Step I: Decide what you want (very important first step, don't you think?) Step II: Get Off Your _ _ _ and go after what you want Life really is too short to wait until tomorrow, next month, next year. I don't know how many tomorrows I have left. Do you?

Pursuing an acting career is not easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and the ability to shrug off rejection. It also requires an ability to navigate the pitfalls of an often precarious profession. While there are many books that attempt to teach people how to act, there are few books that show individuals what it takes to succeed as a working professional. The Professional Actor's Handbook: From Casting Call to Curtain Call provides individuals with strategies that will help them successfully negotiate every stage of their careers. From recent college graduates to seasoned professionals looking to transition their careers to the next level, this book is a much needed guide. Among the many topics covered in this book, the authors demonstrate how to: *Create a Captivating Resume *Take a "Perfect" Headshot *Compile a Complete Rep Book *Conquer Audition Nerves *Establish an Online Presence *Finance a Developing Career Other strategies address how to network, how to survive while building a performing arts career, and even how to organize your home office. Featuring sample resumes and business cards, insights from industry experts-including agents and casting directors-and a list of resources, this book offers invaluable guidance-including advice on how to negotiate a contract. Along with audition manuals and repertoire binders, The Professional Actor's Handbook is a vital reference that belongs on every aspiring performer's bookshelf.

The first half of this book presents the fundamentals of Stephen Mitchell's Action/ReAction technique for actors that is unique, innovative and effective in developing a 'seasoned' actor in a very short time. The second half of the book describes Stephen's history in Hollywood encountering some of the greats in the film business, including Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen, and producing independent and innovative movies and TV shows that led to his creation of Action/ReAction.