The L.A. Actors Coalition was founded by Tom Tangen, an ambitious young actor who understood one of the most important factors in building a strong acting career is who knows you and who you know, something normally accomplished by meeting and working with other creative people, particularly individuals looking for other talent with whom they may affiliate to bring a project to fruition. They and the members of the Coalition understand making motion pictures or television shows is one of the most collaborative arts in the world and it all starts with a great story.

The way people meet others who are in a position to help each other is by "networking," which means, simply, meeting people who introduce other people in a on-going continuum of introductions and engagements with others in the industry, one of the Coalitions primary goals.

The L.A.Actors Coalition members realize actors who know many industry people and who understand and appreciate what they do not only in their area of expertise, but their place in the matrix of the production of a film empower themselves to make greater strides in their own efforts to work cooperatively in furthering their individual careers in show business.

The L.A. Actors Coalition focuses on acting in films or television. The Coalition does not teach acting. Members of the Coalition are actors with varying levels of experience with some being new to Hollywood and others with a number of years of experience.

The Coalition is working constantly to develop more and more productive networks with which members may connect. The Coalition is, fundamentally, a social self-help organization centering attention on meeting people in the film and television industry, introducing them to others and being introduced. In short, facilitating people getting together who can work together.

The L.A. Actors Coalition believes service to others is essential to its overall mission. It provides many opportunities for members to volunteer their time and talent to groups who need assistance while providing yet another chance to establish connections. The Coalition volunteers participate in behind-the-scenes activities such as film festivals or with companies who either hire or work with actors regularly. Actors give their time and have the possibility of meeting and working with the movers and shakers of the industry in the most credible way: in a working situation where they can demonstrate the qualities so highly valued by the people who work with actors in the industry being on-time, being prepared, being reliable, having a good attitude, and an ability to work with others harmoniously while still showing their individual intelligence and creativity.

The Coalition also helps screenwriters by routinely reading aloud screenplays, either finished or in process. Such readings for the writers and, sometime, producers or others involved in the production of a potential film may result in a "staged" reading in front of a special audience those able to finance, produce and distribute a film or new television show. It is also a good experience for actors because it further develops their ability to do a "cold" reading.