The Hollywood Rules
Hollywood is where filmmakers, actors, directors, and artists – from around the world – have been dreaming about for over a century. Every day, some of the best actors and artists come to Hollywood with the hope to succeed. If you want to work with the very best, Hollywood is the place to be. Unfortunately, most people who come here don’t succeed. Why is that? Well, there are two reasons. It’s because they have never learned the “5 Rules of Hollywood”, and they never found an acting coach or mentor who could show them what Hollywood expects from them as actors.
These rules below will make all the difference in your success in this industry.
1. “WHAT WILL I GIVE?” NOT, “WHAT WILL I GET?”
Most people come to L.A. to get things. Hollywood will not respond to you unless you are ready to give something. The people in this industry can see this needy energy and sense of entitlement instantly. Trust me! The more you’re willing to share, offer, and present, the more excited and interested people will be in you. Come with a giving mindset.
2. “HOLLYWOOD RUNS ON ENERGY.”
If you don’t have positive energy radiating out of your body, you will be unemployed because energy is Hollywood’s currency. The successful artists I have met, for the most part, are very nice, professional, and have the energy I want to be around. Enthusiastic behavior will attract the right people into your career and life. Artists who are considerate and keep improving themselves, their craft, and sharing their gifts will attract more of the same. Enthusiastic behavior attracts the right people to your life and career.
3. “YOU ATTRACT WHO YOU ARE.”
You never attract who you want. If you are a superficial person and you come to Hollywood, you’re going to meet a lot of superficial people. In life, you always meet the kind of person you are. If you have negative friends then you had better look at yourself in the mirror, because like attracts like. Positive people will meet other positive people. You must be the type of person you’re seeking to be around! What changes do I need to make in myself to attract the people I want to work with? We don’t live in the world of our wishes. We live in a world we attract, create, build, and nurture.
4. “LIVE YOUR AUTHENTICITY.”
Be courageous enough to be your true self. This is not an easy thing to do, because many people tell you that who you are will never be good enough. Renowned artists share their authentic selves with the world. Know that your true self will keep progressing because you learn, grow, and expand.
“Be YOU – because everyone else is taken!”
5. “BE GRATEFUL.”
One of the things that Hollywood likes is gratitude. It embraces people who appreciate others for their efforts and kindness. I have noticed that stars and other successful people in this industry are thankful to others for helping them. I find that most of the people at the top are caring individuals. They tell me that they feel fortunate to have a job and grateful to be in this business. Most realize that it’s not just about being a star, but how they can help others.
Please send us your comments.
Love, Bernard
The Importance of Training as an Actor
As an actor, consistency is a concept that will guide you in the right direction if you decide to fixate on the right aspects of your career that are essential for success.
From consistency in roles to casting calls, it will always be a good sign that you’re taking the right steps in your acting career. Out of all the ways that can help you be consistent, training is one particular aspect that will help your career by a longshot if you stay dedicated.
Why is actor training important?
One of the biggest mistakes that anyone can make as an actor is that they think too highly of themselves and skip training because they think that “they’ve already got what it takes to be a star.”
Yes, some people may be natural-born actors who can just come out at any time and say that they’re ready to take on an important acting role. Yet, know that having the necessary practice to refine your skills will help push you much farther. Nearly every single star in Hollywood—on the television and silver screen—relies on training so that they never lose grasp on the mastery of their skills.
How can actors train?
Acting classes and training sessions cover different topics, ranging from accents and movements all the way to workshops on channeling emotions. It’s best to assume that if there’s an aspect of acting that anyone’s struggling with, then there’s a certain acting class that can help!
Why should you train?
Regardless if you’re an up-and-coming industry professional or a budding actor who has yet to land a major role, there’s no denying that training regularly will always be helpful. Aside from being a necessity, however, there are a few other reasons you should continue to train as an actor, such as the following:
1 – Training is needed to stay competitive
Roles that are put out for an audition, on average, will have hundreds to thousands of applicants who are all invested in taking their shot towards an acting career.
If you’re keen on landing a certain part or making a name for yourself in the acting industry, then you’ll need to train hard to ensure that you have the skills to stand out in the eyes of a casting director. In the end, know that actors are selected for roles beyond the idea of good looks and connections because skill is required to portray the complexity of any character. This is why you must make sure that you’re well-trained for your ideal role!
2 – Training helps you understand yourself better as an actor
Keep in mind that training isn’t only there to help actors refine their skills for their next potential gig, but it also helps with the important concept of self-discovery. Throughout your training, it will become easier to discover what genres suit your skills, what type of roles you’d like to take on, and what your standard of success truly is. Succeeding as an actor entails knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are and where you stand amongst other actors.
3 – Training develops your love for acting
With its hardships and highly-competitive atmosphere, it can be quite easy to fall out of love with acting if you don’t have the necessary driving force to push you until you land even more roles. By training consistently, you’ll discover the intricacies of acting and understand every skill on a deeper level so that you’ll be able to act like it is second nature to you.
We’ve been receiving a lot of questions about how to be an actor, so we wanted to start to put together a resource for you.
How To Be An Actor
What is an actor?
An actor is an individual who performs in a theatrical production. They may be a singer, dancer, or comedian, but most importantly they are a storyteller. Actors must be able to bring a character to life and tell a story that engages the audience.
What does it take to become an actor?
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become an actor. You must be able to train your body and voice to do what is required for your chosen type of performance. You must also have a good understanding of the art form, as well as the ability to connect with your audience.
How to get started in the industry?
Getting started in the industry can be done many ways. You could start by taking acting workshops to learn more about your chosen art form. This will give you an idea of what is required of you as well as help hone your skills which might need a little work. Another way would be to take theatre classes at a local college or university. You can also start by auditioning for local theatre productions. The more experience you have on your resume, the better.
What should I do if I want to become an actor?
If you want to become an actor, the best thing to do is start by getting as much experience as possible. This means taking classes, auditioning for productions, and networking.
Training is the key to success that any actor can use to stand their ground in the acting industry and cement their future. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and are looking to refine your acting skills with top-notch training, reach out to the Bernard Hiller Acting & Success Studio today.