3 answers
Tyra
Student
Asheboro, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What is the best way to navigate the entertainment industry when you are exploring career options of music, dance, acting, and modeling? #Fall25
Looking to start career in the industry. Looking for suggestions on networking and adjusting.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Tyra !
Your post calls out New York ! You sound as though you have already been trained, have experience and are ready to make serious steps towards a career.
You will need to think about relocating to either New York or Los Angeles if you want to obtain professional work in music, dance, acting and modeling. It all depends on what you are looking for in a career. You can intersperse auditioning for acting, dancing and modeling projects. Not sure if you are seeking a full career in music production that the dedication you'd need for that wouldn't give you much time to audition a lot and make a commitment to be in shows. So focusing on the acting, dance and modeling would be something to consider for now.
When you are ready, have photos, a substantial resume with sufficient experience you can register to receive casting notices for acting roles. Some of the popular casting sites are Backstage, Actors Access, and Direct Submit has notices for various projects in the South. For Modeling, you will need an agent so if you are already trained as a model for all media you can seek representation at Talent Trek Agency, Model and Talent Management in Cary, Carolina Talent Ic.in Charlotte, Directions USA in Greensboro, Locke Management in Greensboro, Marilyns, Inc in Greensboro, The Brock Agency in Hickory, Fuse Talent and Model Management in Raleigh, Gray Models and Talent in Raleigh and more that you can find through an online search.
It's fine to work in a non-hub region, but you'll have to start thinking about how you want to take your career to a different level at some point. Living in both L.A. and New York City will provide you with the most opportunities for auditions, modeling gigs or dance shows or musical theatre. You don't have to live right in L.A., or New York City. There are easy commute towns that are less expensive near NYC, but I am not so sure about L.A. these days as it's expensive as a whole in CA. I've done both, now doing a non-hub regional career, but I believe Los Angeles is really the place to experience first.
If you join SAG/AFTRA keep in mind that you will have to pay dues even if you do not work a union job. Don't hesitate to work non-union or independently, either. You should really return here and post more questions with your specific circumstances because advice can depend on many things for this career. At what level are you in your career ? What path did you take for full training in all the things you want to do ? If you're a beginner or have already obtained lots of experience, I would advise going to either New York City or Los Angles to take it up a notch.
Your best Networking option is to be in shows and keep contact with the people you do shows with. My best networking was my college path for Theatre/Acting and doing shows off campus. If you are just starting out and do not have much experience yet, I would suggest going to college for a degree in Theatre and a structured path towards acting. College teaches you how to start your career.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Your post calls out New York ! You sound as though you have already been trained, have experience and are ready to make serious steps towards a career.
You will need to think about relocating to either New York or Los Angeles if you want to obtain professional work in music, dance, acting and modeling. It all depends on what you are looking for in a career. You can intersperse auditioning for acting, dancing and modeling projects. Not sure if you are seeking a full career in music production that the dedication you'd need for that wouldn't give you much time to audition a lot and make a commitment to be in shows. So focusing on the acting, dance and modeling would be something to consider for now.
When you are ready, have photos, a substantial resume with sufficient experience you can register to receive casting notices for acting roles. Some of the popular casting sites are Backstage, Actors Access, and Direct Submit has notices for various projects in the South. For Modeling, you will need an agent so if you are already trained as a model for all media you can seek representation at Talent Trek Agency, Model and Talent Management in Cary, Carolina Talent Ic.in Charlotte, Directions USA in Greensboro, Locke Management in Greensboro, Marilyns, Inc in Greensboro, The Brock Agency in Hickory, Fuse Talent and Model Management in Raleigh, Gray Models and Talent in Raleigh and more that you can find through an online search.
It's fine to work in a non-hub region, but you'll have to start thinking about how you want to take your career to a different level at some point. Living in both L.A. and New York City will provide you with the most opportunities for auditions, modeling gigs or dance shows or musical theatre. You don't have to live right in L.A., or New York City. There are easy commute towns that are less expensive near NYC, but I am not so sure about L.A. these days as it's expensive as a whole in CA. I've done both, now doing a non-hub regional career, but I believe Los Angeles is really the place to experience first.
If you join SAG/AFTRA keep in mind that you will have to pay dues even if you do not work a union job. Don't hesitate to work non-union or independently, either. You should really return here and post more questions with your specific circumstances because advice can depend on many things for this career. At what level are you in your career ? What path did you take for full training in all the things you want to do ? If you're a beginner or have already obtained lots of experience, I would advise going to either New York City or Los Angles to take it up a notch.
Your best Networking option is to be in shows and keep contact with the people you do shows with. My best networking was my college path for Theatre/Acting and doing shows off campus. If you are just starting out and do not have much experience yet, I would suggest going to college for a degree in Theatre and a structured path towards acting. College teaches you how to start your career.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Stephanie Dunnam
Actor
5
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
I’m not sure how close you are to Asheville. The River Arts District is quite well known and the Theatre has been there for many years, I believe, and also it’s own reputation. Some fairly steady on-camera work has taken place over the years, as well. I think the heart of that may be what used to be the Dino de Laurentis studios in Wilmington, now called Cinespace. I had an audition just a couple of weeks ago for something that is going to shoot in North Carolina and I tend to work out of Atlanta. Things are hopping in Atlanta, but it has made it quite expensive to live there. I usually recommend that people stay in the regions at first, get some experience and build a resume. Join the union if you want to get paid, though, depending on where you are, that can be a timing thing. The people you will meet near where you are now can tell you more about the opportunities right there. Good luck!
Stephanie Dunnam
Actor
5
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
I’m not sure how close you are to Asheville. The River Arts District is quite well known and the Theatre has been there for many years, I believe, and also has it’s own reputation. Some fairly steady on-camera work has taken place over the years, as well. I think the heart of that may be what used to be the Dino de Laurentis studios in Wilmington, now called Cinespace. I had an audition just a couple of weeks ago for something that is going to shoot in North Carolina and I tend to work out of Atlanta. Things are hopping in Atlanta, but it has made it quite expensive to live there. I usually recommend that people stay in the regions at first, get some experience and build a resume. Join the union if you want to get paid, though, and depending on where you are, that can be a timing thing. The people you will meet near where you are now can tell you more about the opportunities right there. Good luck!