SHOW BIZ HOW-TO
January 2007
"Inspiring Actors With Information, Motivation and Support"
NOTICE
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THE QUOTES
"Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find ways
to do it. Believing there is a solution paves the way to a solution." ~ Dr. David Schwartz
"To follow, without halt, one aim: There's the secret of success." ~ Anna Pavlova
"It is easy to sit up and take notice. What's difficult is getting up and taking action." ~ Al Batt
"First say to yourself what you would be - and then do what you have to do." ~ Epictetus
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A PIECE OF MY MIND from Bob Fraser
I spent most of the night in front of my computer - watching interviews with some legendary figures in the history of TV.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the folks who hand out the Emmys) have, over the years, interviewed many of the
pioneers and stars of television - and now, thanks to Google Video, these interviews are on the web. They call the program
"The Archive of American Television."
This is a brand new thing on the web and you can take advantage of it - as I did - for nothing.
This is an amazing repository of wisdom, advice, history and insider stuff - relayed to you, by some of history's brightest
stars, writers, producers, and directors.
These are in-depth (almost 3 hour) interviews with people like Norman Lear, Andy Griffith, David Wolper, Carl
Reiner, Bob Newhart, Steven Bochco, Phyllis Diller, Grant Tinker, Jay Sandrich, John Frankenheimer, Dick Wolf, Alan Alda, Quincy
Jones, Kim Hunter, James Burrows, Barbara Eden, Gene Reynolds, Angela Lansbury, James Garner, Diahann Carroll, Phil Donahue,
Don Knotts, Dennis Weaver, Joan Ganz Cooney, Ricardo Montalban,
George Takai, Bob Mackie, Stephen J. Cannell, Larry Hagman, William Shatner, Betty White, Bob Carroll & Madelyn Davis,
Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Jane Wyatt, Dick Clark, Grant Tinker, Ossie Davis, and a host of other luminaries of the
television industry.
(I'm sure there are a few of your favorites here.)
In other words, these up-close and personal interviews with some of the biggest movers and shakers in the history of the
TV business, will inspire you.
The best part is you can watch them on your own schedule.
What you now have, at your fingertips, are compelling, behind- the-scenes stories from the people responsible for shows
like I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke, M*A*S*H, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Soap, Cheers, The Honeymooners, Star Trek, Dallas, The Mary
Tyler Moore Show, Father Knows Best, American Bandstand, I Dream Of Jeannie ... well, just about every classic TV show
in history.
These interviews are gold. If you plan to make your living in show biz - they are not only well worth your time - they
really are "must see TV."
Of course, the real reason I sat in front of my computer, watching for almost 3 hours, is because one of the people
interviewed for this project is Robert Guillaume, star of Soap, Benson and Sports Night.
To be frank, I was hoping to hear him mention my name (as producer of Benson). He did. (Thanks, Robert.)
But, despite my egocentric purpose in checking out this new resource, what I really gained from watching the "no holds
barred" chat with Mr. Guillaume, was a reminder of how tough and single-minded you must be - to survive and succeed in our
industry.
Believe me, after 6 seasons in the trenches, collaborating with Robert, I already had a sense of his tenacity of purpose
-- but his actual story, in his own words, was a real eye opener. I urge all actors who hope to be successful in our
industry to check out his interview - to get a sense of how long a dream can be kept alive when the dreamer is confident
in the rightness of his goals.
You see, Robert Guillaume - arguably one of the most readily identifiable people to ever grace our television screens -
was 50 years old before he finally got a substantial role in the medium he was most interested in - doing the sort of
work he felt was his calling ... comedy.
Up to that point (when he was cast to play Benson on the series Soap) Robert had managed to keep his dream alive with
not-very-regular employment in theatre, opera, and various singing engagements - and only a seldom foray into film and
television - mostly in secondary or tertiary roles, and
rarely in comedy.
