The Play's The Thing...So Is The Stand-Up Stage

I was able to watch Zach Louis do something this past Friday night that I haven't experienced since 2011. I watched him onstage in a play before a live audience for the first time since he was in middle school in St. Louis. I've seen him onstage doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles as well as improv at Second City in Hollywood. It's just been a long time since he has performed in a play.

In fact, he is currently in two plays in North Hollywood. Friday night saw him take the stage in a production of "The Marriage Zone" at the Secret Rose Theatre. Zach plays the child of the couple in the play as well as the narrator who sets up the play at the start of the show. The plot revolves around a married couple who are both unhappy in the marriage for different reasons. They are visited in "The Marriage Zone" by younger and older versions of their characters so they can see where they started and where they might end up as a couple. There are certainly some heavy moments in the play but Zach helps to keep things light with a number of funny lines.

The cast features a combination of younger performers and veterans who have appeared in such TV shows and films as "CSI: Cyber", "Grimm", "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". If you are near North Hollywood, and looking for a night of entertainment in an intimate theatre, you can find your tickets here. Zach's next performance is Labor Day Weekend and a code for discount tickets will be provided if you sign-up for emails from Plays 411.

Why is Zach not in the play this coming week? Because he is performing three shows this week during the Burbank Comedy Festival. The list of comedians is a mixture of established names and emerging comedians. Zach's three shows this week include:

1. Laugh Revolt Repeat
2. Emerging Comedians
3. Opening for Hal Sparks

All of the comedians hope to make a good impression on the crowd as well as the organizers of the festival so they will be invited to take part in the "Best of the Fest" shows on the last night of the festival. The festival also features panels, parties, podcasts and networking opportunities for all of the comedians taking part in the event.

I'm looking forward to a week of comedy with many people I've never seen before as well as watching Zach do his "thang" in front of industry veterans.  As always, I haven't heard his set in advance so I hope I haven't done anything stupid enough (lately) to be made fun of in his set. If I am made fun of by Zach, he is too old for me to ground so I guess it's all just part of the #funnybusiness of the festival.

This TV and movie actor is living onstage 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.

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.

It's The Most Tolerable Time Of The Year

It's the middle of December and there seems to be a change in the air. Traffic isn't as bad as normal and auditions are slowing down. That can only mean one thing:

Welcome to the holidays in Hollywood.

Even though we've had an abundance of 70-degree days and sunshine (until the rain event on Thursday night), there are fewer people around town to enjoy it.

Question: Why do so many people leave town during the holidays?

Answer: Many actors move here to break into the entertainment industry so they go back home to see family and friends during the holidays.

The entertainment industry slows down as 2017 grow closer on the calendar. The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is really the one time of year actors can leave Los Angeles without being afraid they will miss an audition or booking a job. When Zach and I lived here before Dana moved to California, we would visit her as much as possible. There were many times I would get a call from a casting director asking if Zach could work a job for them. Of course, the job would always be the next day. It would never be next week or next month. It would always be the next day. No matter how far ahead we planned our trip while letting as many people as possible know that we would be out of town, there always seemed to be someone who needed Zach to work the day after we left town.

However, this is the time of year that the entire industry starts to shut down With few productions, auditions and workshops going on during this time period, actors can leave town without the fear of missing a gig.

It's also the time of year that reminds me that many people still consider somewhere else to be their home. As I write this entry, Zach is eating with one of his friends who is leaving town for 3 months to see family and friends. Many actors that leave town in December don't come back until February when pilot season is happening. They stay home to save money as well as see their loved ones.

It's not easy living in Hollywood away from your family. The people in California miss their family as well as the joy of being home. The people back home don't see their family that often and they also miss being involved in the daily lives of those chasing an acting dream.

We were a "split family" for a little under a year until Dana landed a job in Los Angeles. We've left town to visit family but we (thankfully) live together in Los Angeles.

Even though Christmas is around the corner, there are still some folks not in the holiday mood. I had the crosswalk signal in my favor the other day as I was walking to the gym. I started to cross the intersection when a van driven by a lady who looked like Mrs. Claus decided to stop waiting on me so she turned at the light. She zoomed past while barely missing me and then flipped me off as she drove away to her destination.

All I could think was, "If I get hit by the wife of Santa Claus, does she get a pass on the naughty or nice list?"

I'm looking forward to a fun holiday with this actor.

What Skills Does An Actor Need In Order To Succeed?

Acting is certainly an art but it's also a business you need to learn how to navigate. It takes a combination of luck, business skills, talent and common sense to make your way through the business of being an actor. When it comes to finding success in Hollywood, what skills does an actor need on a daily basis?

