STOP! Don't move to LA or NY yet!

Get as much experience as you can wherever your feet are planted right now. You want to be the "big fish" in your local area before you jump into an ocean of sharks.

Things to consider before you move:

1. Do you have A LOOOOOT of money saved up to get you through your first year?

2. Do you have a side-job set up in your new city to pay the living and acting expenses?

3. Do you have a solid resume of impressive credits, great commercial & theatrical headshots, and a reel of your on-camera work?

4. Have you established a network in your new city?

5. Are you a part of an acting community in your new city? If not, THIS ONE IS A MUST!

If you answered "NO" to any of the top 5 considerations, take the time to make it a 'YES!" Once you're in LA, NY or even Atlanta, you're going to be competing with experienced, trained actors for the smallest roles. What is going to make you stand out amongst the other strong actors? 

Things you can do to succeed in your local town, right now!

1. Enroll in acting classes! In-person or Zoom...just get into a GOOD class!

2. Join local theater.

3. Sign up on casting websites: Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage.com

4. Audition for local projects.

5. Do background work - only a few times, for the on-set experience. 

6. Audition for projects outside your city. Once you're comfortable locally, start branching out!

The point is to gear yourself up with skills, experience, and confidence.

You're going to need all 3 to succeed in the acting hubs. With so many talented actors hungry to work in film and television, you're going to need to arrive and make an impact when you land!

Make sure your plan doesn't have a short timeline. Expect to grind in the industry for years before you start to see daylight. The idea of doing "a summer in LA" no longer exists. You've gotta be here for the long haul. Be prepared!

Don't be afraid to make the move...when you're ready!

At some point, you're going to have to jump. Even with self-taped auditions, talent agents expect you to live in the hub cities as a working actor. The industry has changed with the COVID pandemic. Traveling actors to out-of-town sets is a luxury now. If your feet are on the ground already, it'll make it that much easier to book roles and sign with a talent agent.

Put your parachute on...and jump!!

I'm always here to help and answer questions. You're going to need a community of actors to survive the industry. You can start here!

Break a leg!

Nancy