Queen B.

Aia Actor's Studio

This place will have legitimate casting directors and other industry people come for showcases and "workshops" but AIA rips you off cost wise. There are far too many other places who bring in the same people for a 1/4 of what you might pay at AIA. AIA is run by folks who prey on newbies to the industry. They lock you into big contracts for big money -- then you don't go elsewhere because you have locked yourself in. All their staff gets paid on commission, so selling you is their goal.

If you are new to the town, be smart. Enroll in a solid acting program for no more than $200/month with a teacher who really cares about you and your progress. Make sure the class size is no more than 12 students and that you get to work each time. Once you have learned how to act and can also be mentored by this same instructor in terms of the business, then go find some additional workshop places like Actors Group, Signature Studios, Actors Key, or others that you have to audition for. You can market yourself then to select casting directors and agents -- but not be ripped off.

Stephen Rousso

I was out looking for an accountant to do my annual corporate return for my small business. I had found some positive reviews online about Stephen Rousso so I phoned him. I was disappointed. I explained to him that I had everything up to date and in Quickbooks for this small business corporate return, but he acted like a shark with me. He wouldn't give me a rate for doing my corporate return, wanted to know how much sales I did (so he could figure out if he could charge me more and get away with it! -- but I wouldn't give him that figure), and said he wouldn't give me a rate unless I came in and sat down with him. Plus he wanted to do my personal return as well and was disappointed that I already had someone for that. The guy is a snake -- go somewhere else.

Rebecca Fitzgerald Dermatology

This was my first visit today to Dr. Fitzgerald. I came in for a free consultation to ask about photodynamic therapy for a small keratosis and overactive oil glands (not acne, just a few spots). I waited for about 35 min. to be brought back to the patient room. Then, another 15 min. in the room. Finally she came in. She asked me to tell her why I was coming in. I explained. She then said, "Are you done now?" I hesitated. "Yes." "Good," she said, because if you'll be quiet for the next 5-10 minutes then I'll explain everything." Then she went on for the next 40 min. about a diagram of the skin, a review of my skin, how great my skin was and how little I needed and then ... here it is, the kicker ... she spent the rest of the time selling me on skin systems, fillers, and botox. She didn't think I needed PDT, after all, if I did all of these skin systems and botox and fillers, I'd be fine. The keratosis wasn't mentioned again. Then, she wrote down the huge list of products and went and got product samples. Now, mind you, this whole time I'm only saying "uh, uh -- okay -- right" while she talks away. Then, while she was writing up the product list, she says "Can I do that Botox for you today?" "Uh, I'll think about it," I said. "By the way, I'm an actress so how would that affect my work." "Oh," she said, "well then, that means we need to just do filler, right into the bone." She went through the whole "interesting" explanation of that and then asked me if she could do it for me before I left the office. I again said I'd think about it. Her demeanor changed and she said we were done and I should take my patient paperwork to the front desk. I get to the front desk and am told my visit was a medical visit. I was blown away. I said it was a free consultation. The receptionist went to ask the Dr.. The Dr. came back and said she'd let it slide this time if I bought her $50.00 sunblock. Suffice it to say, I'm not inclined to return.

Leonard's Lock and Key

I needed one key copy for a door and was serviced in under a minute -- just like the other reviewer on this site said. Only $1.85 + tax ($2.00). This place is better than a Lowe's or Home Depot because you'll be guaranteed the key will work properly -- these guys are masters at keying. The place is easy to find if you know what to look for -- it's behind Burger King. Look for the blue awning.

Bay Area Limousine

I have used this car service twice to be picked up from the Oakland Airport and driven to San Francisco (and back). Both times, the car service was punctual and courteous. The cars are clean and offer complimentary water. The only annoying thing to be aware of is that most car services at the Oakland Airport (at least for Southwest Airlines) pick up on the "passenger pick up area" just outside baggage claim. In both of my trips I have only seen one car service with a driver holding a sign with a name in the baggage area. So, this means that you have to be able to connect with the car driver via cell phone so that he/she knows when you're ready to be picked up at the street side area. This can be a little nerve racking. And since most car services are doing this, perhaps it's partly due to the fact of how the Oakland Airport set up things ... not necessarily the car services' fault. Otherwise, this is a professional and well-run car service that I would recommend.

