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How To Be A Working Actor: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film, and Television
This comprehensive guide has been revised and expanded to include new information on enhancing your image; finding jobs in emerging markets; updated union rules and payscales; current living expenses; and an entirely new chapter on “Cyberbiz,” exploring the ways that the Internet has opened new doors for actors and enabled entirely new approaches to promotion.
Establishing your acting career entails developing all aspects of your performing skills, but more than that, it means learning how to manage your career as an ongoing business. Plenty of schools and books teach you how to hone specific areas of your talent, but only How to Be a Working Actor shows you the whole picture, from improving your image and your audition abilities to finding an agent and landing the roles; from surviving a screen test to making it through your first day on the set; from making your way around the big city to finding regional work.
Cowritten by a leading casting director/agent and a seasoned actress/author, How to Be a Working Actor is still the bible of The Biz, with an insider’s viewpoint on all the assembling a dynamic resume, taking the perfect headshot, understanding the unions, finding a “day job” to supplement your income, learning how to live on a budget in New York or Los Angeles, networking, and much more. Countless tips on wardrobe, makeup, interview skills, and character analysis demonstrate how you can look and act your best for any audition or acting situation. Dozens of industry professionals offer authoritative advice gleaned from decades of experience. Anyone seeking to become—or remain—a working actor needs a copy of this indispensable book.
Establishing your acting career entails developing all aspects of your performing skills, but more than that, it means learning how to manage your career as an ongoing business. Plenty of schools and books teach you how to hone specific areas of your talent, but only How to Be a Working Actor shows you the whole picture, from improving your image and your audition abilities to finding an agent and landing the roles; from surviving a screen test to making it through your first day on the set; from making your way around the big city to finding regional work.
Cowritten by a leading casting director/agent and a seasoned actress/author, How to Be a Working Actor is still the bible of The Biz, with an insider’s viewpoint on all the assembling a dynamic resume, taking the perfect headshot, understanding the unions, finding a “day job” to supplement your income, learning how to live on a budget in New York or Los Angeles, networking, and much more. Countless tips on wardrobe, makeup, interview skills, and character analysis demonstrate how you can look and act your best for any audition or acting situation. Dozens of industry professionals offer authoritative advice gleaned from decades of experience. Anyone seeking to become—or remain—a working actor needs a copy of this indispensable book.
- GenresTheatreNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
19 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 14, 2018
This book was incredible! It was also, very long. But, considering all the things I know now, that I didn't know before, I would say it was 100% worth the read!
Not only did Ms. Henry devote entire chapters on how to find work, where to find it, and how to develop character: she also devoted portions to how to find work in certain cities (Miami, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York).
She included sample monologues created by other working actors (which were very good) and how to study and create a character through them. She even devoted chapters to child actors, disabled actors and "how to deal with success" once you have it.
She spoke with an enormous number of professionals to create this book, and I was incredibly impressed! Acting is a daunting profession, but I feel much more confident in navigating our crazy world after reading this.
I even jotted down all of her Recommended Reading and just about every play, soap and movie that she mentioned (particularly if she mentioned it more than once) and now I have a ton of side homework - which I am giddy about!
The biggest takeaway from this book is that: Acting is not for everyone. It's not for people who want money or fame. It's for people who love to perform.
Orson Welles: [Actors are highly paid] because they're paying us for all the time we spent [auditioning and waiting]. Because they know that we would gladly act for free.
Not only did Ms. Henry devote entire chapters on how to find work, where to find it, and how to develop character: she also devoted portions to how to find work in certain cities (Miami, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York).
She included sample monologues created by other working actors (which were very good) and how to study and create a character through them. She even devoted chapters to child actors, disabled actors and "how to deal with success" once you have it.
She spoke with an enormous number of professionals to create this book, and I was incredibly impressed! Acting is a daunting profession, but I feel much more confident in navigating our crazy world after reading this.
I even jotted down all of her Recommended Reading and just about every play, soap and movie that she mentioned (particularly if she mentioned it more than once) and now I have a ton of side homework - which I am giddy about!
The biggest takeaway from this book is that: Acting is not for everyone. It's not for people who want money or fame. It's for people who love to perform.
Orson Welles: [Actors are highly paid] because they're paying us for all the time we spent [auditioning and waiting]. Because they know that we would gladly act for free.
May 22, 2022
How to Be a Working Actor helps actors get on the map. It covers finding an agent, succeeding in auditions, and getting professional headshots. This book is slightly dated and is targeted at an American audience.
Why choose this book? It offers some valuable insights into marketing yourself as an actor who is just starting out in the industry.
FilmD, London
Why choose this book? It offers some valuable insights into marketing yourself as an actor who is just starting out in the industry.
FilmD, London
April 1, 2018
Useful and full of coaching! Great reference for Actors/Actresses who become Professional Actors!
January 15, 2009
I wanted to know...book was okay. Not very helpful.
November 24, 2014
Lots of great tips in this book although a bit NYC-centric.
March 13, 2014
It might be time for a new edition. While a good amount of the info is still relevant, all the union stuff is from before the SAG/AFTRA merger and it doesn't handle internet in much depth.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews