THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL ®
“we don’t just report the news, we make the news”
* ROCK STARS * MOVIE STARS * & SEX SYMBOLS * ®
November 17 – 24, 2008
INTERVIEWS WITH STARS JOHN TRAVOLTA AND MILEY CYRUS DOGGING OUT FOR DISNEY’S BOLT
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD
ABOUT TOWN IN HOLLYWOOD
ALL BELOW!
THIS WEEK:
THE BREEDERS rock the Wiltern Monday the 17th, Cast and Crew of CRIMINAL MINDS talk con at THE PALEY CENTER. Mirimax bows DOUBT with legend MERYL STREEP and PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at 6pm on Monday the 18th. SKINNY PUPPY’s legendary Ogre rocks The El Rey on Wednesday with his solo act OHGR. And THE SOUNDS jam at the Palladium on Thursday the 20th, while the same time, over at Grauman’s, REESE WITHERSPOON walks the red carpet for FOUR CHRISTMASES. The week is rounded out with the lovely and hilarious SARAH SILVERMAN doing two back to back sets over at club NOKIA. We hear Jimmy might even try get a ticket. STARPOWER MANAGEMENT clients SCOTT & JASON (aka THE BOSTON BOYS), are in talks in NYC for starring rolls on a new sitcom on one of the networks to be released next spring.
This week also added, Thursday, real estate mogul and author GRANT CARDONE does a lecture on how to make big money during the tough economy in Hollywood at 6pm.
Next week,Tuesday, DEE DEE O’MALLEY spreads good karma at The Mint at 8pm, where several stars are rumored to be arriving with a few of their power agents. Thursday is a day to remember the slaughter and captivity of Native Americans, the suffering of all animals, watching your figure, being thankful for all you have, and spending time with friends and family. Friday the 28th, Earvin “MAGIC” Johnson talks about how to be a champion in business over in Century City. Saturday the 29th, the lovely and amazingly talented CELINE DION sings at the HONDA. No kids, I said Honda, not Fonda. Sunday the 30th is, wow, the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Can you believe its that time already?!
DECEMBER EVENTS 2008
Cyber Monday, December 1st catch DENNIS LEARY at Book Soup, and if you have 500 bucks, drop it over in Hollywood to see SAMUEL L. JACKSON get an award. Tuesday Dec 2nd if you missed Celine at the Honda, you can see her tonight at STAPLES, also Tuesday, see the cast and crew of MONK at the Paley Center (formerly the Museum of Television and Radio), THE SMASHING PUMPKINS jam out on the first of a two night double header at the GIBSON, and one of the best bands in the world, SISTERS OF MERCY play the Fonda. Wednesday the 3rd the Smashing Pumpkins play their second gig at the Gibson, and Hanson Bros. of NO MEANS NO fame rock the echo in where else, Echo Park. Thursday the 4th, OASIS crawls back from hibernation to rock staples, and DETOUR fest kicks off downtown.
STARPOWER MANAGEMENT client TOM TANGEN is one of the main attractions for this years HALO AWARDS December 6th, as host, which will see the Golden Age of Hollywood’s screen legends ERNEST BORGNINE and CAROL CHANNING, among many more grace the stage. More added next week.
BOLT IS THE WORD
Bolt Bows the Bow Wow
Superstars John Travolta and Miley Cyrus
Bring “Bolt” Characters to Life on Screen
Filmmakers knew that the title character of “Bolt” called for a special talent, a voice that could showcase the character’s action-TV persona and his real-world discoveries. They enlisted John Travolta, one of the most enduring and endearing actors working today.
“We were really fortunate in having John Travolta voice our main character,” says director Chris Williams. “He is someone who’s had a lot of success playing tough characters in his career. One of the reasons why he’s so good at that is because there is an innate sweet quality in him—as bad and mesmerizing as a character can be, he’s still somehow likeable. This was the perfect combination for playing a dog who thinks that he’s a very threatening, menacing figure, but underneath it all is really a normal loving puppy who loves his owner. It plays to two of John’s biggest strengths. It was a thrill working with an icon who’s been in so many great
movies, and I think his performance really brought something special to the character of Bolt.”
JOHN TRAVOLTA confesses, “I had never done an animated feature but when I got the call from (Disney Studio chairman] D.C. and he told me that this character really suited my personality, I decided that it was a territory worth investigating. To me, the fun part was seeing how the animators created the dog using my voice, expressions and interpretations. I would experiment and give them 20 or 30 versions of one line. They use their imaginations and artistic skills, and it was the most exciting thing to see the marriage of the two. It turned out great.
“Working with the filmmakers was fantastic and Chris Williams was a revelation to me,” continues Travolta. “His affection for animation was infectious, and
I was so tickled by everything we were doing and his choices. The
collaborative effort was huge. This guy really knows what he’s
doing and had a vision for what the film should be.
“I love that the film has so much heart,”
Travolta concludes. “If you’ve ever been separated from your favorite animal, and if you’ve ever loved someone and you miss them, you’re brokenhearted because you can’t be near them. I think audiences will identify in a big way with Bolt and his owner, Penny. It’s a love story, really, and it’s completely entertaining and inviting.”
The inspired casting of Miley Cyrus as the voice of Penny brought a new level of
excitement to the project. Aside from being one of the most popular and sought-after talents in show business today, the singer-actress added sincerity and believability to the proceedings.
GIVE THAT DOG A VOICE
MILEY CYRUS says…“One reason I really wanted to do this movie is because I love animals,” says Cyrus. “I have five dogs of my own and I know if one ran away I would not be able to do anything. And that’s the way Penny is. She can’t work. She can’t sleep. She can’t eat.”
Cyrus says she liked the story’s built-in diversity. “It really is an emotional roller-coaster ride. You start out kind of scared of this evil villain, but you’re
excited at all of the action in theTV-show sequences. Then you’re
sad because Bolt leaves. And then you’re laughing at Rhino.”
Director Byron Howard says,“Miley is incredible and we were so lucky to have her provide the voice of Penny in our film. She brought a real sense of maturity and emotional depth to the role and helped us convey the key story point that Penny loves this little dog and really has his best interests at heart. The audience really needs to feel that her love for him is genuine.”
James Lipton notes, “I’ve always wanted to be in an animated film, and even more, I’ve always wanted to be in a Disney classic. In the Stanislavski system, we want to know what the character wants. In the scenes in which I play the director, I made a note in my head of what he wants to accomplish in the scene.”
Lipton concludes, “Believe it or not, this is perhaps the first StanislavskiICE Lipton
motivated animated character.”
There you have it folks. Check out Bolt at a theater near you.
* * *
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD
By Bruce Edwin
(continued)
Why spend hundreds of dollars on seminars or thousands on classes to learn what to do right, and how Hollywood works, when you can read about it all here, from the pro’s? This is my gift to you, models, talent, bands, on what you need to know. Each week. – Bruce Edwin
How much should you spend on pictures?
That is all relative. If one is the parent of a toddler or infant, for goodness sake, do not spend money. The child will grow so quickly that the pictures will be outdated too soon. If you are a 6 foot tall, 15 year old with a high fashion look, you should not have to pay any thing, or if one is any age and high fashion for that matter. A truly high fashion type, or a true playboy type looking to do playboy can and should get a portfolio and zed and headshot shoot done for free. Any number of good photographers should be happy enough to shoot you for free, doing what we call TFP (trade for prints). Now, your agent or manager however may want pictures in a hurry, and TFP deals can be shady, or take too long, as they are not being paid and therfore have little obligation to you, and you have to really check them out and make sure they are safe. They are generally not advised by getting it on your own. Bring one to wait in the car nearby your shoot if you do a tfp. Keep your cell nearby. Follow this advise even if you pay for a shoot.
Parents, never let kids under 18 do a shoot outside of your presence, never let them out of your site in this business. You have a right to be on set with them (nearby) and at any shoot. Do it. The same with meetings. I can’t tell you how many parents have tried to send their kids to meet my by themselves, when they were under 18. Never!
Now, if your kid is 18 or older, don’t expect to be around on set or at a shoot or meeting. What you do, is wait right nearby, in the lobby, in the car, in an area close enough where they are safe to you, but far enough away where they are still being an adult as they are.
A great manager or agent will help some one hot enough get a tfp arranged if they have the time. Now, if you have money galore, do a paid shoot and take one of the suggestions of the person submitting you for work if they give you one. After all, it is their name on the line too, and they need to feel good about what they send out. Also, many agencies want their cards they send out to have their companies logo or to look a certain way to fit their image and branding. I know of one A list modeling agency that actually has a printing press in their basement that prints their own zeds, again, this is an A list firm, one of the biggest in the business. Expect to pay for printing, no matter how you look.
Do not be afraid to invest in photos, especially if you are not high fashion or a playboy type ready to do that level. Bands should not have to pay for materials for photos, only their demo costs. Now, some photographers charge dirt cheap, and their work usually reflects that. Others may charge a fortune, and their work usually reflects their price. I know one guy who charged 3 grand for a zed shoot. That is a lot of money. But he also had shot countless covers of Maxim, Playboy, GQ, and on and on. He could make 20 to 30 grand in one day shooting for a big company. He did not need to shoot models. So the richer ones who could afford the best, would be the only ones he would even bother to see. Hire the best, but within your budget, but make sure that they make you look enough like you, or at least enough like you can look with the right hair and make up. Hair and Make up is a necessity. A pro hair and make up artist (MUA), is a must. Don’t try do it yourself. Most pro photgs supply them. Wardrobe stylists are advised if you can afford them, but not a necessity. Follow directions of who the pics are for and follow their direction for your different looks. Do not repeat colors or styles. Avoid logos. Why would one company want to hire you when they see you modeling their competitors brand?
An agent or manager has a right to not use your photos if they do not like them, including the printing. You also have a right to get a shoot done on your own, for free, and to get your printing done any where you want, if you so choose. If you or your images are good enough, they may get accepted. But don’t be a diva and think you are too good to take a suggestion from an agent or manager on photos. If you are that hot, they’ll tell you. If they are willing to let you walk, you may want to think about taking their advice. I know A-list producers and casting directors who refer talent to photographers. They may be their friend, lover, cousin, brother, client, whatever.
Ask your self, how much money did you earn strictly off of your modeling or acting in the past 12 months? If that number isn’t high, remember, your whole team working for you has to get paid. Hollywood isn’t about good will on the first level. It is a business. And if your team isn’t making money with you, they will not be happy. Your whole team (agent, manager, publicist, attorney, every one has to get paid).
For rates on photographers and printing, start cold calling and do a comparative analysis yourself via back stage west, which comes out every thurday, and can be found at any major newsstand in L.A., or at Barnes and Noble or Boarders. Look at their work via their websites.
How can you get auditions on your own and is it worth it?
To build your resume and reel, it is worth it, to get more legit creds for theatre, and indie films. The way to do this is to look in BSW (back stage west) casting notices, and seek advice on the approach from your agent or manager. Paid ads on craig’s list or myspace my work too, but as with all of these methods, bring a partner to wait nearby with you, bring your cell, and never do nude or even provocative for a job you book your self unless your legit agent or manager clears it and checks it out first.
One girl I repped booked a job for a nude scene in a feature film. The CD refused to send me sides, and sounded very sketch. I then told my client I forbade her from doing the job as a result of this. She argued. I told her I would drop her if she did it. She ended up not doing it, but later disappeared. Listen to your reps. Most of us have been around longer than you in this game. We know what we are talking about. Always require a copy of the tape to any low or no pay job you do, or good paying for that matter. Do not do a low or no pay job that refuses to give you a copy of tape. Ask your manager to help you with this if need be. You need copy of the tape for your reel. Every talent who is not a star MUST have a reel. Every band who is not known MUST have a demo. Both actor and bands must have a digital version, and a hard copy.
Student films are a great way to build your reel and resume. I tell all of my clients to go to the top film schools and meet the head of faculty of the film and theatre departments. Leave your photo and pager and email. Try get in the upper level, grad films that are sync sound and color. Some of these students go on to be award winning filmmakers, or they may hit the festival circuit. Demand to be a part of the PR (public relations campaign) and again, always get tape and creds.
Agents vs. Managers, what’s the difference and what do you need?
For this answer in more detail, visit
www.starpowermanagementllc.com
Foolish agents are hostile to managers, as they see as as competition who do not have to get bonded or SAG licensed. Smart agents however, realize that managers are essential, and that we all benefit when we all do our jobs. Agent get a percent of your work, as does your manager. Whether or not both get a cut out of the same job depends on the contract you have with each of them, and it may depend on the agreements your agent and manager may make with each other. Again, remember, if your team does not get paid, they will not be happy. If they are not happy, they do not work. If they do not work, YOU do not work. Unless that is, you love those low or no paying jobs is bsw.
How do you get in to see Casting Directors?
The only real way is to go through a legit agent or manager. Now, if you are feeling really masochistic, and of course your are, or else you wouldn’t be a model or talent, you can try cold call them your self. IF you do this, you can start by simply googling Los Angeles casting directors. I just did this, and found about 100 or more. Of course, we have lists and books for this too. Now, if you cold call them on your own, you need to be sure and do two things. One, you have to be aggressive as can be. And secondly, you need to act a little crazy, do something off the wall, unique, daring, that will catch them by surprise. Whatever you do, do NOT tell any cd (casting director) that I told you to call them. I don’t need enemies! If you are crazy enough to call them on your own, do the unusual. If I were an actor, I would ask each of them if I could come in and intern with them, and help out. If they ask you if you are an actor, and tell you they can’t have actors as interns, tell them you won’t act when you are there, and that you’ll quit after you get a part, but will commit to a certain amount of time. Or, I would ask them if I could take them out to lunch at one of the hottest industry hot spots, and tell them how I was going to help them make an extra 100 thousand dollars next year. Be bold. Be daring. Go beyond the norm. Then, constantly stay in touch with them. Eventually, you will get so busy, you will need us, a great manager or an agent to handle all that work for you.
How do you get on commercials or soaps?
Get a great agent and manager. Most commercials these days do buy outs, in other words, they say that they are paying your 10 year or lifetime or such residuals all in one lump some. In other words, they are not paying residuals, and they will generally low ball talent because they know your competition will work it for near free. Some commercials, the rare ones, can pay good. Get in a good cycle with the commercial c.d’s. Get on their call log. For soaps, it’s the same thing. Soaps are all mostly AFTRA gigs, not SAG. If one is SAG, one is automatically able to do an aftra job, as it is a sister union. However, one must be sag or aftra to do aftra.
What are the best schools?
You should find some one who teaches Stanislavski, the full 3 year program, and that does scene study, character roadmaps, and voice diction among more. Meisner and all of the others spun off from Stanislavski, but he was the foundation of it all. Go to the source.