Robert Guillaume's drive and desire to make a difference (which are almost palpable in his interview) form a great lesson for
those of us who worry that it's taking too long ... or that we've made a mistake in our choice of profession because we
are seeing too little success, or think we face insurmountable
challenges in breaking down the doors of Hollywood.
As I watched Robert tell his story, I was reminded of other iconic stars who struggled at length. For instance, the 13
years Harrison Ford spent being rejected. Or the close to 20 years Linda Hunt toiled in children's theatre and off-off
Broadway. Or Lucille Ball - who was considered a washed-up
B-movie queen, before I Love Lucy went on the air for the first time - and changed show business forever.
In fact, I think that if you take the time to check out these amazing interviews from The Archive Of American Television,
you'll find story after story of artists who believed in themselves, kept working at their profession in the face of
rejection, took each and every step of the difficult journey, and who each exemplify the courage, tenacity, and patience it
often takes to "make it" in this business.
To get started, just go to this website:
http://www.emmys.tv/foundation/archive/interviews.php
Click on the big "G" near the top of the page, which will take you to the Google Video area - and the interviews.
(Technical Aside: Even if you're blessed with high-speed internet service, it's a good idea to let the entire video
load, before clicking the "play" button. And even if the picture "skips" - you can still LISTEN to these amazing words
of wisdom.)
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HERE TO SERVE: WHY THE WORLD NEEDS ACTORS
by
Katharine McEwan
"{Acting's} essential elements remain the twin requisites enunciated in the eighteenth century, by French actor
Francois-Joseph Talma ... 'Unusual sensitivity and extraordinary intelligence.' The intelligence he refers
to comes not from book learning but from an ability to
understand the workings of the human personality." ~ Lee Strasberg, Definition of Acting
To begin to answer the question of why the world needs actors, first we must understand what it is an actor must
have. To supply a demand, one must have the supply. A fledgling actor must examine their talent with brutal
honesty.
Unusual sensitivity and the potential for extraordinary intelligence must be there ... then with hard work and
discipline, it can be enhanced accordingly. However, it must be remembered, we cannot give that what we do
not have.
Why is it so important to understand the workings of the human personality? What purpose do actors serve, if any?
One thing we all share is the fact we are born and we die alone. We are, in a sense, trapped in our own minds,
perpetually alone with ourselves. There is a desperate need in all human beings to ease this isolation by creating
bonds with other people- sharing experiences, thoughts, physical intimacy, ideas and beliefs.
Then, on a larger scale, in order to experience a deeper level of connection, we have a need to share our thoughts
on life and the relationships in our lives, with everyone in the world.
One of the ways in which we do this, is through art. We have come to realize that despite physical differences, we
are all fundamentally the same in our desires- to love and be loved and to belong. That is why art transcends all
race, gender, language and culture.
It speaks of our relationships with our world.
Through art we share our fears, our desires, our needs, our perversions, our fantasies, our greed and lust. When
we watch a film or look at a painting or listen to a piece of music that resonates with us, we feel less alone. We
feel as though someone understands us. Life is less painful because someone out there feels as freakish and lonely and
scared as we do. Or they want the same thing or have felt the same joy.
This, in my opinion, is the greatest gift we can give to each other. Compassion for the human condition can heal the
world.
Actors are here to serve. We must look upon our souls with an unflinching eye, so as to share ourselves with others
from a place of honesty, not ego. We are here to be ugly, ashamed, desirable, joyful, angry, tormented, violent and
beautiful and everything else that makes up the human soul. If we can bring a character to life and that character can
touch the heart of another and somehow inspire them to feel less afraid and more connected to the world, then we must do
this!
To fail would be a tragedy.
We are part of a living tradition, a legacy that must be guarded and maintained with absolute ferocity.
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Bob's Note: Katharine is an actress in Los Angeles and a fellow subscriber to Show Biz How-To. If you've written
something that might be of interest to other actors, please don't hesitate to submit your article, opinion, story or
joke to me for inclusion in Show Biz How-To.
