:: In the News ::

Book helps would – be stars get their break

By BRENDA ERICKSON Herald Times Reporter Staff writer

ALPINE, Texas – The last few weeks have been good for Phil Kramer.

In addition to this weekend’s debut of “Larry McMurtry’s Streets of Laredo,” on which he served as art department coordinator, Kramer is also celebrating the release of “Hollywood U.S.A.,” a book on how to break into show business without moving to California he co-authored with actor/screenwriter Randal Patrick.

The book is a step-by-step guide for anyone looking to break into show business, no matter where they live.

“Everybody wants to know where to go, who to talk to,” Kramer said, “It’s a fairly simple formula. And you don’t have to move to L.A. to get noticed There’s a lot of stuff happening.”

For one thing, Kramer said, many films – including “Dead Man’s Walk” the one he’s currently working on in Alpine, Texas, a town of 5,000 – are leaving California because production costs have skyrocketed.

For “Dead Man’s Walk,” 600 extras from Alpine were hired.

“Here’s a chance for people who’ve never dreamed of being in a movie. And it was real easy, Kramer said, “Just show up and bring a Polaroid.”

The unique book, published by Eggman Publishing in Nashville, offers tips on getting breaks in anything from small-town modeling gigs to becoming an extra in a movie, all written in an easy-to-follow, friendly fashion.

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“You don’t have to move to L.A. to get noticed.” -- Phil Kramer, Author
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The book includes a list of film commission contacts, talent agents, unions and casting directors form each state, with addresses and phone numbers of how to reach them.

All readers need to do it take a chance and give show business a shot.

“People can take it as far as they want to,” Kramer said, “Hollywood U.S.A.” is available locally at B. Dalton Bookstore.