Dear Roy,

When do I know I should pack it up as an actor?

Young Man

Dear Young Man,

The day you get an acting job and they want you to pack it up (your clothes in your bags) and fly to where ever they want you to be.

Or the day you think life isn't worth it. Or when you think to yourself "I'm not good enough."

Or you think you don't have to train to be good enough and get years of experience until you're good enough. That's definitely the time to pack it up and quick doing something you really don't like doing because if you did like doing it you would work your tale off in every way to do it, including getting training and keeping training going all your life.

TALENT - EVERYONE HAS TALENT - It's not how much talent you have, it's how many skills have you developed, including, determination, perseverance and knowledge.

The day you say to yourself, it isn't worth spending my entire life at it, that is definitely the day you should PACK IT UP and do something you really would like to do the rest of your life.

I suspect what you are really asking is when should I stop trying to be a movie star, famous and rich? If this is what you want, being rich, famous and a movie star, then you are not asking when you should pack it up as an actor. You are really asking when should I quit trying to be a movie star. Well Eddie Murphy told his friend, "I'll live on the street before I give it up." Johnny Carson tried everything else and then came back to what he loved and said, "I'll die a bum or I'll die a star." Both of these people live and die by their word. But I will say many more don't.

The difference between the ones who do and those who don't is that those who don't do not want to do what is required to be a star.

Some of the best actors I know are not famous, nor are they movie stars and although they may be rich, they never got rich through being an actor. They act in little theatres, they teach acting in schools and they work in community theatres and Equity Waiver Theatres and Summer Stock Theatres all over America. They also make their videos and do commercials in their home towns and cities. I was just with one yesterday and he is an excellent actor, dancer, singer, director and producer. He works in Oakland and San Francisco Bay Area. He is having a wonderful career and is in many ways much more successful and happy than many of the stars I know in Hollywood. His name is Dennis Kholles. And I can name a slew of others in the business who are fantastic and they are having wonderful careers in the show business of community theatres, summer stock theatres, Equity Waiver Theatre, and college, university and high school theatre programs as they teach, act, direct, sing dance and design sets. These people, these artist are the real life of acting writing directing and producing. They are where all of the actors on Broadway and Hollywood movies came from.

So, first decide if you want to be a star or if you want to act. Then follow the footsteps of those I have described above. They have been successful. Their ways work or they wouldn't be where they are now.

If all of this is too difficult for you, then pack it up and go to the job where you really want to work. Remember - good luck is when you are prepared mentally and physically for the opportunities you meet.

Good Luck,

Roy

From India to Hollywood

Hi ROY
I am Anshul (John will be the name I use in Hollywood) and am from India. 7yrs ago, I decided to become an actor in hollywood . I prepared a plan at that time I was in my 1st year of engineering in Pune, India. I planned to go to USA to do my masters and get a job. In Pune I did modeling, street plays, I joined DEEPAK MORRIS english theatre. then I worked in Kirloskar oil engine 4 two yrs. but there was always a dream inside me. so I applied to 7 california universities. i made it to CALSTATEUNIVERSITY@ LOS ANGELES.

Now I am in my 1st semester in college. I was admitted to the STELLA ADLER ACADEMY. but you know before I came here I researched everything from SAG,AFTRA, METHOD ACTING. I read about STANISLAVASKY, UTA HAGEN and MEISNER. I want to reduce my accent…how do I go about doing this?
John


Dear John,
I have two suggestions. 1.) Practice make perfect. So, get a vocal coach. Make sure you can speak perfect English. Your voice is most important in talking movies if you want to be a hero in the USA or England. 2.) If you are in Noho - contact me. I would like to meet you.
Roy


______________________

Hi Roy
Question- soon I will get my SSN. Can I work in modeling? I am on a F1 VISA till 2013. Next year I will try to get H1 visa BUT BEFORE THAT is it possible to get paid as a model
John


Dear John,
The visa will help. But you need an expert in that area to tell you if you need more papers to fill out to work in the USA. I can tell you this, if you study and are good at what you do, the agents and anyone else who wants you to work for them will inform you as to what you need exactly for them and if they want you bad enough they will even help you get it. So, don’t be afraid of the paper work. We all have to do our share of it in our lifetime. - Roy

Hi Roy
I know central casting agency in LA accepts students on F1 visa. In June, I will be finished my college semester I was thinking about joining CENTRAL CASTING to work as an extra. John

Dear John,
Central Casting is a place to start. Try it. It will give you valuable experience in Hollywood and some money, I hope.
Good luck.
Roy

Roy,

What’s the quickest way to get into show business?

Debby

Dear Debby,

Be born into it. If that didn’t happen, then you have to do it the old fashioned way. The first steps are like baby steps but with practice you can land a job.

The first step is to apply for work. It’s as simple as that. Every studio and theatre, big or small, has job openings. Call, write, search the internet and apply yourself. Once you get inside a business there are always more opportunities on the inside than outside. On the inside, you are the first to get the news of any new job openings with the company. And you are mingling with others in the business. Make friends. They can help. If you didn’t hear about a new job opening, they may have heard about one. Good friends are very helpful.

When you get a job, no mater what it is, keep it until you get another. You certainly don’t want to end up on the streets like 50,000 other wannabes in Hollywood.

Good luck,

Roy

Roy,

I applied but was turned down. Now, what do I do?

Malisa


Dear Malisa,

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. There are literally thousands of companies who are in the entertainment business. Network with friends and others in the biz to find out what’s happening and who’s hiring.

