Expert: Phil Nemy - 11/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi phil, MY name is Jared im 19 years old getting ready to turn 20, I have some training in acting from my time spent in CHicago and really fell in love with it but was forced to move back because of the economy there people were being laid off instead of companies hiring people, needless to say i couldnt get a job. Phil my dream has always been to act in the movies and on television and have a career like brad pitt, tom cruise, george clooney, etc.. i also admire johnny depp's work. I know the odd's are against me and im starting to get frustrated. here in West Virginia I dont have the oppurtunities to pursue acting like I would in LA i guess im a little lamented by the fact i dont have the oppurtunity, and im not quite financially able to do it right now, my parents think its ridiculous and wont help me out with any of it. I guess my question is what advice can you give me for when I do get out there for being successful and actually having a successful career? or is it all luck in a crapshoot? thanks

Kindest Regards,

Jared
11/5/09

ANSWER: Jared,

Thanks for writing. I wish I had more encouraging words for you, but I believe you'd rather hear the truth that my telling you lies. The reality of pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles is this - the odds of being elected to public office are considerably better! Truly, if you come to Los Angeles to pursue a career, without much training, with no agent, with no contacts, without a specific "look", the odds are against you of ever making a career strictly from acting where you can support yourself. Yes, luck has a lot to do with it. Talent certainly helps. But without the camera loving you, without having a unique look, without having an agent willing to work his butt of for you, you don't stand much of a chance. That's why the majority of people like yourself, who move to LA and live here in the hope of having an acting career, are usually unemployed, or at least employed in other industries just to survive. It's a very tough busy.

So, you parents may think your ridiculous, your friends may think your nuts, but who are they (or I) to tell you not to follow your dream? It's your life - if pursuing an acting career, even though the odds are against it, and knowing you probably be poor most of your life, if pursuing an acting career is what you love and you cannot think of doing anything else from which you will find happiness or satisfaction, then don't listen to anyone else (including me) but your heart. Trust your instincts, follow your heart, and see where it takes you.

Good luck!

Phil



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi phil, thanks for the advice, I do know a couple of actors in LA although not stars but who do get regular work. A producar in LA as well, WHat if i was able to get an agent would the odds still be against me considerably even if i was auditioning for films and tv roles regularly?
thanks,
Jared

Answer
Jared,

If you're not living in Los Angeles, you'll never get called into an audition. You MUST BE HERE for the long haul, primarily because auditions can pop up at a moment's notice and you'll be needed in a few short hours. If you don't live here, you won't be available for those auditions.

No agent is going to represent you unless you live here. And even if you do get an agent, the odds are against you getting regular work, let alone any work. There are hundreds of thousands of actors in Los Angeles, all represented, and at any given moment, only 5% of them are employed.

Phil