As a professional headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I see how many people wish to be working actors in LA but they never will be. And, it is not because of lack of hard work, luck or talent. It is rather because they usually have a wrong attitude.
With plenty of hard work and the right mentors or teachers, many of you hope to become successful actors. But, merely talent and hard work are not all it takes.
In reality, to become a successful professional actor, you need to view acting as a career. It means that you should gain the mindset of a working actor along with other skills and professional headshots. But how to think like a professional working actor?
Be Easy to Work with
Besides delivering good work, casting directors usually search for actors who are easy to work with. If you perform well, and are polite to the people around you, and are trustworthy, anyone would want to work with you again and again. Even I sometimes go the extra mile with a professional headshot session if the person is pleasant and polite. This is the most important thing in building a successful acting career in Los Angeles.
Get into the Habit of Listening
Being able to listen is a key factor if you wish to work with directors, photographers, actors and other professionals in the Los Angeles entertainment industry. This does not mean that you shouldn’t have your own ideas and opinions. It rather means you listen to the directors and your fellow actors’ ideas and give them a thought.
As you are trying to get into the film industry, you should remember that the director is the authority when it comes to the final decisions. And their decision is the final one. A failure to listen to the director’s instructions can get you blacklisted faster than anything.
Accept Rejections and Move on
Any actor in Los Angeles should understand that they are going to get rejected – a lot. It is the nature of the LA film industry: actors spend less time on acting than auditioning. You cannot control the casting director’s decisions no matter how perfect you think a part is for you, or how talented you are. You should learn not to crush any time you get rejected as it is more than normal. You should not take it personally, and you better develop a thick skin to take everything easy.
Be Confident without Developing Huge Ego
It is important for actors to professionally achieve the right balance of humility and confidence. However, it is also vital to avoid developing a huge ego. Nobody wants to deal with a diva. You should remember that nobody is irreplaceable, especially in the Los Angeles film industry. Irrespective of how talented you are, the casting directors will find someone else if you are rude or miserable.
No matter how successful or famous you are, always be respectful and polite to everyone from the director to the film crew, and your fellow actors. Remember, that everyone has their key role in the production and they deserve to be treated with respect.
Learn Every Day
You always need to remain open to learning new things if you wish to build a sustainable acting career in Los Angeles. The most important lesson you need to learn is that you can never know everything about acting. That means you should never stop taking acting classes, polish your skills, and develop new ones.
As a headshot photographer, I’ve heard a lot of my clients say that every audition is not only an opportunity to get casted but also a great chance to learn. Have the attitude of improving your acting skills every day with every chance you get. Never underestimate the power of watching your fellow actors perform or taking people’s feedback. If you want long-term success as a professional actor, keep all these in mind.
As a Conclusion
Remember that as an actor, you need to develop a strong mindset. Wherever you are in your career you will have to deal with criticism, insecurity, rejection, dream stealers, and the massive highs and lows. They are all just part of ‘normal’ life for an actor in Los Angeles. This is what I’ve heard from my clients as a professional headshot photographer. And, you will have to not just deal with all these but stay positive and focused through it all.
Paying taxes may not be one of your favorite activities to do. Everyone who has earnings pays taxes. Paying taxes is a responsibility, and although it may seem scary for most of us, anyway, it is something that we have to do. I know that the number of documents may seem scary, or the process may not seem very simple for you. But I am sure in time you will get used to it. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who takes affordable headshots for actors, I would like to give a Los Angeles actors’ guide to filing taxes because I know that in this season, it is one of the essential things on your mind. Successful Los Angeles acting career is a dream for many actors. However, most of the actors struggle when the tax season shows up. It is essential to know that you are not the only one, and in some time, paying taxes will become a very usual thing for you. Take a deep breath, relax, and read my guide on how to make tax season less stressful.
About Taxes
Most probably, you already know what taxes are. But to keep everyone on the same page, let’s briefly recap. Taxes are an amount of your income which you pay to the government. The tax season is from January to April 15th each year. During that time, you, as a taxpayer, must prepare all the necessary documents about your earnings during the previous year. The records should include your financial statements. It is always essential to prepare the right financial reports so that later no other problem rises. This will make the process smoother, and in addition to that, you will be more relaxed.
For the Los Angeles actors’ guide to filing taxes, this is one of the essential parts.
Each year you may pay different amounts of taxes because it very much depends on the income that you get during the year. And maybe you will not need to file a tax. In order to understand whether you need to file tax or not, it would be very helpful to check out this IRS website. This is the Internal Revenue System (IRS) site, where you will answer a couple of questions and understand if the filing is a requirement, or not.
