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The Actor's Life

A Survival Guide

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The Actor's Life

By: Jenna Fischer
Narrated by: Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson
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About this listen

Jenna Fischer's Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. With a theater degree in hand, she was determined, she was confident, she was ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong?

Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she’d imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, struggle, rejection, and doubt.

If only she’d had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way—an established actor who could educate her about the business, manage her expectations, and reassure her in those moments of despair.

Jenna wants to be that person for you.

With amusing candor and wit, Fischer spells out the nuts and bolts of getting established in the profession, based on her own memorable and hilarious experiences. She tells you how to get the right headshot, what to look for in representation, and the importance of joining forces with other like-minded artists and creating your own work—invaluable advice personally acquired from her many years of struggle. She provides helpful hints on how to be gutsy and take risks, the tricks to good auditioning and callbacks, and how not to fall for certain scams (auditions in a guy’s apartment are probably not legit—or at least not for the kind of part you’re looking for!).

Her inspiring, helpful guidance feels like a trusted friend who’s made the journey, and has now returned to walk beside you, pointing out the pitfalls as you blaze your own path towards the life of a professional actor.

This title is narrated by a full cast. Narrators include: Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Natalie Zea, Sean Gunn, Derek Waters, Reed Birney, and Mark Proksch.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Andycat Productions Inc. (P)2017 Novel Audio Inc.
Acting & Auditioning Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Celebrity Entertainment Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Theatre Comedy

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All stars
Most relevant
This is the first audiobook I've listened to and I couldn't have started better. Jenna is funny, inspiring and real. As a struggling actress, I relate so much to all her stories and, even though I'm in a different market (London), her insights are still useful and she actually helped me stay focused when I was getting lost. Thank you for sharing your story, Jenna.

Amazing

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Brilliant book. Helpful for anyone in the creative industry not just for actors, really motivating

Insightful and helpful

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I love this book! Ever since discovering it it has become my acting industry bible and I’m recommending it to all my actor friends! It’s nice to know that my struggles in this industry are ‘normal’ and that someone like Jenna Fischer has had similar difficulties. Every time I re-listen to it it gives me the courage to keep going and to keep celebrating the small milestones as well as the rejections!

Hilarious and so, so realistic!

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I LOVED this book. It is mainly geared toward actors at the beginning of their career and those entering the TV/ film industry in Hollywood. But listening as an actor working in theatre in the UK for over ten years I found there were so many pearls of wisdom and lots of helpful advice applicable to all actors at all stages from anywhere in the world. She includes great interviews with actors that were simultaneously comforting and inspiring. Jenna strikes a perfect balance between being very truthful and honest about the realties of the industry whilst also making you feel like anything is possible and gives you practical no nonsense advice on how to achieve it! Helpful to those starting out and those of us who need a confidence boost.

Really helpful for actors at all stages of career.

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I'm an actor, and I've read plenty of these types of books. Despite being very American (the British industry is slightly different) there was still so much useful information and really helps keep us in the game.
highly recommend for actors.

inspiring

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