Breaking Into Acting for Dummies (Paperback)

by Larry Garrison (Author), Wallace Wang (Author) "A head shot is a photograph that acts as your calling card by displaying your face for others to see when you can't be present..." (more)
Key Phrases: commercial head shot, auditioning classes, many aspiring actors, New York, Los Angeles, Steven Spielberg (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Provides the expert advice you need to get your big break!

Jump-start your career and land that paying part

From preparing for auditions to finding an agent, the acting business is a challenging and competitive field. This indispensable guide is what every aspiring actor needs to get a foot in the door. Discover how to market yourself, choose a dynamic head shot, create a stellar acting resume, join unions, and pay the bills while you pursue your acting dreams.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

From the Back Cover
Provides the expert advice you need to get your big break!

Jump-start your career and land that paying part

From preparing for auditions to finding an agent, the acting business is a challenging and competitive field. This indispensable guide is what every aspiring actor needs to get a foot in the door. Discover how to market yourself, choose a dynamic head shot, create a stellar acting resume, join unions, and pay the bills while you pursue your acting dreams.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (August 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764554468
• ISBN-13: 978-0764554469
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,111 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Beginners, February 29, 2004

By	Donna G. Grayson "Donna G. Grayson" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

For anyone who has always wanted to be an actor, but has no idea where to begin - this is a great book. It covers all the basic like getting an agent, your headshot and resume, the unions. And even deals with more intermediate stuff like marketing yourself as an actor, auditioning and managing your money. I found the chapters on acting in Film and Television, Commercials and Theatre to be very helpful, since each is so different from eachother. The book also covers getting Voice-over work, and working as an Extra. There is even a chapter on getting your kids into acting.
This books touches on alot of different topics and is a very good starting book for the beginning actor.

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great start- here's more, June 29, 2004

By A Customer

This book is a great start, of course the best way to learn is by throwing yourself in there. Other things I recommend as a working actor in LA:
Backstage West- for all the audtion listings

"Voice Lessons To Go" by Vaccarino, hey you know we all need to sing as some audition at one time or another-these are great.

"The Artist Way" by, Cameron- it has helped me and so many of my friends gain confidence and clarity- love this.
craigslist.org for more audition listings- free!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter..., July 27, 2003

By A Customer

The book is called "Breaking Into Acting" and it tells you how to do just that. It gives you the information you need to know to get started and some information to keep going. The format of the entire book is ESPECIALLY helpful! Each chapter is basically an in-depth outline, and the print was easy to read. I especially find the chapters on how to make a resume, how to get an agent, and what to expect on a set helpful.

It covers almost everything--film, theatre, commercials, kids in acting, directors, auditions, etc. It is a great book for people who are starting out, wanting some direction, or are just plain curious about the business. I find this book a helpful one that I look back on once in a while.