Expert: Laura Interval - 6/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Laura. Thank you so much for making yourself available for us. My girlfriend, my love, is determined to become an actress. She just knows that she can do it. There are some specifics about the process that we're unsure of however. We currently live in Colorado, and we know that we need to move to California. We don't have much money to move out there with, and support ourselves while we find jobs. It seems that this initial step is difficult to for us to see what's the best thing to do. We're willing to do whatever it takes. What do you think is the best thing to do? What can we do right when we move there to help with the initial period of surviving, paying rent, food, gas until we find jobs. We could really use some guidance right now, and I just thank you so much for your knowledge and expertise. Thank you,
Spencer

ANSWER: Hi Spencer
Great to get your email.  I admire your girlfriend's passion and your support of her.  I have a few questions for you so i can better try to guide you.
How old is she?
What kind of experience does she have?
What type of acting is she interested in doing?
Are you in a large city like Denver now?

Let me know the answers to these questions and we'll figure out the best plan for you.
All the best,
Laura

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, she is 25. She doesn't have much experiance. She's doing an independent film this weekend in Colorado Springs, CO. She is also in a class right now. If I understand you right, she wants to do movies. At least that's her initial thought of her path. She's mentioned that she's open to doing anything. Her heart is just telling her to act. Whether thats community theater, movies, television, plays... Technically yes we're in Denver now. Louisville is about 30 minutes from downtown Denver. Thank you so much for your willingness to help us. I'm sure it'll help greatly!
Spencer

ANSWER: Hi Spencer,
ok.... here's my honest opinion...
LA is a really tough city to move to if you don't have a lot of means or experience.  It's also not a great time for actors out there... on the heels of a writer's strike and now there is an actor's strike pending.  A lot of people are either out of work or anticipating being out of work.  I would wait until at least the beginning of next year to go.  Agencies are very very selective right now... and to go without any contacts is a mistake I think.
Have you contacted any agencies in CO?  Her goal should be to become the big fish in your little pond.  Don't get in a hurry.  Conquer where you are!  She should audition for every play, every role that she is right for.    
It's good she is doing a indie.  She just needs to get as much experience and training as possible.  This is a great time for her to really work on her art and develop the foundation of who she is as an actor.   
Take a look at my website.  It would be helpful for me to get a better idea of her marketability if she would upload a video or pics.  Upload a few pictures, snapshots are fine if she doesn't have a headshot.  Better yet, perform a one minute monologue.  I'll be glad to coach her for film/TV (for free) and give you my suggestions for casting and career path.

www.creative-personal-development.com/express-yourself.html

I also have some articles on there about acting and career planning that I hope you'll find helpful.
Try and upload something as soon as you can... I'm travelling overseas soon and may be less accessable for a little while!
Feel free to ask me more questions.
It's all about persistence!
Laura Interval



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow, this is really awesome how much your willing to help her. Thank you so, so much! I was a little behind the ball about her experiance. She's been in acting classes for about a year. She's done a student film, and this indie coming up this weekend, is a short film.

She went on an audition for an agency here in colorado. The guy told her to just go out to L.A. Its seems to be hard sometimes because she gets different information and advice from people. My mindset is that she should do what her heart is saying to do, her feelings. We've gotten a suggestion to go to Dallas, Texas instead of Los Angeles. Do you know anything about the scene out there. Jocelyn, my girlfriend, her mindset is very simple, she just wants to become an actress. She wouldn't mind not becoming this huge star and being famous, and just be a working actress for this next big chunk of her life. Don't get me wrong, she'd love to make it big, but she just loves acting. Which I feel is the best thing a person could have when going after a dream. She just got her headshots taken. She's not sure how long it will take to get them. But I think she has some sort of picture/headshot. I believe she just got more professional ones. She has a monologue she does. She hasn't let me see it though! :) But we will get her monologue on the computer asap.

Wow, this is just so cool. Thank you so, so much for helping. We're very grateful for it. We'll check out the website. Thank you again Laura!!!
Spencer

Answer
Hi Spencer
I am actually writing you from LA right now.  It's a beautiful time of year to be here.  But, I must tell you, all of my friends who are living here are fearing the strike situation.
You guys will definitely get a million different opinions on what path you should take.  Just be sure to educate yourself as much as you can... and then, do what you believe.  Its all about determination and goals.  
I'm glad to hear that Jocelyn has been in classes for a year... so, she has a good idea of herself as an artist.  
I honestly don't know much about the acting biz in Dallas.  I worked as a fashion model there quite a bit... but, never as an actor.  It doesn't sound worth it to me.  If you don't move to LA... you should think about Chicago.  They have an extremely well respected theater community that could get her some attention.
Tell me more about the agent in CO?  Is she working with them?  Why did he tell her to go to LA?  Just curious where he's coming from.
LA takes a very specific determination.  I would really like to take a look at her work and to talk to her more specifically about her goals and her talent level.  
I am overseas on Sunday for the next couple of months.  I may be a lot slower to email... but, I'll get back to you!
A few things for Jocelyn to think about....
what type of roles does she want to play?  What actress is playing the roles she wants to play right now?  Is she willing to work really hard for the next couple of years?
You're welcome.  If I can help you in any way, it makes me happy.
Best,
Laura