Book Recommendation help???

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I believe
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Book Recommendation help???

Post by I believe »

Can anyone please help.....Before all the historic topics were deleted from this site someone on here recommended a humorous book to read on getting into the 'acting business', a biography type book by a male author. I have been looking for it for some time, and now lost the details and can't remember the author's name. Does anyone remember? The last book I read as a result of a recommendation from here was 'Stage Mum' by Lisa Gee which was fantastic, and am very keen to get my hands on this other book....if only I could remember! :-k
Headliner
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Re: Book Recommendation help???

Post by Headliner »

was it 'whats my motivation?' by Michael Simkins? Someone on here recommended it to me, but had to stop reading it! Its very funny, but VERY depressing!! :lol:
"Life's like a play; it's not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters"
I believe
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Re: Book Recommendation help???

Post by I believe »

Hey!! Well done Headliner....that's the one!! Thanks so much, it's been bugging me for ages! Mind you, now wondering whether or not I should read it as you say it's VERY depressing?! x
Headliner
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Re: Book Recommendation help???

Post by Headliner »

Glad to be of help!! Its definitely worth a read for the pure fact that its a true representation of what life is like for lots of actors. Depressing is probably a bit too strong a word, but i did find it a bit discouraging. But saying that, it was written in the 80's (i think) so things are a lot different now (i mean with the amount of work in TV and film overtaking the amount of work in theatre). Dont let me put you off reading it though, a few people on here have read it and really rate it highly!
"Life's like a play; it's not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters"
mathsmum
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Re: Book Recommendation help???

Post by mathsmum »

oh - it was me recommended it - sorry if you find it depressing - do bear in mind that tho only those of us who have heard of him have heard of him iyswim, michael simkins had made a good living from acting all his post-rada life (with a good sideline in writing now, tho)

he's a lovely chap and we all love the book - especially dd, who is having one heck of a struggle with her career

oh - and the bits about timothy spall are hilarious
Life is complex - some of it is real, some of it is imaginary.
Headliner
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Re: Book Recommendation help???

Post by Headliner »

No, im glad you did recommend it to me mathsmum! It didnt twig that the fat slobby guy called tim was actually timothy spall until quite a way into the book!!!
"Life's like a play; it's not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters"
pg
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Re: Book Recommendation help???

Post by pg »

Brilliant book! Don't read it on public transport. I shouted with laughter several times and got lots of very odd looks from fellow passengers...

Quite a bit of bad language in it, so don't buy it for anyone who might be offended by a few (?) strong swear words...

I think the profession has changed a great deal since Michael Simkins was starting out (end of closed shop probably being the biggest change) though the vagaries and idiocies and uncertainties are still the same. I think it's a really refreshing, hilarious antidote to some of the very "luvvy" autobiographies around.

If anything, I'd say the profession is much tougher now. I was filming on Wednesday with a very experienced actor who has had a long career in TV and theatre and he said it's the worst he has ever known it. Fees are the same as ten years ago and there is nowhere near as much work as there used to be.

I'd still recommend the book though. Heck, I'd still even recommend the profession!! :D
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