i want to be happy, not famous
Fri, 23 Jan 2004, 11:34 pmLisa7 posts in thread
i want to be happy, not famous
Fri, 23 Jan 2004, 11:34 pmI have only just come to this website and already my jaw has hit the floor. I'm sorry, but so many teenagers don't realise how hard this industry is. I'm 16 and I've come to terms that I'll probably be spending my days with an apartment void of furniture eating stale crackers and vegimite. Okay, a little dramatic, but I'm an actor. Actors have the hardest job in that they're a nobody until they get somewhere and become a somebody but nobody will look at them until they're a somebody. So thats when you slowly squeeze up through the ranks.
It really annoys me when people say they want to be an actress and go to hollywood and be famous. But hey, I cant judge, I wanted that too... for about 5 minutes. If you do, well then good luck. Heres what you're going to need:
1. an agent. A good agent. Audition, get on their books and make sure they remember who you are.
2. contacts. If you live in Sydney or Melbourne, you're probably going to have to spend a bit of cash so you get into all the best bars/ get the best training etc to make contacts who will remember you and hopefully in the future you can score work off. If you live in Brisbane especially, you have the harder job. Sydney especially is where you'll find really professional work, but they don't recognise any Brisbane training/ experience etc due to our bad past. So you'll have to start from scratch. Also get contacts with people you work with.
3. Training. If you want to land an agent and land work in film you'll need training. Not just on improving your acting ability but also on learning all you can about film. Shot sizes and how to act in them, where you look, what everyone does on set. Don't be naieve- learn what assistant derectors, lighting technician and boom operator etc do. When you forst start out, these people will be ordering you around.
4. An american accent. If you want to work in america, you'll need this. GET TRAINED in this. You'll be laughed oout of the room when you turn up to a casting with a way dodgy accent. You think you can do an American accent but trust me, you probably cant without the training.
5. An easygoing nature. Most people start out as an extra, not the main star. Don't hassel the director, stay out of Tom Cruises way (be sure not to make eye contact with him) and listen and do everything to the best of your avaliability. You're an extra, they can fire you if they want. People who are easygoing, the director remembers in the future.
6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for you to become famous are slim.
It really annoys me when people say they want to be an actress and go to hollywood and be famous. But hey, I cant judge, I wanted that too... for about 5 minutes. If you do, well then good luck. Heres what you're going to need:
1. an agent. A good agent. Audition, get on their books and make sure they remember who you are.
2. contacts. If you live in Sydney or Melbourne, you're probably going to have to spend a bit of cash so you get into all the best bars/ get the best training etc to make contacts who will remember you and hopefully in the future you can score work off. If you live in Brisbane especially, you have the harder job. Sydney especially is where you'll find really professional work, but they don't recognise any Brisbane training/ experience etc due to our bad past. So you'll have to start from scratch. Also get contacts with people you work with.
3. Training. If you want to land an agent and land work in film you'll need training. Not just on improving your acting ability but also on learning all you can about film. Shot sizes and how to act in them, where you look, what everyone does on set. Don't be naieve- learn what assistant derectors, lighting technician and boom operator etc do. When you forst start out, these people will be ordering you around.
4. An american accent. If you want to work in america, you'll need this. GET TRAINED in this. You'll be laughed oout of the room when you turn up to a casting with a way dodgy accent. You think you can do an American accent but trust me, you probably cant without the training.
5. An easygoing nature. Most people start out as an extra, not the main star. Don't hassel the director, stay out of Tom Cruises way (be sure not to make eye contact with him) and listen and do everything to the best of your avaliability. You're an extra, they can fire you if they want. People who are easygoing, the director remembers in the future.
6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for you to become famous are slim.
LisaFri, 23 Jan 2004, 11:34 pm
I have only just come to this website and already my jaw has hit the floor. I'm sorry, but so many teenagers don't realise how hard this industry is. I'm 16 and I've come to terms that I'll probably be spending my days with an apartment void of furniture eating stale crackers and vegimite. Okay, a little dramatic, but I'm an actor. Actors have the hardest job in that they're a nobody until they get somewhere and become a somebody but nobody will look at them until they're a somebody. So thats when you slowly squeeze up through the ranks.