Send your work, by email to: bobfraser@showbizhowto.com
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SHOW BIZ VOCABULARY (The Funny Parts)
Eternity - The time that passes between a dropped cue and the next line.
Prop - A hand-carried object small enough to be lost by an actor thirty seconds before it is needed on stage.
Director - The person who suffers from the delusion that she is responsible for every moment of brilliance cited
by the critics,
Blocking - The art of moving actors about on the stage in such a way as to not bump into the walls, the furniture,
or each other. Similar to playing chess, except that the pawns want to discuss each move - and always seem to
need a reason to move.
Blocking Rehearsal - A rehearsal that takes place early on in a production - where actors frantically write down their
movements on the set. Movements which will never happen when the show is actually performed.
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AGENT OR MANAGER OR BOTH?
by
Bob Fraser
A request I receive about ten times a week goes like this:
"Bob, if you could just send me a list of the powerful agents in ______, I know my acting career could really get started.
I will remember you when I win the Academy Award. (LOL)."
There are easily 500 actors out there who plan to mention my name when they win the Oscar. I couldn't be more pleased. Of
course, I'm not holding my breath.
Here's why ...
Neither an agent or a manager can help you "get a career going." The concept that a powerful man or woman can step in and help
you skip all the hard work of starting an acting career is a "fairy tale." There's no short-cut to the top in show business
(or even to the middle for that matter).
There's also no Great Pumpkin or Easter Bunny.
If it could be done this way, then agents and managers would simply pick actors out of the thousands of headshots they get
every week and turn them into stars.
But ... it CAN NOT be done this way - which is why agents are generally not all that excited when a new pile of unsolicited
headshots arrives on their doorstep.
The good agents are 'pros' and they ARE NOT going to waste their valuable time trying to accomplish what they know
cannot be done.
Agents and Managers have businesses that are similar - but not the same.
One sells a product.
The agent is a sales person for the product known as YOU. Sales people (agents) judge their how well their business
is going by how much money they make. A sales professional likes to make lots of money. If your product is not saleable
(one that people aren't ready to buy yet) then a sales person
won't make a lot of money selling it (you).
Not surprisingly, agents are VERY business-like about this part.
Until you've managed to start your career yourself (making money as an actor) don't expect ANY really good sales people
to be very interested.
Managers are just what the word implies. They manage things.
Mailings, bookings, transportation, job offers, promotion - the day to day business of YOU. (But keep in mind that in
most major markets, they are precluded by law from seeking work for you - so dispense with that 'dream' right away.)
The top managers are usually the top managers because they manage very successful careers.
Many young actors are fooled into thinking that they must have a manager, ANY manager - that it's "good business". It
isn't. In reality you are signing an agreement to give someone 15% (or more) of your paycheck - after YOU have
successfully ESTABLISHED YOURSELF as an actor who makes
money.
The big boys (and girls) in the management game, are just like agents when it comes to money. They want to manage a
"going concern" and they spend all their time looking for the next "big thing."
By the way, since artist's managers are not regulated by the state or licensed, there are some people who, although they
may call themselves managers, don't really have the skills of a 'pro.'
Think about that. Professional managers make a boatload of money when they manage to sign on with a Vin Diesel or J-Lo -
isn't it reasonable to assume that they are LOOKING ALL THE TIME. In fact, they hire people to look - they've got part-
time, secret lookers on their payroll. Believe me, If you have what they want - if you are a going concern with a name that
you've made for yourself - they know their managing skills will take you to a whole new level (making LOTS of money) and they
get a big chunk of a LOT - then, believe me, they will seek you out.
Most importantly, as long as you continue to believe that your main job is looking for someone else to help you "build"
your career -- you won't be spending enough time doing the crucial things you MUST do yourself - to build your own career.
This is a very bad tactic which results in frustration, wasted years and, ultimately, failure to achieve what you want.
