Why Actors in Los Angeles Struggle to Get Hired
As actors in Los Angeles, many of us aren’t landing enough jobs. If you’re like me, you love acting and can’t imagine doing anything else. But sometimes, you feel like you aren’t where you could or should be in your career.
Let’s break down the major challenges that affect our opportunities.
For some, the issue lies in the talent development department. In that case, more time in class to continue growing is needed.
For others (myself included), the business side feels overwhelming. It’s messy, frustrating, and often easier to focus on our craft because we feel more in control there. Unfortunately, in Los Angeles, mastering the business side of acting is critical. Those of us who moved to LA after age sixteen face extra challenges, as this city is packed with fierce competition.
The sheer size of the industry here can feel daunting. That’s why I wrote my e-book, Get Clever About VO Acting In Los Angeles Part I: The Business Of Acting, where I cover every business-related aspect for actors. I also explain how to navigate the LA scene strategically.
Interestingly, the business side of acting was much simpler in my hometown, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. There, I started acting young, remained professional, and people naturally knew what I could do. Relationships formed easily. But in Los Angeles, it’s a completely different game.
Finally, many of us quit too soon.
Since I’ve experienced all of these challenges myself, I want to share what I call the Acting Triangle. It’s a framework for success that connects three key ingredients: talent, relationships, and perseverance. These three work together to help actors thrive.
The Acting Career Triangle: Talent, Relationships, and Perseverance
Many actors in Los Angeles experience similar challenges. This isn’t new, but how the information reaches you can make a huge difference. My goal is to deliver insights that will push you (and me) to take meaningful action.
For actors, building a career often feels like a triangle. In the voice-over world, getting hired depends on a combination of training, marketing, and patience. For acting, however, I prefer to focus on Talent, Relationships, and Perseverance.
Let’s dive into the first element: Talent.
What Is Acting Talent, Anyway?
The dictionary defines talent as “natural aptitude or skill.” But if we take this strictly, talent might seem static or something you’re born with.
This belief can hold you back. It’s made worse by our obsession with sensational stories about prodigies or geniuses like Michael Jackson. While extraordinary talent inspires us, it often overshadows the years of hard work behind it.
Take acting, for example. Talent becomes available with training. It’s very much like intelligence: the more you push yourself, the better it becomes. The groundbreaking book Mindset by Carol Dweck explains that hard work and persistence develop abilities like talent. This concept is called the “Growth Mindset.”
When I stopped thinking of talent as “limited,” my acting improved. I began to focus on learning new skills instead of fearing failure or seeking approval. Actors with a Fixed Mindset tend to limit themselves. They avoid risks that might reveal their weaknesses, which often prevents growth. Worse, some quit before truly trying – something I’ve experienced myself.
On the other hand, if you stick with a Growth Mindset, and work at it, your talent will reveal itself. It’s inevitable.
Here’s a solid recipe for improvement:
- Serious theater training (continuously and consistently).
- Exposure to auditions (or audition training) regularly.
- Performing live (in front of an audience as often as possible).
When you combine these practices with the Growth Mindset, your skills will naturally improve. Let’s break these steps down further.
Pick A Great Acting School
Finding solid training is essential for actors in Los Angeles. When I first moved here, I called working actors to ask for teacher recommendations. Luckily, the referrals were good. Another option is to audit several classes before committing to one.
You can read my blog post on finding a good teacher in Los Angeles.
Whatever class you choose, take your training seriously. Great actors don’t work in isolation. You must stay on top of your craft because your competition certainly is. Why let them get an edge?
Practice Auditions and Get Experience
The only way to get better at auditions is through repetition and preparation. If you need more exposure or practice, you can:
- Take audition-specific classes.
- Set up weekly practice sessions with friends.
- Attend casting director workshops.
- Audition for projects open to the public on platforms like:
- IMDb Pro
- Film schools with strong programs (try to stick with graduate students from Loyola Marymount, AFI, Chapman, and USC).
The more auditions you attend, the more confident you’ll become.
Perform Live To Tackle Nerves
Live performances are one of the best ways to sharpen skills, but for some of us, they do even more. Personally, I struggled with debilitating anxiety during auditions. My legs would shake, and nervousness would prevent me from giving my best performance.
Eventually, I sought therapy and discovered I had social anxiety. It mainly showed up during public performances, much like stage fright or fear of speaking in front of a group. It turns out that many actors have the same issue.
Aside from tweaking your mindset (move from a result-oriented approach to focusing on process and having fun), the main way to overcome this is exposure to what makes you nervous. This is why performing live regularly eventually helps you to stay relaxed in front of others. But don’t stop! Anxiety tends to return when you stop exposing yourself.
Here are some effective ways to perform live:
- Join a theater group or take a theater class.
- Train in improv or join an improv group.
- Test out stand-up comedy by attending open mics (or study it).
- Join Toastmasters to improve your public speaking skills.
It doesn’t matter if these activities are free or paid. What matters is that you do them consistently. Regular exposure will build your confidence over time and help you shine.
Building Relationships: How Actors In Los Angeles Can Leverage Their Network
“If you want to go fast, walk alone. If you want to go far, take a friend.” African proverb.
Relationships are a cornerstone of the acting industry, especially for actors in Los Angeles. Your network – the people you know and work with – can help you grow your career in unexpected ways.
Your Contacts Have More Power Than You Think
It’s easy to assume you don’t have a network, but the truth is you likely do. Every time you interact with someone in the industry – whether you’re on a show, auditioning, taking classes, or filming – it’s an opportunity to build professional relationships.
