HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
The First Two Years of Your Acting Career

So, you have decided to pursue an acting career. As you embark on this voyage, know that you are one of the many who is probably lost, overwhelmed, confused, and afraid of making mistakes and even questioning if acting is really for you. I understand all too well how you feel and can comprehensively guide you through this quagmire of dilemmas and misinformation.

The first two years is a crucial time for the new actor. In order to have any chance at a career you need to know:

• How and what you need to do to start?
• What is the right path for you?
• Where do you get the best information?
• Who should you listen to?
• What should you do first?
• What should you do next and after that?
• How much will it cost?
• How long will it take?
• Should you even become an actor?
• And a lot more that you don't even know you need to know.

You have questions, doubts and concerns.  As you start your journey, you will probably encounter lots of people with some understanding of a part of the process and good intentions.  They will offer information that they have heard or experienced.   It is important to understand that many of these helpful people may not have the information needed to best serve you.  When I do my commercial casting, I see too many actors who are not prepared to be auditioning.   When I interview people to take my acting workshops, I find that many who want to pursue an acting career have received poor direction.  They have wasted valuable time, money and developed bad habits thereby making the training process more difficult and time consuming.  If you receive bad advise, it can take longer to get a career started.  So, it is important to get as much of the right information at the start. 

You are at a crossroads, but if you do your research there is no need to be unduly concerned.  Know that there are many who have traveled the road, weathered the storms, experienced the pitfalls and had success in the journey.  These are the professionals whose opinions you should seek out.   (Even these professionals don’t always agree but they have credible information).   It may be troublesome to souse out solid sources but it is out there.  Sometimes, it comes in the form of a book, lectures, interviews on PBS, biographies on the A & E channel, magazine articles, websites, internet research, or friends and family who might know someone who knows someone credible working in the business who will give you answers.  I can’t stress enough that most times whom you choose to listen to can be the biggest influence on whether you will be successful. It can create a world of opportunities or send you down the wrong path.

So, choose wisely those people whose advice you follow.  Be discriminating.  Some input may not be the only prevailing point of view or right for you 100% of the time.  Implement what you are confidant can work. With the advise you are not sure of get validation and/or other educated points of view.

My bio on the back of the book probably convinced you that I was qualified to help you.  After all, I have:

• Acted in 400 national commercials and approximately 100 television shows and films.
• Owned and ran the largest casting and training facility in this country for six years
• Since 1982, I have been one of the top commercial audition teachers in Los Angeles
• Since 1991, run the most successful sole proprietor acting workshop programs in Los Angeles
• Have done the commercial casting for hundreds of commercials
• Had my own small advertising agency
• Directed and helped write an Off-Broadway play
• Created a videotape program helping kids to start their careers (currently in distribution)
• And co-created a CD program (currently in distribution) to help actors do their best auditions

Even though all of these accomplishments may be impressive, what I am about to tell you in the following pages regarding your acting pursuit is only my opinion.  It is knowledgeable input, but only opinions based on my experience as well as the experiences of others I have known. In an attempt to help and protect new actors, my opinions tend to be that of a purist. Regarding the craft, you will find that I subscribe to a traditional approach, -an extended and comprehensive training period.  (When I do casting, I have seen too many actors who are not prepared and thus I have no desire to see them for future auditions.) When building an acting career, I believe actors must have a plan and approach it like a business.

Traditionally one or two authors presenting one opinion write most books on "how-to" subjects.  Yet, it is my firm belief that there is no one way to be successful in any career.  Even the information I offer, which I truly believe is solid (but not absolute), may not all be right for everyone because I am purist about the craft and acting careers.

Bottom line, never forget you are the driver. You have to take from these pages what makes sense then use it.  You are responsible.  I am just your guide. There is no ONE RIGHT WAY.  It is what works for YOU.

I congratulate you on buying Hit The Ground Running.  You’re doing your homework.  It is my privilege to share my ideas, experience and opinions as well as those of my contributing writers.  I thank you for your trust.  I truly believe what you garner from these pages will be an empowering influence.   One day, you may be in the position to give your opinions (based on your experience) to help a new actor.  I’d like to believe that what you have learned here will be at the heart of the information you impart.

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Continue To Chapter 1 - The Trip