Diego Parada spent more than $500 on a talent agency website that promised him headshots for his portfolio, access to numerous castings, auditions and plenty of other opportunities. Parada wasn’t aware that numerous other websites offered the same promotion for less than a fourth of what he paid for.
Bogus talent websites like the one Parada encountered are just some of the obstacles that set back students aspiring to break into the entertainment industry. With the industry’s glamorous and sensationalized façade, many don’t realize the tough road and heartaches ahead of every aspiring actor.
Parada, a Cal State Long Beach senior theatre arts major and film minor, moved from Tijuana, Mexico to Long Beach to pursue a career as an actor.
“I’ve always wanted to act,” Parada said. “It’s not the lifestyle that attracted me to the industry. It is just something that I have passion for and want to do.”
He is one of many students that left their small hometown and moved to Southern California to follow their big dreams.
Eriko Azuna, a senior theatre arts major, moved to Long Beach from Tokyo to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and a director.
“Ever since I participated in a play when I was in fourth grade, I knew acting is something that I want to do,” Azuna said.
Another theatre arts major, Jeannette Deutsch, moved to Long Beach from Cupertino, Calif. to further her education in the arts and make it as an actress in theatre.
“Being far away from your parents and hometown is tough, but you just have to do it,” Deutsch said. “LA is where all the jobs in the entertainment industry are at.”
Though Azuna and Deutsch have had close encounters with fake websites and agencies that are “just too good to be true,” they tried their best to stay away from them.
“You have to be aware and do your research,” Deutsch said.
Besides staying away from agencies and websites that have scams, another obstacle that these aspiring actors face is getting their big break.
“Anyone can get an audition, but nailing that one role that will start your career is the challenge,” Azuna said.
All three aspiring actors haven’t gotten their breakthrough role just yet, but they are perfecting their skills and talent by beginning in a few theatre productions on and off campus.
Azuna has directed a few plays on campus and Parada is starting his own web series titled “Death as We Know It” to get his name and talent noticed.
“In this industry, if you want a job, sometimes you have to make your own,” Parada said.
With all these obstacles in their paths, all three students are hopeful that they will one day make it. Pursuing a career in a different industry is not an option to them.
“I have no plan B,” Azuna said. “You have to stick to your plan A or else you will tend to slack off and fall behind.”
For Deutsch, she is planning on staying in the industry as long as she can.
“I kind of have to have tunnel vision,” Deutsch said. “I have a goal, and I have plenty of time to achieve it.”
Parada’s passion for the art is what’s keeping him going. Though he was ripped-off a few hundred bucks, he’s taking it as a positive learning experience.
“I don’t want to do anything else,” Parada said. “I’m going to die trying.”