Expert: Phil Nemy - 10/29/2008

Question
My daughter is 11, signed with an agent in Arkansas and will be attending the IMTA Show in LA in January.  We have taken acting classes, private coaching, voice lessons, hip-hop classes, 9 years of gymnastics & cheer, and she is moving full speed ahead.  I am slowly watching my daughters dreams unfold.  We realize that we will have to relocate to LA even if she doesn't find an agent through IMTA. Any advice you can give me for when we go out in January, or relocate soon after?  We are presently preparing her resume, headshot, and demo tape for the show. Everything I, as a parent, have learned has been off the internet & the classes she took.  I just feel so ignorant.  Also, who can tell me where the best places to live are in LA with cost, location, and safety in mind?

Answer
Lydia,

Thanks for writing. My main advice for you is be prepared to spend a minimum of 10 years in Los Angeles supporting your daughter while she tries to launch an acting career there. It can take years before she even gets a small bite.

As soon as she gets to LA, pick up a copy of Backstage West magazine. It comes out every couple of weeks. There will be a number of acting teachers listing ads there. It's important that she enrolls in acting classes in LA even thought she may already have had classes elsewhere. Through these classes, she'll meet people and people will begin to see her work. That's how she's going to get noticed and maybe get an audition. Agents will eventually see her work as well which is good as she'll need to get an agent.

As far as places to live, pick up a copy of my book GET A REEL JOB as I describe all the neighborhoods in Los Angeles and the prices one can expect to pay for housing. The prices have gone up about 8-10% since I wrote the book, but it will give you some very useful information. You can purchase it online at Amazon.com or you can buy it through me by mailing a check payable to me for $26.95 to Phil Nemy, Angel's Touch Productions, 35 West Main Street, Suite 117B, Ventura, CA 93001.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil