There are not many good agencies where I live in Arizona, so I've just been sending out my picture and resume to places in L.A. I've done a lot of training, but I live so far away I don't know if anyone will want to audition me.
Is it worth sending out my information based on where I live? Also are there any good options for me while I live here?

Student films, community theater. Build up your experience until you're able to move to LA or NY. Don't get scammed. There really is no easy way to do it. And when you get to LA/NY, there will be tens of thousands of actors/models just like you. It's not an easy business.

My family lives in AZ and I lived there for a year...I recently moved back to NY for school.

But here are my suggestions:
Helenwheels.net - shes a big casting director in AZ. I know she casts principals but she does alot of extra work for feature films. One of them was that recent Jamie Fox Movie...which i cannot remember at the time. But there were shooting by the 101 for a couple weeks.

Also...sign up for Durantcom.com. She emails weekly auditions for theatre, student films, commericals, print and also classes.

There a few good agencies, Signature, FORD/Robert Black Agency, S.I.M Agency (they have an office in PHX and LA).

Also I recommend taking a commerical class with Elayne Stein. She is fantastic! She teaches you so much stuff in such little time but you learn alot. And then in the end of your course she films you doing a commerical and a monologue and meets with all the good Agents in PHX (who is friends with) and shows them your work. Mostly everyone from her class comes back with an agent who is interested in them. I highly recommed her. Its a good way to get your foot in the door with agents.

Now the market is not as big as LA and NY but it is up and coming. I believe there are going to be 3 feature films coming to AZ so there will be opportunities...you just really need to take advantage and you will hear of them with durant and helenwheels.

Hope this helps!

Here's something I wrote in The Working Actor column for Back Stage in 2005---hope it's helpful. By the way, this is the pre-edited copy so forgive any typos.


Dear Jackie:

I'm 20 years old and live in Ventura with my family, I have been acting for five years and after next spring I want to really focus on my film career. During these past five years I've done nothing but theatre. I haven't done any student films or any other kinds of film - just training. My best friend wants me to move with him to Arizona because it’s cheaper than here, and we can start new lives. Is it possible to live in Arizona and successfully pursue a film career? Or should I stay in Ventura which is near L.A., and find roommates that I don't know - I can't live with my mom forever - and try to make it like that?

Spuds Idaho
Ventura, Calif.


Dear Spuds:

I’m always blown away when I get letters in which actors say they want to focus on their film careers but admit to having no film experience. I can’t figure out why you would want to make life choices based on something you have never really tried. Have you considered the possibility that what you like about acting in theatre may not translate to film? It’s imperative that you get some experience before you make any choice – let alone one as big as where to live - based on a hoped-for film career that you may not even like.

Either L.A. or AZ can provide the scenery as you begin to explore the field. While L.A. clearly has more opportunities – including student and low budget films suitable for someone with your experience– Arizona, like most states, is home to its share of budding film and video artists. Lori Schultze, the Special Projects Coordinator at Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking located in Sedona, Arizona, says, “It is an exciting time for acting in Arizona. I moved here from N.Y.C. nine years ago and have watched things develop. The competition for actors is not high here because the numbers are still relatively low in this growing region.”

“The (Zaki Gordon Institute) actor database (http://zaki.yc.edu) is a useful tool,” Schultze explains. Local actors are invited to submit their headshot to the database, which is used for the casting of school projects, and, occasionally leads to outside work. “I have recently developed a website that will be completed this month - www.norazcasting.com,” Schultze continues, “to promote the networking of actors with producers and directors… in Northern Arizona. Sedona actors also audition in nearby Phoenix utilizing www.durantcom.com for audition notices.”

In 2006, new statewide filmmaker incentive programs will kick in, making Arizona a more desirable shooting locale for filmmakers at all levels. This should increase local acting opportunities.

Don Livesay, SAG’s Arizona/Utah Executive Director, has these words of encouragement: “Although few performers can make a living plying their craft, Arizona employment is currently up and looks to continue that way into 2006. Commercials are the "bread and butter" for local actors, and the new legislation is bound to help increase job opportunities in this area even more. The most important trend for actors is the upswing of independent films shooting here. Over 30 low budget productions shot here in 2005 offering local actors roles they seldom see because of the out-of-state pre-casting that takes place with more high-end production. Actors considering a move to Arizona should check out our site at http://arizona.sag.org. The Arizona office can also be reached at 602-383-3780.”

“The feature market is showing considerable activity in Arizona,” says Harry Tate, Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce Film Office. “Arizona is renowned for facilitating commercial producers due to (its) very diverse and available locations, favorable weather conditions, and experienced crews. We've had numerous international film companies (here) the past several months doing projects…for both the U.S. and International markets.”

Tate continues: “There is a broad base of available talent living in Arizona. This
includes almost all disciplines of the film and television industry. Trade unions, professional associations, and guilds are also represented…to help facilitate talent, crews, support companies, and other resources. As in all successful endeavors - or careers - each individual must put in the work, effort, and time in marketing themselves and developing a good network support base.”

There is an argument to be made for creating your support base in the city where you intend to reside long term. But Schultze, for one, is happy she made the move. “As an actor in Sedona there is clean air, no traffic, short audition lines, talented people, and a great pool of filmmakers to work with,” she says. “If I wanted to make money and act for a living I would take my skills that I developed here and travel to Phoenix and L.A. – keeping this as my home base.”

Ah, there’s the rub. Smaller cities and towns can be wonderful homes for actors, but it can be almost impossible to earn a living there. Fortunately for you, you are in the “try-it-on-for-size” – as opposed to the “support-a-family” – phase of your career.