Question Home

Position:Home>Theater & Acting> If I move to L.A. to pursue acting?


Question: If I move to L!.A!. to pursue acting!?
I'm in acting classes and I've fallen in love with it and I really want to move to L!.A!. to pursue proffesional acting!. Will it be a waste of money and time since there are SO MANY people who are doing the same thing!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
In my opinion, it is not a waste of time if this is where you truly feel your path is taking you!. There are however some hard realities you should be aware of prior to making the move to Los Angeles (this isn't to scare you, just to prepare you)!.

First and foremost, as you are aware, the jobs are few and the number of those seeking them are very high!. Many actors go long periods between jobs and at times this can feel very frustrating and discouraging!. I've found classes and doing 99 seat theatre helps to keep you sharp and motivated especially during periods when I'm not working frequently in TV or film!.

also, I would recommend building up your credits BEFORE you move out here!. Check with local universities and community colleges that have film programs and make yourself available to audition for student films!. This gives you two things: 1) experience and 2) scenes that you can use to put together a demo reel!. Both of these are vital to an actor in L!.A!. as casting directors and agents will look at your headshot (your 8X10 photo) and resume which is stapled to the back, and if they like what they see, they'll ask to view your demo reel!. Not having one is a hinderance!. While you can certainly move to L!.A!. without any of these credits and try to get them through USC, UCLA, etc!. film schools, understand that the competition for those jobs is much greater than they would be in say Mobile, AL!. Additionally check with your state's film commission to find out what's shooting and/or casting in your home state!. It may be easier to get SAG (screen actors guild) eligible from your home state than it would be out here!.

Start saving your money now!! Don't move to L!.A!. broke!. It's an expensive city!. Expect to spend around $1200 a month for a decent one bedroom and be prepared to put up first month's rent and a security deposit equal to one month's rent!. You also MUST have a car out here!. Auto insurance and fuel tend to be more expensive here than in most areas as well!. You could use craigslist to try and find a roommate in order to cut your rent costs!. also, having a couple months of bill money in the bank affords you the time to get settled and find a cool "day job" without stressing out too much!.

A good resource you may want to order through amazon!.com or barnes & noble is "Your Film Acting Career" by M!.K!. Lewis!. Lots of great tips in there!. It's a little dated (I used it back in '99 prior to moving here), but still relevant!.

All in all, I wish you the very best in your endeavors!. It took me some time (6 years), before I started making a living as an actor!. 2005 was my first year where my acting income was greater than my "day job"!. That trend continued in '06 and in late '07 I quit my day job!. This year I've been truly blessed and have already hit the six-figure mark solely with acting income!. It takes time and perserverance but if you really love it and remember it's a marathon and not a sprint, I believe you'll be happy with your decision to give it your best shot!.

Break a leg!

SeanWww@QuestionHome@Com

Your best bet is to move to New York City for a year or two first!. The best training is there(6 of the top 7 4-year conservatory schools are within about 3 hours of New York City, 2 of them in New York City, 1 in a small town 45 minutes north called Purchase, 1 in New Jersey, 1 in Pittsburgh, and 1 in Boston) plus most Los Angeles agents will tell you to go to New York if you dont have New York theater, film, and tv credits up there!. On a note, a large number of celebrity screen actors live in New York City!. Once you build up your resume in New York, then you can consider Los Angeles!. It isn't as dangerous up there as people let on as long as you stay out of the bad parts of town whenever possible!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, yeah, it is a waste of time and money unless you are established as an actor first!. Acting classes do not impart talent!. you have to be born with it!. I do not believe that going to college is any help whatsoever!. What makes you think you have any talent!? have you done lots of good roles in lots of plays!. That is what you should do first at school and in the community!. Stop wasting your money on classes until you know if you are any good at it first!. (Of course the acting teachers tell you you are good so you keep taking their classes)!. But the criteria is as I stated before!. There are better places than NYC and LA to become established as an actor!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

First, realize that this is a business!. Second, you need to know that the failure rate is high and is not necessarily due to a lack of talent but more often a lack of business sense or awareness!.

Understand that well over 90% of the Screen Actors Guild membership makes less than $5,000 per calender year in acting income!. The reality is that you will have a regular job and acting income will be a nice supplement if you are lucky!. Getting yourself eligible to join SAG is an entirely different battle!.

So be smart, do some real research and good luck!.

(edit) Sean H!. has given you a very, very generous and complete blue print!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Trust me when I tell you this, do NOT move to LA!. I have done acting in New York and I have heard from so many professionals "If you can't make in it New York don't bother going to LA because it is 100 times harder"!. Its true!. Keep taking acting lessons as much as you can and get a good agent!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, it takes all kinds!. Enroll at Lee Strasburg and take good headshots!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

it wont be a waste of money!. u should move to LA

Www@QuestionHome@Com