Seven Rules to be successful and stay sane in Hollywood.
by Lee Rudnicki, Esq.
Rule 1: Network + Indifference.
Meet as many people in the industry as possible, with total indifference for who they are or what they can do for your career. Yes, you read that correctly.
Rule 2: Never Ask.
Never ask anyone for anything unless absolutely necessary. If you are meant to work with someone, let it be because a connection is there. If not, let them go.
In Hollywood, anything can happen on any day ... and for mysterious reasons, the most amazing events usually happen right after the darkest days. Stay focused on your plan, regardless of how many doors won't open.
One or seven closed doors will not break your career unless you allow them to.
Rule 3: Treat Everyone the Same.
Treat everyone the same, with respect, whether they are the President of Warner Bros. or the woman handing out French fries at the fast food joint. You didn't come to LA to become a yes-man or yes-woman, nor to treat people like shit, nor to stab people in the back to get ahead.
What goes around comes around, life is too short for this kind of nonsense. Period.
Rule 4: The 150% Rule.
Give every project 150%, with zero consideration of the possibility of failure. If you cannot give a project 150%, don't take it on.
If you are afraid of failure, you will fail. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy 101.
Rule 5: No Stress
Do not stress about failure. If you aren't making mistakes, you aren't trying to achieve enough.
Give 150% but stay indifferent about failure except for what you can learn from it.
Besides, a miserable failure once in a while can be funny.
Bottom line, there is no Plan B, you don't want a Plan B. You aren't going anywhere, giving up is not an option, and there is nowhere else in the world you want to be.
You came here to get to the top on your terms, which should include having fun. If you're meant to succeed, you will. If not, don't be miserable along the way.
Rule 6: Innovate and Continue to Learn.
Take every career book you own and throw them in the dumpster.
The goal is not to be hampered by someone else's pre-existing notions about a career. Don't think outside the box, smash the box and throw it out the window. Learn as much as possible, and be open to your career branching out in unexpected ways.
Rule 7: Be Yourself.
Be you.
Any fake version of you that you create to try and succeed in Hollywood will fail miserably in the long run and ultimately, you will be very sad.
Be proud of who you are, have fun … and go for it!
Thanks for reading!
