Breaking Into Acting For Dummies

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.

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.

Break into showbiz--the right way! Do you dream about being the next Halle Berry or Tom Hanks? Whether you're still studying, you're a newly minted pro, or you've been working in the biz for a while, this brand-new edition of Breaking Into Acting For Dummies can help you make all the right choices. From working with the right representation to hiring a professional photographer to take your head shot, and from uploading your resume and acting clips online to auditioning the right way, this handy guide gives you the lowdown on what you need to do to make a living as an actor--no matter whether it's onstage, onscreen, or as an extra or voice-over actor. Inside. . . Join various casting sites on the internet Network like a pro Get the perfect head shot Write a compelling resume Create an audition clip that will wow Land a commercial role Take acting classes for selfimprovement Find acting-related work to pay bills

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