To the Prospective Artist

An unknown actor's collection of unique experiences, discoveries, and insights found during his pursuit in an industry often associated with struggle and blind luck. He may not have reached all his goals as a professional actor, but discovered who he became in pursuit of his dreams was much more fulfilling.

There are countless books out there teaching the nuts and bolts of acting; the craft, the business and so on. However, as a young actor, just starting out on my path, I wanted something more. Life as an artist is unlike that of any other career path. There's no straight line to achieving your goals. And being an artist is not the type of job you can simply leave at the office come 5 o'clock. It's so much a part of who you are and seeps into every facet of life. Simply having your craft down will not guarantee success. Because of the unique nature of an artistic career path, a simple book discussing the ABCs of acting is not really enough. Therefore, I wrote the book I wish had been available when I first started out on my journey.

Nick Maccarone is originally from Oakland, California but has spent nearly half his life in New York as an actor, writer, filmmaker, community outreach volunteer, and youth mentor. After receiving his M.F.A. in Acting from Columbia University, Nick has appeared on television shows like, Scandal, Elementary, Law and Order: SVU, Unforgettable, and MTV’S Eye Candy. Nick recently wrote, acted, and produced several short films, two of which have been accepted and appeared in the Highland Independent Film Festival, Resobox Film Festival, Canadian Diversity Film Festival, LOVE >> Festival, Williamsburg International Film Festival, Downtown Urban Arts Festival at Tribeca Film Center, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Film Festival in India. He has also taught and served as an outreach volunteer in Nepal, Haiti, South Africa as well as for Coalition for the Homeless, Working in Support of Education, Black Male Initiative, the All-Stars Project, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in New York City.