Comments on: Getting a reader job

By: Mick Paisley

Mick Paisley — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:20:44 +0000

KJ, Tell your daughter to do as many student films as she possibly can. Trust me, there are plenty of USC, UCLA, and AFI students doing them. They usually don't pay more than free meals, which should be a blessing to a struggling actor. This will allow her to build an impressive reel beyond her three tiny roles from New York. After she has ten or fifteen roles under her belt, she should find someone who can edit it into something than can be viewed in three minutes by casting agents or talent agencies. In the meantime, she needs to audition for EVERYTHING. Sometimes young actors are under the impression that they can pick and choose. No way. One last thing: It's never a good idea to peddle oneself as resembling another actor. Why would major Hollywood director want KJ's daughter, who resembles Kate Hudson and acts like Kate Winslet when they can get Kate Hudson or Kate Winslet and have a major star in their picture? KJ's daughter isn't going to put asses in the seats. The two Kate's are. Hollywood like's personalities, you know? Who else acts like Johnny Depp? Who else acts like Kate Winslet? Who else acts like John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, Russel Crowe, Billy Bob Thorton? Nobody. That's why they're famous.

Good luck, Mick

By: Kj

Kj — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:09:44 +0000

Hello, Mr. August--

I hope this blog is still active, and that you get my letter. I'm at Sundance this week...too bad I don't know where you are; I'd buy you dinner for five minutes of your time.

My daughter is a SAG actor with several small credits to her name. She was big in NYC, but has been in Los Angeles for over two years, without a single role. (Though she has done several charity events.) Joining SAG took her out-of-the-running for any of the non-union film/television roles, and after two years of sending out her headshot and resume to every agency on the SAG list, she still can't even get an appointment to interview with an agent! Without representation, she's worse than zits.

She's pounding the pavement every day while struggling with a day job as a paralegal just to pay the rent on her tiny, shared apartment. She's studying acting for film with a terrific instructor (he coached Barbra) and she auditioned for Juilliard's acting program last year, and was number four. Unfortunately, they only had three spots, and nobody dropped out. (She's gearing up to try again.)

She owes a fortune in student loans from her undergrad, and Juilliard, if she makes it this time, will be even more costly.

She's beautiful. She's very good. She can even sing. (Full lyric soprano MSM '04) She won't sleep with anyone, and doesn't "know" anyone big enough to give her a leg up on how to receive this UTA job list thing.

Any suggestions? I try to help her where I can (after years of trying to talk her into another career--she'd have been a great doctor, and it would have been cheaper and faster) by going online and sorting through acting jobs on the free lists (and even a few paying ones we can't afford, that offer nothing.) What else can I do? She won't take her clothes off, but she's open to any television role. Nothing is beneath her. She'd do a soap opera, a commercial, or children's programming. If ANYONE would give her an old-fashioned "screen test" I know she'd be working as much as Kate Hudson (who everyone says she resembles) or Kate Winslet (whose acting style she has). Her SAG status seems to have been more of a curse than a blessing as she soldiers-on in Los Angeles.

Thank you, John. I would appreciate hearing any ideas you might have.

Sincerely,

By: drew

drew — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 01:05:58 +0000

anonymous tip: do a coverage for free. if it’s good you’ll do more. win/win or lose/lose, either way you pay your dues

By: rs

rs — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:50:43 +0000

To the person going to UCLA – just and FYI – you will be getting the UTA job list

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 23:49:37 +0000

Hello John, I understand you got your masters at USC in film production. I’m currently looking for a good MFA program in screenwriting and there are alot of schools that offer it. I’ve done the research in to what schools offer what so I’m not asking for you to do that for me. Just wanted to know how you felt, looking back, about USC’s program and if you ever heard about any similar programs that rivaled USC.

By: Anthony Vasquez

Anthony Vasquez — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 07:10:34 +0000

yeah, i get the UTA list almost weekly.

pretyt cool, except for the fact i'm in chicago.

so i'm sure it'll do me more good when i make that trek to LA.

alot more difficult to make it here, but i'm trying.

By: z

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 22:15:17 +0000

such negativity and animosity towards those eager, as many veterans once were, is fruitless. if you are confident in your abilities, you will feel no need to crassly attempt to break ones spirit. that kind of negativity will always be returned to you. and sometimes with interest…

By: ivyleague3

ivyleague3 — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 14:51:35 +0000

Totally agree, vet. As for the UTA list, if you look hard enough online, you will find it, not that you need it.

By: An LA veteren

An LA veteren — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 17:50:08 +0000

God bless you John for trying to help out.
As for you up and comer’s - After 10 years in indsutry in LA, I would eat each and every one of you for breakfast if you asked me questions like this. You should be exhausting every other single possible avenue… twice… to get info yourself. You want to write a screenplay? Then get to LA or NY (not as lucrative and entirely different vibe but not a bad place to cut your teeth), find the funds to take McKee’s Story Seminar or some screenwriting classes at AFI or UCLA, get a low paying, long hour job copying scripts in the mailroom somewhere or shuttling coffee for a producer or any kind of production job and listen to each and everything someone in a position above you says and file it for a later date. Network like mad and make friends with everyone without becoming the guy or girl who makes people hate them when they enter a room because all do it weed info from them instead of listening. Get street smarts and common sense and stay singularly focused on your goal. If you are waiting for more than this info from someone, you are never going to make in Hollywood. I have seen many come and go and the ones who make it are the ones who practice their craft without fail and never waiver from their chosen profession. John is giving you some fantastic advice. Take it to heart and DO IT.

By: Elisabeth Fies

Elisabeth Fies — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 03:44:58 +0000

Okay, you UTA beggers:

Go take a screenwriting class through UCLA's Professional Program and you'll be put on the UTA email list.

Summer classes are still enrollling through June 5th, and next Fall is accepting applications. If you can't find the website, QUIT NOW.

Seriously, if you're bugging generous professionals like John about this, you need to take a class anyway to learn how to put your best foot forward. Everything you want in LA takes patience, work, and an investment of money. So get started, and plan on putting in YEARS.

By: Shiobhan

Shiobhan — Sat, 04 Jun 2005 16:48:57 +0000

Hi, I just moved to LA and I heard the UTA list has the best job offers. I want to work in the Entertainment Industry, and I would love to get on the UTA mailing list. I would be very grateful to you! Thank you for your kindness and generosity!! Shiobhan