Background.

When Freya was 14 and after attending a one hour workshop Acting for Camera
she stepped from the camera and said I know what I want to do I want to act for Film
and TV and I want to go to LA. There was no hesitation and no self doubt. Before this
the only acting she had done was minor roles in school productions. I had no idea what
this was to entail and in my naivety I thought EASY, DONE.

Freya, when questioned by the careers counselor in year 11 she was asked what her
Plan be was, as she was going to be an actor and many never succeed. Freya replied,
No plan B, plan B is a plan to fail. When I walked in the room the counselor reiterated
Your daughter wants to be an actor and has no Plan B to which I replied Thats right
we dont have plan Bs in our family

So, dont let anyone and that includes family or friends, say youre too old, you dont
have the right look, or anything negative or derogatory. Take them off your Christmas
list and FB!!!! .There are literally thousands of actors who you wont even know, that
make a living in US doing what they love to do, act. Not all are A listers but they have
agents, make a living, and love it.

To be an actor takes persistence, stamina, talent and Luck (Sir Laurence Olivier) and I add
Money (more on that later). So spend wisely, save lots, be thoroughly prepared, and Go
for it.

The Actors Mentor Four years later and coming up for her third Pilot season (silly
season in LA) I look back at we have accomplished (as a family team) SO MUCH in
such a short time. I have learnt much along the way, made mistakes and gathered
a great deal of information. I have networked with managers and agents to help my
clients. I now Mentor other actors, and parents of the younger ones helping them, to
reach their goals. I work with each actor on the best paths to take for them, the pitfalls
and where to save and spend money. I help with the actors transition to LA without
being fully prepared, and to put them back on track when they wander off on a tangent.

Cheers Coppelia

THE ACTORS MENTOR

I would like to point out that these are my observations over a few pilot seasons and
mixing with managers, agents, casting directors and actors in the industry and of course
there are the exceptions but for the majority of actors these notes would stand. CT

Pilot Season in LA

So you have decided to come to LA for pilot season. You hop on a plane, land in LA,
submit for auditions, land the lead role in a blockbuster and live happily ever after. Well
that is the plan.

What plan??

When is Pilot Season

The lines are blurring more now and remember film auditioning is ongoing. Pilot one
episode of a potential new series (pilots) or ongoing series. Netflix etx dotn do pilots as
such but make one whole series

Mid January Beginning April: Usually cranks up after Sundance Festival which
agents attend with their Clients. This can vary 2010 auditions were tailing off by the
end of February

April June Sporadic Auditions films

July Aug: Summer break for many agents light auditioning

September Beginning November: Quieting down leading up to Thanksgiving

Episodics, recasting for series taken up, guest roles, recurring guest, etc and more
pilots.

Dec: Pilots

In 2011 Freya taped her last Audition on 24th Dec!!! She had 15 from October 11th to 24
Dec
Without and Agent and 01 Visa

Reality is Pilot season is the wrong time to come to LA if you are without
representation and good representation at that, plus an 01 visa. Even seasoned
actors who have starred in well known Australian series, and who will remain
anonymous, dont necessarily land a role in Pilot season or at any other time, come to
that, and go home AND they have top representation. So its best to have an Agent
back in Australia as well.

Most production companies want actors who have their 01 visa in the first instance.
I have known recently of a well known actor in Aus being cast and the production
company arranged his visa, but he did have a track record in Australia and an
Australian and American agent. Another young actor with no track record landed a pilot
last year then was dropped by the production company when they found he didnt have
a visa. The actor will be asked if they have their visa before they audition and now many
agents will not sign unless you have an 01.

With an Australian Agent

If you have an Australian agent make sure they arrange meetings for you prior to
coming. The chances are, not many will take meetings during pilot season as agents
and managers are too busy looking for projects for their clients. If you manage to get
an agent they may not be able to get you meetings with casting directors for the same
reason. After pilot season managers and agents will review their books and see who
hasnt booked for awhile or been called in for auditions.

With an American Agent/Manager

Then you are ahead and should get auditions sent to you Its not unheard of to have 10
a week and three in one day. . Initially it is not necessarily about booking a role so much
as building a fan base of casting directors so they remember you. If youre not right for
this role they at least may remember you for future roles.
Auditions

Speak American from day one, ALL the TIME. If you dont its easy for the Australian
accent to bleed through. If the casting directors hear a hint of the accent they are then
listening out for it. If they ask where youre from tell them you are living West Holly
wood, Silverlake, Studio city or wherever youre staying!!

