Based on my personal experience, you can find acting jobs and even get paid in this shady, full of scammers world named Hollywood. I always wanted to be a writer and director. I started acting and modeling, because other jobs were not available, when the economy went down. And I liked it! Nobody can make me work full time right now.
First of all, you have to be smart to survive. Don't fall for those scam agencies that promise you a fortune. Even if they ask you to pay $5 for subscription on their websites or in their database, don't do it. Because if they had any jobs, they would give the address and time for audition or send you directly to the shoot. The filmmakers and producers don't have time to register you on some shady websites. They need to shoot right away, they have deadlines.
Well, I agree there are legitimate agents who charge $25 to get into their database. Make a research on imdb or google, see what they have done already, ask other actors on the shoots. This is a small world. If there's a scammer, many people would share that information with you, because they don't want those scammers to survive in business.
Read RE: ads on craigslist in talent gigs section what people write about their bad experiences. Here's the list of potential scammers that I went through or I've read about, or I've heard about. Once again, it's not definite: Actors Reps, ABC casting, Prep LA, Talent Exchange, Wild Models... Here are the casting directors who actually hire you but never pay: Mandore (background job for $8/h), Phill Scott (divapromomodels.com), Infinity Group (went bankrupt, yes!!!).
Always ask if they pay cash/check right after the shoot. When they’re telling you they are going to send a check, there's possibility that check will never come. The legitimate agencies are: SRO (Standing Room Only), LA casting, Extras Management ... Tell me more if you know.
The best way to find acting jobs is talent gigs section on craigslist, unless you have a serious agent who works for you and you wouldn't be reading this article. LA casting is too competitive: there are too many desperate actors. Craigslist is shady and full of sick people, but if you have patience and you are smart, you can get pretty good paid speaking parts or even lead roles in small independent films.
That's what you should start with. Nobody is going to offer you a big role in blockbuster unless you have done several lead roles in small movies that mirically became popular.
Oh, you don't need acting classes. It's waste of time and money. The first thing they tell you in acting school: "Go practicing acting in movies or theaters!" You can learn by doing unpaid student shorts. Don't worry, if you are good, the film directors will notice you at audition. Try to be natural. Don't do overacting. Less is better. However you have to imagine the scene: how you would talk and move, like if it’s really happening to you. Acting is like signing - you have it or not. Of course they can prepare you for a particular scene, if you have the look.
Let's talk about your look now. You should be aware of people's perception of your appearance. Be honest with yourself. Maybe you are not that hot, but you have charm or you are funny. The film directors think clichés: young black gangster, hot prostitute or stripper, Italian mafia, white 50 years old millionaire, overweight funny guy, naive college student... I've been working for many independent movies. Most of it is crap! I wonder how they found financing... And of course every director thinks he or she is a genius! No matter how bad the movie is, your performance should be excellent. That's the only way to be noticed. Even when you think the movie is not going anywhere. I was invited as an extra and they end up by giving me speaking parts, because they liked my acting. And my look I suppose.
What kind of actors they are looking for? Imagine you go to the theater on Friday night. What kind of actors you wanna see? Beautiful, interesting to look at, charismatic, dramatic, genuine. As an actor you have to look good and correspond to the character. I know it's expensive to get good clothes, get your hair and makeup done, to workout, to eat well...
Your pictures have to show the best of you. If you don't have $50 for headshots (that's the reasonable price for headshots, not $600 as many agencies tell you), check those photographers on craigslist who need to update their portfolio and they will do your headshots for free. You can create a free account on modelmayhem.com, so the photographers will contact you to offer free services.
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