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PSYCHOcatholic

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So, right now im at a crossroads in my life. I could go 3 or 4 different ways. See, ive always wanted to be a Youth Minister, which i have a chance of doing if i stay here in Bama, but it could take 2 years.

Then my sister, she lives about 20 minutes from LA, she said that i could possibly live out there for awhile, and try to get a movie career started. Cause, i know one day you guys will see me on the big screen, its another one of my dreams.

Im unemployed like alot of the country, and need to figure out what to do. Is it hard to make it in Hollywood?

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If you march in like you're going to be the next George Clooney, then you'll have some trouble. Making it depends on your definition of success. A kid who was a year behind me in high school is an actor. He's not a house hold name, but he's been in Malcolm in the Middle, The Office, Cold Case, Psych, did a national commerical with Mr. T and played Hoss in the updated Bonanza that was on a few years ago. He was in theater in high school, so he has some back ground in acting. If just having some sort of acting career with no plans of being a "movie star" appeals to you, try it. Just be prepared to spend a lot of money for head shots and acting classes, be prepared to be rejected a great deal.

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I say go to California, but keep your mind open and consider other possibilities besides acting.

A buddy of mine made it in the film industry as a Production Coordinator, which is the guy who handles logistics on movies. He worked for free for a couple years (his wife made enough $ working as a nurse) and eventually made enough contacts to get his career going and has done some amazing stuff.

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As my father in law says, "Show business is hard!" If you do come out here, I hope you have a job skill to hold you over until you get your big break. There are sooooo many people that are trying to do the same thing, Paul. There are a lot of unemployed people here, too. Good luck.

Why cant you be a preacher out in California?

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Marc is right, showbiz is hard. Now, you´re cute and you´re young, you got time and strenght and maybe talent. So why don´t you try? Meanwhile, of course, you will have to work on other things in order to survive. But you should try to get in touch with other actors, managers, people from crews, production, try an actors school... meet people! Not stars but people who, just like you, are working or studying to be actors. Go to their parties, to the bars and places they go...

But you must have some good luck and find people who like you and can help you. That´s a real job.

Unless you want to marry a star -or just be her boyfriend-, then you´ll have all the doors open for you.

I´m not joking, if you really want it you should try.

Yes, there´s so many people trying and so many unemployed there... but some of them make it. You might be among the ones who make it...

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If Paul wanted to get into porn, the "Porn Capitol" is just a few miles from Hollywood in Van Nuys. The majority of the filming/production is there. I would advise against it, though. The whole San Fernando Valley area is going to be littered with pillars of salt any day now.

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Paul, give it a shot. You have a place to live and your sister isn't going to let you starve. Why not go and give yourself a finite period of time to look around, study possible careers both on and off the silver screen?

If you don't give it a shot, you'll always wonder. You're young, and you have a dream .... live it for a while!

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There are few feelings worse in the world than the feeling that "I should have tried"...but didn't. All the SF'er advice so far is solid...both pro and con...but you have youth on your side and that's a valuable, non-renewable commodity.

Star - David Bowie

Tony went to fight in Belfast

Rudi stayed at home to starve

I could make it all worthwhile as a rock & roll star

Bevan tried to change the nation

Sonny wants to turn the world, well he can tell you that he tried

I could make a transformation as a rock & roll star

So inviting - so enticing to play the part

I could play the wild mutation as a rock & roll star

Get it all yeah!

Oh yeah

I could do with the money

I'm so wiped out with things as they are

I'd send my photograph to my honey - and I'd c'mon like a regular superstar

I could fall asleep at night as a rock & roll star

I could fall in love all right as a rock & roll star

I could make a transformation as a rock & roll star

So inviting - so enticing to play the part

I could play the wild mutation as a rock & roll star

Get it all yeah!

Oh yeah

I could do with the money

I'm so wiped out with things as they are

I'd send my photograph to my honey - and I'd c'mon like a regular superstar

I could fall asleep at night as a rock & roll star

I could fall in love all right as a rock & roll star

Rock'n'roll star

Rock'n'roll star

Bam bom bam

Watch me now

Bam

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Paul, give it a shot. You have a place to live and your sister isn't going to let you starve. Why not go and give yourself a finite period of time to look around, study possible careers both on and off the silver screen?

If you don't give it a shot, you'll always wonder. You're young, and you have a dream .... live it for a while!

See? Good advice... ;)

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I agree with those who say go for it...but have a back-up plan. Get a job, any job you can to make money and give yourself a finite period of time to "make it".

There seems to be a growing market for religious entertainment, so maybe contact the production companies behind "Veggie Tales" or "Fireproof" and see if they have any opportunities there, or can refer you to someone.

Also, make sure that you can still have that youth minister opening if you decide to go back home.

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My advice is do anything you can to get on any studio lot. Get a delivery job, janitor, runner, whatever.

Take chances.

I've heard of some folks who wanted to be in showbiz, they have never made it past being a grip, gaffer, best boy etc. But they never give up the dream. Keep working the theater workshops, commercial auditions. Anything to get in front of critics, cameras, producers, directors. And Don't go overboard but try and give something a little different (avant-garde) because if it's something someone else offers, it's nothing special.

Be confident, and assume you are better than your competition. This goes a long way.

Incidentally, you can pursue the youth ministry at the same time. If you have the energy commitment. These two endeavours may even coincide.

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