Laurie Lathem, a seasoned actor and writer based in Los Angeles, has written several great new Work.com guides that tell us the inside secrets to breaking into the entertainment business: Breaking Into the Film and Entertainment Industries, Getting a Talent Agent, Breaking Intro Acting, and Leading Creative Workshops.
Laurie has been working in many aspects of the
entertainment industry since she was a child on stage in New York. For
many years she made her living acting in theater, TV and film and
eventually she began writing, directing and teaching. She has written
screenplays, plays, and episodic television, as well as essays and a
memoir. Formerly the Creative Director of the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre,
she designed curriculum and hired staff for a theater school for children
and adults, as well as created outreach programs in local schools and juvenile
detention centers. She taught screen writing at Stanford University
Continuing Studies Program and continues to teach writing workshops
privately and at conferences around the country.
Laurie's advice on breaking into film and television includes:
- Know the business. Go to movies. Watch TV. Read the "trades" (Variety,
Hollywood Reporter). Learn as much as you can about the workings of
film and TV production before you arrive on set for your first day of
work. Know the difference between a Director of Photography and an
Assistant Director, for example. Know what the Production Designer
does, etc. Take classes at your local continuing studies program. You
can meet people this way and begin to build up a network.
- Once on the job, be as helpful and enthusiastic as possible. And above
all, be prepared. Know who's who and if you don't know, find out.
- When someone, anyone, offers to put you in touch with a producer or
department head, absolutely follow up with a polite and brief phone
call and make sure to use the name of the mutual contact (as long as
that person has agreed).
- Be nice to EVERYBODY. More than in other industries, today's lackey is
tomorrow's show runner (head producer on a TV series) or
Oscar-nominated director. Sucking up doesn't help. Keep your dignity
and self-respect. Be helpful and determined, without groveling or
begging.
entertainment, entertainment industry, hollywood
