Bay Area Studios Blog

Youth Resume Reminders

2009-03-30T04:00:00.002-04:00

Don't forget!

Follow these basic resume rules:

Your resume should never be more than one page long.
The resume should be stapled to and trimmed to fit the headshot, or even better, printed directly to the back of your photo.
Don’t staple clippings or reviews to your resume, they will just get in the way.
You should have an email address created just for your acting resume.
Never make the font on your resume smaller than 10pt. It is difficult to read in any situation, whether it’s in a well-lit office or a darkened theater

Youth Resume Tips

2009-03-28T04:00:00.002-04:00

Sample Resume Outline:

Opening/Heading: This should include your name, contact information ( cell phone or service), height, weight, age range, eye and hair color.

Body: Any lead or featured acting experience you have had belongs in this section. Use the sections: Theater, Film, Television, and Commercials. If you have done voice-overs as well, you can include that here.

List in columns the title of the piece, then your character’s name, then the place where you performed. (i.e., Once Upon a Mattress; Winnifred; Bucks County Playhouse)

Education: List here any acting programs you have attended, any production companies you were apart of as well as any schools you have gone to.

Special Skills: This is a list of skills you have that may be needed for certain roles. (i.e., Spanish speaker, horseback riding, fencing, dialects (list them), etc.

Shaun Robinson

2009-03-26T10:00:00.004-04:00

The collected wisdom and shared experiences of Hollywood superstars and everyday teenagers—inspirational advice encouraging young women to be comfortable in their own skin and showing them how to become tomorrow’s leaders

Q: What do Vanessa Williams, Meredith Vieira, Queen Latifah, Danica Patrick, Helen Mirren, Janet Jackson, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Hudson, and Eva Mendes have in common with most teenage girls?

A: They have all struggled with self-esteem and body image; they’ve compared themselves to their peers and have sometimes felt that they come up short.

Drawing on personal interviews with these and many other celebrities, and her volunteer work with teens around the country, in Exactly As I Am, Access Hollywood entertainment co-host Shaun Robinson shares the intimate thoughts, revelations, and feelings of these powerful women, illustrating how similar they are to those of average girls struggling to find their voices. For example, Kelly Clarkson discusses the pressure to be thin, Virginia Madsen talks about standing up to the “in crowd,” and Gabrielle Union shares her thoughts on being yourself. Exactly As I Am shows young women how to achieve a balance between accepting how they look and appreciating who they are on the inside, emphasizing the importance of having a mentor or role model and the support of family. Inspiring and motivating, this tapestry of perspectives will inspire every reader to say, I accept myself “exactly as I am.”

Youth Acting Resume Tips

2009-03-26T04:00:00.001-04:00

Your acting resume should begin with your physical statistics and contact information.

The auditor may already have your headshot, but listing your physical attributes is necessary in case the picture and resume are ever separated. Be sure to include height, weight, hair color, and eye color (your real eye color).

When listing contact information, give the address and number where you can be reached most quickly (remember you want the job). If you have an agent or manager, it is that entity's contact information you should list, not your own.

More Youth Resume Tips

2009-03-24T04:00:00.002-04:00

Education on Your Acting Resume

It is necessary to include your education in your resume. This way, auditors can be sure of the degree of skills that you possess. Be sure to list any training you have with Acting Technique, Scene Study, Voice (not singing), Movement, Improvisation, On-camera Scene Study, and On-camera Commercials. Also, include the names of the production companies you were apart of and the institutions you have attended and the names of the teachers involved in your training.

Youth Actor Resume Tips

2009-03-22T04:00:00.001-04:00

Your Experience

The experience section of your resume should highlight the primary roles that you have played. When considering what to include and what to leave out,

here are a few tips:

List your lead or featured theater, film and television roles in separate sections.
Do not list your roles as an extra.
Keep from listing any non-speaking roles, even if they are primary roles.
Only include work that you feel best represents you as an actor.

Youth Acting Resume Tips

2009-03-20T04:00:00.002-04:00

A Small, Powerful Acting Resume!