What You Should Report on Tax Return
One of the essential parts of this process is making sure to report on your tax return the right amount of income that you have earned during the previous year. You should pay massive attention to this part because the amount of tax that you should pay relates to your income. You should file from which type of job did you earn your income and other details about your job. In addition to that, you must also report interest income, dividend income, alimony income, Social Security income.
And if you have any other income from other sources, then you should report it. In this process, you must keep in mind that you must report everything honestly. Because otherwise, you may face some kinds of problems. If you are filing taxes in 2020 for the first time, then you must keep up with the updates, because there are things that may have been changed about what you should report concerning your income. Today, the most reliable source is the IRS website, so I am sure you will find everything you need there.
The Required Documents for Filing a Tax Return
The essential documents that you will need with you are your tax ID or Social Security number, a document which shows your income and any deductions. You will receive different kinds of forms depending on if you are an employee or an independent contractor. In addition to this, your form may vary depending on a couple of aspects of your income. In order to be more aware of the list, I highly recommend you visit the IRS website.
This website is beneficial for you to understand which documents are required in your case. I’m sure during the tax season. This website will be a Los Angeles actors’ guide for you. It is important to know that for each individual, the documents may be different. So if your actor friend has collected a certain amount of types of documents, it does not mean that you must also collect those types of documents. So, do your research.
The Importance of Receipts
I highly recommend you to pay a lot of attention to keeping receipts. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I always keep the receipts that have to do with my business. In Los Angeles, actors guide on filing taxes, this is an essential part to keep in mind. I understand that it may be hard to keep all the receipts that are related to your career, but in time it will become a habit for you. There are a couple of ways of keeping the receipts.
One of the methods is to have a special electronic program and, with the help of your telephone, scan the receipts into that program. Collect them in the folder, and be careful not to lose anything. This will prevent you from losing the receipts, and you will be sure that they are in a safe place. It may not be effortless at first, because you may forget about it, but I highly recommend you to make this a regular part of your life.
Other Essential Documents
You may not use them, but in order not to have any kind of problems. You may also have a copy of last year’s tax return. Maybe it will be useful, so it is a good thing to be aware ahead of time and be prepared. Of course, there is a chance that you may need a piece of particular information from there, which may be required for the process. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who takes affordable headshots for actors, I know a couple of cases when an actor did not have last year’s tax return with him. And, it was needed in the process. And eventually, because he didn’t have it with him, different problems rose. This not only makes the process more complicated but also spends your precious time. So even if there is a slight chance that the government requires it, then you should take a copy with you. It is better to be prepared for every situation. I am sure during your Los Angeles acting career, you already understood how important it is.
Amount of Money That You Earned
I am sure that many actors, especially the ones who are at the beginning of their career, may ask themselves, “What if I haven’t earned enough money?”. You have to step-by-step read about filing requirements and learn it. And, if your income meets the requirements, then you have to file a tax return. So, filing a tax is not a decision that you have to make; there are specific rules that apply to everyone. Everyone has to follow those rules, and if your income meets the requirements, then your responsibility is to file the tax return. So, even if you think that you didn’t earn much, I am sure this will be a motivation for you to make more next year. This may be difficult, especially at the beginning of your Los Angeles acting career. However, I am sure that hard work will pay off. You should start working hard right now. Here you can find useful tips on your Los Angeles acting career.
Are Actors Self-Employed?
There are some actors who are self-employed, and there are others who are employees. If you are a self-employed actor, then that means that you are not working for someone else. For example, you can be a sole proprietor. There are also other conditions under which can be considered as self-employed, you can read more about it in the IRS site.
Considering President Trump marking the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), you might be thinking about whether it bodes well to enlist as an LLC, as the new expense conventions appear to be more business-accommodating than craftsman benevolent. That is something you’ll need to decide for yourself. For instance, in case you’re a worker and have representative costs, you won’t have the option to guarantee a finding for these costs—which fall under the classification of various separated derivations—under the TCJA until at any rate the year 2025.
Deductions
As a result of deductions, your taxable income will be reduced. Hence the tax that you should have paid will be lower. I am sure this will be helpful in your Los Angeles actors’ guide in filing taxes in 2020. There are two types of deduction, itemized deductions, and standard deductions. Each year the IRS sets the standard amount of deductions. You will not need to show some additional forms for that deduction, and it is a standard amount.
