The Actor’s Survival Guide

Jon S. Robbins began hisprofessional career as a working actor in Los Angeles in 1978, appearing inmany stage plays, commercials, and films, including Eden, Untold Stories ofthe ER, Whose Your Daddy, and Seventh Heaven. Since 2000, he hasbeen working in education, teaching Theatre Arts classes at South Puget SoundCollege and Arts Management at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA whileserving as its Managing Director of Performing and Media Arts. Today hecontinues to work as a professional actor in the Hollywood and Seattle areasand also maintains a blog thesurvivalguide.net/that provides current business information for artists of all genres.

The Actor's Survival Guide: How to Make Your Way in Hollywood is a handbook and essential guide to the business of living and working as an actor in the Los Angeles area.Exploring the experience of relocating to L.A.; the casting process; and how to identify - and find work with - the key players in the film and television industry, the book offers a business-centered road map through the industry. It seeks to navigate the challenges and identify the pitfalls and wrong-turns that hinder too many promising careers and frustrate even the most dedicated of actors. In doing so, the book seeks to provide an extra-competitive edge of experience and know-how for those actors who have the skills and determination to persevere.This second edition features a number of new sections and topics including:Recent census data for the Los Angeles County Neighborhood StatisticsUpdates on casting diversity with the most recent SAG/AFTRA dataChanges in contracts for film, television and stage, including information on AEA's new Hollywood Equity Waiver policy Details on new contracts for film, television and new media; ongoing contract negotiations for video game content; and the ramifications of the SAG/AFTRA mergerThe role of computer-generated images (CGI) and motion capture (MOCAP) Renewed emphasis on set safety, especially for stunt performersAudition workshops Recent prosecutions of casting directors for "Pay for Play" violationsEmerging role of social media in an actor's marketing strategyDos and don'ts of video self-taping of auditionsExpanded glossary to include new media and performance capture vocabularyWritten from the perspective of working actor and experienced career-guidance teacher Jon S. Robbins, this unique guide will help aspiring actors bridge the gap between training in drama schools and working in the epicentre of the film and television industries.

Completely revised and updated, this new edition of The Actor's Survival Guide is the perfect business handbook and guide to living and working as an actor in Hollywood

Includes examinations of working in a variety of media, both traditional and new, including online, voiceover and video games

1. Moving to Los Angeles - "Simple Is as Simple Does"Why a 'business plan'?What to do to prepare /What not to doWhat to bring/What not to bringCommon mistakes 2. Living in Los AngelesThe Neighborhoods Hollywood or the Beach?NoHo or Burbank?West Hollywood or Silverlake?Employment vs Entrepreneurship3. Surviving in Los AngelesDeveloping a Business Plan for SuccessEmploymentActor's survival jobsHousing Rentals and RoommatesCostAlternatives - Roommate ServicesExchange for serviceArtist CommunesWhat do you really need as a living space?TransportationCars vs. buses.or a subway?4. The Business of ActingThe BuyersStudios vs Netflix - Internet streamingInternet TelevisionInternational playersMobile downloadingThe Gaming IndustryThe SellersWhat's the Product - You!The cost of illegal downloading5. Marketing Tools Headshot - Theatrical vs. CommercialPhotographers - How to prepare for the photo shoot.ResumeWhat to include/What not to includePhoto CardsActor's ReelPersonal Website/ PodcastsIMDb6. Talent Agents and Personal ManagersWhat is the differenceTheatrical/CommercialSAG Franchised?7. UnionsWho are they?SAGAFTRAEQUITYAGVAHow do I join a union?What will it do for me?8. Film and Television CastingBreakdownsSubmissionsHard Copy PhotosElectronic CastingDrop-Off Services Auditions Casting Directors Film/Television/Commercial/StageWardrobe ClothingThe ReadingSidescold readimprovisationSlated/dry readThe CallbackThe Booking9. Contracts Contract SpecificsTypes of Contractstheatrical, television, commercials, interactive, new media and corporate/educational backgroundOther Legal Agreements10. Working (Union vs. Non)FilmExperimentalStudentWaiverTelevision/EpisodicComedyDramaRealityCommercialsMusic VideosIndustrial/InfomercialStageAtmosphere (Background Extra)Ethical ConcernsSafety Concerns11. Bookkeeping What is IRS deductible?MileagePostageTrainingMarketing materials Keep Receipts - Per Diem/TravelContinuing EducationActing classesCasting WorkshopsShowcasing Physical Training Improvisation