A Session Director's Guide to Commercial Acting in L.A. Book Blitz - Win A $25 Amazon Gift Card

Shaan Sharma’s A SESSION DIRECTOR’S GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL ACTING IN L.A. is the commercial acting industry’s most comprehensive book ever written - - giving readers a step-by-step guide to breaking into and prospering in the commercial acting business in the world’s entertainment center, Los Angeles. Fusing his experience, wisdom, vignettes and wit – Sharma is about to change the lives of those who thought big-picture acting was nothing but a fantasy, as well as those commercial veterans who could be even more successful.

Readers of this book will learn how to become successful working actors in TV commercials in Los Angeles in this fun step-by-step guide by top Casting Session Director and Commercial Actor Shaan Sharma. “This isn’t hype – it’s tangible advice I have gained from running auditions for over 400 commercial spots,” says Sharma. “Readers will hit the ground running as they discover how the business works and what to expect, how to find good acting classes, refine their look, get headshots, get representation, get in with the top commercial casting directors, navigate the audition and call-back process, life on set and even how to stay busy between acting jobs. There’s also a bonus chapter for parents interested in getting their children into acting. The commercial acting world is so different than that of theater, TV and film that new students and veterans alike need to make the most of the time and money they invest in their careers.”

Shaan went on to say, “The kind of information in this book can only come from someone who has experience both in front of and behind the camera, who works with the top casting directors, directors, ad agencies and companies in the world. There are no other books out there like it. So, if you want to get into commercial acting in L.A. – this is your guidebook.”

Having directed audition sessions for over four hundred national commercial spots for dozens of L.A.’s top casting directors, Shaan Sharma is a well-known veteran of his industry. Now expanding his reach through a powerful new book, Shaan is looking to help thousands of actors better navigate their way through the commercial acting business by putting into practice the tips and information he has spent fifteen years discovering. Regardless of experience level, A SESSION DIRECTOR’S GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL ACTING IN L.A. contains insider knowledge that will help actors better understand the process and in turn be more successful. Shaan’s book features compelling illustrations by Paul Loudon.

203 pages
E-book, $19.99; ISBN: 9780990408024
Softback, $29.99; ISBN: 9780990408000
Publication date: September 22, 2014
Published by CreateSpace; Available at: Apple iBooks: http://bit.ly/VGv766; Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1vFnTtK; Barnes and Noble Nook: http://bit.ly/1xjHmTv; Kobo: http://bit.ly/1magu4h

Book Excerpt:
In the end, training to be the best actor you can be, creating your own work, getting in front of casting directors whenever possible through workshops and showcases, submitting yourself for work on and offline, getting great representation and working with them to expand your opportunities for mutual success, being knowledgeable about the business and casting process, giving as much as you can of yourself to other actors, and being awesome to, and interested in, the people that make it all happen day-in and day-out is the best way to maximize your chances of success, not only as a commercial actor but as a professional actor, period.

I hope that this information has been a helpful starting point in knowing what to do. Almost all of us move here from somewhere else with no good information as to how things actually work, and it can be so hap-hazard where you end up training and how you end up finding out the right information. It’s my hope that this insider look into the world of commercial acting and casting helps you sidestep the mistakes I and others naturally made when we started out. A better-informed and trained acting community will only make my life easier in the casting studio. In fact, this material is actually all a selfish effort for my own benefit. But hey, if good is achieved with it also, well then that’s extra karma for me.

As an L.A. actor himself, Shaan Sharma has a string of impressive acting credits on network TV shows such as “Scandal,” “Ground Floor,” “Growing Up Fisher,” “Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street” and “The Thundermans.” Shaan’s commercial acting credits include spots for FedEx, Best Buy and Capital One - - but it’s his experience as a Session Director for hundreds of commercial castings that have given him unique insight into what it takes to be a working actor. He is also an acting teacher with regular scene study on-camera acting classes for film and TV as well as commercial acting workshops. For more information, visit Mr. Sharma’s official website: http://shaansharma.com and his book page at: http://shaansharma.com/Shaan_Sharma_Acting_Studio/shaans-book.php. He is also a columnist for Back Stage, an actor’s news source at: http://www.backstage.com/experts/shaan-sharma/.

Shaan is giving away one $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter.

• This giveaway begins November 3 and ends November 29.

• Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, December 1.

• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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Horror Novel Month: Creatures of the Night We Loved So Well by James Fetters

Jeepers Creepers Theater in 1962 ignited a love of horror hosts that was the beginning of a life-long addiction for many fans. But as much as the audience loved the shows, they never knew the horror that occurred off-screen — live adult stage performances, lawsuits and cutthroat competition. What started off as risqué and sexy by 1954 standards ended as risqué sexy by 1984 standards. Horror hosts affected 30 years of television history… a phenomenon that is not known by today’s generation but well remembered by the Baby Boomers and now chronicled for future generations.

