Acting : Pilot Season by Cammie Middleton-Helmsing

You need an agent. ProdCo's are casting pilots through casting directors and in order to get those auditions you need an agent.

You in the right place this where it happens.

Cammie please let us know a little more about you: I didn't find your name in IMDb so don't know if you have a stage name that's different; what is your experience in television / film? I assume you have an agent in St. Louis. Can they help you get with an L.A. agent...did you consult with them before hitting L.A.? Do you have money for some L.A. classes? How long are you planning on staying in L.A.? I'm no longer in L.A. but I was there for years and can give you some pointers but need more info about where you are. Who are these people who told you to get out to L.A.for pilot season?

I envy your courage. Good luck to you. I'd love to help you if I can.

No I do not have an agent. I have a ton of Regional theater experience, but nothing by LA standards. I did an episode of More Bang for your Buck on HGTV. I am staying in LA till they kick me out. Tommy and James, I am a babe in the woods and need all the help and support I can get. Right now I am scouring this site or auditions and leads. "Those" people are never around when you need them so I decided to stake my own claim.

Is that the eternal question: how do I find an agent?

Cammie, one more question: Are you a member of SAG-AFTRA?

Alan Baltes writes for The Examiner and it is online. He gives advice on how to submit and what to submit. He Lonsdale a book with all the in for you are looking for for around $20. I highly sugestions it.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/293238920729850?ref=bookmark

Cammie, let me be totally honest with you: Regardless of how you were advised, pilot season is not a great time for an unrepresented talent with limited credits to be hitting L.A. Why? Because agents and casting offices are jammed with work that has to be completed on a tight deadline. Agents are working to get both regular work and pilot work for the actors they already represent. Unless an actor comes with a terrific credit in a film that just played Sundance (or something similar to make them stop what they're doing and take notice) then agents are too busy to look at 'new talent.' If an agent isn't busy working for their roster at this time, they aren't going to do you any good. Having 'any' agent is not necessarily better than having no agent. Casting offices are going to be approaching the agents they know and trust to deliver...especially when time is tight and the stakes are especially high. So, where does this leave you? IF you have come to L.A. for the limited purpose and time for 'pilot season' then my suggestion is to stay until you get a feel for the town and the business but not so long that you're broke. Then LEAVE and go home and begin working a plan to come back when: you have a reel of actual film work (indie film, student films even if they are good - whatever is available where you live and have a base of support.) Begin to forge relationships with industry people where you live...casting directors, producers, etc. people who can give you some contacts in Hollywood to approach when you come back. And if you're not a member, work to get your SAG-AFTRA card in your home state before coming back. If there is just no work where you are, then look for the closest regional market to you where there is a significant amount of work: Atlanta,New Orleans, Austin/Dallas, Albuquerque, NM, - there is significant production all over the country now and in some areas it will be easier to get a union card than in Hollywood. If you have time in Hollywood, take some classes with someone like Amy Lyndon who is a working actor and a good teacher. Do NOT spend a lot of money...or any money IMO on a 'manufactured' demo reel. Don't spend any more money on photos. When you land an agent they may want completely different photos anyway and then you're out a bunch more money. There are some good books on the business you should take a look at: One Less Bitter Actor by Markus Flanagan is a great one; Amy Lyndon's book The Lyndon Technique is also quite good and helped me a lot; Casting Dir Jen Rudin's new book Confessions of A Casting Dir has a whole chapter on Pilot Season... there are more but these are a few good ones to look at. If you have made a permanent move to L.A. then the first thing to do is get in a good class..like Amy Lyndon's or look at the site: Master Talent Teachers there are some great teachers involved there. Also check out a site called Hack Hollywood by David Patrick Green as there is some good information there. I'm not sure why the 'conventional wisdom' is for unrepresented actors with minimal credits to hit Hollywood during pilot season but it's not a great idea for the reasons stated above. Keep working. Stay focused on your dreams but make a reasonable plan to accomplish those dreams. 'It's a marathon not a sprint' is a good concept to keep in mind about the acting business. All the best to you. I'm not trying to be discouraging but I see no value in telling you anything other than the truth. Tommy By the way you can find interviews with Amy Lyndon, Carolyne Barry (commercial teacher, actress) Markus Flanagan and many other pros on my podcast at actorstalkpodcast.com - All podcasts are free so don't think I'm steering you there to sell you something.

Excellent post,Tommy. I, too, don't know who is telling unrepresented actors from out of State to come to Los Angeles during pilot season. It is the craziest time of the year for agents and CD's and they do not have time to look at new talent. I suspect those offering this advice do not understand pilot season at all.

check out actors access you can find auditions on there. i'd also take some acting classes.

Hi, I have to ask as a screenwriter, when exactly is pilot season? I've been writing features, but this year I wrote my first pilot. I'm learning the ins and outs of TV as I write and explore this area more. Is pilot season when all the casting is done? I'd love to hear more about this, thanks all for discussing this topic.

Pilot season in Los Angeles is typically January through April. New pilots shoot end of March. Yes, pilot season is when networks cast new shows so actors are going from audition to audition to audition hoping to get a job.

Thanks, I will check out Bonnie. I appreciate the help.

This is a great discussion. There are so many of us Non-Union folk aspiring to do good work or at least the opportunity to o so. There just doesn't seem to be a book that tells you how to get started. Or is there?

Very interesting. I was curious when, as a writer, it'd be the best time to be pitching pilots. Do people start acquiring pilot scripts over the summer for this pitch season?

I suggest studying with Stan Kirsch Studios. They specialize in pilot audititioning. http://stankirschstudios.com/

Hey...I'm from St. Louis too but not in LA. Keep me posted on how you are doing out there and if you need anything let me know! I work for the airlines so I'm flying to LA all the time. Break a leg!

BTW...I agree about needing an agent. I got my agent because I am studying with Stan Kirsch Studios.