Going To Hollywood to make it Big? Read This First.

Moving out to Hollywood in search of lifelong dreams, visions of red carpets and glittering prizes, is a dream for many young actors. All those hours spent in a classroom in some mid-western town with a vacuous look on your face has left you feeling empty, and all you can think of is "follow your dreams," "no regrets," and other quotes re-playing in your mind like a Broadway musical. So where do you go? New York or California? Is it Broadway, stage & musicals, or the digital screen? Making it in on either coast requires a thick skin. It's the one acting skill that requires more preparedness than you'll ever use up in any 5 minute audition. Before you embark on your journey consider these questions.

A. Will I be able to afford it?

B. Will I be able to handle the emotional roller coaster and rejection?

C. How long will I give myself before I pack up my bags and go back home with my tail between my legs?

I'm serious. I can't tell you how many times I had that dream and those three very things kept me from getting on that Greyhound. Let's see, I was in a band my whole life and the only stage I thought of was Madison Square Garden, then I studied acting at HB Studio in New York with the greats, and thought "I have chops now, I can act in any movie." For every movie I went to, I saw myself in the scene opposite the star, or as THE star. But, coming out of the theater, as my eyes adjusted to the light of the outside world, the real world, reality stuck me in my chest like a dagger and all I could think of was "I don't want to go to work tomorrow." How will I make this dream happen? Will I be prepared?

Sometimes it's the hunger, the true passion inside you that is so strong, it can motivate you in ways you've never known. But, you cannot follow this particular dream without being armed and ready. Making it in Hollywood or New York is not sort of like being in the trenches– it is the trenches!

If you have that same feeling, that same itch, you must commit.

You must follow your dreams. Give yourself a year or two and live without regret.

If you're not in a position to do it yet, then spend the next year acting, saving money, and planning the exodus.

Here are some tips if you think you're ready for the big dream!

A. Set timelines on paper and stick to each one.

B. Don't tell your friends your goals. Once you say "I'm going to Hollywood" to all your friends

it's as if you're having an out- of-body-experience and talking about someone else. Keep your goals and plans close to your chest. If you fail for some reason, people won't think "Oh he/ she's done this a million times."

C. The one or two people to tell is your mom and/or dad a guardian or significant other– of course.

D. Start networking now. Use Twitter, or Facebook to build a strong community of other actors. Having friends out in Hollywood is a good thing to set up before you go. Connect with people and learn from them. My mom always said "Paul, if you want to succeed, surround yourself with people who are better than you!" Wise advice from an Italian immigrant.

E. Try setting up living arrangements with another actor from your hometown who may have the same dream. Making the move with a friend is like working out with a gym partner. You can "check" and "spot" one another when goals and promises aren't being kept.

F. Start saving money last week! If you have to work a second job, do it.

G. Give up something you love to do. Your heart and your mind have memory just like muscles.

Train yourself to feel invested. If you put something of value (time, effort, money) into it each day, you'll be less likely to give up. You'll think, "No way , I have too much invested in this, I'm not giving up now!

H. Study and work in acting. Sign up for theater, plays, workshops and learn all you can. You never stop learning. Even Pacino is learning as I write.

I. Understand the audition process and familiarize yourself with the industry. If you haven't acted for more than 3-5 years, consider holding off your Hollywood plans for another year or two.

J. Work out and stay in shape. Taking on a move like this will take tremendous discipline and energy. Having a healthy mind, body and spirit will enable you to make good choices. Think clearly and take on the challenges of pursuing your dream with a healthy disposition.

K. Buy a video camera. Start taping yourself and study your mannerisms, your character, your ability to pull out sense-memory, all that good stuff. Practice monologues and tape them. Get used to the pressure of having a camera in your face.

L. Read the credits at the end of the movie. Don't be so quick to get up. Learn what's involved in making a movie. Familiarize yourself with the terms and the players involved in creating a movie. Take film & television classes or workshops.

M. Secure work, a place to live with a support system before you even consider moving, and have a back-up plan!

N. Once you're out there, be social. You'll get nowhere fast if you don't meet people. 

( This doesn't NOT include sleeping around. If you want a career in pornography that'll work, but if you want a serious, dignified career, have pride and rely on your skills.)

O. Work in the industry, in a studio, in a CGI studio, in the back lot sweeping floors, I don't care, just work where other actors live and work, where Directors eat and drink.

P. Why do children often ski right past adults on the slopes? They have no fear. They've never broken their legs or felt pain, therefore they have no inhibitions or fear. Fear is the single most crippling thing a person can experience. Be positive. Think good thoughts. Leave the fear for those who don't take risks and never find passion and truth in their lives.

Q. Confidence is critical. Be confident, assertive and sure of your talents. If you don't think you're ready, you have two choices: 1. Get better  2. Get a new career. I'm not shitting you, there is no third choice. So, go with number one, you won't regret it.

Finally, give yourself at east 2 years and have a back-up plan for the entire process.

Regret is a powerful thing. 

True, you can be an actor any time in life. There's always a part for you. But, if you're in your late teens and twenties, you're still a sponge and willing to absorb knowledge and experiences, and you still have a little of that "no fear" attitude built into you. As you get older, obligations like marriage, children, mortgages, car payments and medical issues will slow you down. So, if you think you're ready, if you think you're up for the challenge,  do it, and do it as soon as you can!

Good luck!!

Paul Brighton

www.auditionportal.com