From the box-office smash "The Avengers" to the summer hit "Madagascar 3" reigniting the 3-D craze, movie lovers are more enthralled than ever with film magic, and many fantasize about becoming a part of it. Their annual Westward migration from every film and acting and writing school in the country is as active as ever as they seek their chance to wield the Hollywood wand.

In such a competitive and crowded circus tent, how can a person ensure they catch that elusive trapeze?

Here are five tips from film director Guy Magar, picked up over 30 years making movies and TV shows and teaching through Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars, the educational course he founded. Magar is also the author of the new Hollywood memoir and love story, Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot, about his years in Hollywood which is a must-read for all who love movies (www.kissmequickbeforeishoot.com).

· Find out if you really love it. "The movie business demands passion and dedication; the work is difficult and exhausting, the journey fraught with disappointments and financial stress," he says. "So you better find out if this is truly something you want and you're ready to sacrifice whatever it takes." The best place to do that is at a film school or a university filmmaking program. "This is where I fell in love with the cinema and forged my commitment to the craft," he says.

· Find out if you're any good at it. When you discover that less than 5 percent of the 125,000 actors in the Screen Actors Guild ever make a livable wage in any one year, the reality check about how competitive this business is can be quite intimidating, Magar says. So it's not enough to love it - you have to have an aptitude for the craft if you want a chance at bat. "You better be one of the very best directors or writers or cameramen or actors wherever you're studying and developing your work, so you can gain the self-confidence to throw your talent in a very crowded ring," he says.

· Get your showreel ready! No one is going to hire you unless they can see what you can do. For a director, you better have an award-winning "wow" short. If you're a writer, have some dazzling, unique screenplays. Actors need a great reel with diverse scenes showing range from comedy to drama. Cameraman? You need a reel that sizzles with cinematic visuals. Don't come to Los Angeles without a reel. It shows who you are, what you can do ? and why you're worth paying to do it.

· Networking! Networking! Networking! "The movie business is first and foremost a people business," Magar says. "Regardless of your talent, you better be good at schmoozing and an extrovert at heart." It's all about who you know, who can introduce you to whom, who likes you, who is willing to help you move forward, he says. If you're a great networker, you have a better chance at a career than if you're talented with no social skills. Introverts do not apply!

· Enjoy your journey or the dream will be a nightmare. Don't put off having a life until you "get there," he says. The big secret is to enjoy the journey and to have a life in the industry, regardless of the amount of work and accolades that may or may not come your way. You must commit to making a fulfilling life for yourself if you're to find happiness in Tinseltown. Family, friends and a soulmate are as important and fulfilling as career gains. "They will sustain you in much deeper emotional ways than winning a spot on a softer toilet paper commercial," he says.

Magar says his career in Hollywood was an exciting, gratifying one. "Between the words 'action' and 'cut', I get to make my magic ... my visual storytelling," he says. "I fell in love with making movies and have continued loving it for more than 100 production credits in my career."

"If you share that passion to make film, have a terrific sense of humor to balance the obstacles, and can manage the five tips above, then welcome to Hollywood. Break a leg!"

About Guy Magar

Film and TV director/writer/producer Guy Magar has worked for more than 30 years in the motion picture industry. He recently published his Hollywood memoir, "Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot: A Filmmaker's Journey into the Lights of Hollywood and True Love." His TV credits include "La Femme Nikita," "The A-Team," "Dark Avenger" and "Blue Thunder." His feature films include "Lookin' Italian," "Stepfather 3," "Children of the Corn: Revelation," and the cult thriller "Retribution," to be rereleased on DVD for its 25th anniversary this summer 2012. Magar has taught and inspired thousands of students through his Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminar, and his Action/Cut Short Film Competition is designed to discover and encourage new talent annually. He is a popular public speaker who inspires young filmmakers.

(Des Moines, IA) - A new company was registered in the state of Iowa this past spring: Modern American Cinema, LLC. Iowa film maker, Kristian Day, opened up his own film distribution company in Des Moines after building a network of movie theaters from the successful theatrical release of his documentary Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye.

Iowa film maker, Kristian Day, self released his documentary film Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye to over forty theaters in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The majority of these theaters were independently or community owned businesses. Audiences flooded in into the single screen theaters in towns such as Vinton, Marshalltown, and Denison. Highlighted screenings included sold out shows in Marshalltown, Iowa City, and an oversold show in Vinton at the Palace Theater. The movie even outsold the major studio film, Battleship, on a weekend run at the Starlight Cinema in Independence, Iowa. To help build more interest to a potential audience, Day travelled to several towns across the state of Iowa to meet the theater owners and their local audience.

"There was a lot of financial and time investment made," Day says, "but it was worth it to figure out who your audience really is, major studios don't do that."

The company has recently acquired the North American distribution rights of two films, one from Iowa film maker Joe Clarke called Kung Fu Graffiti, a kid's action/comedy movie inspired by the 1960's Bruce Lee films. The other from Los Angeles film maker Shane Ryan entitled My Name is A (by anonymous), a midnight movie for the art house scene. All films will be released theatrically on the new Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved digital format. After a film's initial theatrical run, which lasts from six months to a year, it will be released via Video On Demand (Netflix, HuluPlus, Amazon Video On Demand). A DVD release will be considered based on the film's overall performance in the previous formats. Day is currently in production of his newest documentary, Is This Heaven?, the story of an ex-skinhead turned civil rights activist who is on spiritual journey through Iowa to find his faith. The film features Frank Meeink, author of the book Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead.

"Its a fresh start and an opportunity to release independent films to a larger audience," adds Day, "the price major studios are asking for from theaters is getting very high which leaves the small town theaters in a tough position."

The theater market for Modern American Cinema is very large. The company wants to work with not only independent movie houses, but also college/student run theaters, minicines, museums, and other public spaces to show films. Film makers are also welcome to submit their features, shorts, and documentaries for distribution.

Day, 26, a native of Rock Island, Ill., went to high school in Cedar Rapids and attended the University of Colorado at Denver in the Music Industry Studies program. In 2008, Day began directing and producing his own movies. His short films have played all over the world including Austria, Greece, Cuba and Italy. His films have also been screened at various festivals in cities across the United States including Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

For more information visit:  www.modernamericancinema.com

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 53rd annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on August 16 or 18.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Emma Destigter, 9, Moville; Taylor Knaack, 10, Correctionville, Tap Dance

Colby Fiscella, 10, Norwalk, Vocal/Guitar Solo

Alissa Marie Girsch, 12, Davenport, Vocal Solo

Jacie Hawthorne, 12, Scranton, Vocal Solo

Olivia Reiter, 10, Waterloo, Vocal Solo

Sammy Campero, 9, Des Moines, Comedian

Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 19 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $15,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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DAVENPORT, IA (Monday, August 13, 2012) - Contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, Matthew West, will perform at the Adler Theatre on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Special guests are MIKESCHAIR, Lindsay McCaul and Everfound.

Reserved tickets ($19 & $30 Artist Circle) go on sale Friday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $16 for groups of 10 or more by calling 563-326-8522.  Tickets will be available at the Adler Theatre Box Office (136 E. 3rd St.), Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 and at select Ticketmaster outlets.

In addition to writing songs that have made him a Dove Award nominated artist in the Christian market, West's songwriting prowess has also earned him the respect of artists in other musical genres. His songs have been recorded by multi-platinum Country trio Rascal Flatts and other country artists.  West's songs have also been released by various Christian artists, including Michael W. Smith, Mark Schultz, Natalie Grant and Point of Grace.