Acting A to Z: The Young Person's Guide to a Stage or Screen Career

Book Description

"Acting A to Z" is a complete guide to acting and the acting business, written for young actors by an actress with over 20 years' experience. It offers a complete overview of every aspect of the acting business, and is designed to give young people a clear understanding of what it's like to pursue a professional career, as well as helping them make an informed decision about becoming a professional actor. It also includes practical advice on every aspect of marketing for the actor, from photos and resumes to contacting casting directors and agents. Young actors will find a wealth of information on beginning a career in "Acting A to Z".

Customer Reviews:

Great!.......2004-07-13

I've been doing a lot of searching online about acting. I found some but I decided to get a book which I hoped would be more trutful and more exact. Well, it was! It gave information about a LOT of stuff. It seemed to be more about theater then movie acting but it was still a great book! Recommended reading: 12-20

Good introduction.......2004-07-05

I received this book as a gift. I had already been acting for a while, so some of the subjects I was already aware of. The book is a relatively quick read, but enjoyable. It covers basic things, like headshots, resumes, etc. I was most impressed by a small list of colleges with an excellent performing arts program. It covers a lot of topics, but nothing too thoroughly--like I said, a good beginner's book to open up the world of acting to someone who is unfamiliar with it. If you are looking for an in-depth history, technique, etc., this is not a wise choice. This is a fun book overall, and it definitely covers a lot of material.

basic.......2002-12-28

Helpful but basic

If your looking for a little more humor and an easy to follow proactive guide with sound information try picking up a copy of Twelve Step Plan to Becoming an Actor in LA. It has been the top pick in NY this winter.

Sandy Lopez
NY

Great book for beginning actors.......2001-09-01

I thought that this was a great book. Some stuff was really stuff that you would already probably know if you were serious about acting but I guess it's an ok book for beginners. It did help me a little.

A good book for aspiring actors.......2001-01-18

This book is pretty good. Some of the chapters were a little off the subject, but for the most part this is a must-have.

This book takes you step by step, through the whole process. It tells you how to present your resume, what type of photo's you should have made of yourself, and how much it will cost to be a working actor.

The second chapter, "BASIC TOOLS OF THE ACTOR" tells how you can use your body as your tools. The book lists warm up exercises that you can do to prepare yourself for an audition or play. There are vocal exercises and more.

In the tenth chapter it tells how some agents and casting directors like to scam amuater actors. It tells how to avoid them and how to get out of a situation like that. It says to trust your feelings when you feel uncomfortable about something. You should get this book if you want to know how to begin acting.

Book Description

Dada -- perhaps the most famous and outrageous of modernism's artistic movements -- is said to have begun at the Cabaret Voltaire, a literary evening staged at the restaurant Meierei in Zurich on February 5, 1916. The evening featured stamping, roaring, banging on the lids of pots and pans, and the recitation of incomprehensible "poemes simultanes" Thus a global revolution in art and culture was born in a Swiss restaurant. Or was it?

In Dada East, Tom Sandqvist shows that Dada did not spring full-grown from a Zurich literary salon but grew out of an already vibrant artistic tradition in Eastern Europe -- particularly Romania -- that was transposed to Switzerland when a group of Romanian modernists settled in Zurich. Bucharest and other cities in Romania had been the scene of Dada-like poetry, prose, and spectacle in the years before World War I. One of the leading lights was Tristan Tzara, who began his career in avant-garde literature at fifteen when he cofounded the magazine Simbolul. Tzara -- who himself coined the term "Dada," inspired by an obscure connection of his birthday to an Orthodox saint -- was at the Cabaret Voltaire that night, along with fellow Romanians Marcel, Jules, and Georges Janco and Arthur Segal. It's not a coincidence, Sandqvist argues, that so many of the first dadaist group were Romanians. Sandqvist traces the artistic and personal transformations that took place in the "little Paris of the Balkans" before they took center stage elsewhere, finding sources as varied as symbolism, futurism, and folklore. He points to a connection between Romanian modernists and the Eastern European Yiddish tradition; Tzara, the Janco brothers, and Segal all grew up within Jewish culture and traditions.

For years, the communist authorities in Romania disowned and disavowed Romania's avant-garde movements. Now, as archives and libraries are opening to Western scholars, Tom Sandqvist tells the secret history of Dada's Romanian roots.

Industrial Evolution: Through the Eighties With Cabaret Voltaire (Poptomes)

Average customer rating:

Getting Pissed with Cabaret Voltaire
Polished account of 80's music, political scene in Sheffield
first-rate

Industrial Evolution: Through the Eighties With Cabaret Voltaire (Poptomes)
Mick Fish
Manufacturer: SAF Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0946719462

Book Description

In the 80s, harsh market forces confronted Local Authorities and Independent record labels alike. Industrial Evolution juxtaposes Britain's leader Margaret Thatcher's stringent initiatives to privatise Local Government, with Cabaret Voltaire's rise to Indie stardom. On the one hand the Government went head-to-head with the Trades Unions, on the other Cabaret Voltaire's fiercely independent ethics met head on with major record labels, A&R men and the business of "shifting units". Industrial Evolution is a cautionary tale, of rampant Conservatism running roughshod over industrial England.