It really annoys me when people say they want to be an actress and go to hollywood and be famous. But hey, I cant judge, I wanted that too... for about 5 minutes. If you do, well then good luck. Heres what you're going to need:
1. an agent. A good agent. Audition, get on their books and make sure they remember who you are.
2. contacts. If you live in Sydney or Melbourne, you're probably going to have to spend a bit of cash so you get into all the best bars/ get the best training etc to make contacts who will remember you and hopefully in the future you can score work off. If you live in Brisbane especially, you have the harder job. Sydney especially is where you'll find really professional work, but they don't recognise any Brisbane training/ experience etc due to our bad past. So you'll have to start from scratch. Also get contacts with people you work with.
3. Training. If you want to land an agent and land work in film you'll need training. Not just on improving your acting ability but also on learning all you can about film. Shot sizes and how to act in them, where you look, what everyone does on set. Don't be naieve- learn what assistant derectors, lighting technician and boom operator etc do. When you forst start out, these people will be ordering you around.
4. An american accent. If you want to work in america, you'll need this. GET TRAINED in this. You'll be laughed oout of the room when you turn up to a casting with a way dodgy accent. You think you can do an American accent but trust me, you probably cant without the training.
5. An easygoing nature. Most people start out as an extra, not the main star. Don't hassel the director, stay out of Tom Cruises way (be sure not to make eye contact with him) and listen and do everything to the best of your avaliability. You're an extra, they can fire you if they want. People who are easygoing, the director remembers in the future.
6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for you to become famous are slim.
It really annoys me when people say they want to be an actress and go to hollywood and be famous. But hey, I cant judge, I wanted that too... for about 5 minutes. If you do, well then good luck. Heres what you're going to need:
1. an agent. A good agent. Audition, get on their books and make sure they remember who you are.
2. contacts. If you live in Sydney or Melbourne, you're probably going to have to spend a bit of cash so you get into all the best bars/ get the best training etc to make contacts who will remember you and hopefully in the future you can score work off. If you live in Brisbane especially, you have the harder job. Sydney especially is where you'll find really professional work, but they don't recognise any Brisbane training/ experience etc due to our bad past. So you'll have to start from scratch. Also get contacts with people you work with.
3. Training. If you want to land an agent and land work in film you'll need training. Not just on improving your acting ability but also on learning all you can about film. Shot sizes and how to act in them, where you look, what everyone does on set. Don't be naieve- learn what assistant derectors, lighting technician and boom operator etc do. When you forst start out, these people will be ordering you around.
4. An american accent. If you want to work in america, you'll need this. GET TRAINED in this. You'll be laughed oout of the room when you turn up to a casting with a way dodgy accent. You think you can do an American accent but trust me, you probably cant without the training.
5. An easygoing nature. Most people start out as an extra, not the main star. Don't hassel the director, stay out of Tom Cruises way (be sure not to make eye contact with him) and listen and do everything to the best of your avaliability. You're an extra, they can fire you if they want. People who are easygoing, the director remembers in the future.
6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for you to become famous are slim.
L_PayneSat, 24 Jan 2004, 03:37 pm
Re: i want to be happy, not famous
hey look,
I'm 15 and have and agent go to television / film training 2 times a week realise also that i will probably be on the doll for the rest of my life. I understood when u started out you letter but when you went onto tell people how to get work i completly disagreed. I think that people already knew what you told them and you make it seem like those things are so important. You have confused me as the begining of your post seemed that you knew that you are just like the rest of us but then you went onto tell people what to do. I think we should rely on the people that have say been in the industry for longer then we have even been alive. I think that you have just put people starting off in acting off acting and i think that they should take every opportunity as it is extremly enjoyable. Let them make their own desisions as your ideas will give them no more help then what they will do on their own.
-Lauren
I'm 15 and have and agent go to television / film training 2 times a week realise also that i will probably be on the doll for the rest of my life. I understood when u started out you letter but when you went onto tell people how to get work i completly disagreed. I think that people already knew what you told them and you make it seem like those things are so important. You have confused me as the begining of your post seemed that you knew that you are just like the rest of us but then you went onto tell people what to do. I think we should rely on the people that have say been in the industry for longer then we have even been alive. I think that you have just put people starting off in acting off acting and i think that they should take every opportunity as it is extremly enjoyable. Let them make their own desisions as your ideas will give them no more help then what they will do on their own.