Automotive Associates

This automotive repair and service business won't stick you with unnecessary expenses. We took our car into them because the dealership said our brake pads needed to be replaced. Automotive Associates took off our tires and did a brake check to find out that wasn't true. We were charged a nominal fee for the check, but at least we have peace of mind that our brakes are safe.

Dr. Alinsod Pediatricia/Family Practice

Dr. Alinsod is a knowledgable, friendly family doctor that you can trust. He has an excellent bedside manner. If you have already done your own medical research coming into the appointment, he doesn't discount that and is interested in what you have to say. He is good with adults and children. His office staff is friendly, kind, and nice to be around. I highly recommend this doctor.

Signature Studios L.A.

This studio is owned by two wonderful ladies who really care about actors. It has a lot of casting director workshops available, plus ongoing classes. Their very clean space also is available for casting directors to rent for casting and for actors to rent for rehearsal space. The atmosphere is very actor friendly and supportive.

For casting director workshops, unlike Reelpros or AIA, there is no membership fee. If you want to attend a workshop, you first have to audition with one of the owners to see if your acting is bookable. If it is, according to them, you have access to any of the classes and events at the studio -- for a competitive fee. If you sign up early, you will likely find space in most of the casting director workshops -- early bird gets the worm, you know?

For parking, you have to find a spot along Forest Lawn, which lately has been challenging because the film school in the same building takes up way too many free spots along the street (in my opinion, the school should get the students discount parking passes for parking in the lot under the building so that other people who come and go have parking). So, leave yourself enough time to walk to the building if you have to park a distance away.

For support, great networking, and no pressure, Signature Studios is your friend for making it as an actor in L.A.!

Community Chevrolet

We will never return to this dealership for service. It's advisors and manager are inadequate, lie about details, and don't want to provide general customer service. We complained about a particular service advisor at the dealership and, as a consequence, were told that because of our complaint they would not service us again. This prompted us to call Chevrolet Motor Company to complain, and the company could do nothing for us. We had to go to a different dealership 5 extra miles away to get serviced properly.

Wayne Dvorak Acting Studio

See his website: www.actingcoachdvorak.com

I've been with Wayne Dvorak for acting instruction for a year. Soon, I will be moving onto the 2nd year of his two-year Meisner program. Mr. Dvorak is a caring but thorough Master Meisner acting instructor whose studio follows the techniques and programs of New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse and Sanford Meisner.

He offers a comprehensive two-year Meisner program that starts you out with exercise work that builds on itself through levels. Each year you also work on four, 15-20 min. scenes, spaced throughout the year, by working with an assigned partner -- you first memorize the scene, next work with your partner in bouncing it off each other, then you put up the scene for a critique. You might work on a scene for up to 5 weeks, deepening the complexities of subtext, emotions, connection, style, character, and later adding blocking and setting.

Mr. Dvorak requires a rare level of commitment in his class -- a two-year commitment, a mininum of two rehearsals per week outside of class with a partner, memorization and exploration of complex scenes and characters, and classical work in diction, breathing, voice development, and Shakespeare.

Be aware -- most actors in the United States would not commit to such a rigorous program. However, your British counterparts are committing to even more rigorous programs, which is why they now win most acting and director awards these days. So, if you are serious about your craft as an actor, writer, or director -- note: for television or film ONLY -- Wayne Dvorak's class will shape you into a skilled actor who will understand scripts, know who you are and how to infuse that into your acting, know unquestionably how to act with depth, and how to book parts.

Once you finish your second year of instruction, he also has an excellent professional program available.