Just for instance, late last year ABC TV put job listings on the internet. They were looking for News broadcast people, on camera and off. They needed to replace those who were retiring and others for new markets that were opening due to the internet and other advancements in science. You can see many new faces on ABC news this year. They are working on camera and off in the news office behind the scenes. There were some great openings. So, if you want to get on the fast track, get on the internet and check the studios and local stations to see if there are any openings in your area. Also, check the trade papers. They can help. And ask friends in the business. They can help keep you up to date.

I make it a point to begin my day in a coffee house in Studio City. It’s a place where my friends in the business meet and exchange the latest info.

Good luck,

Roy

Dear Roy,

I’m graduating high school and want to be an actress. Where do I start?

Sira

Dear Sira,

Even if you have had training, get more training. All professionals in all professions need education and training if they want to be a doctor, football player, tennis pro, lawyer, dentist, accountant, web designer, actor, singer, dancer, writer, director or producer. All of us need training and experience. This is a never ending process of development.

This is nothing new. It is simply how the world works. Think about it. If you want to be a lawyer in court cross examining the witness before an experienced and well educated judge, you must be schooled and experienced. There’s no way to get around it. And just like a lawyer, you must continue to update your training through seminars and professional classes throughout your career.

Knowledge is the key to life. Join a class. A college or university can help. They have the best facilities and many great teachers. In fact, in our modern world the universities have budgets that are comparable to many of the best professional theatres. Their productions are of the highest quality in the USA. You can take classes in acting, dance and singing. Most teachers are artistes and pros and can help you develop your career.

As you get your training, join a group of fellow artistes and make friends. Many of these people will, in time, become successful in the business and they may be your greatest ally in the future in Hollywood or New York.

Where ever you begin, volunteer to help little theatres. You will make friends and get the local buzz quicker than any where else. Soho Arts District in NYC and Noho Arts District in North Hollywood are places where there are many theatres, music and dance studios. Also, nearby are coffee houses where other artiste mingle, share knowledge and news. There are many acting classes, workshops and live theatres and groups within walking distance from each other. This is a good place to start getting seriously involved in the professional community. Many cities in the USA and around the world have these artiste communities. Where ever you live, whether it be Karachi, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Hong Kong or Moscow there are places to go and mingle with fellow artistes.

Good luck.

Roy
Subject: Roy....
From: dbm976@aol.com
Date: Sun, November 25, 2007 1:50 am
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Hello,
      I'm a 19 year old male actor from Dallas, Tx, and I'm moving to Studio City in a month. I start the NYFA-Universal's 1 year acting program in January, and i'm curious about a few unknowns. After reading the "Ask Roy" section, I decided to hear your input. My question is, after I complete the year long program, what blueprint can you give me for the days after I finish? What about while i'm in school? It seems obvious that the first step would be to audition, but it can't be that basic? From the outside looking in, it seems like there would be a lot of other steps to take? Also, are there any particular companies you would recommend auditioning with? Any you would not? Thank you Roy!

Kyle

Dear Kyle,

You’ve asked some good questions. Some of them have been answered in previous AskRoy answers. Here is a short list of things to do in order of importance. If you are pursuing any of these, keep doing them and those you are not pursuing, please consider doing them carefully. They will most likely save you future pain and help you have a growing experience while you are in Hollywood and NoHo.

1. GET A JOB. One that pays the bills so that you have that covered. Otherwise, you will quickly end up on the streets like 12,000 kids and a 30,000 wanna be adults in LA. Get a job in the evenings or weekends or a day job. Make sure it is a job that you can do with your eyes shut. After working on a job and trying to make it as an actor all in the same day, your eyes may just be shut. If you get an opportunity to work in an entertainment office, DO IT. You need work and you need to learn how the real world of entertainment functions. Plus, the money is better than a regular job. If you must do an unpaid internship before you get the real job in the entertainment company, do your homework and check out what the company has produced or worked on before and make sure it is verifiable. Go see the offices. Remember, when you look for any job you are also interviewing them and if they are not what you want, walk away. So, FIRST THINGS FIRST – get a day or night job. When I first came to town I applied at a music store. I quickly rose to manager and it paid my bills while I took classes, auditioned and did some local theatre.
    

2. MAKE FRIENDS IN THE BUSINCESS. Join a theatre group or acting class in the city (whatever city you live in). You need to meet others who are jumping the same hurdles you are trying to jump. If they are talented and skilled, try to make friends. My closest friends today are those I have known for over twenty years after all of our struggles. Rest assured, they are the ones who are with you when you are no one and still with you after success thirty years later. They are the only ones who really know what you have had to overcome to succeed in this business. And they are there for you when you fail miserably. I know. I have experienced it all.
    

3. RECORD YOUR TALENTS – head shots (color and black) and white, full body shots for commercials and modeling. A voice tape for examples of commercials and promos and news, etc. Many young people don’t do this but it will help you greatly if you do this. There are many good jobs doing voiceovers for cartoons, commercials, automobile companies (Just recently, I did one for a voice machine in luxury cars). You want to show you can do anything required of an actor. If you sing, make a good demo CD. All you need is one. If you dance tape it. If you act, put it on my space, u tub or indie911.
    

4. USE YOUR FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS. I mean in a good way. Give them an opportunity when you have the chance. Such as, you need someone to photograph you. Use a friend. You want to make a short demo reel. Use your friends. You’re doing theatre, use your friends. You want to make a short movie. Use your friends. You want to record a song. Use your friends. You need posters made. Use your artist friends. You want to start your own company. Use your friends, including accounting friends. You need a lawyer, use your friends. In this way, if you are successful, you all go up in the business and strength is with the numbers. So, help your friends and use your friends rather than giving your business to someone you don’t know. All throughout the history of theatre and movies, the most successful partnerships were those groups of people who knew each other from the very beginning and continued to work over the years of their careers.
    

