Watch The Hollywood Complex

The Hollywood Complex is a captivating documentary film that follows the ups and downs of several families as they attempt to break into Hollywood by auditioning for children's roles. The film takes place in California, where thousands of young hopefuls come every year to audition for a role in a TV commercial or a movie. The documentary is directed by Dylan Nelson and Dan Sturman, who do an excellent job of presenting the stories of the families with an unbiased and objective lens. They show the tough reality of the entertainment industry, yet manage to add a touch of hope and positivity throughout the film.

The movie starts by introducing us to the Oakwood apartments, a complex in Los Angeles that is known to house families that are pursuing their dreams of breaking into Hollywood. The apartments are filled with parents and their child actors, all of whom are competing against each other for a small number of roles.

We get to meet several of these young actors such as Rosie Forti, a 12-year-old girl that is aiming for a role in either a movie or a TV series. Andrew Manley, a 13-year-old boy, with a dream of becoming the next big action hero in Hollywood. We also get to meet Toni Casala, a mother that is trying to break her daughter, Liz, into the business.

The Hollywood Complex showcases how much hard work and dedication is required to make it in the entertainment industry. We see parents spending countless hours transporting their children to auditions and filming locations. Some even quit their day jobs to be able to fully support their child.

The documentary also shows the downside of living in the complex. Families are cramped together in small apartments while dealing with constant auditions, callbacks, and rejections. The pressure of being in the industry is also high for the children; they have to compete against their peers, deal with long working hours and the constant fear of not getting the role.

One of the most compelling storylines of the film is that of Rosie Forti, who has a health condition that can make her die in her sleep. Nevertheless, her mother assures us that acting is the passion that keeps Rosie going, so she permits her daughter to keep following her dream. Andrew Manley's mom talks about her son's late start in the industry and how they've been working hard to catch up with other kids. Toni Casala's daughter is a bit shy, but wants to be an actress.

Overall, The Hollywood Complex provides a fascinating and thought-provoking insight into the entertainment industry's harsh realities. The documentary is expertly shot, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to make it in one of America's most competitive industries. The film is a great example of how passion, dedication, and hard work can pay off even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, if you're looking for an engaging documentary that gives you a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry, The Hollywood Complex is a must-watch. Its exploration of children’s acting careers highlights the importance of parents' involvement, the inner workings of auditioning and the difficulties of being a child actor. It's an excellent visual representation of what goes on in the entertainment world and shouldn't be missed.

The Hollywood Complex is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.