Customer Reviews

How to Agent Your Agent

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is wonderful. Humorous and informative; my favorite combination. I am not an aspiring actress, and have only delt with Two Literary Agents in the sale of my first 4 books; however, I found Ms. Rainfords book an excellent resource. I would recomend this book to anyone who has an Agent; is thinking of getting an Agent; wants to become an Agent; or is thinking of leaving her Agent. Or anyone who is going to HOLLYWOOD to PITCH anything.

It's hard to believe Nancy Rainford hasn't written more books. Perhaps a humorous novel about her business? The book flows with the ease of a best selling novel!

5 stars to this one!

Marsha Marks

As an agent, I have a love/hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, I hate it for exposing so many of my secrets. But on the other hand, I love that it's so direct and honest. Nancy ran her own successful talent agency for many years and she obviously knows what she's talking about. So if you're my client, please don't buy this book. But if you're not, I suggest you pick this one up right away.

I hope this isn't too late, but think of this: if you have a son or daughter graduating this year and they say they are going to Hollywood you MUST buy them this book. Here is a book written by the ultimate insider (one who has seen Hollywood from many angles, has worked with the people you only see on the silver screen, and obviously has the gift of gab she writes about). Basically, the author answers the question of why there are is so much good talent waiting tables and driving the Universal Studios tram: you have to WORK to get work in Hollywood. In addition to the inside tips and inside dirt there is a very valuable addition of the resources available to the potential "star." All of this is wrapped up in a very well written package. If you want to act, you pass up this book at your peril.

Could also be the name of Nancy Rainford's insightful and energetic book. How to Agent Your Agent is at once a fun breezy read and the advice every actor needs to set up for themselves a realistic philosophy and strategy creating their success in the wild business of show. To all but brandname actors the interior life of the creature called agent is a mystery. Ms. Rainford dismantles so many myths there's little choice but to draw clean slate on what you think you know about agents. Comparable to "The Art of War," the hunter must understand the nature, habits, and motivations of game sought. If you believe in the value of your craft and take your business seriously read this book not once but over and over. Take a walk in the agents shoes so the agent can walk with you.

This is a great book, I couldn't put it down. My husband and I are both actors, and we actually fought over who got to read it first (we alternated). I have already recommended this book to all of my friends who are actors. It is that valuable and should be required reading for every actor in Hollywood.

The book is not just a primer on the Hollywood protocol and pecking order, but "How to Agent Your Agent" goes into such wonderful detail so as to demystify how an actor should handle his/her agent. So many actors are constantly in a quandry of how to handle a situation with their agents, or they are downright dissatisfied with their agents. This book helps an actor to define what you have control over and what you can change. Years of experience are in this book to help keep actors from making mistakes when it comes representation.

Thank you, Ms. Rainford, for telling it like it is (and being such a great storyteller).

Thi is the best book of its kind that I have encountered. Filled with HONEST tips and insider details, I think this book is a must-read, especially for anyone new in the business, those finding their careers stagnant or unsatisfying and anyone who ever felt they could use a better relationship with their agent. After re-reading that last sentence, I realize this book is a must-read for every actor who feels there is room for growth in their career -- ALL of them.

As someone who writes professionally on getting in, moving up, and making it in entertainment and knows how little information has been available for those on the outside striving to break in, I was thrilled to find this book. It contains information specifically written for the aspiring actor but the author takes care to apply that information to screenwriters and other creative aspirants in Hollywood. The tone is friendly and conversational and she shares some good 'stories from the trenches' too.

I collect "How to Books" because I'm a part-time actor and I'm into self-improvement! I'm always looking for ways to improve my craft and get into an audition I really want. HOW TO AGENT YOUR AGENT gave me some answers, plus a few pointers I hadn't considered, and a lot of insight into stuff that I had never even thought about before. Overall this book is entertaining, witty and thought provoking. More importantly, this writer confirmed that I am on the right track!

Nancy Rainford offers so much great information to actors and writers, but there's also a lot of advice that people can use in their daily lives. It reminds me of Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends and Influence People" applied to show biz. If you were ever wondering why your calls aren't getting returned, the answers lie here......

How to Agent Your Agent is a self-help book of the Hollywood kind: part advice, part industry guide, with a dose of dish. In conversation, Rainford is not exactly charitable when it comes to describing agents agents: "Sharks and lawyer types." Rainford, whose clients have included Jada Pinkett-Smith, Adam Goldberg and Ray Liotta, offers tips to actors and screenwriters on how to squeeze more work from an agent, including "always appear to be busy" and "take credit when you can." Both, she says, will keep the agent motivated. "You have to cajole your agent to work harder for you," she says, adding that not every agent in the industry has understood the importance of what she calls the "three Ss: Sign, and Sell, Service."