Regarding the last letter from the editor story found here.
Wonderful article! Thank you for re-enforcing the thoughts that I always had but at the
back of my mind. I now so clearly see that the only way to live is to follow my own
intuition and dreams.
Thank you for reading The Hollywood Sentinel Serafima, and I am happy you liked
the article. Yes, it is crucial to follow your passions if you are to live a fulfilled life! I
see you write as well. I wish you great success in your writing and all you do. If there
is anything we can do for you, just let us know.
- The Hollywood Sentinel
Serafima responds:
Well, there is one thing that perhaps you might be able to help me with. I would like
my book to be made into a movie. I know, I know, many writers do! But not every
book is suitable for that, however mine is, its unique characters, settings, twists and
turns, distinct voice and almost a classic movie feel is just a few elements that will
make it a good movie ... My question is: where shall I start or how should I approach
this task of my book being turned into a movie?
Bruce Edwin Responds:
OK, the answer to that question is as follows;
1. Get a professional editor to edit your book if you have not, and make sure it is
perfect. Do not make creative changes you do not agree with it, but at least consider
them.
2. Make sure your book is copyrighted in the United States, through the Library of
Congress. You can go online to do this, and then include the copyright number in the
book itself and on any submitted manuscripts.
3. Register with websites and domain names as many elements of your book as you
think you should, such as the title, any names of unique characters that you think
may become very popular, or similar. Also, register and have your own website for
your work if you do not already, as well as the book itself.
4. Get a literary agent or manager, and a publicist. Some agents or managers will
help you retain a publicist, and some publicists may help you get an agent or
manager. Publicists charge an advance fee, whereas agents and managers do not. A
publicist may help point you to a publisher, and any good agent or manager will try to
help you get published if you are ready to be. Do not spend any money with an agent
or manager in order to be represented by them. Publicists are the only ones who can
and will charge a fee in advance for their work.
5. As for how to get an agent, manager, or publicist, go online and do your research.
Find some of your favorite authors and see who represents them. Learn what you can
about a company and if you like what they do, try and make a connection with
someone there and find a way in. There is much more advice I can provide on this,
but that will have to wait to be read in my book about success in the entertainment
industry. I hope this helps.
Sincerely, Bruce Edwin
And, Serafina responded again:
Thank you for the reply to my question, however most of those things I have already
done. The book has been edited. It is perfect. I never make creative changes only
linguistic ones. I consider creativity very individual and personal, so others cannot and
should not tell artists how and what they should create. Ah, that is interesting, my
book is copyrighted in London, UK , but I can do the same in the USA. I do have a
website for my book, with the title being a domain name, I also have got a personal
site/blog with my name being a domain name. The only character I would consider
becoming popular is the main one. And her name can be registered as a domain
name too. Well, I have published the book, I have it sold and distributed on all major
international retail shops. I published my book as a paperback (POD) and as an
e-book. I do not think I need an agent to get the book published, but perhaps to find a
big traditional publisher to buy the rights to publish it ... I shall consider that. Good
point re: favourite authors and their books and the publishers that publish them. I
shall do that! When is your book out, so I can keep an eye on it? But the question is
still remains, how to turn the book into a movie and where to start?
Bruce Edwin responds:
Serafina, further congratulations on all of your work and doing the right things. My
book will be out towards the end of 2013. Stay tuned to The Hollywood Sentinel and
you will definitely know about it. I understand your feelings regarding creativity. It is
certainly your decision as a writer whether or not you take creative advice from
anyone. Some writers value this, others don't want it, and that is certainly your
choice. And, if you can keep that decision and still get published as you have, that is
great. Alright, so your question remains, how do you turn the book into a movie, and
where do you start? I like your persistence. So, since you have already done the first
steps, here are the next steps, in this issue at the following link here:
How to
Succeed In Hollywood.
I hope this helps you Serafina. As always, let me know if there is anything else we
can be of service with.
Sincerely,
Bruce Edwin
Dear Bruce Edwin,
Every day I wish to be actor in Hollywood, but I don't know what I can do about this, if
you can help me reply in my e-mail. Thank you.