Don’t be afraid if your acting resume is sparse. A small but powerful resume can be very convincing. Each item in your resume should stand alone and leave no questions as to what your role was, what the production was, and where. Your work should be credible, which will help to develop an image of you as an actor. You won’t have a lot of experience to list at first, but your resume will evolve with your career, changing as you develop more experience.

Don't be afraid.

Youth Resume Tips

2009-03-18T04:00:00.002-04:00

Ross Reports and Your Acting Resume

Mailings are a great way to get your resume seen by agencies and casting directors. What you need to start mailing is: a copy of Ross Reports. Get relevant addresses from there and put your package together. Your package should include a headshot, resume, and (brief!) cover letter. You should have separate resumes for film work and commercial work. Use the cover letter to show your creativity and personality in three short paragraphs: who you are, what do you want to accomplish, and why you are mailing the agent and/or casting director.

Again, brief on the cover letter!

Youth Acting Resume Tips

2009-03-16T04:00:00.001-04:00

Be Truthful on your resume! Only include truthful information in your resume for acting.
The industry is big, but it isn’t that big. Chances are that the person interviewing you knows someone who knows someone who knows all of your previous work. A little lie told early on can become a huge problem later. No one expects a young actor to have a stellar resume.

In the end, it is your audition and interview that will land you that job.
Remember, a small, credible resume is much more effective than a large one padded with lies.

Youth Resume Tips

2009-03-14T04:00:00.002-04:00

Resume Content

A well-formed acting resume is very important to a performers' career. Be discerning when you are writing your resume. Include only items that highlight and enhance your experience and strengths as a performer. Your resume should allow your auditor to see what kind of roles you have played in the past, and help them to envision the kinds of roles you will play in the future. Your details should be accurate and well-placed. Provide just enough information; too much information will only hurt your chances.

The Resume

2009-03-12T04:00:00.000-04:00

Your acting resume is your calling card.

You are presenting yourself to complete strangers who know nothing of your talents. With that in mind, be sure your resume is:

Neatly typed
No longer than one page
Edited and proofread
Updated on a regular basis
In correct format
In addition, you should be sure that your name and contact information are prominently displayed at the top of the page. This is so your resume can be found easily among others.
When attaching your resume to the back of your headshot, be sure it adheres solidly. There should be no clips or opened staples to snag on other photos in the casting director’s pile.
Don’t use clever fonts or colors on your resume.
Keep the type simple, such as Tahoma, Courier, or Times New Roman.
Always use black ink to print your resume, and be sure it doesn’t smudge.

A small effort on your acting resume will go a long way toward presenting yourself as a professional.

Drama School Electives

2009-03-10T04:00:00.000-04:00

So you’ve decided to go to a drama school. Great! Now, what courses should you take? Remember that your goal is to become a well-rounded performer. Don’t shy away from classes that challenge you. For example, if you can’t sing, take a singing courses and a lot of them. There’s more to learn than carrying a tune. As an actor breath control is crucial, and there’s no better way to learn the tricks of this skill than a course in vocal music. And who knows, you might land a singing job from it.

Monologues

2009-03-08T04:00:00.001-04:00

Monologues for Your Acting College Audition
If you’re planning to attend an acting college, you’ll need to pull together a powerful audition to get accepted. Most acting colleges require that you prepare two monologues, one classical and one modern. Classical monologues are generally thought to be any theatrical piece written prior to the turn of the 20Th century, although some colleges define it as later than that.
Your best bet is to choose any of the Greek classics; Shakespeare, Moliere, Voltaire, etc.

If you’re stuck, go to a local bookstore and search for compilations of classic monologues.
Modern monologues are more recently written, usually within the last 100 years. Try not to choose overdone monologues, as the school's casting directors can get bored hearing the same pieces over and over again. That won’t work to your advantage. Do your best to select a monologue that represents you. Rehearse both monologues enough so that you will go into your audition fluidly and with confidence. It is the confidence that sells.

Drama and Mood

2009-03-06T04:00:00.000-05:00

There is a saying in performing; that you should leave your personal problems outside the door. In other words, don’t let your current issues and mood affect your performance. Remember that while on stage or in front of the camera, you are the character you are playing, not the other way around. However, you are human, and the character you are playing is (sometimes!) human. Don’t refuse your feelings, but patiently observe them so that you can call upon them to give life from them into your future roles.

