Benefits - Career

Industry Guests

The Actors' Network is the pioneer of the longest running guest speaker series in the history of entertainment worldwide. We offer you the opportunity to attend between 5-8 industry speakers included in every month of your membership, guaranteed. This is our way of providing the chance for you to commence an association with industry professionals. These are professional Q&A sessions, they are not acting workshops. A few of our speakers range from Shawn Ryan (Exec. Prod./Creator ñ The Shield) to Mark Armstrong (Manager ñ James Gandolfini), and more than 1200 others in our history. Many of our industry guest speakers, such as Joseph Middleton (Sr. VP of Casting ñ Paramount Studios) are exclusive to The Actors' Network and cannot be heard anywhere else.

Power Groups

The inception of The Actors' Network on 5/1/91 was a professional meeting we now call, a Power Group. There are currently 9 Power Groups, two of which meet monthly in the Valley, while the other 7 all meet at our West Hollywood studio. These are very high-functioning goal setting / strategy meetings facilitated by a well-trained and successful Lifetime member. Power Groups have both an Annual Theme, as well as a monthly goal to positively move your career forward. Because being an actor has very little entry barrier as well as virtually no perceived consequence for not pursuing your career, having the Power Group structure to keep you on track in Los Angeles is invaluable. Power Groups are an optional portion of membership but if you review the list of testimonials you'll see how so much success is tied to them.

Topical Discussions

On a monthly basis Founder/President of The Actors' Network, Kevin E. West, speaks (5) times on various subjects. We have aptly named these subjects, Topical Discussions, due to their content as well as the format. We are ultra-clear not to define these as classes or Kevin as your teacher. Yes, you will learn an immense amount from him by listening, but additionally you have so many experiences and ideas that also can help shape your career from fellow TAN members. We have a total of 60, 5 per month, annually that range from Goals: 5-3-1, Actor Pie, and Actor Plan, to Contracts: New Media to Mailings: Producers/Directors, Phone Technique, Doing Rounds / Drop Offs and Understanding Breakdowns. Because so much of this profession is subjective, knowledge is truly power, and Topical Discussions are the tools.

Issue-Time

Issue Time is an incredibly important conversation at The Actors' Network. It is a professional career imperative for every actor to have the regular opportunity to ask business questions and discuss business scenarios not only amongst their peers but also with the founder himself, Kevin E. West. If you choose to be a part of Power Group when a member of The Actors' Network, you will get a full hour of Issue-Time at every monthly meeting. It addition to that, on a monthly basis, you will find an Issue-Time randomly on our monthly events calendar as a Topical Discussion. The calendar Issue-Time is facilitated by founder Kevin E. West and basically serves as a monthly "free group private consultation" with Kevin as you may ask any career question at the time included in your membership.

eTips

Etips are projects or opportunities that are not available to the general acting public. With more than 600 member, and over 20 years of industry relationships, we consistently receive project information from a myriad of professionals. Additionally, with our extremely pro-active membership and the explosion of new media, our members are constantly seeking talent within The Actors' Network. And finally due to our Internship Program, created back in 1995, we have a lot of representatives who communicate eTips with regards to the type of clients they're currently seeking. If you would like to submit an eTip for to be posted on The Actors' Network website email project details to: info@actors-network.com. Please send all eTips as pure text, no HTML emails, and include union status, project title, and all character breakdowns.

Industry Relationships

The Actors' Network has had more than 1200 industry guest speakers since its inception, and it is from this platform man of our relationships have been formed. The clichÈ, "It's who you know" has been really over used in Hollywood, not because it isn't true but because it is true in all of life...everywhere. It always matters "who you know" whether it is a mechanic, doctor or the person working the door at a club. The Actors' Network has been building and creating extremely strong industry relationships since 5/1/91 and yes...it truly matters. It is easily one of the strongest benefits of TAN because our relationships are diverse and founded on pure integrity since we are not a "Workshop company" our relationships have not built on paying people to like us. A small sample of these can be found in our Endorsements and Honorary Board.

Lifetime Membership

A regular member of The Actors' Network achieves Lifetime status by remaining a member for 36 consecutive months, or three years. This aspect of The Actors' Network is once again the brain child of founder Kevin E. West to promote pro-activity over a respectable amount of time. We can all appreciate the concept of "making it big" in a short period of time but The Actors' Network was built and is designed for the career-minded actor to eventually make a living as a performer. It would be a statistical fact that 97% of the actors worldwide who accomplish making a living have been pursuing professional paid work for far longer than three years. Additionally one of the extra benefits of Lifetime membership at The Actors' Network is that your annual dues are 66% less than regular members.

