Have big Hollywood dreams? Read the L.A. Times guide to entertainment industry careers
Careers in the entertainment industry can be mysterious for those just starting out, and even for those working in the business.
Actor Randall Park said that when he first decided he wanted to pursue Hollywood in the early 2000s, people would tell him to go to Samuel French Film & Theatre Bookshop.
“If you were an actor in Los Angeles, that was the place you went if you wanted to get any information,” he said.
The first Samuel French L.A. store was founded in 1929 downtown and moved to Hollywood in 1947. Until the 1970s, its L.A. operations sold and licensed plays in the region.
But eventually, the shop also offered resources for people interested in pursuing a Hollywood career. It sold books of plays that actors could use for audition monologues; biographies of entertainment figures; how-to guides on various aspects of moviemaking; and listings of agents and casting and production companies.
Former general manager Joyce Mehess, who worked at Samuel French off and on from 1991 until its closure two years ago, remembers Park coming into the store before he was famous. She said she feels so happy whenever she sees him on her television screen.
So many celebrities came through the bookshop, she said.
“A lot of people thought we were an agency,” said Mehess. “And we’d say, ‘No, we’re an information center. I can give you a listing. I can give you a play that might fit the type you are, and you can research it from there. You can certainly ask questions; I’ll be at my desk. And maybe a big star might walk by and inspire you.’”
Providing inspiration and community was Mehess’ mission for the store. It wasn’t just about selling books, it was about encouraging nervous newcomers to make those phone calls, take those chances.
But Samuel French closed in March 2019. Concord Music acquired it as part of the company’s foray into theater. At the time, a petition trying to save the bookstore collected almost 8,000 signatures. The space has been empty for the last two years.
“There really was a hole created when that bookstore closed,” Park said.
Though there are numerous resources online, he said sometimes it’s hard for newcomers to find the right ones.
Here at the Los Angeles Times, we want to be your new destination for that kind of information.
This guide provides explainers and advice for starting and building your career in the entertainment industry. And feel free to ask us your questions, and we’ll do our best to find an expert to answer them.
- 1
The first step in your Hollywood career shouldn’t be paying L.A. rent. Here’s how to take your first steps toward a career in the entertainment industry, according to experts.
- 2
For many people who pursue entertainment as a career, it takes years to get yourself to where you are making money from your creative work. For making money in the meantime, there’s always waiting tables. But more and more people are turning to platforms like TikTok, Twitch and Patreon.
- 3
Rejection and uncertainty are part of working in Hollywood, but joy, creativity and fun can be too. Here’s how to manage your mental health.
- 4
Send the L.A. Times your questions about breaking into and working in the entertainment industry.
- 5
Being an actor is a job that everyone thinks they understand. But do we?
- 6
The job of a Hollywood actor is equal parts creative and business. Professionals demystify what the job is and how to strategize for a long career.
- 7
Actors have to do a little behind-the-camera work for auditions these days. Don’t worry — creating your self-tape audition is not as hard as it seems.
- 8
Actors who have chosen to pursue Hollywood later in life as a second career share their experiences and advice.
- 9
In Hollywood, it’s not only musicals and reality competitions that require dance expertise. Choreographers often need to teach non-dancers moves in under an hour
- 10
Dialect coaches in Hollywood often feel invisible, but the job is becoming more important as Hollywood pursues more diverse and global storytelling.
- 11
How to become a director in Hollywood, tips and advice from people in the industry on how to get the film and TV industry’s most illustrious job
- 12
A group of film festival programmers explain what it takes to get a job doing what they do. Be forewarned: They do more than just watch movies. Although they do watch a lot of them.
- 13
As food has become a bigger part of the entertainment industry, there’s more and more respect (and work) for food stylists in Hollywood.
- 14
In our second year building The Times’ guide to breaking into Hollywood, we’ve learned even more helpful advice. Here’s some of the best.
- 15
In June, the L.A. Times launched a guide to entertainment industry careers. We explained some of the basics and answered your questions. Here’s some of what we’ve learned so far.
- 16
Composers write the original music that helps underscore the emotional cues of action on screen. To be one, you’ll need more than just musical talent.
