Expert: Phil Nemy - 3/25/2011

Question
Hey Phil, I moved to Los Angeles last year to pursue an acting career and very soon found myself back in my hometown in West Virginia. Not because i didnt feel i couldnt make it, But i just didnt have the finances yet to survive, Im not sure if your familiar with any actors from WV. But Jennifer Garner is about the only one whos made it Big and supports herself from acting. I'll never forget the phone call i made to her sister i did some research on how i could i get ahold of her family and she called me i was in a cheap LA motel. and I said im out here trying to pursue acting and im from WV could i make some contacts through her since we are from the same area. And she said "Look i get these calls all the time, I can tell you she moved to New York made some really good contacts and worked from the ground up." And it struck me Phil that hell theres alot of really good looking talented young actors in LA. Waiting in Line, Are connections and not just connections but good connections really the most important ingredient to having a succesful acting career? I hate to rant, sorry
Jared

Answer
Jared,

Thanks for writing. The answer is, in a word, yes. I know a few hundred extremely talented actors who are unemployed and will probably never make a living derived solely from acting. Having the right contacts makes a huge difference. But there's also this thing called LUCK, and this thing called IT. You need a lot of luck, and you must have "IT." What I mean is that when the chance comes your way, you have to be prepared, the camera has to LOVE YOU, and you have to have that special something that the director, producer, casting director, studio and/or network believes that you have. That's what will put you over the top and make you a star.

Jennifer's sister was exactly right. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But if you still want it, and nothing in life will satisfy you or make you happy, then never stop. If you MUST act, it's the only thing you can find happiness and peace in, then never give up! Maybe, if you're lucky one day, you'll get that break, and you'll make the most of it. The odds are against that of ever happening for you, but stranger things have happened.

Good luck!

Phil