Customer Reviews:

Getting Pissed with Cabaret Voltaire.......2005-01-16

Anyone hoping this book would delve deeply into the music of Cabaret Voltaire will be sorely disappointed. Yes, you will learn about what sort of alcohol Mal and Richard pickled themselves with every chance they got, but not much else.

The author himself seemed in a drug and alcohol induced coma for most of the time he was hanging out with the band, so maybe he doesn't remember as much about his association with them as he'd like to admit. It seemed for every revelation about the band (they were few and far between) there were a hundred references to getting pissed.

The comments by another reader that the demise of the band had anything to do with corporate greed and the rise of Thatcherism are baseless. Mr. Fish himself concluded that the Cabs simply weren't musicians who could actually write songs. Yes, they were musical pioneers. Yes, they influenced a whole generation of musicians. But could they write, play or sing? No, not really.

I did enjoy reading about Mick's early days at the Council rubbish depot. There were lots of interesting characters populating his workday, which oddly enough didn't seem to consist of any work. Reading about employees whose only job seemed to be making tea and socializing didn't do much to make me feel sympathetic when the move to make local government more efficient started to unfold. I know Thatcher and her mates weren't saints, but the need for change was clearly evident.

I suppose I had different expectations for this book and thus feel disappointed having read it. I grew up with the Cabs and was looking for more insight than this glossed over account managed to serve up.

Polished account of 80's music, political scene in Sheffield.......2002-12-23

Books about Cabaret Voltaire, the pioneering Sheffield (UK) industrial/indie/electronic group, are rare enough. But this book has an extra appeal. The writer Mick Fish takes you on a journey through some of the darkest times in English life and politics and combines this with the tale of Cabaret Voltaire.

The writer will tell you all about the music scene in Sheffield in the 1980's, from the Human League to ABC. Aligned to this will be the story of the grip the Margaret Thatcher government took hold on Britain, and in particular run down areas like Sheffield in the 80's.

You will read all about the decay, the dark nights, the valiant refusal of a city to be undermined by government, the vicious internal wrangling in the local council and political scene. You may ask is this relevant to the story of Cabaret Voltaire? Well yes it is. The writer worked at the local council and also as a Cabaret Voltaire fan he could see the similarities between the two. The rise of CV in the early 80's which was brutally stamped out by the greedy, stubborn nature of the big money record labels which in essence ruined their career. Mick Fish worked at the council and at the same time he watched as Thatcher took hold of power and left Sheffield to rot and decay. A perfect comparison to what the major record labels did with CV, squeezed the life out of them.

At first glance maybe it won't grab your attention, but get over that, if you're a Cabaret Voltaire fan you should have this already! For others if you were into the music scene of Sheffield in the 80's, this book is a must have. For those of you with an interest in the political side of things, this book may be a worthy read, showing how Thatcher's government tried to squeeze northern cities like Sheffield off the map, through her ignorance of the area and through actions in the local political scene.

first-rate.......2002-11-19

What should be clear from the title is that no devotee of industrial music should pass this book by. CV should need no introduction to anyone even loosely acquainted with the genre, and their home city of Sheffield must undoubtedly be flagged as one of the most important cities in the proliferation of industrial music during the early eighties.

The author (Mr. Fish) was there. Unlike so much music biz writing that is based on the self-righteous posturing of a critic-turned-ducumentarian, who's only ties to their subject matter are hand-me-downs and afterimages, this is a first-hand account from a true storyteller. Knew the band, drank with the band, traveled with the band, drank with the band some more...

However, Mr. Fish's greatest achievement here was to NOT rewrite the agonizing rock-star biography we've already suffered through time and again. His achievement foremost was to effortlessly, poignantly and humorously carry us through the days and long nights of industrial music's enigmatic reign. 1980's Sheffield becomes our backdrop, Mr. Fish's own life experiences our satiric companion, and Cabaret Voltaire our cryptic guide.

Average customer rating:

It's time for a whole new class of students

MAYBE THE BEST SUPPLEMENT YET!

