Not everyone who lives in Hollywood is from Hollywood. The industry is mixed with folks from all over the world who want nothing more than to fulfill a dream. Making the move is a massive decision, and can ignite a number of mixed feelings, including (but not limited to) excitement and absolute fear.

These feelings fester from the moment you cross the city limits. Once in, you look around and you ask yourself, "Now what?"

What was once a place that seemed so far away and out of reach is now a reality; A massive city with millions of people just like you. People who feel lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to start.

There’s no shortage of people willing to talk your ear off about the entertainment industry — some may be helpful for years to come and some, well, not so much.

But as daunting as your first day in Hollywood may seem, there are several things you can do in that moment to help get you pointed in the right direction.

1) Ask Yourself the Tough Questions

This business is all about relationships and while not every relationship will be good, each one has something to teach you. One of my most positive long-time relationships has been with one of the best acting coaches in the business, Howard Fine. He has a piece of advice that’s valuable for all actors: Ask yourself the tough questions.

From the day you start, you have to know not only the business but also yourself, and the best way to figure that out is to ask yourself some key questions;

• Why do you want to be an actor more than anything else?
• Have you been cast in roles in your hometown, college, or semi-professionally?
• Are you emotionally open, able to capture attention with just your presence, comfortable and flexible in your own skin?
• Perhaps most importantly, are you able to take criticism about yourself, your talent, and your body? (Which is often delivered indelicately, to your face, and even more often behind your back.)

This is the harsh but true reality of an actor’s life, and it’s something you have to be ready for. There’s no better time to ask these questions than when you arrive in Hollywood because if they make you reconsider now, it may be best to stop before you start.

2) Start Building Your Network

Let’s say you just landed at LAX. Your friend offered a couch for you to crash on, but is unable to pick you up from the airport so you take an Uber.

Welcome to your first opportunity to network!

Most Uber drivers in Los Angeles are or have been involved in the entertainment industry in some form. They’re actors, writers, producers — you name it, I’ve seen them behind the wheel.And they’re are always eager to chat about their passion, find a like-minded spirit, and build a future connection. Next to talent, networking is the most important factor in a successful Hollywood career. And it’s something you can start working on right away.

Not just with Uber drivers, but with waiters, bartenders, friends of friends, etc. Just about anyone you meet out here will probably have some ties to the entertainment industry. It’s a small town and you’ll be amazed how often your friend’s cousin’s former roommate is Dave Becky’s nanny.

Don’t assume one person is good for one connection. One trick I tell actors to use is “20 plus 20” — for every 20 people you meet, ask them if they know someone else who’d be good for you to talk to.

Just like that, you’ve got 20 more contacts to meet with. Not every connection will be a positive one, but they will all teach you something.

3) Learn The Business

Just about everyone will tell you to take an acting class to hone your skills and it’s good advice. But what often gets overlooked are the skills being taught in these classes, which go beyond your performance. You’re not simply learning how to act, you’re also learning how to act in Hollywood. A great class will teach you as much about how to navigate the business of auditioning and market yourself in a shifting media landscape as it does how to bring a character to life.

It’s like enrolling in business school, only the business is your individual pursuit of an acting career and it comes with a side opportunity to build your network with your fellow classmates.

But don’t limit your learning to a classroom setting.

Get to know the business by reading industry publications like Deadline, the Hollywood Reporter, and Variety to know what projects are getting made and who is making them. Check out entertainment-focused blogs and subscribe to relevant newsletters. (Like mine!)

Know what materials you’ll need right off the bat, like a headshot, resume, and, ideally, a working car.

And above all, learn how to memorize fast. The more you learn, the greater your advantage over those who don’t.

4) Prepare For The Long Haul

There are many different things to consider when you embark on a Hollywood career, but the most crucial one is not to rush. Take your time learning your chops. Set reasonable and attainable goals. And don’t sweat it if you see others around you succeeding before you do.

Yes, this is a business that values youth. And yes, it’s a business that can move very quickly. But if you go out for certain roles, auditions, or jobs you’re not ready for, you can leave a negative impression that will last forever.

Navigating Hollywood can be hard on your mental health so you need to be kind to yourself. Write down several things you accomplished each day that will help move your career forward. They may be as small as, “I cooked a healthy meal” or “I signed up for a class” or “I talked to my Uber driver about a film she’s working on.”

They don’t even need to be related to acting.

Every little bit counts and it’s all important. You may not realize it in the moment, but when you step back and look at all you’ve done, you’ll be amazed by the amount of continual improvement.

Remember, you’re starting a journey that will take years to develop and never really ends. So be patient, enjoy the journey, and learn to love the process as much as the success.If you do, it’s all painless.

Other Stage 32 posts by Brian:

• For Creatives: 12 Mindset Shifts to Use as You Head Into 2019
• Getting to Know Hollywood: Sign the Town Before You Sign the Talent
• Does Luck Play a Role in Your Acting Career?
• Hollywood vs Hollywouldn’t: 12 Tips to Help Actors Navigate the Hollywood Landscape
• True Success is About Giving: A Theory to Elevate You to the Next Level
• How One Man, One Speech, and a Series of Letters Shaped a Hollywood Career
• How Do I Get a Meeting in Hollywood?
• How to Get Better as an Actor

Brian Medavoy is an award-winning producer and manager who has been
in the entertainment business for nearly 25 years. In that time he has emerged
as one of Hollywood’s top talent representatives, helping to craft the early
careers of actors such as Ryan Reynolds, Tobey Maguire, Josh Brolin, David
Schwimmer, Jason Bateman, and Maria Bello, among others.

More-Medavoy merged with powerhouse managers Susan Bymel and Evelyn O’Neill
in 1999 to form Talent Entertainment Group. Under their combined banner,
TEG continued to represent A-list talent while developing film and television projects
for their clients. One of those projects, the highly-acclaimed PBS series “American High,”
garnered Medavoy an Emmy award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Reality).
The documentary series followed fourteen students from Highland Park High School in Illinois for one year.

A Los Angeles native, Medavoy has deep roots in the entertainment industry.
His father, prolific film producer Mike Medavoy, is the co-founder of Orion Pictures,
former chairman of TriStar Pictures and current chairman and CEO of Phoenix Pictures.
Brian attended UCLA where he majored in history.

Learn more at: Brian Medavoy

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