Create a Timeline

Many people want to "become famous."  But what does that mean to you?  Do you want to be a rock star or do you want to be the lead in "Wicked"?  Narrowing down what it is that you exactly want to do will help you get where you want to go a lot faster.

If you would like to go the recording artist route, then you will need to create a timeline.  Get out a piece of paper and create a line with a start point of where you are now and the end point of a recording contract.  Fill in the things that need to be accomplished on your timeline... they could include writing your first song, recording a 3 song demo, marketing, getting your music on iTunes, creating a hard copy CD to sell at shows, set up shows and concerts in your hometown, perform on TV, or entering local and national contests.  The more visible you are, the better. 

Major labels do NOT like to have to do the work anymore.  They like established artists with an established following. So you will want to get your finished music up online as fast as possible to help create your following.  That means setting up a MySpace and Facebook account to get the word out to all your friends and all of their friends. 

The timeline is an honest way to see where you are and what you have accomplished so far.  It might give you a wake up call to notice you haven't been doing much. Or it might give you positivity when things don't seem to be moving as fast as you would like it to be.

BROADWAY

If you are looking to become a Broadway Star, then things work a little differently.  In addition to working on your voice, you need to taking as many dance and acting classes as possible.  Depending on where you live,  access to well-trained instructors may be impossible.  However, you take what you can get and get the best.  After you have done all you can do, you need to move to New York.  It is very, very true that the odds are against you.  There are about 1,000 roles currently open on Broadway and over 12,000 people looking to get those roles.  That should put it into perspective for you.  Not everyone makes it.  Some fall on their face and realize they weren't as talented as mom and dad told them they were.  So, be honest!  If you want it, and know you have what it takes, then go for it.

Before you up and leave to New York, you need experience under your belt.  Vocal, acting and dance lessons are all a part of that.  However, you need to have leading roles and supporting roles in plays located where you live now.  When you hand the Broadway director your head shot and resume, he needs to see that you have had experience and can count on you making it.  They won't take a chance on someone who has never done any musical before.

I will go in depth on both of these topics later.  But for now, get your timeline in perspective to see where you are at.  Most of you probably have a lot of work to do.  As always, any questions, please feel free to comment and I will get back to you!

MJ