Customer Reviews

Twelve Step Plan to Becoming an Actor in L.A.: The Method to Create a Life

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Most of these reviews of this book are an attempt to sell the book by the author/publisher. Check out all 44+ reviews and you will quickly see a pattern of the same reviewers over and over again.

Here is my review. This book is useless. Don't buy it! If you must, borrow it, then you'll see plainly what I mean.

There really should be a way for amazon to detect this type of deception that most of the so-called "reviewers" have used here.

I've bought several books; most of the books I've read are people who have already been there and done that, and are now helping other people who wish to travel down the same road in the film industry. I read the twelve step plan and e-mailed Dawn; she answered my e-mail within a day or so, she told me if I had any questions just e-mail her again. She is there to help, just as her book pointed out ways to get you started on the right track. After reading the twelve step plan I decided I wanted to do it right, so I enrolled at Indiana University East and picked acting as my major. For anyone looking to be an actor; the degree your looking for is Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. The Humanities degree gives you all the directing,acting and film editing skills you need to aid your quest. "College is just my first step plan, just like everything else in life, you have to be willing to go the distance, so take it seriously". "Dawn is so right, plan ahead and set your goals, then follow through with the twelve step plan".Did I mention plan ahead? Plan ahead! Way ahead! Dori also did a great job on pointing out what not to do while I was reading this book. The twelve step plan explains things in perfect detail;street names, agencies,agents,places like your nearest SAG office, the best places to eat,live and great places to meet people in the film Industry.Countless names and addresses of important places and people you need to visit on your journey. This book is a must read if your ever thinking of attempting a career as an actor; the book prevents you from making mistakes and wasting time. Personaly, here's my advice, also plan ahead what kind of day job your going to have while your going on auditions and getting started, it might as well be the film industry, so I'm taking some film editing classes. Either way I'll be working in the film industry till I get my big break as an actor. So good luck and think positive, see you in L.A.

I live in Europe and work with a group of talented young men and women struggling to "make-it" in the entertainment business. When I saw this book for sale on the internet, I decided to purchase it for the them as a gift and translate it to them. We went through all the steps in a seminar-type style. Slowly, I found myself coaching these kids, watching marked improvement in their self-esteem and organizational skills. Although some of the sections were not totally relevent to the Greek enterntainment industry, the book in whole was a very useful tool -- helping them understand and enhance their abilities and teaching them to strive for their dreams and goals. My first student "kostas" performs in his first show tomorrow night!!!

If you are an actor, you must read this book. Most actors place the control of their careers in the hands of a few people from which they hope to recieve their "big break" . Ms. Lerman outlines the method that should be used to empower yourself by taking a proactive approach to your own career. The "Twelve Step Plan to Becoming an Actor in L.A." should be required reading in all acting classes, as important as any book used to teach acting technique. This is true whether you live in L.A., New York, or any city in between.

In the beginning, if only I had known these 12 steps. The time, effort & anguish I could have saved myself. It would have cut off many years of the 27 I struggled to get the part that finally put me on the map.

So many things one would not even consider, except they are there in black & white. This is worth a post graduate degree. So start studying.

Now we must plan how to have all the hopefuls heading to Hollywood obtain a copy of "12 steps to,,,".

I moved out to LA from NYC and found the whole acting business very intimidating. It was my good fortune that a fellow actor I met at a commercial casting recommended this inspiring book to me. It is filled with valuable information that all actors new to this city need to have at their fingertips. Dawn Lerman practically takes you by the hand and walks you thru all the things you can do to promote your success in an incredibly competitive industry. She writes not only with the saviness of an actor who has learned to hustle to manifest success but the heart and care of a drama therapist. I appreciate Lerman's diligent study of how to take as much control as possible in a career where you can feel so powerless. Many thanks to the authors!

As a professional actor, and rock climber
I found this book a great guide and map, not only to career sucess but personal success. It led me along a clear one year personal track with pages to track my progress.

I found this book after hearing Dawn on the morning show Behind the velvet Ropes.The book was as charmig as her radio interview
If you can catch one of her lectures at your local drama bookstores I highly suggest it. She has great tips for breaking into the industry and she does not take herself too seriosly. It makes you feel like you can do it, similar to the guys who did my date with Drew. Kick off your week with the two. Peace

Twelve Step Plan To Becoming an Actor in L.A. by Dawn Lerman & Dori Keller is a must for anyone who wants to start a career there. The huge city can be daunting if you have no money and no contacts. The authors, now have successful careers in L.A. and tell you how to make it happen for yourself. The detail their experiences of arriving as unknowns, and they give excellent step-by-step guidance to helping yourself succeed in this difficult profession. By creating a plan and working each step in order you can make your dreams come true, but not by just dreaming! This book is a perfect going away gift for anyone about to tackle the big city. Whether or not you want to be an actor, this book is an excellent guide to how to survive in the city with many helpful businesses and phone numbers listed.

There are many books about cracking the code to air-tight worlds of media. Publishing, Fashion, music, movies, TV. There are similarities between each and you can usually gleen a few nuggets of insight from them. What I appreciated most about this book is its over-arching organization. There is a flow to it; a logical progression. I'm not in AA, but I imagine there are similarities between the precarious nature of being a recovering addict and taking the leap of faith into the life of an artist or performer. The 12 steps outlined here are ones you use as guideposts; something to hold on to and refer back to again and again when you are uncertain what to do next. If you slip up in a step, you simply back up correct it later.

I'd love to be a star and I'll work my ass off for it. But this book doesn't promise that. It's simply a guide to becoming a working professional in the epicenter of an extremely competitive industry. It's worth a read.

This was a really great book for young actors, because it lays out the reality of an actor's life in LA. The listings of places to go to see and be seen are dead on. But what's most appealing about this book is the 'plan.' In relatively few months, I arrived in LA and soon had my life as an actor. It took a little while longer than I expected, I always want things faster, but since following the steps, I've made great contacts and auditioned for many casting agents.