Much of this 365-page book is packed with detailed reference material that has been sadly lacking on the subject. In Creatures of the Night That We Loved So Well, you will find: Little-known trivia, Over 250 photos, ads and images–many never seen before movie listings by date, actual scripts, interviews with hosts and writers, and identities revealed for the first time.

Read an excerpt!

Jeepers put out a 45rpm record in 1963. I never knew about it until research on the internet led me to George ‘E-gor’ Chastain, the Web Master for ‘TV Horror Hosts’ site. The precious information was there. Which, of course, sent me on a quest to find this little part of Jeepers History! And I did find it! For the most amazing part of this record… the background music and sound effects were written and performed by a very young and unknown Frank Zappa! Two Gods performing together!

Jim Sullivan was also part of the Jeepers – Frank Zappa collaboration. In fact, Frank wanted Jim to produce his ‘Captain Beefheart and the Grunt People’ film. To quote Jim Sullivan…

“Frank did the music gratis. He was a very talented musician but also could have been a very great film maker. I also have an original script by Frank Zappa that he wanted me to produce at the time. It is called ‘Captain Beefheart and the Grunt People’. Frank even had the sets built (he did them himself) in the wine storage warehouse in Cucamonga, unfortunately, he built them all so small two actors couldn’t squeeze in them, much less lights and cameras. It never went anywhere but it sure didn’t hurt Frank’s career.”

This was in early 1963 and Frank Zappa was a complete unknown! It was another 4 more years before The Mother’s of Invention ‘Freak Out’ album was released and he hit the road to fame.

To be a part of something so unique! Not only to have created Jeepers' Creepers Theater, along with Bob Guy, but to have been in association with Lietta Harvey, Fred Stuthman and The Creeper along with being a part of the beginning of Frank Zappas' career!


Read the reviews!

"I grew up in San Diego the same time as the author (he grew up in the SD suburb of Lemon Grove, I grew up in Chula Vista) and we are about the same age, so for that crop of dudes out there just like us who loved all of the horror hosts, Aurora monster models, Famous Monsters magazine, watching Lon Chaney Jr. go through the moonlight change, and toughed-out the creakiest moments of the Universal classics (you get the idea, but you can't count yourself among the crop unless you stuck it out watching 'The Mummy' with Karloff and 'Dracula' with Lugosi, again and again, and again... as well as enjoyed those cheesy 'Pizza Man' commercials that ran at 2 a.m.) this book is a treasure.

I am half way through it and loving it. There are loads of informational surprises and I give James huge credit for the research. I never, never thought I'd get to the bottom of who played Ghoulita, find out anything about her or the show (which I thought ran forever but, alas, it only lasted a few months); and Larry "Seymour" Vincent was a god to my brother and I during all three incarnations of his series (with all 3 different stations).

If you're a self-professed and proud horror geek like the rest of us, buy it without question, Fringies. Great work, James."

--Amazon Review by M. E. Graves

"I see that this book is also offered in a Kindle e-version. That might be OK for casual reading, but I'd recommend getting the printed version. Much of this 365-page book is packed with detailed reference material that has been sadly lacking in earlier volumes on the subject.

People interested in Southern California and National Horror Hosts from their very beginnings in the early 1950's to today, will love this book. It is a MUST for monsterkids and scary movie rugrats who delighted in staying up late in the 50's and 60's to watch the classic Universal monsters lumbering accross their flickering B&W TV screens.

The Horror Hosts and Hostesses are presented here with numerous photographic illustrations, bits of scripts, movie playlists, TV Guide display ads - even court transcripts (Remember when Ottola Nesmith was sued by Frankenstein actress Mae Clarke?).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"

--Amazon Review by Adam Love

"There is a wealth of information not previously known about these icons of Television history. A great read that I would highly recommend to anyone with a thirst for the Macabre."

--Barnes and Noble Review by Leslie Bruce

PURCHASE CREATURES OF THE NIGHT WE LOVED SO WELL BY JAMES FETTERS AT AMAZON AND BARNESANDNOBLE.COM. SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE FROM  THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE!

In the late 1950's, Jim's mom turned him onto horror movies by letting him stay up late to watch 'The Mummy's Hand' with her. This led Jim into becoming a horror film fanatic. By 1962 Jim found Jeepers' Creepers Theatre on channel 13 KCOP... a horror movie every Saturday night! And hosted by Jim's new addiction... 'Jeepers'! No matter what the situation was... Jim had to be home and planted in front of the tv every Saturday night at 10:00... forget what movie was showing... he tuned in to watch 'Jeepers'. Soon he was recording every show on a reel to reel tape recorder. Horror Hosts were Jim's only interest. Jeepers, Ghoulita, Jeepers' Keeper.... they all found a place in Jim's heart.

Finding those reel to reel tapes of Jeepers in 1998 inspired him to start a website, which led to contact from directors, script writers, actors, and the creators of the programs he so enjoyed. He's also written articles and worked as webmaster for Scary Monsters Magazine. Currently he lives in Boise, Idaho and spends his time writing and dreaming when he's not acquiring history from nationally shown TV horror hosts.

Visit Jim online at http://www.TRC4U.com.