is it possible to move to LA to become an actor? (how much, movies)

[mr bolo]

how much acting eperience / school is needed to get into acting / tv commercials, etc?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Sure. Its possible to win the lottery or become the next Michael Jordan too but don't bet your financial future on it.

[JTGJR]

Far less experience and schooling than simple LUCK.

[dereistic01]

this is something teachers say on the first day of film school, "look to your left, look to your right, look behind you, look in front of you. none of those people will be in the filmmaking industry after school."

[Charles]

Officials estimate by the year 2023, Japan will develop a microchip that will completely replace the entire entertainment industry in Hollywood.

[preppyglam]

good question. i think its possible, but very hard. or, its easy if you know the right people. or if you have the right look and know the right people. i think a lot of people who are trying to become actors/actresses have a false confidence. they think they are better looking and/or more talented than they really are...hence why they always get shot down and they are always going on that next audition (or trying to even get another audition). i also think that it gives people hope for something that can possibly make a lot of money if they dont want to go the traditional route to a university and join the corporate rat race, so to speak. i also think it can be addictive to some actors...if they give up now, maybe that next audition would have landed them a great job. its sorta like gambling., i suppose. obviously, there are people who are really talented and really want to be an actor- and in my heart, i have to believe that if its meant to be, things will fall into place for those types of artists. but by and large, soooo many people are out there trying to do it who shouldnt have even thought about it in the first place.

for serious actors- the ones who want to do broadway and off broadway and be a part of a theather troop, etc. I hear a lot of those parts are going to MFA's. and a lot of that business is in NYC. so, one would have to commit a lot of school and time to go that route and get admitted into a masters program and really commit their time and money to something that may not even work out as their career. my friend is currently trying to decide what he wants to do in that regard.

as far as working in the industry- the last two years ive been going to UCLA for a grad program and ive met a lot of people in my program (interiors and architecture) who are making a career change from entertainmnet and/or their spouses work in entertainment (music and movies/tv combined). a ton of people work to produce even the cheesiest shows- there is a lot of work out there, but its hard since a lot of people want those jobs. its interesting to see how many people want to get out of that industry after actually working day in, day out on sets, for shows, etc. they tell me they need a change, or that it wears on you, or that they dont like the industry, or that the industry is changing, etc.

another thing that interesting about the entertainment industry, is the feeling of job security is nearly zero. the show you write for, or do casting for (my friend was in casting for years and years) could get cancelled or dropped by the current network carrier, etc. then you have to look for another job (along with everyone else) or hope it gets picked up by another network or by cable. its really interesting. i think that peolpe in that industry have to be up for adventure, really love it, and know how to save their money for the hard times.

[dereistic01]

the entertainment industry is basically who you know. if you're friends with a big director, you can make it.

[laysayfair]

It would help you alot to read some books about the industry. There are tons of books on how to make it in entertainment. Reading some will give you an overview on what is required and how you should begin. Look for books by K Callan on amazon.com. or at your library.

[Sorcerer68]

It has nothing to do with luck. You have to believe (to the point of being delusional) that it will work out for you. Take acting classes, wait tables and go on auditions every day. Your goal has to be more important than relationships, family, everything. It needs to be #1. You will do WHATEVER IT TAKES if you want to make it big. I wasn't willing to do those things, that's why my face never graced the tube or the pages of GQ or Vanity Fair. My family and love were too important to me. It's up to you.

Have the drive of a locomotive if you're going to do this, no matter what anyone tells you.

The people I know who have made it did it just like I described in the first paragraph. The ones who don't end up in another career or returning to their square state. One of my neighbors just packed his u-haul last week, leaving his girlfriend here. Typical story.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by mr bolo

how much acting eperience / school is needed to get into acting / tv commercials, etc?

If you are a female you can do it with zero experience. All you have to do is be extremely beautiful and have sex with the right guy.

If you are a male - same as above.

Otherwise you will have to be good at the craft and have the right connections and look a certain way.