Do not go to a school that forbids you in some ridiculous contract from working as a model, actor, or band. Certain schools of conservatories do that because they want to keep your tuition money coming in, and they have dreams of managing the best talent themselves, or having their friends do so. Why pay a fortune to a joint that won’t let you even do what you are paying to try do for years? That is complete stupidity. For music, go where the experts and legends teach.
How do you get representation?
Look at my advice above for cold calling casting directors, and do the same thing with agents and managers. Be bold. One dude dropped in my office once, hanging out in the lobby. He told my secretary that he had to see me. Hours later, he was still there and when I went out to lunch, he got in my face telling me how he had to see me and read all about me and wanted me to represent him. I told him I was not signing, ran back to my office, phoned the secretary to get rid of him. She told me she tried but he would not leave. I then snuck out the side door and ran. Do NOT be this bold!
Be wild. Deliver them a singing choir announcing your interest in them. Or balloons, or pay for an ad and put yourself on the billboard outside of their office. Call me please! The ad might say. Take out an ad in the trades for them. Be nice, be bold. Ask them what would make them want to sign you. Ask them what they are looking for in a model or talent or band and what they think you could do to be that. Ask them if you can intern in the office or walk their dogs for a month and all you want in return is a chance for them to consider you and to keep in touch with you.
Go above and beyond the ordinary. There is no reason any model or talent or band in this town can’t have a great agent and manager. Just find the ones you want, set your goals, and get it. Never give up.
If I were an actor, (and thank goodness I’m not), I would have about 20 agents and a few managers until I became a star. My friend, an acting coach, used to have about 50 back in the day. She also landed about 1000 voice over and commercial jobs. That’s what it takes.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD is a free service each month provided as a gift to models and talent from talent manager Bruce Edwin. Read more of the ongoing E-book here below.
Next issue continued next week, out November 24th.
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HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD
(NEWS AS FOLLOWS)
AMERICAN FILM MARKET HITS BIG WITH GOOD VIBES AFTER DEM WIN
Producer and manager BRUCE EDWIN and his client, actor MARK WOOLLEY were spotted schmoozing heavy hitters last Wednesday night under a moonlit, starry sky amidst palm trees by the sea, in lovely Santa Monica, California, at Hollywood’s renown annual AMERICAN FILM MARKET, which was a jam packed, great success, enjoyed by all. Prexy and thesp went bouncing from American to Japan Expo and beyond, with Mr. Edwin stating he left with strong interest from money in several of his projects and promises he will definitely be returning next year.
DANNY BOYLE talked at the SKIRBALL tonight Friday to a nice crowd, while TILDA SWINTON chatted over at THE EGYPTIAN. ACTORFEST kicks off downtown tomorrow Saturday, with GLAMOURCON at the LAX Hilton, and PLAYBOY centerfold SARA UNDERWOOD signing her calendar at BOOK SOUP. PAR kicks off DEFIANCE at the AFI FEST with DANIEL CRAIG on Sunday, GLARMOURCON wraps its final day, and the COMIC BOOK SCI FI sells autographs at THE SHRINE, all on the 9th. MARTHA STEWART sells books and signs autographs at 10am at BARNES in GLENDALE on Monday, T.C. BOYLE signs books at THE HAMMER on Veterans Day Tuesday, and THE MONKEES make an appearance Wednesday back at the Egyptian.
THIS WEEK:
JOE JACKSON’S attorney SAM RAGNONE, business mogul and producer CARL URBIN, and film producer and talent manager BRUCE EDWIN meet at CAFÉ PINOT concerning their development of a new film production company, among other new entities. Also today Wednesday the 12th, MARY KATE & ASHLEY OLSEN sign books to try earn a few bucks over at Borders in Westwood. Both girls have new albums out, as does HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL babe ASHLEY TISDALE, and screen beauty SCARLETT JOHANSSON. Scarlett’s by the way, reminds us of the lovely voice of HOPE of MAZZY STARR. We miss you Hope. Thursday, two great bands rock L.A, AND THEY SHALL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD (who used to be the even more aptly titled AND THEY SHALL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF THE DEAD) rocks the ECHO, with the psychedelic punk legends LEGENDARY PINK DOTS blowing minds at THE KNITTING FACTORY. Sexy JESSICA SIMPSON shakes her booty at the Indian Bingo and Casino, ROBYN HITCHCOCK, who is a truly brilliant artist, good husband, and total gentleman when I interviewed him, rocks LARGO, and CHRIS O’DONNEL and MARK WHALBERG show at GRAUMANS for MAX PAYNE, along with LUDACRIS. Friday, The LITTLE ONES rock the ECHO, and MOTLEY CRUE play a rare gig at the PALLADIUM. Saturday, ANABELLA of BOW WOW WOW wants some candy over at THE VIPER ROOM, DAN AKROYD and JIM BELUSHI play THE BLUES BROTHERS at THE WILSHIRE EBEL, along with host RAY ROMANO, and the DOWNTOWN LA LIBRARY hosts a free BUSINESS WORKSHOP from 1 to 3pm. Lastly rounding out this week, Sunday is the red carpet premiere of Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL with ASHLEY TISDALE and others, and JOHN TRAVOLTA and MILEY CYRUS shake it for WALT DISNEY at the EL CAPTAIN on the blvd for their new pic BOLT. STARPOWER MANAGEMENT client DAVID WILLIAMS is in the news, talking to TITO, JERMAINE, JACKIE, and RANDY, some of the brothers of the JACKSON 5, concerning a world tour.
JENNIFER ANISTON GOES OFF ON ANGELINA JOLIE ABOUT BRAD PITT to VOGUE magazine, stating, “That stuff about how she couldn’t wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool,” Jennifer said. Read the full article in the upcoming issue of the legendary VOGUE, with Jennifer on the cover.
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* * *
B r u c e E d w i n
Producer * Publisher * Manager
Santa Monica, CA, 90404
tel: 310 – 226 – 7176
The Hollywood Sentinel ®
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* * *
THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL ®
November 10 – 16, 2008
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD ®
By Bruce Edwin
Why spend hundreds of dollars on seminars or thousands on classes to learn what to do right, and how Hollywood works, when you can read about it all here, from the pro’s? This is my gift to you, models, talent, bands, on what you need to know. Each week. – Bruce Edwin
In this informative issue you’ll learn:
How do you choose the right agent or manager?
How do you get SAG? What about Fi Core?
When is pilot season, and how can I get in on it?
Each week, only from THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL ®
* * *
How do you choose the right agent or manager?
Go with your instinct. Intuition is a power you are given. Use it. It works. The people who use their instinct succeed. The ones who don’t hurt themselves over and over, and usually fail. You are an intuitive, high powered being. Use your gift.
You should also ideally have your pictures on the walls of as many agents as possible until you are a star. Why? It increases your likelihood that you will get more auditions and therefore more work.
It does not matter if they are a SAG franchised agency or not. Most of the model agencies are not SAG, as most modeling jobs are non union. Some of the bigger modeling agencies are even rebelling and deliberately not being SAG franchised in order to fight what they feel is bad union decisions against them, in order to make a statement, opt out of unfair practices against agencies, and of course, to save money and gain power.
This is not to say that SAG agencies are not desirable, of course, they are crucial to your career if you are talent, and a must have. Check the SAG franchise list which you can find online. Do be aware that just because an agency is SAG franchised does not necessarily mean they know totally what they are doing or are reputable.
Multiple agenting used to be called hip pocketing. I call it SMART if you are a model or talent. Of course, most agents and managers do not want you to know that you should or can do this. It increases their competition and may cut their profits. But yes, you can do it, and it is wise. Just be sure to tell them all who you are with, so they have the right to say no, do not feel deceived, and can stay in touch with each other if they want to. This is particularly important to them and to you to avoid double submittals which the c.d’s (casting directors) absolutely hate. So if you do hip pocket, you MUST tell all your agents and management who you have. Do NOT keep secrets, or it will blow up in your face.
The best way to choose an agent or manager is by a referral from one of their clients who you ideally know. If you do not have that option, ask who they know, and see if you can contact who they say they know and get them to talk about them. Just don’t let them know you are doing this, either party, it may make the party you are checking out upset. Many talents have called me and said they are going to check me out. I then would often tell them that I am going to check them out too, to see if they are a psycho or serial killer before I have them in to my office. Of course you should check them out. But you don’t tell some one you are checking them out. You just do it. And for goodness sake, use a real source to do it. Internet blogs are not reliable sources to determine ethics by.
Keep in mind that one person’s bad experience with an agent or manager might not be your experience. Just as a person you may have dated in high school might not tell every now how you are the best person. People have different experiences with different people depending on who they both are and where they are at in their life. Use your best judgement, and do a non exclusive contract until you build trust. Tell them that your friend is an attorney (call an attorney and make a friend so you aren’t lying), and won’t let you sign exclusive agreements until a working relationship is developed and they look it over.
But be aware, the best SAG agents, and the best managers have exclusive contracts. They don’t want to do all that hard work for you and then see you run off to another competitor who reaps the profit they should have gained. Be fair. You can also ask the agent or manager to “do lunch.” Offer to take them to one of the hot spots in town and let them know you want to get an idea of how they work and share ideas. If you offer to buy, and take them where it counts, to the hot spots, few will turn you down. You can then analyze them in a more neutral territory, get more information out of them, and see how they operate. Just don’t let them get the wrong idea. Doing lunch is standard for business in this town, but don’t mix your messages. Let them know your intentions are for business.
If you sign no exclusive, and you spend no money, you have little to lose, so if it feels right, go for it.
How do you make yourself valuable to an agent or manager?
Answer your phone as quickly and readily as possible. Return all calls as fast as possible. Do not make excuses. Do not complain to them that they don’t answer their phone, yet that they expect you to. No one said it is an equal playing field, until you are a star, then it may level out. Agents and managers have dozens, maybe many dozens of other clients to deal with, all who may not answer their phone. Or who may take countless hours to call back. You are just one.
So answer the phone. I called on actress once and she told me she was in the shower. Another the tub. Another going pee. Now, that may have been more information that I needed to know, but their tenacity won me over. Be available. Be on time. Know your craft, constantly improve. Do not change your style unless you consult us first. I can’t tell you how many models have came in to see me with their hair color changed after I just had them submitted for a job with their former hair, even after I instructed them never to do this. Not only does it make your pictures useless, it makes us look bad if you get called in and your look is not the same. Always inform.
Check in and out. Don’t make us guess. Call us regularly. Don’t expect us to check in with you if you aren’t a star. You need to be proactive and call us, often. Ask how you can make your self more marketable. Ask if you can help them with any thing concerning your career. Offer them to help their secretary get your materials ready, or to send your assistant if you have one to help them. Show you believe in yourself and are serious, show you care. Keep positive. Do not call them when you are in a bad mood. Do not react back negatively if they are in a bad mood. Be kind and upbeat.
Do not waste their time. Invite them to do lunch or see your play or show. Do not blame them if you don’t get work. If you don’t go in to their office and make a plan of attack with them to make you succeed together, you have no one to blame but yourself. Do what you say you are going to do. Be reliable. Don’t be too cheap to improve your craft or update your book or improve your voice or think you are too good to get better. Every one can get better. Every one. Learn to play an instrument or learn a foreign language. New skills help.
How do I become a member of The Screen Actors Guild?
If you are a tall, busty, young female, you will have no problem getting SAG if you find the right agent or manager and casting director. If you are less tall, but busty and look young and hot, you still have hope. If you are tall and less busty but a model type, you’re in. If you are less busty and not that tall, but look young, you have hope if you do sexy roles, such as implied or nude in a movie or TV show.
Women who show skin generally get SAG. If you are 18 or older and look like you are about 12 or 13 and are cute, Hollywood will love you. They can cast in you child roles, yet avoid labor law restrictions.
Guys, if you are tall and hot with a great face and build, and young, under 25 or 20, you have a chance. Of course, knowing how to act doesn’t hurt either. SAG these days as you can see, has little to do with talent, and every thing to do with connections and who will do nude. Sad but true.
But if you want a career that lasts, and don’t want to be just another bimbo type, get some training and actually learn your craft. Do your 3 years of Stanislavski or put in a few years studying Meisner. Learn some Shakespeare. Train. Express to your representation your desire to be SAG.
Don’t join SAG until you are ready to compete against SAG players, and give up doing non union work, which is about 80 percent of the work out there and what happens when you do join. Your changes for getting work drastically decrease after you join SAG if you are not a star or can’t actually act. And don’t think it just comes natural. It doesn’t. Does playing the violin come natural? Then neither does acting. It is a craft, a science with a problem and a solution. If you do not know how to get there with that character, then you will flop.
Fi Core is not suggested as it is perceived as a hostile act against the union. If you don’t care about SAG higher up’s, go fi core, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. If one is fi core (financial core), they can do union and non union both, but do not get the union protection in labor disputes, benefits, etc. In essence, you pay to break their rules but you are essentially like a so called scab worker to the union. Again, not advised.
As discussed earlier, you need 3 union vouchers, or, better yet, just get sponsored in. That means, a sag franchised production wants you for a sag role, generally the producer or director, and they wave their magic wand and poof! You are now SAG. I told one 20 something model this once and she actually started asking me about the wand and what it looks like. You know, like Glenda has? I told her, on the Wizard of Oz? You mean like, OZ, on HBO she said? Wow. For more information on getting SAG, ask your agent or manager.
When is pilot season and how do I get in on it?
For that answer, I suggest you read the following link to begin with.
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/P/htmlP/pilotprogram/pilotprogram.htm
If you can not read this link here, go to the museumtv archives and search for pilot program. Now, having read this, you should also know that pilot season now actually seems to be beginning earlier and earlier each year. This year for example, in the second week of November 2008, I have clients auditioning for a pilot for next years fall line up. Generally, I see it starting around mid to late October, for many nets. The best way to get considered for pilot season is to get a great agent or great manager and tell them that you want to sit down with them and make a plan of attack for you to be doing heavy auditions and work during this time.
Next week:
How much should you spend on pictures?
How can you get auditions on your own and is it worth it?
Agents vs. Managers, what’s the difference and what do you need?
How do you get in to see Casting Directors?
How do you get on commercials or soaps?
What are the best schools?
How do you get representation?
www.starpowermanagementllc.com
tel 310 226 7176
Next issue: Monday November 17, 2008.
www.myspace.com/starpowermanagementllc
THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL . COM®
Rock stars * Movie Stars * & Sex Symbols ©
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November 3-10, 2008
HOLLYWOOD WINS
BARACK OBAMA- PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Today, America has chosen a new face and a new leader. While government is by its very nature a problem unto itself, we can hope now at least that some greater amount of sanity and peace may be restored to this country and to this planet.
