Larry Garrison - Breaking into Acting For Dummies

Breaking Into Acting For Dummies® 2nd edition

Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2021 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021934152

ISBN: 978-1-119-78969-7

ISBN: 978-1-119-78970-3 (ebk); ISBN: 978-1-119-78971-0 (ebk)

1 Cover

2 Title Page

3 Copyright

4 Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here

5 Part 1: Figuring Out the Business of Acting Chapter 1: Staying on Top of the Changes in Show Business Understanding the World of Acting What You Need to Succeed Taking Your First Steps in Show Business Discovering the Many Ways to Make Money as an Actor Managing Money (A Little or a Lot) Knowing What to Expect from an Acting Career Chapter 2: Discovering How Show Business Has Changed and Adapted Understanding the Business of Show Business Taking It “from the Top” — It All Begins with an Idea Selling an Idea Producing a Script Going into Production Action: It’s Showtime! Cleaning Up in Post-Production Distributing the Product Chapter 3: From Agents, Managers, and Unions: Introducing the Movers and Shakers Producers: The Champions of Every Project Directors: The Bosses on the Set Writers: The Idea Makers The Studios: The Ones That Make Everything Possible Casting Directors: The Gatekeepers Agents: Your Door to Show Business Personal and Business Managers: The Guiding Forces Behind the Scenes Actors: The Talent in Front of the Spotlight Unions: An Actor’s Best Friend

6 Part 2: Packaging and Marketing Yourself Chapter 4: Making a Great First Impression with a Head Shot and Samples of Your Work Introducing the Head Shot: An Actor’s Calling Card Examining Variations on the Standard Creating the Perfect Head Shot Getting Your Head Shot Ready Publicizing Your Head Shot with a Twist Avoiding Problems with Head Shots Using Film to Represent Your Work Chapter 5: Creating a Five-Star Acting Resume Tackling the Basics of Creating a Resume Creating an Online Resume Identifying the Info to Include Avoiding Resume No-Nos Examining Sample Resumes Chapter 6: Training to Improve Your Acting Skills Mastering the Art of Auditioning: Taking Classes Improving Your Performing Skills Developing Physical Fitness Skills Improving Your Unique Skills

7 Part 3: Taking Your First Steps into Show Business Chapter 7: Representing Yourself, Networking, and Promoting Yourself on Websites Looking for Your Own Work Advertising Yourself Showcasing Yourself Chapter 8: Seeking Representation: An Agent, Manager, and/or an Entertainment Attorney Differentiating between Agents, Managers, and Entertainment Attorneys Getting the Ball Rolling to Find Representation Interviewing with Prospective Representation Signing On with an Agent Working with Your Agent Releasing Your Agent Chapter 9: Auditioning: The Art of What You Need to Know Looking at the Types of Auditions Auditioning from Home Preparing for an Audition Arriving at the Audition or Callback Impressing a Casting Director Auditioning: What to Expect Preparing for the Next Audition Hoping for the Best That Can Happen: The Callback Dealing with Rejection Saying Thank You Chapter 10: Understanding Diversity Challenges in Show Business Defining Who You Are in the World of Diversity Finding Representation Seeking Diversity in Casting Acknowledging Diversity in the Academy and Emmy Awards Chapter 11: Adapting to Difficult Personalities Dealing with Professionals Respecting Your Fellow Actor Respecting Everyone on the Set

8 Part 4: Scoping Out the Markets Chapter 12: Acting in Film and Television Landing a Job Filming from Different Locations Using Your Computer and Phone Acting in Front of the Camera Versus Acting on the Stage Fine-Tuning Your Performance on Film Performing on a Set Participating in Post-Production: Looping Gaining Experience and Exposure by Working in Different Markets Chapter 13: Acting in Commercials Understanding How a Commercial Gets Made Preparing for a Career in Commercials Auditioning for a Commercial Role Understanding the Market for Commercials The Wonderful New World of Commercials Chapter 14: Acting in Theater Mastering Your Skills Onstage Gearing Up for a Theatrical Career Auditioning for Theater Familiarizing Yourself with Stage Types Rehearsing for a Play Working in Different Markets Chapter 15: Performing without Being Seen: Voice-Over Acting What You Need to Succeed in Voice-Over Acting Training for a Voice-Over Career Finding Voice-Over Work Preparing Your Demo Getting an Agent or Manager Auditioning for Voice-Over Work Getting Paid as a Voice-Over Actor Chapter 16: Working As an Extra Delving into the Glamorous World of an Extra Appreciating the Advantages of Being an Extra Advancing Your Career Beyond an Extra Chapter 17: Getting Your Kid into Show Biz Considering the Commitment Exploring the Acting Options Investigating the Biz of Child Acting Helping Your Child Deal with the Ups and Downs of Show Business