Some people dream of being an actor/actress for the glitz and glamour. Others aspire to be the darlings of the silver screen for the money. And there are those who simply believe that they have a gift to share to the world.
Becoming an actor in Hollywood isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do. It is a world in and of itself. It is a world that operates on the premise of apprenticeship. It has its own rules and regulations. It is a system that does not easily let people from the outside in. The good thing is, if you manage to get it, you’re in for good. Here are some tips that will enable you to get in.
But first, let me just say that the life of Hollywood isn’t quite as glamorous as you might think. When people think of the Hollywood life style, more often then not, they tend to just see the glitz and glamour of the awards season, the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and the red carpet. But do not be fooled by the media’s chosen view point of the industry. Life in Hollywood isn’t all glamour and accepting awards, it is hard work, really hard work. Every person who stands up on the podium to accept an academy award deserves every penny and accolade that they get. What would I know about it, you might ask. Well, my dad has worked in the industry for the better part of 30 years and has worked on some high profile films, including:
Becoming an actor in Hollywood isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do. It is a world in and of itself. It is a world that operates on the premise of apprenticeship. It has its own rules and regulations. It is a system that does not easily let people from the outside in. The good thing is, if you manage to get it, you’re in for good. Here are some tips that will enable you to get in.
But first, let me just say that the life of Hollywood isn’t quite as glamorous as you might think. When people think of the Hollywood life style, more often then not, they tend to just see the glitz and glamour of the awards season, the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and the red carpet. But do not be fooled by the media’s chosen view point of the industry. Life in Hollywood isn’t all glamour and accepting awards, it is hard work, really hard work. Every person who stands up on the podium to accept an academy award deserves every penny and accolade that they get. What would I know about it, you might ask. Well, my dad has worked in the industry for the better part of 30 years and has worked on some high profile films, including:
The Matrix Reloaded * The Matrix Revolutions * Ghost Busters’ 1 and 2 * Batman Returns * Batman Forever * Batman and Robin * Planet of the Apes * Pearl Harbor * Wyatt Earp * The Eraser * Head Above Water * To die For * Inspector Gadget * Armageddon * The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy * Indiana Jones: The kingdom of the Chrystal Skull * Minority Report
With that kind of knowledge and experience at your fingertips, you tend to learn a few things. Plus, I had the privilege of going to the sets on a number of these films. I had the chance to go on the set of Pearl Harbor in 2000. Fortunately for me, that set happened to be Pearl Harbor itself in Hawaii. Six weeks in Hawaii for free, as well as staying in the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki beach, price less. The highlight for me, however, was going on set in Ford Island. The production crew were using the actual air plane hangers on the island as construction stages (all those large buildings that were getting blown up in the movie) They were using these facilities to build Japanese aircraft out of plywood (or some type of cheap material), other ships and stuff to get blown up by Michael Bay.
Although I was having the time of my life, everyday, Pearl Harbor’s cast and crew were hard at work bringing history to life. The crew can spend any ware from 8 to 14 hours working a day. Sometimes 6 or even seven days a week, if necessary. It is hard work, but you get paid good, especial when you are on location. Not only do you get perdiam, which covers living expenses, transportation, food, and some entertainment, you also get paid some massive overtime. However, although they work a lot of hours, it’s not all work and no play. They do not work 6 or 7 days every week. There are times when they might work only 5. There were a few occasions when I was able to join a portion of the crew on one of there many golf outings.
Okay, so if you want to be an actor there are two roads you can take, the first being if you have money and the second being if you do not have money.
Although I was having the time of my life, everyday, Pearl Harbor’s cast and crew were hard at work bringing history to life. The crew can spend any ware from 8 to 14 hours working a day. Sometimes 6 or even seven days a week, if necessary. It is hard work, but you get paid good, especial when you are on location. Not only do you get perdiam, which covers living expenses, transportation, food, and some entertainment, you also get paid some massive overtime. However, although they work a lot of hours, it’s not all work and no play. They do not work 6 or 7 days every week. There are times when they might work only 5. There were a few occasions when I was able to join a portion of the crew on one of there many golf outings.
Okay, so if you want to be an actor there are two roads you can take, the first being if you have money and the second being if you do not have money.