• Read the sides - Zach and I were reminded of this simple skill just a few days ago. He auditioned for a sitcom and the role was for a kid who thinks he is a punk rocker. The sides specifically said not to dress as a punk rocker but to have the attitude associated with that type of person. Zach got to the audition and the first thing he saw was a room full of kids dressed like punk rockers. Zach instantly stood out from the crowd because he read the sides and followed the instructions.
• Read the room - This simple piece of advice means paying attention while waiting for your turn to audition. Are the auditions going fast or slow? Can you hear the people in the room? If so, are they happy or cranky or asking lots of questions? Reading the room before you enter for your audition means you will have a better idea of what to expect when it is your turn to read for the casting director.
• Don't be late - You wouldn't want to be late for work or a business meeting. Since that is the case, why would you be late for your audition?  The times for audition appointments are scheduled to get the number of actors they want to see through the room on time. Don't be "that guy" and be late for your audition. You will definitely make an impression on the casting director but it might not be the type of impression you want to make that day.
• Don't make excuses - Stayed out too late and didn't get up in time to learn your lines? While you might get a little bit of sympathy, the majority of the cast and crew don't care. There are plenty of actors ready and willing to take your place so don't make excuses for not knowing your lines. Be professional and ready to perform!
• Don't improvise your lines - Want to find the easiest way to offend a writer as well as the director? Make up your own lines in a scene. The script you get each morning on set is the final product and it's not your job to improve or change the dialogue.
• Get out there and work it - "Working it" can be anything from attending a play to working on your own script to taking an acting class to networking at a casting workshop. There are many avenues available for you to be seen and meet others in the industry. You have to make the effort to get out there and give your career the boost it needs to rise above every other person in Hollywood who wants to be a working actor.

This actor can work a room as well as a crowd at a comedy show.

How To Deal With Different Comedy Crowds And Still Get Laughs

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

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

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

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

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

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

This comedian starts the new college school year tomorrow.

Comedy Is Funny But It's Also A Competition

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

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

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

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

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

Should You Make Acting Your Career?

I know a lot of actors and they are never on the same page in their careers. While one or two of them might be doing well and booking jobs consistently, there are other actors who haven't landed an audition, much less booked a job, in quite some time.

There is plenty of self-doubt and hard times in the acting world. With all of the competition for parts in Hollywood, sometimes you have to ask yourself one question:

Should I choose acting as my career path?

The simple answer to this question is "No".

In general, only a small portion of actors earn enough money as actors to make a living. This does not mean they are household names or big stars loved by the public. It just means they are earning enough money to make acting their main job.

The not so simple answer to the question is..."Yes. You should make acting your career choice if you can't imagine doing anything else with your life." 

A career as an actor is never going to be an easy journey. The amount of competition is extremely high and you will need to perform at your highest level at all times to have a chance to succeed. Can you handle that kind of pressure or are you better off choosing a more traditional career path?

Acting is a career that needs to be worked on each day. You don't necessarily need to act on a daily basis. You do need to check casting sites, submit yourself for parts, attend workshops and acting classes, network with other actors and try and create your own projects. Acting is a skill that needs to be practiced and performed on a regular basis. I try and update my blog on a weekly basis. I don't always succeed but the desire is always there. Even when I post an update, my brain is already thinking about the topic of my next post. I write on a daily basis and my work ranges from medical articles to job search tips to cooking with seasonings to creating compelling social media updates for businesses. If I go a day or two without writing, it takes me a little while to get back in the groove. Acting is the same way so you have to decide if your career path involves exercising your acting muscles on a daily basis.

Finally, you have to decide how far you want to take acting as a career. Some people are happy being known as one of the best actors in their hometown. Their place of residence might consist of 1000 people or 100,000 people. If that is the place where you want to try and build an acting career, it will be harder because there are not as many opportunities on a daily basis to book work. If you really want to maximize your potential as a working actor, you need to move to Los Angeles or New York. Even cities like Chicago and New Orleans that host movie and television productions on a regular basis only have so much available work to offer an actor. You have to decide if making the move, and leaving behind your family and friends, is a good career choice for you in the long run.

The decision about making acting your career choice is completely up to you. There are many people that give advice and offer encouraging words. When it comes to answering the question about choosing acting as your career path, you are the only person that can provide the final answer.

This teenager decided he wanted to be an actor at an early age.

Tax Deductions For Actors

It's that time of year! Tax season is here and everyone is trying to take deductions off their taxes in an effort to save money.  Not sure what deductions you can claim if you're an actor? Here's some tips to help you save money and perhaps even get a refund this year.

