Kevin Patrick Goulet: Actor, voice artist and screenwriter in Los Angeles, California.

Thanks, Kevin. Hope our paths cross in the audition rooms. Break a leg! Bev

Yes that's somewhat true. However there is a lot of chance and knowing the right people that is involved as well. I don't mean to sound cynical about it but, the reality is that most of the successful people in this industry are the ones that already had the money, family, or association to either one. There are a few of us that have the perseverance and the luck to break through to the top. Also don't get me wrong, I love my work and I will talk greatly about the joy I have for it and the people I work with. I've just come out a little jaded because if the effort that I put in without much to show for it at times. We all do our best and I fully believe that groups like Stage 32 help immensely with that, because we have the opportunity to put our minds together for the purpose of making a living at this wonderful field.

I understand, Brian. Stay positive, you seem to have a strong spine and creative intelligence, and I really really love when actors talk about the joy they get from their profession. You can just as easily step in to the position of realistic but healthy emotional detachment. Cynicism is rust on a pipe for an actor, it shows up in the lens, and makes me very hard on myself and my life experience. You're too handsome, get rid of any thoughts that you can't get past the hollywood nepotism. It's not really true that the only successful Hollywood types come from industry royalty - it's here, yes, but no studio bankrolls a deadbeat, regardless of the name. The talent is either there or it's not. And I came here with no contacts, no background whatsoever. Yesterday I wrapped out of a commercial directed by Roman Coppola. Sure, he's industry royalty, but I assure you he didn't get the job from Daddy. Working with Roman was an incredible experience - the man is gifted, humble, clear, and inspired. One of the best shoots I've ever had, and I've been a working actor for almost 30 years. And I didn't book the job because I knew somebody either - honestly, I was just "one more face" that showed up for the audition. So be gentle with yourself, and remember that all actors have the dark, insecure thoughts that will sabotage our success. You have everything you need - clearly everything. If I was in the position to hire you, I would. I believe in you. Bev

I have been in this business for nearly 35 years, starting as an actor, and over 20 as a writer. This is stated so that this can be. No, you do not need to know anyone to write screenplays. Yes, you do have to meet people to get one of them produced. Be it a commercial, feature, short, or anything else. Now, here is the Catch 22 to the entire situation. You can't get an agent unless you have sold to a studio and you can sell to a studio unless you have an agent. This is also a fact, but with a shading of not always added. New writers happen to get a piece picked up through a variety of means all the time. They end up with an agent because of that piece. Well, then it is just off to the races after that. In my time in the film industry, I'll tell you a few facts. First, no matter how good your writing is, not only is there someone better out there, there is someone who will do it for less, able to revise it in a new way and generally take your masterpiece and turn it into a giant piece of crap. Get use to it. That is the business. Second, every brilliant idea you have written has been written by others at least 100 times. Just keep writing. Someone make like your take on it better than the other persons. Third, and this is the most important part of writing. This included writing of any time. The key to actual success in this business is to do two simple things, with one being as crucial to that end as the other. The first is to write. Most writers talk about writing, they tell about the story they want to write, but they don't actually push the pen. Once you get recognized as a writer, this is shocking point, people are going to expect you to actually write and complete projects. On schedule. Otherwise they will sue you. Remember, the average Hollywood writer only makes around $15K a year, if they are lucky. I write. I do much better than that. The second piece of this is to talk about what you have completed, what you are working on and the project you just sold. People want to associate with those that are doing things. Not those simply sitting there like a bump on a log waiting for an agent to come along and sweep them up because of an idea they have. I get projects because I'm out there shopping my services, telling and showing what I have and am working on, and completing projects in a timely fashion. A final piece of news. No, not everyone will be happy with your writing, this is one reason there are so many writers out there working on the same projects, but if you focus on your work and do the best you can, success of some sort just might come your way. Also, you may have written a great piece and they might still not be happy with it, just because they think that they have to treat a writer that way. The curse of working as a writer in this industry. So, to encapsulate this into a short... WRITE, TALK, WRITE, SHOP, WRITE, SELL, WRITE & WRITE. And when you are starting out, you will write a lot of projects for free. When you are successful, you will be writing a lot of projects for cheap. Simply the way things are. Enjoy!

network. get out there. write spec. use that to move up and get your gigs. you need to meet folk but you also need to develop your craft so get involved with sharpening your writing. but no, there is no perfect script that people will weep when they read. Even those with connections still have to make awesome scripts and still have to rewrite rewrite rewrite ... and then once perfected still have to hustle to get it out there ...

and remember , of the top 20 rules of screenwriting rules 1, 7, 13 and 20 are YOU WILL REWRITE.

Thanks, Kevin-- have a great weekend!

Also..., like the fact that Mr. Willis has not 'sold-out' to that whole iPhone / Smartphone monopoly. Cell phones are for talking..., not wasting time!?

True. But that was also six years ago...

(... backpedal, backpedal, backpedal...) Exactly my point. He's a genius.