AN INTERVIEW WITH OPRAH WINFREY ON OBAMA
From our hometown of Chicago, we now turn to an interview with fellow Chicagoan OPRAH WINFREY (used with courtesy from CNN) discussing the man who she, above more than perhaps any other American, helped catapult in to the presidency of the United States of America.
CNN: How do you feel now that Barack Obama has won?
OPRAH: It feels like hope won. It feels like America did the right thing.
It feels like a shift in consciousness.
Like something big and bold has happened, like any thing is possible in our lifetime!
He has a lot of work to do. This country is in a big mess, so I’m just wondering now, if he is thinking, what have I gotten my self in to? But he is going to do more than any body else could, but he knows that it is not just one person that is going to do it, we all have to get to work.
CNN: Do you plan to run now yourself in the next 4 years?
OPRAH: I have no comment on that. I have no agenda.
INTERVIEW WITH P DIDDY ON OBAMA
CNN: How do you feel now that an African American is President of the United States of America?
P DIDDY: It’s got to be the proudest moment in my life. It’s the most beautiful proud shocked moment ever. I don’t want this feeling to stop.
CNN: You’ve got a lot of people to campaign, you did a lot for this campaign…
P DIDDY: Its been very important to me. I used to think when I was a kid, I wanted to be president, but I never told any body, because I was embarrassed to say that, because it didn’t seem possible to me, it didn’t seem real, but now it seems real to me, now I can tell my son, you can be any thing, and I can mean that. It changes the way we feel. Yes we can!
* * *
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
PEACE!
The Hollywood Sentinel
November 5, 2008
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THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL ® ©
ONLINE
The Story
The Hollywood Sentinel and the Hollywood Sentinel online © were created by Hollywood Producer, Publisher, and Talent Manager Bruce Edwin, after his years of research in entertainment concerning the growth of the internet, social media, and digital platforms for film and television.
Hollywood Reporter Editor Elizabeth Guider spoke with Mr. Edwin this year in 2008, and stated to him that the future of Hollywood’s biggest growth was on the internet, cell phones, and comic book adaptations. This has proven to be true.
After extensive analysis concerning the internet as a business and publishing tool, Mr. Edwin realized that its explosive growth and potential for immediate mass communication is growing too great to ignore.
With Mr. Edwin’s discovery that most every major studio in Hollywood, as well as every major newspaper in the U.S. are now making large, if not their largest profits through online, electronic commerce, Mr. Edwin decided that now is the time to launch an online entertainment channel.
The Hollywood Sentinel Online now launches today and more fully later this week, via blogs, social networking platforms, and direct marketing via E-mails, through Bruce Edwin’s massive E-mail database acquired as decades as one of the top networker’s in Hollywood.
The Hollywood Sentinel shall soon then expand to a self contained website that shall eventually contain streaming media video, with original and provided content, featuring exclusive interviews with rock stars, movie stars, and sex symbols among more.
It shall begin as a free, public advertising supported system, while later evolving with multiple channel platforms that will be both advertising and niche viewer subscription based models, while continually maintaining the general platform as a free to viewer based model.
The Hollywood Sentinel shall then expand in to film and television, and a hard copy print version of the online magazine shall then be created for targeted niche markets. The parent company, Starpower Management and Bruce Edwin is already producing multiple feature films and one entertainment show for cable television and video on demand.
The Hollywood Sentinel is unique, in that it is created with the expertise and voice of a college educated movie producer and talent manager who lives and works in Hollywood, making a living doing only what he writes about, entertainment. And his voice as a writer is bold, powerful and unique.
The first unique issue, launching today, additionally includes the FREE pages of Mr. Edwin’s entire new book, HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD ongoing in future issues, as well as his future book CELEBRITIZING YOUR CAREER in future issues. It shall include exclusive interviews with some of the top producers, managers, agents, publicists, and stars in Hollywood, to give models and talent the knowledge and training to become a true success. All of this and more, FREE to all.
Never before has such power through knowledge been given away FREE about Hollywood, a land full of myths, delusions, and tinsel town dreams, on such a vast and ongoing basis, to those who long to take their career higher. As a model and talent manager, this is Bruce Edwin’s special way of “giving back” to those who dream of success in showbiz. And it is his next mark on the world of entertainment, to bring hope, and entertainment to the masses.
www.hollywoodsentinel.wordpress.com www.myspace.com/bruceedwin
www.starpowermanagementllc.com starpowermanagementllc@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/starpowermanagementllc
Tel: 310- 226 – 7176
* * *
MASTHEAD
AD RATE KIT
REVIEW POLICY
PUBLISHER BIO
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD
All Inside
THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL . COM®
Rock stars * Movie Stars * & Sex Symbols ©
TITLE OF PUBLICATION www.TheHollywoodSentinel.com ® ©
http://www.hollywoodsentinel.wordpress.com
www.myspace.com/starpowermanagementllc
Print Magazine (at later date) The Hollywood Sentinel © ®
PUBLISHER Subnormal Productions ©
EDITOR Bruce Edwin www.BruceEdwin.com ©
ADDRESS OF PUBLICATION Starpower Management LLC /
The Hollywood Sentinel ® ©
Santa Monica, California, 90404
TELEPHONE Tel: 310 – 226 – 7176
PUBLISHED IN: California with U.S. labor
YEAR PUBLISING CO. FOUNDED 1990
TYPE OF BUSINESS Entertainment Media website / blog
GENRE Music, Film, Fashion, Models, Art, Literature, Culture, Poetry, News
ISSUE current
SCREEN DATE October / November, 2008
FREQUENCY weekly (every Monday)
TARGET MARKET all ages, rock fans, film-goers, model /
fashion lovers, entertainment ceo’s, free thinkers
SENT VIA E-MAIL TO 20,000 and growing each month
VIEWS PER BLOGS 4,000 per month and growing
READERSHIP 80,000 per month and growing
DISTRIBUTION (WWW) Search Engine Optimized via Google
via Starpower Management LLC, etc
SIZE 8 to 12 pages or more each week
PRICE free
REGISTRATION copyrighted, trademarked, and
registered
for each issue, all images used with
consent by law
PUBLICITY various in Los Angeles (upon request)
MANAGEMENT Starpower Management, LLC © ®
www.Starpowermanagementllc.com ® ©
AFFILIATE WEBSITES www.starpowermanagement.net © ®
www.myspace.com/bruceedwin.com ® ©
http://www.myspace.com/starpowermanagementllc
LEGAL
THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL . COM®
Rock stars * Movie Stars * & Sex Symbols ©
ADVERTISING RATES
(rates are per one copy issue unless otherwise specified)
Next issues: October 6th, 2008 (Oct 13, 20, 27)
Rates are by request by phone or email only to be provided by email or phone only
Note: site is currently viewable via our numerous blogs with above readership, to be expanded to website shortly thereafter, and expanded to print magazine in 2009. Company reserves the right to change or amend title or subtitle of publications at any time.
To discuss advertising, please call us at 310-226-7176
All inquiries regarding advertising or calls from working clients returned within 10 hours or less.
Thank you.
* * *
THE HOLLYWOD SENTINEL © ®
REVIEW POLICY
REVIEW / PRESS COVERAGE:
BOOK / MAGAZINE REVIEWS: we provide complimentary book, magazine, journal, CD, seminar, and lecture reviews with complimentary supplied materials and guest lists for select authors and functions. Inquire by phone to request arrangements. We do barter ad trades with select websites and publications.
CD REVIEWS: We do music reviews of select recorded artists, predominantly in the gothic / industrial, 60’s, and punk genres. Inquire by phone for request.
CONCERT REVIEWS / PRE-VIEWS: We do concert reviews and pre views (at sound checks) of select recording artists including rock, jazz, blues, classical, plays, performance art, and more. Inquire for press coverage.
SPECIAL EVENTS: We provide review coverage for special events including, but not limited to music festivals, art openings, gallery shows, stage, multi media, ballet, opera, and the like
RED CARPET EVENTS / PARTIES: We review select red carpet events, after hour red carpet parties, and other unique A-list functions with text coverage and potential photo coverage. Inquire by phone for request please.
BAND INTERVIEWS: We do text interviews and photo coverage for select rock bands and artists. Inquire by phone for request.
MOVIE REVIEWS / PRE VIEWS: We do film reviews on DVD, and theater for select films. Inquire for request.
DINING ESTABLISHEMENTS: We review select fine dining establishments. Inquire by phone to request and discuss terms.
ACTOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR INTERVIEWS: We do interviews by text with photo coverage for select A-list film artists that are above the line. Inquire by phone for request.
MODELS: We do text press and photo coverage of select fashion and swimsuit models. We provide text interviews and photo coverage of select models. Inquire by phone for all requests.
FASHION DESIGNERS: We do coverage of select fashion shows, fashion weeks, select designers, fashion houses, fashion couture, and ready to wear pieces and accessories. Inquire by phone for request.
INTELLECTUAL LEADERS: We do coverage / interviews with select intellectual leaders of our time. Inquire by phone for request.
POETRY: We accept poetry submissions from hardback published authors only at this time.
SUBMISSIONS: We accept writing or photo submissions if photos are of celebrities and submitted by original photographer only, and writer only if they are known nationally in their field with major recognized credits or awards.
E-mail: We receive many pages of E-mails in per day, from aspiring models, casting, etc. Therefore, please begin by calling us instead of E-mailing us with any press request. If we are not already working together and you E-mail instead of calling, please do not be surprised or offended if we do not have time to respond to your E-mail. Phone is best.
BANDS: we can not possibly review all of the cd’s or concert invites we receive. Please do not take any rejection of request to review your show or material personally. It is not meant to be.
HARD COPY PRESS KITS / REVIEW COPY: check with us first before sending hard copy via snail mail to verify preferred means of delivery, pick up, etc.
PHYSICAL PROPERTY: Materials sent hard to The Hollywood Sentinel becomes our physical property and shall not be returned.
INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS: We reserve the right to add, modify, delete, edit, or omit any image or text materials we receive (with credit given) in any manner we deem fit.
BAD PRESS / NEGATIVE REVIEWS: The Hollywood Sentinel shall give no bad reviews, unless supplier of material specifically requests an unbiased review, good or bad. Otherwise, if we do not like material or function and would rip it apart, we will instead opt to simply not print any review unless requested by client otherwise.
OUR PHILOSOPHY: The Hollywood Sentinel shall not engage in any deliberate, hurtful gossip, and instead shall take the higher ground upholding truth, honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards.
We will not deliver bad news simply because it sells, and will not have our values and morals bought or sold.
CONTENT: Will entail no bad language, no tacky images, no negative sensationalism, and will maintain a PG or PG-13 type rating of content with any models and dialogue.
VISION: Our vision for our creation is to provide good and valuable free service of knowledge, information, entertainment, and news to those pursuing a career in Hollywood, and to those who wish to read about our world of entertainment. We shall teach and inform with a spiritual, humanitarian, environmental, and peace and freedom loving standard of ideals. We shall promote positive energy and life sustaining power.
* * *
THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL, ONLINE ® ©
Publishing Editor: Bruce Edwin
BRUCE EDWIN
Biography
Bruce Edwin is founding, publishing editor of The Hollywood Sentinel (online) and The Hollywood Sentinel (print magazine). He founded The Hollywood Sentinel title in 2006.
Bruce Edwin is President of Starpower Management LLC and a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Edwin founded Starpower Management, a celebrity focused model and talent firm in the fall of 2002 in Chicago, Illinois. He later expanded the company to Los Angeles, California. He has helped to launch many careers, including rock act Kill Hannah, who he first introduced to his client Atlantic Records.
Mr. Edwin began producing for feature film last year. He serves as writer and producer on the feature film All Good Children Go to Heaven, a thriller. Mr. Edwin has forged confidential working relationships with numerous celebrities as producing partners and talent manager.
Prior to being a producer and manager, Mr. Edwin worked as an in house production assistant at the T.V. show Extra! and Celebrity Justice. During this year, he wrote stories, further expanded his knowledge of how celebrities are created, and assisted with numerous celebrity interviews.
Prior to his production work, Mr. Edwin worked for Meg Ryan’s former producing partner Nina Sadowsky, for her company Pruffrock, and later Signpost and Lakeshore Entertainment.
Prior to his talent management experience, Mr. Edwin was a talent agent, a talent booker, and earlier, a model and talent scout for numerous firms in Los Angeles. He trained as a manager under the supervision of Former Ford Models manager and current ICM agent Mr. Blackwell.
Prior to his agent and management work, he was a professional photographer. His credentials include photographing Michael Jackson, Scorsese’s Oscar Party Night of 100 Stars, David Bowie, The Sex Pistols, Sarah McLachlan, and hundreds more.
Mr. Edwin joined Next Reality and First Capitol Bank of Chicago in 2002, where he served as marketing manager for both companies. Prior to that he worked in the fashion and music industry in merchandising and management, with companies including Fossil, and Lord & Taylor / Saks.
Bruce Edwin began his career in motion picture and film with the launch of his own magazine, Subnormal, in 1989. With Subnormal Magazine, Mr. Edwin landed exclusive interviews with recording artists Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and many more. Former Tower Records distributed his magazine in over 15 countries, and in every major city throughout the United States.
Mr. Edwin is a graduate of Columbia College of Chicago for film producing and cinematography. He resides in Los Angeles.
www.starpowermanagementllc.com www.myspace.com/bruceedwin www.hollywoodsentinel.wordpress.com www.myspace.com/starpowermanagementllc
tel: 310-226-7176
* * *
THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL (c). 2008
“we don’t just report the news, we make the news”
* ROCK STARS * MOVIE STARS * & SEX SYMBOLS *
LETTERS FROM OUR READERS
Send us your letters. Selected letters will be published.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD
by Bruce Edwin
October 6-13 2008
* * *
THIS IS DEDICATED TO:
To every model or talent I ever hung up on. To all of the thousands of actors and models I ever rejected. To my former assistants, to those who I ever accidentally hurt. To every talent that wanted to come through my door, and the thousands who were too far away to even try. I give you here FREE, the steps, the stories, and the ammunition of knowledge, to MAKE IT.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This book has been made possible by years of accumulated knowledge acquired from hundreds of sources, including some of the following institutions and great people in my life who helped give me that knowledge, or a better place to be in my life to enjoy it; My family, Moira Cue, Corral Gayle, The Temple, Frank & Bob, Michael Levine, Carl Urbin, Grant Cardone, Sighris & Arlen, Mr. Misko, Mr. Laake, Mr. Bullard, David Williams, my clients present and past, my assistants and interns, Heartland College, I.S.U., Columbia College of Chicago, Sonic Youth, the great cities of Chicago, NYC, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, Eckhart Tolle, and all of those who have tried to hurt me, I give this as a gift especially to you.
