Great acting camps in LA?

I feel discouraged for an acting career pleases help! No rude comments and please be honest what should I do?

• I’m a 16 year old girl who is desperately passionate to becoming an actress. I live in a small town a population of 2,850 people. We have no school drama club or any classes. We have a community theater that holds 2 or 3 plays throughout the year, but it’s hard to be casted into them since their very little youth most of the parts are for adults so it’s hard to get experience. I have been in plays the first one I was in I was about 8 and then did a little here, and there. I became serious about this when I was around 12 or 13. I started to get into plays although it was hard to get into but I have managed to get into 4 plays. I had leading parts in most of them. I also sing and dance. I have been in a choir for 2 years now, and been taking singing lessons for about 3 years now. I do ballet, cheer, and hip hop to. I got an agent last year in Salt Lake, Utah, and been taking a lot of acting classes. I have auditioned for a few things here and their, but only been an extra once. I’m trying to build a resume, but how can I do this if I’m not in L.A or N.Y.C? My parents are supportive considering they are willing to pay about $850.00 for 10 acting classes that I take and plus drive me 3 hours to get to my acting classes. My teacher taught Olysia Rulin from High School Musical. I’m now 16, and want this career more than anything. Problem is I don’t live in L.A. Cuz if I did I know there’s a lot of rejection on L.A., but at lease it will help me to build my resume, and get more experienced. My parents can’t afford to pay for me to live in LA especially apartments they are like 3,000 dollars a month my parents also have home bills they must pay here where we live. They also won’t move. I don’t want to wait till after I graduate cuz the younger, and more experienced the better! People even tell me that I’m to old to be an actress like on Disney Channel. I don’t know what to do sometimes I get depressed, and I’m always trying and thinking of ways on what I can do to move or help me achieve my goals and sometimes I get stressed! I was planning on going to la acting camps last year, but they are very expensive they run between 4,000 to 9,000 that’s a lot of money look up to like Zac efron and Vanessa hudgens and they had advantages cuz atleast they lived in California which I don’t . Is there anything I can do? I’m sick of always trying to find ways on what can’t help, but I run out of them! Please I’m beginning u help this is something I’v always wanted and would do everything and anything to have! Suggestions, Ideas? Anything? Please be honest! Just a normal girl trying to make her dreams come true!

• Answer:

  A career in acting is less likely than being struck by lightning the same day you win the Lottery, so being discouraged is good because it will make you really think hard about your choices. If you conclude you are willing to be desperately underemployed and struggle for you art read on: Young actors and their parents are the victims of the most scams in an industry full of them. You are paying too much for classes and should NEVER pay for representation or to showcase. Also avoid people trying to sell you classes or headshots. You need those things but should find them on your own not be pressured to buy them at outrageous rates. The good news is the industry has completely changed. Invest in a camera, find some like minded people and do your own projects! Post them on line, produce your own plays, start your own production group. The cream will always rise to the top! If you are really serious you will get the ultimate education, experience and have legitimate projects to list on your resume. Life is a journey and so will be your acting career. You will grow most by doing! Even big producers are looking to the web. It saves them money and time to have you do most of the ground work. And "18 to play younger" is a very castable time in your life. Because you can play younger but work adult hours with no need for teachers or work permits on set. Check out the book "Your Film Acting Career" by M.K. Lewis and the news blog I contribute to for info on Demo Reels, Showcases and Scams - www.Hollywoodand.newsVine.com Good luck, send me an email if you get to Hollywood!