Jenna Fischer - The actor’s life: A survival guide

PRAISE FOR THE ACTORS LIFE

I loved reading Jennas honest and sincere appraisal of the actualities of breaking into, finding ones way, and then thriving in this business. I hope it is given out as a guidebook of sorts to any young actor when they land at LAX.

JON HAMM

How lucky for those who dream that Jenna Fischer has written this book and candidly explained the hard work, persistence, and delusion required to become a working actor. This book is generous, practical, and in the right hands will be a talisman for the deserving few who refuse to give up.

MATTHEW WEINER, CREATOR OF MAD MEN

In The Actors Life, Jenna Fischer lays out exactly what aspiring actors can expect from this crazy, unpredictable industry both practically and emotionally. Nothing is sugar-coated, nor is it cynical. Its just reality, plain and simple. At every level of success, we are all just artists trying to figure it out day by day. Thats the truth.

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE

If I had Jennas book when I was a struggling actor it would have eased the pain and encouraged my journey. This is an insightful, funny, sweet story from one actor to another; we all need a leg up, a hand to hold, and the encouragement to keep going when we truly find our passion. Jenna manages to do that and more in this very helpful guide for an actor finding their way into the business.

JULIANNA MARGULIES

Jenna Fischers story is an excellent resource for anyone who is involved in the life of an actor. Much of this information was new to me; I have always respected the actors journey, but now I am in awe of it. Its also entertaining from beginning to end.

ALLISON JONES, CASTING DIRECTOR

Copyright 2017 by Andycat Productions, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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First E-Book Edition: November 2017

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-1-944648-22-0

Editing by Debbie Harmsen and Glenn Yeffeth

Copyediting by Elizabeth Degenhard

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Text design and composition by Aaron Edmiston

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For Lee, Weston, and Harper

CONTENTS

BY STEVE CARELL

When I was a kid, I wanted to be either a zookeeper or a fireman. Later on, as I matured, I decided that I would operate a crane. As my crane dreams faded they were supplanted by my bulldozer phase, followed closely by my backhoe period, and finally, my dump truck passion. By then I was six years old and I knew that I had to stop playing around and commit to something practical.

Acting.

Granted, there was a brief period between ages fifteen and twenty-two when I thought Id become a lawyer, but that madness faded quickly and I decided to pursue the noble art of Thespeaniserism (sp?). But how? Whats my first move? What sort of things should I know? How do I prepare myself? Is there any source of practical information on how to approach a career in acting?

Does the woman who played Pam on The Office have any honest and thoughtful advice?

Yes. Yes she does.

I first met Jenna Fischer in 2004. We had both been cast in the pilot of the US remake of The Office, a critically acclaimed BBC show. Jenna was quiet and sweet, and within moments of our first meeting I knew that she was also a terrific actorcompletely present, detailed, and subtle. She was effortlessly funny and she possessed something that I always admire in actors: she never seemed to be trying too hard. Week after week she would find complexities to her character, Pam. It never became routine or stale. I also admired the way in which Jenna could play wonderful non-verbal moments. Theres a scene in season three when my character, Michael, shows up at Pams art show. Jenna played it with such a delicate touch. She conveyed sadness, pain, joy, appreciation, and love. Silently. In about 45 seconds. Shes an extremely deft, intuitive actor. I spent seven years with Jenna on the show, and the quality of her work never wavered. I also admired her professionalism. She always knew her lines, was always on time, was a great ensemble player, and her hygiene was impeccable. (Im looking at you, Rainn Wilson.)

This book is an excellent reflection of Jennas talent, her work habits, and her dedication to acting. Reading this book was in many ways like retracing my own career path. (Although unlike Jenna, I did briefly dabble in the sex industry.) She relates lots of good advicefrom choosing headshots, to finding an agent, to preparing for an audition. Nuts and bolts stuff that every actor has to learn at some point. She also examines the psychological and emotional toll that the journey can take. Facing rejection, accepting failure, and keeping a positive mental attitude are covered in a very frank, honest way.

I completely related to Jennas personal journey. Crappy apartments, inventive low-cost food options (mine was rigatoni with Prego), and the ever-present skepticism of friends and family. I still remember the bemused and slightly pitying looks I received at my 25th high school reunion; I told my old classmates that Id just co-written and starred in a movie called The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

There is a certain resolve that a person must have to persist at something that seems intangible at times. Jennas book gives a road map for navigating the road that every actor has to take. I wish that I had this book when I was starting out. Perhaps I would have made something out of myself.

In all honesty, it would have made life a lot easier.

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. When you grow up in a place like St. Louis, saying you want to be a professional actor is the equivalent of saying you want to be a professional surfer. Not very realistic. But, apparently, no one ever told me, because as early as I can remember, I had big dreams of being an actor. In grade school I got my start when I played Toto in The Wizard of Oz. In case youre not familiar with the story, Toto is the dog that belongs to the lead character, Dorothy. It was a role that nobody else wanted. I guess the other kids couldnt find the value in playing the dog. But I didnt care; I liked dogs! Sure, I didnt have lines, but I had lots of stage time. See, Toto was onstage every time Dorothy was onstage, and Dorothy was the lead, so I was always right next to the lead! I did funny little dances with the Munchkins and barked at the Wicked Witch. Who needs lines when you can ham it up as the spunky sidekick? Then in high school I played the Fiddler in the musical