Los Angeles Official Visitor Guide 2008 - (Page 15) Photos (left to right): Celebrity style; Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour; Walking the red carpet; The Standard Downtown Rooftop Bar ©Punchstock, Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour, iStockphoto.com/Stuart Brill, The Standard Downtown Studios, Universal Studios HollywoodSM or Paramount Studios) might make it a bit harder to suspend your disbelief the next time you watch a movie, but it’s sure to make it easier to enjoy the magic of the celebrity lifestyle. The Standard Downtown Rooftop Bar, Sofitel Hotel’s Stone Rose Lounge or The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air. Step Six: be the Star Most LA visitors come to see stars. Then there are those who want to become stars — actors, comedians, screenwriters, directors and music producers. Their dream is to live out a popular movie plot — the big break. Not only is LA the place where big breaks happen, it’s also where people can learn the craft of being a star. All over the city there are classes, workshops and mentoring programs to give newcomers an edge. Stella Adler – Los Angeles “A Conservatory for Actors” is just one of many companies in LA offering courses, in-depth programs and workshops for aspiring actors. Whether you want to write the screenplay for a blockbuster film or have your name in lights on the marquee, you’ll find LA is full of places where you can hone your skills and take a step toward your ultimate goal. LA is the place to be when you’re ready to be discovered. Step Five: Play the Game If sitting in the studio audience doesn’t register on your glitz meter, it might be time to crash the velvet rope and enjoy some of LA’s hottest nightclubs. Getting into Hyde Lounge or Les Deux might be your goal, but it’s easier said than done when you’re not a celebrity, don’t boast synthetic body parts and hail from the laid-back Midwest. But don’t worry; where there’s a will, there’s a way. You just have to plan in advance. If you’re female, young and beautiful, your chances of getting into the club are always pretty good. They’re not so good if you’re a group of guys. But if you’re one of the favored few on the guest list, none of that matters. Your hotel concierge can be tremendously helpful when it comes to getting you on the guest list. Having money to spend never hurts either. If you call the club in advance and reserve a table with bottle service, you’ll be able to skip the lines and avoid the guest list hassle altogether. If all else fails, just be beautiful — you’ll get in. Step Four: break bread Have lunch at the Polo Lounge, Geisha House or one of LA’s other star-studded restaurants, like Sushi Roku, Blowfish Sushi or Providence. You’ll feel famous just being there, and you might even catch a glimpse of a real celebrity at a choice table just yards away. And we all know that good food isn’t the only thing that draws people to restaurants. Sometimes it’s more about the scene, about the so-and-so and the what’s-her-name who sat in the corner booth than it is about the signature dish or even the celebrity chef. These are the kinds of places where the vibe is deliciously decadent and everyone from A-listers to wannabes is there to either see or be seen. If the Polo Lounge isn’t your cup of tea, you might consider checking out the restaurant or bar in one of LA’s hotels where celebrities are known to congregate. Try 15
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