5. PROVE YOURSELF. If you write a script for yourself, make a short movie (digital) of it. Get your friends to help you. If you have someone else’s script, ask them if you can use it and help them too. Many of the successes today are due to the digital bonanza. It is not expensive to make a short and put it on line. You just may become famous before you wake up the next day.
    

6. MARKET YOURSELF. A good agent doesn’t has time for a beginner in Hollywood. They hardly have time for an old guy like me. A very good agent wants to sell quickly. If it doesn’t sell quick they won’t waste their time. And PLEASE... Don’t tell me you’re script, acting or singing is going to sell quick. You are fooling yourself. You have no name that anyone can recognize. Even stars such as Clint Eastwood have taken many years to get a project off the ground. So, anything you do won’t sell quickly if at all. Be practical. It will save you years of your life. YOU MUST SELL YOURSELF ! And you need to start now, while you are in school. The sooner you get started the better. Lucky for you, you have many more outlets than I did when I was starting out. So, don’t complain. Just start working on your career in SHOW BIZ. It is a business no different than any other business. If you don’t make money, you don’t work. And if you don’t work, you don’t make money. The only way you make money is to sell yourself. So, start building up a list of names so that when you do anything, you email everyone you can to let them know what you are doing. And keep sending it until you can afford to get a publicist. When you can afford to get a publicist, an agent will be interested in you.

Keep me updated on your progress.

Roy

To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: a lil help plz

Dear Roy,

I was going through your helpful suggestions to everyone, maybe you could advise me too. I'm presently working in a Construction Company as the Office Manager in Lahore. I so wanted to be an actress since i was little. There's no place I hear where they conduct acting auditions. Could you help me out finding some place to fit in myself?? I'm sure if i get a shot, i can prove myself worth it. I can move to Karachi too for a while if needed. Please let me know the address where I send my resume.

Well, a little about me, I'm 20, don't have any professional training of acting, except for my performances in school life and my previous job.

Thanks

Ammara

Dear Ammara,

Thanks for writing. Lahore is a beautiful city filled with wonderful history.

There is a school in Karachi - NAPA - National Academy of Performing Arts. It has some good teachers and they teach the classical arts. It would be a good place to start. It is not expensive. You have to audition. Training is important if you want to be a versatile actress.

INDUS TV, GEO TV, PTV, TV2Day, AAG, ARY, and SINDH TV are in Karachi. If you apply at any of these TV stations you have your best shot at getting into the entertainment business. Do not expect to get a starring role, immediately. Also, work in any capacity they have to offer even if it is an internship where you are working in the office. Once you are inside, you will meet people who can help you. And you can learn how the business works. Then, you can seek the acting roles and you will have a better chance of getting something.

Before you move, try and get a job first. If they hire you, move. Once you are working, you will have some money so you can live and you can pursue your acting career by auditioning at NAPA and all of the TV stations in Karachi.

 I hope this is helpful. Please keep in touch. And tell me how you are progressing.

Good luck,

Roy

-----Original Message-----
On 9/4/07 From: Meghan Law*
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 6:36 PM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject:

Hello Roy,

My name is Meghan Law and I am 15 years old. I have been dancing, acting, and singing for basically all of my life. In 2005, I went up to Detroit, Michigan to audition for a chance to perform the opening number for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade that year. I got cast and went to NYC in November for a week for rehearsals and the parade. I have also been selected by three talent scouts to go and work with them. I have also auditioned for theatre roles in the "local theatres". Even though I dance circles around the other kids or sing like no one's watching, I never ever seem to be cast in a production. I don't know if the "local theatres" are thinking "Oh, she's already had a professional job, we can't cast her" or if they are thinking "She doesn't take classes here, so we can't cast her." I know theatres go by looks, but even if I seem to fit the "look" of the character, I still do not receive a part. Is it time to audition for professional theatres and leave the local theatres alone? What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Meghan Law

Dear Meghan,

By what you say, you are not doing anything wrong.

All arts are judged by the person who is hiring. And that is usually only one person. When they only need one actress like you but four people like you audition, it is only a 25% chance you will get the part. That doesn't mean you did anything wrong. In fact, you did good by being one of the people they were seriously interested in. So, it sounds like you are doing well. Now all you need is the job.

Getting a job is done by being persistent. You must continue to train and try out for every opportunity. It is not easy to be persistently positive in mind when things don't always go the way you want them to go. But in this business of entertainment, all artist must keep a smile on their face even if they live on the street. You must keep going to audition and keep up your training. If you do you will have a good chance of getting your shot at the big time.

There's an old song I sing when things aren't going my way.

"I pick myself up. Dust myself off and start all over again."

I may be in the Detroit area soon to do my next project. A project I began in 1987. I never thought then that it would ever take so long to get funding for it. It has always been a terrific project. Yes, it has taken 20 years to get it going. But that is how it works in the arts. You must learn how to persevere. If you are in the Detroit area, please keep in touch with me. You just may be right for a role.

Roy

On 9/4/07, Meghan Law* wrote: 

Thank you very much for the help, Roy! It did help a lot. I live in Indiana, so just let me know when you are going to Detroit and I'll make it up there! I've done it before for the Macy's Parade audition and am willing to do it again. :-) What is it for? Is it an audition or a workshop?

Thanks so much,

Meghan.

Megan,

It is a musical called HOPESTREET. About kids growing up on the streets of Hollywood.

Please keep in touch.

Roy

On 9/5/07, Meghan Law* wrote:

Do you have any idea of winter or spring? Or are you going to do a mass email? Just so we know when to get in touch with you.

