Getting Your Big Break In Hollywood

30th March 2015

Are you a screenwriter hoping to pen the next Godfather? Or maybe you’re a jazz musician looking to create a band and dominate the billboard charts. Whatever your reason for moving to Hollywood, here are just 10 ways to improve your chances of success.

1. Save, Save, Save

They’re called “starving artists” for a reason. You shouldn’t expect to make much money during your first few years in the city, so be sure you have enough savings to survive. You don’t want to work so many jobs that you have no time to pursue your real passion.

2. Get On Social Media

Networking is important in any industry, but it’s especially critical when it comes to the entertainment biz. Social media can help you make and maintain connections that will pay off in the long run. Join Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to get started.

3. Know the Players

It isn’t enough to know the names and birthdays of the entire cast of The Spectacular Now. You should also know people like Marc Shmuger, head of the production company that funded it.

4. Create a YouTube Channel

YouTube stars can rake in millions a year from endorsements, and that isn’t even including those who get discovered through their videos. Just ask Justin Bieber or Dylan O’Brien if they think their YouTube channels were worth it.

5. Create Professional Demos

Whether you’re a singer or aspiring film director, you’ll want high-quality demos to showcase around Hollywood. This means booking real studio time or investing in professional film editing software instead of the knockoff version you found through Google.

6. Start from the Bottom

Most people dream of becoming an overnight success, but this actually happens very rarely in Hollywood. It’s a far better strategy to take work wherever you can get it. Does a local production need PAs? Is a new theater show advertising for background actors?

7. Go Back to School

Film school is about more than just learning cinematography. You’re also paying for the chance to pad your resume and add new entries to your Rolodex. You might also find internships and apprenticeships that will teach you what you really need to know about the industry.

8. Enter Contests

Most major entertainment agencies offer annual contests to find new talent. Don’t be afraid to submit that short story for judgement. You never know when a famous name will like what they see, and that’s all it takes to jump start your career.

9. Stay Aware of Current Events

Subscribe to newsletters and magazines. Become a regular commenter on entertainment blogs. Attend film shows and gallery openings. The more you circulate within the industry, the more you’ll understand it, and understanding will lead to opportunity.

10. Never Stop Creating Content

If you’re a singer, sing. If you’re a writer, write. The entertainment biz moves so fast that you can never afford to take a break, especially if you’re, say, trying to create a film about technology. Technological breakthroughs will leave you behind if you take too long!

These are just 10 ways to get your big break in Hollywood. It doesn’t matter if you’re a screenwriter or a country singer; new people are discovered every day, and there’s no reason why you can’t be one of them.

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