The actor's survival guide: how to make your way in Hollywood

Acknowledgments

Preface

1. Moving to Los Angeles: "Simple Is as Simple Does"

What should I do before I move?

What shouldn't I do before I move?

2. Living in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles City

88 Small Towns in Search of a City

The Hills-Hollywood or Beverly?

The Canyons-Beachwood or Laurel?

The Beaches-Santa Monica or Venice?

The Valley-NoHo or Burbank?

The Basin-West Hollywood or Silverlake?

3. Surviving in Los Angeles: Employment, Housing, and Transportation

Implementing Your Business Plan

Employment

Who hires struggling actors in Los Angeles?

Where do I look for employment notices?

What jobs should I avoid?

What's better, employment or entrepreneurship?

Housing

What do I do first?

Should I rent, lease, sublet, or live with someone?

Where do I look for housing?

What should I look for when I inspect the unit?

What application fees may I be charged to rent/lease a unit?

What additional fees can I be charged if I'm approved?

What are my renter's rights?

Transportation

Do I really need a car in Los Angeles?

What are transportation corridors?

What's with the freeway names?

What are my public transportation choices?

Public transportation versus private vehicle

What about parking?

4. The Business of Hollywood

How do I find a paid acting job?

Who are the buyers?

Who are these "major studios"?

How does this production process work?

Who are the sellers?

What is the product being bought and sold?

How well do ethnic actors do in Hollywood?

5. Marketing Tools

What marketing materials do I need?

Headshots

If casting is done electronically do I still need headshot?

How do I find a good photographer?

How do I prepare for the photo shoot?

What should I expect during the photo shoot?

How do I choose a headshot?

Where do I have headshots printed?

Resume

What should I put on my resume?

How should I organize my resume?

What should I NOT put on my resume?

Do actors lie or exaggerate on their resumes?

How should I format and reproduce my resume?

Photo Cards

Do I need photo business cards?

Actor's Reel

How do I get clips of my work?

How do I go about making an actor's reel?

Personal Website

Should I have my own Web site?

How do I establish a personal Web site?

What is the Academy Players Directory?

6. Talent Agents and Personal Managers

What is a talent agent?

What does a talent agent do for the actor?

Are there different kinds of talent agents?

How does one become a talent agent?

Must an actor have a talent agent?

How do I find a licensed talent agent?

How does a talent agent find new actors to represent?

What should I expect when I meet with a talent agent?

Is it important to have a SAG franchised agent?

What is the difference between a SAG agency contract and a GSA?

What is the difference between a talent agent and a personal manager?

How do talent agents and personal managers work together?

How do I know a manager or management company is legitimate?

What scams should I watch out for?

7. The Unions

A brief history

What does a union do for an actor?

Which union(s) should I join?

Why doesn't everyone just join AFTRA and not SAG?

How do I join SAG?

The Right Place at the Right Time

The Casting Couch

Be an Extra Body

The Waiver Game

Use the Stage Door

8. The Casting Game

How does an actor get an audition?

How does an actor learn what projects are being cast?

What are breakdowns and how does one get them?

What is electronic casting and how has it changed casting?

Does everybody use electronic casting now?

Can actors subscribe to this service?

Which electronic casting services should I subscribe to?

Actors Access

Now Casting

LA Casting

Craigslist

What different types of casting notices are posted on electronic services?

How do you know if a project is legitimate?

If everybody uses electronic casting, why do I need headshots?

How do I create professional looking hardcopy submissions?

How should I address the envelope?

9. Auditioning

Who are casting directors?

What is the casting process?

Is the casting process the same for all projects?

Are there audition scams I should avoid?

What information should I request when I receive an audition call?

How should I prepare for an audition?

What should I keep focused on during the audition?

What shouldn't I do during the audition?

What shouldn't happen during auditions?

What could happen after an audition?

10. Working in Hollywood

What kind of contract and booking information will I receive?

What should I expect of a union contract?

What are the contractual differences between the various kinds of projects?

Film

Television

Commercials

New Media

Theatrical

Industrial/Educational

Interactive Media

Background Actors

What other legal documents must an actor know about?

What should I do to prepare for filming?

What should I bring with me to the set?

What shouldn't I bring to the set?

What should I do when I arrive?

What can I expect from nonunion projects?

What kinds of nonunion projects are available?

Films

Television

Commercials

Reality Programs

Music Videos

Stage

11. Bookkeeping: The Cost of Doing Business

Do actors have any special tax liabilities?

Does the IRS offer any special tax incentives to an actor?

What deductions may actors take on their income taxes?

Commissions and Fees

Contract Labor Fees (Services)

Legal Expenses

Professional Registries

Professional Services

Travel

Local Travel

Out of Town Travel

Communication

Office Supplies

Equipment Purchases

Marketing Materials

Continuing Education

Professional Supplies

Office Space

How do I maintain these records?

What should I do if I'm audited?

What five mistakes should I avoid?

What items are not deductible?

12. Continuing Education and Training

Why should I continue with my education or training?

What training options does an actor have in Los Angeles?

Academic Institutions

Acting Studios

Workshops

Coaches

Pay to play?

What scams do I need to avoid?

What other kinds of research resources will I find in Los Angeles?

Epilogue

Appendix A. Maps

Figure 1. Entertainment Industry Parallelogram

Figure 2. Los Angeles Neighborhoods

Figure 3. Satellite View of Los Angeles

Appendix B. Los Angeles County Neighborhood Statistics

Appendix C. Forms

SAG Television Commercials Agency Contract

SAG Employment Contract: Industrial/Educational Film or Videotape

Standard Employment Contract for Performers Engaged as Extras in Television Commercials

SAG Taft/Hartley Report

An Actor's Film and Television Glossary

Works Cited

Books

Magazines

Web Sites

Legal Agreements

Governmental Documents