10 Things To Do Before You Audition In Hollywood

By on August 24, 2010 in Notes from Eugene

Get Clear

Get clear with who you are and WHY you are doing this. If you believe that getting a part will make you lovable, unique, and immortal, it won’t. Act because you LOVE it and KNOW that nothing else will satisfy you for the rest of your life. You will then have something called an acting career. It may not happen when you want it to or how you want it to, but it will eventually happen if you stick around long enough.

Learn To Act

Ah, for those who view acting as a simple skill to be acquired in a cold reading class en route to celebrity, think again. There are too many AMAZING actors out of work for anyone to hire an actor who is less than wonderful.

Know Your Product

Figure out what you’re selling. Yes, you are selling a “product” as far as the buyers are concerned. For buyers (producers or anyone who is in a position to hire you) to buy your product, you need to know what your the product is, how to pitch it, and who to pitch it to. A good acting school might pay lip service to this; a great acting school will actually help you define your product and teach you how to sell it.

Change What You can, Accept The Rest

Things you can’t change: your height, your ethnicity, your past.  Things you can change: your weight, your acting ability, your self-destructive tendencies.

Become An Adult

Fix your relationships with mom and dad, even if they’re not around any more. Actors are always treating casting directors, agents, managers, directors, and producers as disapproving or emotionally unavailable parents who need to be won over at any cost. Clean up your relationships with your family of origin, and you will show up at auditions as a professional, not as a child looking for approval.

Clean Up

Also clean up your act emotionally and physically. Get rid of that abusive boyfriend, put down whatever drugs you are doing (yes, sugar is a drug and so is nicotine) and get comfortable in your own skin, whatever that happens to look like. It’s what the audience comes for and pays to see.

Relax

It’s called a play, not a root canal. And actors used to be called players. Not intense people, or angry people, or crazy people, but people who play – players. Play and people will want you around. Suffer and you will suffer alone. It isn’t fair, because of course we want to be loved for our suffering and our victimhood, but I didn’t make the rules.

Get A Car

If you have money, get a new Honda or Toyota, they keep their value and they will get you to your audition. No one will hire you because daddy bought you a Benz. Buy yourself the Benz after you’ve earned it – it’s a totally different feeling.

If you don’t have money, buy a used Honda or Toyota, because again, these cars will get you to your audition.

Living Arrangements

Don’t live with potheads, losers, or professional acting students. Live with someone you respect, who is going where you would like to go.

Move Here

Get to Los Angeles, but do so with a plan. That’s right, a plan, like where you’re going to live, what you will do for money after your cash runs out, and where you’re going to study if you’re in need of acting classes (everyone is).

About Eugene Buica

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and afterwards The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, where he studied with the legendary Sanford Meisner, Mr. Buica went on to work at length with Michael Chekhov's associate George Shdanoff, Uta Hagen and master teacher Michael Howard. Mr. Buica has been coaching and teaching actors since 1991, leading workshops in the Grotowski, Michael Chekhov and Meisner approaches in Malibu, Los Angeles, Bucharest, Beijing, Munich, Sydney, and New York. As Artistic Director and Founder of The Acting Corps, Mr. Buica originated and implemented unique training processes reflected in the Actors' Boot Camp and all the other programs at The Acting Corps.
View all posts by Eugene Buica →

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46 Responses to 10 Things To Do Before You Audition In Hollywood

  1. Tolgahan Kuce August 24, 2010 at 12:29 PM #

    Great advice Eugene !

  2. Eugene Buica August 25, 2010 at 7:33 PM #

    Tolgahan,

    Thanks, it’s based on my having made all of the above mistakes…Cheers,
    Eugene

  3. Ka Calciano September 2, 2010 at 3:25 PM #

    Fantastic post, thanks. Your blog got a new permanent visitor.

  4. Andrea Quigley September 4, 2010 at 10:42 AM #

    Thanks for taking out all the fluff and clutter normally found in how-to’s on acting. It’s hard work. You are tactful yet forthright. I appreciate your candor. Now, I have some goals to set in moving forward. AQ

  5. Ashley September 9, 2010 at 10:21 AM #

    hey, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work

  6. John September 9, 2010 at 2:51 PM #

    hey, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work

  7. davenycity September 15, 2010 at 4:30 AM #

    great blog thank you

  8. Taya October 6, 2010 at 9:54 PM #

    Thank you so much for your honest advice. There is so much “advice” floating around but it’s all sugar coated so that people hear what they want to. You are unreservedly honest and that is worth so much more than “warm fuzzies” that all too many people tend to throw at aspiring actors these days, just to get them in the door and take their money.
    Thanks again =)

  9. ELIZABETH ROMERO October 28, 2010 at 4:58 PM #

    LOVE YOUR PHILOSOPHY …ACTING ..BE YOURSEL….VALUES…..

    THANK YOU

  10. DEVIN November 21, 2010 at 2:29 PM #

    Good blog overall, but the one part I don’t get, is under the LIving Arrangements section where you state NOT to live with professional acting students. Why is that?

