More bad news for Lindsay Lohan.  As we all heard about yesterday, she was in trouble with the law on both coasts of the USA...  Not good.  
I truly feel sorry for Lindsay.  I know that many people will disagree with my saying that I feel sorry for her.  I constantly hear people say that she is "ungrateful" or that she has been given "too many chances and hasn't learned from her mistakes".  While I understand that she has done things that she shouldn't have done, it is important to recognize that she is a young woman under a tremendous amount of pressure.  The pressures of the entertainment industry take a huge toll on a person's emotional and mental health, and often times even their physical health.  It is obvious that Lindsay has struggled with the pressures of the biz for quite a long time.  From what I have witnessed while spending time around my friends who are celebrities, it can truly be tough to be famous.  Fame is not necessarily a bad thing, (I mean if I were famous I'd want to do everything possible to help people in a positive way! -I'm sure many of you would, too!)  However from what I've seen, the "idea" of being famous is a lot different than actually BEING famous.  I'd imagine that it's not all about glitz, glamour, and money.  It takes a very strong person to deal with all the craziness that comes with fame...for example, people constantly judging and saying mean things, spreading negative rumors, never being able to go somewhere without paparazzi swarming..it'd be insane to live that way all the time!! 
I feel that Lindsay just needs some direction in her life, and some more love.  Every person needs these things.  In my opinion, more jail time is not the answer.  Although it is true that everyone must pay for their crimes, it does not seem to me that Lindsay is a dangerous, cruel person.  She seems to need someone in her life who cares about her and can help her get on her feet.  I hope that her family and friends can help her out.  Anyway, I obviously don't know Lindsay Lohan personally, but these are  just my thoughts... I wish her all the best.  xx

I've written quite a bit on the actor/agent relationship in this blog.  Reason why is that in order to be successful in Hollywood, you need to have opportunities that will allow you to book work!  This REQUIRES having a great agent.  What many actors don't realize however, is that YOU need to be your own great agent!!  Even when you're a huge celebrity, it is still completely necessary to be on the lookout for work opportunities for yourself.  I have friends that are with CAA, UTA, WME, ICM (the top of the top when it comes to agencies, and even those agents can't always get auditions and/or jobs for my friends!)  The KEY is networking.   I've even had an article in "BackStage" published on this topic - (you can read it here!!)  

WOOOOO the 2012 Holiday Season is finally here!!  I love this time of year, because people seem to be more happy overall!  I don't understand why people seem to be more friendly only during the holidays, I think people should be happy and friendly all year round, but hey it's good to see happy people cheerful!!  I took this picture of RUDOLPH flying down Hollywood Boulevard during the 81st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade!  I also was able to cheer on my good friend Jennifer Veal (from Disney's hit show, "Jessie"!)  She was on one of the floats and she gave me a shout-out through her megaphone haha!  This parade is truly is our version of the NYC "Macy's Day Parade!"  Speaking of Hollywood Boulevard, it is pretty much a year-round parade of unique and fun people!  Come on down and say hey sometime!! You'll often catch me there!  ;)

I booked a commercial last week!!!  A VERIZON ad!!  I was super excited!! ...until I found out that the commercial shoot had been cancelled, that is!!  See, that's the thing here in Hollywood... and it takes hard to get used to sometimes:  You NEVER know what is going to happen with work!  I  have learned to not talk about any projects or any bookings, until the very LAST contract is signed and it is official!  I've also learned to not dwell on or be sad about something not working out.  I truly do believe that things in life happen when they are supposed to, and the fact that I'm not doing this commercial really isn't the end of the world!  Sure, the money would have been nice, but hey, my new commercial agent still now knows that I have what it takes to book work- and I'll book the next one!  Lesson again is:  Stay Positive!  Things always work out! :D    

If you're an actor here in LA, you already know what I'm talking about in this post.  If not, let me explain.  "Background Work" is a 'bread and butter' type of job for many of us artists while we are in between acting gigs.  It's also referred to as "extra" work.  As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I work many jobs while pursuing acting as a career- and most of the time it's really awesome!  I love to have the opportunity to meet so many different people!  I work as an extra from time to time, and it is actually a very good learning experience, plus it is the reason that I was able to book a small, recurring, speaking role on "Nickelodeon's" BIG TIME RUSH during season 2!  Everyone was awesome on the set of BIG TIME RUSH!  

I was very lucky to work with the cast and crew of Big Time Rush, because everyone was kind!  (Oh check out my very last post, "BE KIND"!) ;)  In fact, I have met some wonderful people on different TV shows and films while working as a stand-in and as an extra.  That being said, however, background work on SOME projects can be really tough- especially after you've worked as a lead/principal actor.  Often times, the background actors are not treated very kindly, and that is extremely unfortunate.  No one should ever be treated rudely, and I believe that in this business- and in any biz for that matter- you should not accept it when some is disrespectful.  If you're working as an extra on a set where you are not being treated respectfully, report it to SAG-AFTRA immediately.  We need to help make Hollywood a kinder place!  --And as always in life, stand up for yourself! Don't take any crap from anybody!!  You're way too good for that!! ;) 

I had to quickly post my thoughts about the subject of treating others with kindness.  Los Angeles has consistently been ranked as one of America's most "un-friendly" cities.  Why is this??  In my opinion, it is because  many people come to LA for their own selfish reasons and expectations, don't become successful, and then become more bitter than they were when they first got to LA in the first place!  I mean, let's be real- a lot of people desperately want to become famous.  That's not necessarily a bad thing.. IF the person plans on doing good things for the world once they are famous.  One statement that I once heard a casting director say is "Be kind to everyone in Hollywood, because you never know who will become famous!".  Uh, that's ridiculous advice, dude!!  Be kind because it is the RIGHT thing to do!  NOT because someone could do something for you in the future or could become "famous".  The fact that a casting director would say that baffled my mind.  Anyways, my point is, be kind to everyone no matter where you are in the world!  Make someone's day by smiling and saying hello!  And people reading this in LA-  please let's all be kinder to eachother! Let's show the world that there are a lot of good people in our city!  ;) 