1. If you have the money.
The first thing you would want to do is find out how your favorite actor got into the biz, find out where he went to school, and try to emulate what he did. This is pretty simple, just go to wikipedia.org and type the name of your favorite actor/actress. In most cases you will find that they studied acting at some university and then went to a drama school to further develop their skills. As I am sure you are quite aware of, acting schools, film schools, and drama schools can cost a pretty penny. Google it, I dare you. Go to google and type in film or acting schools. Click on any of the schools that come up and check what their tuition prices are. Their prices will range any ware from 40,000 to 200,000, depending on what school and program you choose. The benefit of such programs is obvious. You get extensive instruction by world class teachers who are either past or current actors. You get the chance to dedicate 1 to 2 years to honing and developing your acting skills. You will also get the chance showcase your talents for potential agents and talent scouts. One the most important things you will learn to do in one of these programs is how to create and showcase a demo reel to potential studio heads. This is one of the most important aspects in film or acting schools, period. In fact, the demo reel is even more important than an actual diploma itself. Casting directors do not care if you have a piece of paper that states that you should have some acting ability, they just want to see that you do have some acting ability. In the entertainment industry, the diploma pretty much means nothing, only actual proof of talent matters. That is why even top level actors still have to audition for movie roles.
2. If you do not have the money
Not having the money to go to a film or acting school does not mean that you cannot follow your dream; it just might take a little more effort, on your end, to succeed. The first thing you need to is to find some way to move to Los angels, CA. Most movies and television shows are filmed there. Your immediate goal once to get there is to sign up with a casting agency. This will cost you a one time fee of between 6 and 60 dollars. But beware of any casting agency you might find online, they are mostly scams. In fact, stay completely away from any such online agencies. They will promise that if you sign up with them for a large sum of money that you will be acting in films in a matter of weeks. It is not even recommended that you even sign up with any legitimate online agency because casting directors normally do not have the time to be surfing online looking for you. Why would they when they already have more than enough people signing up at real physical Hollywood agencies. There are plenty of casting/talent agencies that you can sign up with, you just need to know where to look. You can find them by going to your local library and looking up some books on acting. Most of these books will contain a list of the best and most highly recommended agencies in Hollywood. They will also give you valuable information and appropriate steps needed in order to fulfill your quest in becoming an actor. When you sign up with an agency, you will be signing up to become a background extra. Being a background extra is not the most glamorous job in the industry, but it will serve your its purpose. Being an extra is a way to get your foot in the door. How much does it pay? Well, for a non SAG (screen actors guild) member, it’s about 50 bucks a day, for about 8 hours worth of work. However, you will spend most of your time waiting around to be called in for a shoot. For a SAG member, the pay is considerably more, about 126 per day. This amount can go way up if you have speaking lines. SAG extras with speaking parts can earn about 800 dollars per day. Becoming a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) member has great benefits, plus, it guarantees you a greater chance of having steady work than being a non SAG member. This is due to the fact that the SAG requires every studio to hire a certain amount SAG actors to perform in their productions. However, becoming a SAG member is quite difficult and a little tricky. It’s almost like a catch-22 scenario. In order to become union eligible, you have to have worked as a SAG extra for 3 days, among other things. I know what your thinking, how can I do 3 days of union work if I am not in the union. Well, it can be tricky, but there are three ways you can do this:
1. Take advantage of your individually. Sometimes an agency will need specific types of extras. Sometimes they require people with certain ethnic backgrounds, looks, body types, and so on. Or they may need people with specific abilities or talents: jugglers, horseback riders, surfers with specific hair cuts, dancers, and more. Each agency that is involved with a particular production will show what types of extras the production is looking for if you are willing to take the time to find out. Now here’s the good part. If an agency is looking for a specific type of person, and there are no union people are available for the part, then they might consider you for the part, and if they do, you just got the break you needed.
2. Nab a union voucher. Every time an extra, union or non-union, comes to work for the day, they are given either a non-union or union voucher. These vouchers serve as your time card and receipt. How do you nab yourself a union voucher? You can do this by taking advantage of slacker union members. When a union extra fails to show up to the set in a timely manner, about 20 minutes after the selected call time, you might be able to get that union member’s voucher from the Second Assistant Director. Now this won’t work all the time, but if you’re nice and the director is in a good mood, he just might give it to you. If he doesn’t, please do not feel bad, just come in the next day and try again. Persistence is the key.
