Holly Powell - The Audition Bible: Secrets Every Actor Needs to Know

THE AUDITION BIBLE should be the canon to any actor looking to understand the business. Holly uses her award-winning talent to meticulously dive into the world of casting and share her knowledge. Having worked with Holly on a number of hit television shows, I have seen firsthand her masterful approach to casting this book contains all the elements to prepare an actor for success.

David Janollari, Executive Producer
David Janollari Entertainment
Six Feet Under, One on One, The Hughleys
PGA Award winner / Emmy Nominee

Good for you for inspiring so many to do better, be better and hopefully look at auditions as an opportunity to ACT because thats what they are!

Dan Bucatinsky, Actor/Writer/Producer
Scandal, Greys Anatomy, The Comeback
Emmy Award winner

Actors who have read Hollys book are easy to spot. Their auditions are prepared, passionate, and compelling. They honor the material and make it sing by making it personal. This makes THE AUDITION BIBLE a gift, not only to actors, but also to the writers and directors who work with them.

Scott Williams, Writer/Executive Producer
NCIS, Castle, Bones

What impressed me most about THE AUDITION BIBLE is that it has relevance to anyone who works in front of or behind the camera. Its not just for actors.

Noel Clarke, Actor/Writer/Producer/Director
Star Trek Into Darkness, Kidulthood, Doctor Who
BAFTA & Olivier Award winner

Holly Powell has written a most thorough book on auditioning that I wish Id had when I was starting out. Hollys wisdom will save every serious actress and actor loads of time and heartache read it now!

Frances Fisher, Actress
Resurrection, Titanic

Holly Powell has crafted an invaluable tool for the young performer as well as seasoned working actor. THE AUDITION BIBLE takes the SCARY out of the audition process. Her insight and knowledge of the business of show should be the go to source in every performers arsenal I havent come across anything to compare it to.

James Pickens, Jr., Actor
Greys Anatomy, 42, The X-Files
NAACP Image Awards winner / SAG Awards winner

Holly brings her considerable experience working with and observing actors and shares a wealth of information to help anyone working in the business of entertainment, be it as an actor, casting director, agent, manager, director or producer.

Jason La Padura, Casting Director
Teen Beach Movie, High School Musical, Heroes, Longtime Companion
CSA Artios Award / Emmy Nominee

I have seen first-hand the professionalism and grace of Ms. Powell in action This is the clearest, most helpful Bible for the real world of auditioning I have ever read ... The actor as athlete thread is inspiring Its a must for actors. Bravo! Out of the park!

Sam Anderson, Actor/Director
Justified, Lost, ER

Using her vast and rich experience as a teacher and award-winning casting director, Holly answers questions a young actor might not even have thought of. She knows the terrors an actor can face as he begins the journey and calmly and comfortingly reassures as she provides a sensible road map.

Reed Birney, Actor
House of Cards, Casa Valentina, Circle Mirror Transformation
Drama Desk & Obie Award winner / Tony Award Nominee

Walking in the audition room is the job! Being on set or stage is the Dream. THE AUDITION BIBLE helps ones preparation and confidence in making your dreams come true!

Andre Royo, Actor
The Wire, Fringe

Holly is a caring skilled guide to the whole artistic process of presenting your acting skills in the best form so you can win roles. I worked with Holly when casting my own material and THE AUDITION BIBLE is the real thing: Easy to read, caring, and effective!

Pen Densham, Producer/Writer/Director
Moll Flanders, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Outer Limits
CableACE Award winner / Oscar Nominee

Holly Powell shares her years of casting expertise in this smart, practical how-to bible. If you want to book jobs, read it!

Mary Lou Belli, Director/Author
The NEW Sitcom Career Book, Directors Tell The Story
Emmy Award winner

THE AUDITION BIBLE
Secrets Every Actor Needs To Know

Holly Powell

Published in Los Angeles in 2014 by

TAVIN PRESS
2418 N. Keystone St.
Burbank, CA 91504

eBook ISBN 0-9772911-7-0
eBook ISBN13 978-0-9772911-7-5

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014942936

The Audition Bible Copyright Holly Powell 2014

All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means or altered or translated without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

This book was Designed and Produced by TAVIN PRESS
Printed Book ISBN13 978-0-9772911-6-8

Scene from Beck and Call by Dan Bucatinsky 2004, reprinted with permission

Edited by Paul J. Salamoff

Front Cover Photo by Susan Sheridan Photography

Back Cover Photo by Kelsey Edwards Photography

To my boys,
Christopher & Ryan Wright,
whose unconditional love is everything

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

My deep love and appreciation to Minda Burr and the Monday Night Master Mind Writing Group: Todd Robert Anderson, Savannah Boucher, Catherine Curry-Williams, Suze Lanier-Bramlett, Tamara Mark, Hilarie Thompson Ormsby, Jonny Solomon, Ramey Warren, and Jennifer White. Without your inspiration, notes, and feedback, this book may never have seen the light of day.

I am fortunate to have had angels appear in this process. Pen Densham, for whom I cast The Twilight Zone, Carrie, and Magnificent 7, tops the list, for his encouragement and support. Pen led me to Paul J. Salamoff, my editor, whose enthusiasm, wisdom, and creative wizardry propelled this book into creation.

Kate Zentall tweaked and polished, using her magic touch with her copyediting skills. Monica Faulkner supplied her eagle-eyed proofreading. Milo Gould created the original artwork for the book cover. Susan Sheridan brought the cover to life through her gift of photography. Leslie McManus, my website and SEO guru, single-handedly brought me screaming into the Internet age. Mary Lou Belli, Kimberly Jentzen, Diane Christiansen, and Susan Zachary were always there for me with their expert advice. Cathey Painter and Debbie Noodleman were my cheerleaders, and Corabel Shofner, my childhood friend, helped with the very first draft when it was just an idea in my head.

I am also grateful to my sisters, Janis Powell and Nancy Powell Bartlett, teachers, speakers, and business owners in their own right, for not only guiding me with their expertise but inspiring me and cultivating my imagination when we were kids, playing the piano and creating magical characters even if I did always have to play the bad fairy.

To my mother, Mavis, who always encouraged me to get out into the world and be the best I could be. And to my father, Joe, who is on the other side marveling how his love of the theater and show business continues to inspire me to this day.

And of course, thanks to all the thousands of actors who helped morph my audition workshops in directions I never could have imagined. As the workshop grew, this book crystallized its focus, and each of you have been inspirational in creating it.

I NTRODUCTION