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Tag: los angeles acting career

Seda Stepanyan
January 9, 2020
Top 5 Los Angeles Acting Blogs to Follow

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.

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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:

  1. Theatre
  2. Shakespeare
  3. Musical Theatre
  4. Technical Theatre
  5. 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:

  1. Acting Resumes
  2. Los Angeles Acting Classes 
  3. Acting Schools and Colleges in Los Angeles, New York as well as Bachelor of Fine Arts acting schools
  4. Casting Websites
  5. Headshot Photographers in Los Angeles and New York 
  6. Screenplays
  7. 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

  1. Airchecks  
  2. Demo Reel
  3. Website Design 
  4. 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:

  1.  Meisner Technique 
  2. Beginner Acting Classes in Los Angeles
  3. Scene Study Acting Classes
  4. Fitzmaurice Voice Workshops and Classes
  5. Movement Program
  6. Speech for Actors
  7. Playing Shakespeare Class
  8. On-Camera Auditioning
  9. Actor’s Life and Business

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:

  1. Casting resources 
  2. Self-taping services 
  3. Names of acting instructors with contact information
  4. 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. 

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Seda Stepanyan
November 25, 2019
Where to Find Acting Auditions in Los Angeles

As an actor, you want to have an acting career in Los Angeles like Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks. That is a great wish, but for it to come true, you have a lot of work to do. That work includes not only finding Los Angeles headshot photographers to get professional headshots for your resume and your social media accounts. What does an acting career actually start with? It begins with the thing most actors hate and are even scared of: Auditions and casting calls. Yes, acting career begins with those stressful experiences called auditions.

It is not a joke saying that your acting career depends on acting auditions in Los Angeles. Therefore, you should respond to as many Los Angeles casting calls as it is possible to be successful. Don’t worry; everybody has gone through this at the beginning of their career, even megastars. 

Don’t stress!

It is natural that you stress about this issue; however, everything becomes simple when you know what to do. This article will help you make the first step towards your dream acting career. Here you will read about where and how to find the best acting auditions in Los Angeles and enrich your resume with various acting experiences. 

What to start with?

First of all, you should realize that in the modern world, there are many tools to help you reach your goal. There are many opportunities for everybody, and most importantly, it is effortless to find those opportunities. Also, you should realize that nobody is going to bring you those opportunities, but it is your job to look for them and to find them. It may sound a little sad, but it is temporary. You are just a starting actor, don’t forget about that. Soon after, the best directors of Los Angeles will start inviting you to play in their movies. But before, let’s look for some auditions.

As I said, there are so many tools, and the first one is the Internet. What does it mean? Yes, you can open your computer right now and find an audition for a role. The first website name you should type in your browser is Backstage.

1. Backstage 

Backstage is a perfect website for starting actors. It offers not only professional advice but also provides casting calls in Los Angeles. Those calls include different types of acting auditions in Los Angeles. You can find roles in theatre, movies, and commercial advertisements on the Backstage website. 

However, it is essential to note that Backstage is a paid website when it comes to Los Angeles casting calls and that is natural. In fact, most of the websites offering acting auditions in Los Angeles are paid. Backstage requires a monthly membership, which costs $19.99 . For that price, Backstage offers you:

Job applications

You can have unlimited access to Los Angeles casting calls of different types. It sounds like a perfect start for your acting career in Los Angeles, right?

Profile 

Signing up to Backstage, you can create a professional talent profile. Here you can post your resume, your demo reel, and the most recent headshots by a professional Los Angeles headshot photographer.

Signing up to backstage is a perfect start for your acting career in Los Angeles. This website is legitimate, and it is not very expensive. Even though there are cheaper websites, you may still go for Backstage, as it offers terrific Los Angeles casting calls. It also gives you a considerable amount of suggestions on how to participate in acting auditions in Los Angeles. Therefore, paying to Backstage will be a tiny investment in your future career. 

2. Breakdown Services

If you have an agent, then the website that will be really helpful is Breakdown Services. This is the best website where you will meet the best acting auditions in Los Angeles. This is where all the casting agencies and individual casting directors post announcements about Los Angeles casting calls. However, there is a nuance concerning this website. When I asked about the agent, it was necessary. The point is that only agents can use this website. They get special permission from this website and then, access to the best Los Angeles casting calls by professional casting agencies. 

Unfortunately, as an actor with no agent representation, you will not have the chance to participate in these casting calls. However, this should serve as a motivation for you. Take steps to become a more prominent actor: do more acting work, contact more Los Angeles headshot photographers for photo sessions, be more active in your social media. This is all to say, get involved in your sphere more. Agents will notify you and suggest their services. 