- 17
Want to fly, crash, catch fire, fall, fight and get paid the whole time? That’s the life of a Hollywood stunt performer, and it is a lifestyle, experts agree.
- 18
Vin Diesel, take note: Mark Potts can now do a 180-degree spin. He’s ready to join the family.
- 19
Location managers are like event planners. They’re managing the logistics of the film shoot, while also thinking about how the production is affecting the outside community.
- 20
You’ll probably need the help of a film location service that has good contacts with ad agencies and filmmakers. And even then, it helps to have the right kind of space.
- 21
Location, location, location! Pretend you’re a part of the movies by heading to a bar featured in ‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ or dancing where the lovers flirted in ‘La La Land.’
- 22
What does a TV writer do? How do you become one? How do you move up? How much money can you make? The L.A. Times is explaining the entertainment industry — here’s what you need to know about being a TV writer.
- 23
So you want to direct, but you don’t have a wealthy benefactor or thousands of dollars to spare? It might be time to think about raising money from the throngs of movie lovers.
- 24
Production accountants are in high demand in the entertainment industry and can pull in high salaries with the right experience. Plus, you don’t have to be a CPA.
- 25
Professional set decorators in the entertainment industry help shape the look of the spaces that will be filmed, with furniture, objects and more.
- 26
Betelgeuse. Edward Scissorhands. Mrs. Doubtfire. Jack Sparrow.
- 27
It takes a team to design the hair in a film or television show, whether the goal is to impress viewers with intricate styles or to make the hair so seamless that no one thinks about it.
- 28
Directing TV is more competitive than ever with the wealth of high-quality storytelling in television and streaming. How do you break in? Here’s what you need to know.
- 29
Production designers are both creatives and bosses.
- 30
A music supervisor combines the skills of a disc jockey and a negotiator to help pull together the soundtrack of a film or TV show.
- 31
Casting directors scour the talent pool of actors to find the perfect combination of people to tell a story. What you need to know about working in casting.
- 32
What does it take to dress characters in a film a or television show, and how do you get started if storytelling through clothing is your passion? Hollywood costume designers explain.
- 33
Disembodied voices are ubiquitous in the media, reflecting the growing demand for voice actors. It’s a highly competitive industry that’s tough to break into; here are some tips.
- 34
Every year, thousands of kids decide they want to try to land jobs as professional actors. The learning curve for parents is steep, and the path can be costly.
- 35
There’s a growing demand for people who can create sonic atmospheres for everything from a mobile phone app to a feature film. Here are some tips for how to get started.
- 36
Starting in this career isn’t easy but if you’re eager to learn and are a team player, you too can become a gaffer.
- 37
The behind-the-scenes narratives of Hollywood stars, films and projects are often strategized by publicists. Here’s what they do and how to know if this could be a good job for you.
- 38
It’s a very tough field to succeed in, and connections are vital to getting started. Having a background in music and dance helps.
- 39
Ever wondered how they get a dog to smile on camera? That’s the job of the animal trainers working behind the scenes.
- 40
How do you build and sustain a career as a special-effects artist in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry? We asked experts for their advice.
- 41
Film producers will tell you that there’s no typical day in the job -- and there’s no single path to becoming a producer. But there are traits you can develop and entertainment industry paths to follow that will set you up for a career in Hollywood.
- 42
A guide to becoming a film editor in Hollywood.
- 43
Guidance is crucial to starting a career in entertainment, and at some point you’ll need an agent. How and where can you find one who gets you?
- 44
Career paths to becoming an agent often involve working as an assistant at a major talent agency.
- 45
The entertainment industry has been plagued by scams targeting acting hopefuls, parents of child actors and others. Here’s what to look out for and what to do.
- 46
Unit photographers say their main objective is to tell the story of a film by capturing filmmaking and moments within the movie. It’s not easy to secure these moments, but experts share their advice on how to become a fly on the wall in a film production.
- 47
You’ve seen TikTok, Instagram and YouTube launch people into Hollywood stardom. Here are some tips for getting started as a social media influencer or creator.
