This reflective essay explores the challenges and strategies involved in pursuing a career in acting and entertainment. Drawing on personal observations, class presentations by working professionals, and research from industry guides, the paper examines how aspiring performers can break into Hollywood. Topics covered include the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, the value of writing for television, audition etiquette, comedy performance, radio work as an entry point, and maintaining professionalism at every stage. The paper synthesizes insights from actor Brie Larson, screenwriter Al Septien, Screen Actors Guild member Ruth T. Paul, and the book Breaking into Acting for Dummies to outline a realistic, multifaceted approach to launching an acting career.
The first thought that comes to mind when I think about a possible career in acting is that everything I have heard about acting confirms that it requires more than talent and ambition. It really helps to be at the right place at the right time, and you cannot give up simply because you did not get the part you wanted. In my case, if I don't get the comic gig I sought, or I am cut from a group of 18 candidates for a bit part in a television sitcom, I cannot simply conclude I'm done. I know it is a matter of hard work and persistence, but a little luck and knowing the right people can certainly contribute to success.
This essay is my response to what I have learned, what I still perceive is the route I must take, and an engagement with the sources I have researched that provide guidelines for would-be actors. My aspirations have not changed over the past months. I still feel that I have the talent to be considered for parts, but I am of course still in the rudimentary stages of that effort.
Being aware of the challenges and successes of present-day actors is part of educating myself about the entertainment industry. On that topic, I was watching Sunday Morning on CBS, always a great piece of television journalism, and every week they feature an in-depth segment on an actor — how that person broke in, what the pitfalls of the business are, and what steps to take to break in.
One Sunday they featured Brie Larson, who has had some very important roles, most recently in Room, Trainwreck, and The Gambler. She is a woman who started acting in grammar school — she had bit parts in television shows like Touched by an Angel while still in elementary school — and continued through high school. Her parents divorced, but her mother believed in Brie's talent and moved to Los Angeles to better position her daughter for an acting career. It certainly helps to live in Los Angeles or Hollywood, where many actors got their starts after waiting tables or doing other menial work in that area. It also helps to have parents or mentors who can provide resources for a person interested in acting.
In the CBS interview, Brie was asked by the reporter — since she had been called the "It Girl" — what she thought of the phrase. "What is 'it'?" she asked. The reporter said, "I guess it means the girl of the moment."
Brie replied: "But what is 'it'? There is no 'it'! And who was 'it' before 'it'? And when does 'it' go away? When did I get 'it'? Who's gonna take 'it'?" After that response, she added, "It's so weird. I'm just a person. I'm not anything!"
That exchange is an example of how silly and even juvenile Hollywood can be. Labels are quickly applied by the media and the movie industry. Brie went on to explain that she had been turned down by casting directors because her eyes were brown instead of blue, that she was too tall, and that her figure was not ideal for a certain part. But for the film Room, she said she stayed out of the sun for three months and worked hard with a trainer to strengthen her body.
When screenwriter Al Septien spoke about his career, I was impressed by the fact that he wrote a play that was accepted and earned him a Ford Foundation grant to study. Getting in the door by writing a play is an excellent idea. I am developing some comedy ideas for a play that I may need some help completing, but I fully believe I can do it. Septien said in an interview that he and his writing partner Turi Meyer — whom he met while catering on a movie set — wrote a story about a family held hostage. "It got optioned a few times" and was never made into a film, "but it got us an agent" (Septien, 2002). That is what is commonly called getting a foot in the door.
In Septien's career, as laid out in an interview on lukeford.net, he fell into "horror" because he and Meyer had written "Homefront," and he fell into Leprechaun 2 because certain executives at Trimark loved "The Terrorist" — low-budget horror movies. It goes on and on like that. The point is that one success leads to the next opportunity, even if the movies are cheap horror films. The idea is to earn a living, keep striving and working, and make contacts. Septien says he watches "many Disney movies with my son. I've learned what good simple storytelling is about" (Septien, 2002).
If I ever have a chance to be cast in a television show, I will put on the best presentation I possibly can. I will also keep in mind that writing episodes for television is a smart way to break into the business. Septien explains that writing television episodes is smart because "the turnaround [is] quick and the money [is] good." He adds that the opportunity in films "seems to be diminishing" (Septien, 2002), so that is another clue I need to take seriously.
"Open mic strategy and comedy development plan"
My neighbor is also interested in a possible career in acting, so I plan to set up situations that will help both of us. He has the gift of a great voice and natural charm, possibly more so than I do, but working together to develop patterns and jokes should benefit me considerably.
When a casting director gives an audition to a person hoping to land a part, there are a number of important steps to follow. First and foremost, the actor must understand what production, television show, or film is being developed. Researching the characters who are part of the show or production is also absolutely necessary — and the deeper the actor understands the personalities involved, the better. After doing the required research, showing up early for the audition is essential. I have friends who arrive exactly on time for work, never early, and that attitude will not serve you in the world of entertainment.
You show up early, take direction well, and perform your best. You also send thank-you notes — not emails, but handwritten notes on quality letterhead — according to Breaking into Acting for Dummies. "By just treating each audition professionally, you automatically separate yourself from the vast majority of actors" (Garrison et al., 2011). Moreover, Garrison explains that a casting director may "absolutely love the way you look and the way you act — yet still choose someone else for a particular role" (Garrison et al., 2011).
"You can lose an acting job about a million different ways, but you can get one only by acting professionally... [being] courteous and polite to everyone, whether you like them or not" (Garrison et al., 2011). I was raised by parents who fully understood the value of treating everyone with respect and grace. The last thing I would do at a casting call is act with anything less than dignity. As Garrison points out, the lowly assistant on the set may one day turn out to be a high-powered director. Good manners are simply good business tools, and I am fully aware of that.
I also understand, after researching acting opportunities, that directors and producers do not always hire the best actor for the role. Rather, they often hire the person they simply like the most. In other words, even if they like you but don't cast you in a particular part, they will remember you for future opportunities.
"Radio work and lifelong learning in entertainment"
She worked in radio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin — which I would really like to do — and described it as "a lesson in itself," because she learned the business side of radio and how sales worked. That is a real lesson, because for the would-be actor waiting tables at a restaurant in Hollywood, you are not only positioned to meet prominent people in the entertainment business, but you are also learning another industry — in that case, the hospitality business.
Another way I could find my way into the entertainment world would be to get a job in radio — not necessarily as an on-air personality right away, since that requires formal broadcasting education, but in any supporting role (receptionist, sales associate, etc.) at a station that would allow me to get to know the staff and executives. By being polished, polite, and always dressed professionally, I can make the right impression and work my way up from there.
One additional area where I believe I might find opportunity is within a Chinese Kung-fu television series. While I do not have a black belt in martial arts, I could make myself available for a position within such a series. I genuinely enjoy the genre, and there are supporting characters in those productions that carry key roles I would be interested in pursuing.
In conclusion, getting into a position that opens the door in any aspect of the entertainment industry requires consistent preparation and professionalism. In this essay I have reviewed the key elements that go into making the kind of impression that matters — living up to high standards, developing genuine talent, and knowing what to do with that talent when the moment comes. That is my theme going forward.
Garrison, L., and Wang, W. (2011). Breaking into Acting for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Paul, R. T. (2006). Entertainment biography. Retrieved December 8, 2015, from http://www.theblackfilmandmediagroup.com.
Septien, A. (2002). Interview with Al Septien. Retrieved December 8, 2015, from
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