3. Actors Access

One more website for you to expand the variety of opportunities for acting auditions in Los Angeles. And there is one more good news concerning Actors Access. You don’t need an agent for that! This website provides not only Los Angeles casting calls, but also the ones in New York and Chicago just in case you need them. 

However, logically, these services are not free. You should pay for applying to the casting calls. Do you want one more surprise? OKAY! It is very cheap! You pay only 2$ for one acting audition. You can also pay $66 per year and have unlimited access to all the possible auditions in Los Angeles. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, and a person very familiar to the acting industry, I suggest you pay $66, as you will participate in much more acting auditions in Los Angeles than you imagine. Let’s be serious: nobody applies for just one Los Angeles casting call. It is impossible to choose 1 in 10000. Just pay $66 and ask for all the 10000. You will save a lot of money, which you can spend on creating a website for yourself, getting good headshots from the best Los Angeles headshot photographers, and making good videos. 

As you may understand, Actors Access is a dream place for starting actors. So, don’t hesitate to sign up. 

4. Other services

There are many more websites where you can find acting auditions in Los Angeles. The three sites mentioned above are not the only ones. There is always a chance to do more and discover more. These are the names of other casting websites (I wanted to hyperlink the blog I have written called “6 Best casting websites of 2019, but it was not submitted in the website”) that you may find useful to sign up for:

  1. Casting Networks Incorporated
  2. Playbill
  3. Mandy.com
  4. Casting Frontier

Don’t miss your chance to take the most and the best that the Internet offers you as a help for building your acting career in Los Angeles. There will be no harm from signing in to as much casting websites as it is possible to get access to all the acting auditions in Los Angeles.

Social Media

Let us not forget about this powerful tool called social media, as casting agencies don’t forget about it. It is not a secret how powerful social media can be when it comes to spreading and looking for information. For starting an actor looking for Los Angeles casting calls, social media is beneficial.

Events 

Many events related to the acting industry take place in Los Angeles. These events may not necessarily have websites, but they may be vital for your acting career. Participating in activities can actually be a perfect start of a job and a chance to participate in prestigious acting auditions in Los Angeles. You can meet influential casting directors during these events and communicate with them. You can also meet agents and persuade them to represent you during Los Angeles casting calls. Therefore, make sure to follow social media pages of events. 

When you like or follow a particular page, make sure to scroll down to see the recommendations that the social media platform provides. As you are making only the first steps of your acting career, don’t hesitate to follow everything connected to Los Angeles casting calls. You will not necessarily communicate with all the pages you follow. However, these pages are extremely useful in that they provide you the chance to be aware of the news in the acting industry and the most recent acting auditions in Los Angeles.  

By the way, don’t forget to follow all the official social media accounts of movie productions. What if they suddenly decide to make a job announcement? Who knows? And above all, it is your responsibility to follow the productions you dream to work with. 

Social media will also allow you to find the best headshot photographers in Los Angeles and register for photo sessions. 

Keep networking

It is extremely important to be active in the acting industry. Let’s say you have used the websites mentioned above and participated in a number of acting auditions in Los Angeles. That is not enough. You should search for more and more, and most importantly, you should make some contact with the influential people of the acting industry. You should make casting directors, writers, and maybe even producers know about you. What to do to find more casting calls and to participate in more acting auditions in Los Angeles?

  1. Get a job in the local theatre
  2. Don’t hesitate to do some volunteer acting in commercials
  3. Visit events connected to the acting industry
  4. Volunteer to participate in the films students make for their college projects
  5. Sign up for different acting classes even if you have already graduated from an acting school
  6. Join various filmmaking associations 
  7. Follow the famous Acting blogs and YouTube channels to expand your knowledge and skills 

Auditions for extras

Well, nobody said that becoming the new Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks starts with a lead role in a movie. Absolutely not! All the actors start with small characters where they appear for a couple of seconds in a crowd. Brad Pitt played an extra in a movie called “Less Than Zero” and he got only $38 for his role. Who could even imagine that this guy would appear in 2 Quentin Tarantino movies? So, don’t ever underestimate the job of extras and apply for Los Angeles casting calls for extras. 

At the beginning of your acting career in Los Angeles, the work as an extra in an effortless and rapid way to get into more substantial roles in movies. However, of course, everything depends on you. You should take that role of an extra really seriously. Try to impress the director. Try to do everything so that the director notices you. Show off all your skills and demonstrate a massive interest in what you are doing. Grab the attention of the director and the crew, and maybe they will consider you for more prominent roles. 

It will be unrealistic to say that the job of an extra is the key to a successful acting career in Hollywood. Don’t take it too easy. It should serve you like nothing else but a boost to achieve higher goals and be only the first step of a ladder leading to peaks such as the Academy Award for best actor or actress.

