Literature Review: Actors' Handbook

A piece of literature I have chosen to review is the Actors' Handbook, casting call pro. This is a piece of literature offering advice to actors throughout their career, from choosing and preparing for drama school, agents and then 'getting work'.

This piece of literature has an interesting section on Showreels not only re-instating the importance of having one in our modern age of technology but also advice on how to put one together.

'With broadband connection speeds improving and DVDs cheap to reproduce, showreels have become an increasigly important way to market yourself. A showreel provides "moving image evidence" of what you are like as a performer. Without it, a casting director or agent can only assess you on the strength of your CV and photograph, which by their two-dimentional nature can only provide part of the picture.'

The piece states how a traditional showreel is made of work one has already done and advises on how to choose the best of your work when building a showreel. The piece basically re-instates what we are all taught at drama school which of course is to showcase our best work possible.

'You're looking for clips which best show you off.'

This section also provides advice to those who do not have sufficient showreel material and how a showreel can also be made of a collection of original scenes specifically created for ones showreel.

'Many leading showreel companies now offer 'shoot from scratch' services in which they'll work with you and shoot your scenes.'

This is information that some actors may not have and is very useful solution for those who are constrantly hit with the dilemma of being asked for a showreel in order to 'get work' without having done the sufficient work to put a traditional showreel together. Knowlege of this information enabled me to research into having this done and I am now glad to say I have booked my filming day for my showreel and the scripts are being specifically written for me as we speak.

'The advantage here is that the scenes are being shot specially for you, the focus of any scene will be on you.'

However, the handbook also advises actors to combine these with some 'actual past work' when possible in order to give your showreel more structure.

This handbook is an excellent guide to any performer trying to break into the industry; what it may lack in depth it makes up for in focusing on getting to the point and offering clean cut advice. It is a great basis for a performer to begin researching and pursuing a career in what is a very difficult area to become a success. Not only does the handbook provide advice but also advertises serivces for headshots and other tools that are important for an actor. This is a great way of finding these services if one is clueless of where to begin.

A good read for a performer starting out in pursuing their dreams!

References

Actors' Handbook 2009-10 Your guide to getting work and getting noticed, Casting call pro
Actor's One-Stop Shop, http://www.actorsonestopshop.com/