Tips from a Hollywood Actress

A few days ago, I received an email from one of our readers, a mother whose daughter is a successful actor in LA. She told me that her husband - who works at a hospital - overhead a young patient proclaim that she didn't need great grades in school because she planned on being an actress. This prompted her to contact her own daughter - Tara - and ask her to write a letter to this young girl.

Here it is:

Dear Alexis -

14 Tips for Making it in Hollywood

1) Many people do not like to take workshops as they feel like they are paid auditions. I am still fairly new to LA and now know that it has gotten me called in on many occasions. DO NOT go to the workshops unless you are technically and artistically trained because it will work against you and might keep you from getting
called into the casting office.

Must You Move to the Big City to be an Actor?

"Mr. Gracia: I hate large cities. Is it possible to become a working actor without moving to New York or Los Angeles? I wouldn't mind staying as long as needed but I don't want to actually live in a city. - Palin"

Palin: If your goal is simply to act, then any city in the world with a local theater will do fine. However, if your goal is to earn money as an actor, then you'll need to move to a "big" city. However, not all cities are as huge and overwhelming as New York, so you do have some options.

Your headshot is the one critical element that will keep you either in or out of the casting directors' trash pile. Entire careers have been launched on just that right "twinkle in the eye," so don't think that a headshot is just an actor's business card. It's your career on an 8x10" glossy.