Thanks,

Meghan
 

Meghan,

Contact me in November

Roy

From: lazaro mawe

Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 7:14 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: give me some information about being a actor

i have been looking for the site that could give me some details about movies and i found NOHO, the one i like am so much interested into being a movie actor and maker, but am now studying computer engineering here in Tanzania,

please send me some details of being a good actor!!

i look forward to receiving a reply from you

regards

LAZARO K MAWE(LKM)

myspace.com/bongolandnative

tagged.com/mawe1986

freewebs.com/st1inc

On 10/8/07, roy@nohoartsdistrict.com < roy@nohoartsdistrict.com > wrote:

Dear Lazaro,
I hope you read all the other answers to actors. Many of the answers to starting your acting career are in those answers.

To give a specific answer to you, I must know a little more about you. Where do you live? What have you done in the past? Have you had any acting training? Where do you want to act? On stage, television or movies? Do you sing or dance? Do you have a job or are you in school?

Please answer the above questions and then I can be more specific to your needs.

Roy

On 10/8/07, lazaro mawe wrote:

born in 1986,here in Tanzania, student taking diploma in computer engineering sing, i draw cartoons, short stories writer(in swahili langage), i want to act in movies. I have dramatize only once in 20039 i was in secondary school, form 3,

 Tsotsi is the movie i most like

lazaro

Dear Lazaro,

To be an actor is to observe and feel the emotions surrounding you in your life and become actively involved in them. To perform as an actor, you must be willing to bare yourself emotionally in front of an audience. You must learn to memorize things quickly. You must be willing to start with a little tiny role and work your way up to major roles.

One good way to start is to find a good acting, singing, dancing and art school. Take classes in everything you can to learn as much as you can about people.

OBSERVATION is the key to acting. It is the same in writing. If you train your eyes and ears and emotions to feel emotions of the events and people within the events around you, then record in your memory these things, they will help you when you attempt to play them back in your work.

The memory of someone you love or someone you hate. The memory of what and how you dealt with your parents and friends. These recordings in your mind will give you many things you can use when you act.

Once you have had training and have performed with success, then it is time to venture into the professional world of acting. Go to the closest city you know that makes commercials, needs models, singers, dancers and actors. Start there and test your abilities. Once you have done that start making a voice over tape, create a resume, get 8" by 10" photo shots of your face (headshots) and go to auditions. You must also make friends who are actors so that you all can help each other in knowing where the action is happening in your city.

Once you have a CD or DVD of your work you can make many copies and they can also be good examples of your work along with your resume.

You can also make a small movie on a digital camera and that movie can show your work. Get your friends to help you and you never know what might happen.

You can create a blog on indie911.com or on myspace.com or any other space where you can show your work. Then you can contact people and they can see your work on the blogs.

There has never been a time in history where there are so many opportunities for talented performers to be seen and get their work in front of an audience. Use all of the media as much as you can.

Good luck, 

Roy

Subject: Hello Roy, I got some Questions!

Hello Roy,

My name is Billy and I just recently moved into the NOHO hood, and I love it
so far! I have been in LA for 10 months, started in house with 6 people plus
me in Toluca Lake...(yea I know Real World minus the camera's)! So after
that came here to NOHO been here only 1 week and getting to know the area,
its obviously not to far from the house I just moved out of but def
different, and for the better! So here is my story! Sit down if you have
time it might take a while! Ok originally from Chicago from a great loving
Greek family, finished college in 2003 in broadcasting ,and was ready for my
true dream of pursuing acting, so I moved to.....Miami!!?? I know...Miami?
but it was a great stop! That’s where I started acting and learning the
process and did well scored, print work, commercials, even a national Visa!
Lived there 2 years till I made the move here 10 months ago, to finally try
this thing I have always wanted. So here come my thoughts. I am 27 years
old, and I wish I started earlier but I don't regret it! Plain and simple I
JUST WANT TO CHANCE TO ACT....AUDITON...! I am frustrated Roy I am the type who fights for things I want and so far this town is ignoring any efforts I
am making, I know its tough if it wasnt everyone would be doing it. I have
put my stuff on LA casting, Actors access, have sent out resume head shots
over and over, I am taking classes as we speak, I talk to people,I read and
research everything I can, I have representation so they tell me but no
calls even when I do! I believe and according to others I am going in all
the right directions, but I still am wanting something!  Ok... How do I get
them to want me to audition, where do I go....maybe a showcase but which
one? Who and When?  I would just love to be auditioning I have done only 4
since I have been here and I got them on my own? Should I get a manger that
would help me better or agent? AHH! I am so sorry if I have just gone on and on but I just need something!

Roy have you ever felt that great feeling in your gut every time you do that
something you know is perfect.. I just know this somehow is the only thing
that I was made to do in life because I am right inside when I perform!
Can you please give me some suggestions?!
And if you read all of this and didnt go to sleep
Thanks for reading and take care! 

Billy

P.S. Hope this makes sence and you dont think I am too crazy and also
believe it or not this is longest email I have ever wrote and to someone I
dont even know!
LOL  

Hi Billy, 

You are asking all the right questions. 

In 1978 I graduated from the University of Iowa. I had won Best Student Film Award at the Chicago Film festival. The 32 minute film was considered for an Oscar for Best Student Film, the famous Paul Shrader (Taxi Driver & Ragging Bull) watched it when I came to Hollywood and said - don't show this film to anyone here in Hollywood. They won't understand it.  

In 1978 I also won the prestigious acting Final Auditions for Theatre Communications Group in New York City. The first actor from the University of Iowa to win after 11 long years. I was to be cast in BRUBAKER in the co-starring role with Robert Redford. My agent was Richard Dickens, one of the most respected agents in Hollywood. He was the agent who had represented Robert Redford on Broadway and was very close to the Academy Award winning director, Bob Rafellson who was scheduled to direct Brubaker at Paramount.  

