Acting as a Business
Strategies for Success
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4.6 • 10 Ratings
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
An essential handbook for actors–a modern classic–in a newly updated edition.
Since its original publication, Acting as a Business has earned a reputation as an indispensable tool for working and aspiring actors. Avoiding the usual advice about persistence and luck, Brian O’Neil provides clear-cut guidelines that will give actors a solid knowledge of the business behind their art. It’s packed with practical information–on everything from what to say in a cover letter to where to stand when performing in agent’s office–including:
•How to craft a winning theatrical résumé
•The most effective ways to join the performer’s unions
•Tactics for getting an agent
•Strategies for finding work in the theater, on daytime television, and in independent films
•Navigating the different customs and cultures of New York and Los Angeles
O’Neil has updated Acting as a Business to keep up with the latest show-business trends, including how best to use the Internet, making this new edition no actor should be without.
Customer Reviews
For the NYC actor
This book has lots of great advice about how to market yourself to agents and casting directors. There is a big section on how to talk to agents in an interview. That's great. There are definitely things in this book that I will apply to my acting endeavors.
However, I am based in Southern California and this book mostly talks about what is good for the New York actor. It also talks more about Theater acting than about Film acting. Even though this book was written in 2009 it feels older and more outdated.
Still, the author urges all actors to research current and future projects and gives a list of resources on how to do it. Very helpful. I would say it is worth reading if you are serious about starting an acting career. If you already have an agent (that cares and gets you auditions), decent head shots, a decent résumé, and realistically know how the business sees you (aka your "type"), then maybe you don't need this book.