Background work can be beneficial for actors who’ve just arrived in Los Angeles. In this post, I’ll lay out the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s right for you. PROS OF DOING BACKGROUND WORK: It’s a quick way to start earning money. The barrier to entry for background work is quite low. […] Read more…
How many reels do you need, really? Should you have one all-encompassing reel? Or separate ones for comedy & drama? Here are some general guidelines to help you decide. Important note: All agents and managers will have their own preferences, so please ask yours if you’ve got ‘em! If you’re flying solo or they aren’t […] Read more…
Sick of writing at Starbucks with that super-loud jazz blasting in the background? Here are 5 non-coffee shop places to write your masterpiece! 1. Hotel Lobbies Most hotels have free wifi and wide-open lobbies where you can work for hours without being interrupted. Bonus points for a bar-area that offers snacks and cocktails if that’s […] Read more…
After you’ve worked so hard to book that job and delivered a flawless performance on set, you’re gonna want that footage! If not for your demo reel, at least for the memories! Getting your footage isn’t always easy. No matter your situation, I hope I can help here. PLANNING AHEAD The best way to set […] Read more…
“Tristen’s got a checklist for everything!” My friends often tease me for my love of The Container Store, new Iphone apps, and checklists. They think I LOVE to be organized. But I’ll share my dirty little secret. I don’t love to be organized – I’m actually a bit of a mess. But I absolutely HATE […] Read more…
So you’ve booked a gig off LA Casting. It’s an infomercial for a hair product that pays $500/day, $1000 buyout…In perpetuity. But what does that mean? WHAT DOES ‘IN PERPETUITY’ MEAN? “In perpetuity” means…forever. And ever. They can use your image in this infomercial FOREVER! Oh, I can hear what you’re saying “Um…so! I just want […] Read more…
DISCLAIMER: I am not a tax professional, just a helpful guide. Tax laws change from year to year. Nothing on this page is to be cited as a legal source. This is for helpful/informational purposes only and should not replace direct advice from a tax professional. If you’re earning 1099 or cash income, particularly as […] Read more…
Do you buy the books that are faced out on the shelves? I do! Ever wonder why these particular books get to be face out while all the others are sitting on the shelves “the right way” and relying on only the very committed shopper to find them? My guess is it has something to […] Read more…
In this Scene Study Series, we’ll explore the practice of bringing a scripted character to life. If you’ve ever had an audition that felt “flat” or needed examples of what it means to “take a risk” in your auditions, we hope to help by showing examples of actors bring the page to life in exceptional […] Read more…
If I asked you right now, “What role should I cast you in next?” Would you have an answer? How about when someone asks “What kind of acting do you do?” Do you have an answer for that? Or do you fumble your words like I used to do? I would say something like “I’m great […] Read more…