HONOLULU, Hawaii -- How many of us have dreamed of being part of a top-rated television show?

On Oahu, it’s becoming a reality for many who live on the island.

“I have a lot of my career to thank 'Lost' for,” said Thomas McCurdy. He recently left a career in the television news business to try his hand at acting full time.

McCurdy has been hired as an extra for five episodes of "Lost". His goal is to land a bigger role on the show or elsewhere in the industry.

“Part of the transition was coming back to school so I can learn to audition and get to the bigger markets,” said McCurdy. He’s enrolled in acting classes at the University of Hawaii Manoa.

Many students at the university have been hired for small parts in the show. In the future, there may be even more.

“I hope they see that they have many opportunities to cast from here. Hawaii has all ethnicities. It’s not a homogonous field here. They can get pretty much anybody they want and it's here. The talent is here,” said Paul Mitri, an assistant professor of theater and dance at UH Manoa.

Mitri also feels that the success of "Lost" may bring other film productions to Hawaii.

“Anytime you have a high profile show filming here, hopefully other people will see that they can produce here, too,” said Mitri.

More filming crews will mean more acting opportunities for those who call Hawaii home.

Watch an excerpt of Thomas McCurdy’s interview to find out more about what it’s like to be on the set of "Lost".