Benefits - Strategy

Squib Book

The Squib Book is the most, bar none, unique and special tool for actors ever created in our opinion. It can only truly be appreciated when you're holding the book in your hand at the TAN studio in West Hollywood. One normal weekend back in 1993 TAN founder, Kevin E. West, baffled by the lack of information available in books began compiling every note he had and everything he could remember on every industry person he had encountered to date. It was a long weekend, but he then instituted that concept into The Actors' Network and since that day the entries have been put into the book by studio members. The Squib Book is divided by 5 categories: Physical, Personal Background, Resume, Personality, and one's Experience. It is updated/printed tri-annually, and now has reached more than 650 pages over 16 types of industry players.

Kevin's BizBlog

Kevin E. West, the Founder/President of The Actors' Network, has worked in virtually every aspect of entertainment as a professional performer. Most of his credits are in hour drama television, but it also includes 1/2-hour television, soap operas, studio feature films, independent union films, modified agreement films, stand-up comedy, improv/sketch, national commercials, voice-over, motion capture, hosting, industrials and many others. In addition to performing he has produced several large events, dealt with major union negotiators, spoken all across the U.S., and is the co-Author of The Actor's Guide to GETTING THE JOB (2-hr. Audio CD) as well as the creator of ActorBizGuru.com. He is considered the foremost opinion leader regarding the business of show business, in Hollywood. His blog is priceless.

Guest History

The Actors' Network is responsible for the longest running entertainment industry speaker series in the history of Hollywood. The Actors' Network has also built a multi-award winning reputation of professionalism since 1991 because the guests of The Actors' Network are not paid. The entire history is categorized online so you can not only see who, but also when and how often they've been a speaker. This is an online history of more than 750 different individuals over the years, and continues to grow every single month. As a member of The Actors' Network this historical list can make it easier for you to initially approach many of our guests and let them know you're now a member of The Actors' Network. This is a savvy business tool and smart marketing play by a studio member.

Expert Guest Blog

Over the history of The Actors' Network, many of our members have achieved immense success such as Masi Oka (Heroes), Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty, Covert), Maggie Grace (Taken, Lost), Amir Talai (Harold and Kumar), Chad Brokaw (Alltel Spokesperson) and many many others. We have a handful of extremely talented Lifetime members in specific areas that also contribute to the TAN Blog. This can be voice-over, one-person shows, hosting, social media and several other areas. These are terrifically talented and insightful actors who have spent years training and learning the business at The Actors' Network and then implementing that knowledge so as to create successful careers in their specific area. Their contributions to our TAN blog are worth their weight in gold, and yet another outstanding benefit.

Maps n' Studio Lots

One of the great things in Hollywood is that well established building and certainly studio lots don't exactly move (insert a smile). However, all of the locations are not studio lots and all of the common commercial facilities are not always well known by actors. When you add in the parking and geographical mess that Los Angeles is, even GPS can't help once on a physical lot. Studio members have access ability online to see all of the university, studio lots and other key addresses plus being able to download any existing maps. Studio lots are an intense maze and can be overwhelmingly difficult to navigate. Having an idea where certain buildings are and how to get there is a great edge for a prepared actor! There is nothing worse then having a terrific audition but getting stressed while on the lot, because you can't find the office.

Private consultations

Our careers are filled with questions, situations, circumstances and scenarios. While the studio membership of The Actors' Network provides dozens of benefits and opportunities to get career advice, it is possible that you may wish to request some private consultation time with TAN founder, Kevin E. West. With our T.I.P. Program you are able to even get a private for free by cashing in points. However, without TIP points a private is not free, and is not included in studio membership. You can see all of the booking details on the Private Consultation page. Privates may cover any subject matter, can be for 30 or 60 minutes, and you can even get a better deal by booking a series of 3 privates. Additionally remember that Kevin facilitates an open Issue-time monthly as part of your studio membership.

Demo Reel: Philosophy/Editing

This may be one of the most confusing business tool and philosophical actor business conversations in your entire career. In light of the digital age and flip cameras the concept of what a Demo Reel is, once was, or can be perceived as is incredibly diverse. Still there are rules, principles and a level of professionalism that is still expected by Hollywood professionals. This has become the quiet killer of actor careers and this activity offered every other month for the studio members of The Actors' Network is absolutely a must attend benefit. From legit credits to student films, feature films, television, self-produced material, music, sound, lights and all other production aspects etc. that they would like viewed and commented on. Technology has made it easy for actors to believe this is an easy element, but it is not.

