About – Acting in Chicago

Acting In Chicago

Acting In Chicago, 4^th Edition includes everything an actor needs to build a sustainable acting career. Available in paperback (over 300 pages) or audio book.

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Chapters

Author’s Note – Chris Agos explains what’s new in the 4^th edition.
Foreword – Agent Sam Samuelson explains why it’s important to control what you can control.
Chapter 1 – What this book is, and isn’t. Prepping to build a career.
Chapter 2 – How to make the market work for you. Thinking in terms of probabilities.
Chapter 3 – The key to sticking around a while. How to lay your path of least resistance.
Chapter 4 – The seven ways Chicago actors make money actually acting. Know them, love them.
Chapter 5 – Options for training in Chicago, including the names of people you should know.
Chapter 6 – The actor’s headshot. Ways to differentiate yourself in a good way.
Chapter 7 – The actor’s resume and online casting profiles. Very. Important. Things.
Chapter 8 – Agents in Chicago. How to get one, build a relationship, and when to break up with them.
Chapter 9 – Auditions in Chicago. What to expect when you audition for each of the 7 types of work in today’s fluid environment.
Chapter 10 – Callbacks in Chicago. In person? Virtual? A discussion of the rules currently in play.
Chapter 11 – Working in Chicago. How to act like you’ve been there before, no matter the job.
Chapter 12 – A detailed discussion of the role SAG-AFTRA plays in an actor’s career.
Chapter 13 – The numbers. How much you’ll actually make from every type of job.
Chapter 14 – Working in Milwaukee. You can do more than drink beer and eat brats up north.
Chapter 15 – Actor survival jobs. Finding one that will allow your acting career to develop.
Chapter 16 – Working in Los Angeles. Thinking of moving? This can help.
Chapter 17 – Getting a kid into the business. A family perspective.
Chapter 18 – Words of wisdom and pep talk.

Acting In Chicago For Kids And Parents

Acting In Chicago For Kids And Parents spotlights everything parents need to get their child into the world of professional acting. Available in paperback (over 250 pages) and audio book (coming soon).

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Chapters

Chapter 1 – Information Overload – Let’s get organized.
Chapter 2 – Setting Expectations – What the book is, and isn’t.
Chapter 3 – A Little Background – Probabilities vs. possibilities.
Chapter 4 – Categories Of Work – The many ways child actors are paid for their talent.
Chapter 5 – Training In The Midwest – What to look for and where to look for it.
Chapter 6 – The Right Tools For The Job – A detailed list.
Chapter 7 – The Actor’s Resume And Online Profiles – Critical pieces of the puzzle.
Chapter 8 – Agents In Chicago – Talent agencies and how to partner with them.
Chapter 9 – Auditioning In Chicago – What to expect for every type of audition your kid may have.
Chapter 10 – Self-Taped Auditions – Simple, clear, and easy techniques for outstanding results.
Chapter 11 – Callbacks In Chicago – The last step before landing the job.
Chapter 12 – Work Permits, Minor Trust Accounts, And Working Conditions – Regulatory requirements every child actor and their parents must follow.
Chapter 13 – Being The Choice – What to expect on set, in the studio, and at every other kind of job.
Chapter 14 – The Actors’ Union – What it means to join SAG-AFTRA, or not.
Chapter 15 – An Actor’s Income – How much a child will earn for appearing in every type of project.
Chapter 16 – Advocating For Your Child – Setting kids up for success.
Chapter 17 – Child Actors And Social Media – Best practices for a safe and fun social experience.
Chapter 18 – Wrap Up – Off you go!

About Chris

Chris Agos has been acting professionally for more than 25 years. In that time he’s worked over 4000 jobs for 500 unique clients. In 1995, with no contacts in the industry, he began learning about the business of acting in the Midwest. Through an organized approach, incremental goal setting and a willingness to try anything, he built a thriving career as a full-time actor and voice talent.

Chris firmly believes it’s essential for actors to be as familiar with the business of acting as they are with the craft. To help, in 2010 he wrote the first edition of Acting In Chicago. Used in university acting programs and recommended by acting coaches and teachers nationwide, it has become the go-to resource for actors looking to launch and/or grow an acting career in the Midwest.

Drawing from his experience of raising a son in the industry, in 2023 he wrote Acting In Chicago For Kids And Parents: How To Launch And Grow A Young Performer’s Career. Chris’ other books include The Voice Over Startup Guide and Commercial Voice Over Strategies. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and twin sons.

View Chris’ IMDb profile: http://imdb.me/chrisagos

To view reels and listen to VO demos: www.chrisagos.com