The first thing to remember is that actors are often considered "independent contractors" and not employees. For the purpose of your taxes, acting is your line of work/your business. As such, a self-employed actor can deduct expenses that are directly related to acting activities and are not 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 clothing, hair, makeup and gym memberships on their taxes. This is a very fine line to walk for many people because the use of the above items must be clearly defined by the actor. For instance, makeup for a photo session or a stage play can be deducted but not makeup bought for use during a normal day. Clothing is always an area that needs to be handled with caution. Even if an outfit was bought for an audition, clothes that can be worn to lunch or to the beach are not considered tax deductible. A gym membership is rarely deductible because it is considered exercise and not "research" or "training".

There are some items that count as "research". Some examples include movies, magazine subscriptions and books that keep you up-to-date on your profession. Movie tickets can count as research for your profession as well as some (or all) of your cable, Netflix and Hulu subscriptions.

How much money did you pay to your agent and manager last year? Any fees paid to your representatives or a PR firm are marked as business expenses. However, you do need to provide statements showing your payments as well as examples of the services they provided. Also, any fees you paid for acting classes, private sessions and casting director workshops can be deducted.

Be sure and keep a mileage book in your car as driving to auditions, agent and manager meetings, classes, rehearsals and paid acting jobs can all be counted as business trips. Also, traveling out of town for work can include some deductions. The expenses that only happen due to being away from home for the night can be deducted.

Did you mail anything career related last year? Expenses from Fed Ex, UPS and the Post Office that were a result of mailing resumes and headshots can all be deducted.

Speaking of resumes and headshots...Those two items along with postcards and fees charged by sites like LA Casting can all be classified as "promotional expenses" and can be deducted from your taxes.

Any acting union dues you pay are tax deductible.

Finally, doing business on your phone can be written off on your taxes. Making business calls as well as buying a new phone can be tax deductions if you have the proper paperwork to show how you used them for business.

I hope the examples listed above help you save some money. Take the money you saved and put it towards new headshots or a publicist and make this the best year of your career!

This actor just finished his taxes.

Five Tasks To Perform Daily As An Actor

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

Not really.

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

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

This actor likes to write and create his own material.

Pilot Season Is Almost Here

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Actor Felt Confident About His Audition Today.

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How To Get An Agent In Hollywood

While being an actor is a fun way to make a living, it is also a business. As such, an actor needs help getting his or her name out to casting directors in order to book jobs. Having an agent is not the only way to get auditions but it is one of the easier methods. An agent is someone who represents you to casting directors involved in making movies and television shows. An agent also makes getting your foot in the door to audition for a part much easier.

I'm often asked how Zach landed his commercial and theatrical agents. There is not a single definitive answer of how to land an agent but there are some common steps you can do to try and get an agent in Hollywood.

The first step in the hunt for an agent happens before you start the hunt for an agent. Agents are not looking for new and inexperienced talent. They want performers who have already established a name or a brand.  Having a track record of some success shows the agent that you are somebody they can submit to casting directors and market around town.

What does this mean for you? It means you need to attend open auditions, casting calls and open mic nights. Practice and perform and get your name out in public. The more you audition and perform, the more people begin to know your name. Build a buzz about yourself to help catch the attention of an agent. It also helps to network with others in the same situation because you never know when a good word from another actor will help you in the future.

Another useful step in landing an agent is being active on social media. Social media allows you to build a rapport with others and form relationships that might turn into a face to face meeting at some point in the future. It is important to use caution and common sense when interacting with agents on social media. There is a fine line between being friendly online and coming across as pushy and desperate in your interactions. Take part in existing conversations and add something of substance to the topic being discussed. Don't push yourself or your agenda because you might look like a stalker.

Another way to get the attention of agents is to meet them in person. There are a variety of agent workshops available for you to attend. Do your research and make sure the agent is right for what you are trying to accomplish in your career. In other words, don't blindly pick a workshop to attend because you might discover the agent only handles a youth division or is a commercial agent when you're trying to get a theatrical agent.

Once you've established a relationship with an agent (and waited an appropriate amount of time so you don't come off as a stalker), it's time for you to send them a packet of your materials. Make sure the packet includes your most recent headshot, your acting resume, links to all of your social media accounts and a cover letter telling the agent what you bring to the table. Most agents already have clients that pay the bills. Why do they need to take a chance on you? What makes you the best choice over all of the others in Hollywood trying to join their talent roster? Don't write the cover letter in 5 minutes or less. Take a day or two to gather your thoughts and express what you can do for the agent and not what you expect the agent to do for you.

If you get the chance to interview with the agent in person, don't be late to the meeting! I've mentioned many times how being late to an audition or a call time is not acceptable. The same thing applies to meeting an agent. Don't make a bad first impression and come off as unreliable. Dress professionally while still maintaining a personal sense of style. The first impression you make is "the type" that the agent will view you as and will dominate the roles he submits you for in the future. Bring your headshot and resume just in case the agent doesn't have the materials handy at the moment. Finally, have an audition piece ready to go just in case you are requested to perform a scene.

