Breaking Into Acting - 2nd Edition

Understand the business side of your showbiz career
 
We all know acting can be a glittering whirl of glamour--plush red carpets, simply divine outfits, huge sums of money, and oh, the parties! But what a lot of wannabe actors forget is that it takes a lot of practical work to get to the flashbulbs of your first premiere, and that the savviest actors put as much stress on the business side of the profession as they do on the show. Breaking Into Acting For Dummies demystifies the behind-the-curtain side of showbiz to help you understand how it really works, who the decision-makers are, what they're looking for when they're picking talent, and how to get them on your side. If you truly want to be the next Emma Stone or Leonardo DiCaprio, you'll want to have a well-thumbed copy of this book alongside your pile of scripts.
 
Written by two friendly insiders, this guide takes you behind the scenes to help you map out your plan of attack, showing you how to open doors--and keep them open--and use your time wisely, so you're not breaking a leg rushing from one random audition to another. You'll understand how to flesh out your professional persona as thoroughly as a movie part, craft your resume as minutely as a script, and judge the angle of your headshots and webcam appearances as intimately as any director. Once you've mastered these skills, it's time to go to market as your own publicity department, building your media and online presence until everyone who's anyone knows exactly who you are.
* Understand different acting markets--from theater to commercials
* Network in-person and online
* Build your image via resumes, head shots, and webcam
* Keep a firm grip on the financial side
 
Whether you're studying, a hopeful amateur, or have been treading the boards for a while, this is your breakthrough script for succeeding in the business of acting, and for learning how to play your ultimate role: yourself.

Sommario

Introduction 1
 
Part 1: Figuring Out the Business of Acting 5
 
Chapter 1: Staying on Top of the Changes in Show Business 7
 
Chapter 2: Discovering How Show Business Has Changed and Adapted 15
 
Chapter 3: From Agents, Managers, and Unions: Introducing the Movers and Shakers 27
 
Part 2: Packaging and Marketing Yourself 41
 
Chapter 4: Making a Great First Impression with a Head Shot and Samples of Your Work 43
 
Chapter 5: Creating a Five-Star Acting Resume 55
 
Chapter 6: Training to Improve Your Acting Skills 69
 
Part 3: Taking Your First Steps into Show Business 79
 
Chapter 7: Representing Yourself, Networking, and Promoting Yourself on Websites 81
 
Chapter 8: Seeking Representation: An Agent, Manager, and/or an Entertainment Attorney 89
 
Chapter 9: Auditioning: The Art of What You Need to Know 113
 
Chapter 10: Understanding Diversity Challenges in Show Business 129
 
Chapter 11: Adapting to Difficult Personalities 137
 
Part 4: Scoping Out the Markets 143
 
Chapter 12: Acting in Film and Television 145
 
Chapter 13: Acting in Commercials 165
 
Chapter 14: Acting in Theater 177
 
Chapter 15: Performing without Being Seen: Voice-Over Acting 197
 
Chapter 16: Working As an Extra 209
 
Chapter 17: Getting Your Kid into Show Biz 221
 
Part 5: Managing Your Money as an Actor 239
 
Chapter 18: Don't Get Ripped Off! Avoiding Con Games, Scams, and Self-Destruction 241
 
Chapter 19: Working to Pay Your Bills until You Hit It Big 259
 
Chapter 20: Managing Your Finances 273
 
Part 6: The Part of Tens 283
 
Chapter 21: Ten Myths Debunked about Show Business 285
 
Chapter 22: Ten Traits of Successful Actors 293
 
Chapter 23: Ten Tips for Improving As an Actor 303
 
Chapter 24: Ten Ways to Act Just for the Fun of It 311
 
Index 319

Info autore

Larry Garrison is President of SilverCreek Entertainment. He's worked as a producer/actor in TV and film in Los Angeles for more than 30 years. His company has produced news stories for ABC and NBC News.
Wallace Wang is a stand-up comedian and the author of more than 10 bestselling For Dummies books. He focuses on screenwriting, movies, and comedy.

Riassunto

Understand the business side of your showbiz career

We all know acting can be a glittering whirl of glamour--plush red carpets, simply divine outfits, huge sums of money, and oh, the parties! But what a lot of wannabe actors forget is that it takes a lot of practical work to get to the flashbulbs of your first premiere, and that the savviest actors put as much stress on the business side of the profession as they do on the show. Breaking Into Acting For Dummies demystifies the behind-the-curtain side of showbiz to help you understand how it really works, who the decision-makers are, what they're looking for when they're picking talent, and how to get them on your side. If you truly want to be the next Emma Stone or Leonardo DiCaprio, you'll want to have a well-thumbed copy of this book alongside your pile of scripts.

Written by two friendly insiders, this guide takes you behind the scenes to help you map out your plan of attack, showing you how to open doors--and keep them open--and use your time wisely, so you're not breaking a leg rushing from one random audition to another. You'll understand how to flesh out your professional persona as thoroughly as a movie part, craft your resume as minutely as a script, and judge the angle of your headshots and webcam appearances as intimately as any director. Once you've mastered these skills, it's time to go to market as your own publicity department, building your media and online presence until everyone who's anyone knows exactly who you are.
* Understand different acting markets--from theater to commercials
* Network in-person and online
* Build your image via resumes, head shots, and webcam
* Keep a firm grip on the financial side

Whether you're studying, a hopeful amateur, or have been treading the boards for a while, this is your breakthrough script for succeeding in the business of acting, and for learning how to play your ultimate role: yourself.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: L Garrison, Larr Garrison, Larry Garrison, Larry Wang Garrison, Garrison Larry, Wallace Wang, Wang Wallace
• Editore: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 30.06.2021
• EAN: 9781119789697
• ISBN: 978-1-119-78969-7
• Pagine: 352
• Serie: For Dummies
• Categorie: Scienze umane, arte, musica > Arte > Teatro, balletto; Lifestyle, Dance, Schauspielkunst, Other performing arts, Lifestyles, Television, Movies & Theatre, Fernsehen, Kino u. Theater