The Biz(Home Run Edition)

Chapter 1: Hollywood

Isn’t it amazing how technology has changed the world? As one newspaper said, “New inventions are having a big effect on the way people live. We can now work or play at almost any hour of the day or night! This new century is only a few years old, but it’s going to be the most exciting time ever.”

Wait ... you didn’t think that newspaper was talking about right now, did you? Did you think it was talking about things like Wi-Fi, text messaging, and GPS? If you did, you would be wrong. Those words in the newspaper were written more than 100 years ago! They were talking about the last century.

Back then, people were very excited about new technology. It was the early 1900s, and electricity had just been invented. So had telephones, airplanes, cars, and hundreds of other things. They would change the world and the way we live.

One of these inventions would have a big influence on some of the things we do for fun. It was developed by Thomas Edison, who was a famous inventor. Mr. Edison called it the Kinetoscope. It was a camera that could record motion. Think of Mr. Edison’s invention as the world’s first video camera!

Early versions of the Kinetoscope were simple, and the quality wasn’t very good. But it wasn’t long before these cameras improved. Soon, they were able to create a good picture. The movie business was ready to take off.

At first, most film directors worked in New York. Over time, some of them headed west to Los Angeles. That was the beginning of the modern movie age. But films were not made then like they are today. As a matter of fact, most of them were short films, or “shorts.” Some of them lasted as little as 10 or 15 minutes.

Filmmakers continued to move to Los Angeles. They liked the good weather and friendly people. Something interesting happened, though. A tiny village near downtown LA ended up becoming even more popular. That village was called Hollywood.

People from all over the world are interested in Hollywood. That’s why Los Angeles is such a popular vacation spot. Universal Studios provides a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made. Grauman’s Chinese Theater is another fun place. It’s one of the most famous movie theaters in the world. If you go there, you’ll see the actual handprints and footprints of hundreds of celebrities … such as Adam Sandler and the cast of the Harry Potter movies.

Millions of visitors have enjoyed trips to Los Angeles over the years. They love the miles and miles of sandy beaches. What a perfect fit for a city that has bright sunshine all year long! After a relaxing day at the beach, many people go out to eat. In a big city like LA, there are many different types of restaurants. After a nice dinner, there’s still more to do. Some people are lucky enough to have tickets to a Lakers game. They will hit the freeway and cruise to the Staples Center—joining celebrities such as Chris Rock, Denzel Washington, and Jack Nicholson.

It’s very exciting to be in such a famous city. Tour buses take visitors through the streets of Beverly Hills. Tour guides point out which celebrities live in the mansions they pass. Another tourist hot spot is the Hollywood Wax Museum. It is home to hundreds of wax figures of movie stars, old and new.

The list of things to do in Los Angeles is endless. Some people try to spot a celebrity having a “power lunch” at The Ivy. A power lunch means talking about business while eating a fancy lunch. Hollywood business people often discuss the next movie a famous actor will star in. And The Ivy? It’s the favorite restaurant of some of Hollywood’s most important people. Photographers are usually standing across the street. They take pictures of celebrities who show up at The Ivy for lunch!

Besides the thousands of visitors, other people come to Los Angeles each year. Sure, they hope to see or meet a superstar. But that’s not all. They also hope to become one. They are young actors and actresses, writers, directors, and producers. They want to get involved in the business of entertainment—which is known as The Biz.

Making it in show business isn’t easy. It’s very different from a “normal” career, like being a doctor or a teacher. A young person who chooses one of those careers is in a good position. He or she can become successful by working hard and getting an education. The movie business doesn’t work that way. It’s not nearly as certain—there are no “sure things” in The Biz. The truth is that most people who chase this dream don’t make it. They don’t become movie stars or well-known directors.

But, anyone who has a dream in life should go for it. Most actors or directors want to become the next Will Smith or M. Night Shyamalan. But even for those who don’t make it to that level, all is not lost. There are hundreds of other great careers in the movie business. They include everything from set design to stunt work. Many people who start out with the idea of becoming famous end up doing these jobs.

Thousands of teenagers across this country are preparing for a career in the movie business. One of them is Mark Mayfield, of Atlanta, Georgia. Mark has big dreams. That’s why he’s always writing a script, acting in a play, or directing a short film.

Besides the four films he’s directed, Mark has also done a lot of other things. He’s been involved in many other productions as an actor or a writer. That’s in addition to the work he’s done behind the scenes. It all fits into his plan to learn everything about the movie business.

The next step for Mark is to attend college. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, he’s well on his way. “College will prepare me for life, as well as a career in the movie business. Then it will be time to take my shot out in Los Angeles.”

Ah, yes, Los Angeles. For Mark, and many other people, that’s where the dream begins. Once they get to LA, they’re playing for real. They know it will be tough. There are many stories about people who try and fail. Sadly, some of them become discouraged and turn to alcohol and drugs.

That’s not going to happen to a smart teenager like Mark. He isn’t afraid to go for something that matters to him. And this really matters to him. Mark is shooting for a career in The Biz. He knows that there’s only one place to make it happen: Hollywood.

He’s already visited LA, and one day Mark will be back for good. He will make the trip from Atlanta to California to chase down his dreams. He’s not the first person from the state of Georgia to do that. Julia Roberts did. So did Ryan Seacrest, Usher, Raven Symoné, Chris Tucker, and Ty Pennington. And too many more to even list. These celebrities were all either born in Georgia, or lived there at one time. Each of them, at some point in their life, headed west. They decided to take their chances in a magical land—a place where movies are made, TV shows are filmed, and dreams come true. They all headed to Hollywood.

Just like Mark will one day.