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Expert: - 12/2/2008


Question
I am a 26 year old inspiring actress. I live in Tampa, FL. I previously took acting classes, and I am getting ready to start again. I learned from my previous acting teacher to get my headshots professionally taken, then to go to sag.org and get a list of all SAG agencies, and then mail them my headshot and resume. My question is if I want role in a movie or sitcom should I just send by headshots and resume to only agencies in California? Also, at this point when I have my headshots and resume and a list of agencies what is my next step to break in the business? And should I move to LA, or should I just fly out there for auditions? Will casting directors or agencies pay for my plane ticket to audition?

Answer
Teresa,

Thanks for writing. If you're not in Los Angeles, there's a 98% chance that you will not even be considered for the parts for which you are submitted. Why? Because if they see your headshot and want you to audition that afternoon, or the next morning, if you don't live here you can't get to the audition that fast.

If you're represented by a talent agency in LA, and they submit you, MAYBE if the producer and/or director are interested they will pay to fly you to LA for the audition. But that generally only happens for up and coming actors with some really, really strong credits. Usually they will NOT do that for unknown actors.

Phil  

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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