In the case of itemized deductions, it is approved individually for each person. For the Los Angeles actors’ guide in filing taxes, it is essential to know which are the criteria you can deduct expenses. These criteria are as follows: the costs are connected to your acting, it is necessary, and it is not absurd or wasteful. As an actor, you have to be honest and record only the expenses which are related to the criteria mentioned above. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, below, I will introduce to you which deductions you can state as an actor.
What Deductions an Actor Can State
There are certain deductions that actors can state. The deductions are the same for every actor. An example of a deduction can be, business travel, and in this case, the transportation and staying expenses can be deducted. Another example can be the fee that you pay to your agent or manager. This type of expense also will be deducted. If you took any kind of acting classes, for the improvement of your skills, then that is also a type of expense that will be deducted.
Any type of property which you bought and was needed in your acting can also be deducted as an expense. If you need to have your makeup and hair done for a job or a headshot session that is related to your Los Angeles acting career, then the costs of it will also be deducted. This list is very long, and you need to carefully examine it and understand which can be applied to you.
What Will Happen in the Case of not Paying Taxes
If you do not pay your taxes, then there will be very harsh punishments. You may get financial penalties and even end up in jail. Of course, prison is the severest punishment, and it is a rare thing to end up in jail. But there have been cases, so I am sure you don’t want to be one of them. Not paying taxes on time can also result in punishments. You will face penalties that can be very harmful to you.
For example, your bank accounts will be levied, or your properties may be seized. So, the cost is very high, and the time to resolve the problem is very long. And it is every taxpayer’s responsibility to follow all the IRS rules very carefully. I am sure you will not want to have challenging problems. So get informed about the process and pay your taxes on time.
As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I tried to include all the necessary information for you. Make sure to follow all the instructions and find out information about the process. At first, it may seem quite complicated, but after some time, you will get used to it. Follow this Los Angeles actors’ guide to filing taxes in 2020. I am sure the process will be easier for you.
If you live in Los Angeles, and you are an actor, this is a blog you should absolutely read. Los Angeles acting blogs will give you an insight into all the musts of acting. Reading acting blogs, you will understand how to create good resumes, how to participate in auditions, how to respond to Los Angeles acting calls, and how to find a professional Los Angeles headshot photographer. Acting blogs will also introduce you to how and where to book acting auditions, and most importantly, they will provide you with good ideas about building an acting career in Los Angeles and, most importantly. Therefore, you may find it essential to know about acting blogs and follow them. Below, you can read about the top 5 acting blogs.
1. Reddit Acting
Reddit Acting is a platform where you can participate in various discussions connected to acting. If this form of art interests you, you can register to Reddit and meet up with many other people who share your interest. Reddit Acting welcomes both professional and starting actors on its website. Reddit Acting describes itself as a community, where the users support each other with valuable information as well as share exciting topics for discussion.
For instance, in case you want to know specific details about how to respond to Los Angeles acting calls, or how to get a good headshot by a Los Angeles headshot photographer, you may go through the articles on the Reddit Acting discussion forum.
In case you have a specific specialization for your acting career, Reddit Acting offers the following subreddits:
Theatre
Shakespeare
Musical Theatre
Technical Theatre
Voice Acting
Reddit offers a considerable amount of acting information that can be extremely helpful for you. Here you can find:
Professional Information
If you have made a final decision to become an actor, you can consult the Reddit articles on some theoretical knowledge. You can get introductory information on acting techniques such as Method Acting and The Michael Chekhov Technique. You will find the articles helpful as a start for building your Los Angeles acting career.
Suggestions
Reddit Acting, being one of the best Los Angeles acting blogs, also provides some tips that you may find helpful for starting your acting career in Hollywood. You can read the great blogs about resume formatting and tools for starting professional acting jobs.
Reddit Acting is one of the most active acting blogs in Los Angeles. It has about 84 new posts each week. So, hurry up to register and read them all.
2. Daily Actor
Daily Actor has particular reasons for being one of the top Los Angeles acting blogs. This is a blog you should follow not only for getting quality information for your future acting career in Hollywood but also for entertainment. Here are the types of information the Daily Actor offers:
Acting Tips
This is a section that can not only contribute to your development as an actor but also give you the opportunity to spend some good time reading interesting articles.
Actors on Acting
Probably the best thing about Daily Actor and what makes this blog unique among all the Los Angeles acting blogs. You can read multiple blogs with suggestions and exciting facts for actors. You can read entrancing articles about famous actors’ thoughts about their roles. Recently they posted a fantastic article about Joaquin Phoenix’s about his Joker. There are many other articles like this, so don’t hesitate and visit Daily Actor.
