Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Paul Russell's book is extremely informative and insightful. As a working actor, I can honestly say it offers valuable information for ANY actor, young or old, new to the business or at the height of their career. Aside from offering the most up to date marketing tools for actors available today, the humorous, blunt tone with which he speaks to the reader is often refreshing and quite entertaining. Paul Russell's book has inspired me to take steps to move forward to the next level of my career. I urge actors everywhere to read it! Kudos Paul!

I've got great news for any and all professional, pre-professional, and aspiring actors... this book has all the information you could ever need to market yourself as a performer. It covers everything from headshot and resume to shopping for an agent (with examples of right and wrong). I have worked professionally as a regional actor nonstop for 6 years, but I still learned a great deal from this book and Paul. It was extremely eye opening to be alerted to all my mistakes over the years, and how easy it was to make myself more appealing to the people on the other side of the casting table. I would recommend it to everyone in the field, and if ever given the chance take a workshop with Paul Russell, DO IT. He is just a wealth of knowledge in print and in person. You can tell by the way he candidly speaks that he has been in your shoes. I for one am so glad to have a current look at the casting scene as most books on the subject seem to date back at least to the early 90's. This book is a great guide and should definitely be on your must read list.

Paul Russell's ACTING: MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS is an indispensible tool for every actor. This book contains the best information you'll find anywhere - and lots of information you'll find nowhere else- about the business half of "Show Business." Mr. Russell takes a good deal of the mystery out of how to market yourself to EFFECTIVELY communicate with agents and casting directors. I've been a professional actor for years, but I never felt truly confident about how to conduct myself in terms of correspondence and marketing materials. I've read pretty much everything out there over the years, but this book absolutely set me on the right path. I have booked jobs from auditions that I never would have gotten had it not been for the advice in ACTING: MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS. Once you learn how to communicate in a polished and professional way outside of the audition room, you'll find yourself inside a whole lot more audition rooms having the opportunity to do what you do best! Actors everywhere should read this book. You'll never think of your career the same way again.

There is one point I'd like to add to the other excellent reviews of Acting: Make it Your Business. We must all arm ourselves with as much information, frightening as well as supportive, before making critical life decisions. I've known Paul for years. He knows EVERYthing about Show Biz and, though 100% sensitive to whomever he speaks/writes, he is always honest (sometimes brutally so). Folks contemplating the pursuit of acting as a career might risk changing their minds after reading in Paul's book about the gauntlet of steel-tipped whips and rings of fire they'll have to run through JUST TO GET TO THE STARTING LINE--an audition or interview--of an extremely crowded race. I was an always-working actor/singer back in the 80's who gave it up to marry, own a house, raise a kid, teach, edit, etc.; lately I found myself with time on my hands and a still-burning desire to "make it as an actor", so I rejoined the Big Three unions and devoured Paul's book. Cringe followed cringe followed cringe followed cringe. I began to realize that teaching, band-singing, performing with jazz pianists and putting together my own cabaret shows is enough professional acting for me. If you're considering acting as YOUR business, you must read Paul's book.

I red it and I think it's a very helpful guide to any actor, wether you are new or old in this business it's a must read book to understand and to improve your changes to become the best actor you can be.

As a beginner actor this book was filled with a ton of useful information. The first chapter starts off fairly slow, but dont give up on it. Because after the slowness it opens up to alot of things that you should know if you want to be successful in the Acting World. If your like me and dont know much about the "business" then you need to read this. As for people who have been acting for awhile and may know the business i cant say for sure how much you know or dont know, but this is a great read. I just finished reading the book and im sure i will re-read it in a month or two so i can really absorb everything it has to offer. Good Luck, and Enjoy!

If you're trying to work as an actor, singer, dancer, or comedian, this book is a necessity. Everything you need to know is inside from how to construct a resume and cover letter to what actually happens in an audition. The information is detailed, honest, and above all else, helpful. Since employing the knowledge that I gained from this book I've gotten more auditions and callbacks than ever before in my career. This book holds the keys to success and fulfillment through honesty and practicality and is the best resource I have yet to come across. Getting an insiders perspective on the workings of the entertainment business is invaluable and usually costs a great deal of money and involves sitting in class after class. This book allows you to learn at your leisure and is worth its weight in gold. Do yourself a huge favor and buy this book!!