Product Description

Gone are the days when an aspiring actor or actress could sneak onto the lot of a production company, drop in on casting directors, or have lunch at the commissary to meet the glamorous and famous. "It's not at all like the days when I was a teenage actor," Steve Stevens Sr. says. "At age 13, I was spotted by a for-real fin de siccle German director who pulled me aside as I swaggered through the lot and gave me a speaking part in FRANK WISBAR'S FIRESIDE THEATER, TV's first anthology show."

"Today there is no Schwab's Drugstore where Lana Turner and several others were discovered," Stevens writes. Recognizing this, he decided to write this book for the beginning actor.

SO YOU WANT TO BE IN SHOW BUSINESS presents show business from Stevens' point of view based on his 50 years in Hollywood. Sprinkled amply with practical, helpful dos and don'ts throughout, the book presents the basic information of how Hollywood works. In his view, "making it" involves more than finding onself in front of a camera. It also means finding one's true self, one's happiness and place in the world.

"I have represented struggling actors who never made it, struggling actors who did, top movie and television stars on their way up, and some on their way down. The knowledge I am sharing with you is intended to help you avoid the mistakes I see people in the business making every day, particularly beginning actors."

Here is advice on avoiding the rip-off artists while breaking into the business and taking advantage of legitimate opportunities. Included is crucial information about how casting directors think, getting head-shot photos that work, writing résumés that sell, finding the right agent, how to read the trade papers, understanding showcases and workshops, meeting with casting directors, what the Screen Actors Guild is all about, the casting process, and much more.

"It's simultaneously funny, historic, funny, inspiring, and educational."—Doris Roberts, 4-Time Emmy-Winning star of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #509944 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-11
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
STEVE STEVENS SR. writes from his 50 years of experience in Hollywood as an actor, producer, casting director, and Screen Actors Guild-franchised talent agent. His office is in Sherman Oaks, California.

Customer Reviews

An eye-opening industry reference
If your career aspirations lie in the show biz world, don't forget to consult actor/producer/casting director Steve Stevens Sr.'s So You Want To Be In Show Business: A Hollywood Agent Shares The Secrets Of Getting Ahead Without Getting Ripped Off. Stevens also has a background representing struggling actors: his 50+ years experience in the acting trenches lends to an eye-opening industry reference crucial to learning about casting, agents, and more.

ATTENTION : ALL ACTORS
This is an absolute must-have for all actors! After being an actress for over 20 years, I have spent countless hours reading books on the business of acting. "So you want to be in Show Business," is the most complete book I have ever read on the subject. Steve Stevens Sr. masterfully blends humor along with the no-nonsense truth about this crazy business. All while giving encouragement and sharing his passion. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Needed the Help!!
I picked this great guide up last week, finished it in a day, and am totally changing the way I approach this business! There are so many little things that the authors recommend doing that I would never have thought of--I am much more confident, because now I feel like I am fully prepared when I go into auditions... Thank you!