Miskatonic University: A Sourcebook (Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying)
Sam Johnson
Manufacturer: Chaosium
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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H.P. Lovecraft's Arkham: Unveiling the Legend-Haunted City (Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying, Chaosium # 8803)

Tatters of the King: Hastur's Gaze Gains Brief Focus Upon the Earth (Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying)

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Call of Cthulhu: Horror Roleplaying in the Worlds of H. P. Lovecraft, 6th Edition

ASIN: 1568821409

Customer Reviews:

It's time for a whole new class of students.......2007-02-09

The Miskatonic University sourcebook is a VERY useful item for anyone who plays Call of Cthulhu and wants an 'intellectual' character. I know that the information provided on Lovecraft's signature school provided a wealth of background for my CoC investigators. This book, combined with HP Lovecraft's Arkham (ASIN 1568821654), provides all the information you need to adventure in the shadow haunted city of Arkham.

MAYBE THE BEST SUPPLEMENT YET!.......2006-04-05

Miskatonic University...that renowned institution of higher learning made famous (or infamous) in the tales of the Cthulhu Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft and others, comes to life in this fantastic supplement for the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game from Chaosium. Within these pages you'll find everything you'll need to attend, work at, or investigate the hallowed and haunted halls of Miskatonic. This is without a doubt a long awaited supplement for this horror RPG. The designers of this supplement have brought Miskatonic to life and created a setting that will excite players for a long time.

The first chapter begins with a lengthy history of the university and its founding in mysterious Arkham, MA, in 1690. Noted is the role that the town of Arkham played in the witchcraft hysteria of 1692 as some residents fled Salem to come to Arkham. Even one of Miskatonic's founders would be accused of witchcraft. Miskatonic's history and expansion is traced from its founding right up through the 20th century. A campus guide and detailed map notes the locations of all the buildings on campus including the dilapidated "Witch House" at 197 E. Pickman St. There is a lengthy section on Orne Library, one of the most important buildings, which provides maps of each floor, profiles of employees and frequent visitors as well as the noted collections housed there. These include some of the most famous tomes of dark lore in the world including The Book of Eibon, the Malleus Maleificarum (Hammer of the Witches), Nameless Cults, and, of course, the Necronomicon. Stats are provided for each book that detail sanity checks for reading them, weeks to study, and the spells/benefits gained once the book has been completed.

Thinking of attending or working at Miskatonic? Then chapter two gets you started with details on campus life, where to live and dine, social life, student organizations, honor societies, academic clubs, and secret societies. For those looking to join the Miskatonic staff there are details on faculty tenures and salaries. Each school is briefly profiled along with the important staff members. Chapter three further fleshes out life in and around Miskatonic with detailed information on topics such as tuition, financial aid, student employment, grades and report cards, academic requirements, and more. New skills such Cryptography and Zoology are included as well. There's even a section on creating a student investigator character.

All this leads up to chapter four, the Miskatonic Secrets! There are mazes of sewers and tunnels under the school, many predating the schools founding. What lies within those tunnels is up to the players to find out. Tunnel maps and the various entrance and exit points are noted. Information on known occultists, secret cults such as the Esoteric Order of the Dragon and The Witch Cult, and various legends and mysteries are included and can make for great adventures. There are over a dozen adventure hooks in all in this chapter and the Keeper should have no trouble coming up with his or her own.

Chapter five is a lengthy introductory scenario as players, either students or faculty characters, investigate the mysterious death of a student who was found dead in the Orne Library. The adventure moves briskly and gives players a great feel for the Miskatonic atmosphere and its abundant secrets. Finally the appendices include over two dozen new spells, as well as additional skills and playing information.

One of the things I loved about the book is the interior art. Interior art in a role-playing game supplement is often unimportant and thus sometimes done haphazardly, but note here. The artists did a magnificent job of capturing the look and feel of 1920's/30's New England. Further, and maybe it's just me, but the character in most of the portraits look a bit crazy if not outright sinister which only adds to the dark mood of the setting. While the information is abundant, the designers didn't make it all encompassing. There is still a lot of room for the Keeper to improvise and shape Miskatonic anyway they desire. Bottom line: this is a fantastic setting that truly captures the essence of Lovecraft's work. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Book Description

Over 30,000 online investors daily flock to pristine.com, the top-rated Website run by day trading legends Oliver Velez and Greg Capra, for up-to-the-minute strategies and market commentaries. In Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader, Velez and Capra revisit and completely update over 100 of their daily commentaries from the past four years, with new material explaining what worked, what didn't, and why.

This no-nonsense, easy read, meant to be referenced by traders every trading day, covers everything from potent trading strategies to intuitive insights on psychology and discipline. Proving once again that the best teacher is experience, Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader will help any trader log on with the technical skills, market knowledge, and confidence they need to capture more winning trades, and reap new profits.

Customer Reviews:

THE best book on trading I have ever read........2007-09-09

I had to get this book after reading such a mix of reviews. I was really curious how it would turn out since reviewers were either raving about it or trashing it.

After reading the 1st half of this book I was shocked to say the least. The first half of this book is worth more than all of the books I have read on trading combined. If someone trashes this book then they are either very new to trading and don't understand the points being made in this book(which I can understand because you have to get some experience under your belt to really appreciate what is being said in this book) or they are looking for a quick strategy they can read in 5 minutes and start making money. For one thing, that's never going to happen anyway.