Benefits - Networking

Networking Book

The Networking Book is one of the greatest original business tools created by The Actors' Network for its Studio Membership. The irony today is that it is actually no longer a book, but rather a benefit you access via our website when logged in as a studio member. The Networking Book collects and categorizes 16 different pieces of information provided by our members themselves in the professional background so that their fellow members can identify what current and former experiences they have and what they might know. Imagine the exponential power of being able to cross-reference one's professional history and then have an intelligent conversation with them about it. Some of the categories are: Beware, Current Agents, Former Managers, Current Teachers, Current Theatre Co., Former Agents, Current Managers, Former Teachers and many more!

TypeMe Sessions

In 1993 Kevin E. West, founder of The Actors' Network, created the TypeMe Session. The key element to the session is found in the copyrighted form to TYPE your fellow actor in four areas: Visual, Essence, Stereotypes and Professions. The results are amazing and will assist you in understanding what your real brand as an actor may be. This type of information can cost you hundreds and hundreds of dollars through a few other image orientated services in Los Angeles, but it is included in your membership at The Actors' Network. It is offered every other month on The Actors' Network monthly calendar, categorized as an activity and runs a full three hours in length. We tend to urge our members to attend at least three TypeMe Sessions slightly altering their appearance each time to get a results that can be of value for years to come in terms of your headshots.

eBulletins

Pursuing an acting career is very difficult in Los Angeles, but one of the real factors in tackling the city, is simply living in it. There are a number of aspects of life that actors can network and assist one another with and as a member you have a wonderful support tool in our online bulletin board for NON-actor related information. As a studio member you may post an eBulletin via our website. Ebulletins can be, but not limited to: For sale, roommate search, Non-actor services (mechanic, plumber etc), wanted, for rent and many other options. Do understand that only active studio members may post, but the online membership does grant you access to view the eBulletins in the event that one of our online members lives in the LA area and can utilize something being offered by a studio member. The eBulletin portion of our site is not meant for the general public.

TAN Studio

This is one of the glaring benefits that separates The Actors' Network in its philosophy and success for its members. We realize that all actors feel they network with their friends and talk to one another, but in the digital age, it A huge benefit to L.A. Based members is our studio. Social media is a wonderful tool that can be used in many ways but the human networking that occurs within The Actors' Network studio is undeniable in its value. Members are constantly meeting new people, engaging in pro-active conversations, and gaining much needed insight and information that would never occur via social media when you don't know someone well. Often the business activity needed to pursue your career is difficult to get motivated to do at your dwelling, but with our wireless access, free computers and West Hollywood studio finding your motivation is much easier.

TAN Members

Our studio membership fluctuates between 600-675 members throughout the general Hollywood area. With the organizational philosophy, Help Us, Help You, Help All of Us, you're constantly surround by fellow actors with a helpful sharing attitude. In addition to the general philosophy you're also able to benefit from the more than 300 Lifetime and Grandfathered members. Commonly these are the members who are working and have made successful inroads in the Hollywood community as professionals. When you combine incremental success, with a professional mentality and vast amounts of knowledge and experience to share. In the final conclusion The Actors' Network is an amazing organization with one of the most intangible yet powerful benefits in the world, people. The people that make up this organization make it what it is and what it can be for you.

Member Photos

Each member of The Actors' Network has a profile, and a picture and resume in that profile. The photos can be viewed by the world, but the detail information of our members can only be accessed by the Industry Friends of The Actors' Network who have been granted a User name and Password by the founder, Kevin E. West. There are more than 700 legitimate industry professionals who may access our members. As a studio member you don't need multiple photos online as we have 20+ years of professional relationships. Studio members can send their photo page link to any one of the professionals found in our guest history as they're friends of the organization. This is the type of networking, using the internet to your advantage and our relationships to your advantage, that can increase the number of contacts you have with a small amount of effort.

TAN Parties & Events

Since 1992, The Actors' Network annually hosts a very well attended Holiday Party. The parties are now infamous throughout the community for being both entertaining and attended by tremendous Hollywood professionals. The ticket to the holiday party is an ancillary benefit of membership, and not included in the base membership, but it is not to be missed. Typically there are 400-500 people in attendance with a nice mix of members, member guests and industry professionals from casting, agencies, managers, directors, writers and producers. It is a wonderful vehicle for us to thank all our guests who donate their time to speak at TAN. Additionally during the Spring each year The Actors' Network also hosts the Hack n' Smack, Kerry Daveline, Celebrity Golf Tournament at the El Caballero Country Club, with 100% of the net proceeds going to Melanoma research.