I'm a working actor.  I have a couple of awesome agents, and I audition regularly.  Many of my amazingly talented friends are also working actors, singers, and artists!  Fact is, we are not all on TV series or always on a movie set.  For most of us, being a working artist means that you're working a lot of random jobs while in between  gigs.  It can be super tough just to make ends meet financially at times- especially with the amount of RUM PUNCH that I drink!!  Haaa just kidding....but seriously.  I have to say though, I wouldn't trade my experiences in the entertainment biz for any sort of "secure, stable 9-5 job".  At least not any time soon.  These days nothing is truly stable in the workplace!  I actually quite enjoy working different types of jobs while I'm not on set!  It gets me out of Hollywood, for one thing.  And ANYONE who lives in Hollywood knows that you have to leave sometimes.  For example, I'm currently working this week at Surfer Magazine- where I worked while I was still in college.  I absolutely love it at Surfer Mag!  I love the surf industry, I wear boardshorts to work and get to hang out with one of my best friends, Mike, (who also works here.)  I mean, we're able to go surfing at lunch.  Pretty awesome right?!  
    What I love the most about my life is that I am able to meet so many different people in many different industries.  We are living in a time where it's hard for anyone to find a great job, so it's actually a great time to get out there and pursue your dream!  You will struggle, and it's not always easy to budget your money when you don't have a steady paycheck coming in.  Yet, is it worth it to stick around your miserable job just for the money??  NO!!  I consider myself very lucky to be able to work at lots of jobs, while still being a working actor!  I actually just auditioned for a role on the soap opera, "The Bold And The Beautiful" the other day-please keep your fingers crossed for me!  Now, get out there and follow your dreams!  Have fun!  You only live once!!   ;D       

Today I want to talk about the actor/agent relationship.   I see many fellow artists supporting each other.  However, I often see a lack of support from the people who should be their #1 fans:  their representatives!  I believe that there is a “power imbalance” that exists between agents and actors.  I also feel that this has somehow become acceptable behavior within the business.  This is especially true when an actor is new to LA and feels that he/she needs to secure representation in order to further his or her career.  The actor can feel completely at the mercy of this agent (usually an agent at a lower to mid-level agency) and feels eternally grateful when the agent adds the actor to their roster.  Fact is, it's the agent who should be grateful, not just you as the actor!  An agent's main job and main priority is to help procure work opportunities for each and every client on their roster.  The talent is the one who will be making money, hence the agent should actually feel flattered and LUCKY that an actor even wants to meet with them and possibly offer them a cut of their paycheck!  I have seen time and time again a type of situation where agents tends to abuse their power by somehow projecting an illusion that they are more powerful than you are.  The reality is that the agent is NOT more important than you, the performer.  You are both equally important.  What all agents and actors need to truly understand is that there should never be a power imbalance.  The actor and agent both need each other in order for a successful business partnership to work.  If one partner is not as interested as the other, the relationship will not work.  Period.  It's actually very similar to dating!  As the talent, there is a potential for you to make millions of dollars for your agent!  You are extremely VALUABLE!  You also must do as much as possible on your own to create opportunities for yourself.  As acting coach and author Carolyne Barry says, the agent is paid 10% commission for their work; you as the actor do the other 90% of the work on your own.  So, if you're new to LA,  when seeking out an agent make sure to look for someone who is excited about you and your talents and treats you with kindness and respect.  Of course, you as the actor should treat your reps (and everyone else for that matter) in the same manner.  And for heaven’s sake, if you've been here in LA for a while and don't have a good relationship with your agent, or your agent has hundreds and hundreds of clients, look elsewhere.  I consider myself very lucky to have weeded out several agents and managers so far in my career who have honestly held me back rather than helped me.  You owe it to yourself to sign with someone who believes in you!  They do exist!  Take it from me - I am currently working with some awesome representatives with whom I have a great business relationship.  Good luck and go make lots of money! :).

Take a look at that beautiful sign.  The HOLLYWOOD SIGN!!  The Hollywood sign is one of the the most photographed objects in the world, and it symbolizes nearly everything that has to do with entertainment.  The sign, constructed in 1923 (which originally read "Hollywoodland"), represents the past, present, and future of the remarkable entertainment industry.  From an outsiders perspective, one will likely dream of Hollywood as being one of the most glamourous cities in the world, silver streets, swaying palm trees and celebrities on every street corner dodging the paparazzi!  While some of these images are fairly accurate, there is an entirely different side to Hollywood.  It's called Real Life!     

Have you ever wondered what life is like for the millions of people that call Hollywood home?  (And I'm not talking about the luxurious lifestyles that you see Hugh Hef and Tom Cruise living!)  I'm talking about an average, everyday person who happens to live in this city, who is following their dream of working in this amazing industry.  If so, you've come to the right BLOG!!  BEHIND THE SIGN will show you a unique perspective of life in this historical city, and my hope is to give you all a "behind the scenes" type of glimpse of a side of the entertainment biz that is not often seen.  My name is Jesse Daley, I'm a young actor and I'll be sharing my thoughts and experiences that many people never experience unless you live the lifestyle of a 'starving artist'!  And please be forewarned, it aint' all pretty!!  Welcome to my crazy, random, awesome life in Hollywood:  "BEHIND THE SIGN."