Book picks similar to
The Tao of Show Business: How to Pursue Your Dream Without Losing Your Mind by Dallas Travers
acting
business
art
life-lessons
An Actor Prepares
Konstantin Stanislavski - 1938
Stanislavski's simple exercises fire the imagination, and help readers not only discover their own conception of reality but how to reproduce it as well.
The Little Black Book of Design
Adam Judge - 2009
Like an Art of War for design, this slim volume contains guidance, inspiration, and reassurance for all those who labor with the user in mind. If you work on the web, in print, or in film or video, this book can help. If you know someone working on the creative arena, this makes a great gift. Funny, too.Look for fresh aphorisms on our Facebook page.
Body of Work: Finding the Thread that Ties Your Career Together
Pamela Slim - 2013
More and more of us are blending big company jobs, startup gigs, freelance work, and volunteer side projects. We take chances to expand our knowledge, capabilities, and experience. But how do we make sense of that kind of career - and explain it?Pamela Slim, the acclaimed author of Escape from Cubicle Nation, gives us the tools to have meaningful careers in this new world of work. She shows how to find the connections among diverse accomplishments, sell your story, and continually reinvent and relaunch your brand.
Daily Rituals: How Artists Work
Mason Currey - 2013
Thomas Wolfe wrote standing up in the kitchen, the top of the refrigerator as his desk, dreamily fondling his “male configurations”. . . Jean-Paul Sartre chewed on Corydrane tablets (a mix of amphetamine and aspirin), ingesting ten times the recommended dose each day . . . Descartes liked to linger in bed, his mind wandering in sleep through woods, gardens, and enchanted palaces where he experienced “every pleasure imaginable.” Here are: Anthony Trollope, who demanded of himself that each morning he write three thousand words (250 words every fifteen minutes for three hours) before going off to his job at the postal service, which he kept for thirty-three years during the writing of more than two dozen books . . . Karl Marx . . . Woody Allen . . . Agatha Christie . . . George Balanchine, who did most of his work while ironing . . . Leo Tolstoy . . . Charles Dickens . . . Pablo Picasso . . . George Gershwin, who, said his brother Ira, worked for twelve hours a day from late morning to midnight, composing at the piano in pajamas, bathrobe, and slippers . . . Here also are the daily rituals of Charles Darwin, Andy Warhol, John Updike, Twyla Tharp, Benjamin Franklin, William Faulkner, Jane Austen, Anne Rice, and Igor Stravinsky (he was never able to compose unless he was sure no one could hear him and, when blocked, stood on his head to “clear the brain”). Brilliantly compiled and edited, and filled with detail and anecdote, Daily Rituals is irresistible, addictive, magically inspiring.
Secrets of Screen Acting
Patrick Tucker - 1993
He explains that the actor, instead of starting with what is real and trying to portray that on screen, should work with the realities of the shoot itself, and then work out how to make it all appear realistic.Tucker has created and developed several screen acting of a courses, and this book is an extension and explanation of a lifetime of work in the field. Containing over fifty acting exercises, this book leads the reader step-by-step through the elements of effective screen acting.Refreshing in its informal approach and full of instructive anecdotes, Secrets of Screen Acting is an invaluable guide for those who wish to master the art of acting on-screen.