INTRODUCTION
I wrote this book to teach others what I have learned. I actually like to teach. Not in a classroom mind you, although I have done a few lectures at film schools, but in some manner, even if just to one person, one client, it makes me feel good to give some one knowledge they didn’t have before. Most of the wealthy, Hollywood elite I deal with on a day to day basis feel the same way.
But what I also hear most of them say is the line, “If I had only knew back then what I know now, I would be that much more successful.”
For the rich and famous I have had the pleasure to come in contact with, what they achieve is never enough. Now, according to certain religious judgements, this is due to the fact that the world is materialistic and humanity is endlessly chasing after things and stuff that will never gratify their ego, they will always want more.
While this is often true, I also like to think that for some, it is due to the fact that humanity is basically good, or at least strive to be, and that those who are seeking to achieve lofty goals always want to reach even higher. A constant road to self fulfillment, and constant self betterment.
What I intend to impart upon you, my reader, is a journey with me on that constant road to bettering ones self, achieving ones goals, and more specifically, becoming a success in the Hollywood entertainment industry.
I was initially going to self publish this book in soft cover, and hardback, and later as an E-book. But I also know that some of the best knowledge I have received, I had given to me free.
I believe that what I am giving you here, may be some of the best knowledge you will have ever had to make it as a success in Hollywood. And I do not want you to have to pay for it. It is my gift to you.
If something does not have a dollar tag on it, many of us do not assign value or worth to it. You may have heard of the tiffany theory. It states that if you give some one a trinket in a plain white wrapper, they may perceive that the object has little value. If however, you give them the same trinket in a box by a top designer store, that has been portrayed as a place for wealth and opulence, then that same trinket will be perceived as something of great value and worth to the receiver.
With that in mind, I also understand that my audience here are actors, models, and other performers. And what I learned in this business, is one of those first myths that many models and talent have been wrongly taught in to believing. And that is that you never should have to pay for any thing in order to make it. Whatever IT is. That notion is false.
So, keeping all of that in mind, and realizing how the internet has altered the landscape of the written word, I decided to reach for a wider audience, with the intent of really trying to help you, my reader. It is with that that I give you this, my free book, in the form of an ongoing blog, website, and later interactive forum, in effort to make you, the model, and the talent, the success that you yearn to be.
This knowledge I am going to share with you should be worth more than any amount of money you can spend. Worth more than 4 years of a college education. It includes the knowledge I have gained with a film degree, which taught me far less than half of all I needed to know, plus hundreds of others I have listened to, read, and studied. And I don’t even profess to know even half of it all. I am constantly learning my self.
But follow this site, and you will either gain at least enough knowledge to become a success in Hollywood by starting to do things right, or you will learn that you were never meant to be here, that you are meant to succeed in some other great area of life.
With that stated, pretend now, that you have just arrived to my office ON TIME, and are pulling up a chair. And I am going to give you a free crash course on how to succeed in this place we call Hollywood. Get ready, you’re in for quite a ride.
- Bruce Edwin
PREFACE
We will begin with a quick exploration on the basic fundamentals of thought for success in Hollywood, and then get to the details of action needed for you to take.
The nature of this book is to show you how to succeed in Hollywood, as a model, actor, performer. Now, “with great success in Hollywood, by its mere spectrum of mass exposure, comes great money, celebrity, and power.” Read that sentence again to your self, and remember it. And it is with these first facets of success in Hollywood that we shall explore.
Why do you want to become a success as a performer, model or talent in Hollywood? Sure, you may say that it is for artistic expression. If that were purely the case however, you could go join an art commune, or an underground art movement in NYC or in the mountains, and create, pure and free. So surely, if you want success in Hollywood as an actor, model, or talent, it is more than just artistic success that is driving you.
Oh, but you want artistic success on the biggest level you may say? Why? To do good for the world? To help humanity? But one can be a humanitarian and not be an artist. So you may say that you want to influence culture on the greatest level possible as an artist? Now that is something we can agree upon.
But many want more than just the greatest level of influence. They want success in Hollywood for other reasons.
Money.
The truth is, most who pursue success in Hollywood are broke. And if they ever do become a financial success in life, it is by finally getting the idea of success in Hollywood out of their heads. If you are in Hollywood only to make money, you are in it for the wrong reason. You would have better luck learning how the casinos operate and going to gamble in Vegas, or in the stock market. Or study finance and start your own business. One in three businesses supposedly fail. That’s still better odds than those who achieve success in Hollywood. So you must want success in Hollywood for reasons more than just money.
Likewise however, if you are opposed to great wealth, then you do not belong striving towards great success in Hollywood. And yes, some actually are opposed to great wealth. I for one, was formerly one of them, Notice I said formerly. But that is another story.
Fame.
Success in Hollywood as a model, actor, or performer, will eventually result in you being famous. Why? The greater success, the more movies you are in, the bigger and more successful the movies, the better the record label deal, the more tours, the more albums sold, the more magazines you are in, the bigger the runway shows, the more you will be famous, the more people will recognize you, all over the world.
If you do not want fame, then you need to quit trying to achieve success in Hollywood and find another field. Because the end result of the biggest success in Hollywood as an artist, results in fame. More success equals more fame.
Now, why do you want to be famous? To influence the greatest number of people possible? To get your message out? To have a sense of immortality? To have your voice or image live beyond your death? If the latter are the main reasons, you need to examine your feelings about death. Are you afraid of death? What do you believe will happen after you are gone? Another reason may be to gratify your ego. To be more popular. To have strangers adore you or shower you with praise and adoration.
The ego is a very powerful force. Especially in our business. Most in our business, as many believe, have huge egos. If this is the case with you, you need to be aware of that fact, and be honest with your self. If that is merely the only reason you want fame, you also need to realize the fact that your ego will never be completely satisfied. You will always want a bigger show, a bigger movie, a bigger modeling job, a bigger crowd. More adoration. You will never get enough. Then, when you are the biggest star in the world and there is no where else higher to go, you may dip down a little, and this fact may crush you.
That is not to say that you should not always be constantly trying to reach greater heights, for you should, but you need to be secure in who you are despite what any one says or thinks of you, and despite the critics or box office.
If you pursue fame for fame’s sake, you will never be happy. And you will be living at the mercy of the box office or the tabloids, which can and will rip you to pieces. You need to care not what others think, and not be in this business for fame, but still want it too.
Power.
With money and fame, come power. Celebrity is power. And with power, as they say, comes responsibility. If you do not want great power, than you should not pursue great success in Hollywood. For great success in Hollywood results in great power. What is power? Power is influence, authority, and control. Being able to influence and control those things and events and people around you based on your position and your money and your fame, and your name and what that represents.
Those 3 factors, money, fame, and power, need to be handled. They need to be understood and addressed if you are to become a success in Hollywood. If you are to make IT. To become a star.
However, each of these things could be a book unto themselves, and will require a great deal of knowledge on your part and understanding that you may or may not already know. What I am going to discuss with you first however, are some initial basic aspects concerning human behavior, or more so, model and talent and performer behavior, These are some of the many things that I have seen hundreds of models and talent do day in and day out, the wrong way, because they didn’t know any better. And these are some of the first things that I want to teach you to start doing right. We will then go back in to the mentality of what makes a star and what it takes to get you there on every single level.
True success starts from within. You must believe in your success and that it will happen, in order to achieve it. Successful living is a constant endeavor.
Some of you however want a quick fix to get what you want. I will give you some of that now, but it invariably comes back down to how you view your self and the world. That is the key to stardom, and that is where we shall return to. Now first, some of the basics:
1, Never show failure.
If someone asks you how you are doing, tell them you are doing great. Never say you are sick, poor, or having a bad day. People do not want to hear a complainer, and it is a sign of failure. Always talk of how wonderful things are going, even if they aren’t. Soon, you will start to believe it your self, and then it will become a reality.
2, Pretend you are rich
If you are poor, you need to act like you are rich, as the rich do not like to be around the poor. Why would they? Most of them worked hard to get where they are at. Why would they want to surround them selves with those less successful then they are?
Look and act rich.
I have had more people in positions of power do things for me when I was poor, than they normally would any other person, except the rich, simply because I was good at acting rich. It’s all acting, remember?
Look rich: It is better to save up and buy a one thousand dollar suit or dress that you wear 100 times a year to meet 100 different people, which people know is worth a thousand dollars, that you can mix and match up with other less expensive pieces, than 10 dresses or suits worth 100 dollars that people know are of lesser value.
Fashion is an art, a commodity and an investment. It can also make you “feel” more important which can translate in to how you project your self worth.
I once bought a pair of shoes that were priced at $450.oo, ten years ago. I was excited to get them on sale, plus an employee discount for about $325. Even though they hurt, and were not as comfortable as my other shoes, I felt invincible in those shoes. Ten years later, I still have them, and as I only wore them for the most important times in my life, they are still in good shape. But it is also that they are of top quality. You get what you pay for, is a saying that is often true.
I also once bought a thousand dollar designer suit that would today go for about two or three thousand. When ever I wear that suit, which is also still in good condition to this day, people notice. And my confidence level is at an all time high.
With all of this said, never lie. You can create and project and image that you aspire to be, but do not lie. Once some one gets a chance to know you, you should never pretend to be any thing than what you are. Another thing about the rich and successful, is they are not gullible, so don’t try to play games with them.
Act rich and powerful:
The most rich and powerful do not typically take orders, they often do not wait in lines. If you walk in to a VIP only place and you humbly waddle up and say, Excuse me, I know I don’t belong here, but do you think I can get in? Please? Chances are, the position you relegate for your self will be enforced by the VIP cop.
Now, if you march in, with an air of power, ignoring all who stand in your way, displaying your supreme insult at who ever would dare stop you, the greatest of the great, then the gatekeepers will often be so taken aback that they will either think you belong, or will be so shocked by your audacity, that they will let you enter just because they are impressed enough or startled by your chutzpah. Don’t go too overboard and be rude or offensive. It’s a fine line.
I once called a certain major record label, when I was around 20, and told them I wanted to speak with the CEO. After he finally came on the phone and had a nice talk with me, one of the heads of publicity called me back shocked. Do you realize who that was you just spoke with? She asked me. It was someone like David Geffen or such. Yeah, so? it’s the CEO. She went on to tell me how that doesn’t happen. How magazine editors don’t just call and talk with this guy on the phone. That she can’t even talk to him. Why not? I said, clueless. You work for the dudes company right? She laughed, and was blown away. I honestly didn’t think it was a big deal at the time.
You can sometimes use ignorance about how things generally work to your advantage to break the rules and break protocol. Now, don’t take that to mean that I am saying you should ever be antagonistic to a situation or person. Don’t be a problem causer. But success in Hollywood requires thinking outside of the box and sometimes breaking rules that are put in place to keep people in their place, at a lower level.
RULES ARE MADE TO KEEP FOLLOWERS IN LINE
RULES ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN BY LEADERS
3, Never, ever, ever take no for an answer.
If you want something bad enough, never let anything or any one stand in your way.
If you accept a no, then you either a, did not want it bad enough to try harder, b, you are too weak to try harder and therefore do not deserve it yet, or c, you are being blocked by a higher universal power that is protecting you (or harming you) by not letting you get it.
Now, c. is a whole other realm, which I will cover in another book, so for this purpose, we will stick to the earthly realm due to space limitations.
Expect a no, and then ask a different way until you get a yes. Politicians are great at this. They will already know that the house for example, will reject one thing they want, but it will not reject another thing that they know the house or senate will really desire.
So, The President may for example, create a bill, (a mess of long, convoluted legal mumbo jumbo stating the one think they want that they know will be rejected, in the context, subtext, or pre text of something that they know will not be rejected, that they know they can get a yes on. They will include the known “yes” item with the most likely given “no” item on the same contract proposal, aka bill, for the sake of manipulating to get what they want.
Now, because politicos realize all politics is based on power and manipulation any way, they succumb to these tactics due to either a, laziness, b, stupidity, c, apathy, d, moral depravity, or e, all of the above, simply realizing that this is how government works. It’s called an earmark.
Hollywood is no different. The only difference in how Hollywood is, is we sometimes get paid more, the blow outs, if one is lucky, will turn in to a cheesy reality show which can re bound a failing career, and of course, we’re all cuter.
So back to the rule. Expect a no, in fact, welcome a no! Will you give me 50 million dollars to make this movie? No! Ok, I understand.
But before we hang up, I have one other question please. Jim Carey showed up at Spago the other night, and said he would defer half of his salary until all production costs are re-couped if you agree to fund this other film I have for 100 million. I can get him to put it in writing that you will make back triple your money back within 6 months on DVD. Do you want to make 300 million this year with no risk?! YES! O.K., great. What’s your E-mail please and I will get you out the full package.
Expect a no. Welcome a no. Power players are programmed to saying no. Then, ask them something so irresistible that they have to say YES. Get them used to saying yes. Throw in an earmark.
Hi, I know I’m not SAG and have no reel, and you only take on SAG talent. But I just wanted to thank you again for your time in speaking with me. Oh, by the way, did I tell you that my two best friends were just on Saturday Night Live? They’re the blonde identical twins, you know, their uncle is president of that bank that just did the takeover for 100 gazlillion? Thanks again. Oh, you’d like to meet the girls? Well, sure, I can arrange that, we can all do lunch. Oh, and you want to send my materials to William Morris? Oh, Well thank you! Don’t forget your earmark.
October 13 – 20
How to Succeed in Hollywood ©
By Bruce Edwin
I often read the trades and will at times call up a CEO or VP’s office to congratulate them on a new raise or position I just read about that they got. This does two things, one, it allows me to get through to them, as their assistant will want to share with them some good news of congratulations and recognition, and secondly, it makes them notice me and pay attention to my name. It then opens up a door for me to tell them something I want them to hear about in the future. People love to hear you talk good about them, almost as much as they love to talk about themselves.
4, Pay attention to people’s progress you want to work with.
Send birthday cards. I sent a birthday note fax one time to a top producer on a major studio. I later found out, I got the date wrong. Oh well! At least he knew I was thinking of him, and got my name in his mind. Now he takes my calls, calls me back, and says to call me any time. That’s what it takes. Every one loves to feel noticed, even the biggest of the big. Never think you are too small or insignificant to speak to some one.
I have told many clients, go and meet this person. Go and say hello to this star. I then see the whole problem with their way of thinking when they tell me, but, why would they care about me? What would make them want to talk to me? Duh. With that attitude, nothing! That is the next rule.
