MY STORY
At 18, I made the move to Los Angeles and quickly realized that the industry was not as welcoming as I had hoped. It took me years to find my footing, but I eventually learned the essential components to success in the industry. I discovered the importance of:
• Enrolling in reliable acting classes
• Being organized, productive, and motivated
• Having a secondary source of income while pursuing acting
• Marketing myself to the industry and representation
• Submitting for projects
• Building a network
• Establishing relationships.
By applying what I learned, I started designing yearly planners that consolidated everything I needed in one book.
The knowledge and experience gained from these lessons have led to a successful career in acting and producing in Hollywood for over 40 years. Through both colossal failures and tremendous successes, I have gained wisdom on what to do and what not to do and have been able to mentor and guide many actor friends in their careers. This journey has also inspired me to start the Lydia Nicole Live YouTube channel (formerly entitled Common Sense Mamita), where I share advice with fellow actors.
Introducing Acting Smarter Now - the solution to all your acting career struggles! Are you feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, and unsure about how to approach the business? Have you been struggling to get representation or get called in by casting directors? Look no further! With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Lydia Nicole has learned the key lessons to success - from the importance of reputable acting classes and being organized, productive, and motivated to selling yourself to the industry, submitting for projects, networking, and building relationships. And now, she's sharing her wisdom with you through Acting Smarter Now - a yearly planner that includes everything you need to keep your career on track, from goal-setting and industry contacts to audition tracking and affirmations. Don't let the challenges of the industry hold you back - with Acting Smarter Now, you'll have the tools and guidance to achieve your dreams and have a successful career in Hollywood!
The planner includes the following features:
• A designated space to write and breakdown my goals
• A section to strategize contacts want to reach out to in the industry
• A list of TV shows to submit for
• A tracking section for auditions and industry contacts
• A dedicated section for affirmations and encouraging scriptures.
About
Lydia Nicole
Lydia Nicole is an award-winning actress-comedienne-writer-producer-motivational speaker. As a 40-year acting veteran, she is best known for her role as Rafaela, in Stand and Deliver. Whether it is portraying an illegal immigrant, a gang leader, or a talk show host, her ability to transform from one character to another is evident in her autobiographical one-woman show A Rose Grows in Spanish Harlem. As a POC who found acting jobs lacking in Hollywood, Lydia took matters into her own hands and started doing standup to create more work opportunities. She began putting together her own showcases which expanded into starring and co-producing the multiracial female standup comedy show, Funny Ladies of Color (famous alums include Sherri Shepherd, Carlease Burke, Lotus Weinstock, and Karen Haber) at the World’s Famous Comedy Store and Telemundo’s favorite all Latina show entitled The Hot & Spicy Mamitas, which resulted in a CD by the same name. Her producing credits include NAACP Image Award Nominees Making the Five Heartbeats, In the Hive, and a Sundance favorite, Why We Laugh.
Lydia’s extensive acting training includes being taught by acting gurus Stella Adler, Ivana Chubbuck, and Roy London who she studied under for over 8 years.
Mentored by radio, music, and film legends; Hal Jackson, Frankie Crocker, Jheryl Busby, Max Julien, and Robert Townsend. Lydia believes in service and giving back by encouraging young people whether in inner-city schools, colleges, or youth prisons, as well as advising young actors on her YouTube Channel, Lydia Nicole Live.
