3 Big Mistakes Most New Actors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Every actor dreams of seeing their face on screen — but most never make it past the starting line.
In this video, Coach Mike from Hey, I Saw Your Commercial! reveals the three biggest mistakes new actors make when launching their careers in Los Angeles — and the mindset shift that separates the working actors from the “someday” crowd.
Here’s what most actors do wrong — and exactly what to do instead. Each of these mistakes can quietly stall your career for years if you’re not careful. Coach Mike breaks them down one by one, and more importantly, shows you how to turn each into a winning strategy.
🎬 Mistake #1 – Jumping into Extra Work Too Soon
Many actors rush into background work thinking it’ll fast-track them into SAG. Mike explains why that habit can trap you for years — and how to build union eligibility the smart way using his “One Sheet” strategies.
💡 Takeaway: You don’t need to do extra work to join SAG — and Mike shows smarter ways to qualify without getting stuck as a background regular.
🎭 Mistake #2 — Enrolling in Scene Study Before You Can Audition
Scene study is great later, but not first. Without audition skills, you’ll miss the small roles that launch careers.
Mike shows why mastering booking technique beats performing Shakespeare monologues in class.
💡 Takeaway: Focus first on auditioning for smaller, real-world roles — that’s where your momentum (and income) start.
🎟️ Mistake #3 — Getting Stuck in Theater Instead of On-Camera Work
Theater builds heart, but commercials build careers.
Mike breaks down why income and exposure start on-camera — and how to build residual income from national spots that keep paying you.
💡 Takeaway: Theater is great training — but commercials are a business. Learn the camera skills that actually get you paid.
“I’m not here to just make actors feel good — I’m here to help them work. My job is to remove years of pain from your learning curve.”
Ready to Start Booking?
Join a Free Intro Class this month and learn the same techniques that helped hundreds of students go from “aspiring” to “working.”
