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