Expert: Phil Nemy - 7/19/2004

Question
O.K. I understand. Now after I get out of college, whether it's Julliard or not, how would I go about moving there? Do I just fly there and get an apartment? Do I get an agent there first and then move there? I am really confused! I will go to college but how would I move there?
Thanks!
Gabi
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Followup To
Question -
Hey it's me Gabi again! I was really thinking about moving to LA but I have a problem. Maybe more than one. I have a big gut feeling that this is the right thing to do. I wanna move there ASAP but I have a life here even though I think it's not much I still have one. I also wanna go to Juliard but I don't think I'll have the money for a really good education there and for a dorm since I live in PA. I don't know exactly what to do about it. If you can advise me how to go about this I would really appreciate it. My Mom doesn't actually seem that torn that I would want to do this. I figure if I try to be an actress early like you said most kids aren't ready to go full throttle on acting at this age.(Even if their parents push them to.) The older the more serious they get. I am sure you know what to say about this. Please help me!
-Gabi
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Followup To
Question -
Thanks a lot! I am 13 and I hope I still am young enough. I dance seven and a half hours a week and that is going to change this year since I joined the second company where I dance. I have a fairly good voice but I need to train it a bit. After all, I don't know many people who can sing almost evey note of Phantom of the Opera and not have their voice crack at any time. I sing for church every Wednesday. I also nailed the hardest solo in the fifth grade musical and had a leading role because of it. I also sing in the chamber choir at my school (which is much better than chorus) for which I had to try out for. I have been to summer camps for acting and they were so much fun. I am at a few forks in the road at this point in my life. I can either pursue singing, dancing, or acting and it is ripping me apart trying to choose the right one. A lot of people say I have a lot of talent in all these departments and I really am upset trying to choose one. After the musical in fifth grade my music teacher pointed at the stage and told my Dad that's where I belonged. I wonder if this is enough training to become an actress. I'm curious about your opinion which career I should pursue. Thanks a lot!
-Gabi-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi! My name is Gabriella and I am a drama queen. I have always loved acting. I love the Turner Classics and everything having to do with movies. I had more than two hundred but I sold some of the younger videos. I have always wanted to be a an actress in motion pictures, but I don't know how to get there. I have been to New York to see two different stage shows and I love the city life. Being a Sagitarius moving around wouldn't bother me and I am very dramatic at times. I someday plan to go to Juliard if I have the money and the talent to get in. I dream about winning awards and walking down the red carpet and winning best actress. I have never really had any recognition and I want to get some for my talent. I would do anything to get a job in acting in movies and I mean that! The money isn't what I want. I want to be recognized and I want to work along side some of the greatest actors of my time. If you know how I could get a job in the movies as a lead and not an extra, I would be overwhelmed with joy! No matter what anyone says someday I plan to "make it" and no matter what anyone says you can't understand how much a job like that would mean to me! I know the demands of being an actress can be hard like odd working hours, the press and other problems and I understand the good sides of it and I really would like some help.
Sincerely,
Gabi
Answer -
Gabi,

Thanks for writing. I appreciate your dreams and desires of being an actress. It's a dream that many people share with you. I was once an actor myself and dreamed of being a star and working as a lead actor in films. But as you get older, and you learn more about the film industry, you will learn that "making it" is TRULY a dream and not a reality.

I know hundreds of the most talented actors and actresses who have been pursuing stardom for a long time. And the chances of any of them "making it" are slim to none. Statistically, of the Screen Actors Guild members, of which there are over 500,000, only about 5% of them at any given moment are actually employed as actors. That's roughly 25,000 actors playing everything from extra work to one-liners to small roles, to supporting roles to lead roles. Only 25,000. And they say that of the 25,000 only 2% of them are really any good as actors. That's only 500 actors. Not very good odds.

I don't know how old you are, but the younger you are, the better chance you have of working as an actor. The first thing you should do is begin to study the craft. Enroll in acting classes, movement classes, dance, voice, etc. Train yourself, learn as many techinques as possible. Once you've a few years of training behind you, then you need to move to Los Angeles and find an agent. If you want to audition for films, you MUST be in Los Agneles as 98% of all films are cast out of Los Angeles. Most of the reputable agencies are in LA as well.

Don't worry about the pay, the long hours, the press and other problems as you've described. Concentrate ONLY on your training to become a good, talented and trained actress. The rest will follow if you succeed.

But remember, the odds are against you that you will EVER be able to make a living SOLELY from acting. You must love it more than anything else if you want to continue to pursue it, because you will most likely NEVER make it. Not because your drive is no there, not because you're not determined, not because you won't give up, not because you're not talented, not because you're not attractive. No, it's simply because there are so many actors and so few roles, and most producers and studios are not willing to take a chance on unknowns.

Sorry to be so negative, but I want make sure you know what you're up against. I hope this helps!

Good luck with your career, and if you love it, never give up!


Phil
Answer -
Gabriella,

There's no reason you can't pursue all three. To be successful in the broadway theatre, you must be equally talented in acting, dancing and singing. There are terrific training programs where you can develop your talent in all three. When you get to the point of deciding which college to attend, consider Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama. They have an excellent Music Theatre program where you will receive training in all three areas. Many of their alumni are currently working on Broadway.

But if you must choose only one, let your heart lead you to the choice.

Best,

Phil
Answer -
Gabriella,

Thanks for writing. The bottom line is if you really want to pursue a career in acting, which it appears you want to do, then you need to develop your talent by taking acting classes. Enrolling in Julliard's school of Drama would be wonderful, but you have to audition and be accepted. It doesn't cost much to apply and to audition, but at 13, they're not going to take you. The average age of a student at Julliard is 24. They don't take a lot of students directly out of high school. They usually want individuals who have lived a bit after high school, worked at their careers, and have made the definitive decision to be an actor.

I would apply, audition, and see if they take you. If they do, and you don't have the money to attend, ask them about financial aid. They may be able to help.

DON'T move to LA until you've gone to college and studied the craft of acting!

Best,

Phil

Answer
Gabi,

How you get there is up to you. I don't know where you live, so I don't know the easiest way for you to get to NYC. You can drive, fly, take a bus, take the train, whatever. You'll need to do the same to audition. I would check with Julliard to see what their audition schedule is as they travel around the country doing regional auditions as well, in case you can't get to NYC to audition.

But you don't have to worry about that for at least 5 more years. Meanwhile, start taking acting, voice and movement classes locally. These classes will better prepare you for your audition for Julliard.

Good luck!

Phil