Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami Farrell discusses the successes and struggles of her career in entertainment.
By Tami Farrell
In January of 2005, I booked my first pilot-a small part on MTV's show Score. It paid $2,000 - not very much in Hollywood's terms, but the money helped, and the job boosted my confidence just in time for pilot season. For those of you who don't understand what pilot season is, let me briefly explain. For the first three to four months of the new year, networks are presented with the idea of new television shows. These shows are filmed before being sold. They are called pilots.
As an actor, January to April becomes your busiest and most frustrating time of the year. Every part feels like it is the part. You read hundreds of scripts, memorize countless lines, and are often rejected. You are given glimpses of hope with every call back, only to discover someone with more credit, talent, or even just a different hair color was given the part. You cry. You may book your first job. You jump for joy. For most, it takes years to get your first break. I'm still waiting for my big one.
What do you do when a dream remains elusive?
- Ask your agents for feedback. It helps ease your state of mind to know that you may have been perfect, but maybe it was something as simple as your height. Trust me, I've lost roles in movies because I was taller than my on-screen boyfriend. Think of each role you don't land not as a failure or rejection, but as a learning tool that has carried you one step closer to booking a job.
- Never compromise yourself. You will see people booking jobs left and right for the wrong reasons. Stand strong to uphold your morals and values. Though they may seem happy and successful, people who succumb to casting compromises will have short-lived success, and the emotional damage they bring on themselves could be irreversible. Just this week as I was writing this article, I booked a great pilot with promising prospects. The creator, however, wanted me to starve myself and become a size double-zero; I haven't been that size since middle school. I declined the offer; my health comes first. I'm not willing to compromise my well-being for a part in a show, and neither should you.
- Build a strong network of friends with whom you share common interest. Nothing takes the sting out of an unsuccessful audition better than a group of friends who can empathize with such letdowns. You will celebrate with them in each others victories, and grow with them as actors.
- Listen to the experts. Not everyone is a teacher, so accept the advice that is given to you, but only take to heart the words of casting directors and agents who have to rely on the perspective of their own professional careers to guide us toward achieving our dreams.
Preparing for the part
One of the most crucial aspects of pursuing an entertainment career is to get a headshot that showcases you as the type of person whom you would like to portray as an actor. I am typically cast as the girl next door. In my headshot, I am smiling with my hair down, wearing fresh makeup and a tank top and jeans. If you were a casting director looking for a Gothic bully, chances are you wouldn't give me a second look for the role. Ask your agent what type of characters they see you playing. It is important, too, to have an idea of what kind of actor or actress you can see yourself emulating. Watch movies and television shows to help you get a better idea.
Training, in whatever area of performance, is also a key to staying at the top of your game. It is also a great way to make friends with people who share your interests. It is important to surround yourself with positive people, as rejection is inevitable. If you find yourself feeling discouraged, remember this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Entertainment is a hard business to break into-some might even say impossible. According to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), most of SAG's members earn less than $7,500 a year and face long amounts of time unemployed. Through my failures and successes, I have come to understand that there is no rhyme or reason to success in Hollywood. I believe that dreams can come true, and if you work hard enough, you will get the break you deserve. Not all dreams are meant to become reality overnight, though very often, the things in life that you have to work the hardest for are also the ones that you come to appreciate most.
See this article at Pageantry Magazine: Waiting in the Wings
Tami Farrell, a native of Phoenix, Oregon, was crowned Miss Teen USA in 2003, and also was honored to be voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow delegates. During her reign, Tami set a record for Teen USA titleholders in raising more than $21 million for charity. She continues her volunteer work as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and The Sparrow Club. Tami currently resides in Los Angeles, where she continues to study acting. In addition to her featured model and spokesperson roles with national and regional companies, Tami is pursuing a recording career in Nashville, has begun recording her break-out demo CD, and also is meeting with producers to develop an exciting new project to be announced soon.
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