I wanted to get some advice on how I would go about seeking representation and finding auditions in california?

Question

I live in texas and I plan on moving to california soon to further pursue acting and I wanted to get some advice. Im not worried about my living situation bc I already have a place to stay and I know its expensive there. I just wanted to know what are some good agencies and where can I find auditions. Thanks

Answer 1

Best Websites to Join in LA for finding auditions:

-Actorsaccess.com (Best for Film/tv)

-LaCasting.com (Best for commercials)

-NowCasting.com (Best for student films)

-Backstage.com



Best Classes in LA:

Cold Reading/Auditioning (Ranked from Top to Bottom)

-Margie Haber

-Fred Tucker (Aaron Speiser Studios)

-Brian Reise



Commercials (Ranked from Top to Bottom)

-Hey, I Saw Your Commercial!

-Stuart K. Robinson

-Carolyne Barry



Improv (All four are great)

-Groundlings

-Second City

-Upright Citizens Brigade

-Improv Olympic



Scene Study/Acting (It varies. Some schools are not for everyone. Chubbuck, Eric Morris, and Howard Fine are not for people who aren't fans of Strasberg or Uta Hagen (ie. affective memory and substitution.) Playhouse West, Joanne Baron/DW Brown, and Actor Corps are more Meisner oriented. Try to audit these places and make sure if they're for you or not.



-Beverly Hills Playhouse

-Howard Fine

-Stella Adler

-Ivanna Chubbuck

-Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown

-Tom Todoroff

-Playhouse West

-TVI Studios (Vinnie Guastafero)

-Aaron Speiser

-Actors Corps

-Eric Morris



Stay away from John Robert Powers, John Casablancas, and Barbizon! All overpriced and false promises! SCAM O'RAMA! If you don't think they're a scam then go to those places and put them on your resume. You'll get laughed out, guaranteed!



Top LA Agencies (excluding the BIG 5 (William Morris, UTA, ICM, CAA, Endeavor) and B Agencies (Gersh, Paradigm, Stone Manners) which do NOT take new talent)



Top Commercial Agencies:

KSR

Abrams

CESD

Diverse

Coast to Coast

Osbrink

Daniel Hoff

Commercial Talent

Commercials Unlimited

Innovative Artists

Independent Artists

Flick Commercials

DPM

DDO

Venture IAB

Sutton, Barth, Venari

Baron Entertainment

Arlene Thornton and Associates

Pantheon

Beverly Hecht

Don Buchwald and Associates

AKA

Amsel, Eisenstadt & Frazier

Brady, Brannon, and Rich

Brass Artists

Aqua

Special Artists Agency

Morgan Agency

Amatruda Benson Agency

Clear Talent Group



Up and Comers in Commercial:

-Talentworks (Emily Hope from ACME is here)

-BMG (Shanna Randell from Bobby Ball is here)



Here are some of the best theatrical agencies:

-Abrams

-Coast to Coast

-Amsel Eisenstadt Frazier

-House of Representatives

-Daniel Hoff

-M. Greene and associates

-Agency for the Performing Arts

-AKA

-Diverse

-Media Artists Group

-GVA

-Talentworks

-Gage



LA Agencies to AVOID!

-Dedicated-Originally Zanuck, Passon, and Pace, one of the scammiest agencies in L.A. When they were ZPP they would make their clients use THEIR photographer and take THEIR classes. They also made you get 10 character shots such as literally dressing up like a doctor, cop, construction worker, etc. You don't get character shots! Dedicated is still up to this scheme.



-Michael Zanuck-Split from Dedicated in hopes of bettering his reputation, but still up to the same schemes. He at least makes you get 6 character shots instead of 10.



-Doug Bennett of Don Gerler-He makes you get 15 character shots. Wastes your time with multiple 2 hour interviews, consisting of him mostly talking. If you thought the agent movie stereotype was phony, think again.



-Sylvia Ferguson-Not state licensed. Charges $140 a year for this bogus casting service called E-Talent files. She entices potential clients into getting the service by saying it will help better their chances.



-Steinberg and Associates- Barbara LeBaron is very loony and is known to have lost auditions for her clients. She also doesn't know when to shut up.



-Advance L.A.-Not state licensed. Associated with John Robert Powers. Has been known to flake on paying clients. If they don't sign you they recommend that you take a class at JRP and come back to them.



-Action Talent Agency-Not state licensed. Posts on Craigslist. Sends rude form letters saying that you've never taken a commercial class, even if you have.

Answer 2

Between the general economy and the lack of studio films due to the SAG/Studio stalemate, the situation in California is VERY rough right now for actors. That said, once you arrive in Los Angeles there are many tools at your disposal to research representation as well as auditions for student projects and independent films on your own. One such resource is The Ross Reports, it's a monthly publication that lists all of the agencies and casting directors. On the web many professional actors use tools such as www.showfax.com and www.castingnetworks.com.

Answer 3

I would check out a Methodist Church. In my opinion they're like a mixture of Protestant with a little touch of Catholic. You'll still be a Christian, and you'll go to a church that is much more fun and youthful - and from what I've heard they don't preach about hell all the time. They'll also have their own choice as to whether or not they want to remain Methodist at their 'confirmation' at around age 14 or so. I've been to my friends Methodist church and it really is a lot of fun. They're always doing cool activities and fun group games to teach the message of Jesus the fun way - without scaring them into it. Just go check out a Christian Methodist Church, I think that's the answer you're searching for. God bless :) EDIT: I read your added information, and to answer further, the Methodist Church is in no way a 'party' church. They take Christianity seriously, but they don't scare people into it.

Answer 4

Agents

They do not look at your picture and resume and go out and try to find you a job.

You should give them enough information about your skills and decent photos of you.

Almost all agents know where to find out about casting for theater and movies.

When these castings are announced they look through their files to see who might have a chance. If you appear to have a chance they will notify you.

Until you have found work several times they are not going to go out and try to sell you to a producer.

Read these two web sites

http://www.agentassociation.com/

http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent