From: Kal Aaron
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Dear Roy

My parents have always taught me what they do right in their life and also what they do or have done wrong. I want to come to be a star. Can you tell me what you did right and what you did wrong when you started?

Kal

Dear Kal,

I have done it all good and bad. Here are a few things in both areas.

First, what I did right.

TRAIN:

I trained with the best people I could find even if it meant traveling around the world to do it. I would audit a class if I couldn’t get into the class as a regular student. I would be an observer if I could. I listened very carefully, with my eyes on the action and the response of other students. I rarely argued with my teachers even when I disagreed. I was there to learn what they had to teach. If after many years of study, I began to disagree with their assumptions then I would ask some questions and then if I still disagreed with them I would give my opinion and move on to another teacher.

I sought out the best actors and worked with them every chance I got.

I sought out the best directors and did anything to work with them to watch them, how they work with other actors and their crews. If I only got a small acting role in a work directed by a great director, I was happy because I could sit and watch them and follow them around and listen to how they talked with everyone on the set. I wanted to learn how the best did their work.

Unlike the current TV character House, who lives by the assumption that he is always right, I live by the opposite assumption that I am wrong until I prove that I am right. To be able to prove myself, I know I need to train and work with the greatest teachers and artists I can find. I traveled thousands of miles and attended many schools and colleges and sought out the best of the best including, Phyllis Wayne (award winning corral director), Lee Chelson (award winning corral director), Robert Porterfield (Historical Theatre Producer & Director), Owen Phillips (enlightening theatre director), Sir Lawrence Olivier (enlightening director and actor), Adrian Hall (inventive and dynamic director), Dr. Costy (studious director and dynamic actor), George Cozieras (skilled contract screenwriter W.B.), Norman Buder (Brilliant Philosopher), Glen Dubose (Multiple Emmy awards), Sir Ian Richardson (RSC award winning actor), Allan Fletcher (Great stage director & translator), Oscar Brownstein (Brilliant writing thinker), Franklyn Miller (Academy Award filmmaker), Bruce Leavitt (Great acting teacher), Sir David Suchett (Award Winning Actor RSC), Bernard Lloyd (actor and teacher RSC), Sydney Pollack (Academy Award winning film director), Jorge Luis Borges (Award winning writer), Anthony Burgess (A Clockwork Orange), Francis Coppolla (Award Winning Producer & Director), John Huston (Award winning Producer, Director and Actor) and Barry Levinson (Academy Award winning director).

If you think it was easy to find and study with these people, it wasn’t. I had to travel back and forth across country and spend my life from 14-31 years old in apprentice training and sometimes landed a job with them. Every time I got a gig and made some money, I spent it on travel and studying with another one. When I had a limp job such as lighting I did more than that. I would shadow the director and stay around him or her listening to them very carefully. For example, I had a few small parts acting for Allan Fletcher, but instead of going and playing cards with the other actors backstage or going to have fun somewhere else when I wasn’t needed during rehearsals, I would sit near Allan so that I could hear every word he said during the entire four weeks of rehearsals. I did the same with the other mentors I studied under. Once they saw I was studiously observing them and did not interfere with their work, they let me shadow their every move. I never bothered them with questions which might annoy them. I just shadowed them and was able to learn many of their secrets while I had access to them. Sometimes they would turn to me and give me a secret, I think because they noticed I truly wanted to learn and they also knew I wasn’t going to suddenly ask them a bunch of questions nor would I suddenly think that I had the right to be part of their personal entourage. I was just their student shadow.

Find someone you respect and try and learn from them.

PRACTICE:

Practice even when you don’t have a job. Just like a runner or any other athlete you must train everyday. Whether you write, direct, act, sing or dance, you must continue to study and train just as if you were a football player continually repeating the practice over and over again for years until you retire. I continually do it today.

PROMOTE YOURSELF

This I did not do most of my life and it hurt my career to a degree. I didn’t keep all of the news and magazine clippings of my work posted in newspapers and magazines. I didn’t keep in touch with many of the people who I knew and I never asked them to help me. This wasn’t very smart in a business where promotion and name recognition is extremely important.

PROMOTE YOURSELF

The only way you can get a job is to ask for it. The only way anyone will know who you are is for you to first promote yourself. And the sooner you do it the sooner you will get opportunities.

I hope this helps you.

Roy

Dear Roy,

i have read about many different things that you do. how did you get to do them?

i’m in high school n like to do many different things, too. but everyone thinks I am wasting my time. my parents think I should focus on one thing and do it well. my teachers don’t think I have the ability to do a lot of things. everyone thinks I’m dreaming like I’m crazy to think I can do a lot of different things but I like to do different things like you do. i want to go around the world. i want to learn many things. i want to do art and music and write and even play sports. how come you were able to do all of that? did anyone think you were crazy?

A. Dreamer



Dear A. Dreamer,

I am crazy! I’m crazy in love with life!

Listen, you only have one life and it is your life, not theirs. You must live it to the fullest. When I say fullest, I do not mean you should do everything there is to do in the world. There are many bad things people do, like lie, cheat, steal, hurt others, hurt themselves and abuse the world and life around them. I do not recommend that. But I do believe that living life to the fullest is great when we do those things we like to do that are healthy, productive, educational, generous, kind, decent and creative.

I see no reason why you should not do sports and arts in your life. I see no reason why you should limit yourself from doing anything that is educational, productive, kind, and creative.

Many people may not know one of Albert Einstein’s passions was the arts. Leonardo de Vinci was an engineer, painter, medical science anatomist, designer and teacher. Michael Angelo was not only a painter and sculptor; he also was an engineer who designed bridges in Italy that are still standing after hundreds of years.

Buckminster Fuller was a scientist, philosopher, engineer, designer, architect and writer.

Anthony Quinn was not only an Academy Award winning actor but also a very good painter.

Ronald Reagan was an actor, radio host and President of the United States of America.

When I was your age, I too was ridiculed by kids in school and teachers who would at times say “why don’t you focus on one thing. You’ll never get anywhere if you try to do too much.”

I have since traveled around the world three times, doing business in Mexico, Korea, Dubai & Russia, Documentaries in Pakistan and USA, visited Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Afghanistan, India and London.

I have sang on TV, have my paintings in art galleries and museums, recorded hit records, stared on stage and screen, published short stories, poems, plays, screenplays, essays and currently writing a novel, designing a racing game for Christmas, doing paintings for Pasadena Museum of Art and portraits for Noho Arts Gallery and recently designed a patented process for making green electricity. In order to do this has required giving my life to my work and forgoing many normal pleasures most people indulge in, such as days off from work. I work everyday, year after year.

So, who says you can’t do many things? You can if you want to make the effort to do them. But… and it is a big BUT… you must be willing to work long hours, study and train many years, seeking the best teachers you can find in the world and you must be inquisitive, seeking to know more each day. I have studied with the best teachers in the world. I sought them out and studied with them even when they didn’t always like my work. What they didn’t realize, was that I was not wanting their approval as much as I wanted their knowledge. And I got it and am making use of it.

You can do the same thing too. You can pursue you goal if you have the tenacity to stick to your pursuit of happiness. If happiness is doing many different things well, then by all means go for it. But do not expect it to be easy. It can be rewarding if you truly enjoy the journey. But by the time you reach your destination you may find the destination less satisfying than the journey.

So, enjoy the journey of life even if no one else knows where you’re going, keep in mind the fact that it is not necessary for them to know. It is only necessary for you to know what you truly want in life. And if by chance, you are not sure you know what you want, don’t worry; most of us don’t know what we want until we find it.

For me, I found that I must use my talents to the fullest otherwise I am wasting what God has given me so freely. And that I fear would be a wasted life and a great sin.

Good luck,

Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr.

 

Dear Roy,  

What is the secret to be a working actor? 

Actors Anonymous

Dear Actors Anonymous 

Good question. What is the secret to being a working actor?

Actor must:

1. Study study study by taking classes and joining workshops, Classes and workshops introduce you to the industry and to other actors you may know and work with now and in the future. Brandon Scot is a friend of mine who is a famous magician, actor, singer and dancer. As long as I have known him he continually studies, practices and works hours everyday on his craft. When he gets a call to work, he is ready for it.

2. Audition. An audition will give you experience and will show what you have at the time. Although you may not be chosen for the role, the director, producer and perhaps the writer will see you and if they like you, they will remember you. I once had a person see my audition and liked it. But I didn't get the role. A year later I found out the director and producer were doing another show and when I called them and reminded them that I had auditioned for them a year earlier, suddenly, they remembered me and said I was hired. They did this over the phone without an audition. So, audition audition audition for everything you can. Song, dance, comedy, drama, modern and classical.

3. Keep in touch with everyone you think is good and know personally. Network is fine but KEEP IN TOUCH with those you meet and respect. Make an address book just for your career. Keep the names of those you work with in the business in your actor’s address book. It's your professional address book. It's your private collection of names and addresses. This book will be important to you throughout your career.

4. Try anything. Get a job in voiceovers, or any and every show, TV, movie and play you can. Exposure is absolutely important throughout your career. Every chance you get, call casting agents and bug them telling them you are ready to work. They will complain and say you need an agent and use many other excuse. So, what. Bug them. But do it nicely. Sweet talk them and say, "Hey, you know this town. It's almost impossible to get a good agent without first getting work and it's almost impossible to get work without first getting an agent. All I'm asking for is a chance to show you I'm good. If you are giving a workshop, please tell me and I'll join it and show you what I got. Please, (a little begging shows humility) just give me a chance. It can't hurt you to give me a small chance. I can prove myself within 60 seconds." Do it. You just may get lucky.

5. Start in the city you live. Every city has a school or church or youth group or drama club, college, university, radio station, theatre and TV station. Try in your own city. If you succeed like Johnny Carson, Ted Turner and so many others in your home city, I'll bet you have a chance in other cities and maybe even a chance in Hollywood.

6. Make a resume and get head shots, black and white and color. Make a video reel of your work. Make a blog somewhere, anywhere.

7. Promote Yourself! If you succeed getting a acting role anywhere, advertise it. You must realize, there are millions of wannabe actors but the way you stand out in the crowd is due to promoting your face and name. You must do it every chance you get. If you are in anything, email, call and slap posters everywhere to advertise yourself. You must do this first. No one will do it for you. Not even the producer, TV or movie has the money to plaster your name everywhere. All professionals promote themselves in one way or the other. This is the modern world.

There is no easy route to success. Success comes with great effort. Desire, training, persistence, promotion, name recognition and luck everyday of your career will bring you success in some form or other.
Good luck,

Roy

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
bad ya..... REALLY BAD........
BUT I HAVE TIED A KNOT TO MY MIND THAT ONCE I WILL HIT HOLLYWOOD AND I PREDICT NOW ONLY FOR OTHER ACTORS ITS GONNA BE AN EARTHQUAKE!!!
U KNOW I HAVE UNSHAKABLE FAITH!!!!!!!!
NO BUSINESS CAN COME IN BETWEEN MY GOALS!!!
SO WISH ME LUCK!
AND I WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!!!

THATS GAYATRI!!
THANKS!!!!!!!!


Dear Gayatri,
If you are as good as you say you are, then keep in touch with me.
Roy

-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Blunden
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:14 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: To Roy
 
Dear Roy,
My name is Deborah Blunden im 13 years of age and i attend Evans High School Blacktown. The reason i am writing this email to you is because i was wondering if you knew if you had to pay large sums of money to get into an acting school. My family is in a difficult position at the moment and can not afford alot of money for me to go to a expensive acting school. I thought if i could get into a acting school then maybe i could get somewhere in life instead of not trying to fulfill my dream. I would prefer to have a go at fulfilling my dream than to sit back and watch my dreams get taken away from me before i get a chance to try. I have had no experience with acting as i am not old enough to do anything and i would like to get experience i would also like to stay in Sydney Australia reasons being I have an extremely close friend that i would not loose her for the world. I got sick in November 2005 and have still not been cured that is why I would not get up and leave behind the closest friend i have ever had not after all the things she has helped me through. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this email and i hope you reply to this email.
Yours Sincerely
Deborah Blunden
Sydney, Australia
 
From: Roy
Dear Deborah,
Thank you so much for writing me. I hope you get well and feel better. It is great to have a good friend. Especially when that good friend cares enough for you to help you even when you have problems in life. In fact, the sign of a true friend is when that friend is there for you in the difficult times. So, you are a very fortunate girl.
 
Now, Australia has some very good acting schools. Some are in Sydney. So, you don't have to leave Sydney or Australia to join a good acting class.
 
Do your best to find a class or school near you. Talk to friends. Read the papers and ask your teachers or councilors at school to help you find the right place for you to begin your studies. Make it a class project. I am sure there is a place near you.
 
Now, as for the cost of acting. It can be an expensive process. But I was born in a family that did not have a lot of money. In fact, we were poor, too. However, I found I was able to get involved in acting and singing and dancing in school and church. Here are some of the ways I got into the arts.
 
My church had shows and I got involved in them. My school had shows and I got involved in them. In fact, I worked on school plays beginning at first grade. And I continued to do that all the way through school. These experiences helped me learn to practice, read, speak in front of people, sing, and sing in front of people. These things helped me learn how to get where I am today. So, you can find many places near you where you can get experience.
 
Your age is perfect for starting. Getting started young is good. It gives you a head start. So, your age is not a problem. But don't expect to get the starring roles immediately. If you do, great. If not, it doesn't matter. Just get started. Eventually, if you truly find that you like performing in front of people, then you will eventually get bigger acting roles.
 
Here's another thing to consider. Find a modeling class and a modeling agency that uses kids. Try and find Print work, which is doing photo shoots for local newspaper and magazine ads. They can provide you experience and money. You have to call a lot of people, newspapers and magazines in your local area, but if you get an ad with your picture in the newspaper or magazine for some soap or bubblegum or toy or shampoo or kid dresses, you are in show business and you will immediately meet people who can help you. Also, photographers are the people who photograph for the papers and weddings and commercials. Call as many professional photographers and tell them you want to be their model. Call them more than once. Bug them if they say no today. Call them in one month and ask the again. If you persist, eventually, one of them will most likely say, "OK. Come down and I'll see you." You do not pay them for this. You want them to hire you for the next News Paper Ad or Magazine Ad in your local papers.
 
Acting is a hard job. The job is getting work. The acting is the easy part. It's the play. But being a working actress is a hard job because you have to go out and find a job. This is a forever job that they don't tell you on TV shows or movies or in the Fan magazines. So, you may find you like acting or the thought of acting, but you don't like doing all of the work trying to get an acting job.
 
I can tell you this. If you call and write (as you have written me) acting agents and modeling agents and photographers and newspapers and magazines for Print work jobs; and if you contact schools in Sydney and ask your teachers in your school to help you find an acting school near you that is not too expensive, then after doing this hard work, you will learn whether you like this job of acting or just like the play of acting. If you like both, then I believe you will find success. If you only like to play with acting, then I suggest you do it at home, with your friends at school, in church or anywhere you can and just have fun with it.
 
For me, to be honest, I enjoyed the play in acting, until I realized I wanted more. Then I got down to the hard work. And to be honest it isn't all that fun at times. But when it works out, it is terrific!
 
Best of luck to you. And please keep in touch with me and tell me how you are doing and which way you are going.
 
Thanks again for writing,
Roy
 
On 10/14/06, Deborah Blunden:
To Roy,
Thank you for writing back to my email i appreiciate that. i will be sure to try and do some of the things you listed in that email and i will keep in touch with you so you know how i am going with it all. Well ill write soon
Thanks again
From Deborah
 
Dear Deborah,
This is the beginning of a great adventure in life. If anyone ever questions why you
are pursuing this adventure, tell them to read the SHOOT FROM THE HIP articles I write on nohoartsdistrict.com  Especially, the following - THEY STAND LIKE DAVID AGAINST GOLIATH and DIVERSITY IN FILM AND TV.
 
Please keep in touch and the best of luck to you in all that you do.
Roy

-----Original Message-----
From: raja gupta [mailto: hrthik4ever@yahoo.com ]
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:32 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
 
Subject: Hi Roy I am a student who is interesting in acting
 
My name is Raja Gupta (Indian/partial Spanish) and my main goal is to get into the acting field which is why I contacted you since you gave some great feedback to other people aspiring to be actors. I am 19 presently and was at first thinking of Bollywood (India Hollywood) because I know someone there, but in Hollywood people are more famous and popular.
 
I right now study at NYU and am doing an International Business degree because I believe it is necessary to have bachelor's degree whether I aspire to be an actor or not. The only thing is I do not at the present moment have time to take acting classes because I am trying to graduate faster 4 years. I know that NYU has a reputable acting school but I am already doing a degree there and do not have time to enroll it its acting courses.
 
I did enroll in school plays when I was in middle school but ever since then I lost touch of acting although I do other things such as dancing, martial arts, and am learning to play the piano in addition to my studies. The long time gap was significantly do to the psychological problems I was having as a result of my parents separating which took a heavy toll on my for many years (I was even hospitalized for  a long time, about a year). I just hope I am not wasting time and wanted to know if I should take acting classes at institutes like New York Film Academy or tvi acting studio?
 
 I do not know if they are reputable besides what is stated on their sites but NYFA does  look more promising than tvi. I live in Brooklyn NY which is a pro when it comes to  acting but there are so many options to take without anyone helping me. I prefer taking  an acting course rather than do a degree which at the moment seems impossible since I am already doing a degree. I was thinking of taking 1 acting class an NYU as an a elective  but my advisor thought it was too much money and does not look like a viable option; this is another reason why I am looking into acting schools that involve certificateand vocational training. Another thing holding me back from pursuing acting at the present moment is the severe acne and scars I have on my face and back which I have been treating from the past 4 or 5 years; as you can see that I am look conscious but I am treating it so that the skin disorders go away. I am confused right now what to do and
need advice so that I can get on track pursuing acting but not hindering my studies for bachelor's degree. My advisor advised that I should think of enrolling in acting courses prior to graduation but that would take about 1 to 2 years. Well that's about it.
I know i have written a long message which was just to give you my background.

Hope to hear from you. Thanks for your time!
Raja Gupta,
 
 
Dear Raja Gupta,
Your advisor is correct. Continue your studies and graduate. You can use the knowledge you gain to help you keep your finances strong. You don't want to end up to be a poor actor who can't pay bills. Few actors, even good ones, live off their acting. It is a tough business. Even stars do other things like invest in real estate in order to make enough money for their future when acting may not pay their bills. And of course when you are a young starting actor, when work is hard to find, and you are living in NY or LA where things are expensive, an actor needs to have a second job to keep money flowing in so that they can pay for classes and head shots and all of the many other things that are needed to be an actor.
 
Take one acting course to see if you really like it. Take it where you feel the most comfortable. Go to each of those schools and talk with the acting students and view the class or see one of their plays or student films and see which class is best for you. Acting is not only doing it on stage or screen. Acting is meetings and research and walking the pavement until you feel like the acting life is not what is shown on the red carpet. So, you must get used to the hard grey carpet of the cement pavement and the dirty asphalt alley ways and black back stage doors. . And if you do this you just may get your dream.
 
As for your skin problems. The academy award winning actor, Edward James Olmos, has been quite successful. His success is due to his tremendous talents, including perseverance. Also, there is a need for character faces in the business. So, if you are cast as the bad guy, enjoy it. If and when you achieve a certain amount of success, other character parts may open up for you just as they have for Eddie.
 
Many times the character parts are the best parts in the show.
Good luck,
Roy
 
    -----Original Message-----
From: raja gupta [mailto: hrthik4ever@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 5:40 PM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Roy,
Hi again! I hope you remember me as you previously gave me advice on acting (the message is listed below for reassurance). I forgot to tell you in my other email that I did perform in a music school of performing arts 10 years ago and also took some partial acting courses at a small institution. Can i list them on my resume for the time being until i do recent acting work? At the moment i have not created a acting resume, since i have not much experience in acting, but a regular job resume and will add my previous acting experience, do you think i am doing this right? please get back to me as i appreciate your comments and still interested in acting and the entertainment industry. I could also email my resume to you to show you how it is if possible? Thanks for you time Look forward to talking with you.
Raja
 
From Roy:
Dear Raja,
You can use your past history of acting on your resume. Even stars are known by movies dating back many years. George Lucas has on his resume the movies STAR WARS which he made in 1975. So, if he can put it on his resume, you can put your old stuff on yours. It is who you are, what you have accomplished so far in your life. So, go ahead and put anything you think is important on your resume. Yes, you can email your resume to me and I will check it out.
 
Good luck,
Roy
 

Dear Roy,

From a young age, I always wish of becoming an actress.  I am going to be 19 this year in October and currently I am going to be a University student studying for accountant.  As a Maltese citizen, we haven’t any courses of becoming a professional actress in America.  Please Ron can you help me to be one of the American actress.  I’ve never done acting and I really wish to have this career through all my life.  I know that I have to work much harder but I will do everything to success in the profession.  Please help me?  Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Romina Cachia.

Thank you.

Romina,

Thank you for writing me. I know what you are going through. When I was young I wanted to be acting, singing, dancing, writing, and directing. I thought at times my efforts would never be appreciated. But I never gave up.

That is the key. It can be a long lonely road to the top of any profession. And to be a movie star is the top. There is no other way to be successful in the business. This is the major and profound difference between this profession and any other one. You must attain the top to be an international star.

How do you get there? That is the big question. One thing for sure, you must never give up even when all things seem like it will never happen.

Of course, you may learn that being a star is not the only thing you want in life. You may want happiness. And being a star is not always a happy business. You may not believe me when I say this, but I am telling you the truth. Being a star does not guarantee happiness no matter how big a star or how much money you make. Being a star may not be as great an accomplishment as you think it is at this time in your life. So, as you strive to get to the top, which is the only way to be a star, you may also realize that what you thought was so important, such as star recognition, may be attained by being loved by your children, being loved by your friends and being loved just as you are, by your self.

So, if you think you want to be a star, be ready for the big time commitment and go for it with all of your energy.

First, get some training somewhere. Travel if you must. Go where ever you have to find out what acting is really about. Two or three years of training will certainly educate you about what it is to be an actress. The other thing to do is go as quickly as you can to London, New York, Los Angeles and or Milan, Italy or Caan, France and just meet everyone you can at the film festivals. Go party with the stars and you will meet opportunities. This, of course requires some money, but you will find that to be a star who gets money you must first be willing to spend money. Investing in anything is the only way you can succeed. Accounting classes teach you how to manage money, well, being a star cost money and therefore you must find a way to afford going to the places you have to go to be at the top of the acting business.

I am starting a studio in Karachi, Pakistan and I will be looking for people who want to work in this country. Perhaps, you may want to venture a trip to Pakistan. There will certainly be opportunities to learn and work in movies and TV here in Pakistan. If you are interested in this opportunity, then, send me a picture and resume.

Good luck,

Roy        (TOP)

-----Original Message-----
From: Romina Cachia
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:36 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Thank You :)
Importance: High

Dear Roy,

I would like to thank you personally for your help.  I really appreciate what you've done with me.  Thank you so much.  Ron, I've like to ask you where I should go to train myself for acting?  You told me that I should go to London, Las Vegas, Milan, France, New York and Italy.  Could you please be more specific like which collages or agencies should I be taking?  I've always dream to become an actress and I hope that it comes true.  Where there is a will there is a way.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Romina Cachia. 

Romina,

Check out nohoartsdistrict.com/tv read Ask Roy section. You will find most of your questions answered there and Read Shoot From The Hip articles that are also there. They will give you many lessons on what it is to work in the international entertainment arena.

My full name is Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. People write to me as Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com and many of my friends call me Ayers like my mother calls me.

Read and enjoy. The schools are posted in the answers to acting. Check out the web sites for schools that are listed there.

Good luck, (the explanation of what “good luck” is in the answers)

Roy         (TOP)

Copyright 2006 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

Roy,

I was reading at your articles in the Noho Arts District.com site and I was wondering if you have any particular recommendation for an acting school for my daughter who is 11. She is very interested in the tv/film industry.  I get what you are saying about agencies who ask for money up front and has all these promises. That is precisely why I have not indulged my daughter or myself in the industry.  I would really appreciate it if you have a recommendation and I can try it out. Thanks.

Rachel

PS.
We live in the Glendale/Burbank so anywhere in the vicinity would be great. Thanks again. 

Rachel,

Thanks for writing. 

I just had dinner in a very posh restaurant in Clifton, Pakistan. A family invited me to dinner. They have a daughter who is thirteen. Her name is Rebab. She has a job as a news reporter for GEO, the largest TV network in Pakistan. In fact, GEO is broadcast around the world on cable and satellite networks and can be seen in the USA. Rebab has taken on very challenging assignments since she was twelve years old and says she was inspired by watching Oprah. 

I am developing a TV show for her where she will tackle tough mature subjects for females. Rebab will be interviewing and reporting and discussing serious issues that face female in this part of the world where nothing is discussed, openly. I am so happy that her Pakistani mother and father will support their young daughter to be part of this important project, openly and honestly addressing female issues. Projects like these are what makes the difficult work in this industry satisfying. Rebab is a star in Pakistan and will soon eclipse many of the young stars around the world with the great work she is doing. She is an inspiration to young girls here in Pakistan, leaving a legacy for others around the world to follow. 

