Children Casting Calls

A casting call for a child involves the parent heavily, so for your child to have a good audition, there are things you as a parent must do well.

• The first rule when having your child audition for roles and dive into the world of acting is to be honest with your child. Tell them that no part is guaranteed, and they may go on hundreds of auditions before they get their first part. If they know exactly what to expect, they will decide very easily whether performing is for them. After all, it is and should always be their decision. Never pressure your child to audition. Be supportive and as interested as they are. Auditions for children aren't for every child, even if you as a parent think your child is the cutest, most talented kid in the world.

• During an audition, the standard rules apply just as in a regular, adult audition. Arrive fifteen minutes early and come prepared and rehearsed. Though your child is playing a part, let them be themselves. Casting directors like kids who act like kids and can tell who has been coached. It is your child's choice to have you accompany them into the audition. You as a parent will not be able to sit in the audition. No added pressure from parents has ever increased a child's chance of getting a role, and casting directors feel a parent's presence will affect their performance.
  
  


• Be encouraging and tell your child they did great afterwards. Constant support is necessary when the rejection rate of auditions for children is so great. Once you have finished your audition, wait two minutes before you leave in case the casting director wants you to come back in and read again. After two minutes, sign out, thank the casting assistant and leave respectfully and quietly.

• Hopefully your child will land a role and you will continue to be a supportive parent. If your child is sincerely into acting and wants to pursue it as a career, enroll them in local theatre companies and expose them to arts around your area as well as find other auditions for children that you and your child both think would be fun roles to do.

Much Success!

Casting Calls

Casting calls are jobs and descriptions generated by a director or a casting director based on their character's breakdown. Until not so long ago all casting process was done by mailing and messenger services.

The envelopes contained a cover letter, headshots, and resume of the actor sent by his / her representative. Once the casting director viewed the packet he / she would call the actor's representative to schedule an audition.

Usually, following a successful audition will come a callback.
If the actor delivered a good convincing performance in his callback(s) he / she would most likely get the part or would be on avail.

Google

Every now and then you ought to "Google" your name.

You never know what you may find.

Audition Tips

Auditioning can be stressful, but it's the best way to find work in theater, film and commercials. Here are some helpful hints when heading out for an audition...

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. You don't want to have to rush into your audition. Give yourself time to find the space and warm up.

Pack your bag with a book in case there is waiting and a bottle of water. Not every place has a water fountain.

Be nice to everybody. You never know if the person you are speaking to is important.

There may be several people waiting with you to audition. Remember that they are competing with you for the same job. Don't let them intimidate you.

Wear neat, comfortable clothing. I know you want to look nice, but make sure you can move around the room. And don't wear a costume. Your outfit can suggest the character such as a high-collar blouse for a period piece, but don't get all dressed up.

Careful when using perfume or cologne. You don't want to send anyone out of the room in a sneezing fit.

Try to find some background information about who you are auditioning for. If you are auditioning for a particular company, be familiar with their work. It can also help you decide which pieces to choose for your audition.

If no information for the audition is given, keep your monologue to about a minute. Most directors can tell in that time if they are interested. Have several pieces prepared and one longer piece in case they ask to see more.

Bring clean and clearly marked sheet music. If you are auditioning for a musical, be sure the music you give the piano player is cut down to 16 bars and is free of stray marks and coffee stains.

Bring at least five headshots. You never know how many you will need.

Make sure your resume is firmly attached to your headshot. If possible, photocopy or print your resume to the back of the headshot. Don't staple it. From experience, I know that the headshots with staples get tangled in a pile. It is so much easier to access the individual sheets. And one page is plenty. Don't attach your press quotes unless asked.

Make sure your headshot/resume is no large than 8 1/2" by 11". This will fit into a folder. If the headshot is oversized, it may end up in the trash.

Set up the audition space for your needs. If there is a chair center stage, but you are going to stand for your audition, ask if you can move it out of the way. Don't try to work around it.

Remember to smile. If you are nervous, take a deep breath and try to relax. Recognize that you are not going to get every job you audition for, but can learn from every experience.

