Customer Reviews

Acting As a Business: Strategies for Success, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. O'Neil's last edition of Acting As A Business was the first book that I read when I got out of college, and it proved invaluable in helping me break into the New York acting scene. This latest edition provides even more strategies of how to be a competitive player in the market.

What Mr. O'Neil illustrates in this edition is so direct and clear, yet so many of my peers remain in the dark, because they never read his book. They are continuing to waste their time and money, rather than do what needs to be done, which is outlined in even greater detail in this latest edition.

After reading this book, I landed an agent, had a recurring role as a college student on All My Children, became eligible to join SAG, worked at some top NYC theatres, booked several national commercials, and secured meetings with not only top managers, but with Warner Bros. Televison (twice)- all because I did what Mr. O'Neil said to do!!

Mr. O'Neil's book should be required reading for any aspiring actor, and, moreover, should be part of the cirriculum at any university drama department or acting school.

You might have studied years at the yale school of drama and received your masters from the new school in NYC, but unless you know about the BIZ side of show BUSINESS and will be a great actor lost in a sea of great actors. This book is a start and a must read. It enlightens you to the other half of the story that more and more dramatic conservatories are leaving out of the curriculum. Be light years ahead of the rest by completing this short read.

This book was recommended by the head of an MFA program in the grad school we are looking at. He was right. EXCELLENT book.

This book is a quick read, and has quite a bit of info I haven't found in other similar books. I was definitely geared more toward the New York actor.

Eventhough, it talks mostly for the NY and CA industrial. The sample letters are really useful. Also, the magazines he recommends are also useful here in FL.

I've not read this book, I purchased it as a high school graduation gift for a young friend from my local community theater. He read it, said he got some good stuff out of it, and went on to be employed ever since in PAYING acting jobs--in the Midwest!

All I can say is, this book must provide some pretty good advice, though talent and hard work are no small parts of any degree of success.

I've read and re-read this book. I've read the others too, and this is the best. Brian simply gives concrete and actionable advice that everyone can use and implement. Other books explain how difficult the field is and then give you useless examples of some "stars" lucky break. . . As a professional actor and member of the actors unions - this is the book I recommend.

Advice is addressed to those actors who have already reached a high level of success (i.e. putting broadway credits on their resume) , but the information he is giving is of the utmost basic level. I found the information repetitive of all the information I have already received through classes and school, but in a slightly more pretentious and patronizing tone. Also, DON'T buy this book if you don't live in New York or LA.

If you are looking for career guidance because no one has told you anything before on how to write resumes or cover letters, DO buy this book. If you are looking for that extra edge to help you out, this book is not that extra edge. Go out and meet some people instead.

I have had an interest in drama all my life, but lacked the knowledge of how to go about turning that passion into a career. The last edition of Acting As A Business gave me a specific plan of action, and led me to get into AFTRA, then SAG. This newest edition has even more invaluable information to someone at any stage of their career.

After having purchased a slew of other books that turned out to be full of little more than "pep-talks", this one stands out as a reference tool that I will always have handy. I bought three as gifts for actor friends, and every one of them had something specific they got from it that made Acting As A Business invaluable.

Mr. O'Neil cuts through the mumbo-jumbo and gets right down to business, not only educating, but motivating the reader to take action... the hardest part for MOST creative types.

I especially suggest it to those just starting out. It should be required reading for anyone seeking to de-mystify the baffling task of starting a real, legitimate career as an actor.