-Lauren
NaSun, 25 Jan 2004, 10:38 pm
Re: i want to be happy, not famous
You forgot one other thing...
Learn tech stuff!
By learning all the backstage work (or front of stage work, front of house, etc) actors can gain more theatre experience - if you think about it, for every actor on stage, there will be at least ten technical people, getting them there and keeping them there! - learn new ways of working in this industry, and be more appreciative of those who work around them.
Many professional actors that I work with find that having technical experience helps them when they produce their own work (which is a must in this industry) and it also helps them get more work in the industry, than they normally would.
It also helps you realise how to promote a show you're acting in, how lighting is so important (if you've ever had a director or technician ask you to find the light, you'll understand what I mean), how to understand blocking better, how to write your own scripts, how to direct, and so on.
While actors perform because they're interested in acting, having actors who are also technicians (or at least have done some technical training), makes it more fun for everybody. Instead of an actor getting bored during technical rehearsal, or setting up a scene for filming, an actor will be more appreciative of the problems that arise, and will be less likely to cause trouble to people around them.
Red Stitch Actors Company in Melbourne consist of the top Melbournian actors (professional, and can be seen in many guest spots on local TV shows), and do all the technical jobs themselves, with the exception of a lighting designer and a set designer, and relevant operators. They run front of house, do their own fundraising, organise and maintain their own venue, and because of it, they have the ability to be in the works that they want to be in, get more work (the first year they opened they performed 1 play every month for the whole year, no breaks!) and they are providing themselves an opportunity to learn new things, and to be seen by the public, and other industry professionals.
As a professional technician, I enjoy working with most actors. But the shows that I do are mainly fringe, and are in the same position as the actors - little to no work - and having actors who can rig a light for me, or get the sound organised, while I do something else just as necessary, is a huge help.
Now, I'm not saying you have to learn lighting or sound, but in my opinion, actors should at least have a go at assistant stage management, setting props in scene changes, or even just helping out in front of house. It makes a major impact on your understanding of theatre, and also on the way you behave in the future towards your fellow actors and technicians.
Learn tech stuff!
By learning all the backstage work (or front of stage work, front of house, etc) actors can gain more theatre experience - if you think about it, for every actor on stage, there will be at least ten technical people, getting them there and keeping them there! - learn new ways of working in this industry, and be more appreciative of those who work around them.
Many professional actors that I work with find that having technical experience helps them when they produce their own work (which is a must in this industry) and it also helps them get more work in the industry, than they normally would.
It also helps you realise how to promote a show you're acting in, how lighting is so important (if you've ever had a director or technician ask you to find the light, you'll understand what I mean), how to understand blocking better, how to write your own scripts, how to direct, and so on.
While actors perform because they're interested in acting, having actors who are also technicians (or at least have done some technical training), makes it more fun for everybody. Instead of an actor getting bored during technical rehearsal, or setting up a scene for filming, an actor will be more appreciative of the problems that arise, and will be less likely to cause trouble to people around them.
Red Stitch Actors Company in Melbourne consist of the top Melbournian actors (professional, and can be seen in many guest spots on local TV shows), and do all the technical jobs themselves, with the exception of a lighting designer and a set designer, and relevant operators. They run front of house, do their own fundraising, organise and maintain their own venue, and because of it, they have the ability to be in the works that they want to be in, get more work (the first year they opened they performed 1 play every month for the whole year, no breaks!) and they are providing themselves an opportunity to learn new things, and to be seen by the public, and other industry professionals.
As a professional technician, I enjoy working with most actors. But the shows that I do are mainly fringe, and are in the same position as the actors - little to no work - and having actors who can rig a light for me, or get the sound organised, while I do something else just as necessary, is a huge help.
Now, I'm not saying you have to learn lighting or sound, but in my opinion, actors should at least have a go at assistant stage management, setting props in scene changes, or even just helping out in front of house. It makes a major impact on your understanding of theatre, and also on the way you behave in the future towards your fellow actors and technicians.
Walter PlingeMon, 26 Jan 2004, 09:58 pm
Re: i want to be happy, not famous
If you live in Brisbane and you want to act, go to QUT and don't make excuses for not being in Sydney or Melbourne. QUT has a better wrap here in Sydney than you might think. It's a university degree sure, and you might have to wait a while to finish school and blah blah, but you're on the right track if you stick with what you love until that time. You're young...plenty of time to do what you want with your life. I don't think you should resign yourself to a life in an apartment void of furniture, eating stale crackers and vegemite just yet - I mean cmon, how gloomy!
rosieSun, 8 Feb 2004, 01:06 pm
Re: i want to be happy, not famous
"6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for you to become famous are slim."
