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 * "e;Get in, get out"e; information * Icons and other navigational aids * Tear-out cheat sheet * Top ten lists * A dash of humor and fun

Provides the expert advice you need to get your big break!Jump-start your career and land that paying partFrom 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

Introduction.Part I: Figuring Out the Business of Acting.Chapter 1: Opening the Door to Show Business.Chapter 2: Discovering How Show Business Really Works.Chapter 3: From Agents to Unions: Introducing the Movers andShakers of Show Business.Part II: Packaging and Marketing Yourself.Chapter 4: Making a Great First Impression with a Head Shot.Chapter 5: Creating a Five-Star Acting Resume.Chapter 6: Training to Improve Your Acting Skills.Part III: Taking Your First Steps into Show Business.Chapter 7: Getting Seen by the Industry: Promoting Yourself.Chapter 8: Finding and Working with an Agent.Chapter 9: Auditioning.Part IV: Scoping Out the Markets.Chapter 10: Acting in Film and Television.Chapter 11: Acting in Commercials.Chapter 12: Acting in Theater.Chapter 13: Performing Without Being Seen: Voice-Over Acting.Chapter 14: Working as an Extra.Chapter 15: Getting Your Kid into Show Biz.Part V: Managing Your Money as an Actor.Chapter 16: Don't Get Ripped Off! Avoiding Con Games, Scams, andSelf-Destruction.Chapter 17: Working to Pay Your Bills Until You Hit It Big.Chapter 18: Managing Your Finances.Part VI: The Part of Tens.Chapter 19: Ten Myths of Show Business.Chapter 20: Ten Traits of Successful Actors.Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Improving as an Actor.Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Act Just for the Fun of It.Index.