Almost famous...

Summer is here and it's time to make a move to jump-start your career. If you're not sure how to do that, leave a question in the comments, and we'll get to it.

Today we're looking at a question from a recent graduate - how to become rich and famous in Hollywood?

~~~~~~~~~
Hey Dream Builder-
I'm a 23 year old female who recently graduated from a private college in Southern California. I paid my way through school with modeling jobs, and now that I have school done, I want to break into acting. I love the red carpet lifestyle and celebrity culture. I like Dolce & Gabbana, but right now I can't even afford a shoe (not a pair, just one shoe!) I don't want to be one of the poor actors who waits tables and works in lame commercials while waiting for someone to "discover me." How do I break in and become famous?


- Pretty Pamela
~~~~~~~~~

Dear Pretty,

I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that dreams do come true every day in Hollywood!

Now the bad news. The bad news is that most of the time, it simply doesn't happen. Each year literally hundreds of thousands of beautiful people come to L.A. to "make it" in the industry, and most leave a few years later completely broke and dejected. There simply aren't that many people who make a decent living by acting.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data on all occupations, including salary ranges for actors. From the site we see that the median hourly rate is $19.14, which works out to just less than $40,000 a year. This means that to "make it big" you need to be in the top 5% of all actors, which would bring you $187,199 a year. Sure the big name stars make millions of dollars per year, but how many top billing stars can you name? 10? 20? There are roughly 60,000 actors in the United States, so you need to beat out the other 59,990 to make it to the top.

If you still think you have what it takes to make it, then you better start meeting the right people. Success in every industry is enhanced by knowing the right people, and entertainment careers are no exception. You need to get organized and make a plan for success:

1) Nail the basics. Headshots, demo reels, agents, etc. need to be in place to show potential employers that you are serious. You don't want to get asked "what have you done" and you don't have an answer ready.

2) Know the right people. You need to be on a first name basis with people in positions to offer you the roles. Find some way to rub shoulders with the right people. Attend film festivals and screenings when the directors and actors are present, and think outside the box to find a way to stand out.

3) Deliver results. One of the largest complaints from producers and directors about actors is that they're notoriously unreliable. Downright flaky. Show up on time, know your lines, and be flexible. You can't start acting like a diva until you earn the RIGHT to be a diva. This is one of the reasons why the same actors work with the same directors and the same types of films. It is just too risky to take a chance on an unknown quantity (you) when they can work with someone else they trust to show up.

4) Good looks and charm aren't enough. Everyone trying to make it in LA has that, or at least they pretend they do. There is always someone younger and more attractive. What makes you unique?

It's a really tough market out there for actors on the ground in LA. Consider grabbing some friends who specialize in different aspects of production (lighting, sound, editing) and putting together a short You Tube video. Then promote it like your future depends upon it, and see what comes out of it.

Good luck out there. Break a leg.

- Dream Builder