any good books on moving to l.a.??? has anyone read how to be a working actor...im wondering if its up to date information.....

The Intent to Live by Larry Moss. Amazing. Get it.

I checked out several books from the library this weekend. Intent To Live was one of them, and it looks quite good so far.

I also grabbed Acting Power by Robert Cohen, Improvization for the Theatre by Viola Spolin, and a book on Alexander Technique to see what it was like. Others have recommended them to me, so I thought I'd check 'em out.

I need to read more plays, though... I should have grabbed a play to read in between each process book...

Oh well.

No Acting Please by Eric Morris. I learned so many exercises that helped me develop my sensory process. I read it over and over and explore the exercises over and over. I definitely recommend it. I read Irreverent Acting by Eric too, but I like No Acting Please more.

Eric Morris "No Acting Please"

Uta Hagen "Respect For Acting"

David Mamet "True And False".

Read between the lines. It is a provocation, and has its own style.

This is about directing, but very interesting to see the process from another point of view.

Harold Clurman "On Directing"

Intent to Live and The Power of the Actor are both great, but you can't beat the old standby "Audition" by Michael Shurtleff...

I love Robert Cohen's "Acting Professionally" : he has a very "tell-it-like-is" approach to the whole entertainment business.

definitely Audition by Shurtleff
also The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is awesome for any actor!

These are great suggestions. I am trying to start a formal self study in acting. Thank you all.

I also like the off-beat suggestions like the fairytale book and the Four Agreements. Helps me broaden myself. Thanks again.

I agree with the Eric Morris books - they are truly inspirational and not a "one time" read.

Yes.

"Irreverent Acting", by Eric Morris.

To that it is mentioned with its full title.

How To Get The Part Without Falling Apart by Margie Haber

If you are looking for inspiration and craft for auditions this is the book for you.

I make all my clients read it.

It's so simple, but I liked The Practical Handbook for the Actor. It's very basic, but it really breaks down what needs to be in a scene. I read if before I started some classes, and it really prepped me for the analytical part of looking at scene for the first time. I'm taking more advanced classes now, but I still look back at it sometimes.