UTDA Industry Briefing + Representation Webinar
By Abigail Hardin, January 21, 2026
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Happy Tuesday, UTDA Community!
If the end of 2025 felt like a sprint, January gave many of us a necessary reset. Production indicators are trending upward again, and actors are already reporting strong audition momentum across commercial, film, and network TV. We love to remind our community that in this business, timing and persistence are everything — and January is a powerful time to reset your new thought mindset, reconnect with your network, and recalibrate your goals for the year ahead.
To that end, we’re kicking off 2026 with a Free Webinar: “Representation 101 for Actors”— a practical guide to pursuing talent agents & managers in the current market, pitching yourself strategically, and knowing what makes an authentic match today. Whether you’re actively seeking representation or simply want a clearer roadmap, this session will demystify the outreach process and offer examples of what actually works in 2026. The event is free, but registration is required - reserve your spot today!
Featured Watch: Annie on “The Actor’s Instrument”
If you haven’t seen it yet, Annie joined actor and coach Hassiem Muhammad on his series The Actor’s Instrument for a deep conversation about treating yourself like a business — the metrics actors should be tracking, how to balance artistry with entrepreneurship, and why being the CEO of YOU Inc. is more important than ever in 2026. It’s a grounded, inspiring, and practical listen for anyone looking to sharpen their professional business strategies while keeping the creative spark alive.
Watch the interview on YouTube >>
This month’s UTDA blogs have also been loaded with actionable insights and industry shifts worth tracking:
We are committed in 2026 to providing more strategic content. Looking ahead, we’ll be sharing more content on:
- the changing rules of seeking representation
- marketing tools refresh
- new pathways for actors to self-produce & distribute work
- where the industry is actually hiring (and why)
- strategic marketing tools for actors in a hybrid career landscape
- concrete ways to build professional relationships with CDs, agents & managers
- how to track your audition pipeline and measure career momentum
If you have a burning question or topic worthy of a UTDA blog deep dive, send us an email at info@uptodateactor.com
Here’s to a strong and focused 2026 — and to building the kind of career foundation that leaves you ready when opportunity knocks.
Warmly,
Film & TV Business
- Hollywood Unions Pencil in Dates for AMPTP Talks
- SAG-AFTRA "Won't Rule Out A Strike" Ahead Of Contract Talks With Studios
- AI and Health Care: Hollywood Union Talks Come into Focus
- Rafael Espinal To Lead New York Office Of Media And Entertainment
- Netflix Q4 2025 Earnings Nip Wall Street Estimates As 2025 Ad Revenue Tops $1.5B
- Matt Damon On Low Attention Spans Influencing Netflix's Rules
Film & TV Production
- Zohran Mamdani's Head of NYC Media, Entertainment on Unions, Production
- L.A. On-Location Film & TV Production Down 16.1% In 2025
- 'Dexter: Resurrection' Season 2 to Film at NYC's Sunset Pier Studios
Verticals & Creator Content
- Apple To Offer "Creator Studio" Subscription Bundle Of Tools For Making Films, Music & More
- Microdramas Fuel Online Video Growth as Global M&E Nears $1.2 Trillion
- Wonder Project Launches Creator Circle to Drive Viewership, Insights
- Meet The New Wave Of Microdrama Apps Like Holywater, AppReel
- What's a "Vertical"? Check out our recent blog on this new groundbreaking medium: What Is a “Vertical” — And How Should Actors Use Them in 2026?
Warner Bros. / Netflix Deal
- Paramount Tells Lawmakers That Netflix-WBD Merger Is "Unlawful"
- Paramount Skydance Continues to Insist Its Warner Bros. Discovery Offer Is Better Than Netflix's Deal
- Netflix Prepping All-Cash Bid for Warner Bros. Studios and Streaming
- Netflix's Ted Sarandos Continues to Bang Pro-Theatrical Drum
- Netflix Execs Keep Stumping For Warner Bros. Deal On Q4 Earnings Call
- Netflix CEOs Say Actually They Always Considered Going Into Theaters
Theatre Talk
- Governor Kathy Hochul Launches Plan to Preserve Performing Arts Spaces in New York
- Handing Out Free Tickets, Mamdani Says Theater Should Not Be ‘a Luxury’
- NYC Mayor Mamdani Joins UNDER THE RADAR Theater Festival to Promote Free Ticket Giveaway
- The Public Theater Is Renaming 1 of Its Venues
- In the producer’s office: Brian Anthony Moreland offers his perspective on ‘Black stories,’ diversifying audiences and grassroots marketing
- Video: How AMDA College of the Performing Arts Is Shaping the Stars of Tomorrow
Award Season
- Directors Guild Awards 2026 Movie Nominees List
- Will the Guilds or the Globes Help Decide the 2026 Oscar Nominations?
- Emmy Rule Changes Address AI, TV Movie Category, More