Acting: Make It Your Business - How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor [Paperback]

Paul Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

Acting: Make It Your Business, written by an award-winning, veteran casting director, puts the power to land jobs and thrive in any medium - stage, film, TV, or the Internet - directly into the hands of the actor. This blunt, wise, and often hilarious guide overflows with cutting-edge audition, marketing, and networking strategies, combining traditional techniques with those best suited for the digital age. Well-known actors and powerful agents make cameos throughout, offering newcombers and working professionals alike a clear-eyed, uncensored perspective on survival and advancement within the entertainment industry.

"Huorous and witty . . . Actors everywhere who are trying to succeed in the business, young or old, on stage or on camera, in New York or anywhere in the world, take note: This is your road map."
- Bernard Telsey, casting director (Rent, Sex & The City: The Movie, Wicked)

"All the right questions asked and answered . . . and with a generous portion of good humor."
- Suzanne Ryan, casting director (Law & Order)

"Paul's book made me proud to be a part of the acting community in this business we call 'show.'"
- Karen Ziemba, actress, Tony and Drama Desk Award Winner

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Russell's career as a casting director, director, and former actor has spanned nearly thirty years. He has worked on projects for major film studios, television networks, Broadway, and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823099555
• ISBN-13: 978-0823099559
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Performing Arts

More About the Author

Paul Russell's career as a casting director, director, acting teacher and former actor has spanned nearly thirty years. He has worked on projects for major film studios, television networks, and Broadway. Paul has taught the business of acting and audition technique at NYU and has spoken at universities including Yale, Temple and the University of the Arts. He writes a column for Back Stage and is the author of ACTING: Make It Your Business - How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor. For more information, please visit www.PaulRussell.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The is book can really change your Professional outlook, December 9, 2008

By 

William Perez "W Perez" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acting: Make It Your Business - How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor (Paperback)

Paul Russell's book apart from being witty and enjoyable has not only given me the extra kick in the seat that I needed but it really motivated me and has set me on the right track. Of course everything in the "Buisness" is subjective and there is no totally right & wrong way of going about things. But Paul Russell's book actually helps you understand and decide for yourself how not to make common mistakes. Mistakes that at first might seem small to you, but come across as unprofessional to the auditors & agents you are presenting yourself for. His approach on how a resume should look and what information it should contain is dead on! Because of Paul Russell I now own my domain, have perfected the look of my resume and am comfortable with just being me when I present myself before any casting individual. Do yourself a favor and get this book. As a professional actor/singer in the theater buisness for almost 8 years, this one is a keeper.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Actors are Talking About, November 14, 2008

By 

Edward J. Longo (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acting: Make It Your Business - How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor (Paperback)

As an actor I found this book very helpful, whether for marketing myself as an actor, presenting works to a casting director, or seeking an agent for representation . . . Edward, dramatic actor WEBSITE [...] Collection of Short Stories

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Headshots and Resumes, excellent advice, February 13, 2010

By 

Shep Slater "Shep" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Acting: Make It Your Business - How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor (Paperback)

My favorite part of the book was on headshots & resumes. I found the information to be extremely helpful and well worth the cost of the book for this section alone. When you actually sit down and think aboout what the author is talking about it makes a lot of sense. The rest of the book was really not my cup of tea but for the beginning actor or an actor having trouble in specific areas the advice will be very helpful.