Benefits - Databases

Agents

The Actors' Network agent database contains both ATA and SAG franchised agencies. We update our database on a weekly basis and with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is a most helpful periodical tool for actor business. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Casting Directors

The casting community is constantly changing addresses as well as who is casting with whom or on what project. We update our database on a weekly basis and with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members pro-actively pursuing their careers throughout the city our database is a most helpful periodical tool for actor business. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

TV Show Assignments

The television aspect of our profession is vast and has exploded with the number of original programming coming out of cable since the turn of the century. Our TV Show Assignments are designed to assist our members with a cross referenced form of periodical information that also includes Pilots which becomes a tremendous business tool in the pursuit of your career. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Managers

The Actors' Network manager database contains both TMA and COPM managers as well as those with no particular affiliation. In the personal management aspect of this profession there is no affiliation requirement. However, all personal managers, to be considered legitimate, must have at least a city business license. We update our database on a weekly basis and with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is a most helpful periodical tool for actor business. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Theatres

There has never been a printed periodical publication for sale in Los Angeles to assist actors with the Theatre listing. While it seems almost unbelievable, it is true, and while Back Stage West does print a Theatre section towards the end of each calendar year it still falls short. With many of our members pro-actively pursuing L.A. theatre on different levels including performing, producing, writing, performing, and in theatre companies we are able to provide the most complete listing of LA theatres found anywhere. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Production

Our production database includes a great number of entities such as studios, producers, directors, writers, filmmakers, studio lots, publicists and more. Again this is a vast vast industry and there are always going to be hundreds and hundreds of individuals who are creating or working on something that simply cannot be found or noted in a periodical database but with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is a most helpful periodical tool for actor business. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Background Casting

Background casting companies then to be either one of the two or three really large entities such as Central Casting or are more commonly a one person operation like Bill Dance casting. We do provide the current rates available for union background work. Studio members of The Actors' Network are able to get more information on the pro's n' con's of choosing to do background work as well as information about the SAG voucher system. We update our database regularly and with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is a most helpful periodical tool for actor business. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Film Festivals

The film festival numbers have probably grown about 50 times what it was before the turn of the century. There are probably at least 15 more festivals in Los Angeles alone that have evolved since 2000. We update our database regularly and with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is a most helpful periodical tool for actor business. We are huge advocates for film festivals and you will commonly find members of The Actors' Network volunteering at festivals all over the country including the LA Film Festival, Sundance, Dances with Films, Holly Shorts and the AFI International film festival. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Teachers

Our teachers/classes database is the largest for Los Angeles based teachers you will find. While The Actors' Network is not, nor can it be, in the business of recommending particulars services for actors with our online Networking Book, Discount Program, tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is an incredible actor business tool. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Photographers

Our photographers database is the largest for Los Angeles based photographers you will find. While The Actors' Network is not, nor can it be, in the business of recommending particulars services for actors with our online Networking Book, Discount Program, tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is an incredible actor business tool. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Services

Our services database is the largest for Los Angeles based actor services you will find and contains dozens of types of services. While The Actors' Network is not, nor can it be, in the business of recommending particulars services for actors with our online Networking Book, Discount Program, tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members represented throughout the city our database is an incredible actor business tool. Additionally all of our databases provide our studio and online members to print 1X3 mailing address labels either as the entire database or with our custom choice option.

Events

The number of events that have legitimate standing in the Hollywood community is just too numerous to count. Our events database is not attempting to show you the obvious events like the Oscars and the Emmy's but rather some of the lesser known events that perhaps one of our members or industry friends are associated with or perhaps responsible for creating. With our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members active throughout the city our events database is a most helpful networking tool for actor business.

Organizations

The number of organizations that have legitimate standing in the Hollywood community is always changing. How one defines what an organization is in Hollywood we're certain could lead to some pretty good debates but with our years of experience we have a very strong understanding as to who they are and should be in terms of an actors career. Once again with our tremendous history, relationship depth, personal relationships coupled with hundreds of members active throughout the city our organizations database is a most helpful networking tool for actor business and insight.

