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Out of High School….into the thick

Question:

I was in exactly the same situation when I left high school so I can understand your position.  I happen to be from LA and living in Arizona right now, so let me tell you a couple things. First of all, you can’t just show up in LA and expect to get work.  No matter how good (or how many people know your name) you have to have some experience under your belt-and no, high school plays do not count in the long run.  Any production company that is part of the Union CANNOT hire you if you are not part of the union yourself. (Which is why I moved to AZ, this is a right-to-work state, which means that you don’t have to be part of a union to get work-if you really are serious about breaking into the business, you may just want to consider coming here. After you have gotten a speaking role you can get an SAG card and THEN try your luck in LA, plus its much cheaper to join the union for AZ residents.) Plus its a good idea to take some classes so you have a better idea of what you are doing.  High school classes are all fine and good but don’t teach you too much more than the basics, and people will not hire you if you don’t know what you’re doing.  Plus, you might end up like I did and get taken for a lot of money by a bogus agency. If you really are itching to just throw yourself into it, despite my warnings, start looking for work as an extra (another thing thats great about AZ, theres alot of films being made that need extras), which is about the only thing you can get if you are young and inexperienced. (That is not a disparagement, BTW, it is the honest to goodness truth.) If you really want to be respected as an actor, study up a little more. Do theatre.  Study the classics (all truly good actors did). PS Maybe you have been to LA a few times, but TRUST ME, it is not the sort of place you just want to move to with little money and no plan.  I know the place, I lived there most of my life.  And, like I said, if it was the best place to get your start I would not have moved from THERE to Tucson! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail me.  I know how it is to be young and wanting an acting career! C

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