Product Description

Bonnie Gillespie's new book, "Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews," is a compliation of over 120 interviews with casting directors in Los Angeles and New York, all of which originally appeared in her weekly column, "Casting Qs," in "Back Stage West," the actors trade weekly.

Casting directors are the gatekeepers to every producer, director, and filmmaker in the entertainment industry. Their ability to size up and actor's fit to a role is what makes them the ones that filter the thousands of potential actors into the handful the decision-makers will see audition for one role. Actors must have an understanding of this process!

Certain actors have an edge over their competition. Part of that edge comes from being keenly aware of what casting directors are looking for. That awareness--and an actor's edge--starts here.

Other casting director guides on the market are not as comprehensive or as business-minded as "Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews." Bonnie Gillespie's experience as a former actor allows her to ask questions on behalf of working actors everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129515 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 406 pages

Review
Bonnie is the only one who has the most up-to-date casting director information. -- Judy Kerr, Acting Is Everything, 10th edition, ©2003

Gillespie brings insight about all facets of the casting process: trustworthy insight culled from a multitude of casting director interviews. -- Robert Brody, ShowFax.com, December 2002

Gillespie's wonderful book of personal interviews with many casting directors is a must-have for both new and working actors! -- Lawrence Parke, Acting World Books, December, 2002

Whether you're a beginner or a polished professional, these are informative, fun-to-read gems everyone in the industry appreciates. -- Hollywood OS, January 2003 Edition

From the Publisher
Cricket Feet Publishing is pleased to announce the arrival of Bonnie Gillespie's "Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews."

While "Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews" is Bonnie Gillespie's first book, she is the well-known weekly columnist of "Casting Qs," the very popular casting director feature in the actors trade weekly, "Back Stage West" (circulation over 30,000 per week with 90,000 unique visitors monthly to BackStage.com). She is also a frequent guest speaker on the topic of the actor's journey at Los Angeles acting studios and has appeared as a recurring guest on the weekly KRLA talk radio show, "Back Stage Live."

Thousands read her advice each day in several actors' Internet discussion forums, including BackStage.com's Career Chat, ActorPoint.com, WildOgre.com, and ActorsBone.com. She is a former actor, and therefore has an intimate knowledge of her subject matter. Her ability to get to the bottom of the casting process is evident throughout this new book.

We are very excited to publish this exciting new title for beginning and professional actors alike!

From the Author
For years, I felt as though my edge over many actors in my category came not necessarily through talent, but through my ability to work a room, to target my self-promotion, and to maintain contacts. Many actors, at industry events, will gravitate toward the celebrity they recognize, hoping that schmoozing that person will get them closer to a job. The business-minded actor has an eye on the casting director in the room, knowing that a well-timed conversation with that person could be far more beneficial.

In addition to being a valuable resource for specific casting director interview content, this book includes compiled overviews of information that actors so desperately crave, when trying to demystify the csting director relationship. I have interviewed a broad cross-section of the casting community and the information I've gathered is quantifiable. The presentation of this information can only further assist the actor on her journey.

I have long believed that the more information an actor has, the more prepared, the more professional, and the more skilled she has the opportunity to be. The focus on the art becomes much clearer, once the business end is mastered. Actors who write to me have questions about the total environment of casting. I have perspective on this that benefits the acting population.

My goal in interviewing casting directors is to have the reader feel as if she were sitting right there in the room with me, getting to know the casting director.

Customer Reviews

An Actor's Best Friend
After my dictionary, this is most useful book on my bookshelf. When I get an audition, I open up this book and read what the casting director likes and hates. When I want to submit on a project, I look up the casting director in this book to see their views on actor submissions. Bonnie's writing lets each casting director's unique voice and opinion shine through with wonderful clarity. Even if you aren't in LA and will never meet these specific casting directors, their words still resonate and hold true for anyone in the acting profession.

This book is far more than "Casting Q's"--It really should be called "Auditioning Answers"
The most fascinating book on auditioning that I've ever read. Nearly 100 casting directors share their thoughts on what they like, hate, and everything else that falls inbetween. The most incredible aspect of it all is how often the casting directors say the same things.

I learned things in this book I wouldn't (and couldn't) have possibly learned without it.

A must read if you are Serious about this industry!!
This book is a huge tool to anyone trying to seriously pursue a carrer in the Hollywood industry! It's a key to anyones success. It lets you know the minds of the people who decide your future. How to impress them. How to get thier attention. Things they like and things they don't. I have read this book and recomened it to every actor, model, and manager I know. I read this book when I decided to start my own talent managment company and it has been one of my greatest tools!!