How Actors Land Managers, Self-Tape Auditions & Survive Hollywood’s Industry Slowdown with Amanda Hendon

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Amanda Hendon, owner and president of Entertainment 333, a full-service talent management company representing actors in film and television.

With decades of experience working with major agencies, casting offices, and production companies, Amanda shares an insider perspective on how actors build sustainable careers in Hollywood—and how the industry is evolving in the wake of strikes, streaming disruption, and emerging AI technology.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🎭 What talent managers actually do for actors and how careers are built
• 🎬 How actors land representation and what managers look for in new talent
• 📼 The realities of the self-tape audition era
• 🌍 Why many actors are now working internationally in places like Ireland and Europe
• 📉 How the Hollywood slowdown and recent strikes have affected working actors
• 🤖 How AI tools—from headshots to production tech—are impacting the industry
• 🎥 Why Amanda is expanding from talent management into film producing
• 📚 The true-story film project she’s developing about James Dean and Liz Sheridan
• 💡 Practical advice for actors navigating today’s competitive entertainment industry

Amanda also shares candid insights about the difference between emerging and established talent, the realities of representation in Los Angeles, and why persistence and strong communication remain essential for actors trying to break through.