The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide

I've read loads of actor-help books over the years. Los Angeles "survival" guides, actor biograpies, autobiographies, memoirs, etc., and not one of the authors ever opened up this much about their professional experiences, and related so accurately what it's like being a new arrival in L.A. - not knowing anyone, doing extra work to be on set and try to get into the union, being reluctant to get involved in unpaid projects, only to realize that you have to do unpaid projects to meet people and become more involved in the industry, and get footage for your reel, which will eventually lead to better paid and bigger jobs. She has large helpful chapters on headshots, resumes, self-submissions sites, everything. She talks about going through multiple agents at the beginning of her career, and how easy it is to lose them - they close their doors, leave L.A., or die, and you're onto the next one. Am I reading about my own life?! This book is half autobiography, half actor-help, and I loved it. I couldn't read it at night because it got me all riled up, wanting to be productive and create something, which isn't conducive to sleeping. Jenna includes detailed descriptions of her many years struggling to be seen, to get the meeting, to get the next part, which is something that most of the actor-written books I've read failed to do. Books of this nature often feature someones detailed stories of each project they worked on, but tend to leave out any career struggles or roadblocks they encountered, making it seem like they were an overnight success. Nobody is ever an overnight success. Jenna's tale is relatable for every actor, and her warm mix of information, humor, and encouragement made me feel like I was having a conversation with a good friend. Reading her book felt like reading parts of my own story, reminding me that I'm not alone in my journey, and making me hopeful for what the future holds.

Jenna Fischer's "The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide" is an absolute gem! Even if you're not pursuing a career in acting (like me, a community theater enthusiast), this book is a delightful read. Steve Carell's foreword is wonderful, and the photos from Jenna's early acting days are a treat. Her writing style is so casual and engaging, it feels like having a conversation with a friend. What I loved most is how honest Jenna is about her experiences. She doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of the industry, sharing her own rejections and the eight years it took to land her big break on "The Office." This honesty makes the book relatable and inspiring, whether you're a seasoned actor or just starting out. The book is packed with practical advice on everything from creating headshots and resumes to nailing auditions and networking. She even includes sections on the not-so-glamorous parts of an actor's life, like managing finances and juggling side hustles. Jenna also dives into the emotional side of acting, discussing the toll that rejection and self-doubt can take. Her advice on staying motivated and maintaining a healthy perspective is truly invaluable. "The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide" is more than just a how-to guide; it's a heartfelt and humorous exploration of the acting world. Jenna's passion for acting and empathy for her fellow actors shine through, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the craft.

This is a great book. I read this after reading “The Office BFFs” and listening to the podcast. When I read this book, I can hear Jenna Fischer’s voice in my head. The writing is very natural, the info is fascinating, and the advice offered in the book is helpful advice for actors. Jenna Fischer tells you about life before The Office as a struggling actor. She gives advice about headshots and auditions and explains what an agent should do for you. She recounts a story when she tried to get into a casting call without her agent submitting her as a potential candidate first. The story is painful/embarrassing to recount, but it taught her an important lesson and she shares the wisdom gained in this book. Quote from actors and directors are sprinkled throughout the book for encouragement and to help describe the long hard road that many actors have had to endure before their name became a household name. This book has pictures which is great because it helps give you a picture of what she is discussing. She shares her headshot photos and talks about how a sultry, stunning headshot did not land her many roles because it did not fit her personality/true self. RECOMMENDATION: BUY. This is a fast, enjoyable, witty, and interesting read.

I really enjoyed this book. Hearing about the struggle to learn how to make a living as an actor made me appreciate the journey that it takes to be able to fulfill that particular dream.

If you are an actor, this book is a letter to your heart that will keep you company along the way (no matter which stage of acting you are in). I completely recommend it! Jenna's heart is in every page of that book.

Este livro da estonteante Jenna Fischer sobre como ser um ator é exatamente isso: um manual para quem quer cumprir o sonho de viver da sua arte. Mas também é muito mais que isso: é uma ode à perseverança e à paciência. Ela mostra que a vida é dura para quem quer realizar os desejos mais verdadeiros de levar a vida de acordo com a sua vocação. O livro inteiro é inspirador e muito divertido. Ainda mais se você é um fanático da série americana 'The Office'. Vale muito a pena! Altamente recomendável.

El libro es una especie de autobiografía de Jenna Fischer (nuestra querida Pam en The Office), en principio pensado para actores o aspirantes a actores. PERO, el libro es mucho más: si te interesa el mundo del cine, series y demás, tiene muchos datos, curiosidades que te muestran ese mundo sin caer en clichés ni en realidades sórdidas. Te da consejos que de verdad sirven, y que para cualquier persona que le interese dedicarse a esto pueden sacar muchos consejos prácticos.

Really enjoyed this book. Entertaining, gave a good snapshot at what it takes to be a working actor- or at least, what it was like since COVID19 will be changing everything for the next two or three years at least. But I also felt Jenna's book had some good advice for creative people in all fields. Well written book by a very likable person. I highly recommend it.

It's a detailed book with everything an actor needs to know before getting into the business. Along with plenty with stories of Jenna's history and how her life was in LA before the Office, this book provides deep insight into the beauty and the hardships of the industry and how they're sometimes intertwined. However this book's target audience is Actors and actors only, if you're not an actor you will find a lot of information here you don't need to know at all, but might still find the book charming and enjoyable since Jenna does not hold back when telling her own stories, even the embarrassing ones are there, always with a positive outlook which I really appreciate!