Customer Reviews

The Actor's Encyclopedia of Casting Directors: Conversations with Over 100 Casting Directors on How to Get the Job

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I'm not in the habit of recomending industry books, I do praise Karen Kondazian's, The Actor's Encyclopedia of Casting Directors. It's a highly practical, intelligently written work that will be an asset to any working actor or newcpmer who hopes to find work. The information dispened in the Q&A format will help you prepare for any auditon wheter it be for the particular casting director profiled or someone else you may be reading for. A quick note; not one day after reading the book I stepped into an elavator and came face to face with one of the casters profiled in the book, I'd actiually read for this person two years before but for the life of me couldn't remember her name. Then, miracle of miracles I somehow saw her face and name from the book, and was quickly able to make a proper introduction. I use the book regularly before auditons to refresh my memory as to what each casting directors' likes and dislikes are.

This is a well intentioned book, and has 100 interviews with real life Casting Directors. But after repeating the basics over and over with 100 interviews, there is not alot of depth or additional details. The basic teachings, such as being early to the audition, being prepared, being polite, being a professional, being an enthusiastic auditioner.....well, this is repeated for the 100 interviews. It could have been a much better book, with more details, so 3 stars.

What a book! I'm a young actor(who just blew an audition) and this book showed me everything I did wrong. The best part is, w/over 100 c.s.a.'s, the same topics(what they love and hate)keep coming up, and most of them have the same likes and dislikes, so it's not the opinion of just one nut casting director. I've only read half of the book so far and I am psyched for my next audition. I believe this book could be responsible for taking my career to the next level-and anybody else who reads it and takes it seriously. Just about every c.s.a. in there has major TV, film, and commercial credits under their belts. Also, each one tells you if they accept unsolicted headshots, tapes, ect. So buy it!

This is worth the price of the book alone. Now you can actually see what the casting director you are about to meet looks like! If you are an actor, or aspiring actor, get this book -- actually get 2 and keep one in your car. Bravo, Ms. Kondazian!

I enjoy reading this book. It is useful for when you are submitting or auditioning for these casting directors since after reading the book, you know what they want. Or do you? I find people changing their minds very frequently and we as human beings are always changing. What is printed on the book, may no longer be true after a few years. However, it is interesting to read just what each person thinks an actor is or should do during auditions. I think as a whole, the book is useful because it provides some universal principles that we can all treasure and use in every aspect of our lives.

LOVED IT! This is the book I've been looking for! I've been in the industry as a successful actress for 20 years and have always wanted to know first hand what the casting directors think and want. This book also includes valuable interviews from two top directors: James Cameron & John Woo.

As Program Coordinator for the Entertainment Studies department of an adult education school, and as a former actress, I have seen a lot of books that purport to give insight or guidance to the actor, but few that actually deliver any worthwhile or new information. I only wish this book had existed when I was acting! How many times the usual anxiety of auditioning was compounded by having not a clue who I was meeting, which person in the room was the casting director, what they liked, what they didn't-- and what a godsend this book would have been at those times! How much more comfortable I could have been if I had known how much casting

Karen Kondazian's book contains invaluable interviews with many of the entertainment industry's top casting directors. As a producer and actor, it has helped me tremendously when going in to interview with various people included in her book. Because she obviously gets these people to express themselves with great candor, it really gives you insight to them as people and you get a real sense of them as human beings and as professionals. There is great advice for actors from all of them and, as a producer, you can tell if you'd be interested in working with them by their style and what their approach is. And, of course, it is always important for everyone in the business to know who has cast what and what they are currently casting. This book is a wealth of information and it is entertaining and fascinating and is different than the rest of the info. books out there. It's human and special - a must for everyone who needs to be in contact with casting directors! (The interview with Richard Dreyfuss is extra special, too!)

This is a must-have resource for actors, not only for auditioning, but for solid "inside" advice on everything from acting to auditioning to how the business works IN REALITY. Brava!

This is a fantastic up-to-date reference for all actors who are serious about the business! And if you don't want to follow the casting directors' advice, then get out of the business now!I have recommended this book to all the actors at my agency. I just wish it was bigger to include even more LA casting directors.