Expert: Kitty Kavey - 1/27/2007

Question
Hi,
Im 13 years old, and I live New York City...Ive been wanting to be an actor
since I was about 3.
I mainly got it from my grandfather who is a etacher but does acting on the
side.
I would always run lines with him and he even got me in two commercilas which
were great.
Anyway, I want to act so badly and my mom knows but she is going so slow with
it.
My grandfather has said i have talent to do pro work but my mom is being so
annoying.
Ive been trying to get her to let us move to California...but focourse there is
no was a 13 year old is going to get her mom to do that...I wish I could go
alone becuase thats where all the big shwos are..Disney Channel, ABc...etc.
But she wants us to stay in New York where there are oppritunities alot, but not
the ines that i want.
One oif my questions is do you have to live in California to have an agent there
if youre willing to travel there to do shows? or do you have to live there?
I could get one in NYC but then ofcour ......

Answer
Technically no, you do not have to live here to have an agent here - however, that situation would generally apply to either actors who have already made it in the industry, or someone who is represented by an agency who has offices both in New York and LA.  There are certainly actors who come out to LA for pilot season, but do not live here.  
The problem is that much of the time your agent doesn't direct book you for work, but wants you to be on call and available for auditions.  The cost of flying out for every audition and callback, as well as for the actual job itself may be far greater than what the acting job would pay.
If you're serious about acting as a career, and you're in New York, it would be possible to work there and build up your resume.  You can focus on getting an agent who has offices on both coasts, so that when you are able to move out here you already have representation, a good history with your agent, and a strong body of work on your resume.  You can also work on developing your actor's demo reel, and perhaps training as well.  Some of the finest acting schools and classes are offered in NYC, and could help when in the future you're competing for a small number of film/television roles against hundreds or even thousands of other actors your age.
See if you can't find something to fulfill you where you are right now, and when you are able to make the move to LA you'll have that much more on your resume, and will have taken your natural talent even further.  And if you hit it big over there, you'll get offers from over here.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty