Getting started

First thing to realize- your career is a business. And as with any business one needs promotional materials. Headshots are one of your main sources of this. One must have them to submit themselves on any large number of things.

Get online-
LA Casting and Actor's Access are two main lines to getting casting notices. Casting notices are where someone is casting a project and you may submit yourself directly to it. You upload your headshots, résumé, skills and other info and start clicking away at the projects you're interested in or are right for.

Tip: try and do your submissions twice a day. Its kind of an early bird/worm thing. I've casted a couple projects before, the people who get there first, get seen more. Its just how it goes.

This at the very least is a good way to get started from scratch. You will have to pay for LA Casting if you don't have an agent though.

Get in class-
Find an acting class that you enjoy, feel safe creating and is affordable. Being in a class you enjoy is good for many reasons, it allows you to create and practice your craft and it connects you with other people wanting the same thing from life as you and people that can help guide you as well. Classes in LA vary, but pricey does not mean better. I don't get paid by The Acting Center. But I do happen to believe so strongly in their technique that I don't recommend going anywhere else. The Acting Center

Make friends-
Make friends with other actors. They're in the same boat as you, so ahead and some behind. Help them if you can, ask them for help if you need it. Ask me if you want to. :)