Description
Book SynopsisThe Actor's Business Plan is a self-directed practical guide for actors graduating from formal training programs, as well as for those already in the business whose careers need to move ahead more successfully. Using the familiar language of acting training, the book offers a method for the achievement of dreams through a five-year life and career plan giving positive steps to develop a happy life as an actor and as a person. It assists performers to flourish using the same kind of business/career planning that is a necessary part of life for entrepreneurs and business people. This introduction to the acting industry provides essential knowledge not only for how the business actually works, but also describes what casting directors, agents, and managers do, demystifies the role of unions, discusses how much things cost, and offers advice on branding and marketing strategies. It differs from other such handbooks in that it addresses the everyday issues of life, money, and jobs th
Trade ReviewSince actors spend much more time seeking and preparing for roles than actually acting, a career in acting should be viewed as a business. An actor, like any other professional, needs career plans, which pretty much sums up the main message of this work by veteran actor, director/producer, and agent Brody. Individual chapters cover the development of a five-year plan to achieve one's goals, getting an agent, and trying to land a job in a desired theater. Also covered are topics such as taking coaching classes, trying out for roles, handling life-plan obstacles (e.g., student debt), and dealing with business expenses (e.g., headshots, union fees, relocation expenses, or health insurance), along with tips on how to make contacts and write query letters or resumés. There is a section on what casting directors, agents, and managers actually do. The second half of the book focuses on the major acting centers of the country: Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and the Washington, DC-Baltimore area. For each of these areas, the author provides a selection of agents, casting directors, photographers, drama schools, management, and theater companies with contact information.
Summing Up: Recommended. All audiences. -- C. E. King, Iowa State University * CHOICE *
The book promises to be an extremely practical and helpful guide for the young actor embarking on a professional acting career . . . I wish such a book existed when I was graduating -- Lucien Douglas, Head of Acting, University of Texas, Austin
a smart approach, and one that I think will make the information very accessible to young professionals in the industry * Melia Bensussen, Chair, Performing Arts Department, Emerson College, Boston *
Since actors spend much more time seeking and preparing for roles than actually acting, a career in acting should be viewed as a business. An actor, like any other professional, needs career plans, which pretty much sums up the main message of this work by veteran actor, director/producer, and agent Brody. Individual chapters cover the development of a five-year plan to achieve one's goals, getting an agent, and trying to land a job in a desired theater. Also covered are topics such as taking coaching classes, trying out for roles, handling life-plan obstacles (e.g., student debt), and dealing with business expenses (e.g., headshots, union fees, relocation expenses, or health insurance), along with tips on how to make contacts and write query letters or resumés. There is a section on what casting directors, agents, and managers actually do. The second half of the book focuses on the major acting centers of the country: Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and the Washington, DC-Baltimore area. For each of these areas, the author provides a selection of agents, casting directors, photographers, drama schools, management, and theater companies with contact information. Summing Up: Recommended. All audiences. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1: Dreams for Your Life Play Chapter 2: Given Circumstances of Your Life Play: Obstacles Chapter 3: Your Life Play’s Five Year Plan: Objectives, Events, Tactics, Beats, and Tasks Chapter 4: Making Your Five Act Life Plan Happen Chapter 5: Handling the Obstacles in your Life Play Chapter 6: Access to the Fulfillment of your Life Plan Chapter 7: The Cast of your Life Play: Casting Directors, Agents, and Managers; Who They Are and What They Do Chapter 8: Building a Character: Type versus Brand Chapter 9: Doing Your Life’s Play, Action! Chapter 10: Your Life Play’s Experience: Resumes Chapter 11: The Album of Your Life Play: Pictures, Reels, and Websites Chapter 12: Learning Your Lines and Showing up for Your Life Play: Auditions Chapter 13: The Location of Your Life Play: Markets Appendix: Resources and Recommended Reading
