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.

Thank you, Jenna Fischer! I truly loved this book. It speaks the truth about this business from a wonderful perspective of a working actor. The real struggles. The victories that are unseen to others outside our world. I loved this book because 1) it’s entertaining as hell. Funny & honest. Jenna is likable & lovely on every page. This is not a boring how to break into acting book, nor is it some celebrity dropping names & espousing how great it all is. This real & relatable. 2) it’s a guide book. All actors have their own journey & path to follow. No 2 are exactly alike. There are no exact steps & timelines to success. But guidance is key along the way. That’s what Jenna provides. Guidance along this crazy chosen path. Letting us in on the her personal struggles, experiences, & wins along the way. As an actor, I have many days that I struggle with my career. I feel like I’ve been doing it forever but not getting anywhere. And then there are days I feel like I’m doing ok. Jenna puts a lot of things into perspective. Also it gives me drive in this new year. So if you’re a total newbie trying to break in or a veteran of the biz making headway, I know this book will be a wonderful resource for you.

Over 6 years ago, I made the trek across country to Los Angeles where, like Jenna, I was certain I'd be an immediate success! Unlike Jenna, I had the helpful words of someone who'd already been there. Someone who had already experienced the high and lows of show business, and was willing to share their arduous journey. That person was actually Jenna. Right before relocating, I was emailed a blog she wrote that served as a friendly guide on what to expect after the "big move." I used it as a constant reminder to not give up. Currently, I'm enrolled in Robert D'Avanzo's on camera acting class, thanks to Jenna's glowing recommendation. For me, the timing of this book couldn't be more serendipitous. Not only does she take you through every single detail on how to pursue an acting career, but she also shares stories from her past that make TAL so engaging that it's impossible to put down. I read the whole book in two sittings. Her voice is funny, charming, uplifting, and kind. There's also many cringe worthy stories, which helped me find peace with some of my, ahem... not so great moments in the industry. Ha! This is a very important book. Especially, when you have doubts about where you fit in this crazy world, and whether you want to continue on. Most actors have been there. Even Jenna.

Years ago, Jenna Fischer wrote a great post on her MySpace page detailing her advice for aspiring actors. It was the best thing I'd ever read on the topic; I immediately sent it to several friends and still have a copy saved on my phone today. The roots of The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide are clearly in that original post, but this book is so much more. Part memoir, part how-to-guide, Jenna walks you through her journey from Midwest dreamer to working actor, not shying away from the ups-and-(many) downs in the life of an aspiring artist. She's honest about her struggles and mistakes, as well as the smart decisions she made that helped her take advantage of the career opportunities that eventually appeared. Her advice for new actors starting out today was clearly well-researched and not just based on her own experiences trying to make it before she was cast as Pam in The Office. Besides Jenna herself, the stars are Molly Shannon and Topher Grace, both of whom went out of their way to encourage and inspire her in the early years of her career when she needed it the most. That same encouragement and inspiration is what Jenna has given everyone who reads this book, but she goes beyond that with real, actionable advice that makes the dream of becoming an actor actually feel possible. That's the true gift of The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide. And I couldn't recommend it more highly.

I bought both Audible and Kindle version , and I am happy i got both. This book by far was one of the best book that I have read that guides through your journey of becoming a working actor in a competitive show business. What makes this book great is that Jenna shares her experience from her early days as struggling actor until she hit the jackpot with The Office and she provides a lot of useful tips on how to make the best out of every opportunity that you come across. She goes to the point and keeps you engaged the whole time. After reading this book and listening to the Audible ( Narrated by Jenna ) I become more motivated to pursue my acting career and learned how to maintain positive perspective . I highly recommend this book for aspiring and experienced actors and definitely keep a copy of it in your library. You will definitely refer back to this book over and over. Thank you Jenna for sharing your valuable acting experiences.