Hollywood is about mystique and hype. The studios and publicity machine set it up that way. I’ve had clients come in for their first headshot and now, as a A-rated actor, can only be contacted through agents, managers, entertainment attorney’s and publicists.
Actors are drawn into the business not only because of the glamour, but because of the creative work. It is more than the parties, prestige, and media hype. To make it in Hollywood one needs fortitude, discipline, and a clear focus on where you are going.
From the outside it looks so easy and carefree, but ask any actor, it’s hardly anything but. The Real Hollywood is hustling to get auditions, classes and seminars. It’s sitting in traffic for hours only to have the audition last only 5 minutes. The real discipline is sitting in the waiting rooms with group of actors and staying focused. It’s dealing with the nerves of a casting session with a casting director, director and producer glaring at you without expression. It’s replicating the same brilliant work that you did in a first audition for the first, second, third, and who knows how many call backs there will be.
The Real Hollywood is staying up to date with your headshots, always staying familiar with marketing opportunities, and doing whatever to get in front of people to perform. There are no paparazzi when you walk on a movie lot to audition for that big part. There are only your nerves and solemn faced security guards that direct you where to go. It’s not the glamour of E entertainment or TMZ. It’s going to classes, staying consistent and believing in yourself, even when it doesn’t seem like anybody else does. It’s understanding that rejection is an important part of the business because it creates opportunities to continually grow.
It’s true, that the real Hollywood is not what the media represents. It’s following your heart and doing the things that get you to where you want to go. It’s remembering that others will take a bet on you if you are willing to believe in yourself.
Hollywood is not about one thing. It’s an amalgamation of all things. It’s not just the closing parties, the magazine covers, and the big homes in Beverly Hills. The Real Hollywood is found in your heart because you are pursuing your dream without any guarantees or assurances. It’s doing it anyways because the alternative would be reading that magazine article or sitting back and watching that TV series, wishing it would be you.
