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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Im about to go to a talent/model agency and I want your opinion

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Expert: - 7/16/2009


Question

me at the beach
do you think that I could make it to be a star with my looks/body I'm a little insecure right now since I've seen that most people are skinny, and I'm a normal size... tell me what you think please!!! it would make a difference!

Answer
Cynthia,

Thanks for writing. Film and TV stars come in all shapes and sizes. However, the reality is that if you don't look like the "ingenue" or young leading lady, which typically is between 5'4" and 5" 10", slender and around 115-125 lbs., drop-dead gorgeous, then the odds are against you of being consider for that type of role.

Does that mean you don't have a chance? Certainly not. As I said, stars come in all shapes and sizes. Jennifer Holliday won an Oscar for DREAMGIRLS and she is a BIG girl, probably over 200 lbs. But she's a helluva talent with a great set of pipes.

So don't let your "looks/body" as you describe it deter you from following your dream. If you have talent, and the determination to never give up and pursue acting as a career even if it means starving most of your life, then you have as good a chance as any other actor in Los Angeles!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    Commentthank you very much! although its hard to find a real agency here in miami, I have already been to 5 and they were all scams!!! but Im going to keep looking!!!


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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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