Your network includes teachers, directors, classmates, fellow actors, casting directors, writers, agents, and managers. Many of these people could open doors to your next opportunity. So, from now on, make it a habit to track these connections. Start keeping a list of everyone you meet and watch it grow over time.
Once you have your list, the next step is to find meaningful reasons to reach out. Staying connected ensures you remain on people’s radar for professional opportunities.
When Should You Reach Out To Your Network?
Knowing when and how to reach out is key. Here are some great moments to reconnect with your contacts:
- After booking a job through a casting director.
- After auditioning for a casting director.
- When a show you’re in is airing or hitting the stage.
- To share new footage or a project you’re working on.
- If you’re attending an industry event or premiere (even better if you invite someone!).
- To showcase complementary skills like martial arts, dance, or music through an event or video.
- When there’s an update about your career training (for example, learning a unique skill for a role).
By reaching out consistently and meaningfully, you stay fresh in the minds of decision-makers who can help you, whether directly or indirectly.
Time Is Your Greatest Networking Ally
Time is an often-overlooked advantage for actors. If you begin your career young, many of the relationships you build early on will continue to support you years later. This holds true for any creative field. Some of my biggest voice-over clients today have known me since my early twenties. I also still hire voice actors I worked with back then.
For those of us who arrive in Los Angeles later in life, relationships will take time to establish. You’ll need to consistently expose yourself in professional circles and commit to fostering connections over the long haul. Relationships grow naturally through repetition and familiarity. Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming part of someone’s trusted inner circle.
Staying Busy Builds Opportunities To Stay Connected
One of the best ways to maintain and grow your relationships is by staying active in your craft. People in your network, such as agents and casting directors, need to see that you’re serious about acting.
Staying active doesn’t mean you have to book major TV or film roles constantly. Instead, focus on activities like:
- Performing in public shows.
- Filming new audition reels and sending those links professionally.
- Perfecting your craft so your growth is noticeable over time.
If you’re consistently involved in acting projects, you’ll have genuine reasons to update your contacts. Invite them to see your performances or share your new work. Even if they don’t always respond, they’ll notice your progress and be more likely to invest in you when the right opportunity comes along.
Why Passion Matters To Casting Directors And Agents
Here’s something you may not realize: casting directors, agents, and managers share your passion for acting. Most of them have a background in theater. So they actively root for actors who push themselves to grow. When they see you thriving, it reassures them that you’re reliable, dedicated, and capable of delivering strong performances. This confidence makes them more likely to fight for you when submitting auditions or advocating for roles.
Ultimately, these industry professionals thrive on actors’ successes. Supporting dedicated, talented performers gives them purpose and keeps them excited about their own jobs. By showing your passion, you make yourself someone worth investing in – and that can pay off for your career in powerful ways.
Why Perseverance Matters For Actors In Los Angeles
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve told myself I was done with acting. I swore I was ready to give it up. But deep down, I was lying to myself – and worse, I slowed my own growth.
Let’s turn to the dictionary for a reminder about what perseverance means. It’s defined as: “Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.”
Canadian comedian Mike Myers once shared something insightful with James Lipton during an Inside the Actors Studio interview. He said that if he had made career decisions based on the number of rejections he received, he would’ve quit a long time ago. This idea should resonate with all actors in Los Angeles. The path forward is rarely easy, but success is impossible without persistence.
Sticking It Out With A Long-Term Plan
To give your acting career in Los Angeles a fair shot, I recommend creating a five-year plan. This timeframe allows you to fully commit to the work it takes to grow your Talent, nurture your Relationships, and build a sustainable career. If you focus on the first two parts of the Acting Triangle but give up too early, the triangle will fall apart.
If you feel stuck or uncertain, revisit the Mindset book I mentioned earlier or read my blog entry on getting back to acting basics. It’s worth asking yourself: Am I truly giving this my best effort, or am I avoiding the hard work of growth?
Take Action When Things Get Tough
It’s normal to feel frustrated or discouraged in this industry. When that happens (and it will), there’s one powerful way to reset your mindset: take action. The word “act” is at the root of acting for a reason!
For me, taking action has meant creating a workout routine (check), trying to master a handstand (still working on it), swinging on the playground, snowboarding, writing, directing, and producing my own content. Whatever lifts your spirits, do it – and keep doing it.
Here are some ideas to help you take action:
- Pick up a new hobby.
- Create original content.
- Reconnect with friends and family.
- Spend time outdoors.
- Try a different type of training.
- If you’re a union actor, join SAG events or take SAG classes.
- Find a support group.
- Consider talking to a therapist.
Taking action doesn’t have to mean working on acting every second. Sometimes, pursuing unrelated activities can help recharge your energy and mindset.
What If It Doesn’t Work Out?
Let’s be real. There’s always a chance that acting won’t work out as a full-time career. Even if you do everything “right,” success isn’t guaranteed. This is true in any profession – there are unemployed electricians just as there are unemployed actors.
Just because you have talent doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be employed. The hard truth is that some factors are beyond our understanding. Why someone resonates with a specific group, at a specific time, in a specific place, will always remain a mystery.
It’s important to remember that when one door closes, another opens. But don’t close that door on acting too early. Give the industry at least five years of consistent effort – preferably ten if you can.
My name is Lili Wexu, and I am a Canadian-American actress. I moved to Los Angeles some years ago, and I’ve written a few e-books about acting in Los Angeles to help other actors who are considering relocating here (or have recently relocated).