Advice Columns
There is no question the answer to which you cannot get in this section of Daily Acting. You will find many suggestions from professional actors, producers, Los Angeles headshot photographers, and many others.
Audition Tapes
Audition: This is a word all the starting actors are scared of. How to prepare for auditions? How to respond to Los Angeles acting calls? Don’t worry! Everybody goes through this. But you are one step forward as you are following Daily Acting, which will tell you what to do.
How to Become an Actor
If you are thinking about an acting career but are not sure how to start, this is a blog you should read. Daily Acting can help you make the first steps into the job of your life.
How to Memorize Lines
If you are an emerging actor, you have definitely faced the problem of memorizing lines. This happens to everybody. However, there do exist solutions, and Daily Acting gives some practical suggestions that you should read.
Acting Resources
This section is more professional and educative for your acting career in Los Angeles. It will give you all the necessary information to become licensed in your sphere and be able to respond to Los Angeles casting calls effectively. Here you can read about:
Acting Resumes
Los Angeles Acting Classes
Acting Schools and Colleges in Los Angeles, New York as well as Bachelor of Fine Arts acting schools
Casting Websites
Headshot Photographers in Los Angeles and New York
Screenplays
Stage Directions
Reviews
Another thing why you should absolutely become a follower of Acting Daily. In the reviews section of the website, you will find quality reviews of the following acting genres
Movies
In this section, you can find fantastic reviews of the latest movies, which will give you a real insight into the film and make you discover new phenomena about them. Sounds interesting, right?
Theatre
Daily Actor does an excellent job reviewing the recent theatre performances in Los Angeles. You can read the reviews not only for professional purposes but also for entertainment. Therefore, Daily Actor is an excellent page to follow to read some interesting articles if you have a couple of free hours.
Books
Never forget about the professional field. Daily Actor takes various books and textbooks on acting and reviews them for you. As a starting actor, you may consult this section and find out some new literature for developing your acting career.
Actor Services
Finally, and most importantly, Daily Actor provides actor services. You can not only learn and have a good time in this blog but also make real steps toward higher points of your acting career in Los Angeles. Here you can find services of
Airchecks
Demo Reel
Website Design
Mailing Labels
Overall, as you may have understood, it is a real lapse for you if you don’t follow Daily Actor. Don’t miss fantastic movie and theatre reviews, and don’t miss the chance to get new skills for your acting career. Go there, and you will love it!
3. Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio
Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio is one of the best Los Angeles acting blogs for students who are eager to learn about acting as a form of art in an inspiring environment. This is more of a professional rather than an entertainment area where emerging actors can develop in their sphere. Therefore, it offers individual acting lessons in an acting studio, about which you can know about following the blog.
Following the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio blog, you can learn about and register for the following classes:
In this blog, you can also read an educative article about scene studies, which will be helpful for your future work with this blog. Following the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio blog, you will gain a lot of new skills and quality experience in acting.
4. Lesly Kahn Acting Classes and Coaching Blog
Lesly Kahn is one of the best acting coaches in Los Angeles. Here drama school locates in 1720 La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States, is one of the most visited acting schools in Los Angeles. Therefore, it makes sense following her blog, as you will definitely find new things to learn about there. Here is what you can get following Lesly Kahn Acting Classes and Coaching Blog:
Services
Lesly Kahn’s blog offers classes, coaching, and workshops for actors. Following this blog, you will have the chance to find new horizons for your acting career. You will acquire new skills and new knowledge that will help you when applying for Los Angeles casting calls.
Resources
In her blog, Lesly Kahn provides not only services but also some theoretical material that you can use for learning. You can find a fantastic reading list for your studies. The best thing in this blog is Lesly’s Little Black Book. This is a list containing all the possible contacts you may need as an actor, including Los Angeles headshot photographers, casting directors, editors, beauty specialists, and many others.
Blog
The blog section itself is not only one of the best acting blogs in Los Angeles but also a unique one. It is a friendly atmosphere where you can get inspiration, advice, and recommendations from acting professionals and Lesly herself.
If you do not follow Lesly Kahn Acting Classes and Coaching Blog yet, right now is the time to get there and start reading. You will be welcomed from the very first second you enter this friendly online atmosphere. So, don’t hesitate! Lesly is waiting for you!
5. Andrew Wood Acting Studio
Another Los Angeles acting blog you can follow to develop your acting career is Andrew Wood Acting Studio. This is the blog Mr Andrew Wood has graduated with a Master of Fine Arts at the Yale School of Drama. Sounds inspiring, doesn’t it? Here is what you can get following the blog of Andrew Wood:
Program
As mentioned, Andrew Wood himself offers acting services. He organizes various workshops and testimonials in his studio, which you might find interesting to participate in. It is a chance to learn something new about your profession and discover yourself in a new environment. Following the blog, you will be aware of the latest programs and the original dates of classes by Andrew Wood.
