Kristina Sexton - Acting in LA: How to Become a Working Actor in Hollywood

Praise for Acting in LA

I hear Kristina Sexton say all this as if it were an awesome first class on working actor life. Acting in LA is so good for actors new to working on set! Sexton nails itand such a fun easy read!

Kellan Lutz, actor, The Twilight Saga, Immortals, The Legend of Hercules

In a town where one can find an acting coach and/or studio on every corner, Kristina Sexton stands out among the crowd. Her comprehensive and groundbreaking text, Acting in LA , lays out a clear and concise journey for any actor, from landing in LA for the first time to the booking of their very first job. Where similar texts of this nature delve singularly into the craft of acting, Sexton bravely goes further by wonderfully balancing craft and the business of acting. It is truly the ultimate guide for a new generation of actors. Without hesitation, I strongly suggest that every actor in LA start here; it promises to save months, perhaps even years, of meandering through the vast maze of Tinsel Town.

Denise Woods, Hollywood voice, speech, and dialect coach, Hidden Figures, The Last Samurai, Ali

Acting in LA provides a profoundly insightful and up-to-date strategy for the working actor today, offering expert advice and insight that every actor needs if they are to be successful. And that knowledge is power. I especially love the opening where Hollywood is noted as a game to be played. Well, if you read this book, youll be holding all the right cards to win.

Jodi Nelson-Tabor, actor, filmmaker, creative consultant

As a professional actor, college theatre professor, and graduate of prestigious academic theatre programs, I greatly appreciate Kristina Sextons frankness and level of detail that she attributes to the working actors plight in LA. The information shared is an easily accessible gem to any actor moving to or working in LA who otherwise may not acquire this knowledge about the industry (in its entirety) in their college program. Her passion and commitment to actors are tangible, and the care she enlists in each chapter to outline the readers expectations is priceless. Acting in LA is extremely helpful to those trying to navigate their way through Hollywood, for those pursuing goals both realistic and transcendental.

Lori Woodall, professional actor and Director of Concordia University Theatre, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Communication, Concordia University Wisconsin

Young people who dream of becoming actors dont know about the reality and logistics of the business. They often see it as a dreamy life where they get to do what they love. And if they succeed, they will indeed have the opportunity to make a living doing what they love. Acting in LA is an honest, straightforward look at how to make it as a working actor. It provides young actors the information, tools, and skills they need as they venture out into the real world. I highly recommend this book for any acting student as he/she begins the journey into the business.

Daniela Melgar, actress, theatre teacher

Acting in LA is amazing! I love the voice, I love how concise it is, and I love how user-friendly the format is. This is something special here, a culmination of years of experience and, most importantly to its success, exactly the sort of book the world needs. I cant imagine theres anything out there that does what this book does and, on top of that, does it this well.

Patrick Kieffer, novelist

I really enjoy Kristina Sextons tone and humor in Acting in LA , particularly in the section that explains everyones role in production. I learned a lot reading it, and it got me excitedand I dont even plan on moving to LA to act!

Kevin Miller, writer

Copyright 2017 by Kristina Sexton

All rights reserved. Copyright under Berne Copyright Convention, Universal Copyright Convention, and Pan American Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Allworth Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Allworth Press books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Allworth Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

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Published by Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Allworth Press is a registered trademark of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

www.allworth.com

Cover design by Mary Ann Smith

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62153-622-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62153-623-9

Printed in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I teach and coach acting the way I would have wanted to learn when I entered the professional acting world after graduate school. I had excellent performance training, but I had no idea how to work, much less consistently, in show business. I had meetings that I would give an appendage to have again, but I had no idea what to do or say at the time. I didnt know what was expected of me beyond being a great actor. That part I had down. The rest? Clueless. Thats why I wrote this book, in the hopes that I can show you how to avoid the mistakes I made and be successful as you navigate this cockamamie but fun world of show business.

Im a blunt coach with a mouth like a sailor most of the time, but I truly love my actors and want them all to be as successful as they can be. At times, it may seem like Im giving you obvious information, but over the years, I have found how often the obvious is neglected. Other times, it may seem as though Im asking the impossible of you, but trust me, I see people succeed in this business every single day. Thats what keeps me herewell, that and the fact no one should ever entrust me with a nine to five job, because we would both be sorry.

So much of what I have written here can be classified as common sense but not common information. All of it makes sense once you receive it, but its difficult to actually get the information. What I am saying is, read everything in this book, and then do it. It cant hurt you. Chances are if you arent working as much as you want to be as an actor, its because you are deficient in some way. Most often, your deficiency lies in the area of the book that you thought you had covered, so you skipped it. Dont skip it. Read it. Do your best with it. If you do all of the work and you still arent getting regular work, thenand only thentrack me down to help you. Dont stalk me if you havent done all of the work. I will probably kick your butt, tell you to read it again, and then send you back out there to put it into practice. If I have any personal recommendations for any of the services I have listed, you will find them on the website that accompanies this book: www.ActingInLABook.com. I dont take any kickbacks from anyone for those recommendations. If I list them, its because I know that they have taken care of my actors in the past, or I know that those people wont screw you out of your money.

So, start reading! Get working!

Thank me later.

PART

GETTING A LIFE ON SET

HOW HOLLYWOOD WORKS

You have to understand the basics of the game if you want to play. Hollywood isnt as complicated as it feels, but you have to build yourself a foundation. Foundation starts here.