Compact Guides – serie

Charles Dickens is the definitive illustrated guide to the man and his works with images of documents from Dickens' personal archive written by one of descendants. It follows Dickens from early childhood, including his time spent as a child labourer, and looks at how he became the greatest celebrity of his age - and how he still remains recognized as one of England's greatest names, even in the 21st century. It takes an intimate look at what he was like as a husband, a father, a friend and an employer; his longing to be an actor; his travels across North America; his year spent living in Italy; and his great love of France. Alongside Dickens himself, readers will meet his fascinating family and his astonishing circle of friends - and will discover when and how life and real-life personalities were imitated in Dickens's art. The cast of characters in Charles Dickens embraces an incredible array of famous, and occasionally infamous, Victorians.

This clear, accessible guide to creating and putting on a solo show is packed with inspiring, practical advice for writers, actors, directors, and anyone who wants to know how solo shows are actually made.Written by two theatremakers with a wealth of experience in the field, it leads you through the whole process – from finding a subject you're passionate about, to developing your ideas and getting the script written, through to rewrites, rehearsals and getting your show on stage. It tackles key questions such as: What makes a 'good' solo show? How do I engage the audience? How should directors and writer-performers work together? And what's the best way of approaching a producer?There's also invaluable advice on looking after yourself, coping with anxieties, dealing with reviews, and taking your show to the Edinburgh Fringe. With practical exercises throughout to help you put everything into action, this book is an indispensable toolkit for making your solo show a reality.Lisa Carroll is a playwright, screenwriter and comedian, whose plays have been staged at Soho Theatre, the Arcola Theatre, and the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Milly Thomas is an actor and writer whose plays have been staged at Theatre503, the Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre, the West End's Trafalgar Studios and New York Theatre Workshop. Together, Lisa and Milly have taught regular solo-show workshops, including for training and creative organisation The Mono Box.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

This encouraging, no-nonsense guide walks you through the whole process of applying for drama school – including doing your initial research, selecting the right school for you, choosing and preparing your audition pieces, nailing the audition and dealing with recalls.This revised and updated edition incorporates recent changes to the application process such as online auditions, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.Perfect for any aspiring actor, as well as anyone advising or coaching them, it will answer your questions, bust commonly held myths and give you all the knowledge you need to boost your chances of getting into drama school.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

Whether you’re just embarking on your career or already juggling the many demands of life as a creative freelancer, you need clear and targeted strategies for organising your finances, to eliminate confusion and minimise stress. This essential, practical guide shows you how to manage your money – so you can focus on your creative work.Written by Jon Harris, a theatre producer turned specialist accountant with over thirty years’ experience in the creative and cultural industries, this book offers a tailored approach to tax and personal finance in straightforward and highly accessible terms.Inside, you’ll find clear guidance on:Tackling your taxes: keeping accurate records, what expenses you can claim, and how – and when – to prepare and submit your tax returnBudgeting and planning: strategies for making your money work for you, with tips for balancing the books when you’re just starting outApproaching major milestones: when to register for VAT, form a Partnership or Limited Company, and what to consider if you’re producing your own workBuilding long-term security: making best use of pensions, mortgages, insurance, savings, benefits and moreWith handy checklists to ensure you’ve covered all the bases, a glossary of key terms, and dedicated online updates to keep you informed, this is your expert pocket mentor for staying financially afloat and in control at every stage of your professional life.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and creatives, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

This empowering, informative guide explains everything actors need to know about agents – how to find one, what they do, and how to work with them effectively to help you succeed in your career.If you're currently seeking an agent, discover how to research and contact them, and what they're looking for in their clients. And if you already have one, learn how to manage and get the most out of this crucial relationship.Also included are invaluable tips on how to write a great CV; obtain attention-grabbing headshots, showreels and voicereels; prepare for and excel at auditions; embrace social media; protect your mental health; and much more.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

This practical, empowering guide provides performers and creatives with a toolkit of techniques to improve, manage and maintain good emotional wellbeing – helping you navigate and overcome the pressures and demands of a career in the arts.Inside, you'll find key, evidence-based concepts and ideas about emotional health, as well as the benefits of taking a holistic approach to your brain, imagination and body. There are dozens of creative exercises and meditations to help you build resilience, develop your emotional intelligence, reframe negative thoughts, stay motivated, and embrace change when it comes. You'll also discover strategies for tackling auditions, preparing for performances and coping with periods of unemployment, plus guidance on creating your own personalised emotional health plan.Invaluable for anyone working in the creative industries, this book will equip you to assume responsibility for your own emotional wellbeing, and pursue your passion whilst still enjoying a life of fulfilment and satisfaction.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.Andy Barker, Brian Cooley and Beth Wood have all worked in the arts in various roles, including as actors, writers, directors and stage managers. Together, Andy and Brian run Mind Fitness, an organisation dedicated to developing mental health and wellbeing and business effectiveness, and Beth is Artistic Director of Prospero Theatre Company.

This accessible, systematic guide will teach you how to memorise your lines quickly and effectively, and let go of the fear of forgetting them – helping you build confidence and focus, and reducing anxiety and stress around auditions, rehearsal and performance.Inside, you’ll find dozens of tips, tricks and techniques such as Memory Palaces, Mental Maps, Creative Memorisation, Visual Cues and many more, along with exercises and examples to illustrate how they work in practice. Discover how to harness these tools to strengthen your memory, and develop a personalised line-learning strategy that works for you and your acting process – one that is easier, faster and more enjoyable.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

This clear, concise and practical guide provides actors with a structured and effective method for breaking down and understanding a performance script. It offers a flexible approach that works with plays from any period or genre, with television and film scripts, and even when preparing for your audition.Inside, you'll find the tools you need for every step of the process, from making sense of the whole script, to breaking it down scene by scene, through to detailed line-by-line analysis. There are strategies for exploring character arcs, objectives, beat shifts and subtext, as well as practical exercises and sample scenes from leading playwrights to help you put the concepts into action. Also included are worksheets you can use and reuse on all your future projects.Wherever you are in your acting career, this book is your essential working companion – giving you a method for tackling any script, and providing the foundation to take your performances to the next level.The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.