Resources
Andrew Wood’s blog offers you a vast range of resources that may be necessary for your acting career in Los Angeles. You can find contact information for different schools and services such as:
Casting resources
Self-taping services
Names of acting instructors with contact information
Other helpful sites and social media pages
Blog
Finally, Andrew Wood has a special section called “blog” on his website, where you can find multiple different articles that you will enjoy reading. For instance, you may find great articles about dealing with anxiety if you are a starting actor or how to prepare for a role. Besides, there are some op-ed articles on the acting performance of famous actors in movies and theatre. Therefore, following this blog, you will have the chance to read about the opinion and some professional analysis of a drama specialist. It is also worth noting that Backstage named Andrew Wood’s website, a top Los Angeles acting class. Therefore, it becomes logical why this blog is one of the best Los Angeles acting blogs you should absolutely follow. So you have already got 5 blogs recommended by a headshot photographer in Los Angeles that can turn your acting career into a definite line.
Being an actor in Los Angeles requires you to participate in the new initiatives connected to acting actively. That includes not only responding to casting calls and updating headshots at a studio of a Los Angeles headshot photographer. Those are things every actor does. If you want to be one step forward, you should also be familiar with online activities about acting.
Following acting blogs is the best possible solution you may find for being informed, even for a headshot photographer. Acting blogs offer vast amounts of information and services for the development of your acting career in Los Angeles. You can read suggestions on how to create a good resume for auditions, where to find auditions, and how to behave on them. You can also find answers to all the questions you may have concerning acting. Now you know what the best Los Angeles acting blogs are, so what you have to do right now is to follow them. Don’t forget to check out actor’s headshots on our main page.
Your bills are stacked up on the kitchen table, your family is asking what TV show your next role is in, and all you receive are rejection emails. You thing that it is hard to start acting career in Los Angeles? I have been present at many venting sessions about these difficulties when actors in Los Angeles come to me for headshot sessions. Trust me; everyone has been there. Many successful actors thought of quitting acting in Los Angeles. It isn’t a comfortable life. Before you take drastic action, you might later regret, here are some things to consider.
Ask yourself
Have I given it all I got?
Have you really taken all the steps to make acting a full-time career, or are you only regarding it as a hobby? It is a tiresome process and takes time, but until you’ve done it all, you shouldn’t think about quitting. Maybe you aren’t getting bookings because you don’t have a digital brand. Or, perhaps it’s time to update the headshots. Fill your day with a rigid schedule of activities that will benefit your career. Go to so many open castings so many times that you lose count. The day you have genuinely given it, everything is the day your career truly starts.
Does my team do me justice?
Ask yourself if your team really has your best interest at heart and what they’re willing to go to you for the sake of your career. Your team will be your primary source of motivation and hope; they should be people who are rooting for you. If you are always frustrated with your agent, maybe it’s time to get a new one. Does your resume represent you and your experience correctly? Try to understand what type of role you are looking for and refresh your demo clips to match. A tip is to invite your headshot photographer to your demo reel shooting, and you can do both tasks at once. Your headshot photographer in Los Angeles is sure to capture some dynamic shots in the process. This can be an easy and affordable process if you pick the right photographer.
Do I really want to quit?
For some people quitting may be the right step. Take the time to understand what the thought of quitting acting and pursuing a different career makes you feel. If you feel light, happy, and relieved, then maybe you have lost interest, and it’s time to pick a different path. But, if the thought makes you feel defeated, lost, and sad, then maybe you just need a recharge.
…if the thought makes you feel defeated, lost, and sad, then maybe you just need a recharge…
Take a day off and go out of town with friends or anything to distract yourself from your struggles. Give yourself some time to miss the hustle and bustle of acting life. I promise it’s still there, but everyone needs a burst of fresh, positive energy to put them back on their feet.
Remember Why you Chose this Path!
Inspire yourself
To be inspired, you must expose yourself to more than just the entertainment business. Immerse yourself in arts: painting, music, dance, theatre, etc. Try to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or the Met regularly, and visualize everything. Turn off your electronics and people-watch in the street, or the park. Visit beautiful and hidden places in your city, take photographs, and explore your creativity. You almost never realize how easy it is to get caught up in the details of life and lose perspective of your goals. A Los Angeles agent talked about how impressed he was when the young James Franco always showed up to waiting rooms with a book in his hand. James Franco even went on to write his own book titled “Palo Alto.”
