

Step Three
Reading the character breakdown to see how many lines he had to learn as well as determining what wardrobe to wear to be "in character" while still looking like a real person to the casting director

Step Four
Practicing any lines and getting the body language down for the character

Step Five
Take a look (again) at the location of the audition in order to determine how long it takes to get there, if there is street parking and the time of day the audition is being held

Step Six
Make sure the resume on the back of his headshot has the logo and contact info for his commercial agent instead of his theatrical agent

Step Seven
Properly hydrate and get eight hours of sleep (or try to get that much sleep)

Step Eight
Go to audition and impress the casting director with major acting skills

Step Nine
Go home and hope for a callback

Step Ten
Get a callback and jump for joy

Step Eleven
Make sure the clothes you wore to the first audition are clean and then wear them again since the casting director liked your look in that outfit

Step Twelve
Repeat steps two though nine and hope to repeat step ten

No word yet on whether or not Zach is moving through to the next round of auditions. If he does get another callback, he will refer to the steps outlined above to properly prepare for it!

Think Good Thoughts For This Actor And His Callbacks.

Career Moves Between Auditions

It was a slow week for auditions but a busy week for The Artist in moving his career forward. His acting related activities this week included:

• Signing up for classes at The Groundlings 
• Writing new material to use on stage 
• Open mic work at The Laugh Factory and Flappers
• Meeting with his manager to pick his new headshots
• Checking out a new (to him) comedy club in North Hollywood
• Determining the best program for editing videos on his computer
• Working with his manager to make 3 new demo reels (dramatic acting, comedy and stand-up)
• Driving to Palm Springs to support a friend appearing in a play

He is very excited about attending classes at The Groundlings as it will be a chance for him to get some long-form writing experience. He is great at writing jokes and constructing stand-up that tells a story throughout the set. He doesn't have as much experience writing sketches so this will be a good chance for him to work on that skill.

He wrote some new material this week for stand-up gigs. He can perform at a number of different venues now that he is 18 years old. There are some clubs around town that won't let comics go on stage until they are 21. However, there are venues that welcome comics that are 18 so he is doing research on their open mics to try and get on the radar of the folks who book the talent for those clubs.

Zach got new headshots last month and we finally had a chance to sit down with his manager and go over the photos. It's our job to pick 30 or 40 of our favorite shots and then take them to her office. His manager spreads them out on a table and removes them one by one until she gets to the 4 or 5 that she really likes. We came out of the meeting with a new main headshot and additional headshots for comedy submissions, dramatic auditions and a headshot for hosting open mics and other events.

It's late afternoon on Friday as I type this and his management team just sent me two of the new demo reels they've made for Zach. They look good and definitely showcase his range as an actor. This task might be something we can handle in the future since The Artist is checking into new editing programs. Until then, he has a good support system that puts together demo reels that should help his manager and agents get him noticed by casting directors this pilot season.

Even though he accomplished a lot this week, there is still plenty to do in the weeks ahead. The Artist is busy between stand-up, auditions and school (which starts again soon). Thankfully, he enjoys staying busy and chasing his dreams in Hollywood.

An actor who took care of business this week.

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.

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.

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.

What Are Actors Thankful For All Through The Year?

It's the time of year when everyone has a chance to relax and reflect on the good things in life. Actors are no different and they certainly have a long list of items to be thankful for on a daily basis. Here are seven things actors are thankful for as they chase their Hollywood dreams.

1. Other Actors - A fellow actor can be a writing partner, someone to share a scene with, a sounding board or a collaborator on a future project. It's nice to have someone who understands the challenges fellow actors go through at auditions as well as on set and in acting classes.
2. Social Media - In the past, time spent interacting with other actors was mostly limited to time spent on set or in acting classes. Social media allows actors to stay connected with each other frequently and in real time. Social media helps actors maintain connections and exchange tips and casting notices that can lead to paid roles in the future. Actors can also connect and interact with their fans on a much more intimate level leading to a more passionate fanbase. 
3. Community - This is certainly connected to the two points listed above. I see many of the same kids, and their parents, at auditions. While everybody certainly wants to book the role, it is sometimes nice to see the same faces and touch base with them for a few minutes even in a competitive setting. 
4. Good Headshots - What do I mean by good headshots? I mean the kind of headshot that makes actors feel confident they are presenting a photo that accurately represents them. I've seen many headshots that people feel the need to apologize for as well as headshots that have to be at least 10 years old. There are many great headshot photographers in Los Angeles but, if the photo subject is not comfortable or confident in front of the camera, there is not a lot the photographer can do to make an actor come alive at the photo shoot. 
5. Callbacks - While a callback doesn't guarantee booking a part, it is a great feeling to be asked to read for the casting director again. A callback occurs after the first round of auditions and it means the actor has been selected for another shot at the part over hundreds of people who initially read for the casting director. It is certainly an ego boost and helps an actor enter the room with renewed confidence. 
6. Agents and Managers - It is hard to get noticed in Hollywood. There are thousands of actors trying to book parts and get the attention of casting directors, producers and other creative types in the industry. Having an agent and a manger helps an actor focus on the art of acting while they focus on pitching their clients for parts in upcoming movies and television shows. It is true they take a cut of the paycheck when a part is booked but the actor probably wouldn't have been seen for the part without a great team pitching him or her on a daily basis.
7. The Amazing Life Experience - Actors do not have it easy because they are often examined, criticized and turned down for parts. This happens on a daily basis and the final results are often out of their control. However, each moment is a learning experience. I know many actors who are very confident because of the experiences of dealing with the expectations of those in the entertainment industry. Actors who have the drive to keep going no matter the odds against them learn many lessons that will serve them well later in life.