Universities

The number of Universities that exist throughout the US do have a value to the Los Angeles actor as well as many within Southern California that a transplanted actor may not be aware of as a potential source for student films and professional options. Because education at a higher level is always of value we offer this database as a way for actors who may be looking for a Masters program, alumni associations related to Hollywood or any number of other reasons the outlet of University information would be of value to your career as a most helpful networking tool for your actor business.

Benefits - Outreach

Internship Program

In 1995 The Actors' Network pioneered the first Internship Program in the history of Hollywood for actors. More than 100 companies and individuals have sought out interns through The Actors' Network since the inception of the program. This professional association creates a wonderful mutual benefit for both members of The Actors' Network as well as the casting, production or representation office engaging the Internship Program. Being an intern at a legitimate professional office as an actor is a valuable tool. The ability to get hands on experience inside a real professional office in Hollywood is amazingly invaluable. With both perspective and knowledge from being inside the offices within Hollywood as an intern provides The Actors' Network member with an unrivaled leg up as well as a direct new professional relationship.

Honorary Board

The Actors' Network Honorary Board serves as a tangible reminder of the industry respect the organization has earned. Since we are not a 501C3 entity the board is an honorary board, but this list of professionals was formed so that the organization had an active and diversified set of industry professionals as consultants to The Actors' Network. The board seats change from time to time as some professionals choose to leave the industry and/or we choose to add a newer person who has risen up in the ranks of Hollywood and who has become a large supporter of The Actors' Network. With individuals like Mark Armstrong (reps Rooney Mara), Abby Girvin (owner, DDO Agency) and Joseph Middleton (VP of Talent ñ Paramount Studios) we, as an organization, are always headed in the right direction.

Discount Program

In 1995 The Actors' Network pioneered the first city-wide retail Discount Program in the history of Hollywood for actors. We have hundreds of Discount Clients throughout the Los Angeles area both directly related to common actor services such as photographers and classes as well as non-acting related vendors you may need to patronize in your day to day life living in Los Angeles. Even members of The Actors' Network may themselves offer a discount to their fellow members for some type of business or service that can be of service. Saving money when pursuing a career is terribly important and we're proud to be the leading provider of discounts to actors, as an organization, in entertainment. Discount clients are listed on our website and members must show their current membership card to receive their discount.

Special Speakers

Annually The Actors' Network is committed to identifying certain professional subjects that are both uniquely important in our lives and careers and are best presented by individuals who are true experts. Some of these special speaking presentations have varied from Union Town Hall election panels, V/O Demos ñ Auditions, Actor Taxes, and Organizing: Home/Office, to One person show: Develop/Produce, Website creation, Hosting: Ear/Tele-prompt, and Script Coverage. There are so many elements and options to a performers career that having as much specific knowledge about those diversified areas is absolutely imperative. Active members of The Actors' Network pursue their career with a distinct advantage over other actors due to the presentations presented annually by special speakers.

T.I.P. Program

"Help us, help you, help all of us." This has been our credo since 5/1/91 and borne out of the simple philosophy that the intelligent sharing of knowledge and information makes one's success exponentially more likely. The belief that Hollywood is an individual competition is flat out inaccurate. When an actor shares specific project or audition information that is not readily available to the general actor public with another member, TAN will award the giving member TIP points. These TIP points can be accrued and used to CASH-IN for membership benefits. Some of the T.I.P. Chart benefits are, but not limited to: free months added to your membership accounts, a free private consultation with Kevin E. West and much much more! This program also assists TAN by advocating that members refer industry guest speakers.

Victories

Your professional successes and forward movement should be made available to as many people who can further your career as possible at any time. In addition to that logical philosophy the power of the internet and search engines members of The Actors' Network are regularly increasing their visibility by posting their representation and booking victories. Because our website offers constant access to those victories your Google score, for example, will continue to rise and with that the ability to be found by anyone in the industry who may need your type. Actors everywhere, but especially in Hollywood, are always looking to increase their legitimate actor activity and when those professional movements are achieved our victories offer an additional avenue, beyond your own website, to advertise them.

Guest Referrals

It is fair to say that there are probably between 500 and 1000 individuals within the professional Hollywood community that could be of service to you and your career advancement at any given time. These individuals range from agents, casting directors, managers, executives, directors, producers, writers and many others. Who is friendly with who or knows whom at any given moment is impossible to track, and therefore we offer our members TIP points for being actively involved with referring industry guest speakers to The Actors' Network. This helps us keep a constant fresh flow of speakers for our monthly calendar, but it also means that we are consistently increasing the number of our Industry Friends. Guest referrals have grown into a crucial and invaluable element of membership advancement.