Moving to LA to become an actor/model (credit, employment)

[+ or -]

I have friend who is determined to "make it" in the industry as either an actor or a model. Being the one of reason, I asked him if he has serious employment prospects, housing needs, and money saved.

His answer, in short, was "no".

What is it about LA that so many young, dumb people come to in hopes of "making it"? How many thousands of unemployed "actors" are out there just waiting for that big break, only to end up as life long waiters?

Don't get me wrong, I knew someone personally who's now "made it", and even considered acting as a career possibility myself, but the fact that so many have aspirations and less than .1% actually lead serious careers with income to live well, I just don't think it's worth it.

But, if my friend is bent on moving to LA, I can't stop him. I just don't think it's a good idea.

[impala666]

Originally Posted by + or -

I have friend who is determined to "make it" in the industry as either an actor or a model. Being the one of reason, I asked him if he has serious employment prospects, housing needs, and money saved.

His answer, in short, was "no".

What is it about LA that so many young, dumb people come to in hopes of "making it"? How many thousands of unemployed "actors" are out there just waiting for that big break, only to end up as life long waiters?

Don't get me wrong, I knew someone personally who's now "made it", and even considered acting as a career possibility myself, but the fact that so many have aspirations and less than .1% actually lead serious careers with income to live well, I just don't think it's worth it.

But, if my friend is bent on moving to LA, I can't stop him. I just don't think it's a good idea.

The answer to this is very simple.
Does this person have the Charisma to silence a crowded restaurant simply by walking through it.
I have seen this ability several times in my life and all of the people that possessed it became successful.
You cant learn it you cant buy it,you are just born with it!

[Jonah1979]

Originally Posted by impala666

The answer to this is very simple.
Does this person have the Charisma to silence a crowded restaurant simply by walking through it.
I have seen this ability several times in my life and all of the people that possessed it became successful.
You cant learn it you cant buy it,you are just born with it!

That's what I keep trying to tell everyone...don't ask me how I do it!

[harhar]

Originally Posted by impala666

The answer to this is very simple.
Does this person have the Charisma to silence a crowded restaurant simply by walking through it.
I have seen this ability several times in my life and all of the people that possessed it became successful.
You cant learn it you cant buy it,you are just born with it!

I don't know about that, (one could be mentally ill and silence a resturaunt) but I do know that being successful in anything requires: talent, motivation and action. Through that you network and continue to work hard.

You have to have all of those traits; most people earned their luck.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by + or -

I have friend who is determined to "make it" in the industry as either an actor or a model. Being the one of reason, I asked him if he has serious employment prospects, housing needs, and money saved.

His answer, in short, was "no".

What is it about LA that so many young, dumb people come to in hopes of "making it"? How many thousands of unemployed "actors" are out there just waiting for that big break, only to end up as life long waiters?

Don't get me wrong, I knew someone personally who's now "made it", and even considered acting as a career possibility myself, but the fact that so many have aspirations and less than .1% actually lead serious careers with income to live well, I just don't think it's worth it.

But, if my friend is bent on moving to LA, I can't stop him. I just don't think it's a good idea.

It's a crappy idea, but if he is bound and determined to do this, you will just have to let him try and hope he doesn't end up selling drugs, making a living in the porn business or dead on some corner...

Nita

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by nmnita

hope he doesn't end up selling drugs, making a living in the porn business or dead on some corner...

Nita

What do you mean, "or"? That there is the hat trick of LA life.

[yamota]

take the case of Lana Clarkson for example. She came to LA a beautiful young 20 year old with dreams of Hollywood stardom in her eyes, she did everything right, made the right contacts, got an agent, made good auditions, and yet even after 20 years of toiling and working hard she still ended up an woman in her 40s waiting tables at the hard rock cafe and eventually shot to death on Phil Spector's couch...

[JohnG72]

Here is the best comparison I can think of...and why its different......

A kid who plays baseball in high school generally knows if he has any chance at all of making at the next level. He's either offered college scholarship or is drafted by a major league team. There are tens of thousands of these guys, if not hundreds of thousands. A few walk on in college, but in any case pay is minimal. These guys know within a couple years if they will have any sort of shot at the next level. Lots are bounced out of the minors within 5 years or less. Same thing in college. Either they will get drafted or they won't. So its now trimmed down to a few thousand guys by the time they get to double A ball, where they need to be to have any realistic shot at the major leagues.

Bottom line is the odds of making it are miniscule, but you generally either make it by 25 or you don't. And you come out of it with a college degree, or some money(if you don't blow your signing bonus) or both.

In acting, this doesn't happen. There are still hundreds of thousands vying for only a few hundred openings. But you don't get paid on the way up. And you don't get told if you are any good or not...if you will make it. Instead, anyone will take you're money and tell you whatever you want to hear.

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by + or -

I have friend who is determined to "make it" in the industry as either an actor or a model. Being the one of reason, I asked him if he has serious employment prospects, housing needs, and money saved.

His answer, in short, was "no".

What is it about LA that so many young, dumb people come to in hopes of "making it"? How many thousands of unemployed "actors" are out there just waiting for that big break, only to end up as life long waiters?

Don't get me wrong, I knew someone personally who's now "made it", and even considered acting as a career possibility myself, but the fact that so many have aspirations and less than .1% actually lead serious careers with income to live well, I just don't think it's worth it.

But, if my friend is bent on moving to LA, I can't stop him. I just don't think it's a good idea.

In this economy right now, good luck finding a decent job as a waiter.

[osuzana]

Talent isn't enough to get work as an actor these days. 99% is being in the right place at the right time and who you know or sleep with, period.