You never know what opportunities lay ahead, just as Rebab’s parents never knew that their work would catch the eye of an American who could recognize her talents and give her the opportunity to work on an international project and perhaps even meet her inspiration, Oprah. 

Of course, you need to be supportive. You must be willing to give your daughter your time and energy. She’ll need someone to take care of her business. So, you should manage her carefully in the beginning, letting her know what you are doing and why; and teach her how to manage it, herself. The more she knows, the more she will succeed. Knowledge is the key to life. 

Below are a few places to check out. Talk with the teachers and students and watch classes to get a feel of what you like. The three below are, reputable and geared for multilevel students. Visit them in person. Do not choose one until you have visited them all. If one doesn’t work out, that’s ok, that’s life, just change classes until you find the one that works for you. It’s important to be flexible, too. Life does not come in the same package for everyone. 

STUDENTS ‘N’ THE KNOW ‘N’ SHOW BIZ…

Continue to check out the nohoartsdistrict.com Theatre Resources section, click on it occasionally to keep n the know n show biz… 

NoHo Acting Classes & Workshops

The Avery Schreiber Theater
11050 Magnolia Blvd., NoHo
(818) 481-8072
Web-site   Email   Linda Fulton

LA Weekly called Total Improv for Kids, "An Improv-Able Success." Total Improv for Kids is a one-of-a- kind school that uses the art of theatrical improvisation to offer kids a fun and exciting means of tapping into and expanding their imaginations.

Theatre Creators, Inc.
4942 Vineland Ave. #206
NoHo, CA 91601
(626) 403-1166
Web-site    E-mail    Dawnnie Mercado

Enrollment for Classes Now Open. Currently Auditioning for Membership Companies.

By popular demand we are now offering classes intended for those who wish Professional Actor Training. Some classes are by audition only. Contact our studio or Email for more information.

Class Act...The Young Actor's Studio
NoHo Actor's Studio
5215 Lankershim Blvd. NoHo  
(310) 281-7545
Web-site   E-mail Jeff Alan-Lee

Class Act...The Young Actor's Studio offers a full conservatory day or a choice of classes for young actors in three separate age groups ranging from 4-18.  Comedy Improv, Acting Technique and plays and productions at The Noho Actors' Studio.  The Young Actor develops a solid technique that he or she can take into any medium, be it stage, screen, TV or film. 

Career management is important if she wants a career. The sooner you start to look into the future the more you can begin to prepare her future. Just like a gymnast. You need to begin now and begin seriously if you want to compete for the gold. This does not entail that she can’t be a kid and have fun like kids her age. But it can be beneficial if you manager her studies and her career and set a plan with certain goals, not too restrictive, but specific goals in order to succeed. This is no less than any other parent would seek for their child if they had a child who wanted to be a doctor or lawyer or sports star. 

Just suppose your daughter wanted to be a scientist, it would be wise to have her study higher forms of math, biology, chemistry, etc. Same is true if the she wanted to be a star gymnastic athlete, they need to study early, diligently, and find the greatest teachers who have had successful students who are achieving success and attaining gold medal standards. Same is true with acting, singing, dancing or any other area of the arts and entertainment. Seek the best teachers within a safe environment where your child will learn how to be successful. Include in your plans future goals such as arts schools which may require your daughter to have certain proven skills before she can be admitted. Looking ahead can’t hurt. 

Read “They Stand Like David Against Goliath” in the Shoot From The Hip articles I write at http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/tv/Column_current_goliath.html 

Watch for programs for children at Disney. To enter these programs require more than talent, they require a certain amount of training and developed skills. 

(Read “Art Requires Skills” in “Shoot From The Hip” articles http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/tv/Column_current_skill_II.html) 

If Disney (or any other well connected center of training anywhere in the country) ever becomes interested in your daughter, she will have a big opportunity to get a piece of the pie. 

Also, check out the following sites… just in case you move or there is a summer camp she may want to visit… 

http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/ 

http://www.acting-about.com/  

Tell me what you find. How it works out. It will help others who are looking for their place in the sun. I would love to see her one day performing to her hearts content. 

Good luck, 

Roy         (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.

Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2005 7:12 PM
To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Question.

Dear Roy,

My best friend is an aspiring actor/director/film maker and he is without a professional portfolio. Because I am an aspiring photographer, I jumped at the chance to help him with his dilema but I have one of my own. I work at Ritz Camera and am a lab tech there so I am able to develop and process my own film but I have no clue what is necessary to put together a professional acting portfolio. I've asked around but I'm still very unsure. I know certain agencies ask for specifics but I'd like to know what I can do for him to at least get him started. 

Would this only require a few black and white, 8x10 head shots or should I incorporate some color images that might display his personality? Are they usually bordered? How much of the face should be displayed in the shot, for example, shoot from mid-chest and up? What should he wear? And lastly, about how many photos should be in the portfolio? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sarah

Sarah,

You need at least two 8x10 head shots. One with a closed mouth straight face and one with a smile. Both black and white. These are standard head shots used for theatre, TV and the movies.

As for an elaborate portfolio, they can vary according to the actor's experiences and finances. For instance, has he been a model and does he have any print work that he has done to show experience? If so, you can make a collage of these works giving a short history of his work as a model, actor singer and/or comedian. If not, you could set up and do mock up shots as if he was a print model and show how good he looks in designer cloths, handbags for men, sports athletic wear, bicycle pro, weight lifter, swimmer, cowboy and etc. USE COLOR.

You can also show commercial work for TV. A collection of similar shots as print work but in this case they can be in black and white to keep down printing cost for multiple submissions. 

Normally, a fancy portfolio in fancy bindings is not given to a studio, or agency. It is too costly to hand out, but can be carried to be used for show, only. A collection of less expensive photographs can be made in a brochure like package that can be given to the agency, commercial group, TV, movie producer, investor, etc. But you do not want to give an expensive brochure or portfolio to everyone. 99 out of 100 will trash it after the actor leaves it with them. So, be wise and tell him to use it where it counts. If used well, a very well thought out portfolio can impress on those who see it that the actor is a person who takes their work seriously. 

The biggest danger with a portfolio is that when you take such great effort to make a big show of your work, your work better be up to the show. If not, you will come off like an inexperience amateur wasting money on a portfolio when the actor’s experience doesn’t deserve such a show of it. What most directors want is an actor who can act and has all of the qualities of a professional. 

For instance, by asking my assistance, you have shown the qualities of a professional who seeks professional advice. Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Steven Spielberg all have the wisdom to seek advice from professional confidants. This is an essential quality of a successful person. A good husband seeks the council of his wife. A smart wife does the same. This is an important aspect in successful marriages. When a director seeks an actor, they want it to be a good marriage of talent and energy. 

Best of luck to you and your client, 

Roy        (TOP)

Copyright 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:03 AM
To: info@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Request For Assistance 

Dear Sir, 

Hi I am Umair. Sir I 17 from Karachi and I am interested in your acting job please send me full informatiobn about it. Thanks
BYE

Regards,  M.Umair  

Hi Umair, 

Thanks for writing me. Many good things are happening in Karachi and all of Pakistan abounds with opportunities. Send a resume to me and enclose a picture of yourself. Your height and weight… etc. 

Do you have any training? Have you worked for TV or Film in Pakistan? What channels? What films? What kind of training do you have? What schools? Who were your best teachers? Do you sing or dance? Do you play an instrument? These are common things that can be placed in your resume to help a person like me learn something about who you are. 

You may know Rabab on GEO TV in Pakistan. She is a 13 year old talented actress who studies acting at NAPA, Pakistan’s first National Academy of Performing Arts. Rebab works as news reporter who I have had the pleasure of working with when she was 12. When I asked her who inspired her to work so hard and be successful, she said Oprah. So, the world is a small place and still there is a place for everyone. 

I would like to meet you, but first, send me a picture and resume. 

Good luck, 
Roy        (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner. 

Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 12:07 PM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject:

Hi Roy,

I'm Ashley Miller. I love acting. I'm in theatre and other things. But, I'm only 11, so can't do school plays just yet. But i love acting, and i want to hollywood to see what its like. How do i get there, as in how can i prove myself.
from Ashley 

Dear Ashley,

There are all kinds of ways to begin an acting career in Hollywood 

When I was your age, around 10 years old, I used to make up puppet stories. I would take toys, especially animals, and I would make up a story and perform the story in front of my two younger sisters. They loved me using the puppets and acting out the parts with different voices. I would sometimes make up words and sounds and they would laugh and talk to my toys and my toys would talk back to them by using my voice. It was a lot of fun. Sometimes the neighborhood kids would come over to my house and would watch these performances, too. I also, joined the boy scouts and there I used to tell them ghost stories at night when we went camping. I would do my best to use different voices and make it seem real to them. Some of it was funny and some of it was scary and some of it was sad. This was one of the best ways I learned to perform without a script. I would just make it up as I went along. 

As I grew older, I began writing the stories down so that I could improve them. Then one day I wrote an entire script, cast it with my sister and friends, and I directed and starred in it. Everyone came to see it and it was a bunch of fun. I was only 14 years old. 

Acting takes Practice. Lot’s of it. To be a star takes practice, too. 

Practice reading out loud. Read in front of people. Read to them in a way that they feel what you feel about the story you are reading. All actors have to learn to have fun when they read in front of people. This is one of the most important things an actor must do to get a job. So, learn to read out loud in front of people. Practice every chance you get. And enjoy it. 

When I went to college I had to work to pay for school. I got a job reading for blind people. It paid for part of my education and it taught me how to read very difficult words and sentences from math, science and geography books. 

When I read, I tried to read so that the listener could understand the meaning of the words and thoughts. It wasn’t easy, but I was rewarded by the fact that everyone of my recordings were the most popular science, math and geography books listen to by blind people. They said they didn't fall asleep when I read the books and they could understand the meaning. This was not just work, it was great training for me. A few years later, when I worked with Ian Richardson, Bernard Loydd and David Suchet from the Royal Shakespeare Company, they remarked how easily I spoke Shakespeare in a manner that was natural and easy to understand, like Hamlet instructed his players, "trippingly from the tongue"

As you grow up, you will find there are many opportunities to act in school, in churches, in community groups, at parties, at weddings and in classes and local community theatres. Where ever there is an opportunity take it. At least try out for it. You will learn a lot from the experience. Acting can be a lot of fun. It can also be a lot of hard work. You must learn to enjoy both. 

For me, rehearsals are some of the greatest times. I learn things, make new friends and work hard all at the same time. Dance, vocal and acting classes can be a great time, too, for the same reasons. So, where ever you go in life, you will always remember those days with your newfound friends and the times you worked hard and played together preparing yourself for that short quick moment on stage or camera. 

When you take acting training you prove yourself to your teachers and students.

In reading you practice and learn. And when you read to people you prove yourself.In rehearsal you prove yourself to the director and fellow actors.In performing for your community you prove yourself to your community.
When you audition you prove yourself. 

If you do all of these things, over and over again, you will prove yourself to yourself. These things will teach you how to attract “good luck.” 

The moment you know you are good, the final test will be what you do with your good luck. 

Here is a place to start near home. Try print work, which is modeling for newspaper ads. Most local newspapers need kids to model for their clothing, restaurants, candy or food stores or any other type of news ads. Also, check and see if your local radio needs a kid DJs or your local TV stations need VJs. You never know where an opportunity may be. 

As for Hollywood, have your mother call SAG Screen Actors Guild and ask them to send you a list of accredited agents for children. When you receive the list, send pictures and ask them if you can have an interview or audition. 

Good luck and tell me how you are doing. 
Roy        (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed permission of the copyright owner. 

Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 5:34 AM
To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Actress

Dear Roy

My name is T C and I'm from Brazil but I live in England.
I would like to be an actress but I'm only 12 and my mum told my to wait until I grow up but I don't want to wait I want to be an actress now I 've asked my mum lots of times to let me go to NY film academy camp and she just won't let me!
What should I do?

T C
London-England

Dear T C,

I know how u feel. My mum n dad wanted me to follow in their footsteps. They thought theatre and Hollywood would corrupt me and turn me into a bad person. Not long ago, I held my father's hand as he lay dieing and he asked if I would sing him a song. I sang, "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. The Lord is the strength of my life. In whom then shall I be afraid?"

