The actor's journey begins - Hollywood

Working in Hollywood as an actor and coaching actors is a fascinating journey.   I moved to LA in 1988 and started the journey of the actor - studying, doing plays, auditioning, getting agents, doing commercials, and doing TV & film.  I started coaching actors almost as soon as I started acting.   

Actors get picked on for "being flaky," or "irresponsible."   My experience and observations are that actors can be the most committed, focused, dedicated people you can find.  

It's an incredibly difficult journey to be an actor - because most of the time, actors are working two careers.  One that pays the bills right away, while they take all the actions necessary to get to the point where acting is paying the bills.    Many are waiters, graphic designers, managers, etc. during some part of the day or week.  The rest of the time, they are the sole proprietor of their business of being "the actor."  And for the most part, within that business, they have to do it all.  

Someone really has to want this acting career, if they are going to commit to this journey.   

I've seen actors, writers and directors blossom as people and as artists in this pursuit of their dream to "say something special" in Hollywood.    

There are actors who become dark and disillusioned with the business.   There can be lots of road blocks.  There are bad agents, bad relationships, bad directors, and of course... bad auditions.   

But for the actor starting out in Hollywood, or the veteran choosing to continue the journey after 10 or 20 years, the dream shines the light to the path.   If the actor is pursuing his life's passion, regardless of any hardships, it's a great ride -  because he is doing what he loves.