How To Book Acting Jobs in TV and Film: SECOND EDITION: The Truth About the Acting Industry - Conversations With a Veteran Hollywood Casting Director Paperback – July 18, 2012

I bought this book on the recommendation of two people whose opinion I respect. I was hesitant at first. It's the title that threw me a bit. I've come across plenty of "take this class/read this book & know all you need to know to book that job!" As I began reading, my doubts disappeared. Cathy Reinking is the real deal, and reading this book almost feels like sitting down with her & her being very generous with her time and sharing a great deal of her experience. It's not a hand holding, 'gee you're great' kind of book. It is an eye opener and a wake up call. As an actor in this industry you know there's a lot that is out of your control. However, there's more in your control than you may have realized, and the author discusses these things in detail. I loved the chapter on charisma. Heck, this is helpful for anyone, in any walk of life.There's info. you'll get in this book that I haven't found anywhere else. I finally understand pilot season...what it is & how it works. I now understand the difference between a multi-camera sitcom & a single-camera sitcom, and comedic films vs. TV comedies.I think reading this book will encourage any actor to take more responsibility for their career, to put in the work to know yourself, and to take steps to change things that you can & should change. I've heard many times things like, "When you walk in that room, they want it to be you. They're rooting for you." I believe this is true, but after reading this book I now have a better understanding of just what that means. This will definitely be a re-read year after year.PS-Cathy, please think about coming to Atlanta to do a workshop! You're already starting to build a fan base out here. I keep sharing your book with others, even though I sometimes want to keep it a secret. :)

This book is more like sitting down with a big time Hollywood casting director who is glad to have coffee with you and has nowhere else in the world she would rather be than to share all the secrets that would have taken decades for you to learn through experience. I read Cathy Reinking's book in one afternoon, with a highlighter, marking the parts that spoke to me the most. I bought copies for friends who aspire to become actors. This book is the real deal. It's the "listen up, sister!" (or dude) that we all need. Ms. Reinking really gets to the heart of acting/auditioning, and her book is packed full of practical advice. If you want to be an actor, save yourself a lot of embarrassment and buy this book.

Cathy Reinking’s “How to Book Acting Jobs in TV and Film” 2nd edition is one of the most generous gifts a veteran casting director can give to young actors. It is a book that you will want to read multiple times because her advice is so relevant and personalized and modernized. Her book is brimming with never-before-told tidbits and factoids about the ever-evasive audition room: how to shine in “The Room” and how to own it. As a classically trained actor based in NYC with more theater work under my belt than TV and film work, it was a such a joy to read about how much love Ms. Reinking has for actors and our craft. The personal touches she gives to this book about her experiences casting but also her experiences as an audience member radiate through the pages. Ms. Reinking’s book gave me life and light and made the idea of “The Room” feel so much more accessible and approachable. Thank you for this gift. It will certainly keep on giving.

I’ve read countless books about acting and “casting director secrets” and this is one of my favorites. She is very genuine and informative with the ideas she presents. I also loved how out the many books I’ve read, none had ever even mentioned the hardships minority actors face in this industry. She briefly mentions this subject and it made me feel like finally a book was written with everyone in mind. It’s hard to go through many issues that aren’t even talked about in most books, so her mentioning it made me feel validaded. I’m glad she chose to be inclusive when writing this book. I recommend this book to anyone who is taking acting seriously because there is a lot of insight from a casting director you will get from this book that you most likely never even thought about as an actor.

If you are looking for advice on how to get into acting as a career you should read and follow the message in this book. I spent 25 years working with people in the world of television and film and the advice she gives you is pretty much spot on and straight forward. She tells it the way it is and that's the way you want to go into acting with the truth of how it is a business and not a game to play with while you find your way through life.

This book is truly the real deal. From cover to cover, a plethora of invaluable information. Not bogged down by the typical candy-coated BS you read in most acting career books. To the point and not a wasted word. Who better to learn from than an actual casting director?What's great about this book is you can read it at any stage of your acting training and career. The reason I suggest reading this first is; the art of acting is trainable, having the stomach to seriously pursue this line of work, isn't. The content provided in this masterpiece will give you a good idea if you could or not.As well as extremely accurate, the book's information is up to date and gives great strategies on how to go about the mission of succeeding in acting. Unlike majority of acting career books, this one has interviews with succeeding actors. The head shot instructions are platinum! When reading this, take notes and make a game plan.If you seriously want to pursue the gauntlet of becoming a working actor, READ THIS BOOK!