Motivate yourself!
If you’ve chosen the acting path, it’s because you feel that you’re good at it, or you’ve been told you’re good at it. Deep down in your heart, you understand that you genuinely do love acting, but sometimes you need a refresher. Make some popcorn and rewatch the movies you used to love. Watch behind the scenes clips on sets and old Oscar footage.
Look up and watch interviews of actors who you look up to. You will soon realize that they have all been through the same struggles.
Go out with your friends and share your troubles, and they may be able to help you with encouraging words. Those close to you know how much you’ve been through. They won’t be able to get you the part or find you an agent, but they will be there to listen to you and help you take your mind off things.
Make a Pact with Yourself!
No one knows your goals, your struggles, and your ambitions except yourself. And no one other than yourself can entirely give you the advice and motivation you need. You must make a pact with yourself to devote a few days every week to do something for your career. Choose the days of the week that best fit your schedule and book auditions, interviews, workshops, and classes. But, it is also important to have days off to rest. A well-made schedule and hard work always pays off in the end.
Don’t slack off on the days you must work, and your rest days will surely be more rewarding.
It took me many tries and lots of time to become a successful headshot photographer in Los Angeles. But now I do what I love every day, and nothing can beat that.
Enjoy the process
Obviously, being on set, seeing yourself in a movie, and going to the biggest parties in Los Angeles are all fantastic experiences. But so are acting classes, headshot sessions, auditions and meetings with your agent. Most actors will tell you that in the end, it’s the stops on the journey that they cherish the most. The roommates in your tiny Los Angeles apartment know what you’re going through and will live your hardest days with you. They may even become your best friends for a long time to come. Next time you get an audition, try to enjoy the whole process and not just on the part. Don’t focus on the job that comes after and be excited about the opportunity you’ve been given.
Instead of complaining that you need new headshots taken, book your session, make friends with your photographer and have fun along the way.
Headshot photographers in Los Angeles have seen so many actors come and go and make it big, that they can surely give you some tips and tricks that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Maybe you’re not in a designer gown on the red carpet, but you’re surrounded by like-minded people who share that same dream, motivation, and drive. So take the time to make friends, learn from their experiences and understand their mistakes in order not to make the same ones. Try always to be present, and at the moment, experience the highs and lows of being a newbie. Who knows, maybe all these small adventures will be a hit with the audience in your next talk show interview or Oscar acceptance speech 🙂
Understand How Familiar this Feeling is!
When you talk to any actor who has made it big in the industry, they are sure to tell you how long it took them to get that one role, which made their career. For some of the rare lucky ones, it might’ve been very early in the time they’ve spent as an actor. But for most people, it has taken them years of blood sweat and tears. Ten years ago, Johnny Depp might have been the man who was selling you pens over the phone, and Rachel McAdams might have been serving you burgers at McDonald’s. Look where they’re at now!
Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer often recalls how she arrived in Los Angeles on the first day of choosing to pursue an acting career and that everything was perfect for one day. But then nothing happened for six years.
It took her six long years of crying, debt, and letters of rejection to make a living in Hollywood.
Then two additional years later, she landed her break out role as the beloved Pam Beesly on “The Office.” And now, she says that the struggle was a natural part of the process and that it was a way of testing her desire and creativity for acting.
Bradley Cooper
Considering how well-known he is in the industry today, you wouldn’t be able to tell how much Bradley Cooper has been through. But like the rest, he too has considered quitting many times. Before his breakout roles, he was acting in commercials that never left the drafts of the editors. After many rejections and small parts, he experienced his so-called “Do or Die” moment at the audition of the 2006 theater production of “Three Days of Rain”. He says he vividly remembers thinking that if this part didn’t work, then he wasn’t cut out to be an actor. It was time to consider a new path. But as you know, it did work out for him in the end. Shortly after, he got one of his first significant breaks with “Wedding Crashers” and the rest is history.
Uzo Aduba
Before her significant breakout role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the hit-Netflix show. Orange Is the New Black; it really was a whole bunch of lows with no ups. She tells of a rough time in her life when she basically quit and was crying everyday. Her mind was telling her that this was the end and that she’s finally done with acting. But then, 45 minutes later she got the call of her life. Uzo Aduba said in an interview that she’ll never forget that moment for her entire life.
“I could be 98 years old, and my grandchildren can ask, ‘Grandma, when did you get the role?’ and I’ll say, ‘5.43 pm. September 14.'”
