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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/They say follow your dreams but how?

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Expert: - 6/18/2009


Question
For as long as i can rememeber, my dream has been to become an actress. Even if it meant commercials, tv shows or movies. My mom on the other hand doesn't think i should even try. She says im hispanic (cuban) and 5"0 tall at the age of 16 and that i dont stand a chance. I proved to her that Hayden Panatierre is 4"11 and is also latina. Hayden Panatierre is short too! I know that i can do it. I know that i have the potential but my dreams keep getting squished by the most important people in my life. Whenever i get an audition my mom doesn't take me or cancels it. She'll make some lame excuse to have to cancel it. That's really the only thing i want to do in the future. ACT. What should i do? PLease help me...

Answer
Dorothy,

Thanks for writing. I can't tell you what to do, only you can decide for yourself. It's a shame that your mother will not support the dreams and desires of her daughter. There are plenty of actresses working today who are short and who are hispanic. I don't know why your mother doesn't want to support you when you have as much of a chance of being a success as the next young girl your age.

All I can suggest is that you never give up on your dream!

Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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