3. The power of great connections. Never underestimate the power of having friends in high places. When you sign up with an agency, and try to sign up with as many as you can, befriend anyone and everyone. Be the friendliest person that you can possibly be without looking fake. If you become good friends with the Second Assistant Director, he’ll probably go out of his way to get you a union voucher. Again, never underestimate the power of friends in high places. You would be surprised by how many actors, producers, directors, got to where they are right now because of some person they befriended higher up in the food chain.
When you be become SAG eligible, you will be charged, if you choose to join, a one time fee of about 1,500, and an annual fee of about 60 bucks.
If you want more info on acting, acting schools, SAG requirement and benefits; please feel free to look it up Wikipedia.org.
Oh, and by the way, becoming an extra and subsequently becoming a SAG member is only the beginning of your journey. Following these guide lines may help you break into Hollywood, but only you can make yourself ascend to greater heights. It will be up to you to study and hone your own acting abilities, whether you choose to take lessons or just read books and teach yourself. And the better you are the higher up you will go. Hollywood is constantly looking for good actors. Fortunately for you, there are not many out there right now. Think about it, every time you go to the theater to watch a movie, you usually see the same 15 to 20 actors/actresses appearing in these movies. And even some of these regulars aren’t that good (Ben Affleck anyone). Reason being, there are so many movies being made each year with a limited amount of good actors to go around. (Johnny Depp and Russell Crow can only be at one place at a time). So if you really have talent, and you will know if you do, and also have patience, you will get your break.
1. Take advantage of your individually. Sometimes an agency will need specific types of extras. Sometimes they require people with certain ethnic backgrounds, looks, body types, and so on. Or they may need people with specific abilities or talents: jugglers, horseback riders, surfers with specific hair cuts, dancers, and more. Each agency that is involved with a particular production will show what types of extras the production is looking for if you are willing to take the time to find out. Now here’s the good part. If an agency is looking for a specific type of person, and there are no union people are available for the part, then they might consider you for the part, and if they do, you just got the break you needed.
2. Nab a union voucher. Every time an extra, union or non-union, comes to work for the day, they are given either a non-union or union voucher. These vouchers serve as your time card and receipt. How do you nab yourself a union voucher? You can do this by taking advantage of slacker union members. When a union extra fails to show up to the set in a timely manner, about 20 minutes after the selected call time, you might be able to get that union member’s voucher from the Second Assistant Director. Now this won’t work all the time, but if you’re nice and the director is in a good mood, he just might give it to you. If he doesn’t, please do not feel bad, just come in the next day and try again. Persistence is the key.
3. The power of great connections. Never underestimate the power of having friends in high places. When you sign up with an agency, and try to sign up with as many as you can, befriend anyone and everyone. Be the friendliest person that you can possibly be without looking fake. If you become good friends with the Second Assistant Director, he’ll probably go out of his way to get you a union voucher. Again, never underestimate the power of friends in high places. You would be surprised by how many actors, producers, directors, got to where they are right now because of some person they befriended higher up in the food chain.
When you be become SAG eligible, you will be charged, if you choose to join, a one time fee of about 1,500, and an annual fee of about 60 bucks.
If you want more info on acting, acting schools, SAG requirement and benefits; please feel free to look it up Wikipedia.org.
Oh, and by the way, becoming an extra and subsequently becoming a SAG member is only the beginning of your journey. Following these guide lines may help you break into Hollywood, but only you can make yourself ascend to greater heights. It will be up to you to study and hone your own acting abilities, whether you choose to take lessons or just read books and teach yourself. And the better you are the higher up you will go. Hollywood is constantly looking for good actors. Fortunately for you, there are not many out there right now. Think about it, every time you go to the theater to watch a movie, you usually see the same 15 to 20 actors/actresses appearing in these movies. And even some of these regulars aren’t that good (Ben Affleck anyone). Reason being, there are so many movies being made each year with a limited amount of good actors to go around. (Johnny Depp and Russell Crow can only be at one place at a time). So if you really have talent, and you will know if you do, and also have patience, you will get your break.
