TJ Wright

TJ Wright, attended the CGTV Program in LA the summer of 2014

TJ WrightMy son, TJ Wright, attended a CGTV program in LA in the summer of 2014. He’d been doing commercial work for about a year and had become serious about getting into film and TV (at the ripe age of 6)! We decided to go with CGTV because we felt it would give TJ a glimpse into the work it takes for film and TV. The camp did that and more!

The kids received great training from experienced actors all week, but also had to put in work to prepare for their showcase. The environment was both realistic and supportive. Adrian and his team were incredibly generous with their knowledge and support of the kids.

By the end of the week, TJ was very sad to leave even though he’d worked hard all week. It showed us that acting was his dream and he was ready to work toward it.

We live in Florida and have had to work differently than actors who live in larger film and TV markets, but Adrian set very realistic expectations, which have guided me as a parent until this day.

TJ has continued to book commercials and related projects. And, we are very excited to report that TJ booked his first feature film – The Hate U Give – in the fall of 2017 (after 3 years of consistently auditioning – persistence!)! The movie will be in theaters on October 19, 2018. It will be an exciting culmination of many years of hard work.

We will continue to enjoy the ride!

View Trailer on Facebook

Natalie E. Norfus

Making a living

Making a Living While Trying to Make it Big

Being a successful actor is the ultimate dream for many, but reality for few. Acting is one of the most — if not the most — competitive careers in the world. Making a living while trying to “make it” can be tough, since Los Angeles/Hollywood is one of the most expensive cities in the US. While trying to catch your big break, here are some great ideas for income opportunities:

Waiter/Waitress

This may seem a cliche side job for an up and coming actor, but there’s a reason serving tables is a tried and true income option. The flexible schedule allows you to trade shifts with your co-workers when an audition pops up, and, if you’re good at it, tips can be pretty good money. This is especially true in Los Angeles, where some of the trendier restaurants are hangouts for the Hollywood big shots. There’s a good opportunity to network while getting tips, so it’s really a win-win for those still looking to get their big break.

Bartender

Like waiting tables, bartending is a great way to earn a full-time income while working flexible, part-time hours. Working at a popular nightclub or a fancy restaurant in Los Angeles or New York can earn you some serious cash, all while keeping you free for auditions.

Bartending

Provide Another Type of Service

Nanny, dog walker, pet sitter, and even personal assistant are all unique services you can provide that people in New York and Los Angeles would be willing to pay top dollar for. It might not be as easy to get your foot in the door like waiting tables or bartending, but if you find a way to market yourself appropriately, you might have quite the business going for yourself that will support you while you audition.

Telemarketing

Okay, so this is no one’s dream job. But, unpleasant as it may be, it can pay the bills. You might even consider role-playing on one of the 1-900 phone companies. It’s not the most respectable acting gig, but hey, there’s money to be made if you need it.

Blogger/Web Writer

If you’re computer savvy and have a way with words, you might want to look for opportunities for someone to pay you to write web related content. A digital media company may hire you to write web page content or manage the social media pages of their clients. You can also try blogging. A successful personal blog may get you advertising revenue, as well as a certain breakthrough fame to get your foot in the door on your other endeavors.

For more great tips on how to make it by financially while trying to make it big as an actor, you can read our post here. Being an actor requires a lot of hard work and perseverance. CGTV’s program prepares young talent every step of the way. To read testimonials, success stories, and to learn more about our program, please visit our website or call (818) 284-6698!

Memorizing Lines

Trouble Memorizing Your Lines? Try These Tips!

Memorizing lines can be stressful, however, if you’re someone who has trouble remembering what line comes next, there are many tips out there that can help. Read below for a few new tips to try the next time you can’t remember your lines.

  1. Think of your script as just a string of sentences that are grouped together. Then break down those sentences into groups of pictures. Those words you’re using are creating images that are being used to convey the story and the meaning of the story. Try and connect images to each sentence, or even parts of a sentence, to recall your lines quicker.

  2. The first time you read a scene, read through it as if it were a novel. Picture yourself as the character, what they’re feeling, where they are, and what they’re thinking. This will help set the scene and make it feel like a reality, so the next time you run through the scene, it will be easier to place yourself into the surroundings of your character.

  3. Remember to take breaks often! Read through one section until you think you’ve got a solid grasp on it, and then step away from it for awhile. When you come back, run through the scene then move onto the next. Repeat this process until you’ve finished all scenes or acts that you need to memorize.

  4. Think of your lines as a train of thought. If you can think about these strung together as opposed to single lines, you’ll be able to remember what you’re talking about and what comes next. Focus on what you’re trying to talk about rather than thinking about how you’re going to go about saying it.
  5. Try thinking about the meaning of the scene and the words you’re saying as opposed to memorizing them exactly as is. Many people can memorize sentences, but don’t really pay attention to the meaning of the sentence. Focus on the meaning of the scene or act, and go from there.

Many of these tips are just suggestions and won’t work for everyone. The most important thing is to find a way that works for you and to stick with it. If you find that you’re still having trouble, contact CGTV to talk to any one of our many acting coaches.

Memorizing Lines

References

https://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/backstage-experts-answer-18-ways-quickly-memorize-lines/