What you need to know as an actor before moving to Hollywood.
Cats: news|My best headshot yet and what you need to know as an actor before moving to Hollywood.
As most of you know, I’m an actress living in Hollywood. I love giving you the news straight from the source or closest to. This blog is for anyone interested in making a move to Hollywood with dreams to become a working actor. I was inspired to write this blog because I recently took a new headshot. I worked with an amazing, intelligent and stylized photographer, Josh Targownik. It has taken me a while to find a photographer that can really capture me for a headshot. He not only photographs headshots, but also shoots products and people for print advertisement. Before shooting people and products, he shot travel photography similar to National Geographic. Educated in every aspect of photography, he has high quality equipment and all of the latest photography computer programs. Here is his link to his website www.Targophoto.com I strongly recommend if you are seeking headshots, you contact him.
Anyway, I have some reality checkpoints that you should know about before making the move. Working in this industry is not as easy as it looks. Some people think that you just show up here and you get on TV and/or film. In some cases you can do that! If you have a friend or family connection, it is sometimes easier to become a working actor. Or you can flat out get lucky! The director may pick you out of the crowd and give you a break! I have seen it happen! The majority of actors that come here, show up by them self with a huge dream at their side. A lot of actors that I know bust their butt to make their career happen and make ends meet to survive the city.
The reality of working on TV and film sets is shocking to some newcomers. The difference between what you see on TV vs. behind the scenes on set are like night and day. It is work. What you see on the screen is very different than the film set. There is a lot of waiting around. A lot! You must have patience. You must love- love- love the art of film and acting. The more you love all of the aspects of TV and film, the longer you will stick around and better the chance of you getting ahead. For instance, I had a friend that came out here to be an actress. She is very outgoing and beautiful. She only stayed for about 4 months and then went back home. She said it’s not what she thought it was. She said she thought it would be easier to become an actress.
If you love your craft and you stick to it… if you work hard and set your mind to it… I really believe you will get there. This goes for any hobby, craft and/or career. You need to have perseverance.
Now BEFORE you come out to Hollywood, there are a few things I recommend:
1. First, you must have a couple of acting classes and/or plays on your resume.
2. Try to act in independent films in your town. If you don’t get the part, get into their crew or volunteer. Everyone is filming everywhere. If not, make Youtube monologues. Film yourself. It does not have to be professional. The idea is to get real life experience in film.
3. Get a photographer to shoot a visible and clear-NOT overly airbrushed headshot of you. Your first headshot does not need to be the best ever. You are just starting out. Look natural. Light makeup. Be you.
Eventually after you’ve moved to LA, you will be shooting with the best of the best photographers! Just do this headshot so you have SOMETHING to show so people know that you are for real in Hollywood. If you cannot retouch your photo in Photoshop, have the printer company do it. For everything you need to know about a headshot go here:
http://www.zerotopia.com/resources/headshots/index.html
Here is an example of my latest headshot:
My headshot photographer Josh Targownik did an amazing job. His photography equipment is top of the line. www.Targophoto.com He is amazing! His style is like no other!
4. Put a little resume together. Every headshot has a resume on the back. This is why you must work in independent films and plays! For resume examples, go here: http://www.actorspages.org/resume.php
5. Stash some cash for the move.
6. Try to put the deposit down for your apartment before you arrive. If you really plan ahead and save a lot of money, you can stay in a hotel and then find a place to live. www.craigslist.org and www.westsiderentals.com
7. When you get here and you are ready to work, get pretty and go sign up with Central Casting. Network by speaking to other actors and find out where else to sign up for castings.
8. Get your 3 SAG vouchers! For more information about joining the Screen Actors Guild, visit: http://www.sag.org
Now you are on your way!
Lisa Mason Lee
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1467375/
Source | celebrities.com
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.