Such things contributed to the influx of people who were trying to work here. Making progress in such a field was a tedious process because there were so many people following their dreams no matter how crazy or improbably they were. Because of that you had to get involved in all kinds of ridiculousness to give yourself the best chance at success. Much to my chagrin, there were plenty of people like Nathan who were willing to partake in such insanity. Even though he was primarily a writer he was a member of a bunch of different improv groups and took various acting and film workshops to improve his craft but really he just wanted to get involved with the people who were or would be making the decisions. That was the name of the game because when everyone is trying to do the same thing the people inside get to choose who they want…and they want people they like…and they like people they know. So it was all about networking. Big wigs in the industry also sat in on these things all the time so just being there participating could be all it took to get in with the right people. Granted, sometimes that meant dealing with people who were either crazy or awful, but either group has just as much a chance of succeeding in Hollywood as a talented person. I was never sure whether that fact was depressing or inspiring We sat and chatted about such realities and even though he was
hopeful about the things he was doing and the people he was meeting I couldn’t hide my disgust for the whole process and system. I hated that success was so contingent upon who you met and whether or not they liked you which would then determine whether or not you got a job or position. I hated having to schmooze with people because then that’s all anybody does and nobody can actually have a conversation. Even worse though was that it seemed like the only reason anyone was interested in talking to you was because of what you might be able to do for them and once they find out you can’t or won’t help them they stop talking to you or they propositioned you. Either way, I didn’t like it since having those conversations or that mentality is not what I wanted. But maybe that’s just what untalented people had to tell themselves. People like me who instead of actually getting something done just said they were actors but all that really means is that they go to an occasional audition between shifts at a bar or restaurant where
they’re making their actual living...if you were lucky. Otherwise you’d end up catering and working at rich people’s parties or Bar Mitzvahs where you’d spend most of the evening avoiding a bunch of Jewish children because you accidentally lied to them and told them the food was kosher…or finding an empty room and taking a nap in a car seat. Or you can just hope you get noticed at a coffee shop or working as an extra. If I was going to rely on that I think I’d stick to the lotto, but stranger things have happened out here. That was the amazing dichotomy of it all though because the biggest illusion in Hollywood isn’t even an illusion. Hollywood has created the notion