5, SEE YOUR SELF AMONG THE STARS
That was in my horoscope one day. I love it. See your self among the stars, among the rich, among the famous. Think of your self as on their same level. When you meet the hugely famous or hugely successful,
6, NEVER ASK FOR THEIR AUTOGRAPH
7, GET THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION. DON’T EXPECT THEM TO CALL YOU.
Never act as if you are fan. Call them by their first name. Treat them like an equal that you greatly respect. But do not kiss their rear so to speak. Talk to them with command, with authority. With the intention that you are just as important as they are. With the reality that they are also fortunate to be talking with you. With the fact that they should want to hear about you and what you have to offer them. Then, and only then will you reach the level of true stardom.
I sent one aspiring young black actress one day to meet comic legend Bernie Mac. After telling her how she should talk with him, and get his contact information, etc., she came back all excited. She happily told me how she shook his hand, and got his autograph. He was a real kind gentleman to her by the way, and I was sad when he passed away.
Oh my goodness, I thought. I was not pleased. Not only did she not get his contact information, she did not even tell him her name, and she violated the first rule in meeting any celebrity when you your self want to be one. She asked for an autograph. Fans ask for autographs. You are not a fan, you are a talent. Never ever, ever act like a fan, or that is all you will be. Always tell them your name as many times as you can, as well as your agent or managers name. give them your representations contact info fine, but you MUST also get their information. If you don’t, then you can just pretend you didn’t meet them. If you don’t give them your name, how will they remember you or know you? Get their info. Why would a star call you or your agent or manager? They generally won’t care about talking with you. You need to get their info, and have your agent or manager call their people for you, to try and get them to care enough to see you or deal with you.
Now, when I have had clients do this, it isn’t because I am too lazy to hit a few buttons and get the info from my sources online of who reps them. But it makes you pro-active, showing them that you know how it works, and helping them remember you when we do call.
Now, I have sent many clients to meet stars, and the star may end up asking for the clients personal information if it is a young attractive female, which most of my clients are. If Leonardo DiCaprio asks you for your personal phone number, you may be silly to not give it to him. Just remember your moral code and stick to it.
8, If it is not an A-lister, don’t give out your personal information. It should then only go through your agent or manager. If its an A lister, and you are not one, give out your information but have your agent or manager nearby when you speak with them.
CONTRACTS
9, Don’t try to pull a fast one with a contract or any thing else.
People may be asleep or dumb once, but if they are in a position of power, they did not get there by being a complete idiot – usually.
Contracts are generally irrelevant. It comes down to power. If a major film studio wants to hire you for a show, they will have a contract. If you are not a star, that they want badly enough, you will have no power to negotiate any thing in that contract that you may not like. They will have many people that can take your place that will not have a problem with it.
Representation is the same way. There are roughly ninety percent more models and talent out there than there are agents and managers. Models and talent need agents and manager more than they need them, unless you are at a celebrity type level.
Unless you are a star, you are easily replaceable. Even if you are a star, and are with one of the top 3 firms, they trade talent like playing cards, as do the talent with their reps.
If you want repped by an agent or manager, and are not a celeb, you should generally sign what ever it is they have, but make sure you understand it first. There is always a way out of any contract. Contracts are merely guidelines of expectations, consequences, and power.
Those who have the power, make the contract. Most contracts favor the side of the person who made it.
I can get any one out of any talent contract, guaranteed. Any good manager in Hollywood can. But you shouldn’t sign with any one you don’t trust. Contracts are as only good as the people that sign them. Most management agreements are exclusive. Unless you are a star, you should get numerous non exclusive agent agreements. And ideally, also non exclusive management. But again, it doesn’t matter that much, as long as you are getting work and not being held back from reaching your potential.
THREATS
10, Don’t do like politicians and most of Hollywood does, and don’t try threats, at least unless you have good attorney’s, power to back it up, and a bullet proof car and good security. You get the idea.
Threats are not cool. I have had to threaten to end a few careers as a talent manager, and had to threaten some lawsuits, because if I hadn’t, I felt I would have gotten walked over, or lost power to manage and do my job. Don’t sue or threaten to sue unless you get the go ahead from your representation, and then, generally let them do it in their name. Don’t sue your reps if at all possible. The talent I know who have, are washed up.
11, GO STRAIGHT TO THE TOP
I tried calling a large multi national company once to get some service on my account with that company. After waiting about 15 minutes to speak with a human being, a woman came on the phone. She was extremely rude and confrontational.
I needed help on my account, and this woman demanded my account number. I told her I had no record of any account number, but instead offered her my Employee Identification Number, my social security number, and my date of birth, among other pieces of information. Although there was no security pass-code on my account, this woman insisted that I give her my account number, and if I could not, that she would not help me.
After demanding to speak with a supervisor, she said that she was not going to connect me to any one.
After cooling down, I did an exhaustive 30 minute search on the CEO of this company, and called his office directly, letting them know where I was coming from. Within 24 hours, I received a call back from the CEO’s office, apologizing.
I was then provided direct contact numbers to their employees so I did not have to wait on the phone. On one day, I had 3 people in three different offices working simultaneously just for me. Now, when I need something from this phone company, when most people hate to call them, I don’t mind, because I know I will get what I want because I deal with the office of the CEO.
My point is, GO STRAIGHT TO THE TOP if you want something bad enough. And if appropriate, sometimes it is beneficial to make a legal, professional declaration of your intent, such as a lawyer would. If you can not get what you want through the person down below, go over their head. Go to the top.
12, When you do go over someone’s head, you should usually not let them know it, unless you can know 100% that you will be secure up there in your new position, over their head.
For example, when I first moved to Hollywood, there was a famous person that I very badly wanted to meet. This person I discovered, was going to be in person at a credentialed only event. I called up this celebs representation, and asked to attend as a journalist to do a review of their film and appearance. They said no. I asked, to the point of virtually begging, about 6 more times, and was again and again told no. I could not deal with that. There was nothing in the world that was going to keep me from meeting this person.
I just so happened to have materials mailed to me some time ago on joining the organization that gave the required credentials to this event. So on the day of the event, I march in the door, with all of the other credentialed attendees, with my mailed information in hand. I smiled at the girl at the table, she saw my materials in hand, and she directed me in. Within 2 hours, I was shaking the hands of the celebrity I was intent on meeting.
I was still so livid at the woman from before, who told me I could not attend, that I called her up, and told her what a wonderful event it was, and how great her client was to meet. I could hear her fuming and spitting with anger through the phone. She then told me that she would see to it that this person would never ever work with me.
So you see? I made a big mistake. I got some instant gratification by letting some intern or who ever know that they were saying no to the wrong person, that I would not take no for an answer, but where did it get me? It got me some one angry who tried to turn one of my favorite stars in Hollywood against me.
So the point is, when you go over some one’s head, don’t let them know about it, unless you are infinitely secure in your position there, or they could make trouble for you. And don’t try to take over another persons responsibility that is not your own, unless it is morally ethical for you to do so.
13, Never make an illegal threat, and never break the law.
Whether or not a certain law is good and should be respected or not is not the point. In terms of self preservation, breaking laws are not worth the potential negative consequences.
The existence of Hollywood in and of itself is generally a violation of labor employment law, which is another story unto itself which I will discuss later.
14, DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO DO, IMMEDIATELY
If you tell someone you are going to do something in this business, for goodness sake, DO IT! I don’t care if you have to walk 20 miles or pawn your last pair of shoes, if you tell some one that you are going to do something, (especially people that can do any thing for you in this business), you better do it.
Now, I am not telling you to flake on people who you do not think are important. Try treat every one in this town equally, even though, to your career of course, they may not seem to be. You never know who will end up being a hot producer that you flaked on. They won’t forget. So don’t give them a reason to be angry.
15, DO NOT FLAKE
I know one agent who works for one of the A list firms, who personally showed me how headshots make great Frisbees and paper airplanes, so do not give your agent or manager a reason to be angry at you. Trust me!
Why would you go off on someone who can deliberately not submit you for any thing all year, because you were a little you know what to them?! Agents and managers run this town, along with the producers, publicists, and media.
16, MEETINGS / AUDITIONS
Always add on at least 60 minutes to whatever the maps say the distance is for traffic, and add on another 30 minutes or more for parking. Two hours extra is a safer bet. Don’t rely on Map Quest. Do that, plus a Thomas Guide, and your navigator if you have one.
When I first moved to town, I got an interview to be a reader for a big A list producer. She told me she worked out of her home, and asked me to come and interview with her there. She made me well aware that she had a husband so I did not get the wrong idea. She told me her address and her home ended up being a multi million dollar mansion high up in the Hollywood hills around Mulholland Drive. Having no car when I first got here, and no ride, I tried to take a bus, and found out that none went out this way, or at least none under a half a dozen trips that I did not want to try and figure out. So I took a cab.
When I arrived at her house, and the cabbie dropped me off, I was early by about a half an hour. So I walked around the neighborhood after her dog from inside the home, which looked like Cujo, barked like mad and sounded like he wanted to eat me for dinner.
I was surprised to find that there are often no sidewalks in these rich neighborhoods in the Hollywood Hills and high up in the Beverly Hills. Why would there be? After all, why would rich people walk except on a golf course or on a treadmill?
So I hung out a safe distance from the cars that seemed to not realize pedestrians exist, and from Cujo. Then the producer and her husband pulled up in their brand new BMW or whatever it was.
Where’s your car?! Where did you park? Was the first question she asked me surprised. I just moved her from Chicago. My car’s not here yet I told her, I took a cab. Oh my God! She said in amazement! How much did that cost you?! Where did you come from?! I came from Glendale and it cost me about 50 dollars. You’re spending 100 dollars here and back just to see me?! She said shocked. Yes. I told her. I love your work and you are very important to me. I didn’t want to be late, and I really want this job. Wow. She said impressed. That’s amazing. Come on in.
After asking me if I want a drink, I accept a glass of water.
17, If some one you are trying to do business with asks you if you want a drink, such as water, always accept it.
Or have what ever they are having. Just don’t drink alcohol on a first meeting with some one you don’t know unless it is in public and unless you know your limit and stay under it, and they are drinking too.
After accepting the water from this producer, she brought her glass for herself over too, and we sat down and she started asking me a ton of questions. I left with the feeling that we really liked and respected each other, both liking the same styles of filmmaking, both loving many of the same films, and both in Hollywood for the same reason, to make big money doing what we love.
I ended up leaving with about 30 pounds of scripts from her to read, and ended up working with her for about a year. She appreciated the coverage I did for her. Although I know I wasn’t the fastest reader, I got better, and I loved the job, finally getting my first paid gig in the film industry, aside from my publishing. I was thrilled, and felt that I had finally “made it.” Of course, I had light years left to go. But I am thankful that this happened.
I attribute a part of me getting it to the fact that I decided to do what ever it took to get there. Nothing was going to stand in my way of getting there, getting there on time, and making a good impression. I ate very cheap the rest of that week, but I got what I wanted.
So when models or actors see me and told me that their car broke down, and that they have no way to get in to see me, or to an audition, I had no sympathy for them. Get a ride. Take the subway. Take a bus. Take a cab. Walk, I tell them. Do whatever it takes. If it is important enough to you, you will be there.
It amazes me that our ancestors traveled thousands of miles, through rain and sleet and windstorms, through the desert, and more, in order to find better lives for their families. On horseback, with camels, whatever. But now, thousands of years later, when we are all living in air conditioned boxes and plugged in to a world wide electronic network that we seem to can’t live without, that if our gas guzzling car is down for a minute, we can’t even walk 10 blocks down the street.
18, WALKING IN L.A.
I’m from Chicago, and used to love walking in that city. When I first moved to L.A., I was amazed that I met people who had lived here there whole life that did not even believe me when I told them Los Angeles had a subway train after I spoke of it. I had to explain to them how fast it went, how it went under the ground, and how it all worked. I felt like I was talking to a 4 year old child, who was not yet mentally developed yet in understanding the ways of the real world with its technological advancements. No, I was just in L.A.
Many people in Los Angeles are often so insulated in their own fabricated, sterilized lives, that they don’t even know what is right under their own nose. That’s why L.A. can get such a bad rep for being shallow. Many of these people who did not know about the subway, were not even a part of the entertainment industry.
I’ve worked in a number of offices, and as I am used to walking around, as I am from Chicago, where we actually walk, like in New York City, I would often shock people in the office who would be amazed that I had just gotten some great food at a great restaurant right in their own neighborhood that they had never even knew existed. They were too busy driving off in their cars miles and miles away at lunch time, than to explore and enjoy what their own environment had to offer them.
Walking in L.A., contrary to the song by the great 80’s band Missing Persons, can be very enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. Just don’t let any one see you. But seriously, if you haven’t walked up and down Sunset, Melrose, Hollywood Blvd, around Los Feliz, or Echo Park among more, you are truly missing out. With that said,
19, YOU MUST HAVE A CAR
You MUST have a car in L.A., unless you are really, really tough, and can handle the streets of a big city. If you aren’t street tough, with a lot of physical strength and stamina, then for goodness, sake, get a car. Even if you love to walk and love to wait for hours in the heat and ride on dirty busses without shocks, fresh with graffiti on the seats, that don’t show up, often with exposure to sickness and disease, and smell bums whose odor is enough to make you puke, get a car any way.
20, NEVER SAY YOU DON’T HAVE A CAR
Don’t lie in this business, but you also don’t have to volunteer information that will go against you.
I generally prefer to have a personal driver. That way, I can read, talk on the phone, close my eyes, and relax or do what I want and still get there, on time and relaxed.
21, NEVER SHOW DESPERATION UNLESS…
The more you show desperation, the more people will try to use it to undermine you, manipulate you, lowball you, and take advantage of your situation. During some business transactions, it pays to act as if you could live without it.
This however generally does not apply to models and talent trying to get a job or to trying to get signed. If you are a model or talent, and are not famous, we already know you are desperate, and if you’re not, then we know you are too full of your self for no reason. It’s ok to show you are hungry if you are a model or talent when you are. We know you are any way. Why deny it?
With that said, top confidence is good. But there is a fine line between high confidence and arrogance. Try to honestly like people you meet, and be a nice person, and you will stay on the right side of that line.
22, DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO DO
When I was brand new working at a modeling agency one year, I became angry and defensive when the pretty agency owner I worked for told me how she hated models, and was even more sick of actors. I was dumbfounded. Later after running my own model and talent company for years, I decided that I wished I could give this agency owner a hug, and a few tears.
