Hi, my son who is just starting out is doing well and enjoying the whole acting thing. Because he is new, can any directors or CD let me know what types of things a "green" child actor may do on auditions or on the set? Thanks so much! All examples would be fabulous..I would rather let my little guy know what Not to do than have him do it while working.

Anything opposite of what"s asked .

An actor who prints all his headshots on recycled paper and drives his/her Prius to auditions.

Joking.

There are some pretty good books on the Do's and Don'ts when meeting an Agent or at a Casting Director's office.

"An Agent Tells All" by Tony Martinez
"How not to audition" by Ellie Kanner & Denny Martin Flinn
"Ask an Agent" by Margaret Emory
"Raising a Star" by Nancy Carson

As far as on-set stuff... Work a day as a background actor, will give him a genearl idea about what it is like on location... And production crew involved in running the project...etc.

I've read a lot of books about acting and some are just embarassingly outdated. I def recommend reading a book by a casting director who actually has experience chosing actors, and avoid any books by actors themselves (because if they have to right a book in order to make money, they seriously have no idea what they're talking about.) I currently am recommending:

"How to Book Acting Jobs in TV and Film" by Cathy Reinking

Great book on what to expect in an audition, tips for getting the job, etc. And it covers the biggest mistakes made in the auditioning room.

One of the major acting rules that get broken so easily which I've encountered on-set, which always makes me cringe, is when new and veteran actors try and direct their scene partners. Regardless if you're a veteran or new actor, NEVER give direction unless you're the director.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmidnight:
I currently am recommending:

"How to Book Acting Jobs in TV and Film" by Cathy Reinking

Really, new, unknown and spelling-challenged poster - ONE BOOK? Out of all the books out there, you're just recommending ONE BOOK?

As for actors who "right a book", Michael Caine seems to have done pretty well for himself as an actor and his book "Acting In Film" is often recommended. Judy Kerr works at a different level, certainly, but her "Acting is Everything" is a very valuable book, any way you cut it. K Callan's acting career seems to indicate pretty clearly she knows what she's doing as an actor, and yet she's got a long list of books out.

Etc.

But of course you're more concerned with promoting a particular book, aren't you, than giving any real advice?