When I finished, he thanked me and said I want a recording of it. And he regretted the fact that he had discouraged me in doing my dream and had not traveled to see or hear me while he was healthy. Now he could not travel from his bed and he realized he had wasted his chance to take part in his son's success. I swore silently that I would never ever discourage a person from doing their dream as long as their dream was beneficial to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We only get one chance in life. This is our one shot to do it right. So, I
say go for it. …

http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/londonactingschools/


http://www.acting-about.com/


http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/

Write the academies and ask for them to send you an
application. When you receive the letter in the mail your mother will see that you are taking this seriously and it may help persuade her to let you go. If she still says no tell her to read some of my answers to mothers who have written me. They all have the same questions your mother may be asking. Also, write other schools about their acting classes and get applications from them. When your mother sees that you are truly interested in acting, she may just realize that your happiness and success is important to her. And your happiness and success in the field of entertainment should begin early in life, just as if you wanted to go to the Olympics as a gymnast, you would have to begin at a young age. The same is true with acting. So, if you really want to be in the entertainment business, there is no better time than now to start.

And remember, treat your body and mind well. Life is to be lived and lived well. Living well is living a healthy life, both physically and mentally.

Thanks 4 writing.

Roy        (TOP)
 

Copyright May 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Subject: I want to become a successful actriss

Dear Roy,

My name is Margo. I'm 17 years old and I'm from Ukrauine. I want to become an actriss. Not just a usual actriss, but a very successful one.The problem is I don't have much expirience in acting ( I've only played in school plays in my native language-russian).

Now I'm studying vokal in the music school. I've already recorded my first CD. Next year I'm going to get to coservatoir to improve my vokal to the highest level. My future plans: after I finish concervatoir I Want to go to America ( New Yorkor Los Angeles) to study acting and make my singing and acting career. My DREAM is to get to Hollywood. While
studying in conservatoir I'm going to improve my English as it is not good enough for acting. I also going to go to America every summer and winter to study acting and attend some acting courses here in Ukraine.

I need your arvise: please help me to find a good acting school in New York or Los Angeles where I can have a 4week course in August this summer. Can you please give me some advise about what else I need to become a successful actriss.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Margo.


Dear Margo,

I have been to Russia. Beautiful country. I like the people. One day I hope to visit the Ukraine.

Follow your dreams. Some will come true. You may find some are not really what you thought they would be, none the less, at least try them out for size. If they fit you, enjoy them.

Check out the following sites…
http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/
http://www.acting-about.com/

Good luck and keep in touch. I'd like to know how you are doing. You never know when I might need a Russian actress.

Roy        (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.
 

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 3:23 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: (acting)

dear roy, hi ya my name is lia nimmo i live in kings lynn and i really want to be an actress, i am 16 at the minute and i am studying hairdressing for two years, i got a really egood g,c,s,e in drama i got a b.

i am going to move to london wen i am 20 to go to an acting school i have styded hairdressing first for a back up, so if my acting carrer go down hill i have always got hairdressing to fall back on to , i was just wondering how many acting schools are there in london,please write bk lia nimmo .


Cool Lia,

Seems like you are a busy girl and a hard worker in school, hairdressing and acting. So, I think you can be a very good actress if you want to be. You have one talent necessary for success. You have courage. You are brave enough to write to me. This is good. And I think you are brave enough to accept a bit of straight talk. Real friends talk straight and yet do not try to hurt you. It’s good to have friends in this business. They see your talent and they want you to succeed.

So, here goes…

To be an actress takes a lot of hard work in many areas of life. The art of acting is in the details of life. One person coughs another hiccups and another chokes.

Acting can be a most difficult business. A star shines so bright everyone notices every little pimple, so start training to be in close-ups. Always do your best when you do anything. It may be the only chance you get. Next time you write, remember the little letter you wrote me. Your letter will give many people a certain impression of who you are. It is your first big step into the universe of success. So, use it wisely.

Join my …

STUDENTS ‘N’ THE KNOW ‘N’ SHOW BIZ…

Check out the following sites…


http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/londonactingschools/


http://www.acting-about.com/


http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/


Keep in touch with me and tell me what you are doing, if you found a school and how you are doing in it. And perhaps, with a little bit ‘o’ luck we meet in the future on some wonderful project.

Good luck,

Roy       (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.
 

From: Mofciv
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 7:13 PM
To: info@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: I'm 14, and I want to be an actress

I have wanted to become an actress ever since I can remember. I think the only reason that I wanted to become one, is because when I was younger, I use to lie alot. And I got away with it. As I got older, I just figured I didn't need to lie anymore, but when I did, I would keep a straight face so well, it looked like I was telling the truth, but I would quickly reveal that I aws joking. But anyway, I've wanted to be so many things in my life, and I think acting will be my starting point. I mean, I'm struggling with school, but I don't like to fail. Yea, sure I don't like doing my math, but I know I have to if I want to get a get education and go places. That's probably why my passion for acting is increasing. I'm in the 10th grade, so I'm on my way to college, and I know I have many things waiting for me when I get there. The main reason why I've loved acting so much, is because the thrill of being in the spotlight, is deep down in my heart. I can't act infront of my friends or my family, only when I'm lying. I like to joke a lot. But I know acting is something that I'll love for the rest of my life, even if I don't make it. Because when I go to college, one of my majors are gonna be directing. I've even started writing my own scripts for movies I've been working on. My friends have agreed to be apart of them, and the best thing about it, is that when I complete it, one of my accomplishments will be fulfilled. So I need to get out there, don't let absolutely nothing, stop me. Cause I know I'm gonna make it. I just can't give up.



Dear Mofciv,

Terrific. You also sound like you are going to be a producer, too. Here’s 3 things I do to get where I am going.

1) I dream about what I want in life.

2) I prepare myself for the task ahead of me.

3) I wake up each day and go about doing it.

It seems you are doing all three. So, you’re most likely going to have good luck.

Ever since Drew Barrymore was very young she dreamed about many things. Her only hang-up was when she started doing drugs. She almost lost it during those years. But fortunately, she had some friends who helped her get back on track. Now she is pursuing her dreams and having fun doing it.

Keep your eye solidly on your goals and you, too, will succeed. Sometimes, life may be challenging but as long as we keep moving step by step inch by inch toward our goal, we will succeed.

Good luck and keep in touch. I want to hear about your projects and how you are doing with them – good or bad – we learn day to day ways to answer our problems and learn to live more happily. And this is a big part of what life is all about.

Roy       (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

-----Original Message-----
From: Leanne Evans
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 8:28 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: Acting 

Dear Roy, 

I am 14 and live in London. it is supposed to be full of opportunities but i feel I'm going nowhere. help me??? 

Dearest Leanne, 

I know how you feel. Sometimes, London and Los Angeles are the worst places to start a career. 

Russell Crow, the Academy Award winner for best actor and star of Gladiator is from Australia. Academy Award winner for best supporting actress, Kate Blanchet is also from Australia. They must have been just like you. They must have felt desperate at times and how far it was to Hollywood. 

Fortunately, today, films are turning into digital. And digital movies are where you can create a visual resume of who you are and what qualities you posses as an actress. So, you can make a visual resume of your talents. Make CD’s and DVD’s and send them out to agents, directors and producers. 

Another choice, you can try and get print work. Print work is modeling for newspapers and magazines. Print work pays. They need children for newspapers and magazines. It’s another way to get your face in front of an audience. To be good at it, it’s advisable to take a modeling class. All of these experiences are common when pursuing an acting career. 

Have you ever thought about joining a rock band? Sing and dance in front of an audience? Even singing backup can be fun and a good experience. Many rockers make it in Hollywood. Try out for everything. Learn everything. 

What about France? Can you speak French? Caan is close and every year in May they have the movie festival where everyone from around the world goes there to meet new actresses and stars. Maybe you can see what the business is like by going to Caan and meeting people. You might find it exciting. You may find it boring and snobbish. Either way, you learn the truth about the business you think you want to pursue. But, I wouldn't recommend you going alone. Go with your parents or your best friend. 

Read all of the other AskRoy answers for actresses. Art is in the details and there are many details in those answers that can help you!

Keep in touch with me and tell me how you are doing. Maybe sometime in the future we will meet. 

Roy       (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.

-----Original Message-----
From: connie venn
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 6:36 AM
To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject:  

Hi Roy,

I am a 28 year old female who is interested in becoming a television personality, particularly a VeeJay. My questions are: 

1) Where should I start? 

2) Who should I be talking to? 

3) Am I too old? 

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. 

Dear  Connie, 

You are in luck. A major TV and Radio company in the UAE called me in Karachi and were recently looking for experienced VJ's. Would you like to work in the Middle East and Gulf area? I'm serious. 

Also, you can always try your local Radio station. Just call them and find out the process for application. If you succeed on local radio, you have a chance on local TV. From there you may just be able to break into the big time networks. 

Also, try your local cable or TV stations. Try a university or college tv/radio station. Be a student, apprentice or employee. There may be some ops there. Experience helps and it ads to your resume. 

Make a demo and submit it to all those places you want to work. 

As for the big boys, they like people who are experienced and have already found some degree of success. But you can always try. 

Warner Brothers has a website. Click on job opportunities. Most of their work is in New York and LA. 

Use the internet to go to ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS etc. and search their job opps. Then apply. 

An Agent can help. 

Too old is when you die. You're still alive, so there's always a chance. 

Good luck. 

Roy       (TOP)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 7:42 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Aussie Gal from down under

Dear Roy,
Hope you are well.
My name is Sonia Sarkis and I reside in Sydney Aust. My dream is to be on Tv, whether it being acting or promotional work. I had many offers when I was younger but I came from a strict background with a father that wouldn't let me be exposed in that fashion. I now am married and have a supportive husband. I don't know what to do or where to go. I have joined many agencies here in Syd but am not getting any calls.
I want to hit LA (as we all do) I feel I have something to offer. I have attached a photo of myself for your attention. Would you be able to pass my photo to people in power and maybe they can help me- I am very confident, ambitious and have a passion for the Entertainment Industry - allot of people have asked me" Why don't you get into TV work" if I knew how I do.
I therefore ask your help, can you please set me up - even if its just an ad - just need the exposure.
Thank you kindly,
Sonia

Sonia,

We all have a great desire to express our self. This is life. It makes humanity advance. So, it’s good. But it also makes competition fierce!

I try to examine the root causes contributing to success. I try to explain the tremendous desire and dedication necessary for a person like you to endure the travails of a career in entertainment. At this very moment, I am seated in an editing room at 939 PM. I have been here since 900AM. I will be here tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday and everyday next week and for many weeks to come working from 9AM – 12 Midnight almost everyday of the week. I am not doing this for money or fame. In fact, I do it “for my pleasure” (repeating Robert Bolt’s script where Peter O’toole addresses Anthony Quinn in Lawrence of Arabia).

If you can give your entire life to your art, then you may have a chance of international success.

Johnny Carson said that after he failed in Los Angeles he returned home to do his father’s bidding. He went back to his old job with substantial remunerations. But, his passion for major success was so strong that it suddenly dawned on him that he would live a failed life if he did not pursue his dream. He felt that no matter how successful he was at home, at the end of his life, he would look back on it as a wasted life. Whether he was correct in this judgment can never be proven. But he said that his passion for fame and fortune was far greater than his desire for luxury. So, with renewed motivation he decided to go back to the big city and try again. Only this time, come hell or high water, come fame or poverty, whether he ended up on the streets of the city riding in a limousine or a grocery cart, he was going to stick it out, comedy or tragedy.

Whether we agree or disagree with his approach, he succeeded. His success was tamed. He exemplified a sincere gracious attitude in helping other struggling young entertainers break through a nepotistic society that keeps many of the most talented outsiders from ever achieving success. Johnny understood the difficulties facing the most talented and he respected the endless efforts necessary to achieve success without bitterness.

Understand that going for the gold in the entertainment business is equivalent to going for the gold at the Olympics. You may be the best talent in your high school, college, university and city; but, it does not mean you will ever succeed in qualifying for the 3 positions on the Olympic team much less win the Gold.

LA requires much, much more than a talented person. LA is for the few who are willing to give up almost everything. After many years of real struggle, you must be willing to go bust living in despicable conditions and die unknown after years of rugged and somewhat humiliating defeat. Take a closer look at what we see as STARS. Few who have made it have character traits that represent the best in humanity. Most are predators looking for their next kill.

Let’s get real. When we strive for success, listen to what we all use as a common phrase in show business, “It was a killer show!” “It was a knock out!” “We knocked them dead!” “I blew them away!” “I killed ‘em!” “I knocked ‘em dead!” etc. etc. No wonder the right wingers hate us. We sound like terrorist.

Listen to what we say when we discuss a show biz deal, “So, what’s the bottom line?” What are we talking about here? The BOTTOM line? Are we nuts? How low is the bottom line? I always thought when I was a young dreamer that ART was the TOP of the line. “I want to hit the top! I want to be at the top of the list. I want to reach the top line. I want to be the head of my class. I never wanted to be the butt of any joke. But that is exactly what we’ve become. Much of our business is run by amateurs. Stars who say with pride they have never had an acting lesson. I mean how many graduated from an outstanding theatre, film, TV or entertainment business school? Who, what, when, where and how did show business get the idea that the bottom line was acceptable?