If you don't concentrate on doing your part it's unlikely that you will ever build your business into something big
enough to be noticed by a good agent or a good manager.
In other words, by all means keep looking for a sales staff, and a management team - but don't neglect your business while
you're doing it.
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Are You Satisfied? ?by Garry Zancanaro
You may well have heard the old story about a peasant farmer whose only real possessions were a small plot of land and his
old horse that worked the land. One day the horse disappeared and all the neighbors said how unlucky the man was.
The man simply said 'we will see'.
One day the horse returned and brought a strong, beautiful, wild horse with it - and all the neighbors told the man how
fortunate he was.
The man patiently replied, 'We will see.'
Then the horse threw the man's son - who broke his leg, and all the neighbors told the man how cursed he was to have
ever found the horse.
Again the man answered, 'We will see.'
Soon after the son broke his leg, soldiers came to the village and took away all the able-bodied young men, but the son was
spared. When the man's friends told him how lucky he was that his son had broken his leg, the man only said, 'We will see.'
This story could go on forever.
The farmer may seem far too laid-back, blasé and removed from the pressures of modern life to be much of an example for us
today. Surely he was just a simple man lacking the education and sophistication we have today. ?
But is that really the case? ? I think the main message of the story is that we never know
what's around the corner. We'll be much happier and less stressed if we accept things we can't control.
Whatever happens to us, good or bad, we aren't aware of the bigger picture and what may happen next.
Some of the worst things that can happen to any of us often turn out to be blessings in disguise. Sure, sometimes they
can be extremely well disguised, at least at the time.
However, in hindsight and over time, they often prove to be just what we really needed. I know this has often been the
case in my life.
Sometimes we can be so preoccupied in feeling sorry for ourselves and staring at the door that has just closed,
that we become blinded and don't even notice the door (or doors) that just opened for us.
We all know the old saying that every cloud has a silver lining. In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill refers to
this as 'the seed of equivalent benefit' that can be found it every setback we experience - if we look for it. Hill
firmly believed this is one of the most important character traits of all successful people.
No doubt this can be sometimes easier said than done, but as with most things in life, our attitude is critical. You
will certainly be able to do this much more easily if you have an overall positive outlook to life.
Acceptance of circumstances and events is fundamental to happiness. However, this doesn't mean that you should be
satisfied with your lot and just accept things as they are.
For example, the one of the most negative thing you can do is to say you hate your job, but decide it's the best you
can do, and at least it pays ok, so you'll stick with it. In this or similar cases, you may be satisfied but you're
not happy and you're certainly not grateful.
This is really complacency, or being stuck in a rut or a comfort zone. Or it could be called death rattle. Whatever
you want to call it, it certainly not where you want to be.
Instead, you can be grateful that you have a job, decide that you can and will do better, and that you'll learn what
you can from the job until you are ready to take your next step. With this attitude you can be dissatisfied but happy.
Being dissatisfied is also one of the greatest of all motivators. If you reach the point where you've had enough
and decide that you're not going to put up with something any more ... that will usually be a turning point in your
life and the time when things really start to happen.
Dissatisfaction is also the starting point for all progress that mankind has made throughout history. To use a simple
example, if our ancestors had been satisfied riding horses or bicycles, we wouldn't have trains, cars or any of the
other forms of transport we have today.
This may all seem a long way removed from the attitude of our friend the farmer.
However, acceptance of circumstances and events is closely related to a number of other important and often overlooked
factors that affect our success and happiness. Gratitude, forgiveness and acceptance of both other people and us can
also have a dramatic impact.
You'll find a more detailed explanation of these concepts and inter-relationships, and how we can tune in to these
powerful forces in 'The Astonishing Power of Gratitude' by Wes Hopper***
There is a well known quote by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr which I think is well worth remembering:
'God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change those things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.'
