Performing Resources
The Actors’ Network
The Actors’ Network is an amazing one-of-its-kind organization. Back in 1996, I attended an orientation. I sat in the back row with my arms folded fully expecting it to be just another place trying to scam actors because it sounded too good to be true. Much to my surprise, it was good AND it was true! I owe much of my success in the worlds of acting and organizing directly to my involvement with The Actors’ Network. For anyone pursuing (or thinking about pursuing) an acting career in L.A., I urge you to check out their website and attend a free orientation to really see for yourself what a valuable font of information, networking, support, and opportunity this place is. Case in point: their online links section is so enormous and thorough that I am not even going to try to duplicate it on this site – just join and use their links!
Abundance Bound
Miata Edoga has created a remarkable business to help empower her fellow actors – she teaches “starving artists how to become money magnets.” Her company provides financial education to actors, artists and creative people. Miata is a smart, passionate and engaging gal who can give you the game plan for changing your financial circumstances forever. It’s not a gimmick… she just presents to you information and insight you probably have never learned before and she supports you in integrating it into your life.
Secrets of Screen Acting: the podcast
You’d be crazy not to investigate the riches that this educational program has to offer! A daily, 5-minute nugget of pure gold from master teacher and author, Patrick Tucker. Go to the site, check out a few “secrets” for free and judge for yourself whether or not listening to Patrick’s guidance would improve your on-camera acting technique. Sharpening your technical skills on a regular basis for a mere $10/month? It’s a steal.
Marina Rice Bader, photographer
My best experiences in front of the camera have been with Marina – the current photos of me on this website are examples of her work.
The Actor’s Voice: A Column by Casting Director Bonnie Gillespie
Extensive archives gives you Bonnie’s advice and view point on the pursuit of your acting career
CastingAbout.com
The Los Angeles Television Casting Director & Show Guide – updated daily.
Pat Fraley
With his books, seminars and private coaching, Pat is a voice over Master and a font of information. If you have ever considered “getting into” voice over, animation or audio books. His books (and seminars) are great places to get your questions answered and see how your talents measure up. If you want to know how to set up a VO home studio, he has a book on that as well!
Dan O’Day’s 2006 International Radio Creative & Production Summit: The Complete Audio Experience
In the “Search This Site” section of the “Whole O Catalogue” type in “2006 summit” – Here you will find the audio recording of the entire 2-day seminar featuring great advice for those folks interested in the world of voice overs: Harlan Hogan on Advanced Voice Over Career Strategies, yours truly (that means me!) on Pursuing Your Dream, and a Voice Over Agent and Casting Director Super Panel. Past years summits have equally relevant info and the rest of Dan’s site is filled with other great stuff – take a look around.
Braintracks Audio
Take Nancy Wolfson’s talent as a leading voice over coach, add to that her flair for branding and mix in her former life as a voice over agent and you have the full VO package! All I can say is that working with her was a wonderful investment that continues to pay off for me in ways I never even imagined.
The Voiceover Boblog
Bob Souer’s in-the-trenches news and views of creating a career in the voice-over biz. Plenty of audio samples from working VO artists too.
Outstanding Books
How To Agent Your Agent
by Nancy Rainford
You need to know the point of view of agents because a) you’ll be working with them and b) their p.o.v., priorities, and methods are, most likely, verrrry different from your own!
An Agent Tells All
by Tony Martinez
Ditto the above.
Making It On Broadway: Actors’ Tales of Climbing to the Top
by David Wienir and Jodie Langel
A must-read if you want a career in the theatre. Interviews with many Broadway performers – some famous, some not. Prepare yourself for a hearty dose of reality.
Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils and Rewards of Artmaking
by David Bayles & Ted Orland
This is a fantastic book — “an artist’s survival guide for anyone grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world.” It’s not about the business side of things; it’s about the tug-of-war that goes on inside your head.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
by Susan Jeffers
The antidote for natural scared-y cats (like I once was!)
