Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/how to get to where i want to be

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Expert: - 12/10/2008


Question
hi phil, my name is jared im 19 years old from west virginia and i want to be an actor!.. i graduate high school in january, Im supposed to go to chicago in february and move in with my sister who lives there, And study acting at the piven theatre workshop and do theatre.. i was gonna work part time and save my money with tthe plan of going to LA in 2 or 3 years and getting an agent to work in tv and film atleast thats the goal my dream, If this were to fall through which it could as far as me not going to chicago, What can i do now to get to LA and have a chance of getting an agent one day?? thank you,
Jared

Answer
Jared,

Thanks for writing. Your instincts are correct. Regardless of what city you live in, enroll in the best acting classes you can find and develop your skills and your talent. Audition for and perform in as much quality theater as you can. Then when you're ready, move to Los Angeles and pursue your dream!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

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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