The Year In Review For Zach Louis

I started writing this update from the very frigid South where we were visiting family for the holidays. One of the main questions actors get on a daily basis is "What have you been in lately?"

It makes sense that people want to know if they will be able to watch a relative/actor in a movie or TV show.  However, they often seem to think any work by the actor doesn't count if it doesn't appear on their TV set or in their local movie theater.

Zach accomplished quite a bit this year in terms of advancing his career. In fact, here are the Top 10 moments of Zach's professional year:

1. Sharp Objects - This is the title of the new Amy Adams HBO show. Zach played a drunk high school wrestler in one episode of the show. Even though the episode was filmed in May of this year, the show won't air until summer 2018.
2. Fresh Off the Boat - One of the first "industry connections" Zach made in Los Angeles was a guy that books actors to play football players on TV shows. The actors are either real football players or actors that have the size and build of football players. Zach was called into action again this year as a football player on this ABC sitcom.
3. The Marriage Zone - One of two plays Zach was in at the same time in North Hollywood. The theatres were about 2 miles apart which made it easy for Zach to perform in both productions back in July, August and September.
4. Somewhere in the Middle - The second No Ho play AKA "the play with the better snack selection during the show".
5. Burbank Comedy Fest - Hundreds of comics from across the country sent in submissions for this comedy festival. Zach was chosen to participate for the second year in a row. Plus, none of his sets were lumped into "teen comic" nights. He was placed in showcases with veteran comics.
6. Flappers Comedy Club - The first club that took a chance on Zach by booking him on a regular basis in 2016. They had him perform multiple sets in 2017. While Zach fit well with many of the comedians he opened for at the club, he probably meshed the most with the sensibilities of Hal Sparks the night they performed together.
7. The Ice House - While this is not a new comedy venue, it is a new club he is performing at on a regular basis. The Ice House has multiple locations but Zach always performed in the main room at the Pasadena location. 
8. The Laugh Factory - This club is one of the most famous comedy venues on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. Zach had his first chance to take the stage there just a few weeks ago. The thing that instantly struck him was the fact that it was "one big room". Flappers and The Ice House have multiple stages and rooms so Zach was happy to find out that The Laugh Factory is a venue with multiple seating levels while still being one large room 
9. Mike Sager - Mike is a bestselling author as well as a award-winning journalist. He contacted us about writing a profile feature on Zach and his loving, supportive and amazing parents. The feature also includes an awesome video profile. The article and video are being shopped around and I hope to have some news soon about a home for the project in 2018.
10. AGT - The year closed with an email (out of the blue) from one of the casting producers of "America's Got Talent". She had seen Zach doing stand-up earlier in the year and asked him to provide some video for her to show the producers of the show. We helped Zach go through his sets from various clubs and found a strong set to send her. They must have liked what they saw because he has an audition with them in early February. It certainly bodes well for 2018.

Thanks for following along with Zach's adventures in 2017. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2018!

This actor is looking forward to a successful 2018.

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.

Summer Casting Call Roundup From Hollywood

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there is plenty of acting work to be found in the time between pilot season and episodic season. Are you not sure what roles casting directors are looking to fill? For your convenience, here are some of the latest casting notices that grabbed my attention:

• Looking for males and females (20-50) to play very thin, drugged out heroin users. Must be emaciated thin. Need to submit a photo looking straight at the camera with no smiling. 
• Leading man (24-31) with the body of Chris Evans and the emotional maturity of Homer Simpson needed for romantic comedy about a bus driver in space.
• Do you have a smile that goes on for days? If so, submit now for the role of "Captain Smiles A Lot" in our new music video. Must be able to smile for hours without a break.
• Searching for attractive and well-spoken women between the ages of 18 and 35 with superior acting skills who know how to make a guy feel "special" in the romantic sense of the word. If you are able to pull off a convincing performance, we want to talk to you about a 1-minute video that will play as a "hook" on the homepage of our website.
• Male twins, 65-80, needed for film about love on the professional bridge players circuit. Must be well versed in the rules of playing bridge as well as how to cheat to win.
• Road trip movie in need of 3 oddball friend duos ranging from 35-52. Think "The Dream Team" meets "The Breakfast Club" with a dash of "The Truman Show".
• Think clowns are scary? Casting now for a low budget horror film about two clowns who refuse to stay dead and buried.
• Love metal music? Live your days as a gamer? New movie casting male lead to play a massage therapist who secretly wants to be a metal guitarist. To achieve his dream, he gets caught up in a community of fighting game fans.
• Casting for a music video about new love. Please specify the level of PDA you are comfortable with, if you want to audition with your significant other or if you would rather audition (and interact) with a stranger.
• Can you burp for a long period of time? If so, submit an audition tape of an extended length of burping. Feature film about a high stakes burping contest, as well as a romance between burping pros, is looking to cast in the next few weeks.

Do any of these parts sound like the perfect role for you? If so, you just might be a success in Hollywood!

This actor played a drunk wrestler earlier this week.