This business can be devastatingly cruel and anyone thinking about Hollywood must see that word with open eyes. It can be Holly and holey at the same time.

Those, like Johnny, who succeed and sincerely are cognizant and concerned about those who are less fortunate, do represent the best. Thus, I have a tremendous affection for the true artists who have been able to maintain a degree of humility, sensitivity, compassion and active concern for others struggling to survive the human condition that all people face.

If you want my recommendation for what you should do with your life, I must honestly say, that whatever you do, do it with love and compassion for yourself and others. Never regret your choice. Remember that only you know what will make you happy in the end. Life is a gamble no matter what we choose. Only play with what you are willing to loose.

Me? I have never been married, although I have been deeply in love. I have never had children, although I feel being a good father would be the greatest gift I could ever give the world. Have I given up on these dreams? No. But the career I have pursued has consumed my time and energy distracting me from them and I have not yet succeeded in overcoming my inadequacies. I will continue to dream and try to improve myself to a point where these goals, like others I have attempted, will be accomplished.

Good luck to us all,

Roy           (TOP)

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 8:08 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: Work
Dear Roy,
I need your help - I have read all of your replies for hundreds of people and really require your assistance. I emailed you another email regarding me wanting to be an actress. My name is Sonia Sarkis and I reside in Sydney Australia.
I will do whatever it takes to be on TV, either acting or promotional work. I have been an extra a few times but that hasn't gotten me anywhere. I understand you maybe working on a project and therefore leads me in asking you this question - Can I please be apart of what you are doing. I am more than happy to travel. I will answer phones and make coffee to begin with and then I'll work my way up. All I need is someone with contacts and experience such as yourself.
You touch alot of people with your words.
All doors I try to open always shut in my face - I try but then fall, so I pick myself back up and then fall again - I am very confident and am a great person to work with. I am very creative, maybe I can help you with your projects. All I need is just a chance in life of my true dream. I'll work for peanuts and earn your respect. I have never begged another and I don't intend to as I believe I have what it takes but I'm someone that just needs a little help for now. So pretty much I am begging.....
Love always,
Sonia (aussie gal from down under)
PS - I have also attached my resume for your attention and a photo.


Sonia,

OK. Can you travel to Pakistan?

I’m in Karachi, doing 26 documentaries and 5 features.

If you want to take a leap, you must be willing to risk crossing the great divide.

Roy            (TOP)

Copyright 2005, Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: karin biesemeyer
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 12:57 PM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject:

Dear Roy,
hello my name is karin i'm 14yr old and i'm really
into drama this past year in my freshman year we did a
school play Alice in Wonderland i was humpty dumpty
and i loved being in front of audiences ! i've wanted
to know if you have any ideas of how i can become an
actress in hollywood i wanna be in a show like on
disney or something and no believes i can get there
from a small town and i love acting i'm ready for the
struggles the competition and working hard this is my
goal in life and i want to know how do i get there ?
thanks,
Karin


Dear Karin,

When I was six, I was a clown in a play for the Christmas celebration at school in Georgia and I was Puss n Boots for the May Day Parade. I had to do a solo dance as Puss. It was an intricate dance with many spins and bowing before the Queen. My mother had made a wonderful large hat with a giant beautiful feather. I was very excited about my stardom. So, I practiced and practiced everyday for 3 weeks up until the day of the parade. But on May Day, the wind was blowing up a storm. Something unforeseen. Fortunately, I had practiced my part to the max. But my hat kept flying off. My mother and friends watched me chase it down over and over again doing my best to continue. Each time I picked it up and bowed, just as Puss would do, and continued to do my dance steps, not missing a beat. Inside my brain I felt terrible as the storm winds enjoyed tormenting me. I felt a complete failure. Until, I finished my part. The cheers smacked my ears with kisses as they waved flags and smiled ear to ear. I was totally confused. After the parade, I became an even bigger star. Why? Because, everyone saw I never gave up no matter how difficult the task.

You must be willing and able to go get what you want in life and if you want to be an actress you must go and get it. At your age, you need parents or friends who will help you. I'm going to give you a few sites to check out.

If your parents are willing to help you, they may have to take you to auditions in New York, LA, Chicago or anywhere else the auditions are held.

Model work can help get you get print jobs for local newspapers and magazines.

Read all of the other answers I have for actors and actresses.

Good luck,

Roy          (TOP)

From: karin biesemeyer
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 10:57 AM
To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject:

Dear Roy, Thanks for writing me back ! I didnt get the
websites you said i could check out. Roy do you think
since i'm from a small town in oklahoma I have a chance
because everyone tells me there’s thousands of people
trying to be that so I would really like some help.

Thanks so much *karin*


Karin,

There are millions trying.

But read SHOOT FROM THE HIP articles "Art Requires 3 Things" Passion, Skill and Life. After reading them, if you feel you qualify, then, by all means go for the gold. If, however, you think it is too big a risk or too difficult, then join a community, church or school group who likes to perform non professional shows and just enjoy yourself.

You can enjoy art, music, dance, acting and performing all your life without going to Hollywood to struggle your whole life. Many talented performers teach in small towns. Some talented and trained speakers give lectures at businesses. They teach survival courses at welfare services. You can use your talents in many ways by singing in churches, giving dance classes at school, local community services and many other places like school camps. Sales people are some great performers. There are many professionals who are spokes persons for companies and governments. Your talents can be effective at gyms to teach and lead people in exercises. There are so many ways to use your ability to perform.

I was born in the Tennessee and I'm happy for it. My father was a Southern Baptist minister. My pregnant mother sang in church choir. So, I began my music education from the time of my conception. And at birth, the world heard my first song when I cried. Waaiih!

Did you know some people from small towns have become very famous? Even more important, many have been great artist and have contributed to the betterment of the world by giving us a gift of music, poetry, art, dance and storytelling. A good actress is a storyteller. A good performer performs a service to the world by helping in the storytelling process. Stories pass information about our culture. Today we can be recorded on film, video and digital formats. These records capture a history of our language and ways of communication. It expresses our knowledge and values, ethics, and norms. Just think what we would learn from visual recordings of Genghis Khan or King Arthur. Just think how much more we would know about our history had we motion pictures of the real life Buda, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad and Joan of Arch.

Entertainment is not just laughter. Sometimes it’s a silent moment with a close friend. Joy is so much bigger and fuller than a joke. It can be the moment when someone says, “Good job!” after you have worked hard or when a friend calls you just to say “Hello”. Great entertainment captures these moments in time.

If you think acting is truly important for your happiness, by all means, do it. But most importantly, do what you think is best in your heart. Do not let difficulties stop you from doing the right thing for you. With concentrated effort, you can achieve your dreams.

As we mature, we learn that we can not get back a day or even a second of our life. So, we must not waste it. And we also learn that everything does not work out quickly. But none of this should stop us or distract us from our goals.

Read the Shoot From The Hip story, “One Step At A Time”, where I write about my life. Success must sometimes be measured in steps. First we wake up in the morning, we wash and get dressed, we eat breakfast, go to school, etc. Each of these things are steps that take us to the next place in life. We go to school to learn. When we start to write a book report we first read the book and then we write a paper. It’s not practical to write the paper first before we read the book. Everything in it’s time. One step at a time. Learn this and you will learn how to do almost anything you ever wanted to do.

When I was 17 years old, I wrote down on a piece of paper what things I wanted to do in my life. And I still have that piece of paper. They were big plans. Giant plans. One was to be a singer, actor, football player, swimmer, sky diver, college graduate, director, writer, world traveler and more. I have finally checked off everything on the list except one. And by God’s help I will also accomplish it one step at a time.

So, even if the ones you love may not seem to understand you, remember you are the best friend you will ever have. 4 sure, N UR own mind U must B there 4 U.

Check out this web site – http://www.a-guide-to-the-top-acting-schools-and-auditions.info/londonactingschools/

This list contains info on schools across the USA and London, England.

Acting Schools are different. Each has their plusses and their minuses. Make sure you visit the school before you enroll or pay any money. All ways investigate a school by watching the classes, talking to the students, teachers, etc. Make sure you trust the teachers to be the best.

Best 2 U, in all ways,

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner.

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 8:10 PM

To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: I need acting.

Hi I am 13 my name is Renee and my dream is to become an actress. Since I was 9 years old I have had experience, not much, but enough to get somewhere. I am a "Youthie" at an acting school in my small town and each time I go it makes me more eager to be in a block buster movie. When I leave and think of my life without acting when I'm older and just being something different like a counselor or lawyer I get really depressed and think there would be no point in life. So help me to fulfill my dream and get me there!!!

Thank-you so much for your time please reply to:

Renee Hurley

P.S: ACTING RULES

Dearest Renee,

U r cool! I know how you and so many others feel. I was 3 years old when I began singing and acting. It made me feel important and gave me a sense of worth.

Now what can we do about getting you where you want to be? Well, first, read all of the other mail from actors and actresses who have written me. Many answers are there.

But I will also tell you a little secret. Acting takes a lot of work besides acting, singing and dancing. You must be an excellent READER. You must be a person who is willing to do those things necessary for all successful people. You must do whatever is required to get into a position of POWER. And they do not have to be immoral or unethical. But they may be things that you do not love to do, but must do in order to succeed. Such as, you need to take acting, dancing and singing classes. Also, search your community for opportunities to perform at school, etc. and try your best to attract an agent.

You are at a good age to get an agent.

Also, learning how to model clothes may get you noticed and you will learn how to present yourself in front of a bunch of highly critical people. This experience will make you grow up. You must be brave and strong. Modeling may get you print work, industry exposure, experience, and maybe an agent.

Of course, modeling requires a special look and some of us may not quite have what they want for modeling. If that is the case, don’t sweat the small stuff. You can still be an actress if you are very very good at it.

Learn to sing, join a rock band, perform everywhere. Anything you can do to get recognition can help you.

And read all of the other things I have written to other actresses who have written to me. You must learn everything about everything you want to do.

One secret is to keep in touch with those who can help you in the future. So, keep me updated as to your progress. Perhaps, I will be in your area doing a seminar, concert, theatre, and/or movie. If I am, there’s always a chance we meet.

Good luck,

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 7:53 AM

To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: axting, and cast directors finding my talent

hi roy,

I'm 12 going on 13 in the spring. I'v always wanted to be an actress, and I even did a show at the round house theater when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I wonder if 12 going on to 13 is too young to start acting with no previous work? If so do you know of any acting schools in maryland? ( or too be exact silver spring?) I would really like to act. If going to acting school would up my chances of being discovered by a casting director?

Allegra

Allegra,

You must be a musical person. I love music and every time I see your name, I can hear you singing the song…

"I'm the greatest star, I am by far, but no one knows it."

It is tough to be young and wanting so much but it is tougher still to be old and having not pursued your dreams.

I am sorry I don’t know any acting schools in Maryland. Perhaps, a reader may email me and tell me where there are some good reputable acting schools and I will publish them.

Please read all of the other answers I have given to actresses and actors. There are many answers to your question and they give all people some clues to how to climb the mountains to success.

I will repeat one big clue, because I think it is very important. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THOSE YOU KNOW IN THE BUSINESS. Even when they may not be able to help you, immediately, they may be very important in the future. So, keep in touch with them.

Like me. Keep in touch with me and tell me how you are doing. What progress you have made. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Good luck,

Roy      (TOP)

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 8:05 AM

To: roy@nohoartsdistrict.com

Subject: (link to u r sight)

hi roy,

Can you pleaxee send me a link of your site. I can't seem to find it on the

internet. thanks so much

Allegra

Dear Allegra,

My personal website is being redesigned. But you can all ways get an idea about what I am doing by visiting http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com and reading SHOOT FROM THE HIP and AskRoy.

If you have anything specific you would like to ask me, please do. I will do my best to please.

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Here's a series of letters asking me about how it is best for "K" to help her daughter.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 10:25 PM
Subject: Update on my daughter

Hi, Roy

I wrote you on February 1st and you answered with such a beautiful encouraging letter. Thank you so much.

"Janet", it turns out, had strep throat, a strep infection in her blood,
anaemia, tonsillitis, the flu, and, to top it all off nicely, mononucleosis.

(Mono) Five days (and over $700 in medical bills) later she tried out as a tour guide at Universal. She trained for three weeks but got cut. Nobody wanted to cut her, they all liked her, and everyone thought she was perfect for the job, but she finally admitted to her father that she just didn't want the job. All she wants is to act, and to drive busses full of tourists to see stages she's not on would, in her words, "deflate me more each day."