How horrible is that! What kind of a person says that to someone? I didn't exactly feel spiritually enlightened!
Thou gorbellied plume-plucked nut-hook! (I didn't make that up! The dealy did it for me!)
How horrible is that! What kind of a person says that to someone? I didn't exactly feel spiritually enlightened!
Thou gorbellied plume-plucked nut-hook! (I didn't make that up! The dealy did it for me!)
crgwllmsSun, 8 Feb 2004, 05:42 pm
Re: i want to be happy, not lucky
Rosie wrote:
>
> "6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for
> you to become famous are slim."
>
> How horrible is that! What kind of a person says that to
> someone? I didn't exactly feel spiritually enlightened!
Well I would've thought it exactly the kind of statement an 'enlightened' person would say; regardless of how horrible it sounds, it's a statement of fact.
At any one point in time, 98% of people who legitimately call themselves actors are not currently working. That includes many famous actors!
And at the other point of the scale, there are plenty of actors who work significantly more than 2% of the time, without necessarily becoming famous (I estimate I've managed 65-70% over 15 years, yet still couldn't claim any degree of fame).
What's the aim here? Is 'being famous' the goal? Well, sorry, but Lisa was entirely correct to say your chances are slim.
If you more realistically (and enlightened-ly) aim to do good work, and enjoy your work, as an actor...then you may find happiness and fulfillment doesn't need quite so much 'luck'.
How are we defining 'luck', anyway? Most people seem to think of it as a 'happy accident', rather beyond our control. By this definition, I feel a little insulted if people attribute any of my successes to 'luck'.
I prefer this definition (I'm afraid I've forgotten the author) :
"Luck = when preparedness meets opportunity."
You are entirely in control of your preparedness, and you can actively seek opportunity. Add to this the fact that you are in control of your own attitude toward given circumstances, and you ought to be able to create your own success and happiness. The types of opportunity that come your way are going to be accidental...but whether you grasp them or miss them is still up to you. So 'fame' is going to be accidental...on it's own, it's an unrealistic goal to seek...you should be focussed on your own personal success, and then deal with fame if and when it results.
Good luck (!)
Craig
>
> "6. Luck. With a 98-99% unemployment rate, the chances for
> you to become famous are slim."
>
> How horrible is that! What kind of a person says that to
> someone? I didn't exactly feel spiritually enlightened!
Well I would've thought it exactly the kind of statement an 'enlightened' person would say; regardless of how horrible it sounds, it's a statement of fact.
At any one point in time, 98% of people who legitimately call themselves actors are not currently working. That includes many famous actors!
And at the other point of the scale, there are plenty of actors who work significantly more than 2% of the time, without necessarily becoming famous (I estimate I've managed 65-70% over 15 years, yet still couldn't claim any degree of fame).
What's the aim here? Is 'being famous' the goal? Well, sorry, but Lisa was entirely correct to say your chances are slim.
If you more realistically (and enlightened-ly) aim to do good work, and enjoy your work, as an actor...then you may find happiness and fulfillment doesn't need quite so much 'luck'.
How are we defining 'luck', anyway? Most people seem to think of it as a 'happy accident', rather beyond our control. By this definition, I feel a little insulted if people attribute any of my successes to 'luck'.
I prefer this definition (I'm afraid I've forgotten the author) :
"Luck = when preparedness meets opportunity."
You are entirely in control of your preparedness, and you can actively seek opportunity. Add to this the fact that you are in control of your own attitude toward given circumstances, and you ought to be able to create your own success and happiness. The types of opportunity that come your way are going to be accidental...but whether you grasp them or miss them is still up to you. So 'fame' is going to be accidental...on it's own, it's an unrealistic goal to seek...you should be focussed on your own personal success, and then deal with fame if and when it results.
Good luck (!)
Craig
Walter PlingeMon, 22 Mar 2004, 03:40 am
Re: i want to be happy, not famous
you suck i have been in tv for five year did it all by my self none of that mess. when i was ten i got a tv show i am 15