Now Richard was a friend of Barbara Clayman and Shirley Rich who were two of the most famous and powerful casting agents in the business. Both of these casting agents loved my work. They are the ones who introduced me to Richard and they were the ones who were on my side in the casting offices. So, I was quite surprised by Richard's comments one day when I came into his office. Richard was very upset with something. He seemed so distressed I thought I had messed up in some way. He shook his head and sighed, "This business is crazy. I'm quitting."  

And that was it. He quit and I never got to star in Brubaker. David Keith eventually did the role. 

Ten years later, after many struggles and successes in Hollywood, I was scheduled for a meeting at the AFI - American Film Institute in Hollywood with one of the producers of Brubaker who was then assigned to head the institute. I walked into his office and noticed he had a Brubaker poster on the wall with his name as producer. He stood from his desk to greet me with his hand out and smiled as if he recognized me and said, "You look familiar. Where have we met before?" I chuckled, "You fired me. I was to co-star in Brubaker." He twisted his head quizzically and said, "It wasn't me. The head of the studio was fired and when the new studio head came in he fired everyone including Bob Rafellson so that he could say he had put the movie together." "That's showbiz." 

Then, with the superstitious belief system of Hollywood, everywhere I went for the next few years I was thought to be bad luck for movies. Of course this is stupid because little ol' me was not even on the radar when it came to being known in Hollywood, so, those who thought of me as having that much power as to jinxing a movie had to be a little off the rocker when you think about it. I had nothing to do with the success or failure of that movie but I did learn that Hollywood was not as much interested in making good movies as they were in making good gossip.  

This is confirmed by the fact that Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton have gotten more press by their mistakes and bad behavior than by their talent and the quality of their product. This condition of degradation will not be stopped by little ol' me and thus I have found that I must focus on what I must do to make my world of the entertainment business something I can respect, love and be proud of even in the face of such difficulties in this business.  

AUDITION ? ! 

I love theatre because auditions are standard stuff and anyone with real talent can get a chance to shine. 

However, in Hollywood, auditions are not the first thing you do, they are almost the last thing you do. FIRST you must find an avenue to promote yourself. Here are some suggestions. 

FIND A MANAGER: The manager will help you organize yourself, develop a strategy, keep you focused and they will introduce you to people in the business who have influence and power. 

FIND A PUBLICIST: They will help promote your image to producers, magazines, newspapers, radio, TV, and everywhere else that will keep your face in front of someone in the business. I have repeatedly said in many of my articles that...  

It is NOT WHO YOU KNOW – it is WHO KNOWS YOU. A Publicist will exploit your image so that people in and out of the business think they know you. When they see your picture or hear your name, whether they have met you or not, if they recognize your name and picture they begin to think they know you. For example, have you ever met or eaten with Britney Spears? Have you ever met or been over to Lindsey Lohan's house? But I bet you think you know them even when you don’t. So, do millions of people and because many people in the business think they know them, Lindsey and Britney get work even if their work is sub par. That's how powerful a publicist can be for you. When you act in a play in noho or even do a small part in a movie or TV show, a publicist can make you look like the next up and coming great star. 

AN AGENT: You need one. But remember, an agent is just a lawyer who represents you in contracts. An agent is not a manager nor a publicist. They will not publicize you nor manage you. So, don't expect them to go find you work. You must do that yourself. Even the biggest stars have to go out and find their own work. That is why the biggest stars have managers and publicist to help them do that.  

JOIN AN ACTING CLASS: If you are a professional golfer like Tiger Woods and you want to stay at the top of your game, you PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and you find a great teacher and coach to help you improve your skills. Why should a professional actor do less than that? Only a low class actor would do less. When I worked with Sir Lawrence Olivier, Sir David Shuchet, and Sir Ian Richardson in theatre, they were constantly trying to keep their skills in tact in order to stay at the top of their form. They were and are great actors. Although I do not act or sing professionally as much as I did twenty years ago, every week I practice and train my voice so that when I need to use it I am at the top of my form.  

JOIN AN ACTING GROUP: Being in an acting group that is filled with a variety of professionals is helpful in many ways. It can keep you in training. It can give you access to the acting community so that you are up on what is happening in LA. It can also be a place where you meet friends who you may keep for the rest of your life. And it can give you a place to showcase your talent. If you have a Publicist, they can promote your work there and it can attract people who may offer you work.  

Since you are now living in NOHO you are surrounded by some good theatres which have both acting classes and groups. Go to each one of them. Get familiar with each one of them and after checking everyone of them out, then, and only then, join the one you feel is best for you.  

LAST BUT NOT LEAST; If you are in any type of production write me and tell me when and where it is and I will do my best to come and see your work.  

Good luck,
Roy

I am 16 and i want to become an actress or either a dancer, i am going into college to do a dance course for 2 years and i hope to qualify and go back and do acting, is it easier to become an actress or a music video dancer? And is it to late for me to start?

Sarah

Dear Sarah,

If you are dedicated and work hard it is not too late for you to start. You may want it more than someone who has been doing it for many years since they were a child. So, your desire and passion will help you become dedicated to the work process and this will give you an advantage. You can learn fast and succeed.  

I wish you the best in life and hope to see your dreams, whatever they are, come true. 

Please keep in touch with me each as much as you like. I have a musical which needs young singers and dancers. It is called HOPESTREET and is about a 14 year old girl who runs away from home to go the Hollywood and soon ends up on the streets of the city. It has hip hop, rap, jazz, pop, rock and musical theatre type music. If we get funded next year, I will be looking for actors, singers, and dancers like you.  