  11. Steve Johnston November 22, 2010 at 6:56 AM #

    I’m a producer here in Nashville, TN, and have seen many an actor go to the “real” city to “begin” their career. However, for some reason, they have so much emotional baggage and go there on a whim without a plan and preparation. These thoughts you put here are to the point and out of hard earned experience. I will use them! Consider them stolen! Thanks much.

  12. Dona December 29, 2010 at 5:25 PM #

    I Love Reading This..You dont know how much i searched for this site!However I hope some day I´ll come there and start taking classes..Best wishes..

  13. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 11:50 AM #

    Dona,

    We are here, feel free to give the office a shout, even if you just want to chat about where you are with all this…ask for Aaron…

    All my best,

    Eugene Buica
    818.753.2800

  14. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 12:15 PM #

    Ka,

    Thanks so much…hope I live up to your expectations..

    Cheers,

    Eugene Buica

  15. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 12:17 PM #

    Andrea.

    Nice, goals are great…Also nice when on our way to accomplishing them we find something of which we could never have dreamt…

    Cheers,

    Eugene Buica

  16. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 12:18 PM #

    Ashley

    Thank you…and all my best..

    Eugene Buica

  17. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 12:20 PM #

    Thank you, John…and I will keep up with the work…good or mediocre, I try to take care of the quantity and let whoever’s really in charge take care of the quality…

    All my best,

    Eugene Buica

  18. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 12:20 PM #

    Davencity,

    My pleasure…and all my best,

    Eugene Buica

  19. Eugene Buica January 13, 2011 at 12:21 PM #

    Steve,

    Creative theft is a compliment of the highest order…

    All my best,

    Eugene Buica

  20. Aaron H January 17, 2011 at 4:16 PM #

    Eugene,
    I read this post first and it is straight and to the point, no fluff. I have done an extensive amount of searching and find this program you are offering is bar none the best I have found. Would it be advisable for anyone starting out to get a portfolio of photos, an agent lined up and attend the Acting Corps? I know, in acting, there is a LOT for anyone to learn, from the novice to even the seasoned professional and when I attend your programs in the near future you will find that I, as a student of the art, will be receptive to all things. Thank you for posting on here, it is an invaluable tool.

    Aaron H.

  21. Eugene Buica January 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM #

    Aaron…

    I wouldn’t worry so much about getting head shots and an agent first…We have a very effective Business of The Business process in Boot Camp II which allows you to sell yourself in a very specific way and get an agent who will work for you…remember, you have to make them see the money when you walk in there…

    Hope to meet you face to face one of these days…

    Cheers,

    Eugene

  22. Keith Spreckels January 25, 2011 at 3:21 PM #

    I have been planning the trek to your school for some time now. Every once in a while, I will get on a re read your blog (since I have read basically all of the posts since I chose your school). This post hits it right on the head. Thanks for re assuring my choice of your school. It was hard to choose a school from so far away (Kansas City), especially not having visited. Speaking with Aaron and Nigel has been great and so is your blog. I can’t wait to start my Acting career with you at the Acting Corps. See you in the near future.

  23. Eugene Buica February 2, 2011 at 8:58 AM #

    Keith…

    Thanks so much for the kind words…Hope to see you as well…and please introduce yourself to me when you get here…

    All my best…

    Eugene Buica

  24. Charli Woollon February 8, 2011 at 4:36 PM #

    Hey Eugene,

    Thanks so much for the tips. I will definitely be taking these into account and adding them to my acting scrapbook (book of tips, goals, etc)

    I’ve been planning to come over to The Acting Corps from Sydney (Australia) for quite a few years now (been saving like crazy) and am so looking forward to learning everything I possibly can.

    Look forward to meeting you hopefully at the end of this year :-)

    Cheers

    Charli

  25. Eugene Buica February 15, 2011 at 9:42 AM #

    Charli,

    I look forward to meeting you as well. I may also take a little trip to Australia before the end of the year, and there is a good chance I will be teaching as well. Will keep you posted…all my best,

    Eugene

  26. angelica herrera February 17, 2011 at 3:51 PM #

    hello eugene im so excited to go to your school i know i made the right choice and am ready to give it my all i will see you next month

  27. Priscilla Hudnall February 23, 2011 at 12:41 PM #

    Wow!!! I love your advice. I live in Arkansas and I am taking acting classes. I am hoping that I will be able to come to LA and study at your school. You guys inspire me.

    Sincerely
    Priscilla :)

  28. Joshua February 28, 2011 at 11:24 PM #

    Thank you for these tips. It saddens me to know that there aren’t a lot of people out there willing to share information like this to people. I am working to pursue an acting career, but have found that it is hard to find good honest feedback on how to do so. These tips are, from what I have seen so far, the only honest steps that help. Thank you for these and keep up the amazing work. I find all of your subjects moving, and seem to hit down to my very soul. These have given me a boost in spirit to pursue this dream with more passion and desire.

