Shawn just emailed a great question! He wants to know how to break into the film industry. Here’s what he asked:

MY RESPONSE:

Did you know that if you say that you’re going to go work for the studios, you actually sound a little ridiculous?

If you want to get work acting, producing, directing, writing, hair or makeup design, stunts, running camera, sound directing, wardrobe design, set design, editing…you are not working for the studios.

What if you don’t have enough money? Don’t believe it! You are the only one thinking that!

And the reason you think you can’t make enough money to move to a larger market is you don’t think you can get enough paid work in the market you are in. Right? Actually there’s a lot you can do right where you are to set you up perfectly to move to a bigger city like Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans or New York City.

I recently worked on a commercial shoot with David Beckham (He’s the sweetest guy).

It was a tough shoot.  

I know how it feels to be doing your art whether that’s acting or writing or shooting great footage…And wondering if your work is good enough or if it will ever be seen on the big screen. Yes there is a lot of pain in that uncertainty. And it doesn’t really make your art better.

I would like to tell you that you’re art is probably already in the ballpark and you’re just missing one thing that can bring it into mainstream.

Years ago when I was living in Wisconsin, I had images of traveling around the world, exploring new lands, having exciting friends, and of course plenty of money to enjoy my life.

These images kept me excited about my life, like I was going somewhere eventually.

We try so hard to make a good impression. And we’re always looking for “how can I stand out”…”how can I show I’m really good.” Here is something you can do that is so easy…you’ll hardly have to even think about it. Anybody can do it!

This 1.5 minute video will reveal what the best people do on set and you should do it too! : – )

You know those times where you’re stomach drops and you’re like “Holy shit, what am I going to do”? I recently felt this way on set. And I would not wish it on anyone.

But I know that you’re going to feel this way too at some point.

A-lister Jake was an actor working at a call center in the middle of nowhere.  Maine!  he dreamed of the day he could have a career the film industry.

Then, He started the A-List mentorship program.  In Maine of all places!

We’ve all been in this situation where we want to do well but in the moment, we go into our head and we just don’t act like we wanted to act.

Often we’ll replay the situation over and over again in our heads. And we’ll think of new things we should have said and sometimes we’ll blame other people for the way that they were acting.