Good luck. 

Roy

On 2/9/07, Krystal Jagosz wrote:

Hello,
I used to write poetry all the time. It was a really great way to express myself and impov my vocabulary. I hadn't written in a very long time. Yet today's gloomy weather sort of inspired me, so I wrote this. I'd like you to tell me what you think of it. I think it's very amateur, for I still have a long way to go with my writing skills. But here it is. Thank you so much for recommending those places to me. I'll be checking them out as soon as possible now that finals are over.

I walk around the world a thousand times,
But I only Walk alone.
There's wall street rush and I'm too slow, too blind,
Drifting to a distorted home.
I beg with my eyes, look into my soul,
For fools are never wise.
Obtain pocket change,
Penny compliments and lying dimes.
They call deception mercy,
Torture with an eloquent bow.
A thousand times goodnight,
When all I seek is sweet hello.
Compassion is weak when served with wine,
And the whole world is drunk beyond compare.
Relationships rot in too short a time,
And temptation is far too fair.
I am what you know as an artist,
I was born with a broken heart.
I will search all my life for a muse to mend it,
Yet my muse will only tear it further apart.
I am what you know as a woman,
I was born into suppression.
My rights are all up to a man,
I'm merely an object of obsession.
I am what you know as man,
I was born to carry the entire earth.
I can show no emotion,
I've been taught that since birth.
I am what you know as a child.
I was born to grow.
My innocence is meant to be stolen,
The only thing I know.
I am what you know as human,
I am perfect anyway.
The flaws of the world make me worthless,
Yet I am anew everyday.
Krystal


Dear Krystal,
Thank you for this gift. I appreciate it. You should keep writing. I can hear your hurt and confusion. I can see your world view. I know the pain of losing something that is important. I can sense your anger. But I can also hear the music in your compassion. Keep writing even when it is sunny.

There is something hot in the sun
Something that is not in the rain

There is something ugly in the clouds
Something that is snugly in our pain

There is something beautiful in a friendship
Something that is wonderful when we say

Thank you for being my friend today.
Roy


On 2/22/07, Krystal Jagosz wrote:

Hello again.
Well right now I am working hard in school. Soon I'll be checking out the young actor's studio. It has been recommended I start interning. Part time, or whenever it is possible. I will especially be available in the summer. Most studios want college students and things like that. I need to start interning for college...do you know anywhere I can go to get the vibe and ropes of a studio set setting? I have no problem doing anything, filing, secretary work, anything; I would just really like to start getting familiar with the industry and it's people. I am extremely driven and really want to get started. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank you so much again for your support and help. I really appreciate it.
Krystal


Dear Krystal
Try Cinergy in Santa Monica.
Roy

---Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 4:58 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Chris Farley

Hi Roy

My name is Ray Desgagne. I am from Montreal, Canada and now i live in Florida. Everywhere i go people stop me and tell me how i look of Chris Farley at the beginning i did not pay attention but now people tell me i should try to contact a production studio and make the resurrection of Chris Farley and make a film, people missing that actor and they see him in me so could you give me the proper channel so i could contact the right person thank you.. Sincerely Ray!!

Ray Desgagne

Dear Ray,

Here's what you do. First you need confirmation by getting an agent who specializes in look-a-likes. In LA and NYC and other big cities there are agencies that specialize in look a likes. They get you jobs. What you need to do is do a search on Google or yahoo and search for agencies that handle star look-a-likes or look-a-likes and you will find many. Contact them and tell them what you told me and that I sent you to them.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=star+look-a-likes&btnG=Google+Search

From: Darlene Turner
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 4:21 PM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Actress in need

Hi Roy,

I am 37yrs old and I am just really getting started in the acting industry. However, as a child I have always had a passion to be a famous actress. I attended an acting school as a child. When I graduated from high school I wanted to attend a school in New York but my mother did not want me to go away for college. I attended a local college, Morgan State University and studied Theater Arts. After two years at Morgan State I became very discouraged about being successful in Maryland so I changed my major and studied criminal justice. I am now a Probation Agent and "I hate my job!" trying to monitor criminals behavior.  This year I decided to follow my dream and pursue my passion to become an actress. I now attend the John Robert Powers School for acting and modeling. "I am now doing what I really want to do," but I am a very shy and somewhat quiet person and this makes me very nervous to perform auditions. I know some nervousness is expected but I am so nervous that when I get to the audition I mess-up terribly. I guess if I had followed my dream as a child, I might be nervous free by now!. Can you please give me some tips on how to get over this nervousness?  Besides I am not a good actress yet, and I need to be good for the competition. Can you please give me some tips on what to do to be good. I read allot and visit every website trying to learn more. I also watch other actors and actress to learn from them. I read allot of your responses and want to know where are the famous people hanging out these days? I would love to meet some of them. I believe in saying, "Talent feeds off Talent."  Lastly, I feel that I could be doing more to help along my new career as an actress and to get some experience and exposure. Please tell me how I can get some experience and exposure. Do you think a good stage name would help?

Thank You

Darlene         

Dear Darlene,

I never discourage anyone from pursuing a dream. But we must always be aware that dreams are not always what they appear to be when we get close to them. They may be fantasies rather than a dream. 

A dream is something we can pursue with some degree of achieving it. A fantasy is something that is wonderful to imagine but unobtainable. Fantasies are not bad unless they take a person down a road of disillusionment and destructive behavior. Such as drugs, alcoholic intoxication and delusions of grandeur. 

I am going to take you at your word and thus we will look at it as a dream of something that can be obtainable if you work hard for it and realize that the dream may turn out to be, in reality, not exactly like the dream in your head. 

Let's consider what I just wrote. 