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart has recently become a household name and has reached the top of the Hollywood after her role in “Panic Room” and teen-hit series “Twilight.” But before all the fame, she was seriously considering leaving the acting industry. She wasn’t getting any commercials, and she was going to quit and leave acting career in Los Angeles for good. Kristen was only receiving rejections and was crying after every audition. Her mom instructed her to go to her last casting appointment, and that got her breakout role in “The Safety of Objects.” If she hadn’t gotten that, she would have been done.
“There was one guy who once said to me; there are no failures in Hollywood, only people who gave up too soon.”
-David Carradine
Acting isn’t easy. And making it big is even harder, especially when you’re in the heart of the industry in Hollywood. But it’s important to understand that these struggles are temporary. Temporary can mean 2,5 or 10 years, but if you are consistently putting in the work, your results are eventually going to show.
This is an industry that is growing with every passing day, and it is always in need of talented actors, you just have to know where to look. Don’t mistake exhaustion or frustration with the need to quit, and don’t make rash decisions. Take the time to sit down, think about my tips, and choose your steps wisely. Your future largely depends on your present and what you decide to do with it.
Every job requires a resume. The resume is your image in the eyes of your employer regardless of the job type you are applying for. That is why people always spend time and efforts to create a great resume that will help them get the job of their dreams. If you are an actor, the resume is a very special and important thing for your acting career in Hollywood. You need to have a good resume with a professional headshot for auditions in Los Angeles casting agencies. So, do not panic, concentrate, as here you will find everything you need to know for creating an outstanding resume.
First Steps
If you have just graduated from an acting school and these are your first steps for an acting career in LA, you should start looking for auditions in Los Angeles casting agencies. Even if you think that the particular role does not speak to you that much, still go for it. Remember that any kind of acting is right for a start. Even if the work is not paid, you should absolutely apply! After doing a certain amount of auditions in LA, you will become a more established actor. The more auditions you have in your resume, the higher are your chances to start a professional acting career in Hollywood.
Components
An actor’s resume, just as the one of other professions, has particular musts that should be completed. Some of them may seem logical and even ridiculous, but we assure you that there have been cases when people forgot to include the most essential ones. Down here, you can find the absolute must elements that need to be included in your professional actor’s resume.
Your Name
Yes, the presence of this point up here is really necessary. Some people do forget to put their name in the resume. In LA casting agencies, the casting group comes across wonderful resumes, which lack the name of the actor. You may say, “I am not that dull,” but still, please be attentive.
Contact Information
Your resume should absolutely contain your email and a working telephone number. These are the means by which Los Angeles casting agencies contact you when they when consider you for the role you applied for. In case you have an agent, his or her contact information should also be listed in your professional resume. Your agent is your representative, and if you have them, the casting group will contact you through him/her. Sometimes actors do not even include their personal email address, but rather write the one of their agents.
Union Partnership
If you have an affiliation to any union in both the acting sphere and others, it should be mentioned in your resume. You should write about your union affiliations below your name. This information is especially important for the Los Angeles casting agencies, as your membership gives you some kind of recognition. For instance, if you are a member of Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Actor Federal Credit Union (AFCU) or Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the casting agency may be interested in it and consider you accordingly.
No Personal Address
Acting is a job that deals with some amount of fame and recognition. At some point of actor’s life, you will begin being identified for your roles, may those be movie, theatre or commercial ones. For that reason, you may want people not to know where you live. Once you put the information about your residence in your resume, it will become public. There are stalkers in every sphere, and acting is not an exception. What is more, actors deal with stalking really much. Your email address and phone number are more than enough for the Los Angeles casting agencies. So, save yourself from stalkers and never ever put your home address in your resume.
No Age, No Birthdate
There is absolutely no need to state your age or the date of your birth in your resume. That is considered a piece of excessive information for the casting personnel. Do not forget that the people who you send your resume to are the ones to either give or not to give you the part. If they have not seen you yet, they may look at your resume, learn about your age, and decide not to hire you because you are too young or too old. They may assume that your age does not match the one of the offered characters. Yes, it is unfair, but it is also the truth. However, if your age is not written in your resume, you may go to auditions in LA, impress the casting personnel, and they will give you the part regardless of your age. Besides, if you want something to signal about your age, let it be your headshot.
