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Hollywood Be Thy Name: An Inside Look at Hollywood Actors and Extras
 
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Hollywood Be Thy Name: An Inside Look at Hollywood Actors and Extras (Paperback)

by Jeff Lawrence (Author), Shirley Lawrence (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
What it takes to become an actor in Hollywood films


This book is for those who aspire to become an actor in Hollywood, a re-actor in the background as an extra, or just enjoy reading about the business. In Part 1 Shirley & Jeff each tell their many chances for stardom and why they decided to work as extras. Part 2 is about the movie business: how it was in the beginning and what it is like now. In Part 3 you will meet some interesting extras and also read true untold stories about stars, and directors. You can pick up a rag sheet and read all sorts of things that may or may not be true, but in this book are only the true accounts as seen and heard first hand. This may be the only book about both actors and extras - something that should be informative and fun reading for everyone.
Our promise: You will be entertained!


About the Author
Jeff, born Lawrence Volkert, and Shirley Blackwell met and married while working in Hollywood Studios.
Jeff had been a chaplain's assistant in the army, an organist and singer.
Shirley sang in operas & musicals. As runner-up for a screen test, was invited to come to Hollywood.

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 440 pages
  • Publisher: Outskirts Press (June 16, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1598001558
  • ISBN-13: 978-1598001556
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,499,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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4 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood Seen Through Eyes of the Extras, November 5, 2006
Entertaining, easy to read, episodes in the lives of two Hollywood extras. Reveals facts and heresay about many famous movie personalities, actors, producers, directors, etc. It is refreshing to read of two people who fell in love and felt that living in accord with moral principles was more important than a quick way to success.

Barbara Morse
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Seeing the otherside of Hollywood, August 24, 2006
By seraphim (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
This is a fast enjoyable read. Through their eyes, we are exposed to a very different Hollywood. Vastly different from the one we fantasize about. Through the eyes of Hollywood extras, we are shown what it takes to "break" into show business. The ancedotes are light and entertaining, but also offer a darker picture of the realities of an actor. Many of the Hollywood elite consider an extra a moving prop. It is through Shirley & Jeff's eyes, that the every day humaness of the extra is shown to us.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood Revealed!, April 10, 2008
Shirley and Jeff Lawrence worked for years in the entertainment industry and share their experiences in this 420 page book. The book contains 3 sections: Part 1 "My Story - His Story - Our Story". This section shares their collective and individual experiences. How they got in the business, people they worked with etc. Part II "Working in Movies". This section describes films in the beginning, the life of film extras, casting couch stories and stunt work etc. Part III "Extras, Directors and Stars". In this section Shirley and Jeff share more stories about people in the industry.

The book is written in a an easy to read style, with the names of the stars, extras etc in bold black text so they pop out.

It's a very interesting read. Shirley and Jeff name names and share the good, the bad and the ugly. Because of the era they worked in most of the names would be recognized by many baby boomers but not by today's younger generation. But though the names of the famous have changed the scenarios have not. Shirley and Jeff describe what it is like to work in the business with an emphasis on what it is like to be an "extra". They describe how extras are may be treated poorly, taken advantage of and not given that break because they uphold good values.Though I had heard about the "casting couch" in Hollywood, I never realized that it was so prevelent. They vividly describe the heartache and ups and downs of the business. One minute you think you have a deal and the next you don't.

It's an eye opening read and highly recommended if your intent is to try and make it in the industry or if you want to read about what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywoodland!

~Lee Mellott
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Page-Turner!
Your wonderful book about Hollywood was by far THE most enjoyable, engrossing, delightful, romantic (J & S), funny, shocking book I have ever read! A real page-turner. Read more
Published on November 18, 2006 by Elaine Baum

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