Industry Blogs
- CD Erica S Bream’s blog is great! I really liked this post “Self-Tape Tips Part 5: Which Takes Should I Send?”
- Advice from Hollywood written by EP/Talent Manager Brian Medeavoy. Read it here. I’m even featured in his post Success Is Measured by What We Do for Others
- Backstage’s long running blog Secret Agent Man. Read it here.
- Cecily Strong Is Starting a New Conversation The “Saturday Night Live” star shares the story of her pandemic experience and a life touched by grief in “This Will All Be Over Soon.” This book sounds so vulnerable and interesting. I’m definitely marking a point to purchase when it comes out on August 10th. We all experienced grief this past year and it’s a conversation we too often shy away from. I’m sure her take will be unique coming from an actor/comedian as well. It reminds me a bit of my girl Chelsea London Lloyd’s podcast Dying Of Laughter, which if you haven’t, you should totally take a listen! Purchase the book here.
- Summer Reading from the NY Times “Hollywood” Category (NY Times)
Working Actors Books
- The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer
- Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Scripts / Sides
- TV Scripts!!! Looking for sides to work in class or for a self-tape reel? I typically recommend watching TV shows and transcribing scenes, but here are some additional awesome resources:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/ (full scripts)
- https://thescriptlab.com/
- http://thetelevisionpilot.com/
- http://www.simplyscripts.com
- https://sites.google.com/site/tvwriting/home
- https://www.scriptslug.com/
- https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/best-tv-scripts/
- https://www.actorsconnection.com/sides/category/general (stock sides)
- https://www.oneononenyc.com/actors/stocksides (stock sides)
Accessibility to Books & Audiobooks
- Download free audiobooks here.
- LA actors – get a digital library card here. I love having a digital library card. You can download so many books FOR FREE. If you don’t have one, you are missing out and wasting $$$!
Acting Technique Books
Mindset
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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. I love this book. I keep it by my bedside table and pick it up sometimes and just read a passage or two. An acting teacher recommended it once and I’ve found it inspiring. Think of The War of Art as tough love… for yourself.
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You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sicerno
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How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Business of Acting Books
- 10 Top 10s From A 10 Percenter: Over 100 Essential Acting Career Tips From A Hollywood Agent by Brianna Ancel
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The Tao of Show Business by Dallas Travers
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Powerhouse: The untold story of Hollywood’s Creative Artist’s Agency
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Self Management for Actors by Bonnie Gilesppie
- The Internet is a Minefield of Etiquette: Networking and Building a Career Online (Final Draft) While this article is written for writers, there are a lot of gems in here for actors as well.
Writing
- Save the Cat – This is the book I ALWAYS recommend to my clients who want to get into writing. It’s recommended constantly as a great jumping off point to writing for tv/film.
- Broadway Books: 10 Books on Playwriting to Read While Staying Inside! (BroadwayWorld)
- The Isolation Journal’s list of recommended reads on Creativity & Writing: https://bookshop.org/lists/on-creativity-writing