Be prepared to listen while also having a set of questions ready to ask when it's your turn to speak. Some questions that are acceptable to ask include:

• How many clients does the agency currently have? 
• What "type" of roles do you see me playing? 
• Will you represent me directly or will one of your assistants?
• What do you expect of your clients?
• How many clients do you currently have that are my "type"?

I hope the steps and suggestions listed above aid you in your quest to land an agent. It's not easy but the payoff is worth it once you have someone actively pitching you to casting directors.

This Actor Has Two Agents That Keep Him On The Go With Auditions.

Where Did Everybody Go????

December is just around the corner which means less and less people are in Hollywood. While California might seem like an ideal place to be during the holidays, it is actually a time of year when it is easier to get around the Los Angeles area.

The answer to where everybody has gone?

Home.

The entertainment industry starts to slow down as Christmas and New Year's Day get closer on the calendar. The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is the one time of the year actors can leave town without feeling like they are going to miss an audition or booking. When Zach and I were living here by ourselves, we would try and go visit Dana as much as possible. I can't name the amount of times I was either visiting Dana or on an airplane going to visit her when I would get a call from a casting director:

Casting Director: "Can Zach work a Super Soaker commercial tomorrow?"

Me: "Not unless it's shooting in Missouri,"

The above conversation has happened to almost every actor at least one time in their career. However, the entire industry shuts down at the end of the year. With no productions, casting or workshops going on in that time period, actors can leave town without the fear of missing a gig.

It's also the time of year that reminds me just how many people still consider somewhere else to be their home. Many of Zach's friends are out here with one parent while the other parent and siblings are back in their home state continuing their jobs and lives far removed from Hollywood. He also has many older friends that moved here all alone to chase their dream of making it as an actor.

It's not an easy situation for a number of reasons. The people living in Hollywood miss their family and friends as well as the comforts of home. The people back home miss their family members but they also miss being part of the daily lives and experiences of the ones who left to chase their dream. It's not an ideal situation for any of the people involved.

We were in the "split living" situation for 9 months until Dana got a job in Los Angeles. Since then, we've left town to see family but we are united and living in Los Angeles.

As the holidays continue, the traffic on the 405 becomes more tolerable. In the spirit of the holiday season, there was about 50% less road rage and fewer sightings of the middle finger this weekend. The fact that traffic is more manageable during the holidays might be the greatest gift of all.

I Need To Do Some Holiday Shopping For This Actor.

The Path To Acting Success

I've discussed ways to become a better actor many times on this blog. From acting classes to workshops to networking, there are a variety of ways to find success as an actor. Sometimes the path to acting success has less to do with acting and more to do with your attitude and the environment around you.

• Have a positive attitude - Being in the mindset that you're going to succeed doesn't mean you don't need to be realistic about your chances of success. Casting directors, producers, directors and other actors like to surround themselves with people that have a good attitude towards the project and the other members of the cast and crew. You'll be remembered just as much for your good attitude and positive outlook as your frown and bad attitude.

• Be an industry expert - This doesn't mean that you need to be a know-it-all who annoys everyone with your quick answers and cocky demeanor. It means you've taken the time to read books, articles and blogs on the entertainment industry. It means you've attended mixers and workshops to meet fellow actors and industry insiders. You've listened to them and thanked them for their valuable time, insights and advice. The more knowledge you gain as you enter the industry, the less surprises you'll run into down the road.

• Master the three "R's" - Reliable. Responsible. Ready. Three words that seem easy to master but many people have trouble handling one of them much less all three at the same time:

1. Being reliable means you are on time for auditions and rehearsals and don't hold up the rest of the cast. 
2. Being responsible means you are prepared when you get to the audition or rehearsal. You know your lines as well as the motivation of your character. 
3. Being ready means you are prepared to be on set and work hard. There are hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of people who dream of being on set as a working actor. Be worthy of the opportunity you have been given and be ready to perform.

• Pay attention - It's amazing what you can learn if you pay attention to the world around you. Acting classes, workshops, the people at your gym, coffee shop customers, movies and television shows are all learning opportunities. Don't sit passively and let the world float by you. Pay attention and watch other performers and regular people living their daily lives. The world is full of characters that you can watch and learn from 24/7.

• Be realistic - The odds of you becoming a star known the world over is not very big. You might make a living as a working actor but you could be an actor who is always asked, "Where have I seen you before?" Just know that being a working actor and entertaining crowds big and small is sometimes enough to count as success in the entertainment industry. While you might not be a big star, you'll be part of a community that supports you and helps you grow as an actor and a person with each project.

This actor is realistic with his goals but still dreams big.