Headshot
Here we arrived! The headshot is the most essential thing in the actors’ resume. If you are in the process of writing a resume for your acting career in Hollywood, the very first thing you should do is to get a headshot. If you are new in the acting domain, you may want to start by looking for affordable headshots for your first auditions in LA. However, as mentioned, headshots are the most important element of your resume; that is why they should be made by a professional photographer in the Los Angeles area. Your headshot is the first thing casting agencies notice in your portfolio. The reality is that images do talk about people. Images are the things that create the first impression, which, as we know is the most significant one. So, make sure your headshot is a really good one and by all means. You can find some headshot tips here. Besides, take some time to choose the best outfit for your studio headshot. The best suggestions for a headshot wardrobe are listed here.
Your Acting Credits
The toughest one has come. You are required to mention your actual acting credits in your resume. Are you a newly developing actor? If yes, then list every single part you played throughout your academic life. Start out with secondary roles of plays you made in your acting school. Have you played Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet” or Cassio in “Othello,” Olivia in “Twelfth Night” or any other Shakespearean staff that any actor plays at school? Do not hesitate to include those. If you had a chance to play a more leading role such as “Hamlet” either professionally or no, it should absolutely be in your resume. The size of your part really does not matter. If you are just starting your acting career in Hollywood, list every single thing you have done so far.
If you are already a little experienced and you have more professional parts left behind, you can be selective in your acting credits. You may want to remove your high school acting experiences as those may seem to be too amateur. After that, when you gain even more qualified, you can also consider removing some of your small parts of college. Even if you have played smaller roles professionally, they may seem unnecessary in your resume. When you are more mature and more acknowledged, your post-graduation part is more relevant.
How to List Acting Credits?
When listing your acting experience in your resume, it is not only important to know what to list, but also how to list. It is not enough to write the title of your performance. That will tell nothing to the Los Angeles casting agencies who consider you for a particular role. Here you can see what information makes the acting credits section of your resume complete and relevant.
Role
Who do you play? If you list a theatre role, you should write where the character you play belongs to. Is the character taken from a famous play? Is it a new personage from a modern play? Include both the title of the play and the author.
Institution
Where did you play the role? Is it a theatre role? Write the name of the theatre and its location.
Is it a movie character? In that case, write down the film studio who produced the movie you played in. For your roles in commercials, there is also a lot of information to put in. You should write the name of the company which produces that commercial. If it is an advertisement, you also have to write the name of the product. Do not forget about the location.
Production
Who produced the content you played in? This is probably the central thing that defines the quality of your acting experience. You may have played a 5-minute long part that appeared only once on the theater stage. However, if that role had been in Broadway Theater, it would be considered a huge plus in your resume. On the other hand, if you played “Hamlet” but did it in a middle school, it would obviously not seem to be a big thing.
Director
Director is the person who makes the play or movie or a commercial. Not listing the director means a lack of information and appreciation. You may have made a one-minute appearance in a movie and pronounced one line that did not have much significance in the whole movie; however, that may have been a Tarantino movie. So, if you forget to mention the director’s name, you may not be adequately appreciated and vice versa. Do not forget that the casting agencies in Los Angeles know names very well. They want to know what directors you have had the experience to work with. Listing directors is not only absolutely required, but it can also be beneficial for you.
An acting experience contains a lot of information about its place and the people involved in it. All of these should be listed appropriately in your resume so that your credits are considered countable.
Special Skills
The special skills section is vital in an actor’s resume. This section should include all the skills you possess that may be useful at any moment of an acting career in Hollywood. As you can understand, these skills refer not only to acting abilities. They can range from singing to biathlon skiing.
The special skills section is principally important when you apply for commercial roles. You can revise your resume when you are about to audition for commercials and include every single thing you are good at. Literally, anything you do well or are somehow experienced at will be a huge plus in your resume. Here is a list of things you can surely consider for adding to your resume, in case you can do that, of course.
Foreign languages/dialects
An outstanding skill which can make you compatible not only in Los Angeles acting agencies but in other countries as well.
Vocal Abilities
Vocal abilities are essential in commercial ads. Companies usually hire special people to do voice acting. If you already have those abilities, you are one step ahead of your competitors.
Sports, Dancing
This is especially important. If you are good at any sport, list it in your resume immediately. You will have an advantage over other actors, as no stuntman will be needed. Therefore, hiring you will be beneficial for your employers as well.
Playing a Musical Instrument
Why not? At least, it will never be worthless. And there are many other skills like this that may seem irrelevant at the moment but are in fact very important and valuable for casting agencies in LA.
The resume is the identity of an actor. All the information about your acting skills, and most importantly, your experience as an actor is listed there. Your resume is what the casting personnel looks at to consider you for a particular role. A professional resume with all its components and a good headshot is an absolute requirement for auditions in Los Angeles. You now know how to write a resume for your future acting career in Hollywood. You are ready to go and rock at your auditions.
