Actor Muscle: Craft Grit. Wit. A Professional Guide to the Business of Acting

According to TV and Broadway actor and acting instructor Leech, an actor should focus not on making it, but on being able to rise to the occasion when opportunity strikes and to remain active, professional, and positive over the long term. Perhaps the most important element of this approach involves a realistic appraisal not only of what one%E2%80%99s professional goals might be, but also of what one%E2%80%99s strengths and weaknesses are as an actor. Primarily intended as a guide to the West Coast market%E2%80%94though certainly useful elsewhere%E2%80%94much of the book is devoted to advice about how to conduct oneself when auditioning or screen-testing, what to include in a resume and cover letter, and scams to avoid. While some of the motivational language%E2%80%94%E2%80%9Cstrive for excellence, not perfection%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94could be seen as clich%C3%A9d, anyone interested in pursuing a career in acting could benefit from the detailed information she provides. Sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge, Leech is both encouraging and pragmatic: %E2%80%9CI cannot promise you a career, but I can show you the path towards a career worth having.%E2%80%9D