Models and actors have a reputation of being flakes, because the majority of them are. Now, some could say, oh, but if you tell a child over and over he is dumb, he will turn out dumb. Perhaps true. The child part of this example, being the key point. Actors are taught by many during training that they need to embrace the child in them. Fine. But some embrace it a little too much. Models are no exception. And of course, many don’t even have training. Some are just are like spoiled children naturally.
A typical model is used to being told how beautiful they are nearly every day of their life. Many are used to getting every thing they want, especially from men, simply because of their looks. Then they come in to our office, the agent or manager. Boom! Reality check! Wake up call baby!
23, The world does not revolve around you, so don’t act like it.
O.K, so maybe outside of our doors, in your world, it does. But in Hollywood, you are not the boss until you are the star. And you are the star until Hollywood says you are the star.
I can not tell you how many people have came in to my office, and told me they can do absolutely every thing in the world. I am completely serious, they really say this. They say, I can do it all. You name any thing, and I can do. Did you ever see the new Saturday Night Live with that manic woman who babbles nervously how she can do absolutely every thing in the world? She rattles off a bazillion things that she can do, always more and bigger and better than the other person around her to the point of ridiculousness, because we know it’s not true. We realize that she is crazy.
And this is exactly how many models and talent come across. And the scary part is, they mean it. Now, can you imagine dealing with the SNL character like that, in about a dozen different people? Every day for 8 to 10 hours a day? Or 100 people like that a day on the phone? Guess what? We deal with it.
Can you dance? I may ask. Oh yes! Of course! What kind? I may say. Every thing! I can do it all! Then I will ask, Ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical, point, break… ? Uh, I can’t do all that, they may say. Then you can’t do it all! Next!
Can you act? Of course! Do you have training?! The best! In what?! I train with the best! Joe Schmoe over at blah blah blah, I’ve never heard of Joe Schmoe, I mean trained in what?! Meisner, Stanislavsky, I’d ask. What? I don’t know them. Then you can’t act! Next!
Do you model? Yes. Are you experienced? Of course. I do it for a living. Great. How many tears do you have? Tears? What’s that? Oh brother. You do promotional? Yes. Great. What else? I do every thing. I do it all. Do you want to do Playboy? Never! Then why did you just give me a naked picture of your self? Next!
24, Do not, I repeat do NOT tell us you can do it all when you can’t do it all!
I think actors and models got this part confused when they were told by some who perpetuate this saying, and that is to never say no to a skill.
If for example, a casting director asks you if you can water ski, and they are shooting Shark Face for a lead role next week, you may want to say yes, and then go and learn that day if possible.
Some have taken this advice and turned it in to the notion that they are God. Some others, and in fact I would say most others, are simply out of their right minds, and may have actually convinced them selves that they are Gods gift to Hollywood, and that we are just waiting for them with open arms. Guess what? Next!
A little charm, humility when appropriate, respect, and professionalism will go a lot longer with us than trying to lie and make your self look like a fool. Which brings me to my next point…
October 20 – 26, 2008
25, NEVER LIE TO AN AGENT, MANAGER, CASTING DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, OR PRODUCER
One person I saw once actually told me that she was supposed to lie to agents and managers about her age. Hel-lo?! Did it occur to this person that agents are required to handle state or federal paperwork with regards to employment, and a part of that entails seeing their drivers license?!
Never lie to an agent or manager about your age. A good agent or manager will know you are lying any way. I can generally correctly guess a person’s age, height, weight, and a woman’s measurements, with alarming accuracy.
Add to the fact that I used to sell designer clothes, ladies coats, and rent tuxedo’s, and I can even guess pretty well if a cumber bon was dry cleaned or if they just threw it back on the rack for the next person to wear. Which reminds me,
26, NEVER WEAR A RENTED TUXEDO
Never wear one at least, to any where you want to smell good, unless you do the dry cleaning your self. Some of these rental places will not even clean them properly after the last person that wore it. Gross, but true. I know, I worked at one once, when I was a poor college student. I got the job because the manager was a struggling actor and he found at that my school was on lot at CBS. You see, even in retail its all about who you know! At least in Hollywood!
27, AGEISM:
Ah yes, the poor fate of the female in Hollywood. Her career is over, it used to be said, at 30. That is simply no longer the case. Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, and countless more shows are proof of the new trend. 40 is the new 30. Even though, the latest statistic I just read was, women are living shorter in the U.S. than they used to. Must be all those increased equal rights in the work world! Or, putting up with more men?
Age does not matter in Hollywood for a woman if you are A, famous, B, friends with some one who is famous, C, have a lot of money and can buy your way in, D, have a friend who is a great agent or manager, E, do sexual favors which I do not recommend, F, produce your own work, G, have huge talent and get a great agent or manager, or H, look young and hot and show some skin.
Older women today look hotter than ever. The above two mentioned shows are perfect examples. Many older women in Hollywood today look amazing, and any one that says that a Hollywood career is over at 30, or can not begin at 30, is only hurting them selves.
28, NEVER THINK YOU ARE TOO OLD TO PURSUE YOUR DREAM
I read an article a number of months ago about a 90 some year old woman, yes, in her 90’s, who decided at this age to take up surfing. She was photographed riding a huge wave. Don’t tell me you are too old to start a career in Hollywood if you want to! Prove the system wrong! Rules are made to be broken, and Hollywood loves an underdog that comes out a winner!
Now, if you are 90 and trying to be a Playboy Bunny, then you need to do a reality check. Tenacity and success against all odds is great, but you also have to be real with what you’ve got and where you are at. But do not, I repeat
29, DO NOT LET ANY ONE TALK YOU OUT OF YOUR DREAM.
30, TAKING A MEETING:
So, you have your meeting with an agent or manager or casting. Basics you should already know. Be on time. This can not be said enough. On time in this business means be early. 15 to 20 minutes early is standard. When you show up early, let them know you are there by phone, not pounding on the door.
Do NOT show up to an agents, managers, producers, or casting directors office without an appointment. We deal with crazy people, we are busy, and we do not like walk in’s. And for goodness sake, do not get mad if we do not see you or are happy you are there when you are not expected to be. Just don’t do it. It’s rude.
When you do show up on time, do not ask them to take you early. Never call and ask for directions about parking or any thing else. Never complain about traffic, parking, or even the weather. We know the sun is shining but today its cold because its down to 70. Deal with it! We know traffic is heavy, this L.A. Hel-lo?! We know parking is difficult, so get a ride next time. We don’t want to hear it! And we do not care about your car problems. We have our own problems. Do you want to hear them?
31, BE ONE TIME.
Did I mention that? Do not be late and do not make excuses for being late. I’ve heard them all. LOVED ON DIED. HAVE A FUNERAL TO GO TO. GOT TOO SCARED AND THREW UP. DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK 6 TIMES BECAUSE TOO AFRAID TO COME IN, THEN LATE. WAS EARLY, THEN GOT SCARED AND LEFT, THEN CAME BACK LATE. CAR ACCIDENT. LOVED ONE IN HOSPITAL. ON PERIOD. ROOM MATE MISSING. DOG SICK. BOMB THREAT. CAR WOBBLY. CHILD HAS FEVER. GOT SPEEDING TICKET. GOT D.W.I. HAVE A BAD HANG-OVER. TOO STONED. SCHOOL MORE IMPORTANT. BOYFRIEND BEAT UP, BEAT UP BOYFRIEND, BOYFRIEND JEALOUS, HUSBAND SAID HE WOULD DIVORCE IF I MODEL OR ACT, PARENTS JEALOUS, FRIENDS JEALOUS, GOD SAID NO, PASTOR SAID NO, FRIENDS TALKED OUT OF, PARENTS TALKED OUT OF, ROOMMATE DROPPED ACID AND LOST IN THE WOODS. EXAM. I’ve heard it all, and all of these by the way, were actually told to me.
And most of them by the way, still wanted me to see them and some how expected me to convince them that they should. NOT INTERESTED. We are not here to talk you in to any thing. So don’t expect it. Why should we try to talk you in to not doing something that a million other people want to take your place and try do? You have to want this bad enough to put your self through the misery, and the constant grasps of joy and fame.
And never, I repeat NEVER give us an excuse. I personally do not accept or believe excuses, unless you can give a hospital number that I can verify, or show me a funeral program.
I once asked a girl who told me she had to cancel, because she had a funeral to go to, and asked to reschedule. She called after the alleged funeral, and asked to come in. I told her to bring the funeral program. The what she asked? You know, the pamphlet, I told her. They give one out when you’re born, and they get passed out when some one dies. I know, because I recently went to a funeral of a loved one. Oh, she said. I didn’t know that.
Now, this may seem harsh and rude, but I also can generally read people, especially models, quite well, as I have dealt with literally thousands over the years. So I knew she was lying to me.
She later admitted to me that she didn’t really go to a funeral. I told her I knew she was lying by her voice. You’re not a good actor, I told her. You can’t even lie right. Don’t lie about the dead, or serious illnesses, or about any thing for that matter. Have some respect for the living and the dead. If it’s really a tragedy, and we hope not, but then, and ONLY then, should a real agent or manager re-schedule. We’re just too busy.
Don’t lie. Be on Time. Don’t complain. Don’t waste their time. Don’t ask things you can find out on your own. Don’t use the waiting room as your social networking spot. You’re not in the lobby to share your agent, your stylist, or plug your self to others. You’re not there to discuss the nature of your conversation with the agent so far, with the agents other appointment waiting with you. Gossip will kill your chance. We don’t want it in the office or on set. Besides, why would you talk to your competition? Why be best friends in the lobby with the girl in your same age range who may be the reason you are rejected? Many will pretend to be your friend in order to use information against you to destroy you, as you are a perceived threat to them. Keep quiet in the casting and waiting rooms. Read a book, or better yet, a script.
Again, I need to repeat this. BE ON TIME. Being on time in this business means being EARLY. 15 minutes early is standard. Not before 20 minutes early. If you are too early, you may make them uncomfortable.
The biggest reasons people fail in this business is:
They do not show up, or they do not show up on time
They do not treat it like a real career, or real job
Read that again. I have seen it over and over again. These two reasons alone are the biggest reasons why people fail as actors, models, and bands.
Showing up on time with a great attitude is more than half of the battle.
32, DO NOT GOSSIP
A number of my agent and manager friends, do the following. Lets say they book you for an audition. You go and land an audition for a hit T.V. show. You go work that job. They also have two other clients also working the show. One of them is named Gayle, and the other is named Susie.
Susie starts to complain to Patty about the A.D., (assistant director) telling Patty about how he is a slime ball, and how isn’t he a jerk. She then also starts to complain to Patty about her agent, telling Patty how her agent never gets her work, and doesn’t Patty hate this A.D., and doesn’t Patty hate her agent.
Patty then start to go off to Susie about her agent, telling her that in fact, her agent is very rude, and treats her as if she are disposable. She then agrees out loud with Patty also that the A.D. is a perv, and that he was looking down her top (never mind Patty wore no bra and was bending over in front of him for 5 minutes smiling and batting her eyelashes) and asked her to go out with him.
Patty then sees a girl sitting near by who introduces her self as Gayle, who hears it all. The next day, Patty’s agent calls her in her office. After she sits down, the agent calls the secretary to bring in another party. In walks Gayle. Hello Gayle, the agent says. This is my client so and so. Hello, the agent says to Patty, this is Gayle, my assistant that I have had for over a year. She just got back from vacation and I had her stop by and see you on set yesterday. BOOM! Patty’s busted. Dropped. Fired. She hands her her photos, and kicks her out of the door in tears.
33, DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT GOSSIP ABOUT YOUR AGENT, MANAGER, PRODUCTION, OR ANY ONE ELSE ON SET OR OFF
The smartest and best agents and managers, may plant spies on set or in the casting room, to give them feedback about who is gossiping and who is doing good or bad. I am NOT going to allow some actor or model to make me look bad with production if I can help it. And I am not going to help make some one’s career a success if they are going to dis me behind my back.
I know an acting coach who paid some one to sit in the back of her class, just to give her a report on what people said after she was out of the room. The one who gossiped bad about her, was kicked out of the class on the spot, and told that if he ever put her name on his resume, she would have him barred from every studio in town. And trust me, she could do it. She was that powerful. She told me that he literally cried and begged to stay in the class. He was promptly told that if he didn’t leave, she would personally kick his you know what. Needless to say, he left.
34, HOLLYWOOD PLAYERS NEVER FORGET IF YOU DO THEM WRONG
Do not bite the hand that is trying to feed you. Do not attack your representation. It will come back on you 10O fold. It may take 10 years or more, but trust me, it will come back to haunt you worse then you ever thought possible. Got that?!
35, DON’T PUBLICIZE YOUR CONFLICTS
If you’re crazy enough to sue an agent or manager, or a producer or director, for goodness sake, don’t tell the next agent or manager you are interviewing with. One girl actually told me she FIRED HER AGENT and was now SUEING HIM. Uh, excuse me, and what part of that makes us want to work with you? Think!
For one thing, this agent was an agency I had heard of. With a good rep. And this talent I had NEVER heard of. And she is telling me she fired them?! Puh-leeze. Lose the ego and nonsense We don’t buy it. This person didn’t have enough capability of even firing themselves, much less some one with actual power.
36, PRETEND IT’S A REAL JOB IN THE REAL WORLD
If you wouldn’t behave that way in a regular job interview to be say, someone with a job in the grown up world, then don’t pull it here. Granted, you may get to play a child. You may get to yell and scream. You may get to laugh or cry. You may get to even get naked and suck your thumb and roll around on the floor in a movie. But remember, this is show business. And as the saying goes, the word business is in there. Start acting like it. A show “business person.”
37, LOSE THE GUM
So, you mean chewing gum is out of the question? I have actually had a model walk in to my office, and apologize to me for having gum in her mouth. She then took it out of her mouth with her fingers, and tried to hand it to me in my hand, asking me if I would throw it away for her. Excuse me? What part of model makes you think I want to touch your slobber filled gum? We’re not impressed with you just because you are a model, or wanna’ be model, or are pretty, or think you are. This is Hollywood, remember? This town is full of pretty people. Remember? This is our job.
One of my manager friends says how she can skip a stone down Hollywood boulevard and hit 10 actors. Exactly. So keep that ego in check.
Another model I actually caught trying to stick her gum under my desk. Are you crazy? I asked her. I rent that desk from the studio for about 100 dollars a month! Are you going to buy me a new desk? Are you going to give me a hundred dollars for ruining it? Needless to say, she didn’t get signed.
Another girl swallowed her gum, and then made some great faces. Classic. Pretend like it’s the real world, and you’re on a job interview. Because guess what? It is, and you are!
38, LOSE THE ATTITUDE!
Why would you walk in to interview with an agent or manager, or casting director or producer or director, and have a huge maniacal attitude? Like you are better than every one else? Have we ever heard of you? Are you famous? If you are, chances are then the highest up’s will still not even care about that, if you are snotty.
