Before you decide to move...

Before packing your bags for Hollywood or Vancouver or any other major film center, there are a few things to consider:

1. Have you done as much as you can in your home town? Major film centers are full of people who want to act, and many of them will have tons of training and experience already under their belt. It's much easier to get roles when there is less competition, so stay in your home town and build your resume for as long as you can. Have you checked out all local and community theaters for both classes and auditions for their productions? Have you done plays at church, school, or anywhere else you can think of? Have you checked to see if there are any TV or film production companies you could send your headshot to? Many smaller cities have companies who at least make commercials, so that's a good place to start. Also look for any film groups or schools (especially universities) that may do films.

2. Are you financially able to make the move? Moving costs a lot more than you may think. Take into account prices for moving vans, fees (some apartment buildings charge a fee when you move in or out of the building), and the beer you'll need to buy your buddies to get them to help you out. If you can't comfortably cover all the costs right now, hang tight and save some money.

3. Are you legally allowed to work in the city you want to move to? Whether you're a Canadian wanting to go to LA or an American wanting to do theatre in England, you'll need some sort of work permit or visa. Make sure you talk to a lawyer or immigration officer to determine what kind of documentation you will need. Also take into consideration the fact that the process of getting your permit(s) may cost quite a bit of money, but you can't move without them - no one will hire you if you can't legally work there!

4. Will you be able to support yourself while you get established? Unless you're already a superstar, you're probably going to need a day job. Before you move, make sure you will be able to get a job wherever you're going - take into consideration work visas (if you're moving to a different country), your skills (if you want to wait tables, you'll probably need some experience), and flexibility (an office job might pay well, but will they let you go on auditions?). Check out work websites for the area to see what's out there. And an "emergency fund" of money to sustain you until you can start working is a must - it can sometimes take a while to find a job!