What kind of
personality will you need to develop or fake... I mean act, to "make it" in Hollywood? Is it just the pictures and resume and being in plays and performing as a musician? Any thoughts beyond the common sense things you find in all the actor's books and workshops? What is it they don't tell you?
We can start with something easy. You want to be in a movie. You don't know anyone in the business. You are not in a play yet. You aren't doing anything show-biz oriented. For less than you would spend on a new or late model car, you can purchase a classic 40s or 50s car. Most old cars in a vintage movie belong to the extras who work in the scenes. Check Craigslist and other sources to find a 1940s or 1950s model car that runs and you probably can use that as your "vehicle" to get into Hollywood movies. Really.
If you are planning on registering with an extras casting agency and you mention that you have a vintage car, they will be anxious to have a photo. They always need the cars. They always use you in the scene if the car works. Same is true if you have a chauffeur's cap and a limo, they will probably have you drive the car in the scene. If the driver is an actor who has a speaking part they might just have you in the scene as a pedestrian and they will pay for you as an extra plus the car check. They might pay to borrow your cap, too. I actually was paid $10 once by the production company to use my shoes. The scene called for the actor to get a shoe shine. The actor was wearing soft cloth shoes. They rented my shoes because I had the same size shoes as the actor. I also once was paid $10 when they needed one of my hats.
There are people who are paid for insects that are used in movies. I worked in "BUGBUSTER" as a musician in one scene. The "bug wrangler" had huge cockroaches which were used throughout the film. I also worked with a bear, once, and some panthers at different times. One guy rents camels to movie companies.
Why do I mention this?
If you are a boxer who has trunks and gloves you will get work in scenes when there is a boxing gym scene. There is an opportunity to be upgraded from there to actor if you are given a line. Remember Arnold Swarzenegger started as a weightlifter. Don't think you have to make it in a play which then goes on the resume and you get seen by a producer and you are called in to read for a starring role. Take steps, not leaps. I have known two boxers who went into a scene as extras and who were upgraded to acting parts. I knew a card handler who was upgraded to do a magic scene. I worked with extras who were unicyclists and jugglers who got a line in a scene. Not big, of course, but would you rather wait by the phone? Whatever you are or whatever you do, do it in a scene even if it is as an extra.
I had the Abe Lincoln outfit which got me work on "HAPPY DAYS" and "MORK AND MINDY" and "BRINGING UP JACK" and "THE GONG SHOW" and "DREW CAREY" and a costume party scene in "FLASHDANCE." I had a vintage 50s wardrobe which helped me get work in "CANNERY ROW" and "PENNIES FROM HEAVEN" and "MOMMIE DEAREST" and "WINDS OF WAR."
If you are appearing in a play and you have some auditions scheduled, stay on that track. If nothing is happening for you, think of what you might do to get in the door.
How do you rate on personality? Do you work well with a group of strangers? Can you show up and perform your part harmoniously? Do you stick to the written
page and follow the director's instructions?Like to learn an easy piano playing system? Click Here.
Are you argumentive? If so I can tell you that might not stop your career. I have worked with some big name stars. Most of them are very nice, caring individuals whom you would love to be around. However... there are some big stars who are loudmouths. There are some guys whose TV series I have worked as an extra, who somehow can find something to scream about. I have worked with major celebrities who were apparently drunk. I also worked with some very funny men who could never be tied to the words in a script. They improvised wildly and made every scene funnier than it was intended to be. It usually is advisable to say what is written but I have seen directors laughing very loudly at surprises from the actor. I can think of two different directors whom I would say were crazy. The reason I mention this is... you will read many books which tell you to be good-natured and polite on auditions. The advice is almost always the same. If you have a lousy personality you won't make it big because someone will stop you before you get to the top. That is just nonsense. There have been very big stars (and there still are) who are not dependable. They arrive late and they swear loudly for no apparent reason. I hope you will be as nice as Lana Turner was when I worked with her. I hope you will be as pleasant as Rock Hudson was when I worked with him three different times. I hope you have the gentlemanly qualities of Ricardo Montalban or Claude Akins or Clint Eastwood. If you are a lady I hope you are as sweet as Michelle Pfeiffer or Billie Bird.
If you do have a less than perfect attitude you might still make it big. Others have.
A final thought about your approach to others in this business and what is expected from you. I worked many times with an extra who was about fifty-five. He lived in a camper on a pickup truck which he parked on the street or at friend's houses. He probably never made more than $5000 in any year of his life. He looked somewhat like a street person. He had missing teeth and he usually wore a poorly fitting toupe. He had an interesting sideline. He produced movies. He actually made movies with name actors who were in a slump. He always did their death scene first because he knew before the movie was finished they would quit. He knew an older woman who had some money who was willing to finance his movies up to $100,000. He made several movies. Sometimes they are on late night TV. The last time I saw him he was going to Cannes to the film festival with the man who starred in his latest picture.
The reason I mention him is he was totally not right to be a movie producer or director from a first impression. He was not always aware of what was going on but he really did produce and direct movies. He would record the sound on a cheap tape cassette and if a policeman asked why he was filming in a particular location he said he didn't know he needed a permit. He would pack up his gear and drive a few blocks away and get out and do the scene there. My point is, it will be easier for you to make it if you are a sweetheart, probably, but bad guys and idiots and drunkards and the terminally poor have a good chance here, too.