Its okay to have your script in your hand. That doesnt mean you go in unprepared but
the casting directors like to think that there is more to get out of you later and that is not
your best!!! So the process could go something like this:-.

Open casting call (cattle call) - many look alikes in the waiting area

Call back with director a few in the waiting area.

Screen test - a few testing

Table read and chemistry read with director, producer, - a few actors still in the running

Deal memos prepared (deal memos can be signed by a few actors for the same role)
Price negotiated, this doesnt mean you have got the role; this does however put you on
hold so you cant go for other roles.

Meet with network producers, decision is made on who will land the role.

Land the role.

Shoot the pilot if it gets the green light

The Pilot gets picked up!!!

The Pilot may or may not get picked up for further seasons. You may not get picked up
for further seasons. I know a young boy , was dropped from his first pilot, the second
pilot was not picked up and the third pilot he only got as far as the agent negotiating his
fee the production company wouldnt pay the wanted fee and the contract restrictions
prevented him from auditioning for a year ,for further roles , once the pilot ended.

Ask your manager to get you a commercial agent as well as a theatrical agent some
do both. Commercials can be a good source of income in the early days. I dont think
that the US managers and agents get it, those actors on 01 visa cant work in anything
else. Some agents and managers dont like you to do commercials not sure why?

So, to have a commercial that brings in residuals can mean the difference between
staying in LA or heading home. Its your Business so lead it and dont be led.

Keeping Busy

IF you are not busy what should you be doing? Partying wrong. If youre serious
about your career it should be a 24/7 job till you get established. THERE WILL BE
PLENTY OF RED CARPETS LATER ON.

Self submit on the many casting web sites for experience. This will help network
with others in the industry. Practice your American accent. This is good experience
for auditioning process. If cast, its a great way of meeting future friends, actors, film
makers. It will also build your US resume.

NB Some agents dont like you to self submit. Remember its your business. Most
unpaid films are done on weekends anyway. If you book an un paid role then book a
paid role, you bow out gracefully out of the unpaid.

Acting lessons: Recommended The Acting Center. Their technique suits all actors so
youre not searching for a technique/method that suits you http://theactingcenterla.com

Keeping fit: you dont need to go to the gym. There are plenty of hiking trails within
walking distance of Hollywood, West Hollywood, Los Feliz, and Studio City. Exercise at
home 30 mins a day

Networking: Meet like minded people on the FB sites, Australians in LA, Australian
Artists in LA and FB Audition sites. Attend Australians in Film film nights and
workshops .Attend Australians in LA functions.

Attend: Manager and Agent Workshops held all around LA advertised on the casting
websites

Make a short Film write the script get a group together go for it.
.With the internet these days there are more and more castings being done out of
Australia. 23 Australians were cast in 2013. Not all of those Actors were in LA during
pilot season. So if you have an Australian agent it may pay to stay in Australia.

Observed career path

For the majority of Actors. If you check out many of the A listers IMDB and track their
careers you will find this is how they started. You dont see the commercials or extra
roles but most will have done that too.

Can be done without an agent.

Self Submit

For paid or unpaid, featured Extra, Support, Lead

Commercials paid or unpaid
Short films (student or otherwise) unpaid/paid

This phase should not stop till you are established getting regular paid work and getting
regular castings or land a big role. A working actor/actress

Agent - Paid work

Commercials
Guest Roles, recurring guest
Indie films, low budget features, maybe the directors are new too, no named, one
named actor, support roles
Feature films big budget, support role
Lead big name actors and or directors

And or

Series regular on Pilot or established Series.

 Working your way up the Ladder to number 1 on IMDBPro

1. Cattle call, new actor

2. Straight to director /producers audition (call back), When actor has booked roles
and been noticed by people in the industry. Actors from cattle call may also go to this
round if successful in first round.

3. Invited to audition for a chosen few.

4. Being sent scripts and asked to do the role without an Audition.

5. Turning scripts down MADE IT!

Coming in 2014

The Actors Mentor Website 2 tier l membership

Tales from LA stories of actors who live or have lived in LA and their perspectives

Manager, Agent and Casting Director Interviews.

The month in the Life of newly arrived visa holders-Greencard and 01

Pilot Season Small Discussion Networking groups In LA. Invite only.

Bringing Hollywood to Australia: Seminar, Workshops by LA Casting Director, Top LA

Manager, Acting classes/coaching and Showcase

Recommended Reading

http://www.thehollywoodsurvivalguide.com
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