steve in hollywood

Since I’m such a huge superstar now that I’ve done extra work for cool movies, I thought I’d share my tips on becoming a Hollywood actor. For a few moments, at least, I’m going to try to be completely serious. Honest.

• Have no pride.

You just can’t have any. You are going to get rejected at auditions and by directors and casting agents so many times, it could make you feel like a no-talent waste of time.* Really, it’s just a matter of odds. You have to go to hundreds of auditions to usually score one role.

• Have another career

There’s enough actors out here waiting tables to make ends meet. Try to get into something flexible before you come out. There are more and more online/work from home jobs coming available. Have something good before you come out here and flounder around.

• Give yourself years

It literally took me six months just to figure out how the industry works in Hollywood. Even if you have done theatre/film for years somewhere else, chances are Hollywood is completely different in how they work. Besides that, the process of making films takes months and sometimes more than a year. It takes time to make contacts, get in the unions, get an agent, and all that good stuff.

• Don’t listen to advice from other failures

Why are you reading this? Seriously though, I try to surround myself and make contacts with people who have had various measures of success and try to emulate them. Hanging out with all the other wanna-be actors who are going nowhere and doing what they are doing won’t do you any good.

• Keep moving.

No matter what happens, I always keep things going. I keep up with my contacts, keep working on new ideas, inventing my own projects, etc. Always be doing something besides sitting around waiting for a phone call for an audition you submitted for. If you meet someone big and give them your headshot/card, forget it immediately and keep focusing on the things you are doing. If they actually do call, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise plus you didn’t waste any time sitting around wishing or daydreaming about it.  (That doesn’t mean not to follow up, if appropriate.)

My buddy Rock, pro wrestler and Hollywood success

I was thinking while I typed that a lot of the things I learned were from Rock Riddle and his seminars. He has a great organization and gives free seminars for actors.

Rock Riddle - CEO of APS - Hollywoodsuccess.com

If you’re an actor here in the Los Angeles area I can’t recommend Rock’s services any more highly.

*Which you very well might be, I can’t say for sure.