Actors Outside of LA

Mastering Your Local Market

Actors outside of LA can build solid local careers, defying the stereotype that success is confined to LA. That is because:

• • Earnings are influenced by several factors, including agents’ negotiations, regardless of where the actor is based.
  • Living beyond LA keeps you out of the intense competition LA actors face all the time.
  • Being an established actor in a smaller market allows you to focus on honing your craft and building your credits strategically.

Mastering a local market means you can understand the pay differences between your market and LA, and work with your agent to leverage your skills and talent to earn what you deserve.

[Read also: Agents and Managers: 5 Unique Differences]

The Myth of Proximity

“If you want to be a lumberjack, you might as well go live in the forest,” said Michael J. Fox’s father when his kid decided to move to LA to continue his acting career. But the myth of proximity makes it so that many actors assume it will be easier to book high-paying acting jobs if they live in LA.

It is important to consider that:

• Without an agent, LA acting jobs are practically impossible to audition for.
• Before you join SAG-AFTRA, most doors in LA are closed for you as an actor – unless you have a solid acting career abroad.
• The high number of productions in LA does not mean you will play your dream roles more frequently – rather, you may have to compete heavily for very small roles.

[Read also: Can Background Acting Ruin My Career?]

Coming to Terms With the Need for a Day Job

Pursuing an acting career involves understanding the cost of living in and outside of LA. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) reveals that only about 14% of actors earn enough from their acting jobs to qualify for health insurance. This stark reality underscores the importance of considering the financial challenges actors face in any market.

Keep in mind that:

• Most actors need a day job, a side business, or another source of income outside of acting.
• Having a day job or a business outside of LA may be easier and cheaper if you stay in your home base.
• Being able to support yourself and manage your finances can greatly benefit your acting journey.

While LA is a global production hub, its high living costs can be a financial hurdle. Understanding these disparities can guide actors in making informed decisions about where to base their careers.

[Read also: Why Focus and Passion Matter Against the Odds]

Strategically Crafting a Career Plan

Living in LA does not guarantee success. Moreover, you can be strategic by:

• Planning a future move to LA once you have solid credits and an agent;
• finding ways to easily travel to LA for acting opportunities while maintaining your home base outside of it;
• learning everything you can about living in LA versus establishing yourself as an actor outside of LA.

With planning, you can achieve all of your acting goals without the financial struggles of risky moves and impulsive decisions.

[Read also: How to Be a SAG-AFTRA Actor in a Right-to-Work State]

Conclusion

The notion that financial success in acting depends on living in LA is flawed. The industry’s competitiveness and the rise of remote auditions allow for talent to thrive anywhere. Moreover, it is always important to consider:

• The need for a day job or solid source of income;
• that mastering your local market can give you the career success you dream of;
• strategic planning can be a game-changer when you want to work in LA.

Ultimately, success in acting is not confined to a specific location; it flourishes through talent, strategic planning, and a firm grasp of regional markets, challenging the misconception that LA actors make more money.

[Read also: Professional Acting: 3 Unexpected Truths]

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At Teacup of Wisdom, we share knowledge and insights about the entertainment industry from the actor’s point of view to inspire and empower your acting journey.