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Actor's Guide to Getting Work
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| List Price: | £12.99 |
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Product Description
Competition for acting work is fierce, and although talent is important, actors need all the help they can get. Now in its fourth edition, this practical, comprehensive guide contains invaluable information and advice to enable actors to make the most of: drama schools; audition speeches and sight-readings; letters, CVs and photographs; finding and working with an agent; auditions for musicals; the fringe; interviews; TV, commercials and films; voice-overs; the Internet; Equity. The author, an experienced director, has drawn on his own knowledge and also on the experience of numerous other professionals to produce a book that has become the standard work of reference for actors of all ages.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #174501 in Books
- Published on: 2004-03-31
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 224 pages
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Simon Dunmore is a director with over thirty years' experience of employing actors.
Customer Reviews
Invaluable for anyone entering the acting profession.
One of the most common failings of drama teaching is to concentrate solely on acting and not on the everyday business of being an actor. Simon Dunmore has worked as an actor, director as well as teacher in some of the England's leading Acting Schools. This book is the product not only of his own experience, but of the advice of many students, actors, directors and agents etc.
I bought this book about 10 years ago while at Drama School and it was an invaluable reference for my first years working as an Actor. Of all the similar books I've read, this is still the best. He is clear and practical in his advice, which he elaborates with a few anecdotes. My only grip with Dunmore's book is that on several occasions he gives an account of an occasion where someone succeeded by doing the exact opposite of what he suggests. I'm sure he does this to give balance, but it does negate some of his advice.
Dunmore gives a pretty accurate account of what to expect, and what is expected of you. I would recommend this book to anyone entering the profession, especially if they are going to do so without formal training.
An invaluable guide to getting acting work
As an actor who has recently graduated from drama school, I have read several books on the acting profession, but nothing beats Simon Dunmore's 'An Actor's Guide to Getting Work' for practical 'no-nonsense' advice. It is the most useful guide to getting work that I have read.
For me, the ideal person to offer an actor advice on the pitfalls to avoid is somebody who has read countless piles of actors' C.V.s and spent long days auditioning actors, as opposed to an academic or actor who has 'made it'. Simon Dunmore, a director with thirty years experience, fits the bill.
The information in the book is very detailed, advising actors in every stage of the profession, from those considering entry into drama school to seasoned professionals. For example, there is a detailed dissection of the letter and C.V. and an almost minute-by-minute account of the audition process.
Dunmore states that he is offering his opinion and, as he readily admits, there are a few contradictions. This is inevitable in a profession where decisions are regularly taken based on the subjective tastes of (artistic) individuals. Dunmore offers practical advice based on his own extensive experience.
It is over twenty years since the first edition of the book was published and it states that a number of changes have been made, following criticism by actors, agents and directors. This may explain the amount of detail and depth of discussion that is included.
Dunmore manages not to be patronising but does not 'dumb down' or pull any punches in describing what is of course an extremely competitive profession. A tough profession requires tough, honest advice such as this. It is very much a 'how to' manual, covering much that was missed at drama school. Particularly useful for me were ideas on how to keep in your agent's 'good books' and advice on how to put across one's personality in a letter.
I only hope that some people will not want to take Dunmore's advice - it can only mean more work for the rest of us. By James Schumann.
Valuable
Pedantic, truthful and helpful.
Simon Dunmore gives advice from his opinion and from his 30 years of experience. Some of it is very useful, and points out things that you may not have thought of. It covers every aspect and yes, is very pedantic -some find this annoying, others find it helpful.
A worthwhile read if you want to become/are training as an actor but interpret the advice in your own way. Don't follow it to the letter, but use it where you feel fits for you.
The overall message of the book is: 'be professional and be yourself'.
Definately worth a read.
