Casting Directors' Secrets [Paperback]

Ginger Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Sure-fire methods for getting the stage, film, and television parts that talented actors want and deserve are spelled out in this wonderfully helpful resource. The author's multi-faceted career has put her on both sides of the audition scene: sometimes as an actor seeking work; at other times as a casting director doing the hiring. Readers reap the benefits of this dual experience and the knowledge of scores of the author's fellow casting directors about how to make or break a fabulous audition, taking direction, doing monologues, reading with others, pulling off love scenes, and handling comedy scenes versus drama. The book reviews the mistakes most often made at auditions and tells actors how to avoid them so that they will hear those magic words, "You've got the part!"

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...There are a lot of actors working now because of Ginger Howard.” -- Jacques Levy, Obie Award-winning director, Scuba Duba, Oh! Calcutta!, and The Golden Land

“Actors, listen to Ginger!” -- Michael Shurtleff, author of Audition

“Ginger Howard is one the most innovative and important acting teachers of our time!” -- Jerry Orbach, Tony Award-winning Broadway star of 42nd Street, Dirty Dancing, Law and Order, and voice of Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast

“Ginger Howard is the most influential force in today’s market: She trains them! We hire them!” -- Bruce Jay Friedman, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, Splash, Lonely Guy, Dr. Detroit, and playwright for Scuba Duba and Steambath

“There is no doubt; this area of theater is Ginger’s domain! Her classes are electrifying!” -- Alexander H. Cohen, Tony Award-winning Broadway producer

From the Inside Flap

An unparalleled resource, Casting Directors’ Secrets is the indispensable guide that every actor must rely on to climb the ladder to success and establish a phenomenal career in acting. Written by Ginger Howard, a well-know casting director and leading authority on audition and rehearsal techniques with over twenty-five years of experience in the field, Casting Directors’ Secrets takes actors behind the scenes to hear what legendary casting directors have to say about preparing for and performing first-rate auditions. Providing solid tips on issues ranging from treating with respect every member of the audition crew including the monitor and the secretary to understanding the director’s ability to create careers, Howard, whose voice caries a friendly and caring tone, comes through as the acclaimed and encouraging acting coach that every actor must listen to.

In this honest, and pleasant read, actors tell stories of audition mishaps never to be repeated and of auditions where they clinched the coveted role. Acting students and experienced actors won’t want to pass up this wise guide, which shows how to perform brilliantly while maintaining a true professional presence that ignites the magic words, “You got the part!” Casting Directors’ Secrets is packed full with candid advice and practical tips on:

• Audition etiquette and doing the slate
• Surviving the “ice cold” reading and conquering callbacks
• Taking direction and using the space

• Effective use of the voice and body
• Performing the monologue audition and being in character
• Performing comedy versus drama
• Pulling off love scenes and small roles
• Overacting and pretentious acting
• How to avoid the three most frequently made mistakes

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581150725
• ISBN-13: 978-1581150728
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,451,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)