"Becoming A Starlet"

Starlet. Definition:
"n : a young (film) actress who is publicized as a future star"

The WB television network has a new "reality" show:

"Set in the glitter of Tinsel Town, The Starlet, has one purpose - to discover the next young actress with the potential to become a major star. Watch as 10 beautiful aspiring actresses live in the same house and compete against each other for the chance to become 2005's next big thing. In order to be named the quintessential Hollywood "It" girl, one of the contestants must prove she's got more talent, more star quality and more attitude than all the rest by surviving an intense Hollywood boot camp, complete with harrowing acting classes, agonizing live performances and brutally honest critiques by a panel of renowned show business insiders. The prize is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a career-launching role on The WB's hit drama One Tree Hill, a one-year management contract with 3 Arts Entertainment and an overall talent deal with The WB."

I decided to take the time and watch the premiere for "the Starlet" earlier this evening. I rarely appreciate most of the junk television networks call "reality tv" these days. Honestly, most of it is far less reality than it is beefed up suedo-drama for the sole sake of achieving high television ratings. Other than "American Idol", I generally give the whole genre a wide berth, or just ignor it completely. It has no value.

But I did watch "the Starlet" this evening out of curiousity. As an actor, the idea of a show featuring a talent search within the realm of professional acting intruiged me at first. How would they achieve this in terms of a weekly television show? Would it feature an accurate theatrical/film audition process, would we get to see a sample of the hard work an actor goes through to prepare, stay fit, and to remain prepared for the challenges he/she faces? And how do you make the life and work of a struggling performer engaging to the point of a hit reality series?

I watched the show will all these questions in mind, and by the time the credits rolled, I was feeling a bit offended. That was the farthest from accurate, nor even close to reality as I have ever seen. I'm a "struggling actor". I know the process, and that was nothing but glamour. Being a working actor, is NOT glamourous. Exciting perhaps, but certainly not glamourous. The premiere for "The Starlet" was reeking with faux glamour, melodrama, and pure ratings ploys. I was unimpressed.

For those who disagree with me, let me politely break this reasoning down a bit....

By the dictionary definition, a starlet is, "a young (film) actress who is publicized as a future star." Note the word "publicize" in that definition? An actor should not be definited by the publicizing someone else does of their work. A true actor (or a "future star" for that matter) is defined by talent, hard work, personal experience, and the carving out of their own reputation by the steps they choose to take along the way towards success. A two month "starlet" competition cannot hope to achieve this.

Second, the show did not accurately represent a cross-section of working actresses. It came across as more of a beauty pageant than anything else. Where did those contestants even come from? All ten of those young women were overly attractive, dolled up in make-up everytime we saw them, strutting in high heals and flashy clothing, and sporting perfectly styled hair. No actress in their right mind is going to dress up like that for an audition. You wear something comfortable that you can move around in. You should look like yourself when you see a casting agent... not like a fashion model straight off the runway. That bugged me.

Third, yes, it's great to take acting classes. I recommend them -- highly. Good classes teach you how to become a better actor. But televising little snippets of someone else's acting classes and calling it a good educational experience for both contestant and audience is almost laughable. You can't learn how to be a successful actor overnight. It takes long hours of practice, experience, constant learning, and much self-motivation.

And finally, the judges. Now here's a real problem, for me, personally. "Brutally honest critiques by a panel of renowned show business insiders." What is that? Although I respect Faye Dunaway as an individual, how is she a "legend"? Becasue she won one Academy Award back in 1977 for a movie few people even recognize? Or for a slew of nominations and lesser awards of little importance?

If you truely want to find the core actor in someone, and you absolutely must present that journey through a television "reality" series, then, for pete's sake, get a panel of well-respected highly talented professional actors to do it -- actors whose resumes blow the socks off most of their peers. Actors whose knowledge of the business truely would benefit "aspiring actors".... Actors like William H. Macy, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Lee, even Michelle Pfipher.... Not Faye Dunaway or Vivica A. Fox. Both of them may be wonderful people, but I certainly wouldn't consider them a "panel of renowned show business insiders."

Yes, "The Starlet" offended me. I didn't feel as if it truly depicted my chosen profession, nor the gritty hard work us actors actually have to go through to find success. The show was flashy, egotistical, and not at all reality. There were some "real" elements mentioned sure. It wasn't all hype, but honestly, as far as I see it, this show is like all the rest of today's reality tv. Before long, it too will -- and should be -- relegated to the recycling bin.

If you're a real actor, work to make it out there on your own. Don't fall for the hype and glitter of "Tinsel Town". What you see on television and in the movies is a far cry from the truth of the journey behind the scenes. Work hard, keep learning, and never give up. If you learn to seek success in the biz that way, it will be far sweeter and far far more satisfying!

Until next time,

Your happily blogging actor friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:37 PM  I   I  0 comments