I live in Oregon, I want to be in movies! aside from getting headshots and an agent, what else can I do to get into HOLLYWOOOD, who can I talk to, does anybody know anybody in the industri HEEELLLPPP!!
2007-02-16 01:54:44 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Hi there,
There is a great book out there that every actor NEEDS to read.
"How to Sell Yourself as an Actor" by K. Callan.
She updates it every year. You can buy it online from Amazon.
She talks about the life cycle of an actor. She points out that the average actor is only famous for, get this, five years.
If you don't believe this, answer this question....who is Tiffany and what is she doing now? I'll give you a hint, she's American.
K.Callan also points out the benefits of staying in your own hometown and getting as far ahead there as you can. Take acting classes, take singing lessons, get into school plays. Start writing and filming your own movies with the family handicam to get a feel for it. Volunteer at the local public access cable station to find out what happens behind the camera or pitch a show to them.
Lots of actors got a break when a run-away production filmed in their hometown and local actors were cast in the supporting roles. "Hollywood" is happening outside of California more and more these days.
Being "Discovered" and the "Big Break" are myths. The "Big Break" only happens after a series of small breaks. A small break is when your acting teacher suggests that you audition for a local theater and you get cast in a small role. Then, because you were taking acting lessons in the first place, you kick butt in that role and get a good review and so on and so on.
Success in acting is like any success in life, you have to work at it. The farmer has a successful harvest because he planted in the spring: he didn't just go out to his field in the fall and "discover" bushels of corn!
Okay, that all said, here are some more helpful bits of information.
The yellow pages should have a section with talent agency listings. You can call up a few of these agencies and ask for an informational interview. An informational interview is just that, you ask them questions and don't try to sell yourslef to them.
I would suggest that you ask what kind of experience people on thier roster have and if they can suggest 3 or 4 local acting schools or teachers. Don't bother asking them who they think is the "best" teacher in town, they won't tell you because they don't want to appear to favor one over another.
Also, be aware of scammers. Lots of people prey on the hopes and dreams of young actors by charging them a ton of money with false promises of work. The only person who can guarantee that you will work is yourself. You can give yourself an acting job by writing and starring in your own film!!! (Even if it is only a 5 minute short about a bad first date.)
You may or may not have heard about something called "Pilot Season" From about January to April, in LA, they audition actors for all the new pilots that will be shot in the coming year. Some of these pilots will be picked up and become tv series.
A ton of actors from Canada and the States stream into California and apply to the agencies, in hope of getting an agent and being auditioned for a pilot. And, once again, there are a ton of dishonest people sucking the money out of all these eager young actors.
I am told that the agents can be harsh. They've got a huge pool of talented, good looking young actors to choose from. If a new actor on their roster has been sent out to audition 5 or 6 times and hasn't booked of the auditions, the agents kick them of the roster. Nasty.
Just a quick note about me. I'm a barely working actor who lives in Vancouver, Canada. I work mostly doing background work ( I know, I know, it's not real acting) and I work other part time jobs to pay the rent. Incidentally, a successful film actor in Vancouver works *5* days a year, which sucks.
Okay, hope this helps. Good luck and crack a lens.
Linda
2007-02-16 19:10:02 · answer #1 · answered by Linda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Linda said some good things. It's not easy. You said get headshots and an agent. Getting an agent is one of the hardest things to do. You don't just decide to go get one. You have to work like mad to make it. You have to work like mad and the results are far from guaranteed. You have to set yourself up so that you can still have a life even if you don't get acting work. It's everyone's dream, but it's like no other. It's the hardest thing you can ever attempt. If you realize how hard it is going in you should
be okay. I've seen dozens of people come and go in my time in L.A. Learn all you can first. If you still want to try you owe it to yourself to at least give it a shot.
2007-02-16 22:26:45 · answer #2 · answered by Big R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your chances of striking it big in Hollywood are very low. Right now, you need to be involved in school plays, community theater, acting workshops, and all of that kind of thing. You also need connections within that industry and I don't think anyone here has them. Not really, anyway, regardless of what they might tell you. It seems everyone on this site wants to be in the movies, write a bestseller, be a famous artist and all the rest. All that is fine but to become famous, well, your chances as I said are very, very low. In fact, even if you did get into a movie, you would begin as an extra and you would probably never get beyond that point. Is there anyone out there who aspires to science, research, engineering, humanitarian work, etc.? It seems today all the kids want to be on Disney, and they want to be Hannah Montana (who frankly, is kind of silly, I think). Most people never become famous. It's just a fact of life.
2007-02-16 04:45:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take Interstate 5 South...you can't miss it! Kidding.
Seriously though, it goes like this...learn to act dramatically. Learn to act professionally for the screen (yes there is a difference) assemble your marketing materials (headshots and whatnot) audition for everything you find. Do this for about 8-10 years and you're 'in'.
2007-02-16 08:40:50 · answer #4 · answered by Billy555 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to move out to California and just keep going to many castings. I suggest you get an agent or find an agency if you have real talent.
You can also easily get in movies as an extra or as a model in magazines/commercials. You just have to be available.
2007-02-16 02:16:51 · answer #5 · answered by rusty_1491 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, make sure to hone your acting talents and put together a resume of all of the acting you have done to date: for example, all of the plays you have been in, the songs you have sung for audiences, talent schools you have attended, etc etc.
Then, go to Hollywood and start auditioning for parts while you look for an agent.
2007-02-16 02:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by Santa Barbara 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Half an answer here:
I know nothing of the acting world, but my daughter is a professional musician and so, it is connected to the entertainment industry.
In a nutshell, I would say this is how you do it:
Have talent. Then Hollywood will find you.
2007-02-16 01:59:45 · answer #7 · answered by Superdog 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes i am director and if you really want to get on the big screen then get involved with plays and if you ever hear an opening then go for try to be on t.v!
2007-02-16 01:59:03 · answer #8 · answered by patriot fan12 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Her parents are the owners of the Hilton hotel chains, and money!
2016-05-24 06:39:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a face lift
2007-02-16 02:03:20 · answer #10 · answered by billy boy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