Are you NOT a celebrity? Then there is NOOOOOO reason in the world in this business why you should have an attitude if you are a model or talent.
Why? You will never have a bigger attitude / ego than your agent or manager, or producer or director! If they can hire you! Think about it! If Steven Speilberg was afraid to tell some one to stop acting like a little diva if they were on his set and she was, do you think he would be a director very long? No, he’s Speilberg.
If an agent or manager was afraid to tell you that you were being rude to them, or that you were being too egotistical, do you think they could manage you very well? Could they give you direction? No. Think about it.
If you want an agent or manager, you need to let them have control, unless you are a multi millionaire star, in which case you should still give them some control to do their job, and that job is to give you direction, to tell you what it is best that you should do, to direct your career.
Some control is good for you. If you don’t agree with that, then you don’t belong in Hollywood. At the very least, you need to control your self, and your emotions, and that dreaded word, your ego.
Another one of the biggest reasons why people fail in this business, is because their ego is out of control. If your ego is out of control, you will come off as rude. And you will not be able to effectively handle rejection or criticism and advice, or direction. And then, your agent or manager will not be able to do their job.
The only time your ego should be huge (if need be) is on camera, or stage, or during a read. Not before, and not after. More on that later.
39, KEEP THE POSSE AT HOME
When interviewing or auditioning, don’t show up with a posse, unless you are under 18, physically handicapped, or a super star. One day, a 20 something year old girl came in to my office, after speaking with my female assistant, checking in with my female receptionist, and then seeing my female assistant with me. In stormed a huge man, weighing about 300 pounds, hovering over her. Uh, excuse me, who is this? I asked her. I’m the bodyguard. He said looking and sounding like he wanted to eat me. He’s like, my bodyguard! She chimed in.
After my range of emotions subsided momentarily enough to regain my voice back, I kicked them out, In about 5 seconds flat.
If you have a meeting, go alone if you are of age. If you wish, have a friend wait for you in the car just outside. Ask before you bring any one in to the lobby, and ask before you try to have some one in your car when you are driving on to a studio. They may just be forced to get out of the car and hit the road, or if not, they may make you both turn around. If you do not have a studio pass for a driver, then don’t try to get one.
Your friend or “bodyguard” should wait otherwise outdoors, out of the way. Again, refer to the regular job interview protocol.
40, DO PRACTICE SELF DEFENSE
Keep your cell phone on you, on vibrate, and be ready to call 911 if need be. And since we all know how responsive that can be in L.A., you should carry with you in your purse, a can of mace or pepper spray if legal in your area.
One actress I know carries a stun gun. If you are female, you should all be carrying something to cover up your sexy outfit after you leave. Numerous changes of clothes in your car is a smart idea, more on this later.
Let some one that knows you know where you are going, and learning some form of martial arts or self defense would be a great idea too. But until you are famous, leave the bodyguards at home, this isn’t the porn industry after all.
If you are in a junky car and it breaks down on the road, never ever ever accept help from any one you do not know. If they are not with your auto motor club, family, friend, or police, treat any approach as an unwelcome act and defend your self accordingly. Never leave any where without a cell phone and emergency numbers ready to call.
41, TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON.
You should have read this many places. Every one loves to talk about them self. Act interested in the agent, manager, producer, casting director, or whoever you are meeting. Show a supreme interest in who they are, what music they like, what film they like, who their favorite actor is, what their hobbies are, and then, find a common interest that you both have, to bridge a connection.
42, OFFER FAVORS.
One smart actress I signed told me that her parents were very wealthy and owned some condos in Hawaii that often went vacant. She offered to let me use one of the condos any time I wanted to vacation, for free. After telling her thanks any way, but I had a girlfriend, and then asking if the airfare were included, she laughed.
Needless to say, this person made me happy to represent them, even though I never took her up on the condo offer, and even though she is no longer really active with me, I think of her sincere generosity often and she will be the first person to call when I have a big role for her type, she’s on the top of my list.
Hollywood is all about favors. Now, don’t take that the wrong way, and I will discuss that later. The point is, be kind, be generous. Treat people how you would like to be treated. Do random acts of kindness that will make other people never forget you. Stand out be being uniquely happy and kind. Even if they never take you up on digging for gold in that piece of the desert you own, ask them. They will be glad you did, and you will stand out above the rest.
43, MAKE FRIENDS.
Hollywood is all about relationships. If networking is easy for you, then you are lucky. Meeting people is one of the hardest things for some people, and incidentally, the most important thing in Hollywood.
In Hollywood, you have to SELL YOUR SELF. You are the product. What are people buying? YOU. Your look, your type, your image, your craft, your voice, your reliability, your work ethic, your propensity to work 12 plus hours straight under the hot lights, and yes, they are hot! They are buying YOU. You must sell your self nearly every chance you get.
So, MAKE FRIENDS! Be friendly, meet people. Again, go where the rich and famous go. If you want to be a superstar, are you going to hang out at a fast food joint in the ghetto? No, you are going to go the hotspot in Beverly Hills. KNOW the hotspots! More on that later.
44, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME?
I called one big entertainment attorney once, and the first few seconds I had him on the phone, he blurted out before I could even ask him how his day was, he said, “What do you want me to do for you, and what can you do for me?!” I thought that was brilliant, because here it was, the very essence of all of Hollywood, boiled down in to one quick sentence, and by the way, he said it very fast. Like, fuhgettaboudit, that fast. I was in shock, but fortunately, thought fast, and told him,
Know these answers before you meet any one! What do you want from them? And, what can you do for them?! How can I help you? And how can you help me? That is, after all, all that most any one in Hollywood is really after. Be honest with your self, it’s not an altruistic environment now, is it? Oh, but you want to be a superstar so you can save the world, right?! Right! And adopt some of those starving babies from Sudan, right?! More on that later!
Seriously, helping others is great, but until you are an ambassador to the United Nations, you need to worry about your career, or trust me, you will not only make your self miserable, but even worse, you will make me miserable. And THAT’s what matters, me. I am of course, joking here.
45, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON
I had one model actually come in to my office wearing a shirt that stated IT’S ALL ABOUT ME! After speaking with her for about 3 minutes, I realized and told her I could see why she wore that shirt, she meant it. She laughed nervously and said that that was right. Me Me Me Me Me. This was all she could talk about. Never once did she consider what I wanted in a client, what my expectations were, or ask what I was looking for in some one to sign.
46, Keep your answers short and simple.
If they want to hear a life story, write and sell them the book. If they want more, they’ll ask for it. End your answer by asking them a genuine question about them that will make them feel important. Offer them a favor. Offer sincere praise. A book in this regard you should read if you have not done so, is HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE.
If you are trying to sell someone, and of course, you always are, then it is always about the other person. What do they want, and how can match their wants with what you sell? Now sell it. Sell your self as the best actor, as the best writer, as the best producer worth being funded, or whatever it may be.
47, GO TO THE PARTIES!
(to be continued in our next issue, out October 27th, 2008)
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www.starpowermanagementllc.com
Reviews:
* one star (don’t bother)
** two stars (problematic)
*** three stars (worth seeing)
* * * * four stars (great)
FILM
Burn After Reading * * *
What it lacks for in actual comedy, it makes up for with great acting, pacing, story, and directing. Malkovich, McDormand, Pitt, and Clooney are a delight to watch. Swinton plays a great ice queen.
HAIR
Alba at Salon on 7
Celebrities are getting the word that the elite hairstylist named ALBA is back in town from Miami cutting hair at Salon in 7 in L.A., downtown on 7th street in Los Angeles now of all places, when she is not selling mansions to the stars. Whether or not she is related to Paula Abdul (who she strongly resembles) is yet to be confirmed at press time. But rumor is, if she likes you, she provides a deep tissue massage for extra measure. Mention The Hollywood Sentinel for VIP service. (tel: 323-855-3894)
DINING
Figaro Café
After we reviewed this place several months ago, David Lynch and Catherine Heigl were then spotted here. This place has gourmet French cuisine, and only the prettiest faces and heaviest players go here to wheel and deal. In Hollywood. Mention the Hollywood Sentinel for VIP seating.
MUSIC – CLASSICAL
Zipper Hall
The zipper is one of downtown L.A.’s best kept secrets. A quaint theater tucked away in the Colburn Chamber Music School, where piano star LYDIA ARTYMIW recently raged in classical beauty and power blasting out the exquisite significance of Ewazen, Lauridsen, Beethoven, and Brahms. The zipper proves that those who are afraid to come to downtown L.A. are better off in keeping that fear going. We want this all to our selves. Rare, sophisticated elegance, in one of this cities most beautiful locations.
The Zipper at the Colburn School, 200 S Grand Ave, LA, CA, 90012
Mention The Hollywood Sentinel for VIP treatment.
ART
MOCA
Yet another treasure downtown, is the magnificent Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). We had the pleasure of seeing here the final showing of the brilliant artist MARLENE DUMAS, in association with the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York) for her measuring your own grave showing. A vast body of work that stays in the unconscious long after one has seen it, Marlene Dumas’ work is truly masterful, and must be seen to be appreciated. MOCA’s directorship has been truly inspiring this year, and if you have not been, you are truly missing out. MOCA Grand Ave, 250 S. Grand Ave, LA, CA, 90012
Mention The Hollywood Sentinel for VIP status.
THIS WEEK:
Hugh Hefner signs at books soup in Sunset today Tuesday. (Last week was sexy Mia Kirshner).
Wednesday VNV NATION (which yours truly interviewed) plays the el rey.
Also Wednesday, open your life to a healing time as the Sun enters Scorpio.
Saturday is the Fitness Model Competition at the Wilshire Beverly hills Theatre.
Monday is a very brady day with Maureen McCormic back at book soup.
Also Monday next week is Prison Break cast and crew over at the Paley Center.
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THE HOLLYWOOD SENTINEL
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October 27 – November 2, 2008
The full moon energy of Tuesday culminates in Wednesday as we move in to Halloween. This is a time of great transformation, organization, and growth.
Thursday the 30th, Movie premiere of The Soloist with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., with red carpet and after party.
Friday the 31st, Halloween
Numerous VIP parties throughout Los Angeles
Models contact us for credentials
Saturday, November 1st, Che movie premiere with Benecio Del Toro and director Steven Soderberg
Day of the Dead, parade downtown
Sunday, November 2nd, Daylight Savings Time Ends, set clocks back 1 hour
Monday, November 3rd, Lou Reed, downtown – Redcat
Jupiter, planet of fortune returns to position as it was in during March.
Get ready to vote for the lesser of 2 evils on Tuesday.
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The most important news you will ever read is here below:
DEATH.
That’s right, death. This is the holiday of Halloween, that time when the veil of separation between the living and the dead is supposedly the thinnest. What I want you to do this Halloween, is to think of death. Think of the fact that you will one day die. And there is nothing we can do about it. What that means is that we should:
A, make the most of this life that we have, by figuring out what is the purpose of this life, your life, and then do it, act on that purpose
B, make the most out of each moment of your life and make it as long and healthy and prosperous as can be
C, decide whether or not you believe in life after death, what that means to you, if you have not already, and then, do something to make that belief a better one for you
Realize that the realization of death is the celebration of life.
1, do not take any thing personally that is negative, let it flow off you like water and do not react back negatively
2, do random acts of kindness
3, do not worry about things you can not control
4, find and follow your true will, your true bliss
5, realize that you and you alone make your own happiness and reality. If you believe the world is a bright, happy, wonderful place full of love and light and opportunity, then it is.
Believe and it shall be so.
In death can be found truth.
Life is for the living, and to live and live well.
Do not let sorrow, pain, agony, war, depressive economic reports, and bad news effect your mind or your mood.
Rise above the world of addictions to pain and suffering. Your spirit is bigger and greater than any breaking news or report of misery and tragedy.
The most important news you will ever read in your life is YOU, the news about you and your life purpose. For you and your life, and your spirit, and what you do with it, should be the most important of all to you. This news may not be it. What that news is, is up to you. Find it, and make your life your treasure.
Make a plan each day to make your life and those around you a better, happier place.
The Day of the Dead is the day for living, every day, to your utmost best.
Happy Halloween!
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“Every man and every woman is a star.”
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Our hearts go out to Cameron Diaz in her time of grief.
RIP to former Marilyn Manson bassist Brad Stewart.
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HOW TO SUCCEED IN HOLLYWOOD ®
By Bruce Edwin
October 27 – November 2, 2008
47, GO TO THE PARTIES!
I had been told this before, but I never realized how important and true this was until I actually went to one at the HAMMER MUSEUM. Now, this party was one of those that was kind of public, but that every one was trying to get in to. There was a huge line, and most were being turned away. I managed to talk my way in for free, and past a few hundred standing in line.
Once in, after meeting the stars of the event and mingling with their crowd, we later got invited by one of them to the party within the party that was in the VIP only area upstairs where the real action was. This is where all of the film and art insiders were, any body who was any body was up there.
After this amazing party, I finally called one of the people I met at this event thanks to my girlfriend who urged me to do so, and he then introduced me to another great man, my current producing partner, who later introduced me to another gentleman who was working with another producer who was working with Speilberg, so that producer introduced me to the other producer after I got attached to his film. More on attachments later.
Then another month, I decided to take some of my models to a red carpet party at THE VIPER ROOM. I almost didn’t go. A part of me didn’t even want to go, but I went. It was this night that I met another producer who has a new film with another star, who introduced me to another producer, who has already made numerous major films, and has about 12 movies in the works he is producing. I am now working with them both, and am now turning down movies I am so busy.
So you see, parties are KEY in Hollywood! This is where the dealmakers meet you, like you, trust you, give you their contact info, tell you about their projects, and invite you over to their home to meet their husband or wife and kids, swim in the pool, play on their tennis court or golf course in their backyard, or go out to do lunch!
If you work in this business, you MUST go to the parties. The best parties are the ones the public doesn’t know about and can’t get in to. VIP red carpet parties after the red carpet, where only the VIP of the VIP set go are great too. House parties at the stars or Agent or Manager or Producers home are the best too. Because there you can see how they live, and have a stronger connection.
Oh, Hi! Its Steve calling! Will you tell Mr. Pitt I met him at the party at his house last night? WHICH house?! Uhhh…. Make sure you can remember which house it was! They own many! Which brings up another point.
Now, when you go the parties, or red carpet events, you should treat it as a job. You are there to make contacts that can advance your career, not get wasted. That’s what college was for, right? Just kidding.