As a Conclusion…

Today, the Internet allows us to have quick and easy access to the information you are looking for. The acting career in Los Angeles does not start from the top. You have a colossal path to go through before you reach your goals and become a famous actor in Los Angeles. You should start your way by preparing a good resume, which includes a beautiful headshot by a Los Angeles headshot photographer, and then start filling in your acting experience. This experience should be vibrant, and for that, you should respond to all the Los Angeles casting calls you come across.

Take real steps to find casting calls and sign up to the websites and follow acting social media accounts that I presented in this article. Be very active: participate in events and never ever stop networking. Participating in acting auditions in Los Angeles is crucial for your acting career, so do that as much as it is possible, and you will become the Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks of the future. 

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Seda Stepanyan
October 10, 2019
Wanna Quit Los Angeles Acting Career? Read this!

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.

los angeles acting quotes

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.

los angeles acting career quotes

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! 

los angeles acting career quotes

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. 

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Seda Stepanyan
October 3, 2019
How Demo Reel Serves your Acting Career?

Hey, future Hollywood star! Still in the process of creating a resume for an acting career in LA? Have you already got a great headshot done? Well done! But it is not enough. It’s time to complete your resume with a demo reel, which is another kind of a calling card for an actor. Wanna know how demo reel serves your acting career?

What is a demo reel?

Briefly, a demo reel is a video collection of your previous acting work that lasts no more than 2 minutes. Imagine that it is an audition where you do not have the script. The casting group gets a real sense of how you act without your physical presence in the LA casting agencies. They evaluate your abilities based on what they see in your reel, so you may understand that it is a pretty significant thing. In some cases, your demo reel may be what determines whether you will be invited to an audition in Los Angeles or not. 

Why do you need a demo reel?

You should remember one thing before applying for an audition. Casting directors are truly busy. They do not have much time to read every applicant’s resume . For that reason, except for a headshot, demo reels are a perfect solution for them. They will know everything they need to know about you in only 2 minutes. You understand that your demo reel should perfectly demonstrate your acting skills, right? 

With a demo reel, you can show the casting directors both your experience as an actor and the skills you possess. Moreover, the casting director will understand how you look on the screen. However, your demo reel should not only show the range of your skills, but it should also design kind of an emotional response to yourself that will motivate the directors to give you the part. But never consider this as a necessity to stage too emotional appeals. The most important thing will always be naturalness.

Demonstrate your best, but never be artificial!  

One more thing. Let’s say you successfully impressed the casting director during your audition. Your camera presence, your performance, your consistency were all perfect. However, there is one more candidate who made the same impression on the casting director as you did. Who would they choose, what do you think? Correct, the one with the better demo reel. So, let’s start making the best demo reel ever.

What should your demo reel include?

To begin with…

For a start, provide some personal information in your demo reel. Even if you have the coolest video in the world, your watchers should know who you are. Just a couple of seconds, including a headshot made by a professional photographer in LA, your name, and contact information will be enough for the beginning. 

The best part

Right after the introduction part, you can move into the best components of your demo reel. Here you should include the highlights of your career. You may ask, but why not leave the best for the end? The point is that Los Angeles casting agencies may need time for watching only some parts of your reel. Logically, they will watch the first part, so you would better give them the best in the beginning.  

Your clips 

You should include 4-5 clips in your demo reel. They should not be long, just some 15-30 second maximum. The whole demo reel should also be short. The casting director will never dedicate more than 3 minutes to watching your reel. So, 3 minutes is the absolute maximum. 

Don’t introduce each clip

There is absolutely no need to talk about each clip you are going to show. However, not to talk does not mean not to make reference at all. Just put a one-line-long description of what yo show so that the casting crew knows what the meaning is. 

How long should my reel be?

The most important thing you should be aware of is that casting agencies in Hollywood do not have much time for you. Yes, it may sound rude, but it is the reality for every starting actor. You have to impress the casting director in a short time. As Mark Twain once said, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Even though he talked about a letter, the principle is the same. You should take time to prepare a shorter demo reel, which will be more impressing than if you did a long one. 

I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.

Mark Twain

An ideal demo reel will contain 5 different scenes and will be less than 3 minutes. 3 minutes is OK. However, when the casting director sees that your reel is 2 minutes and some seconds, they appreciate it. Visually, the number 2 seems more pleasant for them, even if the next number is 59.

You may say, but what if the director does not get the whole plot or does not fully grasp your experience. No and no. You are not making a short film. It is a bigger plus if you are able to make an impression with a 2-minute-long video than if you did a half an hour-long documentary with fascinating special effects.  

What are the main qualities of a great demo reel?

You may already have some kind of an understanding of what a good demo reel is; there are still certain concrete qualities you should take into account. 

