Podcast Summary
Pursuing dreams against tradition: Despite opposition, saving and moving to pursue a dream is worthwhile, as both setbacks and successes contribute to personal growth and content creation.
Following your passion and pursuing your dreams is worth the challenge, even if it goes against traditional expectations. Emily Gross, a social media influencer and content creator, shares her journey from graduating with a business degree to pivoting to a career in acting and social media. Despite facing opposition from her family, particularly her grandfather who was discouraged from pursuing arts, Emily persisted and saved up $40,000 while working as a nanny and in a restaurant to move to Los Angeles and pursue her dream. Although she faced setbacks and not all content goes viral, she continues to create and share her relatable, funny content with the world. Emily's story serves as a reminder that it's never too late to pursue your passions and that both positive and negative experiences can influence and shape your content in meaningful ways.
Improv comedy training: Improv comedy requires dedication, listening, and response. Joining Groundlings school costs around $375 per session and involves commitment, but can lead to personal growth and potential opportunities, despite no guarantee of success or income.
Improv comedy, as a form of art and a skill, requires dedication, listening, and response. The Groundlings improv school in LA was a significant step for the interviewee in pursuing a career in comedy. To join, one must audition and then commit to classes, which can cost around $375 per session and take place two to three days a week. Improvisation itself is about listening and responding, rather than focusing on one's own agenda. This skill can be applied to everyday life, fostering better communication and understanding. However, there is no guarantee of success or income in the comedy industry, even after completing improv training. The interviewee shared their personal experience of struggling and working various jobs while submitting themselves for auditions. Improvisation is not an easy skill to master, but with practice and commitment, it can lead to personal growth and potential opportunities.
Acting Career: Dedication, persistence, and love for craft are crucial for becoming an actor. Having headshots and training increase chances of success. Joining SAG offers protections, legitimacy, and access to better opportunities, but the journey can be long and financially challenging. Actors often start with small roles or student projects to build a resume and gain experience.
Becoming an actor requires dedication, persistence, and a love for the craft. Actors Access and similar websites offer opportunities for anyone to apply, but having headshots and relevant training can increase chances of success. The ultimate goal for many actors is to join SAG, as it provides protections, legitimacy, and access to better opportunities. However, the journey can be long and financially challenging, with little earnings in the beginning. Actors often start with small roles or student projects to build a resume and gain experience. While some people may get lucky and find success quickly, most actors face years of hard work and struggle. It's essential to enjoy the process and have a solid support system to make it through the industry's ups and downs.
Acting Finances: Acting is a lifelong commitment with potential financial struggles, and financial success may not come quickly or easily. Some actors work multiple jobs while pursuing their career and may not earn significant income from acting alone for years.
Acting is a lifelong commitment, and financial success may not come quickly or easily. The interviewee shared that they had been working in the industry for over 20 years before achieving notable success with "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Breaking Bad." During those early years, they worked full time in a sushi restaurant, making around $350-$400 a night, while trying to pursue their acting career and earning nothing. They eventually joined SAG in 2019, but even after that, they continued to grind in the industry, focusing on voiceover work and auditions. In the last 10 years, they have made less than $10,000 from acting alone, emphasizing the financial challenges many face while pursuing their passion. The interviewee also mentioned the importance of improv training for comedy acting and how it can complement acting roles. Overall, their story highlights the dedication and persistence required to succeed in the acting industry, as well as the potential financial struggles that come with it.
Social media for actors and comedians: Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are essential tools for actors and comedians to build a following, find success, and connect with audiences directly, offering lucrative economics and opportunities for growth.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become essential tools for actors and comedians to build a following and find success in their careers. This was not always the case, as some performers initially resisted using social media due to concerns about maintaining their professional image. However, with the massive reach and engagement potential of these platforms, more and more actors and comedians are embracing social media as a complement to traditional methods like auditions, streaming, and live performances. The economics of social media can be lucrative, with income coming from longer videos, brand deals, and other opportunities. Ultimately, social media allows performers to connect with audiences in a more direct and personal way, which can lead to increased visibility and opportunities for growth.
Entertainment Income Variability: Income potential in entertainment industry varies greatly, from less than $10,000 for experienced comedian/actress to over six figures for social media creator. Platforms like TikTok pay around $1,000 per million views, but even a waitress in a high-end restaurant can make over six figures. Highest profit margins in dining out are in meat and alcohol.
The income potential in different areas of the entertainment industry can vary greatly. For instance, a comedian and actress with over a decade of experience may have earned less than $10,000, while a social media creator can make over six figures. The rate of pay for views on platforms like TikTok also changes, with an average of around $1,000 for a million views. However, even as a waitress in a high-end restaurant, one can make over six figures. When it comes to dining out, the highest profit margins are often in meat and alcohol. As a consumer, it's important to consider whether ordering appetizers before the main course could lead to ordering less food overall, potentially saving money. The term "waitress" versus "server" is a matter of preference.
Table turnover, tipping in the restaurant industry: In the restaurant industry, a 20% tip is considered appropriate for both the meal and any additional beverages, while ensuring timely table turnover is crucial for efficient business operations.
In the restaurant industry, ensuring a timely table turnover is crucial for efficient business operations. When it comes to tipping, the general consensus, as shared by a seasoned industry professional with 10 years of experience, is that a 20% tip is appropriate for both the meal and any additional wine or beverages consumed. The largest tip ever received was almost 100% of a $5,000 bill. For those interested in following Emily Gross's journey, she can be found on Instagram as "emily.gross" and on TikTok as "emily.dot.gross." Her social media content is described as hilarious and engaging.