Larry Garrison - Breaking into Acting For Dummies

Since the publication of the first edition of this book, the acting world’s modus operandi has changed drastically. We address these changes throughout the book. Some of these changes may be permanent, whereas others may revert back to the original way. You may choose what works best for you.

No matter how much (or how little) acting experience you may have, you can start pursuing an acting career right now — no matter where you happen to live — and this book shows you how.

Although acting may seem exotic and enticing, it can also be terrifying and frustrating as well — but only if you don’t know what you’re doing. Naturally, this book can’t guarantee that you’ll succeed as an actor, but by following the information in this book, you can increase your chances of success immensely whether you’re a beginning actor or someone who already has plenty of experience performing on stage or in front of the camera but may need help in pushing your acting career up to the next level of success.

Specifically, this book can help you break into the world of show business that includes acting in movies, television, stage plays, and the Internet. You’ll discover what casting directors look for, figure out how to prepare yourself for those all-important auditions, and find out how to take control of your acting career so you can succeed as quickly as possible.

Acting is more than just about talent; it’s a business, as well. By showing you the business of acting, this book gives you information that many actors either overlook or simply don’t know where to find. Written in plain English with plenty of information that both novice and experienced actors can use, this updated edition of Breaking Into Acting For Dummies can be your guide and reference for succeeding as an actor.

In this new edition, we’ve added or revised the following:

The new way of auditioning from home

How to use the breakdowns for current casting of acting roles

Where you can acting opportunities on the Internet

The best ways to promote yourself online

How diversity has changed the business

We also strive to be inclusive to all genders. Hence, in some chapters, we use the he/him, in some chapters she/her, and in some chapters they/them.

We assume a few things about you. For starters, you have an open mind and believe in yourself. Also, we assume that you’re

Mentally stable and know why you want to go into acting. (If you want to go into acting for money or attention, you really need a book like “Greed For Dummies,” or “Getting the Attention the World Owes You For Dummies” instead.)

Ready to jump into areas of life that may be completely new and unfamiliar to you.

Willing to explore, to take risks, and to trust that you have the ability to do whatever you want to do — if you really want to do it.

Willing to learn the business of acting.

Able to handle rejection.

To help you remember the important points of each chapter, this book marks certain paragraphs with helpful icons. Some icons highlight useful information; others offer shortcuts to help you break into acting more quickly and easily; and other icons wave a red flag in your face to warn you about some of the possible dangers that could sabotage your acting career.

Tip icons highlight useful information that can save you time or money in helping you pursue your dream of acting.

This icon highlights useful ideas or information that you may not want to forget. This icon also spotlights important acting-related terms that you’re likely to hear when hanging around other show business people. By flipping through this book and looking for all the Remember icons, you can quickly read the most important information in each chapter.

Watch out! This icon flags certain traps or pitfalls that can slow down, delay, or actually hurt your fledging acting career.

If you’re serious (or just plain curious) about acting as a career and you have no experience whatsoever, start with Chapter 1to grasp the basics of the wonderfully wacky world of show business that you’re about to join.

If you have some acting experience, you may want to skim through Parts 1and 2and jump right into deciding how to market yourself or into exploring the different types of acting jobs you could start investigating.

Of course, not everyone may want to pursue acting full-time, so for readers who are considering acting just part-time or as a hobby, look at Chapter 24. That chapter reveals the abundance of opportunity available to anyone who sees acting as just a really cool hobby that allows them to express themselves in public without getting arrested.

Consider this book as a gentle guide that you can browse through, skim, and even ignore as you want. Just remember to keep your sense of humor and enjoy your life right now, no matter what your dreams may lead you toward — and you’ll always be happy no matter what amount of success you may ultimately achieve.

The purpose of acting (or any career) isn’t just to make money. The purpose is to enjoy yourself and experience your dream. Armed with the information in this book, you can have fun as you break into the exciting and unpredictable world of acting.

For more handy information, check out the Cheat Sheet at www.dummies.com ; just search for “Breaking into Acting Cheat Sheet” for advice you can refer to again and again.

Part 1

IN THIS PART …

Understand show business is a business, which is the first rule in show business if you want to succeed.

Recognize the needs and desires of the people who control the money in the world of film, television, and theater so you can better grasp what your role is as an actor.

Figure out how to market yourself on a professional level.

Follow the casting calls that are appropriate for your type.

Chapter 1

IN THIS CHAPTER

Succeeding in show business

Comprehending how show business works

Preparing yourself for an acting career

Nearly everyone fantasizes at one time or another about being a star. Who wouldn’t love to see their name on a big-screen marquee or experience the thrill of bowing before an audience that’s giving a standing ovation just for you?

For many people, the idea of becoming a star in show business will always remain just a dream. This chapter serves as your starting point to guide you; perhaps you can be one of those few who turn their dreams of acting into reality.

Understanding the two sides of show business is important. On one hand, you have the “show,” which means learning how to act and includes the glamour and fame that comes from being a star. On the other hand, you have the “business,” which includes the money and the negotiations that make a profit for everyone involved. The business side also means treating acting as a business, so you can get paid to act. If you remember nothing else from this book, at least remember this: Acting is a business. The more you treat acting like a business, the more likely you’ll be to succeed.