HEADED FOR HOLLYWOOD

US Casting Executive Matthew Skrobalak shares some insider advice for Australian and New Zealand actors to consider before heading to Los Angeles to further their career.

1. Have agent/manager meetings confirmed before you come. Ask your agent to do this for you. Do not come over hoping to cold call meetings after you arrive and do not let your local rep tell you they will sort it out once you’re here.

2. It’s helpful if you time a trip after you’ve had some good local press about recent film or TV work.

3. It’s not necessary to be here for pilot season, especially if you are not repped here. Staying at home and self-taping or seeing a local Casting Director who is handling all of the Studio’s pilot projects is just as legitimate.

4. Have a perfect American accent ready. You’re competing with American actors and other international actors who do have one so a bum accent is no going to get you the callback or a job. Practice at every opportunity and get feedback by using it with strangers in your day to day life and see if they buy it. The Equity Foundation runs free accent classes all the time which you should be trying to go to.

5.When you get here, do not fall in to the trap of socialising and treating this like a holiday. Plan to use your time wisely. When you’re not prepping auditions or taking meetings be proactive. You can audit acting classes, take a workshop, read for other actors, see some theatre or improv or attend a live half hour comedy taping.

Matt Skrobalak is the Senior Vice President — Talent & Casting for CBS Television Studios. He has been scouting talent in Australia and New Zealand for the last decade.