Honesty

Your demo reel should follow some moral standards of honesty. This is not the case when creating something significant out of nothing works. Here you should show who you are in fact, without imitating any great accomplishments. Be yourself, and it will be appreciated.

This is not the case when creating something significant out of nothing works.

New Material

Your features should be as new as it is possible. An acting career in Los Angeles is a concept that gets old really quickly. You, as an actor, are expected to develop throughout time. That is why, if you include features of 3 years ago in your reel, you will be removed from the shortlist immediately. 

Sound and Visual Quality

The quality of your demo reel talks about your professionalism. Good actors should understand the significance of quality videos. If your video lacks sound and the visual quality is below average, you will be considered amateur. 

Marketable Qualities 

This is about yourself. Your headshot is not capable of making a good reputation for you by itself. The demo reel gives you the chance to market your best qualities. This is to say; there should be something special in your reel. Something that is unique and differentiates you from other candidates. 

Focus on Yourself

Concentrate the focus of the reel on yourself. This may sound obvious, however, experience shows that it is necessary to highlight this point. Some actors come up with real high-quality reels. However, in the end, it is not clear who the reel was about. So, make sure that the scenes of your clip start with you on the screen and finish similarly. The shot should be on you rather than the environment or other actors. 

Some actors come up with real high-quality reels. However, in the end, it is not clear who the reel was about.

Do I need to hire a videographer?

Even if you have some understanding of video making, it is much better to hire a professional videographer in LA, as it will guarantee you a professional demo reel. All the technical requirements of a professional reel will be satisfied. You will not have to worry about the quality of the light and sound, as the videographer will take care of that all. 

It is very important to highlight your professionalism in the eyes of the casting director. If he/she finds your reel amateur, you will most probably not be selected. You can consider this a small investment in your acting career in Hollywood. 

A tip for you! While filming the introduction video of your demo reel, it is a really good idea to invite a headshot photographer. The point is that you may manage 2 things at the same time: to get headshots and a demo reel. Your professional photographer in Los Angeles will make some amazing headshots for you. 

Can I edit my own reel?

Well, if you have experience in editing and you believe that nobody else in the world can do that better than you, then go for it, why not? OK, so here are some tips for you to do the editing of your own reel in the best way.

Share the Screen Just a Little

The casting directors want to see you primarily. So, keep the focus of the video on yourself. Start with a scene of your face from the very beginning so that the directors know who to look at. 

You First

Your footage should be the first in the reel. No backstory, no plot. Just you in the beginning. Nobody in the LA casting agency is interested in where you are or who are the people surrounding you. The only thing they want is you. 

Holding Attention

Have footage as concise as possible. One scene should not last long; otherwise, you will lose your audience. Yes, the concentration should be on you, but the scenes should change.

However, there is a huge problem in editing a personal demo reel yourself. You may never know which parts to keep and which ones to eliminate. This is about objectivity, which one can never have toward himself. This is why it is much better to trust the editing of your reel to a professional who will be able to distinguish between important and trivial parts.

How many reels do I need?

You may ask, “Do I need to make many demo reels just as I do with headshots?” You ask an interesting question. The answer to this question depends on the content of your reel.

Here are the main points:

Drama and Comedy

If you had a chance to play both dramatic and comic characters throughout your acting career in Hollywood, then it will be a better choice to make 2 separate reels for each of them. If a director is casting a comedy, for instance, he/she will hardly be interested in your drama experience. In that case, he/she will not be satisfied with your demo reel, as there will be not enough information for them. However, if the director likes you and wants to see your other abilities as well, they may turn to your second reel. 

Either Drama or Comedy

If you are specialized only in one of these spheres, you should absolutely have only one reel. The casting directors will not be much happy if they know there is one more reel to watch about the same actor. They may conclude that you were not able to fit everything into one reel and disqualify you as a professional. 

What should you not include on your reel?

As you may have noted, there are a lot of requirements you should follow to have a good demo reel. However, what dos without don’ts? Here are some things that should not be in your reel.

No Repetition! 

Never ever include 2 things from the same experience. Each clip in your reel should be from a different show/performance and of different time periods.

No Sci-Fi!

Well, probably you were not going to make a sci-fi reel, but this mainly refers to special effects. They are actually not needed. The casting director wants to see you, rather the amount of money you paid for an expensive video with special effects. 

No Flash Drives!

Do not even try to give your reel to a director in a flash drive. They will simply not take it. Instead, have your reel online and open access for them. The same refers to CDs.

A demo reel, just like a headshot and resume, serves as a calling card for you and helps the casting agencies decide whether to hire you or not. It is extremely important to be natural in your demo reel and follow the requirements so that the casting agencies of LA consider you a decent candidate. 

P.S. Before making your demo reel search for as many demo reels on Youtube as possible.

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