PRETEND YOU ARE ON AN AUDITION AT THE PARTIES. BEHAVE YOUR SELF
I went to an Emmy party the other night, and right outside, near the red carpet, and hundreds of people and paparazzi, some one pulled out and lit up a joint. They then handed it to an aspiring actress who had just given me her number, hoping to get work. She took it and smoked up. I immediately walked away from her, and when I got home, threw away her info. Why would I want to talk with or work with an idiot who violates a federal law (yes, it is still against federal law), right in front me, in front of paparazzi, for the world to see, that supposedly wants a career in Hollywood?
When you are at the parties, you should be on your best behavior. Don’t swear, do drugs, and do not drink more than you can handle without being in control, if you do at all. Your job should be to meet as many people as possible, and get THEIR contact information. Make a brief connection, get them to remember you, get their card, or write down their info, and move on. Don’t think that just because you give them your info. You can walk away and did your job. You MUST get their information. Tell them something memorable so they will recall you when you or your agent or manager contacts them. Oh, you’re the one that handed me the towel and directed me to the bathroom after I fell in the hot tub with my clothes on! Thank you! Please don’t tell any one!
WORK THE PARTY
I tell my clients when I send them to an event and they end up spending too long with one person, yet there are 100 other people they didn’t meet, to move on and meet others. Work the room. Work it. Most of my successes were for simply talking to the right people, getting their info, and doing follow up.
If some one won’t give you’re their information, then leave. Say goodbye, and split. Don’t waste your time talking to some one that thinks they are too good to give their information. And unless they are higher up than you in your career and won’t give you their info, don’t bother giving them your information. What good will it do you? Unless of course, it could be a good photo opp, which I will get to later.
When I go to an event, I come home with at least 15 to 20 business cards. Even that is too low. Come home with 50 to 100. Then, be sure to follow up on them, or have your representation do so, and hold them accountable.
Treat the parties like a job. They are. Then, when you want to really have fun and relax, go where there are no industry players that you need to schmooze, with your core group of friends that you know and trust, with no cameras that can shoot images that can be used against you, and have some down time.
48, DON’T DO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.
I didn’t go to film school and move to Hollywood to party. I went to film school and moved to Hollywood to make movies and to make money.
Even if you’re a radical, how good of a radical are you if you can’t afford a revolution? Good revolutions cost big money these days! U2 for example, has big money, but Bono is very active for good causes. He couldn’t even begin to do all he has done to help the diseased and poor without lots of money. In fact, he couldn’t even fly there to see them. He’d only get to watch about them on T.V., or maybe on his phone on you tube.
Great success in this business requires, if you want to keep it together, great control. And if you can’t be in control of your self, how are you going to control other people to get them to do what you want them to do? And it is of course, like Janet says, about CONTROL.
49, ALCOHOL
You won’t be very good at convincing people to your way of thinking, if you are a drug or alcohol case. Now, a glass of wine now and then over a social setting may be acceptable, if you are not an alcoholic and don’t over do it. But the best thing is to avoid it all together. Alcohol may be great for you on the short term to loosen up, but the fact is, it’s poison. It kills brain cells, kills the liver, kills the kidneys, kills friendships and family, and can kill you or strangers on the road. Alcohol creates stupidity. I have seen the smartest people, doing the dumbest things, because of alcohol.
One producer I know, was really wasted one night at a party, and spilled all kinds of dirt to me on one of his celeb talents, that if this client would have found out he had been telling me, would have axed him. Avoid alcohol as much as possible.
50, COCAINE
Drugs should be avoided altogether too. I have met far too many people who think that cocaine is a perfectly safe drug to do. I also can recall a boy in Jr. High School who thought the same thing. He ended up having one nostril and looking somewhat like Schreck. I don’t know about you, but I prefer two nostrils. Cocaine in any form is stupid. I know of one beautiful model who recently OD’d, dead because of this disgusting, filthy drug. I can always spot people who do it. It’s a nasty, ugly thing. Avoid it.
51, HEROIN
As for garbage like heroin, I had a dear musician friend who was well known, who loved it, and loved it some more. He would write songs about it and tell me on the phone of his pretty dreams of running and laying down and playing in poppy fields. Ah, how pretty! He is now laying down in a coffin 6 feet under the dirt in Hollywood Forever Cemetary because of his heroin over dose. I try not to think of him because it gets me too depressed. If some one offers you this, tell them where to go.
52, ANGEL DUST
PCP is another one of the nastiest drugs in existence. They use it to tranquilize elephants. Or at least they used to. Are you an elephant? Don’t use that nasty drug. Trust me, I don’t buy in to anti drug propaganda. I believe in truth. And the truth is, its poison.
The most successful people in my circle of people that I deal with, the mulit-millionaires, the power players, I never hear them talking about drugs. I never see them even really drinking, and I never seem them getting high or talking about getting high. They are focused on success and constantly growing their finances and career and craft, and true and lasting success requires living clean and healthy.
53, CRYSTAL METH / SPEED
I had a friend before I was in the business, who was a Calvin Klein model, who was a meth head. He and all of his model friends called them selves meth heads. One day I told him that he needed to get off of the speed, as it was messing him up. He tried to convince him self that he needed it, to be a super model, to keep up with all of the demands of the hectic lifestyle and parties. I told him again, and he snapped and went off on me, cutting me off because I did not support his drug lifestyle. Years later, after he fortunately got clean and survived, he apologized to me, and thanked me for trying to help him.
His case is a rare and lucky one. Speed is a nasty drug that gives people the jitters and shakes and makes them angry and hostile when they don’t get it. Don’t do it.
54, MARIJUANNA
The much less successful people I know, who I don’t hang around, all regularly drink and smoke weed. People can go to a drug dealer store and pay for a bogus Doctor to give them a bogus card saying they are oh so sick and need to get high in Los Angeles. What a joke. It might as well be legal.
But then again, I think it should also be legal to kill your self if you want to. Killing your self is stupid. And smoking pot does not make you a smarter human being, contrary to pot-heads beliefs.
As one who values personal freedoms, I believe it is ones right to do what one wants with and to their own body. Just don’t tell me it’s good for you, or that its safe for you to drive a vehicle 70 miles down the freeway when you are stoned. It’s not safe.
If you are going to fill your body with drugs or alcohol, that’s your choice, just don’t endanger our lives when you do it. And don’t come near me stoned, or the casting directors. We’re too busy making deals, making money, and making movies.
55, MENTAL HEALTH DRUGS
You’d be surprised at how many models I have seen come in to my office, who tell me they are on anti- depressants. There are many. Every one of them that I asked, “Have you been tested for a bio-chemical disorder,” they all asked what that was and their answer was no.
The American psychiatric industry is medicating young men and women with mind body and soul destroying drugs without even doing proper testing on them to see if they have nerve synapses mis-firing in their brain. But even that is suspect. I think the shrinks are the ones with the brains mis-firing.
How can any one be depressed in L.A.?! Even all of the bums of America try to jump on the nearest freight trains to commute out here to Southern California, because they know it’s so awesome!
So stop being depressed! Get some sun, make some money, go to the beach, find some one to love you and love them back. Get off the drugs.
All these girls I have seen on this garbage, I can tell right away. Are you on any medication? I’ll ask. They look shocked, Umm…How did you like- know that?! Uh, because, you’re eyes look like flying saucers, are spinning in circles like a cartoon character, and I just told you some of the best news for you in the world and you look like a freaking zombie. That’s how I know. Get off the drugs. Stay away from the shrinks, and stay away from the hospitals unless you are dying.
Doctors and Psychiatrists would not be in business without sick people, without dying and diseased people, and with out the crazy people. Think about it. So do you think their industry wants to cure all of the sick and dying and diseased and crazy people of the world? Of course not. They’d be out of a job if that happened.
Western medicine is designed by its chemical nature to take away one problem, and give you another ailment. Read about it. I didn’t make that up, it’s chemistry. I do my best to never take any medicine- I like to stay healthy. Do you like sanity? Then stay off the psych drugs.
56, GET A DRIVER.
How dumb can celebrities be that get wasted, and drive around in their car just waiting to get busted. Hel-lo?! You are famous! You are rich! You can afford a driver! You can afford a taxi cab! You can afford a limo! You can afford to call for P-Diddy’s new service that picks up drunk or drugged out celebs too wasted to drive! I have drivers, and I’m not even drugged out or famous! If I can get a driver, surely a star can! You’re not in control if you do drugs or alcohol. So get some one who is.
57, TIP YOUR LIMO DRIVER
I used to drive a limo. One day I had to drive two guys somewhere, which I did, on time, fast and direct, and they didn’t tip me one dime or even comment about it. They later asked for another trip. Guess who didn’t get a limo? Always tip your driver unless they are on salary. Then give them a bonus on holidays if they deserve it. If you don’t have one now, and are going to party, get a driver!
58, NEVER MAKE THE PRESS MAD.
It amazes me when I see on TMZ, stars being rude and crazy to the press / media. They’ll pull garbage out of dumpsters to cover their face, they’ll throw punches, and they’ll hurl vulgarities.
Now, true, so called paparazzi get paid to get crazy shots of stars doing crazy things. They will get paid more if a celeb gives them the middle finger, or swears at them, so they will be rude, antagonistic, and try to make them mad. Many are abusive, and many have become stalker like which is dangerous and should not be allowed.
But stars also need to handle the press media better many times. After all, if it wasn’t for the media, they wouldn’t even be a star. Where would the T.V. stars, movie stars, rock stars, and supermodels be if there weren’t the magazines and commercials and news stories there to sell their hype? You need the media in this business, so make them your friend.
When I see a star being rude or mean to the media, they usually don’t show us what that journo did to provoke them to act that way. All we see is the star being mean and crazy. So don’t play in to their trap. Kill them with kindness, as they say. Your audience will love you a lot more if you react with humor, make jokes, and are as sweet or as funny as can be.
59, Don’t say crazy things to the press, or to any one you do not know and trust will not repeat what you don’t want repeated.
No one will like you for being mean or saying stupid things. Do that in the privacy of your own home if you must. Here again, it is easier to control your emotions and keep your temper in check when it is being tested, if you are not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
When I see a mean paparazzi antagonizing a celeb, and that celeb responds with a joke, or smiles and laughs it off, I love that celeb even more than I may have already. It shows that they are comfortable in their own skin, that they are at the top of their game, above the game, and that they are in control and have the power. Be a winner.
60, USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL
I saw one day, on an entertainment clip, superstar TOM CRUISE coming out of the Kodak on Hollywood Boulevard down a red carpet. Thousands of fans were naturally cheering for him. He went to shake the hand of one fan and answer one of his questions, when this so so called fan decided to play a prank, and squirted Tom Cruise with a water gun, getting his face, hair and clothes all wet in front of thousands, and on camera for the world to see, ridiculed in front of millions.
What would you do? I personally would have done well to not punch the guy in the face, or yelled a string of profanities at him, or both.
Tom Cruise however, the crazy, insane Tom Cruise as many of those jealous haters like to call him, took a handkerchief, wiped off the water, called the guy the four letter word of J-E-R-K, and proceeded to rationally explain to this 20 something old adult why it was not cool what he did. The heckler ended up in tears, and apologized, begging for forgiveness, from one of the biggest stars in the world.
If that makes Tom Cruise crazy, then what is sane? Punching the guy? I think his behavior in this instance alone showed more professionalism, CONTROL, class, and power under pressure than most any other star or megastar on earth.
Don’t tick off the press or media. Don’t let them get under your skin, and don’t take any thing they say to get a rise out of you personally. And trust me, it will be personal. Simply ignore it, laugh it off, change the subject, or turn it nicely back on them. Remember to be cool like Cruise. You’ll be glad you did in the end.
61, DON’T HYPE UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL
Do not talk to the news or motion camera, unless you really have something to talk about. If you have no film, T.V, show, or book or such in the works, or out, then don’t try talking live when there in nothing to hype. If you have nothing to hype, then get something to hype, or stick to the still press media, print only, until you do.
Now, I am going to quickly hit on a few of the basics every one should know as an actor, model and band, and then I am going to go a lot deeper, in to some things which concerns becoming not just a star, but a super star. A mega success. First the basics…
62, READ THE TRADES
Read the trades. The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and if you are a new aspiring actor, Backstage West, The Ross Reports, and the Players directory especially are a must. You can also get all of these online. The Blue Book, Hollywood Creative Directory, Internet Movie Database, and the special studio one (which I am not giving away, sorry) are also essential if you want to be a serious player.
63, VOUCHERS
Any time you do a job, you sign in on your voucher. You will get a pink or a yellow voucher. Pinks are non union, yellows are union. You obviously want the union. When you get 3 union vouchers, then you are eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild after you pay them $2,200 plus your semi annual dues.
64, SAG RIGHTS
Now, even though you one pays them their hard earned money, and may be barely making it as an actor, you can rest assured that there are stars out there who are trying to fight to make sure that you don’t have a say in the union as a voting member, even when you pay your dues, if you do not work more than 1 or 5 days in any given year.
Can you imagine applying this same principle to the so called democratic process of electing the President of the United States? Oh, sorry citizens, you were unemployed for a year, so you do not get to vote for president, because you are not as important as us unless you make money. Can you see the logic of this?
To be continued in our next issue:
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HAIR
Salon on 7
Celebrities are getting the word that the elite hairstylist named ALBA is back in town from Miami cutting hair at Salon in 7 in L.A., downtown on 7th street in Los Angeles now of all places, when she is not selling mansions to the stars. Whether or not she is related to Paula Abdul (who she strongly resembles) is yet to be confirmed at press time. But rumor is, if she likes you, she provides a deep tissue massage for extra measure. Mention The Hollywood Sentinel for VIP service.
MUSIC – CLASSICAL
Zipper Hall
The zipper is one of downtown L.A.’s best kept secrets. A quaint theater tucked away in the Colburn Chamber Music School, where piano star LYDIA ARTYMIW recently raged in classical beauty and power blasting out the exquisite significance of Ewazen, Lauridsen, Beethoven, and Brahms. The zipper proves that those who are afraid to come to downtown L.A. are better off in keeping that fear going. We want this all to our selves. Rare, sophisticated elegance, in one of this cities most beautiful locations.
The Zipper at the Colburn School, 200 S Grand Ave, LA, CA, 90012
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ART
MOCA
Yet another treasure downtown, is the magnificent Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). We had the pleasure of seeing here the final showing of the brilliant artist MARLENE DUMAS, in association with the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York) for her measuring your own grave showing. A vast body of work that stays in the unconscious long after one has seen it, Marlene Dumas’ work is truly masterful, and must be seen to be appreciated. MOCA’s directorship has been truly inspiring this year, and if you have not been, you are truly missing out. MOCA Grand Ave, 250 S. Grand Ave, LA, CA, 90012
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