I was really angry with her, I mean, she HAS to have a day job! We can't continue supporting her! It had SUCH GREAT PERKS!!! She was eating at one of the commissary's there, and busses of tourists kept taking pictures of her. The other kids told her to "smile for the tourists" so she'd give a little wave, and a lightening storm of flashes went off. She just felt guilty that they'd get home and find out it was only a tour guide wannabe.

She's still toughing it out. She's still determined. Sigh.

At least I've finished my screenplay. I'm polishing it now, and in the next day or two will register it with the WGA. Maybe something will break for her.

Now for why I'm writing…

Could you please remove her name from the email I sent? Let's call her Janet or something, okay? I was so tired when I wrote, it didn't hit me that this would be plastered all over the Internet, available for anyone to read. She would absolutely never, ever speak to me again if she knew I wrote what I did to a perfect stranger, and actually used her real name. (My husband would not be pleased, either.)

Is it possible to at least edit out her last name?

Thanks, Roy- Love you, babe, and all that Hollywood stuff.

k

P.S. How (and what) are you doing there on the other side of the world?


Dear K,

At this time I’m in Pakistan doing research on a feature film project. At the same time I am making some documentaries of my research. I have been fortunate to be able to document the Inauguration OF NAPA, the first National Academy of Performing Arts in Pakistan, and I just finished interviewing President Musharraf of Pakistan at his home.

President Musharraf made a bold move to preserve and encourage artistic endeavours in Pakistan by creating NAPA. I believe this is one of the most significant acts by a leader in the history of Pakistan.

Just think if the USA had not created the copyright and patent laws, where would we be today? Our greatest asset is the hearts and minds of our people. If our minds are limited and unfulfilled then are hearts are heavy with burden. I believe that protecting the great creativity in the minds of Pakistan's people will be looked upon as one of the most significant progressive acts in this part of the world. With freedom of expression come great minds ready and willing to explore new ideas.

New ideas are what is needed in this part of the world and it will be the children who bring those new ideas to life. So, President Musharraf'’s inauguration of NAPA is a move in the right direction and I am here to encourage this movement to flourish.

As for your daughter’s name, I will do what you say and change her name. However, I want everyone in Hollywood to understand that I do not approve of the infantile and unrealistic attitude that says working in some other job is a detriment to one’s acting career. This is false thinking and a fallacy to think that everyone starts out with an acting role the first time they arrive in Hollywood. In fact, there is no one I know (other than industry kids) who did not do something else before they started their career. In fact their experience in another job and their travails in trying to land their first role helped them in their career. So, if you have a job anywhere, this is normal and no one should be embarrassed by having any job. I never trust a person, no matter who they are, if they do not admit the realities of life. No one was born a star. All stars on this planet were made. They made themselves or were made by someone else. And before they were a star they were a mechanic, a limo driver, a tour guide, a waitress, a maid, a prostitute, a clerk, an industry kid or a rich person’s son or daughter.

As for your screenplay, I do not recommend registering it with the WGA. Copyright it with the Library of Congress. Call information to get their phone number or address and they will send you the papers. Fill them out. Use your birth name. Copyright is the only way to protect your work. The WGA only keeps your registration for 5 years, then it is trashed unless you register it, again. Also, the WGA Registration can not be used in a court of law. So, it is virtually useless except for arbitration matters with the WGA. But senior writers at the WGA are powerful and you will find it almost impossible to win in arbitration against a senior member of the WGA if and when you find that one of them has possibly taken your work and put their name on it. So, I do not recommend registering it with the WGA. Copyright it.

And tell your daughter that working on the set of Universal Studios is better than working in a bank. Tell her not to listen to those who tell her differently unless those who are advising her are major stars in Hollywood and can help her out. It’s not wise to listen to those who have not found great success doing it their way. Just think about this, if people thought your daughter was a star and took her picture on the lot, perhaps other
influential people also noticed her on the lot. Being on the lot gives you access to people who have influence. She must learn wisdom and patience. She must place herself in front of the people in the business. Working on a studio lot gives her experience, knowledge and opportunities to be noticed, everyday.

Best to you and your family,

Roy      (TOP)


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 10:50 PM
Subject: Web-site Submission-Theatre

Dear Roy,

Your "Ask Roy" has been so helpful-thank you!

The daughter I wrote about is shopping for more training in acting. Could you email me the student application? If it's not too expensive, I'll send it on to her.

Thanks,

k-


Dear K-

I am still in Karachi. However, I am planning to do at least weekend seminar when I return to LA. In the meantime, tell your daughter to look on nohoartsdistrict.com and inquire about classes which are in LA. She should not only contact the school, but she should visit and talk with the students. A little research will help her find what she is looking for. Before I return, I will post the days, times and locations of the seminars I will be giving on my return to the USA.

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 1 April 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind of this material is strictly forbidden without the permission of the copyright owner.

The following is a series of condensed correspondence between Roy and a young actress living in Australia. 

-----Original Message----- 
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 11:53 PM
Subject: can you answer my questions?  

Hey, 

My name is Lorrae, I live in Australia and im 14 turning 15. I want to ask you, how do i become an actress? I have wanted to be an actress nearly all my life but i have gotten nowhere. Im a really confident girl, and even being an extra would satisfy me. it might sound weird but i would do anything to act. It is my one passion and i wanna get involved badly. 

Please help me find a way to live my dream! :) 

Lorrae 

Dear Lorrae, 

Always remember that from the moment you became passionate to be an actress you became an actress. 

Start creating an acting portfolio. It should include 8x10 inch Headshots, which are CLOSEUP pictures of your face. Second you need a short resume of your work as an actress. Schools you have attended. Training or studies you have taken. Singing? Dancing? Sports? ...or anything else. If you have no experience, say so, or fake it. You r trying to be an actress so do some acting. 

Roy       (TOP)

 -----Original Message-----

Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 22:04:42
Subject: RE: Pictures & Resume 

Dear Roy, 

I did get your email, but i was wondering how i could act if i live in Australia? and Money might be an issue for me too, since i am 14 and dont have a job yet. I am interested in this topic very much and i am planning on putting my resume together tomorrow. Im looking forward in exploring this topic heaps. 

Thank you,
Lorrae

Dear Lorrae, 

Australia has theatre, TV and a film industry. It may seem small compared to the USA but Australia produces significant works in all of these areas. For instance, just this year the winner of the Academy Award for best Supporting Actress went to Cate Blanchett, an Aussie. She trained at NIDA, National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Australia. Check out NIDA at… http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Land/9730/ 

So, when you search for a place to train or continue your training, start your search in Australia where you can show what you have to offer. Also, try local theatre. And as soon as you can try out for any TV or film in Australia. 

Many of the greatest actors and actresses began without money. All they had was passion and training. If you have these two things, all you need to do is take advantage of what ever opportunities arise. If they are near to your home it's a good place to start. 

Roy        (TOP)

-----Original Message-----

Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2005 16:29:33 +1000
Subject: RE: Pictures & Resume  

How do I know if i send my resume and pictures over email that it is safe?  

Lorrae 

Lorrae, 

Be careful. Unless u know the person u r sending email, u should not exchange any personal data (information). 

So, b cool and always protect yourself from people u do not know. 

Lisa, my publisher, and I are the first ones who read email addressed to Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com We do not print your email address, so, you are safe here.  

Roy       (TOP)

Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 5:50 PM
To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: Acting classes

Dear Roy

I want to start my acting career but I am already in my early 30's ....I do not have much time for mistakes I want to start attending acting classes now. I thought about starting at Santa Monica Junior College but my husband insists that I would be wasting my time. My instinct says other wise. I also want to do theater as a starter. What should I do?

Angela
Los Angeles 
 

Dear Angela, 

Santa Monica Junior College is a good place to start. They have a good department and they do musicals. Musicals are still the hardest productions to do for any performer. They are a wonderful training ground. Musicals not only need a trained singer but they also need a trained dancer and a trained actor. Theatre training can help you in these areas. 

At this time in the history of Agents in Hollywood, you may hear that most agents won’t take a new actress older than twenty-two. This may be true. It is due to the fact that they know a newcomer in the business will take time to make their mark and become profitable to the agent. Thus, the younger the beginning actress is, the greater the chance they may become profitable before the roles become scarce. 

You see, the competition is tremendous. There are over 100,000 actors and actresses trying to work in Hollywood. Only a small fraction of them are actually making a living out of it. The younger you are, the longer you have to eventually succeed financially. So, I don’t blame the agents for wanting young people in the business. 

All of this may present a bleak picture to someone who is beginning to start their career at thirty. But I am being honest with you so that you understand the business of entertainment. 

Should these negatives stop you from pursuing a dream? Hell no! Unless your dream is a fantasy. 

Your age is only a problem for those who find age to be a problem. But if you are good at what you do, then, age can be a benefit. Personally, I cast according to need as most directors do. When I need a thirty year old woman, I cast the best person who can portray that personality and character in the script. Thus, if you look thirty or twenty or one hundred you will find that most directors will cast you according to their needs. 

Now the question of acting training is simple. Almost every great actor and actress I know were first trained in the theatre and first performed on a live stage, like Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Robert Redford, Annette Bening, Renee Zellweger, Fay Dunaway, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. Theatre trained actors and actresses sing and dance in movies like CHICAGO and write, act and direct movies like A BRONX TALE. Throughout the history of cinema, most of the greatest actors and actresses were first stage trained. Once they began working in motion pictures and television, these same stage actors have been rewarded with the highest honors in film and television. 

It takes a lot to be a truly good performer. The theatre is the best place to begin. Nothing can replace live performances. It is the first and last stop to being a true professional. Why? Because your bad performances can not be cut out by an editor and left unseen on the editing room floor. Immediacy and honesty in a classroom exercise or live stage performance teaches you three essential things: 1) Responsibility 2) Discipline 3) Skills 

Watch a rerun of the recent Academy Awards. Watch each presenter who approached the mike. They bent down to the mike as if it didn’t work. This is an example of an inexperienced performer. We watched them stumble over words and clumsily ruin a joke as they read their lines on the video prompter in front of them, another example of being unprepared. However, there was one trained and practiced performing artiste. Salma Hayek was one of the few stars who could turn to the audience without having to read the cue card on the video screen in front of her. And if she was reading it, she did it without us knowing it. Her performance showed training, discipline and preparation. Salma was not naive or foolish to think that during a live performance she could skate-by on her stardom, alone. She respects her fellow artists and her audience enough to prepare herself for that one moment in time to honor those who have contributed to a profession she loves. 

If in your training you learn to respect your audience and prepare yourself in such a way as to give them the best you have, then you will succeed in whatever avenue in life you pursue. 

Good luck, 

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 7 March 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the permission of the copyright owner.

Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 2:02 PM
To: Roy@nohoartsdistrict.com
Subject: acting

Hi, Roy!
Enjoyed your June 21, 2004 article to the actress in LA. My daughter is one of the 90,000 unemployed SAG actors there now. She is already doing all you suggested, and, of course, nothing is breaking for her. She is SO discouraged, yet at the same time, so determined! I am amazed she can keep going under such pressure, but not really, because she knew when she was five this was what she wanted, and she's never stopped. My husband and I knew it was a rough road (he's a musician and I'm a photojournalist) and did all we could to talk her out of it. We never managed to change her mind.

My question is, how can we help her? We have no money, no juice, (connections) we're a thousand miles away and can't even help fix her car, which is close to dying. We have three other children who also need our time.

She got strep throat or something, and yesterday the doctor told her he had never seen tonsils so large. Medical insurance is as far out of reach as an acting gig. She is 22, and now she's graduated, she's off of our policy, and she owes over $120K in student loans. She has VERY high moral standards-she won't even wear an off-the-shoulder gown. I just don't see how she can ever fit into a world of Paris Hilton's. I also don't know why audiences continue to pay money to see actors who can't act, when my daughter has won the lead in every play she's auditioned for since 10th grade, and left every person in the audience amazed that she's NOT famous.

She was asked recently what she loves about acting-the applause or the craft. She got very quiet and said, "Neither. I do it for the person on the 26th row, who came to escape from the world for a couple of hours. I do it so he can."

Who is Bette Midler's agent? That is the kind of actor she is, although not raunchy, not that Bette is. You know what I mean. My daughter is a true Diva of a singer (an opera major who can sing the blues, gospel, or anything else. She's actually a female Josh Groben) with comedic timing to rival Bette and Lucy, and she looks like a cross between Kate Winslet and Kate Hudson. She can play deeply dramatic roles, and amazing comedy.