Many children and adults have many dreams. The serious ones are the ones we attempt to pursue. But sometimes, just like when we dream of a wonderful vacation in Malibu Beach, we find that it is very expensive and it's colder and windier than we thought it would be, and that there really isn't much to do there unless you like surfing with few people around except surfers since most people don't go to the beach in Malibu because the beaches are small, it's a hilly area and most of the crowds are at Zuma Beach where the sun is always shining and the crowds gather and play beach ball and volleyball and walk up and down the beautiful sand and eat at all the local food places. So, the Malibu dream becomes a Zuma Beach dream or maybe you find something even better at Santa Monica Beach where there is a Farris Wheel, lots of great shopping nearby, a pier and places where you can roller skating and see magic acts, hear street musicians, dancers, jugglers and so forth. 

Hollywood just may turn out not to be what you thought it was, and acting may not be only what you see in the tabloid magazines, TMZ, and in the movies and TV shows. You may just find out that most actors work as actors only two to three months a year if they are lucky and most have to have a second job if they want to own a house, have kids or any other kind of life. 

Many times I have visited movie and TV stars and at first I was a bit shocked to see that they do not all live in mansions. In fact, most live in quite modest homes and apartments. Now, that I have lived and worked in Hollywood for over thirty years, things like that are common. One day you're up, one year you're down. 

100,000 SAG actors in Hollywood and only about 5000 work each year. If we count the million non union actors here, you may understand the difficulty of getting and keeping a job in this town. I, myself have to travel outside LA and USA to keep working all year around. It is a tough business. 

Now, if you just want to act for fun and entertainment, then, you have a very good chance of your dreams coming true. Either way, you will have to do similar things to make it in show biz as a professional or an amateur. 

Here is a simple list:

1. Find a good acting class. (College, University, Community Center, Professional School or Private). If you are getting what you need at John Powers then it is good for you. After you have been there a year, try another place to learn new things. 

2. Get head shots. 8 X 10 inch black and white photos of your face. Make them natural. Not like a model or touched up. Make yourself look like you really do look. Head shots are used at auditions where you submit your headshot and resume. After the audition and many times hours later when the casting director looks at your picture, if he can't remember you because it doesn't look like what you looked like when you walked into the audition, then he will most likely not call you back because he simply can't remember who you are after seeing over one hundred or a thousand people audition. So, make sure the picture looks exactly like you. 

3. Research your area and find out if there is an agent near you. Many times there is an agent doing small stuff like commercials, print work and theatre. If there are talent agents call them and try and get an interview. Just that call alone will teach you a lot about the industry. Experience is important no matter where you get it. Even extra work. After you do it, you realize it's not that hard. Boring maybe, but not that hard. Of course a major role is quite a different thing. A major role may be so demanding you may have to do it day and night in your sleep. You may have to prepare yourself like an Olympic athlete. 

4. Try out for Church programs where you have to speak in front of people, school events, work events and anything that gets you in front of people. The more you get friendly with being in front of people the more you will get used to the awkwardness. If you feel uneasy, most people do at times. It depends upon the event. But I have found that when you are prepared it is much easier to stand in front of people. Preparation is also getting and having experience. Realize that experience comes in many forms. Even Frank Sinatra forgot a word or two in performance. It's called "going up". It should be "clamming up". At least that's how I feel. But, if you make a mistake just brush it off and move on. Sometimes the greatest performers are great because no matter what happens they move on. They may even laugh at themselves and when we see their human qualities and courage that is admirable. I enjoy the heck out of being in front of a group of people when I am prepared for the event. I feel miserable when I am not prepared. Training and practice, practice, practice can help prepare you for that one minute of fame. 

5. Nervous? If you aren't nervous then something is wrong. But learn to enjoy that nervousness. Let it get you into an excited state. This is exactly what you have always dreamed of doing. Let this nervousness help you to get excited about getting in front of people. Use this nervousness to help you get excited about what you are doing. I am always scared to death but I have learned to love this adrenaline rush. It's my high! And I love it! And when I get a positive feed back from the audience I love that too. 

Sometimes what happens is funny. Like you get out there in front of people and you're scared to death but you are using that rush to get you hyped up and suddenly the audience loves you and laughs or cries and something very funny happens. You "go up" on your lines and can't remember them. Why, because you heard the audiences response and it was so surprising after you were so afraid that you might fail that when the audience shows their love for you, you "go up" and forget what's next. After a bit of experience with this you shake it off and move on. And suddenly, every time the audience loves you, you love them back. All of this comes after much experience. Just hand in there and always remember that this is what you have always wanted to do. Unless, you find , like I wrote above, that it's not as good or fun as you thought it was going to be. If not. There is no reason to pursue something that isn't something you like to do. As we get older it's OK to change our dreams. 

6. Acting good? Hum, I know something about this. First off and foremost - know that "Each time you do anything in life you do it for some kind of reward. When you cook a meal, you do it because you are hungry and want to satisfy your need. When you call a friend, it's the same thing. When you lay down to sleep, same thing. When you get up, same thing. When you go to the toilet, same thing. When you wash your cloths, same thing. - THIS IS TRUE OF YOUR CHARACTER !" 

Everyone wants something. Your character wants something. And they want it NOW. If you act this you will find success. Please read my article in the SHOOT FROM THE HIP section. Acting Thoughts 

7. As for Hollywood, try things closest to you, first. If you become very good wherever you are, then maybe you can make it in Hollywood. 

8. If you find it all too, too much to do and too, too hard and too, too uncomfortable and embarrassing, perhaps your imaginative fantasy is better to be played out in your head rather than in real life. I like to watch many movies about people and events that I would never want to do in real life. The entertainment business is like that. Some things are better to watch than to be experienced in real life. 

