Can you have a career in film without living in Hollywood?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to have an acting career without living in Hollywood!

With the rise of streaming services and independent productions, there are more opportunities for actors outside of Hollywood.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it's becoming increasingly clear that Hollywood is no longer the only place for actors to find work. With the rise of streaming services like Netflix, Prime, and Hulu, there are more opportunities than ever for actors to showcase their talents and reach new audiences. The growth of independent productions has opened up a whole new world of possibilities, with filmmakers and producers from all over the world looking for fresh talent to bring their stories to life.

Actors can now audition virtually right from the comfort of their own homes!

It's an exciting time to be an actor, and there's never been a better time to pursue a career in the entertainment industry right where you are! This shift to virtual self-taped auditions has been a game-changer in the industry. Virtual auditions save time and money for both the actors and the casting directors, as there is no need to travel. Actors have more flexibility in their audition schedules, allowing them to better balance their personal and professional lives. In the "good ol' days" of in-person scheduled auditions, an actor would get an audition and have to clear their schedule, get a babysitter, travel across town, pay for parking, walk 6 blocks and up 4 flights of stairs to do one take of a reading in a stinky room with 100 other actors...just to audition for a project. Not all actors have the privilege to do all of that—which limited the playing field greatly. Because of the flexibility now in scheduling self-taped auditions, this opens the door to a more inclusive industry, resulting in more inclusive casts. The virtual audition process can be so much more accessible for actors with differences, disabilities, or those who live in remote areas. Casting directors can easily review and compare auditions from multiple actors, without the need for physical copies or in-person meetings, saving resources, time, and money!

Because productions are being born all over the world, more diverse stories are being told, which means more diverse roles for actors. With the growing recognition of the importance of diversity and representation in media, it is no surprise that more diverse stories are being told. This shift towards inclusion has also brought about more opportunities for actors from underrepresented communities to play a wider range of roles. The spread of diversity in media has brought an increase in the representation of LGBTQ+ characters and storylines as well as more nuanced and authentic portrayals of characters with disabilities. While we still have a long way to go in terms of achieving true equity and representation, the fact that more diverse stories are being told is a step in the right direction. Through these stories, we can gain a better understanding of different perspectives and experiences, and create a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Ultimately, the most important factor in building an acting career isn't your geographical proximity, it is your talent, dedication, and persistence, regardless of where you live.