Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/What are the chances

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Expert: - 11/5/2005


Question
  Dear Phil,

       I'm sorry, it seems that I deleted your answer by accident.  I was wondering if perhaps you could tell me your answer again?  I was wondering what are the chances of me making it in Hollywood film.  I believe I'm a good actor but I know I have a lot of competition.  I would appreciate it so much, and again I'm terribly sorry.  I would ask someone else, but apprently you have the best advice and I don't want to miss it.

                                          Sincerely,
                                     Eric J. Harlow

Answer
Eric,

Thanks for writing. I have no way of knowing what your chances are of making it as an actor in Hollywood. Statistically, the chances are against you. 95% of all actors who are members of the Screen Actors Guild are employed at any given moment. Of the 5% that ARE employed, really only about 2.5% are any good. The other 2.5% have no talent, but they have the look. If the camera likes you, then, unfortunately, you don't need talent. Plenty of actors work because they have the look but can't act their way out of a paper bag. That's the unfortunate truth about Hollywood.

Hope this helps you.

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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