7 Things L.A. Startups Can Learn from Hollywood

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Many actors work in obscurity for years before making it. Yet those who stick with it produce some great performances later in life.

 

Paul Giamatti started his acting work in 1990 and toiled away for many years in un-credited and background roles until he got two small parts, in 1998, on the movies “The Truman Show” and “Saving Private Ryan.” They helped him make his break. He later received an Academy Award  nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Cinderella Man.

 

Amy Adams, for six years, was only getting small side roles until she was cast for a little known and low-budget independent film called Junebug. She was Oscar nominated for that role, the first of 4 Academy Nominations of her career. 

 

 

While the tech industry is obsessed with youthful innovation and overnight success, it is worth reflecting that many of Hollywood’s great do their best work after years of drudgery and well after they turn 30.

 

 

 

When you meet someone in the “industry” they generally work into the conversation 

 

two questions: 

 

1. “What do you do? “

 

2. “Who do you know?”

 

This is annoying to most of us, but for aspiring actors, actresses, and directors it is a necessity. 

 

And it can make a huge difference. 

 

 

Take a break from your work and go network at a local startup event.

 

 

 

For two years, while going to graduate school Bradley Cooper sent in “200 to 250” taped acting auditions. Often playing multiple parts in his own auditions or having family member play the other characters, Cooper was the personification of persistence. Out of the hundreds of tapes Cooper sent in one was picked up by Robert De Niro. 

 

Cooper explains what happened-

 

“He asked to see me when he was coming through L.A., just because he had seen the tape. And this speaks to his character because he, the whole reason he wanted to meet me was to just say that keep doing what I'm doing. I walked in his room and he said, you know, you're not going to get this but I just wanted to tell you that I, I see it, and I see you and, yeah.”

 

De Niro and Cooper later played father and son in Silver Linings Playbook. From that movie they both received Academy Nominations.

 

Despite Hollywood’s “What can you do for me?” reputation, there are many in the industry who reach back and encourage the next generation. 

 

 

Don’t forget those just starting out. You never know when a once struggling entrepreneur could be your next co-star. 

 

 

 

In Hollywood many prominent actors step away from the big screen to do theater work, simply because they like it. 

 

Tom Hanks, between shooting movies, did a Broadway performance called “Lucky Guy.”

 

Jenna Fischer recently starred in the Off-Broadway play “Reasons to Be Happy.”

 

Val Kilmer just finished a one man show called “Citizen Twain.”

 

 

If scaling and selling is the only goal then a lot of rewarding work is being missed out on. Do things you love. It’s likely there’s an audience for it.

 

 

 

Los Angeles has no shortage of creative types with “humanities” knowledge. 

 

“Technology alone is not enough. It’s technology married with the liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that make our hearts sing.” - Steve Jobs

 

 

This offers a great opportunity for a Hollywood and Silicon Beach marriage. Your website, app, 

 

or game will always be better with some artistic flare. 

 

 

 

Hollywood is known for being fiercely individualistic but that is changing. Many up-and-comers are getting noticed by joining together in their own acting groups. Consider how Saturday Night Live has done its hiring lately, many from upstart comedy troupes:

 

Good Neighbor- Beck Bennet, Kyle Mooney and Dave McCary 

 

Upright Citizens Brigade- Amy Poehler

 

The Lonely Island- Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone

 

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

 

-Aristotle

 

 

Building a great team is key to startup success. Building great partnerships is also important. 

 

Startups should think hard about partnering with other companies, mentors, and non-profits to 

 

make the most of their chances.

 

 

 

For aspiring actors and actresses waiting tables and bartending until they “make it” is not uncommon, yet they never seem to lack self-confidence. That self-confidence helps make careers. Even Brad Pitt did menial work, including standing on a street corner in an El Pollo Loco chicken suit and working as a limo driver for strippers. Look where he is now!

 

 

Hollywood never lets go of its dreams. Neither should you.