I just see her best years fleeing away. I know her. I know it's her dream; her goal. I know if she doesn't accomplish it soon, she will whither away. I keep thinking maybe she should go to Tokyo or something really off-the-wall like that, where she wouldn't be like every third girl there.but she feels she belongs in LA. A girl who doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, and actually believes in chastity before marriage. I think she's really in the wrong town.

What do you think?

Janet's Mom (Who is busy writing a screenplay, so she can star in something.)



Dear Janet's Mom,
I viewed Janet’s website. It’s good to have your own website to put up pictures and resumes etc. It’s a place for her to send people to see what she has to offer. At least on paper. Tell her to use it wisely. It can be a good tool that helps people get to know who she is. And for people to know who she is seems to me to be one of the most important things she needs at this moment in her history.

WARNING!

“Only when you are in your best years should you ever try to make it in Hollywood.”

There are no time limits in Hollywood. Just like her father a musician and mother a photojournalist, Janet must purse her dream. Otherwise, she may always regret having not tried it. And life gives us one chance to live. People who have dreams may take a lifetime to find success. But, one way or another we must spend a lifetime doing something. Might as well spend it doing something we like and feel has been worth the trip. If she is working in the entertainment business in any way, shape or form, then in reality, she has made it.

Will she become a star? Who knows for sure? But with a lot of hard work and healthy living, she can become a respected actress. And that is far better than many known stars.

What is required to be a star? Talent? Money? Fame? Respect? Business savvy? Opportunistic? Tenacity? Perseverance? Manageable? Charisma? Luck? Most definitely you need Charisma and Luck more than anything else.

Charisma is some inner passion, a fire, which makes everything you do concentrated. It is a focus of emotions and energy that everyone can see. It is like a kettle of water that is steaming but not boiling out. We can see that it is on the edge of exploding but the great thing about charisma is that it is under control and that is power. Just like a nuclear plant which steams but doesn’t explode. We can see and feel the hidden power but we also see that it is under control and that inner power who controls it is the most powerful energy of all. Charisma is nuclear fission under control.

Luck is when opportunity knocks and she is ready for it. You may think she is ready, but you will not know until it comes and it comes in many shapes and forms. Such as, she may be offered a chance to work as an AD (Assistant Director) or PA (Production Assistant) on a low budget film. Well, that may not be an acting role but doing it will give her a chance to meet other people who are working on a real movie. And connections help. Let me give you some examples from the past.

Blake Edwards was an extra on many movies. While he was waiting on the set, which is what many people do on the set, he would sit and write screenplays. Well, years later he became the man who gave us Pink Panther, and S.O.B and Victor Victoria and Switch, etc.

Brad Pitt worked as a limo driver for stars.

I once supervised KCET telemarketing fund raising at the Public Broadcasting Station in Los Angeles.

There are many waitresses who never make it, but then there are some who do. Faye Dunaway was a waitress and after many good auditions with little luck, suddenly, a director noticed her waiting a table. He remembered she had auditioned for a previous show and was not cast. But he remembered her and also remembered that her past audition was good and asked her to visit his table for a different role. This time she got the job.

What makes the difference? One waitress takes classes and performs in local theatre and continuously works at preparing herself and goes to auditions even after many turn downs. When she gets a new call, she’s ready. Another waitress just makes connections, when she gets her chance, she’s really not all that prepared as an actress, but she is very prepared mentally as a person. She knows an opportunity when she sees it and she’s knows to grab it, now. Two routes to a job. Both have validity. But my experience tells me that when the award shows begin the one with training will stand a much greater chance of getting nominated and winning.

Tell your daughter you know how hard it is to succeed, but if she gives it all she has, including years of time, and keeps her mind open to opportunities, no matter what kind they are in the business, then, she will succeed in some form in the entertainment business.

I wish I could say I have a part for her in one of my projects. But at this time I am in Karachi, Pakistan working on a project here. Tell her to keep in touch with where I am and if by chance we meet, who knows where the wind may blow?

In the meantime support her in the challenges she meets. If she were trying to become a doctor of medicine, you would not expect her to become one over night. It would take years of college, graduate school and schools of medicine and internship before she would ever be a doctor in a hospital. All of these years of hard work need encouragement and support and these years of preparation would cost bucco bucks. Do not expect becoming a star to be any easier.

And if by circumstances she decides to chuck it all and become a teacher, do not tell her you told her so, because her experience in Hollywood, if used well, will give her much knowledge about life to teach her students.

I send you my best regards in your concern for your daughter. And I am confident that you have given her a strength that will go with her and protect her in all that she does in life. That is the great gift your love provides.

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 22 February, 2005 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the permission of the copyright owner.

Hi!
Patricia beguile on name and I am young too a bit in order to think about it but I can not wait any longer and I have some qestions: how can I become actress international If it can begin should in poland can leave it but at once? It depends should begin on in that century (age) very me it if at first I should leave and I should go for that school in order to as use on best it, please, I salute about allocation very and I apologize about miss spelling
I salute cordially very
Patricia (Poland) 

Hi Patricia, 

It is extremely difficult to know what to do when you are young, unseasoned and few people support your dreams. I know your problems. I was very frustrated and confused at your age. Please read T. Pye’s letter to me. Many of the answers you want are there. 

1. YES you can become an international actress if you are willing to do what is required to do it. (I have not used the word STAR. That is never predictable.)
2. Read a letter sent to me (AskRoy) from T. Pye – UK. She has a similar question.
3. Train with the best - as soon as you can do it.
4. When you are in a position to travel, do it.
5. Enjoy learning everything you can about life. It will help you when you need it.
6. Advanced training: The best schools I know are in Moscow, England and USA –Here are a few I know well in the USA:

Hunter College in New York City

NYU in New York City

Columbia University – Bruce Leavitt was and may still be the head of the department there and he’s terrific.

University of Iowa (I studied here)

University of Michigan

University of Wisconsin

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of California Los Angeles

Santa Monica Junior College, Santa Monica, California (A very successful director there.)

Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria California (I studied and worked here)

Denver Repertory in Denver Colorado (The original founder was my boss when I was a young actor. He created a wonderful theatre in Denver.)

Royal Shakespeare Company in England (I worked with them when they toured the USA) 

These are but a few of the fine schools throughout the world. Perhaps there is a wonderful school in Poland. Growtowsky (My dictionary doesn’t have this wonderful Polish director’s name in it, so, forgive my misspelling.) Growtowsky was a Polish actor/director/producer and teacher who had a company of players who traveled all around the world. He was a major influence in American theatre in 1960’s & 70’s. Poland may have some wonderful places for you to train and start your career. If so, then I suggest you train and work in Poland, first. 

Jackie Chan was a classical dancer and actor in the classical theatre in China. You can recognize his training by the choices he makes. Most of them are excellent. That is why he has found success throughout the world even when many people said he couldn’t. Training can help a star stay on top. Without training, few stars last and that is why there is a common phrase in the business called – they were a FLASH IN THE PAN. – A Flash may bring you notice but it lasts for only a second. So, rather than a sudden wonder who is just as suddenly forgotten, it’s better to be a skilled actress.

7. Tell your parents to read AskRoy. There is a letter from a mother who asks me if their young nine year old girl should try to be an actress.
8. Learn English. It’s a must if you want to work in Hollywood.
9. Keep in touch with every influential person you know. Let them know what you are doing. Write them at least 3 times a year and give them an update as to what you are doing. Send them an email. Send them a program of your recent performances. Send them a small card with your picture on it to remind them who you are. It is called show business. And that is exactly what it is.

You are an actress who wants to be in the business internationally. It will take a lot of work besides acting on stage. You must play many parts including one as your own promoter. Once you are known you can hire someone else to do that role for you. Until then, you must work at it everyday. 

Good luck is when you are prepared and meet opportunity. And I can guarantee you will meet opportunity. You already have by writing me. Now prepare yourself. 

Good Luck. 

Roy       (TOP)

Copyright January 2005, Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduction of any kind is strictly prohibited without the permission of the copyright owner.

Roy,

Subject: i want to be an actress

I am a 14 year old girl that wants a career that I am confused about. I love acting and its been my ambition to act and I feel I can't get it. I also want to be a teacher but I feel it is only a front and the feelings I have for acting eat me alive because I can't do nothing about it. I have taken Drama as a G.C.S.E but I don't feel this is enough for me. We recently put on a production that I was lead character in but I wanted it to happen more often I love being able to transform my self and become someone else in a different world but I cant complete this because I am scared tell anyone and I don’t have the money to pay for expensive classes. I hope there is some way I can fulfill my ambition but I don't know where to turn because no one feels the way I do about acting and I really want to do this and I know it's not easy but I want this so much. For me.
T. Pye – U.K. 

T. Pye, 

Make this your motto. “I am an actress.” 

You are an actress. Try to never be embarrassed about it. And don’t listen to anyone who says differently. 

Everyone in the world acts out a part. They put on their costume dress for business or to be cool at school or to be a MacDonald’s employee. A lawyer wears a costume suit appropriate for the courtroom or another for an interview of a witness. A photographer wears equipment and cloths appropriate for their job. You can tell the difference between a bus driver and fisherman. They wear different costumes that they call work cloths. All of us play a part throughout our lives. Some parts we are paid money to play. I am doing research in Karachi and I wear a costume and play a role as a researcher. Do not be embarrassed by the parts you play. Large or small. We all play them even when we don’t admit to it. 

A teacher is a role we play too. When we are a parent we play like we know everything even when we don’t. So, forgive your parents if they do not support your efforts at this time. They are stars in playing their parent roles and they think that a good parent should advise the child they love to pursue a career that is normal. Acting is normal but they don’t know that because they were taught by their parents that normal jobs do not require acting. But in reality, as I have explained above, we all act out some kind of a role at times. So, acting is normal for everyone. In literature and in psychology they are called either role models or stereotypes. I can see you do not want to be a stereotype. You want to be yourself. So, you like acting and acting seems to like you by the way you describe your experiences with it. So keep doing it as long as you like it. If there comes a day when you desire to play a different role in life, so be it. All of the roles we play are challenging. And if we do a good job at it, we are successful in life. 

So, while you are a student, play that role smartly. But keep in mind your desire and work toward your acting career by never losing sight of your dream. It can be a tough role to play, especially, when everyone around you does not support your passion. But you must be a hero to accomplish it. Keep that in mind. A hero is someone who does an extraordinary act for the good of all. An artist is a hero. It requires a hero to endure suffering and still do good things for others. You must be a hero to be a great actress. Fortunately, you are not alone. 

When I first started performing in front of an audience, I was 3 years old. I was good for my age. Everyone thought I was talented until I became eight years old. 

At eight, everyone thought I was a lazy kid who had a voice like a frog and eyes so big they looked like they were popping out of my face. My hair had cowlicks which made some parts of my hair stand straight up like sticks. I had big buck teeth and my parents called my Bugs Bunny. I hated it even though I was afraid to tell them I hated it. 

One day when I was fourteen, I decided to show them who I was and what I could do. So, I wrote a musical, got my sister, who was a local star of the high school, to play the lead role. Then, I produced it and directed it. When my sister and I started to look for a boy to star opposite of her, I did that too. Everyone, including my parents and friends thought it was going to be a little kids show. But opening night was a sellout and all the days following. It was a hit and suddenly everyone thought I was a genius. So, they started giving me lots of opportunities and lots of good roles. And all the girls suddenly thought I had become handsome. A stud, as they told my sister. For the next year and a half I was in heaven. 

Then, I did a role and wrote a show that was a bomb. Flat out bad. Suddenly, everyone thought I wasn’t talented anymore. In fact I couldn’t get anything but a chorus role. Then, I entered a State wide contest for singers and won first place and was asked to give a command performance to the Mayor of San Francisco. Suddenly, I was again on top. This time I thought my success would last forever. 

But my parents moved because of their work and when I began attending a new school where nobody knew who I was, suddenly I was nobody again. I couldn’t get a good role, so I danced in the chorus again. Up down up down up down. I felt so unappreciated. Life goes on. 

If you can endure this kind of a life, then, I say go for it without looking back. But take it - one step at a time. 

Here are some practical steps you can do to help you progress quickly:

1) Train yourself: I understand that you may not be able to afford the high cost of being an artist. Few people can. But you must find a way to study with the best teachers in the world. Find one and write to them or tell them you will do work for them. You will help them in their office or clean their home or water their flowers or wash their dishes or anything you can do to pay your way. Look for schools that have auditions for young artist like yourself. Someplace where they offer scholarships and try out for those schools. Get a part time job or a summer job. Be creative in ways to get your dream. Ask your parents if they will pay you for work around the house. I’m sure you can find a way to take a few lessons from someone who knows how to help you. I study every chance I get, even today. The best artists enjoy a lifetime of study. To me, study makes my life so interesting. 

