Frequently asked questions

The Hollywood Initiative is a strategic career development program designed to support actors pursuing professional opportunities in the U.S. film and television industry, while strengthening their positioning within their local market and home country. The initiative provides actors with practical guidance, industry insight, and mentorship that is often difficult to access when navigating both Hollywood and their local industry independently. It bridges the gap between talent and strategy, offering education around industry standards, career positioning, professional materials, networking, and long-term planning. The Hollywood Initiative is not an acting school or an agency. It is a career accelerator created to help actors avoid common industry pitfalls, save years of trial and error, and build a sustainable, globally minded career pathway.

Some Casting Directors prefer to hand out scenes during class, others will offer scenes in advance, but for those that require actors to bring their own, we have an online archive for members to dig through. For Agents and Managers showcases, you have the option to bring your own sides or monologue. Please bring a copy and highlight the readers sides. You must be OFF BOOK! This works the same for Online Workshops. If scenes are provided you must send over your headshot and age range as soon as you book.

Casting Director Workshops: Each class starts off with a Q&A. The casting director/instructor will introduce themselves, productions they have worked on and exciting things that are coming up (if they are able to share.) After the Q&A’s, each casting director will run the workshops according to their preferred structure. You will know of the structure at the time of purchase. Agent and Manager Showcases: Each showcase starts off with an introduction to all the delegate. We proceed to the showcase section. Once everyone has had their turn, we then go into a speed round. Our speed round gives you a couple of minutes to chat with the agents and managers. This is your chance to shine so prepare and kick ass! Special Guest Q&A: This is a very chilled and relaxed environment. Grab your notebook and coffee. Sit back, relax and take it all in.

You are a professional actor. So, make sure you have the following. Casting Director Workshops: One headshot with your updated resume on the back. Please make sure they are stapled in all four corners. Two copies of the sides. Please highlight you readers sides. A notebook to write in. A USB drive. Water and snacks for your quick brake in between. (Please note we do have pens and USB drives for purchase in studio) Agent and Manager Showcase: FIVE headshots with your updated resume on the back. Please make sure they are stapled in all four corners. Two copies of the sides. Please highlight you readers sides. If you are doing a monologue, please bring in a copy. A notebook to write in. A USB drive. Water and snacks for your quick brake in between. Special Guest Q&A: Our special guests can be anyone from Directors, Producers, Writers, Celebrities and Filmmakers. This is a brilliant way to learn more and get all your questions answered. Please bring: A notebook to write in. Water and snacks for your quick brake in between.

No. We do not offer refunds for any workshops. Our workshops are small, carefully planned, and involve very busy guest instructors, we’re not always able to offer credits either. A THI credit may be offered if: • You email us at info@thehollywoodinitiative.com (mailto:info@thehollywoodinitiative.com)more than 72 hours before the workshop, and • If you haven’t yet received your scene or workshop materials. If you’ve already received your scene, or if it’s within 72 hours of the workshop, we’re unable to offer a credit. If a guest instructor needs to cancel, you’ll receive a THI credit that never expires and can be used for a future workshop or event. Any additional conditions will always be clearly listed on the workshop booking page.

If the workshop you want to attend happens to be booked out we can pop your name down on a waiting list, email us at info@thehollywoodinitiative.com . If a slot becomes available everyone on the waitlist will be notified. First to respond gets the spot. Please note: We do recommend booking as soon as the calendar is available. This is your career. Don’t wait to be put on a waiting list. Take charge and make things happen!

Be it online or in person: Treat this as you would any appointment. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow for parking and check-in or be ready in the zoom virtual waiting room. Better to arrive early and relax, look over your sides. If you are running late contact us on +1 (818) 296-9684. If your workshop is in person and you do not let us know the door will be locked and you will not be able to participate.

Location 1: Zoom, Online Local LA Workshops: The Melrose Lounge: 7551 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046 Intensive Program: Multiple Location. Contact Number: +1 (818) 296-9684 Email: info@thehollywoodinitiative.com

Click the link that is provided via email. The link will either open up to zoom or it will need to be downloaded. It is preferable to use a laptop or desktop computer. If using a computer: When entering a Zoom meeting for the first time from a computer you will need to download and install a Zoom application. This process is easy. After you’ve clicked on the meeting link, the application will either be automatically downloaded or you will be asked to save a file. On a PC it will be an .exe file and on a Mac it will be a .pkg file. You should be able to install. just like any other computer program. If the download doesn’t begin, you can download the program here: https://zoom.us/support/download If using a mobile device: If you are joining from a mobile device (Android smartphone/tablet, Apple iPhone/iPad) then it will prompt you to download the Zoom Cloud Meetings app from the App/Play Store. For more, check out the help from zoom on getting started with a mobile device.

Yes. Zoom is free for students. You do need an account, but that is a free account.

Pending on the class, you can record your scene unless the teacher states otherwise.

Once you book, you’ll get an email with all the details, so check your inbox and your spam folder. Here’s a quick idea of what to have ready: • Headshots & Résumés: Bring 5 copies of each. Headshots should be 8" x 10", and your résumé goes on the back. • Scene: For showcases, you provide your own 2-minute scene. Highlight the reader’s lines and be off book. • Timing: You’ll get instructions on your group’s time slot. Make sure to arrive with enough time for parking. This is just a heads-up so you know what’s coming, everything you need will be emailed to you right after booking.

For casting director workshops, scenes and all workshop details are always sent via email ahead of time. If you haven’t received your scene, please check your spam, junk, and promotions folders. It’s the participant’s responsibility to check all inbox folders and ensure they are receiving our emails. If you arrive at the workshop without having accessed your scene, we’re unable to resend or troubleshoot scenes during the workshop, and this does not qualify for a refund or credit.

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The Hollywood Initiative is in full compliance and BONDED (#810014372) with the Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company. You can check the database on https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-Databases.htm (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/DLSE-Databases.htm)under Fee Related Talent Service Bonds. You must have a bonded company in order to have Casting Director Workshops and Agent and Manager Showcases. If you don’t it is illegal. Please read the Krekorian Law (http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1301-1350/ab_1319_bill_20091011_chaptered.html)for more information.