- Omer
The Hollywood Sentinel Replies:
Thank you for reading the Hollywood Sentinel and for your love of Hollywood, Omer.
My advice to you is this:
1. Ask yourself, why do I want to be an actor? Is it for money? For fame? For
attention? To feel important? Why? Many working people in the entertainment
industry will tell actors that if they want to be an actor for fame, then they are in it for
the wrong reason. I do not agree with that. If you want something for a certain reason,
then, as long as that reason is not violating the rights of any person or hurting anyone
or anything, then that reason can not be wrong, if it is real to you. Some say that
acting is an art—which it is, but they also say that to want fame more than to want to
create the art is wrong because it degrades the art form. Art forms will always be
'degraded,' and art forms will always have so called 'purity.' The freedom of an
individual to follow their will must take precedence over ones notion of being 'true' to
any art. The artist is superior to their creation because the creation would not exist
without them. And, I happen to be one who
feels that fame itself can be a form of art. With that said, one can seek fame as an
actor, and also be true to the art of the craft of acting. Andy Warhol is one example of
a great artist who merged both art and fame in brilliant ways and who made fame
itself an art form. But I digress. So the question is, why do you want to be an actor?
First you need to know the real reason why you want to be one, and use this newly
found knowledge to motivate yourself.
2. After you find the real reason why you want to be an actor in Hollywood, then you
simply need to 'be' an actor in Hollywood. The way one does this, is the way one
does anything else—they just assume the form. In other words, if you want to be an
actor in Hollywood, you need to stop considering that you are not an actor in
Hollywood, and you have to start considering that you are one. So, start telling
yourself that you are an actor in Hollywood, and—if you want—start telling any one
that will listen that you are an actor in Hollywood. If you have never been here to
Hollywood—well, that is an obstacle, but one that can be overcome. So the first thing
is to assume the form. Think it, feel it, say it, believe it.
3. The next thing is to simply do the action of being an actor in Hollywood. Wherever
you are in the world right now physically, you have access obviously to the internet,
so you can find online a wealth of information with regard to acting. You can watch
literally thousands of free videos on sites including You Tube of top talented actoral
stars talking about how they 'made it,' how they trained, what it takes, and more. You
should make it your job to daily for hours on end watch and learn in this way all you
can. Also, order books online or go to the bookstore or library and get books on
acting, particularly the three books by Stanislavski—which is the foundation of all
acting. Read and study Shakespeare—another great. Read scripts of your favorite
movies, many of which you can find if you look—online. Go to plays, and watch and
learn, and volunteer for a local play. Acting is not merely being oneself—as in on a so
called reality show—which is not acting. Instead, acting is the ability to assume the
role of any person, in any time, in any place or space. It is craft of an art that must be
studied for years and learned and constantly trained in—in order to be perfected and
mastered and refined. It includes vocal training which in itself takes great work to
master.
So the first step is training. Only after you have had at least three years of training in
Stanislavski from a certified instructor should you consider that you are ready for the
big league of Hollywood. And, as aforestated, read the biographies and study the
lives and careers of stars. Learn from their correct actions and also learn from their
mistakes.
You also need to study the business of acting. The entertainment industry is called
show business for a reason. It is a business. And if you don't know the business side
of the craft to any degree, then you will to that degree be at the mercy of those who
do know it.
After you have done all of this, and saved a lot of money and or gotten yourself a
good and steady reliable income that you can comfortably live on while you are not
acting—because when the show is over—you are in fact—unemployed, then, and
only
then, would I suggest that you move to Hollywood. But understand, most actors—
even talented ones—do not make a living as an actor. However, these odds do not
have to apply to you. We are not bound by the statistics of others. Also, you
personally should make sure that you have a good command of the English
language. Accents from around the world are beautiful. You also however have to be
able to 'lose the accent' any time you are asked, and switch in to a different dialect as
a great actor. Also, be careful not give any one orders that you are not the boss of!