Watch all the great actors from around the world. But go beyond the current pop culture. Watch movies with historical actresses like Barbara Stanwyck, Betty Davis, Kathryn Hepburn, Vivien Leigh and Audrey Hepburn. Watch them very carefully. Also, start watching the costars. Many of them are as good if not better than the stars. Do not expect a pretty face or talent will help you become a star. Too many actors and actresses today rely upon their pretty face or winning smile. These things can help but you need luck and lots of it. But a great person told me that LUCK is when PREPERATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY. So prepare yourself by training yourself and by doing auditions. One day you will be prepared for the big opportunity that you will most defiantly meet along the way.

2) Audition, audition, audition! Audition for anything and everything you can find at church, school, stage, modeling, commercials, T.V. and Movies. Lack of experience is a great reason to go to audition. Each audition will teach you more. If you do not get a role, do not fear it. Britney Spears did not succeed when she first started auditioning. But she kept trying and didn’t give up. Even when at times it was painful to fail, Britney kept trying. Few actresses at your age have had a lot of experience. The only way to get experience is to go out and do it. So do it.

3) Learn to enjoy it. Auditions can be fun if you go to enjoy it. Yes, they are scary too. But that can be part of the fun once you get the hang of it. Think about it. It’s a role you play. Today you are the starving actress wanting to be recognized and appreciated. Tomorrow you will have to play a worse role - that of being a star. It can be mind boggling at times. The best way to get through it all safely is to enjoy the role you play each day. Even if that role today is an unknown actress who has friends who don’t understand her and parents who are not supporting her most wanted desire. One day these powerful emotions can be used in an acting role you will play. You will know what it is like to be afraid that you may never be able to use your god given gifts. That is a tragic role to play and you will remember it. And you will remember when people have made fun or ridiculed your precious dreams. You will understand why some people surrender to fear and the pressures you are facing. But if you continue to pursue your passion, you will also understand what it is to be brave and courageous. You will develop a strong will and strength to endure a life where the world comes at you quick and frightening and altogether excitingly beautiful and enlightening. You will see the day your work inspires a person to do some productive thing with their life and you will then, sit and cry silently, and say perhaps it was all worth the effort. 

Once you are successful teach others how to be successful. Teachers are some of the most influential people I know. So, being a teacher can be an exciting role to play, too. In the end of life, I pray that I can look back and see that my life was not wasted. I wish for the best to you and all other young artist who have many walls to tear down and mountains to climb. 

And please, tell me how you are progressing – as a person and as a star. Remember, in reality you are the star of your life. So, enjoy the greatest part you’ll ever play – Yourself. And play it like you’ve never played it before. 

Good luck. 

Roy      (TOP)

Dear Roy:
My daughter has been wanting to act for the last year but I
really don't think she is ready. She is nine years old and has had NO EXPERIENCE. I really don't think she knows that acting is work and not all fun and games. What do you suggest I do for her? I want to support her in her decisions but I also think that once she gets involved she will not like it. I was thinking of letting her do some extra work and some local theater and see how that goes but she is really persistent with being in commercials and TV shows. I am really ignorant about the business and would appreciate any advice. Also, if you know any good books with monologues for kids and is it necessary for her to memorize a few for additions?
Thank you for your time,
Jennifer California 

Jennifer,
Good question.
By all means support Candace when she wants to do something productive! The Acting profession can be very productive, financially, educationally, experience wise and helps build confidence, tenacity, endurance, perseverance and it propels one into a circle of friends that can be stimulating and influential throughout all of her life. So, if Candace wants to do it, encourage and support her in everyway. If she finds out that it is not what she thought it would be and too demanding for her or too competitive, encourage her to try to endure the difficulties. Overcoming them will give Candace strength beyond what she would gain in other professions. After three years, if Candace has lost her passion for it, then ask or listen for her next passion, and allow her to move into it. If Candace doesn’t have a passion to replace her passion for the arts, then, encourage her to continue to persevere and get through the hurdles she faces in the business. Otherwise, Candace may not learn the discipline nor the ability to overcome the difficulties she faces. It is not an easy business. There are many things to confront, including ethics and morals and drug abuse. However, I have been in the business since I was a child and I never took drugs nor compromised my ethics or morals. If Candace has the passion, tell her with all your heart and mind to GO FOR IT! 

A few suggestive steps: 1.) Enroll her into acting, dancing and singing classes in school, church, theatre and video and film. If you can afford it, get her into the best professional class near you. If you can’t, don’t worry, just get her started in her training. 2.) Research professional modeling schools and modeling agencies. Learning how to walk and be presentable in front of an audience is important. Even if she never desires or becomes a professional model, this training will help her by putting her in an unfamiliar position and having to learn how to work through it until she becomes comfortable. It will also help her in doing commercials. 3.) Find a photographer who photographs models. Check them out thoroughly before hiring them. Get 8x10 black and white head shots for acting. Tell them you also need shots for modeling, which includes full body shots and if you can afford it, full color shots. You’ll need these for commercial and modeling gigs. Find the best photo duplication shop near you. Make no less than 25 copies and no more than 100 copies. You can always get more copies if you need them. But you should never spend money for more than you need. 4.) Research Film and T.V. Agents in L.A., New York or Chicago. It is preferably to have an Agency who has offices in all three cities. It means they are successful agency and that Candace will have agents working for her in each of the major cities. The Agents you will need are those who handle children. Ask each one if they handle children. There are some directories which state whether they handle children or not. Only choose those Agents who are currently registered with SAG ( Screen Actor’s Guild). All others are a waste of time. They are illegitimate and they will most likely sell you a pack of goods that will only hurt your child and your faith in the ethical side of the business. So, research Agents carefully. When you get one, meet them personally. Check out their building and ask for references. You must start in the beginning to guard against any type of chicanery. If any agent says you must use their photographer or go to their school or pay them for anything other than commission, walk immediately out the door and never look back. 5.) Keep a sharp lookout for the good people. Stick by them. Keep contact. They can help you. 

Candace will have no greater chance of getting into the business than now. The earlier the better, if you are supportive and protective. T.V., commercials and film pay good! And nothing is wrong with being rewarded for the work you do. Britney Spears, Brooke Shields, Christina Aguilar and every ballet dancer, basketball pro, football pro, tennis pro, gymnastic champ, figure skater and soccer pro started when they were children. You need to begin early if you want to be trained for professional work in any field, including computer sciences. And the competition for children may be tough but it is never as tough as an adult trying to compete with other adults who have a long resume since they were children. Agents love children. Each year they need to replace the children they have with new children who are not pubescent. You’ve heard of soccer moms? If a parent can cheer for their son or daughter at a sporting event, you can cheer for Candace at her acting events.  So, by all means support your child NOW in her passion! And seize the day!

Roy      (TOP)

Copyright 25 June 2004 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Any duplication of any kind without the permission of the copyright owner is prohibited.

Dear Roy
I’m an actress. I have an MFA in Acting from a major university. I starred in a student film that won an Academy Award nomination. Then I came to LA and nobody cares. Why is that? I thought Hollywood would want the best. What do I do now? Strip?
Debbie – Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

“Only for your lover.” 

Dearest Debbie, 

You face the same problem others face at this time in history. You are talented. You have worked hard to develop that talent into a skill. You have accomplished the highest awards given an actor in your class. But Hollywood seems to be deaf, dumb and blind. What do you do now? 

First, search for college and university alumni groups that help their students and others. The Nebraska students and friends were meeting on the first Tuesday of every month at CBS. I do not know if they still are meeting there, but they have been a very helpful group to many of their alumni and alumni from other universities. In fact, they help you form an alumni group from your university if you are not from Nebraska. They bring in guest speakers who are successful in the business. With a little work, alumni groups can establish support and cooperation from LA and their university. Together, it keeps you active and gets you with people who are doing something positive in their profession. These groups are a great way to network with positive and active people who can appreciate your goals, accomplishments and where you come from. 

Second, search for the best group of actors who work in a local theatre, story telling and comedy in LA. These venues are the “summer stock” of TV and Motion Pictures. 

There are many places throughout the city where talented people congregate. North Hollywood has a section where small and medium-sized professional theatres are very active. It's called the Noho Arts District. It is the most concentrated theatre district in Los Angeles County. There are over 22 theatres within a one square mile area. There are other types of venues that are helpful like the storytelling groups that meet in coffee houses and churches throughout the city. One meets at Jennifer’s Coffee shop on the corner of Moorpark and Tujunga in Studio City on Wednesday nights. Participants are producers, actors, directors and writers. All are storytellers.  The best way to find a group is to ask people you meet in the biz. The LA scene is fast paced. It changes like a chameleon. So, check the newsstands and weekly news mags for good places to start looking for a group who seem to match your needs. You may have to try quite a few before you settle on one that works for you. But it is one of the first steps you will need to take to get into the groove in LA. Even stars frequent the good places. Being active in something is better than nothing. They can help to keep you fresh and catch you up with the ever-changing scene in LA. 

Third, once you find a terrific group of talented and experienced people, join that group and learn as quickly as you can the ropes of the game in LA. Here are a few that seem to help people find success. ACTORS GANG, A NOISE WITHIN, THE COLONY, ZOO DISTRICT, MARK TAPER FORUM and MARK TAPER TWO. 

Fourth, hang out at some of the click spots in LA. Such as Starbucks on Ventura Blvd. just west of Laurel Canyon. Jerry’s Deli, also on Ventura just east of Coldwater Canyon and try the bowling alley behind it; many people in the business grew up in the area and still bowl there. Recently, I attended a private party for the reopening of the bowling alley and many young and upcoming stars were bowling away the night. Or try Aroma’s on Tujunga just about fifty yards south of Moorpark in Studio City. How about Priscilla’s on Riverside Drive near Warner Bros. Studios. Or perhaps you’ll like the Coffee Bean in Studio City, West Hollywood or Beverly Hills. There are other spots in the city where actors hang out. Thai food is very popular. Sushi lunches are tasty and populated with show biz people. Most classy and expensive restaurants have clientele who have power in the business. 

Fifth, check out all of the local Film Schools such as UCLA, USC, Loyola, Northridge, Los Angeles Junior College and Cal-State University at Long Beach. The film students put up notices on their boards and in the trades looking for talent to do their student films. Many of these students use actors and other talent outside the school. Many of these student filmmakers become the pros in the near future. So, be sure to visit, call, write and break down the doors of these student filmmakers in LA. If you have a hard time doing this, then you will find that it is much harder to break down doors in the professional world. So, even if you graduated with an MFA and won some student film awards like I did, you still can benefit from going back to school in LA. Not as a student, but going as a young pro who wants a chance to show yourself even if that requires working a student film. 

You may feel the strategy I've suggested here seems demeaning and has little to do with acting. Consider this. What does an actor need to do his job? An audience. Without an audience there is little need for an actor. OK, so who's your first audience when trying out for an acting role? Someone who is hiring actors. That person is the most important person you will meet each time you seek a job. Even when you are a star, the person that is going to hire you is the most important person in the business when it comes to your career. They are your audience and you must put your face in front of them as much as you can. In a town full of over 90,000 SAG actors and a zillion non SAG actors, you must by do everything you can to get your face in front of them. So find places to meet important people. Show them who you are as a person. If they like you, you just may get lucky. 

If by chance you get an agent. Tell them you will deliver packages for them to learn the rounds. Tell them you'll help them if they help you. You are going to need a lot of help, so when you get a manager or agent, show them just how much you will do to make it in the business. Help them and they will help you. But do it responsibly. Never go against your moral or ethical principles. 

Make sure when you go anyplace that you are not with a bunch of wannabes. Wannabes want to be stars without doing what is required of stars – namely being good at their job. Job means to show up to work on time. If you make an appointment don’t miss it. If you say you are going to do something, do it. If you have lines to memorize, forget clubbing and memorize your lines. If you want to be a star, dress like one, eat like one, and do business like one. A star is not a star because an agent made them a star. A star is a star because they made the right decisions to get there and stay there. So, if you want the gold medal in LA, prepare for it. 

One of the best actors I've ever seen is not acting anymore. He says he got tired of the bullshit. Well, like a stock market, when you hang around bulls you better prepare yourself for the shit. Remember, John Travolta, Eddie Olmos, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Madonna had to wade through a lot of crap to get where they are. If you want to get there, wear thick boots. 

In other words, hang in there. Don’t beat yourself up, nor anyone else up, too much. With good work and a lot of perseverance you will open the doors in your profession. Good luck.

Roy        (TOP)

Copyright 21 June 2004 Roy Ayers Baxter, Jr. All rights reserved. Any duplication of any kind is prohibited without the permission of the Copyright