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.

All The World Is A Stage

The Artist had an audition last night for a play. While this isn't his usual type of acting gig, he has performed in plays in the past.

Zach arrived at the theater and was greeted by a long-haired dachshund and four older gentlemen who looked like they were booked by Central Casting to play the part of theater directors. They were dressed in a variety of hats and scarves and sat in the shadows to observe the proceedings happening on the stage.

After the initial introductions ended, Zach was called up to the stage to perform his scene, The character was a smarty pants teenager having a conversation with his mother. He performed the scene with a reader sitting to the side of the stage. The scene ended and there was silence in the room. Finally, the guy in charge of the group of theater people said this insightful comment:

"Huh."

Silence once again filled the room as everyone tried to determine what he meant by that one word comment. Zach was the first to speak up:

"I have absolutely no idea what that comment could possibly mean."

Everybody laughed and the audition director gave Zach a few notes while looking at his resume. The director noticed all of the comedy and improv in his background and remarked that he had perfect training to play a kid with a smart mouth. After a few more jokes back and forth, they started the scene again. Zach got halfway through when the director said that was enough. Of course, Zach was afraid that he had missed a line or not followed the directions properly. Instead, the director said:

"Callbacks are Monday night at 8pm. Can you be here???"

After agreeing to the time and date, Zach was dismissed from the stage.

Think good thoughts for him over the weekend and into Monday night for his callback. He is okay with not getting much in the way of conversation from the folks running the audition as long as they keep inviting him back to the theater.

This actor also has a stand-up comedy gig next week.

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.

An Audition Road Trip Story

Most of Zach's auditions take place in and around the Los Angeles area. However, he had a recent commercial audition that required a road trip to San Diego. The amount of money for the role was enough to make the trip worth our time so we hit the road to the former home of the Chargers. 

The only areas of San Diego I've spent much time in are the downtown area and Point Loma. Both of these areas can be reached by driving the 5 from our area of Los Angeles. I decided to use the Waze app to monitor any traffic issues, Imagine my surprise when the app decided to not put me on the 5 going to San Diego. My journey took me from the 101 to the 134 to the 210 to the 71 to the 15 to (briefly) the 79 and then back to the 15. 

In other words, I had no idea where I was going in terms of getting to San Diego. 

It was a fun drive because I got to see parts of California I didn't know existed as well as the locations of a few casinos I had heard of but didn't know where they were located. The trip took about two and a half hours which isn't bad for a drive to San Diego.

We found the audition location in the Sorrento Valley area of San Diego. Zach entered the building and came out about 15 minutes later drenched in sweat. He explained that part of the improv audition involved acting like he was passing out and having water thrown on him in order to revive him. He seemed to feel good about his audition and I left the studio with a wet kid in search of food.

Even though I didn't know it at the time, that is when I made my big mistake of the day.

There is a place in San Diego that has tofu with a great thai peanut sauce. Since I was in town, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to eat there. The restaurant was about 10 minutes away from the audition location which took me just far enough away from the 15 that Waze decided to put me on the 5 going home. 

Good news: Easy to navigate all the way home

Bad news: Traffic on the 5 is often a nightmare

Remember how I told you it took me two and a half hours to go the 135-140 miles to San Diego? It took me almost double that time as I spent over four and a half hours driving the same distance on the 5. On the plus side, it gave me some serious bonding time with Zach in the truck. 

Whether or not he books the commercial, it was nice spending the day with him since he is always off on an adventure at school or a comedy club or acting or with his friends. He even stayed awake and talked with me the whole way. A teenager talking to a parent for more than 5 minutes! What are the odds of that happening???

New Zach Louis headshots on his IMDb page.

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.

It's Easy To Audition When The Studio Works

Dana and I have been lucky enough to have a voice-over studio for years in our home. It is very helpful making extra money doing commercials and VO projects for industrial films and on hold messages for business owners. It's also helpful when Zach has a voice-over audition because we can record it at home and email the MP3 to his agent.

I should say...It is great when the studio is actually working.

We recently moved from one part of Sherman Oaks to the other and decided to upgrade our studio. While the old setup sounded fine, the studio was rapidly becoming "old school" with more equipment than necessary these days to have a functioning and modern studio. As part of our move, we decided to get rid of as much old equipment as possible while still keeping our mic. It's a sweet Neumann mic that is worth more than all of the old equipment combined.

We took our old gear to Guitar Center to see if we could trade any of it towards new equipment. They ended up taking everything we brought and gave us $250 worth of trade towards new gear. It's funny how I took a backseat full of equipment to trade and ended up walking out with everything I needed in one small box. It's definitely the digital age of audio recording.

We've had two issues with setting up the new studio:

1. Dana went on a business trip to New York and I wanted to wait on her because I trust her ears more than my own when it comes to audio
2. We were both fighting the flu during the moving process and were too wiped out to do anything extra 

No big deal about the studio not being set-up yet. It's not like we need to record audio anytime soon.

Or not.