When you are called in for your audition, be confident and smile and unless it is vital, avoid asking too many questions as your audition probably has a tight time slot.

Definitely do not ask if you will be called back. The casting director will let you know, that you can be sure of. If you do get called back, wear the same outfit as during your audition.

SET DESIGNER

Designs production sets, signs, props, or scenic effects. Prepares scale drawings for use in construction, modification, or alteration. May require an associates degree or its equivalent and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. Typically reports to a supervisor/manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

BASE SALARY: $35,488
IMPORTANT: Your pay can be dramatically affected by compensable factors such as employer size, industry, employee credentials, years of experience and others.

2008 Salary.Com

Big Head

A head that is too big can't duck a punch.

A big head takes all the hits.

2008 Laetiçia AKA: Lettuce

THE PRESIDENTIAL PLAN

Click below to read:
BARACK OBAMA'S PLAN

BARACK OBAMA'S RECORD

• Housing: In the U.S. Senate, Obama introduced the STOP FRAUD Act to increase penalties for mortgage fraud and provide more protections for low-income homebuyers, well before the current subprime crisis began.

• Predatory Lending: In the Illinois State Senate, Obama called attention to predatory lending issues. Obama sponsored legislation to combat predatory payday loans, and he also was credited with lobbying the state to more closely regulate some of the most egregious predatory lending practices.

• American Jobs: Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 to provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.
  For More Information about Barack's Plan
  Read the plan
  Read the plan for small businesses
  Read the plan to protect homeownership and crack down on mortgage fraud
  Read the Speech

501c3

Section 501(c)(3) is a tax law
with provision granting exemption from the federal income tax to non-profit organizations. This exemption does not cover other federal taxes such as employment taxes.
501(c)(3) exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Motivated Talents

Hydrogen and oxygen are distinctly different elements,but sometimes they combine to form water. Something similaris true for motivation and talent.

Motivation is what we LIKE to do naturally. Talent is whatwe DO well naturally. They can exist independently, but whenthey combine, they create something special. They createmotivated talents.

People often are naturally good at something (talented), but itjust doesn’t turn them on. For example, Heather is good withnumbers, but she doesn’t go out of her way to find tasks callingfor that talent. Most people have such talents. But then thereare those talents that we really enjoy using. These are themotivated talents, and this is where the spark is.

We use motivated talents every chance we get. Most of the timewe don’t even think about it. For example, Larry has a motivatedtalent for conversation, and he naturally engages both friends andstrangers in dialog. He doesn’t consciously determine to do so;it just happens. It’s natural and unforced. He enjoys it, andhe’s good at it. That’s the hallmark of a motivated talent.

Motivated talents tend to be irrepressible. They find expression.In fact, if you’ve ever tried to stifle a motivated talent (eitheryours or someone else’s) it probably felt like you were tryingto hold two dozen ping pong balls under water at the same time.Motivated talents pop out, even if no one else is asking for them.And doesn’t that make sense? After all, it’s what we do well AND enjoy.

Master Minded Monica

All Rationals are good at planning operations, but Masterminds are head and shoulders above all the rest in contingency planning. Complex operations involve many steps or stages, one following another in a necessary progression, and Masterminds are naturally able to grasp how each one leads to the next, and to prepare alternatives for difficulties that are likely to arise any step of the way. Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be.Masterminds are rare, comprising no more than, say, one percent of the population, and they are rarely encountered outside their office, factory, school, or laboratory. Although they are highly capable leaders, Masterminds are not at all eager to take command, preferring to stay in the background until others demonstrate their inability to lead. Once they take charge, however, they are thoroughgoing pragmatists. Masterminds are certain that efficiency is indispensable in a well-run organization, and if they encounter inefficiency-any waste of human and material resources-they are quick to realign operations and reassign personnel. Masterminds do not feel bound by established rules and procedures, and traditional authority does not impress them, nor do slogans or catchwords. Only ideas that make sense to them are adopted; those that don't, aren't, no matter who thought of them. Remember, their aim is always maximum efficiency.



2008 Human metrics

FASHION

To my fashion designers:
Here is an excellent opportunity to get started and get connected.
ZIAMI

YES WE CAN!