Moving to LA to Be an Actor: Your First Year Plan

Moving to LA to act goes best with a cushion of savings, a plan to start earning within weeks and patience about results. Spend your first month on housing, a survival job and getting to know the city; spend your first year training, building materials, finding your community and making steady submissions. Avoid anyone who asks for money up front to represent you.

How much to save before moving

There is no single right number, because rent and costs vary by neighborhood and lifestyle. Instead of guessing, add up your own list:

First month’s rent and a security deposit, plus application fees.
Three or more months of basic living costs (food, phone, transit or car, insurance) in case your first job takes a while.
Moving costs and basic furniture.
Starting career costs: headshots, a few months of classes and a simple self-tape setup.
A cushion for surprises, so one car repair does not send you home.

Lining up a job you can transfer, or a remote job, before the move takes a lot of pressure off. Our young adult budget calculator helps you run the numbers. This is general education, not financial advice.

What to do in your first month

Get housed sensibly. Pick a neighborhood based on where you will work and audition, and do the commute before you sign. See moving to Los Angeles in your 20s.
Start earning. Apply for flexible work in your first week; see actors and survival jobs.
Set up a routine with regular wake times, workouts and a weekly plan.
Audit classes before committing to one (more on that below).
Hold off on expensive headshots until you have a clearer sense of the roles you are likely to play; a teacher or working actors can give you input.
Learn the city. See plays, go to screenings and get a feel for the neighborhoods.

How to find classes and community

Training and community are where most actors find their footing, and often their first opportunities:

Audit or observe a class before paying; many studios allow it.
Look for teachers who work or have worked in the business and can explain what they teach clearly.
Try a few styles: scene study, on-camera, improv and audition technique each build different skills.
Join or volunteer with a small theater company. It is a fast way to meet people and get on stage.
Act in student and independent films to build your reel and learn how a set works.
Form a small group with classmates for self-tape help, scene practice and accountability.

Community also protects you from loneliness, which many new arrivals underestimate. See dealing with loneliness.

How to avoid scams

Hopeful new actors are a target. In California, talent agencies must be licensed by the state, and state law restricts upfront fees tied to promises of auditions or representation. Check an agency’s license with the state Labor Commissioner before you sign. Red flags include:

Being asked to pay to be represented, or to pay a fee before any work.
Being told you must use a specific photographer or class to be signed.
Pressure to sign a contract on the spot.
Promises of bookings, fame or a fast track.
Auditions or meetings in private homes or other places that feel wrong.

Legitimate agents and managers are generally paid a commission from work you book. If anything feels off, walk away and ask someone you trust. Before signing any contract, consider having an entertainment attorney review it.

A simple first year plan

Months one to three: housing, survival job, routine and a class.
Months four to six: headshots, steady self-submissions, student films and a small actor group.
Months seven to twelve: a basic reel, regular theater or film work, outreach to representation if your materials are ready, and a review of what you have learned.

Where a mentor helps

A mentor helps you turn the first year into weekly steps, keep money and routine steady and stay grounded when rejection piles up. Blackburn was founded in Los Angeles and offers in-person mentoring across the city, plus video sessions before and after the move. A mentor is not an agent or acting teacher. See mentoring and coaching for actors and creatives and mentoring in Los Angeles.

Common questions

How much money do I need to move to LA to act?

It depends on your neighborhood and lifestyle. Add up move-in costs, three or more months of living expenses, starting career costs like headshots and classes, and a cushion for surprises.

Should I get an agent right away?

Most actors focus first on training, materials and experience. Reaching out to representation tends to go better once you have good headshots and some footage to show.

How do I know if an acting agency is legitimate?

In California, check that the agency is licensed by the state Labor Commissioner. Be wary of anyone who asks for upfront fees or pressures you to sign quickly.

Can I work with a mentor before I move to LA?

Yes. You can start by video wherever you live and continue in person once you arrive in Los Angeles.

Get started

Planning a move to LA to act and want a steady first year? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.

Moving to LA to Act: Your First Year Plan