Guest Post by Sarah Camatta , German TV-Host and Actress
This summer I had the great opportunity to do an internship in Los Angeles. I worked in a beautiful office with the nicest people in the world. We made “Hollywood Stories” for the German press; a dream job!
Sarah on the Walk of Fame, copyright: Sarah Camatta
I was very lucky, because I found a nice place to stay in Westwood in a pretty house with great roommates very close to the office. So I walked to work every morning. I think I really was the only person who did walk to work, but I loved it!
Running into Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
At work, I had the chance to do so many different and interesting things: I had to translate and transcript interviews with Bernhard Hiller , The Black Eyed Peas, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ron Jeremy, and many more. I went to an awesome photo shoot with Lucas Till in Long Beach. And I helped to do a lot of “Hollywood Story” videos for a German website. I attended, for example, the ceremony when Cameron Diaz received her star at the “Walk of Fame” and I happened to see Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes there. But the best experience was that I did interviews on my own. I had the great opportunity to meet Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown from “Back to the Future”). He really is a very nice and gentle guy, and I am so thankful for that moment although I was very nervous. During the interview I was searching for the right English words because my English must have suddenly gone out of the room leaving me all alone… but I finally did it.
Cameron Diaz receiving her star on the Walk of Fame, copyright: Sarah Camatta
Furthermore, I did an interview with Father Gregory Boyle from “ Homeboy Industries “. He helps ex- gang members to get off the street and start a “normal” life. I really admire him. And if I had any money I would give it to him to help him because what he does is great.
Interviewing Hall & Oates
Another Interview I was allowed to do was with the Pop Duo Hall & Oates (Daryl Hall and John Oates) in San Diego after a great award show where they got honored for their lifetime success.
Sarah interviews pop duo Hall and Oates, copyright: Sarah Camatta
Reporting on Michael Jackson
Besides all the great stories we did there was one very sad day and a sad story: The death of Michael Jackson . I really liked him when I was young, and I had seen him live twice!
I went to the hospital some minutes after his death. I felt sad and grateful at the same time that I was in Los Angeles on that day. One day after our report on the state of shock in the city we went to his star at the “Walk of Fame” and to his house in the Holmby Hills , and we talked to a lot of sad and shaken people on the street.
Michael Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, copyright: Sarah Camatta
Learning sexy dance moves from Lacey Schwimmer
However, besides all the great work I did I also had some free time. And I because I love sports, I exercised as much as I could: I did yoga - indoor and outdoor at the beach, I climbed the Santa Monica stairs three times, I went jogging on the beach, I had a great workout with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak , and I learned sexy dance moves from TV dance star Lacey Schwimmer . From her I learned that the most important thing in life is to look sexy. It doesn’t matter what you do, but do it in a sexy way…that was fun!
Sarah learning sexy moves from Lacey Schwimmer, copyright: Sarah Camatta
Eating breakfast at Urth Caffe
Above all I absolutely wanted to see some of the locations where they shot my favorite TV-show “ The O.C. “. Of course, they are not in Orange County. And the different locations are not close by from each other, not at all. So it took a whole day to visit the pier, the diner, the night club and the high school, which by the way is a catholic college for girls in reality…
After all these great experiences and a really wonderful time, I love the city of Los Angeles! People are so friendly, the beach is great, and the breakfast at the “ Urth Caffé ” is delicious! They have so much healthy vegetarian food! Santa Barbara is not far away either, and I really want to go back!
Sarah's encounter with LA super heroes on the Walk of Fame, copyright: Sarah Camatta
Thank you all for a great time!
To: Michael, Kathrin, Sandra, Andreas, Micah, Ina and Nina, and to my roommates Robin, Ian and Matt.
Why German Actors Are Not Successful in Hollywood…And What We Can Learn From It
I just watched a very insightful interview with Hollywood Acting Coach Bernard Hiller on the German news site . Andreas Renner from “Renner’s Hollywood” and his production house StarfishLA sat down with Bernard Hiller , who has trained superstars like George Clooney , Brad Pitt , and Cameron Diaz , and talked about the secret of becoming a successful Hollywood actor.
Successful Actors Never Stop Learning
Well, the truth is probably not too much of a secret but rather a very practical advice: Hiller said that successful Hollywood actors have one thing in common and that is they never stop learning . Seasoned actors like Dustin Hoffman or Al Pacino still work with an acting coach which is why they are so excellent - and why German actors are not.
Germans Think Too Negative
Hiller said the reason why German actors don’t make it in Hollywood (with a few exceptions e.g. Diane Kruger) is not because of their German accent or because of the fact they’re German but because of their negative attitude. The acting coach remarked that successful actors in Hollywood have a passion for their craft and possess endless energy to follow their goal no matter what. If an actor isn’t ready to face and overcome obstacles that will be put in his or her way then, Hiller said, they don’t even need to come out to Hollywood. They should just stay where they are.
A True Star Acts Like a Star
Finally, Hiller said that people like Brad Pitt or George Clooney are real stars because they are stars in real life. They give to people in need; they remain down-to-earth and nice which makes them likable not only by their audience but also by directors, producers and other industry professionals they’re working with. No one wants to work with a narcissistic jerk on set.
Success Can Be Learned
What’s great about Bernard Hiller’s comments is that everyone can learn from them, whether you’re an actor, a German actor or a working professional in another industry. A negative attitude probably won’t get anyone very far. And if we don’t believe in us and our product, then who will? Finally, if you’re a genuinely nice person that’s fun to be around with - then the world will be your playground and doors will open for you. Pssst….just don’t do it like the Germans in Hollywood ;) - do it like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. And never stop learning…
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