I am based out of Atlanta, so this is written specifically to Atlanta, but it also applies to the other major film cities like LA and NYC.
I’m writing this because I keep getting messages from people who are planning to move to ATL to pursue their dream of acting. I am never one to shoot down anyone’s dreams, but if you’re planning to move to ATL without a job in place and have one already in the place you’re presently at, I do have some recommendations.
- Take acting classes. If there aren’t any decent acting classes where you live, there are tons of virtual classes at great schools all over the country.
- Get you headshots in the place you’re at. There are headshot photographers, everywhere and headshots can be really expensive for great ones. Get them done while you have a job in the city you presently live in.
- Start building your resume locally. There are plays, student films and independent films being filmed everywhere these days. If you can’t find any, try finding a local acting group and creating a project yourself.
- Apply for casting calls from where you’re at. In these days of self tapes, you don’t have to be in ATL to get roles from ATL. Apply as a local and see how well you’ll do before you come and take the leap.
- Make sure you have 3-4 months of living expenses saved. I had a year’s worth of living expenses saved in order to try to become an actor.
If you get your ducks in a row and have headshots, a resume, experience and classes before you uproot and move to ATL, then you can hit the ground running. These cost will be easier to handle where you’re already established instead of trying to start from new and having these added costs on top of a move and starting a new life.
Simon Shih 