So you want to be in the entertainment industry...Part 2.

So now that you've read step 1 though 3, you are ready for the next three steps. Please keep in mind that reading about which steps to take is easier than actually taking them. This is just an outline to give you an idea of the steps you need to take Each step might take more time than you had planned. Entering the entertainment industry on any level doesn't happen overnight (often it doesn't happen at all). Be warned! There will be lots of rejection and negativity along the way. It can be very cruel and rough. (I don't just want to paint a sunny picture. I will blog about the negative sides of the business in future blog posts).

Here are the next three steps:

4) Get a good headshot (for actors), Port folio (for models) or demo tape (for singers). Consult experienced professional actors,models and singers whom you trust and whose material gets them auditions. Find out which photographers they recommend and trust. Over time you will have various photographs from different photographers. This is good, especially when pursuing modeling because it'll show a variety of looks/photos. It shows you have some experience in front of the camera. You will also be able to make a composite card with the different photos. (This is basically the business card of a model)

5) Compose a resumé of all the work you have done so far. (This is not a resumé of your 9-5 job, but a resumé of your acting experience). If you don't have any professional experience, write down the community plays you were in and the classes you have taken. As your body of work grows, drop the less professional work (such as school plays) from your resumé. For models the port folio is usually used as a 'resumé'.

6) Next you have to find representation. Send your headshot and resumé (or compcard/or demo) with a brief cover letter to agents in your area. Hopefully one will call you in and agree to represent you. This means they will submit you for certain parts that fit your profile. You then go on the auditions. They get a percentage of everything you make when you book a job. THEY ONLY GET PAID WHEN YOU DO!!!! Never pay an agent any money up front. (More about scams in future posts).

Like I said before this is a quick outline of the steps normally taken when entering the entertainment industry. I will blog more about the nasty, ugly side of the business later on. For now, I just want to give you an idea of the steps ahead. Once those are covered, I will dig much deeper. I've been in this business long enough to know it's not all sunshine and roses. For now, we'll think positive and move forward.

That's all for now. This blog will get deep and very interesting, so stick around, you won't be disappointed.

Toodles,
The Kimster

Breaking Dawn Plagiarism?

The author of the Twilight saga, Stephenie Meyers, is being sued for plagiarism. Another less famous, less rich author named Jordan Scott claims that Stephenie's 4th installment of the Twilight saga (Breaking Dawn) is a rip off of her work "The Nocturne".

Jordan, who's also a singer, started writing "The Nocturne" in 2003 when she was 15 years old. "The Nocturne" was published in 2006, two years before "Breaking Dawn" was published. Scott says Meyer's book -- "Breaking Dawn" is a "significant literary departure from [her] early books..." She says it seems the book is "written by a teenager."

Some similarities between the two books:
-- Both books contain a post-wedding sex scene
-- Both books contain a scene about a woman who's sick because she's carrying a child with "evil powers"
-- Both books contain a scene with the death of the main character's wife

And according to Scott, the dialogue in all of these scenes is extremely similar. She also finds striking similarities in the plot lines, themes, mood, setting, pace, characters, sequence of events and ideas.
Scott is asking for damages, and that the court impound the "Breaking Dawn" books that are being sold.

In Kim's World:
As an author myself I understand the importance of this issue. When writing a manuscript, it's not just a bunch of papers with words on them. To the author it's like a baby. You nurture, groom and protect it. I myself am extremely protective of all my manuscripts and ideas. Very few people know what I'm writing about. If I was accused of plagiarism, knowing it wasn't true, I would fight it till the end. That is my baby and you don't mess with my baby!

Stephenie Meyer became a household name with her Twilight saga. Certainly many people might be jealous of her success. Jordan Scott is not as famous or as rich as Stephenie. She sure got more attention now though. If she is right and Stephenie pretty much copied her work, I hope she gets what she deserves. However, if these similarities are just coincidental, I hope both ladies can just admit to this and go on their way.

Isn't there enough space in the world for both stories to exist?

Updates will follow on this story as they develop.
Toodles,
The Kimster

So you want to be in the entertainment industry...Part 1.

Many people dream of becoming a famous model, singer or actor. They look at Miley Cyrus, Giselle, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and Will Smith and want to be just like that. Over my years of being in the industry, both modeling and acting, I discovered that the only way to be successful is if you are passionate about your craft, have a great deal of patients and a thick skin.

Part of being in the entertainment industry is rejection. This can be very hard if you're not prepared. It can drive you crazy, make you
insecure and lower your self esteem. Either you give in and give up or you take rejection as it comes and create that thick skin that you didn't have when entering the business.

There will always be someone better, more talented, younger, more beautiful or skinnier. You have to just focus on being the best YOU can be.

The first question to ask yourself is:
* Do you really want to be a professional model, actor, singer.....(fill in).
(If you seriously thought about it and your answer is 'yes', read on.)

The second question to ask yourself is:
* Are you willing to relocate to a major city?
Major cities have good theater and film communities. Everyone knows that Los Angeles and New York are the major entertainment cities in the US. Just to give you an idea, I moved all the way from Europe to Los Angeles ten years ago, that's how bad I wanted it. If another major city is more realistic for you right now, consider it. It doesn't have to be Los Angeles or New York. Do some research.

The third question to ask yourself is:
* Am I willing to study my craft?
Sure acting, singing and modeling all require some kind of natural talent. However, there are certain techniques that can be learned to polish your natural talent and make you stand out from the crowd. Casting directors will instantly know if you don't have any training. You will need to know the lingo used in the industry. You can be the most gorgeous model, but if you don't know what you are doing, they will not hire you. They will go with the girl that doesn't look half as good as you, but knows what is expected from her and delivers. You have to take it seriously and look at it as a real job. Doctors go to school for years to study medicine, like them, you too will have to study your craft so you know all the ins and outs.

Think about the three questions above. Maybe you already know you want to be an actor or model.... Doesn't matter...Think about it again. In my next post I will address some further steps you have to take. There are many pitfalls in the entertainment business that one needs to be aware off. When I first started, I wish I had an outline of what to expect, but I learned as I went on. I will share as much as I can to inform you as best I can. Feedback is always welcome.
Toodles,
The Kimster

Welcome to Kim's World.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I will frequently update it with new posts since writing is one of my biggest passions. I have tons of insider news from the entertainment world and have many stories to share. Currently I'm working on my first novel on which I will keep you posted also. If you have a blog you'd like me to visit, just send the url. More to come shortly.