Catalyze August 2022

HOLLYWOOD
LEGENDS &
BREAKING INTO
THE INDUSTRY
S T E P H E N T I N G U S
Cooper Henderson: What advice would you give someone trying to break into the
Hollywood circle? Be it in inclusion but also on the employment or even acting side, I know
it can be tremendously hard no matter who you are. And I want to take that a step further
and ask you not only what would you recommend of how they break into that, but also
what leadership qualities should someone like that possess?
Steven Tingus: That's a great question. When I started I was doing independent movies. I
always liked to act. I acted in junior high and high school. Then I went into a prior career,
but I would say to work on a crew -being associate producer, helping with wardrobe,
helping with the cameraman. Really learn the specifics of film making, because if you have
that foundation, you are so marketable. I think you've got to start at the bottom. If you
think you're going to come to Hollywood and be a star, then is Hollywood for you? It's a
job. Let's face it; It's a job. And it doesn't mean that you're going to do a lateral movement
from acting to producing. I'm a member of the TV academy because of my work, because
I've done everything already in my 12 years prior, but what I would do and what I hope
others will put in the forefront is to be a part of a project that tells a message, because the
more stories and positive and difficult messages that we get out there in TV and film, the
more people learn about others. So I would first do some independent work, get a talent
agent like I have, and then you're able put your resume out there for entry level jobs.
Because if you're applying to a studio that I'm very close to, like ABC, Disney, or others,
you've got to start at the bottom. And if you have it, they'll recognize it.
CATALYZE MAGAZINE | 10