Auditioning

books for actors
There are many good books about acting out there. With this short list I’ve tried to cover a lot practical ground (auditions, film acting, the business of acting and acting while singing). Are there other great books out there? You bet, but these are an excellent place to start. I hope you enjoy them. Let me know what you think! . Audition By Michael Shurtleff Insightful, enlightening, entertaining and inspiring, his 12 guideposts are the ammunition you need to tackle the challenge of any cold reading. . . Acting In Film By Michael Caine No nonsense advice from a straight up guy who also happens to be an academy award-winning actor (The Cider House Rules, Hannah and Her Sisters). He breaks down his approach to the craft of acting and explains what it takes to be a working actor. . Intent To Live By Larry Moss An excellent book from […]

Essential Books for Actors

how to choose the perfect audition song
For many people choosing an audition song is about as much fun as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. It really doesn’t have to be. It can actually be a lot of fun and as a bonus you get to hear all kinds of great music in the process. I hope the following general guidelines will help make the task of choosing material to use for auditions a little easier for you. . Surprise! Lyrics are more important than notes. I almost always read the lyric before I listen to the song. That’s how I decide if a song is right for me. Choose a song whose lyric moves you. If it makes you laugh or cry and you say to yourself “Wow, I get that” or “Ouch, I’ve been there” or “Damn, that’s what I want too,” it’s a good candidate for further investigation. When a […]

How to Choose an Audition Song