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   54

   

   6-2-11

   David H. Lawrence XVII says:

   Answer: A drive on pass allows you as an actor, visiting a studio for an audition or for paid acting work, to drive onto the lot and park in the lot, the garage or next to the building or bungalow you’re headed for. Here’s how you get one.

   
   

   When a casting director calls you to audition for a part, you’re given not only sides, a breakdown and contact information, but also, especially in Los Angeles, where to park. Many times you’ll be told to park on the streets surrounding your casting location, but occasionally, you’ll be given the opportunity to drive onto the actual studio lot, park in a parking space and head to your audition. If so, you’ll check in with the security guard, show ID and get your parking orders.

   Similarly, when you’re working on a set, you’re often given close-by parking so that you can easily get to base camp, the stage where you might be shooting, your trailer or wardrobe and makeup. Actors get treated really well when booked for paid acting work, especially union work, and drive-on parking is one of those perks.

   If you’re attempting to drop off headshots, it’s probably not a good idea to ask for a drive on pass from the studio security personnel, or to call a casting director and let her know that’s your goal. Since 9/11, studios have had much stricter enforcement of visitors getting onto the lots, and an aspiring actor trying to cold call an on-lot casting director isn’t likely to breach that protection.

   
   

   Be careful to park where you’re assigned. Once you do get your drive on, follow the map to where you’re to park to the letter. Don’t just park near where you’re supposed to be – and if there’s no parking where you’re directed to, return to the gate and let them know, so they can give you an alternative. Parking in any available spot, unless you’re told that’s OK, might place your beater where a bigshot’s Mercedes should be – not a good situation to be in.

   It’s also not a great idea to try to re-use a drive on pass after you leave. Should you get the clever idea that driving off and driving back on will give you a day pass to paper every casting director working on that particular lot, it’s worth ignoring that urge. Better yet, if you want to drop off headshots, note which other casting offices are on the lot you’ve been given access to, and after you’re finished with your audition, quickly hit them before heading off.

   
   

   Asking for a drive on pass so you can do drop-offs can be tricky and probably not worth the social currency you’d expend trying to get one. If you want to play it safe, don’t burn up the good will you’ve generated with a friendly CD or studio employee by asking them to help you engage in what some CD’s consider annoying behavior.

   You can hang on to your drive on pass as a souvenir. Most of the guards won’t ask for them back (unless they are reusable plastic), and my collection is amongst my most prized career collections, along with a complete email database of every side I’ve ever received. But that’s me. You can just throw them out when you’re done with your day’s work, or your audition.

   And yes, a walk on pass is exactly the same thing. Just no car.

   What’s your answer to this acting question? Let me know in the comments below.

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2. 

   11-20-16

   Ella says:

   Hey David, awesome blog. I’m challenging myself to book TV in 6 weeks and I’m doing targeted drop offs once a week. Tomorrow’s drop off is to an office at Paramount. Do you recommend using a service like bike boys to do this as a drop off instead of a mailing? If yes, can you suggest me any specific services? Or any suggestions are welcome. Thanks so much David!

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     149

     

     12-20-16

     David H. Lawrence XVII says:

     Under Special Skills, sure. You might also list the projects on which you worked as a Photo Double and for whom. I don’t have any recommendations for drop off techniques.

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