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   6-1-10

   David H. Lawrence XVII says:

   Answer: You’re now here in Los Angeles and you want to know the actions to take the moment you get here, to provide a strong, solid base that will support you in your first efforts at success. We’ve looked at the first things to do in Part 1 of this series of acting answers. Here are the next few steps I recommend, in the order in which you should turn your attention to them.

   
   

   So.

   You’ve found a job that supports your acting career and you’ve gotten organized and you’ve joined some great networking groups and you’ve started a solid foundation for your finances. Now it’s time to add more tools to your utility belt, and start to solidify your understanding of the business side of acting.

   Once again, this is only my opinion, but I love recommending the resources that have worked for me. I consider all of my recommendations to be the gold standard of their respective category.

   Take acting classes: Although having talent as an actor is important, to get really good at what you’ll do for producers here in LA is more about understanding how the set works, taking advantage of the processes of television and film production, and being proficient at it. Having said that, and despite whatever acting degree you may have acquired, taking acting classes in Los Angeles is paramount. Taking classes is not only about acquiring scene study, script analysis and on-camera skills, but also about networking with other actors on your career, projects and skill sets.

   
   

   Recommendation: Howard Fine Acting Studio – they follow the Uta Hagen technique, and the teachers there, including Howard, who teaches beginning and master classes alike, are very supportive and accessible, and are, far and away, the most intelligent and thoughtful instructors in the business. You can get more information about their Monday night audits and joining the studio as a student at http://howardfine.com.

   Learn the business of show business: to be successful as an actor, you’ll need great acting skills, but you’ll also need solid business skills: you’ll need to learn where all the studios and casting offices are, where CDs work, what local colleges and universities do the best student film production, how to target agents, managers, producers and casting directors, how to track your auditions and get better at them, how to manage your finances and a thousand other business skills.

   Recommendation: The Actors’ Network, where for the cost of a nice meal every month, you can take advantage of an extensive library of resource materials including trade publications like Backstage, Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, video samples of every show currently in production. Also included are sessions on everything from typing yourself to managing your time to creating target lists. The strongest offering for me is what TAN calls Power Groups, where once a month, you meet with other actors to go over plans for the future, what you’ve accomplished and to trade information regarding your challenges in the business. Tell them I sent you when you visit their website and go for an orientation: http://actors-network.com.

   
   

   Shoot effective headshots: your headshots are your calling card, no less than a business card is to an executive or a portfolio is to a designer. Note that I used the plural “headshots,” because you’re going to need several different looks, depending upon your type and to show your theatrical, commercial and character looks. This is one of the biggest areas in which you may end up throwing good money after bad if you don’t choose the right headshot photographer

   Recommendation: Terence Heuston, who is not only a headshot photographer, but plies his trade and creates his product having spent decades as a cinematographer, a working theatrical and commercial actor, a director and most importantly, a session runner for both theatrical and commercial casting projects. That background makes him extremely sensitive to the real reason we all get headshots: not to impress our friends and family with how great we look or how much/little money we spent, but rather to convey instantly who we are and what the casting director can expect when we walk through the door. http://heustonphoto.com.

   Next, we’ll take on your resume, the technology you need, casting services and actual work.

   What’s your answer to this acting question? Let me know in the comments below.

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2. 

   7-15-10

   Summer Johnson says:

   I totally agree, joining The Actors Network was one of the best things I did for my acting career when I moved to LA. There is no way I could have learned all of what I’m learning as quickly as I am without it. Look forward to reading Part 3!

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