Upcoming free Actors Fund seminars

The Actors Fund is a nonprofit, national human services organization that helps entertainment and performing arts professionals in theater, film, music, opera, television and dance through a broad spectrum of social, health, employment, and housing programs that address their essential and critical needs.

In the next few weeks and on an ongoing basis, the Actors Fund is offering a number of seminars of interest to professionals in the animation business. This post concentrates on resources available in the Los Angeles area, but the Fund offers most of these resources to pros in the New York area and around the country as well.

• Job Search Over 40

On Wednesday, July 30, from 4 to 6 pm, the Actors Fund will offer their free Job Search Over 40 seminar at their offices at 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 400, in Los Angeles.

How do you approach the job search when you are over 40? Are there differences? How do you present yourself and where will your experience be welcome? Hear from some Actors Work Program members who have found work that values maturity and experience.

The Actors Work Program (AWP) assists entertainment industry professionals (not just actors) in identifying and finding sideline work and new careers. AWP is a comprehensive employment and training program committed to fostering resiliency and self-reliance for industry professionals as well as providing a resource for referral of highly skilled and creative workers to the larger employment community. Services include group and individual career counseling, job training and education, financial assistance, and job placement services.

The AWP also offers an introductory orientation explaining and discussing their services. Orientation is held every Monday from 1 pm to 2:30 pm except for legal holidays. No reservation or pre-registration is required for the orientation.

These events are open to all professionals in entertainment and the performing arts and is free of charge. For further information, contact Lauren Trotter at (323) 933-9244 ext. 50 or ltrotter@actorsfund.org.

• Getting And Keeping Health Insurance

Getting and Keeping Health Insurance is a seminar offered by the Actors Fund for members of the entertainment industry and the performing and visual arts communities who want to know their options for obtaining affordable health insurance and health care in the Los Angeles area. Participants will learn to use the Actors Fund's Access to Health Insurance/Resources For Care website. This seminar is held on the first Wednesday of every month; the next seminar is on Wednesday, August 6, at 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 400 in Los Angeles, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

This event is free of charge, but registration is required. For further information or to register, contact Aaron King at (323) 933-9244 ext. 38 or aking@actorsfund.org.

(I've attended these seminars, and while they aren't some kind of magic silver bullet, they really do offer useful information and strategies, and they do buoy people up. It's always good to know that there are others searching for answers -- and getting some -- when you've gone a stretch without work. -- Steve Hulett)