The Little Book of Talent: 52 Tips for Improving Your Skills
Daniel Coyle - 2012
It is an easy-to-use handbook of scientifically proven, field-tested methods to improve skills—your skills, your kids’ skills, your organization’s skills—in sports, music, art, math, and business. The product of five years of reporting from the world’s greatest talent hotbeds and interviews with successful master coaches, it distills the daunting complexity of skill development into 52 clear, concise directives. Whether you’re age 10 or 100, whether you’re on the sports field or the stage, in the classroom or the corner office, this is an essential guide for anyone who ever asked, “How do I get better?”“The Little Book of Talent should be given to every graduate at commencement, every new parent in a delivery room, every executive on the first day of work. It is a guidebook—beautiful in its simplicity and backed by hard science—for nurturing excellence.”—Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit
“It’s so juvenile to throw around hyperbolic terms such as ‘life-changing,’ but there’s no other way to describe The Little Book of Talent. I was avidly trying new things within the first half hour of reading it and haven’t stopped since. Brilliant. And yes: life-changing.”—Tom Peters, co-author of In Search of Excellence
On Method Acting
Edward Dwight - 1989
Practiced by such actors of stature as Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Julie Harris, Dustin Hoffman, and Ellen Burstyn (not to mention the late James Dean) the Method offers a practical application of the renowned Stanislavsky technique.On Method Acting demystifies the "mysteries" of Method acting -- breaking down the various steps into clear and simple terms, including chapters on:Sense Memory -- the most vital component of Method actingImprovisation -- without it, the most integral part of the Method is lostAnimal Exercises -- just one way to combat the mental blocks that prevent actors from grasping a characterCreating The Outer Character -- so actors can give the freshness of originality to a role while at the same time living the life of the characterOn Method Acting is also an indispensable volume for directors, designers, lighting technicians, and anyone in the dramatic arts interested in creating a believable and realistic effect in their productions.
Authorpreneur: Build the Brand, Business, and Lifestyle You Deserve. It's Time to Write Your Book
Jesse Tevelow - 2018
Jesse has self-published two books, which are both #1 bestsellers on track to generate $30,000 per year in passive income. Beyond book sales, Jesse has leveraged his books to build a business that earned over six figures in its first year. Other part-time authors are doing far better, earning six, or even seven figures per year. Many have leveraged their books to build multimillion-dollar business ventures. This wasn't possible ten years ago, but the publishing industry has changed. People are finding unparalleled freedom and wealth through writing, and you can too. Authorpreneur will show you how. Inside Authorpreneur, you’ll learn: Why writing a book is the new PhD How a book can make you rich, credible, and immortal The three critical traits to succeed as a writer Why everyone is a salesman The 50% Rule The three approaches to finding a marketable topic to write about How to find contractors for quality book production How to choose a title that doesn’t suck How to get reviews before launching When to launch, and what to do AFTER it’s over ...plus so much more. What are you waiting for? It’s time to write your book.
Overlap: Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job
Sean McCabe - 2017
You use the stability of your day job to provide a financial foundation for building your own business on the side.When Sean McCabe started practicing hand lettering, he never dreamed he’d make over $500,000 from the craft. He always thought it’d be a hobby. But he learned that there are three specific ways to make money from any niche pursuit.Sean codifies and breaks down these three methods of making money in what he calls The Trifecta:• Client Work• Products• TeachingNo matter what you want to do, you can grow a thriving business using these three methods of generating revenue.But where you’ll get stuck is trying to find the time, motivation, and focus to do the work.• How do you get your family or spouse on board when they’re scared?• What if you come home from your day job feeling exhausted and ready to collapse?• What if you have many passions and you’re not sure which to focus on?Overlap will help you find your passion, develop your skills, get out of scarcity, and create the life you want.The results will not come overnight, but this book will help you get unstuck and give you a clear idea of exactly what to do next.Don’t Quit Your Day JobThere’s a notion that if you’re “really serious” you’ll quit your day job and give your passion a chance.That works for some people, but so does the lottery. I don’t think it’s a winning strategy.You want something more sensible—something that doesn’t involve crazy amounts of risk (and the high likelihood you’ll kill your passion for good if things don’t pan out).We all know people who quit their job to pursue their passion only to end up hating what they do.Or worse: they had to go back to the day job and, because they felt like a failure, they never got up the courage to try again.You’re here because you want something more practical: a systematic plan and logical steps for making a living from what you love.Overlap is for you.When you overlap, you don’t immediately quit your day job. You use the day job as a financial foundation to support your pursuit of something else.This does something incredible.Rather than feel immediate financial pressure, you are free to explore, do, and try.This exploratory phase is critical. It prevents burnout and helps you avoid killing your passion, which often happens when you’re desperate for money.Overlap is where you start a business while working a full time job.• This is the book you’ll wish you had years ago.• This is the book that finally gives you clarity.• This is the book you can give to your kids and not worry about their future.This is a sensible, practical, down to earth guide to making a living doing what you love, creating financial freedom for yourself, and getting your family on board.I’ve been working on this book for years.I’ve written the book, re-written it, and revised it based on hundreds of personal conversations I’ve had with people who want something more than the status quo.What I discovered is this:Most Books Are Addressing the Wrong ProblemsI found that the things holding you back aren’t necessarily lack of business knowledge, finance, or anything like that.In my conversations, I learned it’s these things that are holding you back:• Lack of support from your family.• Trouble finding motivation.• Not enough time.• Difficulty focusing.• Unsure of the right thing to pursue.• Feeling overwhelmed with the possibilities.I reverse engineered Overlap to solve every single one of these struggles.If you believe you were meant for something more, if you believe you can make it, if you believe you were destined for greatness…Overlap will help you get there.
Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk: And Other Truths About Being Creative
Danielle Krysa - 2016
Silencing that stifling voice once and for all, this salve for creatives introduces ten truths they must face in order to defeat self-doubt. Each encouraging chapter deconstructs a pivotal moment on the path to success—fear of the blank page, the dangers of jealousy, sharing work with others—and explains how to navigate roadblock. Packed with helpful anecdotes, thoughts from successful creatives, and practical exercises gleaned from Danielle Krysa's years of working with professional and aspiring artists—plus riotously apt illustrations from art world darling Martha Rich—this book arms readers with the most essential tool for their toolbox: the confidence they need to get down to business and make good work.
Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work
Matthew B. Crawford - 2009
On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a "knowledge worker," based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world.
The Secret of Shelter Island: Money and What Matters
Alexander Green - 2009
How to lead a "rich" life during trying economic timesIn The Secret of Shelter Island, nationally renowned financial analyst and bestselling author Alexander Green explores the complicated relationship we all have with money and reveals the road map to a rich life.Drawing on some of today's best minds and many of history's greatest thinkers, The Secret of Shelter Island is both a much-needed source of inspiration and an insightful look at the role of both money and values in the pursuit of the good life.Addresses what really matters when it comes to money and how to make smarter decisions with what you have Describes the profound connection between money, character, personal philosophy, and outlook Other bestselling titles by Green: The Gone Fishin' PortfolioIf you want to understand what ultimately provides meaning, contentment, and the satisfaction of a life well-lived, then read The Secret of Shelter Island.
How To Be The Greatest Improviser On Earth
Will Hines - 2016
Become great at performing long-form improv! We skip the basics and get into advanced topics like: being truly present, being authentic, dealing with difficult performers, being actually funny (!) and the rarely discussed but essential skill of being healthy.
Networking Is a Contact Sport: How Staying Connected and Serving Others Will Help You Grow Your Business, Expand Your Influence -- or Even Land Your Next Job
Joe Sweeney - 2010
Networking.In this New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestseller, master networker Joe Sweeney shares his networking secrets from a long and successful career as a business owner, sports agent and executive and investment banking consultant. His first secret: master networkers are focused on giving, not getting.With today’s difficult economy and uncertain workplace, networking has never been more important. Sweeney’s simple but effective 5/10/15 networking plan will give you a leg up in the current job market, help you stay employed, or, if you’ve been laid off, find your next job. The cliché that who you know is more important than what you know has never been truer. Sweeney illustrates his insights with dozens of helpful examples from his own life (along with a few fascinating insider sports stories).With special sections on networking for women and minorities, insights into the usefulness (and handicaps) of social networking sites, how to get (and why you need) a wingman and profiles of other master networkers, Networking Is a Contact Sport is a practical and essential guide for anyone who wants to get ahead in today’s economy.
Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity
David Lynch - 2006
Lynch writes for the first time about his more than three-decade commitment to Transcendental Meditation and the difference it has made in his creative process.In brief chapters, Lynch explains the development of his ideas - where they came from, how he grasps them, and which ones appeal to him the most. He specifically discusses how he puts his thoughts into action and how he engages with others around him. Finally, he considers the self and the surrounding world - and how the process of "diving within" that has so deeply affected his own work can directly benefit others.Catching the Big Fish comes as a revelation to the legion of fans who have longed to better understand Lynch's personal vision. And it is equally intriguing to those who wonder how they can nurture their own creativity.