And definitely also, read all of the issues of my 'How to Succeed In
Hollywood' articles. This is found in most every back issue of The Hollywood Sentinel, and
you can read the back issues by going to the left of any page on the site, and clicking
on the Archives
button and then using the custom search tool to pull up all the "how to succeed" articles. There is a lot of
great free information here that I have provided that can be of help to you.
4. After you live in Hollywood, then just do it, start acting here. Again, volunteer for
plays, volunteer for student films, build up your reel, get a great agent and manager,
get great headshots from the direction of your agent or manager, always be gracious
and polite, and always be on time. Get a mentor, and then, after you have "made it,'
be of service to others that you can help along the way. Remember, we succeed best
by helping others. Best of success to you, and if I can be of any other service, just let
me know.
Bruce Edwin
Omer Responds:
Dear Mr. Bruce Edwin,
I asked my self why I want to be an actor. It is not to be famous but to be an actor
and to be important because I have wished to be an actor ever since I was young. I
love action acting and I always watch movies of action (made in Hollywood) and I
want to be an
actor in Hollywood because Hollywood makes one an actor and important, Hollywood
is more known in the world, and my hope to be actor is increasing every day, every
day Mr. Edwin. What is the action of being an actor in Hollywood? I like the action
and films and I want to be an actor in Hollywood and I'm ready for the reading and
training and everything to be actor. But the training, should be done where? And I
hope you will help me to be actor because I'm not in the U.S.A. Mr. Edwin. Thank
you.
- Omer
Bruce Edwin Responds:
Omer, I am reading here some conflicting statements that I want you to work out. You
said you do not want to be an actor to be famous, but that you want to be an actor in
Hollywood because Hollywood is known around the world, and you want to be
important
as an actor. First of all, there are great actors in all parts of the world that are
important. One can be important as an actor, but not be widely known in Hollywood.
Some examples are stars of the stage, or stars in places such as London, Paris, or
Moscow,
where there are many great actors, but who are not widely known outside of their
country. Further, there are many actors in Hollywood who are not widely known. Just
because one is an actor in Hollywood does not make them widely known. Fame does
not equal importance. What is important, is if you are following your true path in life—
the true calling of your spirit—and if you are doing good for yourself, for your fellow
brothers and sisters and the world at large.
Now, if your path is to be an actor in Hollywood, then you need to know one thing; No
one can guarantee you success in Hollywood—no one except yourself. And success
of an individual is determined first and foremost by their own self determinism.
Meaning, to
master becoming a world renown actor—in a positive and sane way, you need to first
master your own personal life. The fact that you are seeking knowledge tells me you
have potential, because only those who seek can grow. So Omer, do not consider
any place you are at too beneath you to start at and learn from. Read books and
material suggested above, watch success videos, not just for film, but for life. Then,
when you do all of this, and when you are ready to move to Hollywood after you have
gotten great training including training in English, successful living, and more, and
following my
advise above, then make the move with a plan, and know that you, and only you
can determine your future. As for where to train, I do not promote that unless one is a
client that I manage who lives in New York City or Los Angeles, California. However,
Stanislavski is the foundation of all acting, so begin there with reading those books
as I suggested earlier above, and by watching what you can find online in this regard
until you can find a school that teaches true Stanislavski that you know and trust. I
hope this has helped you Omer. I wish you much success.
- Bruce Edwin
Bruce Edwin is president of Starpower Management LLC, the celebrity management,
publishing, production, and public relations firm. He deals with some of Hollywood's
most esteemed producers and motion picture studios and is happy to serve and
provide free
advice to aspiring bands, actors, and models who contact him via the front page of
The Hollywood Sentinel, or by calling his office at 310-226-7176.
Letters from our readers are not guaranteed to be published. Letters to the editor
become the intellectual and physical property of The Hollywood Sentinel once
submitted and may be published, saved, or deleted at our will. Letters will not be
altered for content, but are subject to editing for length, or corrections with regard to
grammar, spelling, punctuation, or smiley faces! Names may or may not be published
at our discretion. Telephone numbers and other personal information will never be
published, and last names will generally not be published if specifically requested.
This content is ©2013, Bruce Edwin / The Hollywood Sentinel, all world rights
reserved.