Actors Encyclopedia of Casting Directors: Conversations with Over 100 Casting Directors on How to Get the Job

While I'm not in the habit of recomending industry books, I do praise Karen Kondazian's, The Actor's Encyclopedia of Casting Directors. It's a highly practical, intelligently written work that will be an asset to any working actor or newcpmer who hopes to find work. The information dispened in the Q & A format will help you prepare for any auditon wheter it be for the particular casting director profiled or someone else you may be reading for. A quick note; not one day after reading the book I stepped into an elavator and came face to face with one of the casters profiled in the book, I'd actiually read for this person two years before but for the life of me couldn't remember her name. Then, miracle of miracles I somehow saw her face and name from the book, and was quickly able to make a proper introduction. I use the book regularly before auditons to refresh my memory as to what each casting directors' likes and dislikes are.

LOVED IT! This is the book I've been looking for! I've been in the industry as a successful actress for 20 years and have always wanted to know first hand what the casting directors think and want. This book also includes valuable interviews from two top directors: James Cameron & John Woo.

As Program Coordinator for the Entertainment Studies department of an adult education school, and as a former actress, I have seen a lot of books that purport to give insight or guidance to the actor, but few that actually deliver any worthwhile or new information. I only wish this book had existed when I was acting! How many times the usual anxiety of auditioning was compounded by having not a clue who I was meeting, which person in the room was the casting director, what they liked, what they didn't-- and what a godsend this book would have been at those times! How much more comfortable I could have been if I had known how much casting

What a book! I'm a young actor(who just blew an audition) and this book showed me everything I did wrong. The best part is, w/over 100 c.s.a.'s, the same topics(what they love and hate)keep coming up, and most of them have the same likes and dislikes, so it's not the opinion of just one nut casting director. I've only read half of the book so far and I am psyched for my next audition. I believe this book could be responsible for taking my career to the next level-and anybody else who reads it and takes it seriously. Just about every c.s.a. in there has major TV, film, and commercial credits under their belts. Also, each one tells you if they accept unsolicted headshots, tapes, ect. So buy it!

This is worth the price of the book alone. Now you can actually see what the casting director you are about to meet looks like! If you are an actor, or aspiring actor, get this book -- actually get 2 and keep one in your car. Bravo, Ms. Kondazian!