  29. Eugene Buica March 29, 2011 at 2:18 PM #

    Hey Charli…

    Looks like I may be making my way to teach out there in about a month…check out our site in about a week to get details….hope to see you…

    Eugene

  30. Eugene Buica March 29, 2011 at 3:02 PM #

    By building on what you have…Talent isn’t something that is put on, rather it is something that is revealed. We are really talking about accessing the subconscious mind, and everyone has one…While some people access it very readily, some people need time to let go of control…As a matter of fact, that’s what acting training boils down to….

    Eugene

  31. Jessica May 14, 2011 at 9:33 PM #

    Hi, i just wanna say that from what I’ve seen you guys look amazing and I can’t wait to come to your school soon!!! :)

  32. Eugene Buica May 23, 2011 at 12:03 AM #

    We are here, Jessica…feel free to give us a shout…

    All my best,

    Eugene Buica

  33. Candice June 21, 2011 at 4:30 PM #

    I can’t wait to join your school! ..oh! there goes the bell… I have to go do what I’m doing while I wait to do what I love. ;-) See you soon!

  34. Eugene Buica June 21, 2011 at 10:19 PM #

    Let us know when you’re ready, Candice.

    Cheers,

    Eugene Buica

  35. Candice July 25, 2011 at 8:03 PM #

    Being a foreigner, I’d have to raise a sizeable amount of money to sustain life while I attend your school. Raising this money would take me 2 – 3 years. Is the age at which you hit the Hollywood actors’ scene an issue? In other words, could I be too old?

  36. Eugene Buica October 10, 2011 at 5:40 PM #

    Candice…

    There are actors, now more than ever, of every age…just watch television and chances are you will see your parts played by other women….so now, don’t let age stop you from anything, I never do.

    Best.

    Eugene

  37. Angeline Rose March 14, 2012 at 9:47 PM #

    Hi, Eugene.

    Truly simple words but a world of meaning when you’re on the stepping stones toward a successful acting career. It hit me like an arrow to my head! Thanks for cutting through all the frizz of clutter.

    I spoke with Susie (or Susannah) just last week, and I would like to enrol for Boot Camp I come August 2012. Haven’t received a response just yet, hope you could assist. Looking forward to a self-discovery – acting is all I’ve ever wanted to do, I’ve done it and I love it, and everytime I do it again, I fall in love harder.

    Cheers!

  38. Fanndís March 30, 2012 at 5:50 PM #

    truly inspiring posts, i love to read them, i think there have not been many other things in my life that i have been so excited about, i just cant wait to “dig in” so to speak :)

  39. Eugene Buica May 10, 2012 at 9:43 PM #

    We look forward to it, Fanndis…

    Best,

    Eugene

  40. Miriam May 14, 2012 at 9:33 AM #

    Thank you so much for doing this blog, it helped out a lot..I been doing acting since I was 9 yrs old and I know how tough it is to break into the industry.. I’m not giving up and I hope you get to see some of my work in the future..
    Keep making posts please..

  41. Jenny July 29, 2012 at 3:58 PM #

    I loved reading this. Making the move to LA at the end of the month and these tips were very helpful and insightful.

    All of the article was great; I saved this :) –
    It’s called a play, not a root canal. And actors used to be called players. Not intense people, or angry people, or crazy people, but people who play – players. Play and people will want
    you around. Suffer and you will suffer alone.

    Thanks so much!

  42. Josh Clark September 2, 2012 at 9:52 PM #

    Hi Eugene,

    Great Advice! thanks for this.

    Do you encourage all acting skill levels to attend your courses?
    There is one here in Sydney Aus in Sept. keen to get along.
    I have more of an extras background at this stage..
    Cheers,

    Josh

  43. Elio September 20, 2012 at 5:27 AM #

    hi… for me as a lebanese it’s very hard to go to LA but im doing my best to be there and start taking classes…. this is what i want the most in this life…. i hope you guys can help me somehow ….. i hope to see you soon…… I’M GOING TO SUCCEED BECAUSE I’M CRAZY ENOUGH TO THINK I CAN : )
    thank you …….

  44. Lisa September 24, 2012 at 12:30 AM #

    I deeply appreciate the values you set forth in this article. As a mom, telling friends your kid is moving to Hollywood to go to acting school, many looked at me like I was throwing her to the sharks! But the time we spent visiting the school and speaking with several of the staff and students assured us we could get behind this choice 100%! Since she has been there, we are all the more confident this was an excellent decision. In the first 2 weeks she’s gained much confidence and come to understand who she is so much better. Thank you for creating a school where students are not taught to rot behind a mask, but to be their best selves! (Of course, in my humble, unbiased opinion, she pretty amazing to start with!) I hope my comments can help reassure other parents–breath deep! You’re baby’s in good hands!

  45. Ronan September 26, 2012 at 1:15 PM #

    Hi Eugene!

    Thanks for all your advices! I’m brazilian and I really want to, in a near future, go to LA and start taking classes at The Acting Corps. I love acting and I really want to be able to survive in this business.
    Thanks again and I hope see you soon.

  46. entertainment world October 27, 2012 at 7:12 AM #

    Great tips! Employing these basic tips will certainly be a plus to boost our confidence and having a successful audition. Thanks…

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