AUSSIE ACTORS OVERSEAS - Erryn Arkin in Hollywood
By Evette Henderson

Back to main page.

RECEIVE YOUR FREE EXCERPT OF THE
'HOW TO MAKE IT IN SHOWBIZ!' EBOOK
Scroll to the bottom to find out how!

Sydney based actor, Erryn Arkin, has made the big trip overseas to Los Angeles all in the name of his craft. This is one way to define commitment. He's taking acting classes whilst pursuing meetings and opportunities with agents and production companies.

He's taken some precious time out of his super busy schedule to give other Aussie actors the low-down on a Hollywood acting career. This interview is to enlighten and inform you of crucial information you need to know before heading over yourself. This Erryn Arkin's, 'How to become a Hollywood actor".

Why did you decide to make the trip?
For several reasons I guess. Just visiting the one place in the world where the city lives and breathes on entertainment 24/7: I've always wanted to experience that since I was a kid. I grew up watching films like Superman and ET and Back to the Future, so I think maybe subconsciously it's always been a dream of mine to see the place where all the huge movies were being created. And being born and living in Sydney all my life, I wanted to see if it is a place I would like and see myself working in eventually. And I love it. Sure, it can get lonely, especially if your girlfriend, family, friends are all back home, but the way I see it, this is a chance for me to maybe make new friends and industry contacts, takes some acting workshops, gain a new perspective on my acting career, and hopefully follow in the foot steps of most of the
successful Aussie film actors who have had to take the giant leap out here eventually, from Errol Flynn to Hugh Jackman. The US film industry is of course larger and more competitive than Australia's, but it's where any serious actor has to consider getting into at some stage, for film work anyway.

Why have you not timed your trip for pilot season?
Y ep, pilot season is usually around Jan-Mar-sometimes April. Basically it's a mad-house and most decision-makers in the industry don't even have the time to consider new-comers, let alone Aussies without Visas. As this is my first ever trip, and I am not represented by a US agent or manager, around this relative calm of September-November (before Thanksgiving, Christmas and Pilot Season) seemed to be the best time to make the leap when agents and managers (and production companies) tend to have a bit more time on their hands rather than running around trying to book work for their existing clients, and would be more receptive to meeting potential new artists. But having said that, the world credit crisis and Union uncertainties have meant that it's a little quieter than expected. Regardless, we've managed to get some meetings from it.

How easy/difficult was it to arrange your trip, including your Work Visa?
I think the biggest challenge was to be disciplined in saving up as much money as possible before my trip, especially as this is my first trip to the United States and I've come here on the Visa Waiver Program, where I can stay up to three months without a Visa but am not permitted to actually get paid work. Hopefully the next trip I make to LA I will be able to work with my Visa in hand now that I actually enjoy the place and am making new contacts and can envision working here.

Did you pre-arrange any plans/meetings prior to leaving Oz? How?
Besides accommodation and flights I didn't really organize anything. I pretty much landed here not knowing anyone. Pretty crazy, huh. In the few weeks I've been here, my agent and manager back in Australia have been in touch and submitted my materials to a few LA directors, producers and agents. Some introductory meetings have been arranged through this, but legally I am not pursuing work here, simply having interviews with interested parties for future projects or agreements. I've also been referred to agents from people in the industry I've formed friendships with here.

Generally speaking, how does it work in LA?
I'm still trying to figure that out :) but pretty much, take the whole film industry activity in the east coast of Australia and probably times it by ten, and you're about a quarter of the way there. There's just so much happening. Classes, meetings, auditions, films in development, or shooting, or in post-production. It's non-stop. Even though this time of year where there are some concerns about the major Actors' Union striking, there still seems to be a buzz around the city.

Who are you meeting with?
Random Los Angeleans, other actors, directors, producers. People are mostly very encouraging here, especially towards actors who are here for the right reasons, for the passion and for developing their craft rather than all the hype. I also like talking to other Aussie ex-pats I've met out here who are working or doing it tough and trying to build solid credits.

What's travelling like around LA? I hear it's a bit tricky!
You basically need to hire a car if you want to easily get around, everywhere is so vast and spread out and big. Kind of like the servings of food here! Well after you adjust to driving on the right hand side of the road, it takes a while then to get used to the crazy traffic and people changing lanes rapidly without indicating: so if you've driven on Parramatta Rd in Sydney during peak hour traffic you'll have no problems.

What training are you undertaking?
I'm doing scene study classes on The Chubbuck Technique which is going great. The tutors are very direct in giving feedback and certainly aren't reluctant to tell you when you're not hitting your marks or if you haven't done your work, and on the flip-side, happy to praise you when you're giving a truthful performance. It's refreshing.

How does the average aspiring actor live over there?
Most I've come across still have several other jobs besides their acting, similar to in Australia. I think the difference is that if they are not working on paid projects, a lot of them are usually doing classes somewhere, or working on independent projects, or putting up a theatre show. I guess because the numbers are bigger than back home too, actors need to be very proactive to make a living, and certainly not wait for the phone to ring from their agent. There's a good energy to it. But at the same time, when you come out here and see that it is a huge industry town, it is very humbling. Hollywood is not all glitz and glamour, like a lot of people perceive it to be. There are a lot of people in the game, and sometimes it's easy to forget that being an actor
is only one part of the huge team that goes into a major production. I think Christian Bale was quoted as saying that the actor can never be bigger than the film. And that's so visible when you see the overall scheme of how LA works. It's a very important perspective for an actor to have, at any stage of their career.

What do you plan on doing with your new found experience and knowledge when you get back to Oz?
Having a Vegemite toast for brekky, and playing some backyard cricket with the family before sitting down for a lamb roast. I love Australia, and I miss it already after only a month, so yeah. Just catch up on everything. On the acting and film side of things, I have a project I'm working on with a Producer and I'm writing a high-concept drama for that. Plus I am putting together a few short films for festival entry and hopefully after all that I'll have my US Visa ready to return back in 2009 for pilot season. I guess I can just say that flying to LA and getting a taste of the action of the industry here has really strengthened my desire to make a long-term career in film
and TV, whether that's being part of the cast in the next feature, or writing my own projects, it's what I want to be doing right now and for the rest of my life.

Erryn Arkin
info@errynarkin.com
www.errynarkin.com
(+1) 213 284 4240

RECEIVE YOUR FREE EXCERPT OF THE
'HOW TO MAKE IT IN SHOWBIZ!' EBOOK
It's so easy....

Are you serious about your filmmaking career?
Do you want to fast-track your acting career?

Actors, Directors, Filmmakers, Writers, Comedians and Entertainment Enthusiasts. It's loads of hard work to get that BIG CAREER BREAK of a life time. But what if I could help you fast track your artistic aspirations? We've dedicated the last twelve months to collecting the most awesome advice, trade secrets and top tips from celebrities and industry experts on succeeding in showbiz.

'How To Make It In Showbiz!' covers:

- Acting audition advice
- Acting techniques
- Directors on directing and actors
- What Casting Directors really look for
- How to overcome nerves
- Where to get your inspiration
- How to get your big break
- Writing tips and strategies
- Celebrities discuss their creative journey and how they made it to the top
- PLUS heaps more!

Click here for your FREE Excerpt from our first 'HOW TO MAKE IT IN SHOWBIZ' eBook.

Click here to read more about the 'How To Make It In Showbiz!' eBook.

The trade secrets to creative success are secrets no more. This is a MUST-READ eBook if you want to gain an edge over your competition.

Here's to your creative success!

Evette Henderson
Founder

Back to main page.

Top