If you’re considering moving to or already live in LA for acting, you need to understand how the market operates.
That means knowing where the work is, what materials you need, how representation works, where to train, how auditions are changing and how to build a financial plan that allows you to stay in the industry long enough to progress.
We caught up with British-born, LA-based actor Dan Kauss to talk about everything from auditions and finding representation to the realities of living in Hollywood.
Key Insights
- Build a strong foundation with professional headshots, an updated casting profile and consistent acting training before pursuing opportunities in Los Angeles.
- Research agents and managers, prepare for self-tape and in-person auditions, and build genuine industry relationships to advance your acting career.
- Create a realistic financial plan and pursue opportunities both inside and outside LA before deciding whether relocating is the right career move.
What Is the LA Acting Market Like Right Now?
Los Angeles remains a major production hub, with shows like the Emmy Award-winning The Pitt and the fourth and final season of Netflix’s The Night Agent having filmed in the city. However, the acting market is more competitive and geographically dispersed than the traditional image of Hollywood suggests.
Productions have faced significant challenges since 2020, and the volume of auditions can vary depending on the type of work you’re pursuing. While LA continues to offer opportunities, living in the city doesn’t guarantee consistent auditions or bookings.
“In LA, there’s a bizarre, but addictive blend of chill vibes and hard work. Perhaps the nature of this car-driven city seems to require a sort of ‘relaxed activeness’ as the landscape is so spread out and isolated. Everyone here has to really hold themselves accountable, generate their own momentum and choose to be present.”
How to Get Started as an Actor in Los Angeles
If you’re relocating to LA, don’t arrive expecting to figure everything out once you get there. Get the basics in place before you start spending heavily on classes, networking events and travel.
Gather your essential acting materials, including professional headshots, an acting résumé and an up-to-date casting profile. Make sure your materials accurately reflect your experience and the types of roles you’re pursuing.
Moving to a new city also requires taking the time to learn the lay of the land. When Dan initially moved from London to LA, he had already lived in New York. With that experience and what he calls his “professional audacity,” he was able to adjust to the new landscape.
He describes LA as “steely, to say the least,” but the move enabled him to witness a “fascinating domestic microcosm of unity.” There is a community in LA, so getting started here is as much about being prepared as it is about reaching out for help when you need it.
“It helps keep my drive going … I’m showing up for myself, and I’m showing up for everyone else, too.”
For additional advice on building your foundation, check out our guide to becoming an actor.
How to Find the Right Acting Classes in LA
LA has no shortage of acting classes, and you can find training in practically every major acting technique, from Meisner to on-camera work. While you might not be able to afford classes in every discipline, the task becomes finding the right type of training for your goals.
Institutions and studios like the Stella Adler Academy are part of LA’s established training landscape, but there are also independent teachers and specialized studios to consider.
If you’re looking to gain experience, start with a foundational scene study class or focus on a specific skill you want to master, like improvisation. Research instructors, read reviews and ask whether you can audit a class before committing to ongoing training.
There is also a distinction between on-camera training and stage training. Theater classes often emphasize voice, physicality and text analysis, while on-camera classes help actors understand the technical demands of film and television, including framing, eyelines and working with the camera.
You don’t have to choose one type of acting training forever. Focus on what you need right now and pivot when you’re ready.
How to Get an Acting Agent or Manager in LA
Representation can increase the quality and range of opportunities available to you, but it doesn’t replace being ready to work.
There are different kinds of representatives who focus on varying areas of the industry. A theatrical agent generally focuses on film and television opportunities, a commercial agent specializes in commercial casting, and a manager typically takes a broader career-development role.
Dan’s search for representation began from the moment he set foot in California.
“When I arrived, I knew who I was and what I wanted to be doing with my career. I formed a list of companies/people that I wanted to work with, and told them what I was looking for.”
Agents are assessing whether they can realistically pitch you to casting directors and whether you fill a useful space on their roster. They’re not simply deciding whether you’re talented.
This is why targeted submissions are more useful than sending the same generic email to every agency in LA. Research the agency you’re approaching, look at the clients they represent and make sure your materials demonstrate what you can offer.
“For me, it was pretty straightforward once I knew what I wanted and put myself out there. Would I say it was easy to find representation in LA? No. But I made it easier for myself by being prepared.”
How to Find Acting Auditions in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, you’re competing with a large pool of actors pursuing many of the same roles. Self-tapes are now a major part of the casting process, meaning you can audition for LA-based productions even if you don’t live in the city. This has expanded the pool of actors who can be considered for certain opportunities.
However, there are advantages to being in LA during the audition process. You may be asked to attend an in-person callback or chemistry read, and between auditions, you can attend classes, participate in industry workshops and build relationships with other professionals on the West Coast.
Casting platforms like Casting Networks can help you discover opportunities, submit for appropriate roles and keep your professional materials accessible to casting professionals.
Background work can also provide valuable experience. You’ll learn how a professional set operates, how different departments work together and what it means to work within a tight production schedule.
The benefit of auditioning in LA is the proximity to an established entertainment industry with a rich history and an active creative community.
The Business Side of Building an Acting Career in LA
Building an acting career in LA isn’t just about acting; it’s also about managing the practical side of the industry. Acting is a business, after all, and you need to keep yours afloat.
Finding reliable income is essential to covering housing, transportation, training and other expenses while maintaining enough flexibility to audition. At the same time, it’s important to maintain your professional presence between jobs.
Networking is also a significant part of living in LA. You can build industry relationships through classes, workshops and other professional opportunities.
Dan’s approach is to identify one small connection and follow up on it.
“Essentially, you can’t push or force connections. Instead, I’ve found it’s about being an active participant in the industry itself: consistently engaging professionally, letting the right alignments happen naturally, and above all, being myself.”
The business side of acting can also create pressure to appear perfect. For Dan, letting that mask of perfection drop has helped him become the kind of actor he has always strived to be.
Is Moving to Los Angeles Worth It for Actors?
Before considering a move to LA, ask yourself whether the opportunities you’re pursuing are already accessible from where you live.
One common mistake actors make when relocating is expecting opportunities to fall into their laps simply because they’re closer to the center of the industry. While proximity can help with networking, training and in-person auditions, it doesn’t guarantee professional success.
There’s a lot to consider, not least the patience it takes to see progress. For Dan, right now, LA is where he needs to be.
“I don’t feel rushed here, but at the same time, I feel like I’m making waves. There’s something about that balance of space, movement and relaxedness that really works for me, personally and career-wise.”
Years of living in multiple cities, gathering experience and growing in confidence have led Dan to this realization. Wherever he has been, his work ethic has remained constant and consistent.
“My life has expanded so much here, both personally and professionally. Could that growth have happened somewhere else? Maybe. But it didn’t. It happened here.”
Conclusion
Building a successful acting career in Los Angeles takes more than living here. It requires consistent training, preparation, persistence and a willingness to create opportunities rather than wait for them.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, focus on developing your craft, building genuine industry relationships and making smart decisions about your time and resources. LA may open doors, but it’s what you do once you get there that determines how far you go.
