Want to break into show business? Then, you already know that it’s an uphill climb. After all, there is no shortage of genuinely talented people — and some not-so-talented folks, too — who believe they have what it takes to make a name for themselves in this famously cutthroat industry.

Nevertheless, it can be done. Yes, by you. And yes, without waiting a lifetime for your big break.

But the best time to begin trying to break into showbiz was yesterday. The second best time is today. It’s hard, thankless work, even after you start to get noticed.

Multitalented performers and showbiz entrepreneurs like Vic Mignogna know this well. They also know what it takes to build a successful career in entertainment and the creative arts despite the long odds.

Here’s what they tell aspiring entertainers hoping to do the same.

Find Your Passion and Purpose Early On

“Showbiz” is not a single career. It’s an industry. So, just like engineers or accountants or lawyers, creative people hoping to break into this business need to choose a track. 

That doesn’t mean settling for a single type of role and sticking to that decision no matter what. 

But it does require some introspection early in your career, to uncover your creative passions and the “why” of your decision to go into entertainment.

This is a deeply personal process that will set you up for all the successes to come.

Participate in Contests, Community Theater and Other “Open” Opportunities

It’s a fine line between unpaid CV-building and working for free. Always be mindful of where it falls early in your career as you work to gain experience (and credits) in your field.

That said, the show business ecosystem offers many voluntary opportunities for creatives to hone their skills, such as community theater, talent contests for charity, and much more. If you think no one cares about these endeavors, you’re absolutely wrong — they helped some of the world’s best-known creatives get their start.

Audition As Often As You Can

At some point, maybe right away, you need to start auditioning for paying roles. If you’re a front-of-camera performer, consider getting an acting agent as soon as you can. If you’re a writer, animator, or other behind-the-camera roleplayer, you won’t need an agent right away, but you should join the appropriate union and begin making connections with people in a position to dole out roles.

Don’t Be Too Choosy About Your First Projects

Every creative professional — yes, even those who appear to come out of nowhere and rocket to stardom — has to make compromises early in their careers. You will, too.

Rather than be discouraged by this fact, embrace it. Read or watch interviews with successful older creatives who talk openly about the roles they regret and the (likely many more) they weren’t passionate about but took to gain experience. Then, follow in their footsteps.

Learn a Variety of Skills in Your Field

As your show business career develops, you may become more specialized until you consistently do just one “thing” really well. 

That’s fine, but don’t let it happen before you’re ready. Your early career is an opportunity to gain a wide variety of skills in your chosen profession, whether you’re working in front of the camera or behind it. 

As an actor or musician, experiment with a range of different genres, styles, and character types. As a technical professional, explore functions like set design, videography, sound engineering, and more. Do a thorough job, and you might discover a skill you didn’t know you had.

Self-Produce As You Go

Producing and distributing your own creative work is still no walk in the park, but it’s definitely easier than ever, thanks to channels like YouTube, Patreon and the like. And while it might not earn you a great living right away, self-producing is a great way to build your skills and get more comfortable.

For example, making a basic YouTube video is not exactly rocket science, but making a great one is very difficult to do indeed. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at it.

Don’t Get Discouraged

Lastly, don’t give up at the first — or fifth — setback. Show business success requires a fair bit of luck, and big breaks can take years to materialize, no matter how talented you are. Being willing to work hard and keep up the fight will skew the odds in your favor.

Here’s to Your Big Break

Life offers us no guarantees. Many genuinely deserving entertainers toil in obscurity for years before giving up and changing careers. Others spend their entire working lives as “working” actors, writers, animators, producers or in any number of other roles that pay the bills but don’t offer the sort of lifestyle most associate with show business.

Hopefully, your entertainment career is different and you eventually get the big break you deserve. If not, remember that there’s honor in making a living doing what you love, and in bringing joy to the people who experience your work every day.

Published by: Martin De Juan