Actors! What You Need to Know Before Moving to LA

By Krystina Bailey Brawer

Actors! Have you been considering the enticing move to LA? Well, this is the book for you! Join award-winning actress Krystina Bailey Brawer as she takes you on her journey to navigating the "City of Dreams". She will share with you her wins and woes and how to never give up on your goal. Are you down for

• Language: English
• Publisher: Krystina Bailey Brawer
• Release date: Oct 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781088065242

Book preview

Actors! What You Need to Know Before Moving to LA

A Guide By

Krystina Bailey Brawer

Cover Art by Doree Seay

Copy Edited by Ron Brawer

Copy Edited by Peppur Chambers

Proofread by Kimberly Wright

Photography by Stephanie Girard

Copyright © 2021 Krystina Bailey Brawer

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 979-8-4887-1431-1

This book is dedicated to those who have been brave enough to pursue their dream.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One: Moving to LA

Chapter Two: Finances and Side Jobs

Chapter Three: Representation (Agents, Managers, and Attorneys)

Chapter Four: Casting Directors: The Do’s and The Don'ts

Chapter Five: Auditions, Bookings and      On-Set Etiquette

Chapter Six: Time Management

Chapter Seven: Networking, PR, and Red Carpets

Chapter Eight: Building Your Brand

Chapter Nine: Create Your Own Content

Chapter Ten: Patience and Positivity

Conclusion

Preface

I decided to write this book because I had so many friends ask me questions about acting. Many of those questions fell into the category of How do I become an actor?

The truth?

There is no one right way to start an acting career. Everyone has their own path. The bottom line is that anyone who has had a successful acting career has experienced their own journey. No two actor’s story is exactly the same. It’s not like you go to college to study biology, attend med school, do your residency for eight years, and then get your actor’s license. (I know eight years seems like a long time, but if that was all actors had to do to become successful there would definitely be a lot more of us).

The harsh reality is that becoming a successful actor is not an overnight fantasy that you simply snap your fingers and become. Most successful actors would agree that you have to work hard, be persistent, stay positive, and push through. Actors with family members in the business may have a leg up, but they still have to prove themselves worthy.

What I’m saying is, for most of us, acting isn’t a career that’s just handed to you. You have to go out there and fight for it, Darwin style.

But hey, if you hang in there long enough, you might just get your shot.

Actually, you probably will. 

I’ve been acting since I was five and been involved in the entertainment industry for the past ten years. What I’ve learned more than anything else is that acting is about being prepared for your next opportunity. Opportunity comes when luck meets preparation. I’ve had many instances where luck came my way; I met it with being prepared and as a result have had some amazing jobs come my way. This has happened to me on several occasions and will continue to happen.

The worst thing you can do in this town is not be prepared. Opportunities in acting can sometimes be few and far between so when an opportunity does come, you better have your ducks lined up.

In this book, I will teach you what you need to know and what you can do in the mean and in-between time, so that you are ready when opportunity comes knocking at your door.

I can’t guarantee you’ll become a star after reading this book, but I can guarantee you will be able to take away resourceful facts and knowledge to leave you as prepared as possible for your next opportunity.

The stakes are high and room for failure is low so let’s get you prepared for your journey!

Introduction

Every morning I wake up to text message questions about the industry.

When I say the industry, I mean the entertainment industry, which includes acting, writing, directing, producing, public relations, red carpets, headshots, resumes, representation, referrals, and more.

It could be the fact that I have multiple years of experience in the industry, along with a healthy dose of common sense, that people suddenly decided I was a good person to text their questions to.

I’m not calling myself a guru or an influencer yet, or pronouncing myself all-knowing when it comes to this field (because no one is), but apparently I know a lot more than I think I do.

What’s common sense to me in the acting business may be unknown to newcomers or even to veterans. My knowledge and experience is unique to me and arises from the opportunities that I’ve had thus far in