Personal development and self growth is an ongoing journey. Growing, learning and developing as people - and building a
better life - are basic human needs. If we can accept the things we can't control, we'll be much happier and we'll
have more strength to work towards the things that matter
most to us ... where we can make a difference.
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The Author: Garry Zancanaro is self-improvement specialist and the creator of The Library of Super Success, which is
a collection of the Best Success and Personal Development Resources available anywhere, including 'The Astonishing
Power of Gratitude' by Wes Hopper.
For details of the outstanding success package:
http://www.20daypersuasion.com/successlibrary.html
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SALMA SAYS ...
Salma Hayak was born in Mexico 40 years ago. She started her acting career at age 23. After becoming a 'star' in the very
successful 'tele-novela' series, "Teresa" - she left Mexico and many heartbroken fans, to make her way to Hollywood.
Hollywood, as is it's practice, type-cast Salma as a mistress, maid or prostitute. After almost two years of nothing but bit
parts, the actress spouted off about her frustration with the culture of Hollywood on Paul Rodriguez's Spanish-language talk
show.
Her rant reaped benefits. Robert Rodriguez - the hot director of "El Mariachi" happened to catch the show and offered her
the co-starring role in the sequel, "Desperado," opposite Antonio Banderas.
This huge breakthrough was followed by "From Dusk Til Dawn" with George Clooney, "Fools Rush In" with Matthew Perry, and
"Wild Wild West" with Will Smith.
But acting was just the beginning. Salma formed a production company (Ventanarosa) and produced "No One Writes To The
Colonel" which went on to become Mexico's official Oscar entry for best foreign film in 1999.
As the new millenium came, Salma prepared to produce and star in a film about Frida Kahlo, the legendary Mexican
painter.
With an all-star cast around her, Salma was nominated for Best Actress - the first Latin actress to be so honored in
that category and the film itself was nominated for six Oscars.
Then she was offered a chance to direct a movie for Showtime called "The Maldonado Miracle" for which she won the Emmy.
Now she has been honored again, as the producer of "Ugly Betty" and the 'discovery' of the amazing America Ferrera.
Salma Hayak has achieved what many thought was impossible - she has become an A-List actor, producer and director. In an
industry that has relegated Hispanic talent to cliché roles and second-class status for decades, this talented, tart,
and ambitious woman has 'broken through the ceiling.'
She's also been generous with her advice to young talent.
(As most stars generally are.)
If you listen, you will find out exactly "how to do it."
"I proved to myself that if I believe in something and set my mind to it - I could actually accomplish it."
"In my world, you have to be so beautiful, so skinny, so famous - and I don't believe you really have to be any of
those things. You simply have to be who you are. You're not more important, smarter, or prettier because you wear a
designer dress."
"I want to work for a long, long time and keep growing in my work, and if I am very lucky and very blessed, maybe
somewhere along the line there will be one movie in there that becomes a classic."
"What is important is to believe in something so strongly that you're never discouraged."
"Producing is hell, writing is frustrating, acting is really satisfying, directing is heaven."
"When it is important for you to say something and you find a vehicle to say it, then go for it. It is so rare when that
happens so I think every minute spent fighting for it is always worth it. Even if nothing ends up happening, it's still worth
the fight."
Dear reader, please take the words of Salma Hayak and hold them close. These are just a few of the beliefs, attitudes and goals
that make the journey possible - and worthwhile.
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GUESS WHO SAID IT
"Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy - a joy without penalty or guilt, a joy that does not clash with any of your
values and does not work for your own destruction, not the joy of escaping from your mind, but of using your mind's fullest
power - not the joy of faking reality, but of achieving values
that are real - not the joy of a drunkard, but of a producer."
"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a
commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."
"Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you're going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to
reach that goal, and by maintaining focus."
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ANSWERS: Ayn Rand, Mario Andretti, Oprah Winfrey
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You Must Act!
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http://www.youmustact.com
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3727 W. Magnolia Blvd. #180
Burbank, CA 91505, USA