The Steven Solution
This is just a small idea. Maybe it’s just a crazy idea, but we all know that sometimes an idea is only crazy because it’s new. I call it the Steven Solution. (Named after my cousin Martin.) A solution for actors and directors trying to get started in the film world.
I don’t know how strong the desire to become a movie star is, YouTube and other platforms have certainly changed a lot here, but I’m sure there are still many people who dream of being a movie star.
It starts like many things start: small and innocent. The whole drama usually begins when we wake up one day, look around, and come to the following conclusion: Oh my God, it’s really boring and dreary here. Nothing ever happens here.
There’s nothing that interests me. The city is boring, the people are boring. It can be a relatively depressing day.
That’s the first part, and so far nothing dramatic has happened. But the next step is already very close.
But there is something you know. Something you have seen on television, at the cinema. There is something else, something exciting, something magical. There is a city where they produce films.
This city is called Hollywood. And with a little research, you discover that it’s not just Hollywood, there are film studios, actors, and movie premieres all over the world. A whole world full of magic, a world you dream of. That would be something different, that would be an adventure.
That could… no, that will be your future. And you start dreaming. Big dreams.
Golden dreams.
And because you are a brave dog, a clever cat, you decide not to just leave it at dreaming. You are going to really try. You dare to do it. Acting lessons, a move to Hollywood.
There is nothing that can hold you back, nothing that can stop you.
Hollywood, here I come.
It’s time to reveal a secret. We have secret agents all over Hollywood. Our agents are excellently equipped, can disguise themselves fantastically, and therefore have access to all offices and meeting rooms in Hollywood. And so we are now able to show you some truly historic photographs that were taken in agencies and at auditions over the last few years.
Here is the reaction from the first agency you applied to.
Here is the response from the second agency you applied to.
Here is the reaction from the agent who was supposed to represent you.
But you don’t give up that easily. You keep applying, take part in every casting, and use every opportunity to show your talent. You still have enough energy, you still believe in the magic of the film world, and you still believe that you can make it.
And believe me, we want you to succeed too. On to the next casting.
The director's reaction seems quite familiar to us.
Sometimes, sometimes it all feels so pointless. Almost like in the old days.
Oh dear. So far, this has been a rather sad story. That wasn’t my intention. Thankfully, however, this isn’t the end. From now on, everything will change. From now on, there will only be good news. That’s for sure. I promise.
What’s more, we are getting closer to the solution, albeit very, very slowly.
Let’s start in Los Angeles, in Hollywood. What was your mistake, why didn’t it work out for you in the city of movies?
Let’s think about it together. First of all, you came to the city without knowing anyone. Everything was new to you. We’re not even talking about life as an actor or how you should behave at auditions. Your problems are much more basic. You need an apartment, a place to live. And we’re in Los Angeles! That means apartments are expensive, very expensive. Where will you get the money to pay for an apartment? Maybe you have some savings, but even in that case, you’ll need a job in a few months. A job that has the following advantages: on the one hand, it pays well so you can cover all your expenses, and on the other hand, it’s a job you can quit at any time to work on your training or go to auditions.
That doesn’t sound easy. We shouldn’t forget that it’s a job you’re only doing reluctantly; your dream job is to become an actor.
Let’s summarize: You live in a city where you don’t know anyone, where everything is very expensive, and you are forced to have a job that you don’t like.
Let’s move on to your other expenses: You’re going to take classes as an actor, as a film student, as a creative person. That costs money too. You need more money for yourself: for your clothes, for your portfolio, for your photos, your videos.
The biggest problem, however, is that you don’t know how this world of studios and actors works. You’re not an insider, you don’t know the rules.
So it’s no wonder that many move away from Los Angeles after a few months or a few years. Disappointed, bitter, without hope. Many of them are convinced that the whole Hollywood system is a big conspiracy to keep new creative actors out of the system.
It is a conspiracy.
Do you remember our spies? Our top agents who manage to infiltrate even the most secret conferences unnoticed and take photos of the secret discussions?
Here is further proof of their remarkable abilities. Directly above this text, you will find two of these explosive photos. And they clearly prove the following: Yes, there are secret groups that control Hollywood. There are secret meetings in dark rooms by candlelight. And yes, it’s the Illuminati. The secret, secret order that rules the world.
No, of course that’s not true. We just asked a few actors to dress up and play the role of the Illuminati. To be honest, these photos cost us a lot of money. But it was worth the effort. Once again, there is no conspiracy. The answer is much simpler. And this answer also leads us to our solution.
The Steven Solution.
I admit, it took us a long time to get to this point. I could have made it easier, but then we wouldn’t have had the whole upper adventure and we wouldn’t have seen all those nice photos. And that would have been a shame.
Here is the simple explanation of why a career as an actor or artist usually doesn’t work out.
Let’s talk about Los Angeles again, about Hollywood. No complicated theories, just bare figures. Every month, EVERY month, hundreds of people move to Los Angeles to start their big career.
Hundreds this month.
Hundreds next month.
Hundreds the month after that.
And so it goes on and on. For years, thousands of people have been trying to launch their big careers. For decades. Let’s look at the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are between 35,000 and 50,000 actors in the United States. Depending on how precisely we define the category. It is estimated that only about two percent of actors make a living from their profession alone.
Two percent!
However, your competitors are not the new actors who start their careers every year. The real competition is the actors who already have a career. These actors have experience, good agents, connections, a name, and a network of insiders.
Even if the Hollywood system were one of the nicest and friendliest systems ever, it would not be possible to give all these thousands of actors a career. That many films are simply not produced.
Is the system rigged? Are there agreements, networks, deals? Yes, of course. Because there is a lot at stake. Fame, honor, money, prestige, a future. EVERYONE wants to benefit from the system. Everyone who is an insider wants to remain an insider. That’s the reality, even without a big conspiracy.
Yes, of course new actors make it in Hollywood. Of course there are new, great careers. Talent? Yes, but also coincidence. The right new actor at the right casting for the right part. Boom! A career begins.
I won’t talk anyone out of trying their luck in Los Angeles. But the chances of success are really slim. Especially for lasting success, over many years or even decades.
So, time to try something new. Time for the Steven Solution. Since this page is already very long, we will continue on the next page.