The trading strategies in this book are very basic, so for newbies that part of the book has some good info. I was hoping for a little more advanced analysis of trading techniques, but I really didn't need that anyway. The knowledge and wisdom in the first half of this book is going to take my trading to moon.

For the newbies who didn't like this book, get a couple years experience under your belts then go back to this book and re-read the 1st half. I guarantee you, you will want to come back here and write a positive review.

Interesting book with lack in details by very self-confident authors.......2007-06-09

When I started reading the book by Oliver Velez and Greg Capra: "Tools and Tactics for the Master Day Trader", I thought it was one of the better books on day trading. It starts out with the importance of discipline, and the lessons to be learnt from losses. It also outlines the concept that you don't buy from the market, but there is always another person on the other side of the trade that has exactly the opposite market expectation as you.

Then come four chapters with lists of rules: 7 deadly sins, 12 trading laws of success, 15 things every trader should know, and 10 lessons for the master trader. Altogether 44 rules, which don't seem to be in any systematic order. It looks like the authors were brainstorming to come up with as many rules as they could think of, and then divided them up among the four chapters. Some rules contradict one another, some important rules are next to irrelevant ones etc. Also the "Seed of Wisdom" does not help to sum up the rules because it often is not related to the part that it is supposed to summarize.

In Chapter 10 and 11 the authors talk about tools and start out by explaining things as basic as a candle stick or support and resistance. Then they dedicate two chapters to Order Systems and Level II data, and it takes until page 293 when they finally talk about trading techniques.

After having talked redundantly about general things for three quarters of the book, the authors give their ideas of entry, stop and exit techniques. What I missed most in this part is the lack of exact trading rules. Everything is expressed vaguely (e.g. p.219 "you can also opt to keep the break-even stop. This is a matter of choice." or p.322 "Sell at least half your stock if and when the stock breaks below the 5-minute low. ... These are just guidelines. We don't want to be stupid. ... Many traders will be best served selling the whole lot at this point."). This is exactly the vagueness you can't afford as a day trader. I was also disappointed that there was so little variety in the trade setups (just three entry techniques).

So my hope was high that in chapter 17 "How to put it all together" there would finally be concrete entry and exit descriptions. Instead, the authors just describe common chart formations like any other book on technical analysis (and do a worse job, too).

Throughout the book I noted an arrogant tone (p. 317: "Let's assume a master trader, let's call him Mr. Velez."). The authors speak about master traders, as if they were some kind of rock stars. No matter, how successful you are, if you quit being humble, the market can easily take everything away from you.

I am giving the book three stars because it does cover important topics for day traders like discipline, and learning from your mistakes. If you want to read a more effective book, however, I recommend the one by John F. Carter "Mastering the Trade".

Seeds of Wisdom!.......2007-05-18

Tools and Tactics for the Master DayTrader: Battle-Tested Techniques for Day, Swing, and Position Traders.

Velez and Capra give me the impression they have traded before and are not just book writer's. You can learn a few pointer's from this book whether you are a rookie or have been trading a while. It covers Candlesticks,Moving Averages, Fibs, Volume and drawing a few trendlines on the charts intraday and daily charts.
It does not go into some of the mathematical stock indicators that some trader's think it might be the "Holy Grail". Sorry, there is no Holy Grail in the stock market you better look elsewhere like yourself. The only "Holy Grail" you will ever find trading stocks is yourself there is no quick fixes to learn to trade stocks it all takes lots of time and practice.
Its to look and observe what a chart's footprints tell you with some seeds of wisdom.
I see so many negative reviews here about this books. I am starting to wonder whether those reader's have ever traded stocks.
I have traded full-time for years and I can tell you they must be all novice trader's hoping that a book might have all the answer's for them and their future. It would help them if they read this book a few times until it sinks in their minds.

Nothing new.......2007-04-18

nothing new, nothing exciting. Everything can be found in books that are half the price. Save your money.

FIVE STARS!!!.......2007-02-27

I would definitely give this book five stars. I really learned alot from it. If you gave it a bad review you either need to go back and read the book again or just skimmed through the book.

and to the person who sid that he "Heard" that they don't actually trade they are wrong and I thought everyone knew not always to believe what they hear. But hey, some people just believe things more easily than others.
and you can't even RATE this book one star because YOU HAVEN'T ACTUALLY READ IT!!!
You skimmed through the book and rate it one star??? WOW. that's all I have to say: wow. I'm not even going to say anything else. and people don't listen to all of those bad revievs out there. It really was a great book and is worth the money. (and so is his newer book)

and to the person who said: "This book TOTALLY rocked. I read it alot because it was so awesome"

YOU TOTTALY ROCK TOO! LOL!

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