9. Star gaze at the events like th Academy or Grammy Awards in LA or go to some of the spots on Ventura Boulevard. Starbucks attract many stars. Many like the coffee high. Many other little spots in Studio City, Toluca Lake, 3rd Street Promenade, Beverly Center Shopping Mall, Malibu and of course golf courses - anywhere. 

Here's what you do. First you need confirmation by getting an agent who specializes in look-a-likes. In LA and NYC and other big cities there are agencies that specialize in look a likes. They get you jobs. What you need to do is do a search on Google or Yahoo and search for agencies that handle star look-a-likes or look-a-likes and you will find many. Contact them . Tell them what you told me. And them I sent you.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=star+look-a-likes&btnG=Google+Search 

I hope this helps you. We only have one life to live. Let's live it to our best ability and find happiness in what we do in life. 

Keep in touch and tell me how you are doing. Good luck,

Roy

From: gayatri datar
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 6:08 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: please tell me how to get in to hollywood?

HI,
AM GAYATRI HERE,
I WISH TO GET INTO HOLLYWOOD FILMS AND WANT TO ACT IN ENGLISH FILMS ONLY.
WANT TO GET SETTLED IN AMERICAN FILM INDUSTRY.
HOW TO CONTACT, HOW TO GIVE AUDITIONS?
AM IN INDIA.
PLEASE ADVISE ME AS I THINK YOU ARE ONLY THE PROPER PERSON
WAITING FOR YOUR ADVICE!
GAYATRI


From Roy:
Dear Gayatri,
To be perfectly honest, if you are in or near Bollywood, then, Bollywood is a good place to start. For three reasons:
1. It is less expensive by a long shot. An Apartment in LA will cost you USD $1000+ a month unless you get lucky and room with more than one person.
2. Hollywood doesn't like competition. When you come here you will be a competitor and no one will do much to help you make it. At least, in most cases no one important will go out of their way to help you. They are too busy trying to get their own jobs. They have little time to help others. It's a dog eat dog world not a vegetarian world.
3. Most people who come here have few connections. And they have little chance of making it in Hollywood. If you can make it in Bollywood, then, you have a better chance of making it in Hollywood. You can take your Bollywood credits and experience to Hollywood and perhaps you'll get a shot in Hollywood.

I wish I could tell you that your talent as a performer will bring you success. But that would be a lie. Hollywood only cares about what is in front of their face. They rarely go looking for talent. Except for American Idol or other reality TV programs that have recently started reality talent searches. But otherwise, in Hollywood, few people care about your talent.

They only care about their own talent.

It is a sad, sad thing to see year after year so much young talent wasted because there are so few places to be seen and so few jobs available in the marketplace.

There are over 100,000 Screen Actor's Guild members in LA. Only 5000 of them work in one year. To be a member you have to have worked in a SAG job. If not you don't qualify. You have little chance of getting an audition or hired for a paying movie job. There are over 1,000,000 Wannabees in LA and many, many more worldwide. It is a long shot for anyone unconnected to get into this business because most working actors don't want you to compete with them and therefore have created a Guild that stops others outside the Guild to compete. It's a way of eliminating competition. It works. But it does not help those who are truly talented and it certainly doesn't help the artistry of the industry that needs good talent, but that's the way it is at this time in history.

If you think Bollywood is tough, it is ten times tougher in Hollywood. That's why Amitab Bachchan and Amir Khan don't work here. Even as good as they are Hollywood and Bollywood have little interest in competitors.

Now, just in case you do come to Hollywood to try it anyway, then, I recommend that you join an acting class in one of the North Hollywood studios. They are good and friendly and they have had some success in helping unknowns who are starting out. You will meet a lot of others just like you and you may find that their experiences can help you find your way in the biz.

Also, if you have access to a video camera, make a short movie. Put it on YouTube, MySpace or indie911 and wait and see if you get some action. If so, then you got something to show Hollywood and Bollywood. And if it is good, I mean really good, then, you just may get past all of the bullshit and get a big job in Hollywood.

Please keep in touch and let me know your progress.
Roy


From: gayatri datar [mailto:g_datar@yahoo.co.in]
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 7:06 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: hi.

hey wats sag?
do you know any north hollywood studios?
so that i can make a try there.
i look forward to hear from your side.
Gayatri,


Dear Gayatri,
SAG is the Screen Actors Guild. It is the professional acting union. If you are not a SAG member you can not work in a SAG film nor can you audition. All major Hollywood films are SAG films.
Roy


ROY,
OH.........
SO ITS LIKE THIS???
MY GOD!!!!
THANKS SO MUCH THAT YOU REALLY HELPED ME OUT.
THANKS, THANKS,THANKS.......
OTHERWISE WHAT A PERSON LIKE ME WOULD KNOW THIS?
I JUST KNOW TO PERFORM CORRECTLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN FRONT OF CAMERA!
AM TRUE IN FRONT OF IT!
I PROJECT THE EMOTIONS CORRECTLY WHAT A DIRECTOR WANTS!
AND THATS HOW I DESCRIBE ME AS A TALENTED PERSON IN THIS FIELD!
WELL THE IDEA WHICH U GAVE ME OF CAMERA AND RECORDING A PERFORMANCE DID HIT MY MIND ALSO..... BUT I DIDNT KNEW WHERE TO SEND THE FILM? TO WHOM?
I REALLY FEEL SAD FOR PUBLIC OUT THERE.........
THEY ARE MISSING FRESH,NEW,TRUE,YOUNG TALENT!!!!!!
I WOULD LIKE TO CRY FOR THAT!!!! AAAAAAAAAA