Breaking Into Hollywood, as told by Ashlee Katrice

 I moved here August 16, 2007 to begin my journey in Hollywood as an actor. A director friend of mine said to me, “I really don’t know how you break into the industry without having a team of people.” He graduated from USC and all of his friends were directors. One got a gig that opened the door for him to refer some of his friends for projects that he could not take and thus they all helped one another in the end. I looked at him and pondered, where the heck does that leave me and the thousands of other ambitious starlet’s who know they have the talent but may not have that Hollywood team? The obvious emotion to follow this conversation would be a discouraging almost defeatist attitude. But to the contrary, I felt even more compelled to prove that it can be done without the USC film degree and a team of established directors. Now, let me clarify, no matter what business you go into, connections matter. You have to know people who can help you get to your destiny. That’s why we are really here, to help one another. So I am establishing my Industry team as we speak. How, you may ask? Well this is the good stuff so get your pen and paper ready or just bookmark this post as a favorite topic. Many of these tips will cause you to ask the “how do you do that” or the “where do I find that info” question. I have provided the answers in posts dedicated specifically to each topic. So visualize this as an overview to your breaking into the Hollywood industry course. With that said, here goes: 1.      Research, Research and Research: This is so important. You need to find as much information as you can before you make the Hollywood jump. I am learning that this place can really swallow you whole if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Find websites (like this) that will link you to headshot resources, actor’s pages, agencies, etc. Have a plan. How much money will I need to relocate (if you’re not a LA native) What types of jobs should I be looking for? Do I have a car, will I be able to get one? Is there anyone who can help me when I get there? You should write all these things out and set goals for yourself so that you can transition into Hollywood as smoothly as possible. Life doesn’t always follow the plans you’ve set in place but at least you will have an idea of what you should be working towards. And if by chance, you get off course, you have something to steer you back in the right direction. 2.      Talk to other Actors. When you get to Hollywood you will begin to realize that 80% of the people you come in contact with are industry professionals, have some experience or ambitions to be in the entertainment industry. Chit Chat, Shoot the breeze. If you feel that this person is going somewhere or can help you get there, take their card, give them yours (which you should have and we will discuss self-marketing in another post). They may know someone who knows someone that is looking for a fresh face that happens to be yours.  **Be warned, there are many people who prey on the “starving artist”, so be weary of people who find out that you are an actor. They will begin to tell you how many opportunities they can afford you. When they begin rattling off the list of producers they know or people they’ve worked with and how they can help you make it to the top  (and they haven’t even seen your talent) they, 10 times out of 10, can’t help you a bit. I made this mistake and worked for a man who ended up writing me a bad check and never paid up. I should’ve known better, he hired me with no audition. We were vibing in a karaoke bar and he enjoyed my small performance of Aretha Franklin’s respect. I agreed to 150 dollar performance the next weekend which went quite well. I was given my check and when it bounced back from the bank I was unable to reach the owner to get my hard earned cash. It happens all the time. Scam artist feed off the naivety of the Hollywood new comers.  3.      Join an Acting Class. This will connect you with other actors. Your acting coach will know directors, casting agents, and producers and will be a networking door and your talent will be the key. Because there are so many actors and an opportunity for people to make money, there are quite a number of acting coaches who you will have to pay sinful amounts of money to tell you something you already know, (if you have gone to a conservatory, college, or taken workshops) but this is a business and this is an expense you can not avoid. However, you can find the best teacher to give your money to. Go to my  Actor’s Studio Review to get more detailed information on the good the bad and the ugly studio’s that I have personally audited (you are allowed a one time opportunity to sit and watch the acting classes for free) to be sure you don’t have to waste your time! 4.      Be prepared to market yourself. You will need headshots. You will need business cards. You will need a website (which is becoming a vital form of advertising for 21^st century actors). If you can’t afford a website, there are sites that will host your information for a small fee. Yes, this all cost money. But isn’t your future worth investing in? It may be overwhelming to think how much money goes into such a volatile career, but you have to strategize and we will focus more on that later.  5.      Agents: Yes you will need one, two, maybe even three of these. A commercial agent is the easiest to attain. You should begin there. You will have a TV/film agent. And if you do any specialties, such as dance, well you will have an agent for that too. How do you get an agent you ask? Read my posts Hollywood Agenencies. 

6.      After all this is said and done, you will have to just sit and wait…Yeah right! Never just sit and wait for anything to come to you. You create your own destiny in this industry whether you believe or not. So while your networking, you should be training, educating yourself in all levels of the industry, honing your craft, so when that 10% chance of opportunity comes knocking on your door, you are completely prepared to show ‘em what you got! 

This is only the beginning. My mentor said to me, “Ashlee don’t rush. You have made to LA, you’re Dorothy; you have the red slippers and all you have to do is learn how to use them. Build a strong foundation now so that when you reach the top, not one brick will falter. Patience, peace of mind, confidence, humility, and your talent is going to take you where you desire to go. It WILL happen, you just need to be prepared when it does.” So I pass this on to you, be patient my friend because your Destiny is written in the stars. And as long as you believe it you will shine brightly and go further than even you could’ve imagined!