Want Success? Start Writing Your Own Narrative!

Want Success? Start Writing Your Own Narrative!

Want Success? Start Writing Your Own Narrative!

Erica Wernick
Erica Wernick
a year ago

Want Success? Stop Listening to the Hollywood Narrative!

Is it just me, or does it feel like Hollywood is set up to make you fail?

Obstacle, after obstacle…

Rejection, after rejection…

It’s *almost* not even worth trying.

And I can say ‘almost’ because those of us who still believe in the magic of our dreams, have a passion so strong that we are going to go for it, despite all of the hardships we hear about.

If you are one of those people, like me, I want you to really listen to what I’m about to tell you.

Because you could be doing everything ‘right’ and still not see success.

And it actually has NOTHING to do with luck.

Want Success in the Entertainment Industry Start Writing Your Own NarrativeSee, here’s the thing. Hollywood has created a narrative, a ‘story’, that you’ve been hearing since the moment you decided to pursue this dream.

It’s a story oozing with negativity and it’s confirmed again and again.

The Hollywood Story is based on LACK.

It says there is NOT ENOUGH opportunities, roles, jobs, etc.

It says ONLY ONE IN A MILLION will make it.

It says you need a LUCKY BREAK to be successful.

It says competition is so intense that it’s not worth pursuing.

You’ve been fed these lines forever.

They are based on someone else’s experiences… someone else’s truth.

But it does NOT have to be YOUR truth.

And here’s why you need to ditch this Hollywood Story ASAP:

When you hear these statements of lack and you choose to believe them, they get stored in your subconscious.

Your subconscious mind ONLY believes what is stored in it.

Want Success in the Entertainment Industry Start Writing Your Own NarrativeSo, if you stored, ‘there are not enough opportunities for me to be successful in Hollywood’, then your subconscious says this is the CONCLUSION, meaning, there is no other possible outcome or experience.

Then, your conscious mind goes out into Hollywood and makes decisions based on that conclusion.

Your subconscious mind essentially says, “Hey, Conscious! Go out into the world and prove that I’m right!”�

So you begin to attract experiences into your career that do just that, prove the belief true.

This means, that as long as you BELIEVE the Hollywood Story and take it on as your own, you’re actually blocking yourself from having any other possible outcome.

But there is good news to all of this: your subconscious performs this way whether you have negative OR positive beliefs stored there.

YAY!

This means, if you can change your beliefs to, ‘My success is inevitable and I’m going to make this happen’, your conscious mind goes out into the Hollywood world seeking experiences that prove THAT to be true.

BUT ERICA…

I know. You really, really, really, believe the Hollywood Story.

People tell you all the time how hard it is to make it in Hollywood.

You even hear celebrities explaining in interviews, “I just got lucky!”

But let’s take a second to remember what I mentioned above: your subconscious mind believes this to be the CONCLUSION, meaning, there is no other possible outcome.

So when I tell you to change those beliefs, that your success CAN be inevitable, you’re not going to believe me, because your subconscious mind doesn’t understand a possibility that isn’t stored in there.

Want Success in the Entertainment Industry Start Writing Your Own Narrative

We cling REALLY TIGHTLY to these negative stories.

We never want to give them up.

But if you want to succeed at your dream, you HAVE to give them up.

Otherwise, you’ll continue to hit walls and get stuck.

You can ease your way into changing these beliefs by looking for proof.

And there IS proof all around you, of people succeeding in Hollywood, if you choose to see it.

Most people choose to see the failures.

Most people choose to see people moving back home and giving up.

But if you open your eyes (and your mind) to other experiences, you will be able to make that shift.

And when you do, you’ll start to see changes in your results almost immediately.

All of my clients have had at least one amazing opportunity ‘fall in their lap’ after changing their beliefs: anything from landing auditions, booking roles, being personally requested to write for a new network, recording music in a professional studio for free and being organically introduced to a major connection.

So, it’s time.

Time to shed the negative Hollywood Story that is ruining your chances to succeed.

You can fight me on it and continue to hit walls.

Or, you can finally believe that your success is inevitable, and watch the amazing opportunities fall in your lap.

Your choice.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

Hollywood’s Success Coach, Erica Wernick helps artists create success in one of the most “impossible” industries so they can live the life they’ve always dreamed of. After breaking into Hollywood with no connections, and booking her first TV show just two weeks after moving to LA, Erica has spent...

