Working Actor: Breaking In, Making a Living, and Making a Life in the Fabulous Trenches of Show Business

Veteran character actor David Dean Bottrell draws on his 35+ tumultuous years of work in the entertainment industry to offer a guide to breaking in, making a living, and making a life in the fabulous trenches of show business. Covers every facet of the business, including: 

-        Capturing the perfect headshot
-        Starting (and maintaining) your network
-        Picking an agent
-        Audition do’s and don’ts
-        Joining the union(s): SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association (AEA)
-        On stage vs on screen
-        Paying the bills
-        Self-promotion
-        Late bloomers
-        When to get out 

David Dean Bottrell has worn many different hats during his decades in showbiz: television actor with appearances on Boston Legal, Modern Family, The Blacklist, Mad Men, True Blood, NCIS, and Days of Our Lives; screenwriter for Paramount and Disney; respected acting teacher at UCLA and AADA; and regular expert columnist for esteemed acting site Backstage. In Working Actor, Bottrell offers a how-to manual jammed with practical information and insider advice, essential reading for any artist (aspiring or established) in need of insight or inspiration. Mixing prescriptive advice ("Getting Started," "Learning Your Craft," "Finding an Agent") with wisdom drawn from Bottrell's own professional highs and lows and those of his acting compatriots, this book's humorous, tell-it-like-it-is tone is a must-have guide for anyone hoping to successfully navigate show business.

Known for his versatility and quirky characterizations, DAVID DEAN BOTTRELL is a critically acclaimed actor who has guest starred on many TV shows and is primarily known for his portrayal of Lincoln Meyer on season three of Boston Legal. In the last decade, David has become a highly popular humor columnist (Metrosource magazine); industry blogger (Huffington Post), spoken word performer (Comedy Central Stage), and respected acting teacher (UCLA, AADA). For 13 years, he was a popular screenwriter for the likes of Fox Searchlight, Paramount, MTV Films, and Disney Animation. He is currently a regular expert columnist for Backstage. Learn more at DavidDeanBottrell.net.