Product Description

As a background actor for 8 years, Jo Kelly has written this book to help new people coming into "sho biz" to avoid the pitfalls & scams she encountered. She also tells you how to find the legitimate background casting agencies that she has worked for. There is a chapter on casting children to help Mom's avoid scams also. There is information on wardrobe, tips on what to expect on a set, the lingo used, mistakes she made and how to avoid them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #755758 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 111 pages

Review
Jo's stories from the trenches offer insights into how the real world works helpful warnings for the neophyte. -- ReaderViews.com

Jo's stories from the trenches offer insights into how the real world works helpful warnings for the neophyte. --ReaderViews.com

This is an excellent gift book for any aspiring actor interested in learning the ropes of show business. -- Sharla Taylor, reviewer

This is an excellent gift book for any aspiring actor interested in learning the ropes of show business. --Sharla Taylor, reviewer

Your book covers soooo much that we feel it will be an asset for everyone!You made my day. -- BJ, Asst. to Shirley Mac Laine

Your book covers soooo much that we feel it will be an asset for everyone!You made my day. --BJ, Asst. to Shirley Mac Laine

About the Author
Jo Kelly was married for 25 years to the late veteran actor Jack Kelly who starred with James Garner in the popular TV show "Maverick". During the marriage Jo was a Real Estate Broker and property manager. After Jack's death Jo decided to become a background actor because you can work as little or as much as you like. It was fun, however, as she learned the ropes she also learned where the sharks swim. She decided to put on seminars on how to get cast as an extra and then wrote the book to help all who enter this arena to do it the right way.

Customer Reviews

Background Acting -- The Truth From An Insider
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a background actor on the set of a TV show or movie? Dreamed of really being there, on set as an extra?

This book is a must-have guide if you're in those "what if" categories. Jo Kelly is an experienced background actor who got into the business after the death of her well-known actor husband, Jack Kelly, who played Bart Maverick in the late 1950s - early 1960s TV show of the same name. In and around Hollywood for many years during their marriage, Jo, a real estate executive, decided it would be fun to be on set as an actor. And despite her many years as the wife of a well-known industry insider, she wasn't ready for the scams and idiosyncrasies she would come across working in the business. She's a smart woman, though, and a fast learner. This book is the result of her hard-earned lessons.

Jo Kelly's book is a well-put-together pocketbook to carry with you at all times if you're on the road to an acting career--whether you have ideas of becoming a major player, or want to be the best in the background. Filled with firsthand accounts of scenarios you may encounter, and the best way to solve minor and major issues, this book gives you insider information you're not likely to find anywhere else all in one convenient place.

Casting agencies, how to apply, what to wear--or not to wear, how to get your children into the business, work with talent agencies, how to get your SAG card, and helpful points for the disabled are only some points carefully covered for the benefit of the background actor hopeful. "Jo's Take" is included at the end of most of the chapters, giving you the benefit of her experience to help you avoid any of the likely pitfalls you might otherwise come up against--if, of course, you didn't already have this book to help you around them.

And a bonus: a front, back, and centerfold of fun pictures!

helpfu
although I live in NYC, and this book is geared to LA, a lot of the background info is helpful. I actually emailed the author and she emailed me back! (much to my surprise). For NY residents get backstage Ross Reports for a lot of info you'll need. Certain newsstands carry it, about $10.00. It lists casting agents, etc.

Incredible Inside Information
"The Truth about Being an Extra: How to Become a Good Background Actor" by Jo Kelly is an amazing book. Finding each and every page interesting, exciting and filled with valuable information, I read it nonstop from beginning to end. I even found valuable information in the introductory sections before the first chapter and in the information at the end of the book. I devoured this book with enthusiasm from cover to cover! Jo Kelly's writing style is friendly, informative, encouraging, and easy to understand. She provides examples of scams and problems she encountered early in her career as a background actor, and explains how she eventually received many successful jobs in background acting once she learned the ropes. She also provides lists- -including addresses and phone numbers- -of legitimate casting agencies for background actors. After reading Jo Kelly's book, I felt that becoming a background actor is a very real possibility, and that it would be tremendous fun!