Zach got a VO audition while our studio was down. The audition came in after hours on a Friday night so I spent most of the weekend trying to get confirmation from his manager that Zach could record the VO at her office on Monday morning. I was doing my best not to drive her staff nuts but I needed an answer because the MP3 was due at noon on Monday and they don't open until 11am.

I finally got the confirmation on Sunday direct from Sundance where his manager was attending the festival. Zach arrived at 11am on Monday and had his part recorded by 11:20am. The MP3 was emailed at 11:50am and there was no need to worry about the studio before Dana got back to Los Angeles. 

You know where this is going...He got another VO audition that came in after hours on Monday night. I emailed the management crew and got him set-up to arrive at 11am (again) because the MP3 was due at noon (again) on Tuesday.

Thankfully, that was the last VO audition of the week. Dana is back from her trip and our main goal this weekend is to get the studio up and going so we have the ability to record auditions again.

It was a bit stressful last weekend trying to make sure he had a place to record his audition since all of the parties I needed to reach were out of town or off work for the weekend. It all worked out in the end and I have a new appreciation for having a home studio.

I should say...I will have a new appreciation for having a home studio once we get it up and running again!

This actor feels good about both of his VO auditions.

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.

Your Final Casting Call Roundup For 2016

Even though the entertainment industry is in holiday mode as the year ends, there are still casting calls for projects that will film in 2017. Here are seven of the latest (but not always greatest) casting calls from movies and television:

1. Can you follow directions? Do you know how to listen and follow instructions? If so, you might be part of our new indie film. Looking for extras for a shoot in January who look like doctors, lawyers, corrupt corporate types and the dimwits who they take advantage of in the film. Any and all types ages 32-64.
2. Are you an Internet troll? Are you a proud Internet troll? If so, we're looking for you to share your opinions with the world! Let us know the topic you want to discuss from food to politics to sports and beyond. If you have an opinion and a recent photo, we want to hear from you.
3. Looking for a female of any ethnicity 35-44 to play a "damsel in distress" in an upcoming pilot. Are you good at waiting for help??? If so, bring your "A game" to our (hopefully) "A+" pilot.
4. Seeking males and females 20-28 who look good in glasses for the next great spy epic. The glasses are 3D goggles in the film so you must look dashing and mysterious at the same time. Open to all types.
5. Looking for "Lady Luck" for our next movie. This lady is our main character as well as the title of the movie. Plot twist: She has the worst luck of anybody in the world. Seeking 25-32 but willing to go older for the right Caucasian or Asian leading lady.
6. Casting now for "Paranormal Patrol" AKA "The Ghostbusters reboot done the right way". Seeking men and women to form a multi-cultural squad that fights the paranormal while learning life lessons along the way. Seeking actors ages 23-59.
7. Now casting kids 8-14 for a family friendly movie about a group of kids who nurse a turtle back to health. Once the turtle is better, they discover he has the speed of a cheetah which leads to madcap adventures during a summer they'll never forget. All ethnic groups welcome.

Do any of these casting calls sound like you? If so, 2017 might be the year you become a star!

This actor is busy making his game plan for 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.

Answer The Question!!!

One of the main parts of the audition process happens after the actual audition. More than one person is going to ask you a series of questions including:

• How did it go?
• How many people were reading for the part?
• Who was in the room? (Was it the casting director or an assistant?)
• How many times did they have you read the lines?
• Did they like your performance?
• What were the other actors wearing?
• Do you feel like you have a shot at it?

You can walk out of the room feeling like you nailed it and then instantly be hit with doubts once you're questioned by family and friends. They don't mean any harm with the questions. Your support system is asking because they want to see you succeed and book a part. However, they don't realize that this series of questions can cause you to pick apart your performance and doubt yourself.

I've been guilty of the "too many questions" game with Zach. He had an audition yesterday and I asked him all of the above questions when he got home. I try not to bother him too much before auditions because I don't want to distract him from his acting process. I do figure out the logistics of the audition to make things easier for him. I've been to about 90% of the places he goes for auditions. To make it easier for him, I determine in advance:

• The area of town where the audition is located
• Parking issues (Street parking on a major road, neighborhood parking, any parking restrictions I know of near the place)
• Time of day of the audition to determine when to leave because of traffic
• Best route to get there (Trying to avoid the 405, 101, etc.)

The audition yesterday was on La Brea so the logistics to keep in mind were:

• The audition is during rush hour traffic so is taking the 101 or the Canyon better?
• The audition location has parking meters that are not available 4p-7p because of rush hour traffic so where should he park?
• Two-hour neighborhood parking is available until 8pm so that gives him a good option
• What time should he leave to beat traffic?

These are all small things but they help keep him focused on the task at hand which is the actual audition. Don't waste your time overthinking things or trying to take in every detail of the audition experience so you can answer questions later. Just focus on your performance and doing your best in the room. The best answer to any question asked by your family and friends is "I booked the part"!!!

This actor felt good about his audition yesterday.