WHAT'S UP!!  Hope your day is going great!  I'm writing from Orange County, CA today as I'm working down here at Surfer Magazine!  (This is my lunch break and we get to go to the beach!! haha. )  I love working here- been interning and working here for nearly 5 years now!  Crazy.  You know, I think it is really important to sometimes just get the heck out of Hollywood.  Don't get me wrong, I do love ol' Hollywood, and I love all of my amazing friends, it's just that after being there for too long without any kind of a break, it can really wear on you.  The constant rejections from not booking work, and money-fears become very tough to handle sometimes.  So, if you're an actor or struggling artist living in Hollywood, I recommend escaping for a day!  For me, that means going to the beach and skiing (I'm actually doing both this weekend!!)  I know I'll feel refreshed and ready to get back to the grind on Monday- my birthday!  Woooooooo!  Much LOVE!! xxxxxx

....it's about WHO knows YOU!!  You might be thinking, "isn't that the same thing?"  Well, no it's not the same thing at all.  Think about it.  How many people do you KNOW?  For me, it's a LOT of people!!  I mean, I've literally met hundreds of people in my life so far.  However, out of the hundreds of people that I've been lucky enough to know, there are a few whom I can truly count on if I ever need anything.  These are the types of friends (also family members) who will be there for me no matter what!  I'm talking about the type of relationship that is built upon trust- where you and your friend know that you can count on each other!  The same is true with relationships between casting directors and actors.  There are tens of THOUSANDS of people who are pursuing acting as a career, and casting directors meet different people and different actors all the time.  Even if you're an actor who does an amazing job at an audition, if the casting director doesn't know you, or feels that they cannot rely on you to do a great job, chances are that you're not going to book the role.  (At least not until you earn their trust.)  

As is true with any other relationship, trust must be earned.  I feel that one of the reasons that it can take so long to book a job as an actor is that you must show people that you can be counted upon to be professional and do a good job.  If you're hired by a casting director, even if it's just background work, they are counting on you to do your job and do it well!  If you don't show up for example, it reflects badly upon your reputation, and also the person who hired you in the first place.  

So, when I hear people in LA say "it's all about who you know", that really isn't true at all.  You can know a LOT of people in the entertainment biz.  But it's the ones who know YOU that can help you get to where you'd like to be in this crazy biz.  I suggest following up with casting directors often. Always show them that you're a professional and that they can count on you.  Bottom line with every relationship is:  be honest, be kind, and do the best you can do!   That is the best way to achieve a good reputation among your peers and co-workers.  :) 

What's up everyone!  I decided to change the format of this post.  I am simply going to post an email message that I sent to a particular agency here in Los Angeles after I witnessed a fellow actor/model being treated disrespectfully.  If you're an actor reading this, I hope it will inspire you to stand up for yourself if you're ever in a situation where an agent/manager/casting director treats you disrespectfully.  Pretty safe to say we've all been there. We need to stick together and not accept any type of treatment that is rude or unprofessional!  (This is also true in all businesses!) 

I've omitted the agency name here, as I only want to name people in my blog that have been kind and respectful of others!  ;)


Dear:  ************************

My name is Jesse Daley.  I'm a working actor who attended your "open call" yesterday seeking rep with your print modeling dept.  I am writing to you to suggest that you treat "open call" attendees with a bit more professionalism and respect.  There was a young woman who also attended this open call, I met her when I sat down.  She explained to me that she had just arrived to LA, and therefore she did not have headshots or photos with her.  This really should not matter, (so I thought), seeing as though it does not say on your website that bringing photos is a requirement to attend this "open call".  However, she was denied any kind of a meeting and she was told to bring photos into the next "open call", or email them to your agency.  Yet, this beautiful woman was already AT the "open call", in person, and still no one took a minute to meet with her, or bring her back into your office to meet with agents to see what she looks like.  I find that quite disrespectful, as this woman took time out of her day to attend your "open call" and wasn't even given an opportunity to talk with any of you regarding possible representation.  

I feel that if you are going to advertise an "open call" for print models as you do on your website, you should be clear on what you need him or her to bring.  And also, it's important for you all to honor an actor/model's valuable time.  Meeting with everyone who comes in seeking representation, even briefly, is a much more respectful and professional way of doing business.  ---Not to mention that treating an actor/model respectfully will undoubtedly increase your chances of being hired as their agent- and then you'll make more money!  ;)  


Thanks for reading my message.  Together, we can help make Hollywood a happier place!

Kind Regards,

Jesse Daley
jessedaley.com