I'm thankful that I get to share the daily journey of my favorite actor.

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.

Everybody's Talkin' In Hollywood

I've mentioned before how you can't go anywhere in the Los Angeles area without hearing conversations about movies and television or seeing a film crew in action. I work from home but often travel around town for meetings. I hear a lot of odd conversations during my time out in the real world and thought I'd share some of them with you.

1. "I told my kid to take his Halloween costume to Hollywood Blvd for a few days and make money as one of the characters on the street. He'll see that nobody cares about Green Lantern when he comes back with no money."
2. "I like to think of my script as a cross between Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Purge by showing the real reason kids ditch school is to put lawlessness in action."
3. "I normally don't mind being recognized but there are times I wish I could just disappear much like Bridget Fonda's career!"
4. "The casting director had the nerve to tell me that my headshot didn't look anything like me. Does he expect me to still use the same amount of Juvederm I had before that photo session?"
5. "I tried to get in the audience for her late night talk show appearance but her agency wouldn't return my calls. See if I'm nice to her next time I wait on her table!!!"
6. "I once saw a stage mom try to seduce a PA so her kid would get more screen time. I don't think she understands who has any sort of power on a film set."
7. "The crew didn't get the proper permits to film at the mall. I don't care who you are but Santa Claus still gets the prime real estate spot at the mall during the holidays."
8. "Is it a bad sign that I called my agent's office and the number now belongs to a dry cleaner?"
9. "I told him the best way for our comedy gigs to get attention is to find a club that is fine with us hosting in the nude. They'll either laugh at our material or our bodies but at least they'll be laughing."
10. "I like to think of myself as a leading man trapped in the body of an extra trying hard to be noticed by the camera as well as the director and the crew and the producers and anyone else in charge on set."

I hope everyone I quoted above achieves their dreams...Or at least gets the answers to their questions!

This actor has a comedy gig on Thursday night at Flappers in Burbank.

I Always Get Interesting Feedback About My Blog

It's always a pleasant surprise when someone mentions this blog to me . I enjoy writing it but I never give who actually reads it much thought. I do hashtags when I post a link to a new entry. I also do search descriptions so search engines can easily find me. Having said that, I still don't often think about who reads the blog and where they are located. It surprises me where people are located that read it and who contacts me about the topics I discuss.

Taking a look at the current stats, the countries where people have viewed entries today include the United States, United Arab Emirates, France, Bulgaria, China, United Kingdom, Moldova, Macedonia, Portugal and Turkmenistan. 

The majority of those viewers found me through Google. Some of the other ways people found me include Instagram, Facebook and going directly to the blog itself. I won't bore you with too many details about the most viewed pages but most of them have to do with casting tips and acting advice.

I've had many people reach out to me after reading the blog. Some just want to say they enjoy reading it, others want advice and a few people are a bit crazy with their requests.

Here are my favorite crazy interactions I've had thanks to my Dadager blog:

• The person who emailed me asking if I could set-up a meeting for him to pitch his idea for a "Star Trek" reboot to Paramount. His version had Spock as a woman, McCoy as a little person and Kirk as a blind person. The idea behind the reboot was to "spotlight struggles faced by all people that are not white and male and perfectly made." 
• A random lady wanted to open an acting studio with me. She has no acting experience, lives in Iowa and wants me to run it because I "have the connections and also live here." She wanted to be partners but still live in Iowa. She would promote it on her FB page and tell all her friends about it.
• I often write about Zach's agent and manager. However, there was one gentleman who wanted to know if Zach was interested in leaving his current team and coming over to his management firm. Zach had no intention of joining him but I was curious what type of agent/manager tries to get clients through random emails. When I asked him about his company,I found out he had been in business three days. He was also his only client but was hoping I could let him "sponsor" my blog for free if Zach joined up with him. "The more mentions you give me, the more we can try and build relationships with casting directors." (No thank you.)
• There have been people that want to buy the rights to my life story. Unfortunately, most of these people want the movie/TV show to change for their vision which includes:

1. Replacing me with a female Dadager (I'm serious about that)
2. Me as a widower who tries not to mix casting business with pleasure 
3. Zach as a spunky child orphan hiding that fact from adults in Hollywood

• The guy who was convinced that I was stealing his life for my blog and threatened to bring legal action if I didn't stop using his stories for my blog. He lives in Senoia, Georgia so I'm not sure how I'm living his life.
• I heard from a woman who asked me to read her script and give her feedback. I politely declined by saying I didn't really have time to give her notes. She replied with "If you don't want to know my solution for how to avoid being enslaved when the animals rise up and overthrow mankind, it's your loss of freedom."
• The guy who wanted me to turn my blog into a book. He wasn't a publisher or an literary agent. He just thought it was a good idea and wanted me to give him a cut of the profits for suggesting it to me.

