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     But before you jump to the books written by some old time pro's, here's some advice that you won't find in the books. It's what I do before auditions... for those of you that're interested...

     Okay, you've sent your headshot and resume in... you did like we recommended on The Actor's Hour page. You get the call... they don't tell you a damn thing 'cept where to be, when to be there and what part you're reading for. Sides are everywhere they say. Everywhere? What does that mean? Basically it means ShowFax... you'll find your sides at ShowFax. If it's a professional project, you'll find your sides there. All you need is credit card and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Of course they'll fax your sides to you too... hence the name ShowFax. You can purchase sides page by page... but that'll get too expensive if you follow the advice I give in the next paragraph. Sign up for the "all you can eat... I mean download" per year package.
     Okay, you're a yearly member... good. Now what? You download your sides, right? Yes... but you also download every other character's sides in that project. Chances are, you'll get about 50-75% of the project's script right there. Now you've got way more information about the role than you'd get from just your sides. Read every page. Get the feel of the project. See who your role is in relation to other characters.
     Next... get as many names of the production people as you can... director, writer, producer... right down to costume designer and prop master. Then go to The Internet Movie Database and see what you can dig up on them. You'll probably see that a few of them have worked together before... doesn't that tell you something? If they like you, you'll work with them again too. You'll also learn what kind of projects they've done before. You'll get the flavor of their work. You'll also be able to schmooze a little better when you can rattle off a little of their history if the subject arises. People are impressed when you know about them... afterall what's every Hollywood type's favorite subject? Themselves!
     After the Internet Movie Database, you go to Yahoo or another general type search engine and see what else you can find. Use the names of the crew and the project title as keywords. Glean what you can. There may be hundreds of links or only a few. Spend enough time to get a good feel for what you're getting into.
     Now, you're almost done... just one more thing to do... see what your fellow actors know. Check these sites... The Bone-Yard the forums linked off that page. Post any questions you have about the audition material, the production company and its people or anything you want to ask. Someone may just have the answer for you.
     Now, it's time to sit down with your sides and get to work. But this is where you're on your own. Well, not exactly. The books below take it from here. I just offered the above as an example of how your computer and the internet can make you a better "auditioner."

     If you get no other book on audition technique...

     GET THIS ONE

     Michael  Shurtleff has been casting director for Broadway shows like Chicago and Becket and for films like The Graduate and Jesus Christ Superstar. His legendary course on auditioning has launched hundreds of successful careers. Now in this book he tells the all-important HOW for all aspiring actors, from the beginning student of acting to the proven talent trying out for that chance-in-a-million role!

      If you get a second book on audition technique...

     GET THIS ONE

     After reading this book, Paul went over to Margie's studio (corner of La Cienega and Santa Monica Blvd.) and studied there. Damn, I was impressed. Her classes are expensive but worth every cent. This book gives you the basics, but to really learn you have to do. And what better place to do the doing but in front of the author and audition master herself?

     Gene Hackman, Halle Berry, Heather Locklear, Gabriel Byrne, James Bond's Pierce Bronson, Kelly Preston, most of the cast from Melrose Place and 1000s of actors all take acting classes from Margie Haber. How to Get the Part... gives actors tools to break through their psychological roadblocks to auditioning.

Masterclass - The Actor's Audition Manual - Women

Masterclass: The Actor's Audition Manual for Men

Contemporary American Monologues for Women 

Contemporary American Monologues for Men

The Ultimate Audition Book

Monologues from Classic Plays: 468 B.C. to 1960 A.D.

100 Great Monologues from the 19th Century Romantic and Realistic Theatres

The Best Women's Stage Monologues of 1997

The Best Women's Stage Monologues of 1998

The Best Men's Stage Monologues of 1997

The Best Men's Stage Monologues of 1998

The Best Stage Scenes of 1998

One Hundred Women's Stage Monologues from the 1980's

Classical Audition Speeches for Women

Classical Audition Speeches for Men

Actresses' Audition Speeches for All Ages and Accents

Street Talk: Character Monologues for Actors

Two-Minute Monologs: Original Audition Scenes for Professional Actors

Audition Speeches for Six to Sixteen Year Olds

Moments: A Collection of Acting Workshop and Audition Scenes