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18 Comments on Erica's Article

P.G. Sundling
Screenwriter
For the TV series I want to do, it's easier to base if existing IP. So I'm writing the books first in a way that screams screenplay. I'll have more to show with successful books when I make my next attempt at the Hollywood dream.
a year ago
Ashley Smith 23
Creative Executive, Script Consultant, Producer
This is a beautiful piece, Erica! Thank you!
a year ago
Michael A. Levine
Music Composer, Producer, Screenwriter, Songwriter
Many years ago, a famous young Hollywood actress shot her senior thesis at Yale in my brownstone in NYC. I mentioned that Orson Welles said that he had been incredibly lucky at the beginning of his career and incredibly unlucky at the end. She snapped back. "Oh, I don't believe in luck. You make your own luck." When this actress had first started auditioning as a young kid, her older sister was on the top TV show in America. I'm sure that had nothing to do with why people wanted to audition her...She tried out for a comedy pilot from an unknown standup comedienne, got the gig - and it ran 10 years. All her own doing, of course... In my experience those who say "It's all luck" haven't done the work. Yet those who say, "There is no luck" have usually been lucky beyond their imagination. I have been successful in three different fields - working on a fourth - and it would be grossly arrogant for me to declare that luck had nothing to do with it. Yes, I busted my patootie. And yes, I never gave up. And yes, I've been told my work is pretty good. But to promote the idea of "inevitability" is incredibly insensitive to those who didn't get the breaks that those of us who did did and usually reflects a blind spot in the one declaring it.
a year ago
Suzanne Bronson
Actor, Crafty, Production Assistant, Stage Manager, Voice Artist, Host/Presenter
Your story reminds me of a quote from Oprah, "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity."
a year ago
Xandy Smith
Director
I strongly agree with this. My favorite phrase that summarizes this concept is "Luck favors the prepared."
a year ago
Suzanne Bronson
Actor, Crafty, Production Assistant, Stage Manager, Voice Artist, Host/Presenter
Change your thoughts, change your life. This is good advice for all aspects of one's life, not just for Hollywood success. I've learned this recently. I'm in charge of my narrative, what others say has no bearing on my beliefs. Thank you, Erica. This is inspiring!
a year ago
Pamela Jaye Smith
Author, Director, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Story Analyst
Congratulations on the success...both your own and your clients'. Wishing you continuing positive adventures in Hollywood.
a year ago
Haley Mary
Actor, Songwriter, Comedian
I think mindset and determination are more important than luck. I also think you have to be a little stubborn to find opportunities or to create opportunities to succeed as an artist.
a year ago
Stephanie Munch
Author, Screenwriter, Assistant Director, Audio Post-Production, Casting Director
What a heartwarming read! Thank you so much Erika, I deeply believe in the power of this mindset.
a year ago
Carol Jacobanis
Actor, Voice Actor, Voice Artist, Author, Singer
a year ago
Marcel Nault Jr.
Host/Presenter, Screenwriter, Author, Agency Assistant
Captivating and heartwarming article, Erica! It's all about reprogramming our thoughts at this stage of the game, even though the end goal might differ from individual to individual in the "paysage sacré" of Hollywood.
a year ago
Mind set is everything in life. Thx for blogging such a vital component to being successful, Erica!
a year ago
Paul Rivers
Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Comedian, Author, Content Creator, Actor
Thanks Erika for nailing it. The dominance of Hollywood's vertical amd horizontal business monopolies may still be very profitable but not inclusive. I am personally having mixed thoughts on the the workers strikes, for example as a writer I have not been able to pursaude any producer to consider making any of my scprts so I am excluded from that WGA status and thier WGA gold. If a creative wants to see our own work, without hollywood; we creatives have all the tools on our cellphone to make our stories come to life. Rinse and repeat.
a year ago
Fran Tabor
Author, Screenwriter
Erika, thank you for reminding me about the classic message believed by all the world's greatest achievers. From Robert Lewis Stevenson: A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for? To the naysayers in our lives (especially that inner voice lurking within ourselves) who think their "Be realistic" advice is helpful: Can anyone grasp higher than he reaches? So what if I don't get the pinnacle I strive for -- what I do reach will be better & higher than anything I would have accomplished safely sitting on my hands. To the naysayers who say "failure is painful." respond the regret of never trying is more painful yet. To those who say, "It's too late," respond, too late to be a child prodigy, but just right to be a Grandma Moses. For every stage of life, there is its own opportunity. Erika, keep on preaching your message. All of us need the reminder sometimes.
a year ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Great blog, Erica! It's about the mindset. Thanks for the reminder and motivation!
a year ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
You're welcome. I bookmarked this blog for those times when negative thoughts creep in.
a year ago
Thank you!!
a year ago
Roy Stewart
Screenwriter, Director, Producer
It's true what Erica reveals. Read, enjoy and follow your bliss. Thanks much, will share, Roy :)
a year ago
Peter Gartner
Playwright, Screenwriter
I have won 74 awards at film festivals, so it is just a matter of time before someone decides they must make one of my scripts, before someone else does. Is it reasonable to believe that ?
a year ago
This inspired me.
a year ago
So glad!!
a year ago
Thank you. I needed this article this morning. I practice the following relaxation and visualization techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtqeJdG9HQI
a year ago
So glad it resonated!
a year ago
Daniel Stuelpnagel
Screenwriter, Author, Producer
Cheers to embracing our empowerment and specific talents! I’m producing a micro-budget proof-of-concept reel / short video for social media as an episode excerpted from my 6th feature spec screenplay, already I’ve learned so much and it feels amazing to leap from the sidelines into the game with joyful creativity! Thanks to two years here on Stage 32 for helping me build this adventure!
a year ago
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