While I have received other emails, notes, videos and odd photos from readers of my blog, there are some that are better left in the "don't respond and the crazy people will go away" file. If I ever disappear for an extended length of time, check the email from my blog because the likely suspect is probably somewhere in my inbox.

I always welcome email from this actor.

Are You Ready For Episodic Season?

Zach has been busy the last few weeks getting ready for his shows during the Burbank Comedy Festival which begins tonight. Even with writing new material for three stand-up sets, he has also been busy with auditions. He had an audition last week for a meaty part in a popular TV show. More auditions are coming in for TV shows as episodic season is underway in Hollywood.

Not sure what episodic season is all about? No worries!

Here's the rundown on one of the busiest times in the TV production cycle:

Episodic season begins when the majority of TV series go into production for the upcoming season. The major roles in shows were cast earlier in the year during pilot season.  This is the time of year when casting directors look for actors to fill large guest star roles as well as smaller roles in upcoming episodes.

One of the best things about casting for episodes of TV is that the process for casting and filming moves at a quicker pace than movies. TV shows work on a tighter schedule and the work has to be accomplished within a certain amount of time before the next episode gets underway.

Even though a good amount of work is available during episodic season, there are not as many actors that relocate here for an extended period of time. My theory is that actors come here for pilot season because they hope to land a role that has the possibility of being a long-term acting job. While there are good roles available during this time of year, the roles are rarely long-term which might be one of the reasons less actors relocate here for episodic season.

As an actor, you need to make a checklist so you have everything in order for episodic season. Here are 6 key items for your checklist:

1. Make sure your latest headshot, acting reel and resume are easily available via your social media profiles.
2. Have plenty of headshots ready. Keep a few extra with you in your car!
3. Touch base with any contacts you have in casting offices as well as any producers, directors or production people you know on shows. It never hurts to reconnect with your network of contacts.
4. Take an acting class to keep your skills up to date. (I previously discussed how to find the right acting class.) Let your acting coach know what you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses and work on refining your skills.
5. Have a flexible work schedule, You never know when a last minute audition or callback will come your way. You don't want to be stuck at work and miss your opportunity.
6. Answer the phone! There are few things that frustrate your agent or manager more than not being able to get in touch with you. If you're in a location where you can't answer the phone, send them a text or an email. Make sure they know you got their message and will be at the audition on time.

The above list might seem simple but you would be surprised how many actors don't take care of the basics. Being professional and taking care of the basics can make the difference in your success in Hollywood.

This Actor Has Three Shows This Week During The Burbank Comedy Festival.

Does That Actor Match The Breakdown For The Role?

Zach had an audition late last week and some of the actors auditioning for the part didn't seem to fit the description. Here's what the casting people were looking for as well as how the character breakdown matched up to Zach:

*Male 17-19 but can look younger (Good)

*Experience handling large sections of dialogue (Still good)

*Comedic timing (Stand-Up Comic and Second City cast member...Think we're still good)

*Any body type (Yes, he has a body type)

*First name of the character is "Diego" (Maybe a stepfather adopted him and gave him a new name)

*Look like a native of Budapest (Need to show him where Budapest is on a map)

*Have an interesting look (Super vague but let's take it as a compliment)

We arrived at the audition and I took a seat and checked out the crowd.  For the character named "Diego", I saw:

*Two boys 12 and younger

*Four hairy hipsters in their mid-20s who would need to "de-hipster" in order to play younger

*A very pale-skinned teen from Sweden

*A stage parent telling his kid not to mention the trouble he has memorizing "too much dialogue"

*A slightly drunk stage parent loudly stating "I thought Diego was a Spanish slur!!!"

*An African-American teen actor that kept saying "Why did my agent submit me for Diego???"

*An actor that was 30+ still trying out for the 17-19 part

All of the above actors were called in by the casting director and his/her associates. Since the casting office had the breakdown for the role, how did some of the above actors make it to the audition stage of the process?

Sometimes the production company knows exactly what they are looking for in an actor. There are other times they have an idea but are open to the thought of changing up the part if necessary. As Diego is the main character and the script has to do with his heritage, it would take a major rewrite to have the kid from Sweden be a teen named Diego.

If that does happen, it's just another example of movie making magic in Hollywood!

This actor has a stand-up gig on July 1st at Flappers in Burbank.