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Do you ever find yourself saying something like, “Being an actor in LA is hard!” Though that is a reality to some degree, it doesn’t have to be your reality. It’s true that an actor never really knows when the next job will present itself. What is important is to know what you really have control over. You don’t have control over how many actor’s in LA are competing for the same jobs, or if you’re what they’re looking for, but you do have control over your craft and your attitude. One of the best ways for actors to stay positive is to focus and be ready for any opportunity. Being pro-active is a way of taking control. Here are some things you can do to take action and keep your perspective positive.

1. Go to Open Casting Calls. Open casting calls are a great way to keep your auditioning skills sharp. You never know, you may make a few contacts and get your name in the heads of some Casting Directors you’ve never met. Even if you’re an experienced actor it never hurts to put yourself out there in any way you can. To keep on top of open calls check this link regularly:
http://www.backstage.com/casting/open-casting-calls/acting-auditions-los-angeles/

2. Exercise. As an actor your body is your instrument, and casting directors will take note of your physical appearance from the moment you walk through the door. If you're slacking on your figure you may be at a disadvantage if you're a certain type. But nevertheless being physically fit will give you the stamina to live a life that is without routine. Here’s a good resource for a simple home workout when you can’t get to the gym.
http://www.motleyhealth.com/fitness/20-minute-home-workout

3. Go to networking events. Screenings, networking events and conferences are a great way of meeting new people and picking up tips and tricks about all aspects of the industry. We've found that Q&A's for screening films are especially interesting, if you have a chance it's always great to hear what people in the business have to say. Check out this link for ideas:
http://hollywood-networking-events.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/los_angeles/

4. Keep your portfolio current. This is probably the most important! You’ll want to make sure you have recent demo reel and head shots. You may even want to build a website. No matter where you are in your career and experience this is truly your calling card and first impression, so make it a good one. Keep everything updated and keep your presentation top notch. The way you present yourself says a lot about who you are.
http://mixform.com

5. Create your own opportunities. Find ways to hone your craft and express it. Start an improv group, act in a play, pick up a camera and start a YouTube channel; in the very least you'll be practicing and exercising your skills. Remember that even the greatest actors say they haven't learned everything there is to learn about acting. Or learn more about other jobs in the industry and do some PA work, or intern in a production company or casting office to understand more about the business. 
http://YouTube.com
http://mandy.com

You don’t have to be one of those actors that sit around commiserating on how tough it is. Shift your perspective to an attitude of gratitude for all the ways you can actively take part in pursuing your career goals. This Thanksgiving be thankful that you have the opportunity to pursue a career of your choice, many others around the world don’t have that luxury. And remember that having a passion for something is a blessing and having the opportunity to live your passion is invaluable. Happy Thanksgiving from the Award Winning Reels Team.

Preparing for a role can be tough, there are so many potential backstories and dimensions to a character. In order for an actor to create authentic characterizations there ideally should be a dialogue between the director and the actor before filming even begins, and especially so in regard to characters based on real people. During the Q&A of the film Mr. Turner, Timothy Spall, who played the title role, reflected on his process with Mike Leigh and how he prepared to play one of England’s greatest artists JMW Turner. 

Spall explained that the shoot was roughly three months but preparation began long before totally about six years. Portraying a renowned artist meant that Spall had to learn to paint. He began taking lessons two years before principle photography. But beyond just learning the basics he also attempted to paint in the style of Turner,  an English Romantic landscape painter, water-colorist, and printmaker. Turner is commonly known as "the painter of light” and his work is regarded as a Romantic preface to Impressionism. At one point Spall recreated a full size painting of Turner's. "If the character's done something you have to have a working knowledge," Spall said. Though he did mention with a wry smile that he went to visit Turner’s grave in St. Paul’s Cathedral to ask for forgiveness, before, during and after the film was compeleted.

Mike Leigh handpicks his actors seeking only those who are open, trustworthy, and willing to devote themselves to the role. His collaboration with Timothy Spall has spanned over 30 years. Clearly the trust is there. Spall spoke about this in his Q&A: “Mike Leigh is a man that encourages his actors to serve the character. The character is all. Because through trying to build the character you create the drama, you create the film.” He went on to explain that there is a real freedom for the actor in this process because, “you are not playing a character to make you look good, you’re trying to make the character work. You are totally obsessed with getting the character right to such a degree that if you do get it right it starts to take to you.” Spall went on to say that every very time he’s worked with Leigh, through the inventiveness of the collaboration and his guidance and management there always comes a time when the character starts working itself. “You’ve created it with him but it starts taking over. Obviously you drive the engine but the character takes care of itself.”

Spall said Leigh encourages you to create a proto-character as a template by observation and references of people you already know. They start by basing the character off of several different people and maybe even mixing mannerisms to create a fusion or a proto-person. Spall said that at some point the character shines through the references and comes to life on screen.  

     Here’s what one of our favorite actors has said about success:

      “The people I consider successful are so because of how they handle their responsibilities to other people, how they approach the future, people who have a full sense of the value of their life and what they want to do with it. I call people successful not because they have money or their business is doing well but because, as human beings, they have a fully developed sense of being alive and engaged in a lifetime task of collaboration with other human beings -- their mothers and fathers, their family, their friends, their loved ones, the friends who are dying, the friends who are being born.

        Success.. is all about being able to extend love to people... not in a big, capital letter sense but in the everyday. Little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word.” --- Ralph Fiennes 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000146/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_qt_sm#quotes