Choosing a School

2009-03-04T04:00:00.000-05:00

When you’re in the market for drama schools, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of places to choose from. You’re going to have to weed out the schools that are not a perfect fit for you and find ones that will work with you to help you become the best performer you can be. Here are a few things to consider when searching for a drama school:

Location. How far are you willing to travel to go to school? If you need to relocate, where will you live?
Budget. Can you afford tuition at the drama school? If not, are there alternate ways to pay for your education such as financial aid, student loans, or work study programs?
Coursework. What types of classes are offered? Do they suit the kind of acting you want to be doing in the future? Is there decent variety?
Faculty. Who will be your teachers? Do you recognize any of them as established current or past actors? If not, what are their credentials and connections as a whole? Are they writers, directors, etc.
Current and Past Students. What have the graduates of this school done with their careers? Can you speak to current students to find out why they like the school?

Drama and Acting

2009-03-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

Drama involves a plot and characters that are ruled by a certain overriding theme. As a performer, it is your duty to understand this theme and let it suffuse your work. Work within the script and let it flow through you and the relationships that you build with other characters. You can begin by discussing the stage- or screenplay with your fellow actors and/or the director. Coming to a common agreement about the motivations of each character will indeed fill out the production to its entirety.

Drama School

2009-02-28T04:00:00.001-05:00

Drama schools tend to have a highly competitive admissions process. Applicants must submit to an audition process before they are granted admission. Drama schools focus on the development of acting technique, usually focusing on work in the theater. Although the work is performance based, students typically also learn about stage craft. Classes on set building, lighting design, and even dramatic writing are often offered so that students get a well-rounded education.

Drama Strategy

2009-02-26T04:00:00.000-05:00

A simple strategy for creating an honest script is through the use of mantras.

Mantras- an expression or idea that is repeated, often without thinking about it, and closely associated with something...like a life's story.

While you are acting in a scene, recite an appropriate motivational phrase over and over again in your head. The mantra will subconsciously affect your performance, making it seem more natural. For example, if you are playing in a loving family scene, you may want to try reciting, “I love you,” in your head during the scene. The mantra will help to add depth to your character.

Elements of Drama

2009-02-24T04:00:00.001-05:00

The primary elements of drama are plot, character, and theme.
The theme is the central idea of the work, or the message the writer wishes to impart on her audience. The theme governs the progression of the plot. The plot in turn governs the characters, who move through the plot’s conflicts, thereby helping to further develop the theme. Other elements such as irony and symbolism can be added to lend more subtle touches to the script, making it more human and accessible.

Acting in Theater

2009-02-22T04:00:00.001-05:00

Drama and Humor. Comedy acting is often a critical component within a dramatic piece, though it is one that is difficult to create. Because humor is subjective, one can’t be sure what will make an audience member laugh. Usually the best rule of thumb is not to try hard. In life, many things can and do make us laugh, even in moments of high tension. Ideally the writer will have achieved honesty in the script, so as an actor you have only to portray the role as honestly as possible. One of the worst things to do is to go for the laugh or “milk” the audience for a laugh. The audience will feel manipulated and lose interest in the world you have created with your character. And all that hard work will be for nothing.

Acting in Theater

2009-02-20T17:10:00.000-05:00

Playing Drama, and the act of performing drama, teaches us to re-engage the skill of discovery. As children, we discovered all the time. In the creation of relationships, and the art of imitating relationships that stem from drama, we are again taught to relearn how we engage in relationships. The writer of script must study how to bring characters together within the plot, while the actor must learn how to imitate these relationships on stage. It is perhaps why we call it “playing” a role, or even why a dramatic production is called a “play”!

Jitters

2009-02-18T04:00:00.002-05:00

Techniques for the Jitters First night jitters affect almost all actors. Rumor has it that Steve Harvey is nervous before every show he does! As an actor, you need to develop your own personal strategy for defeating the jitters. Your method can be something as simple as going over your lines again or as complex as yodeling. Meditation and other breath control techniques often helps. What matters most, however, is that you come up with your own personal way of managing nerves and stick to it.

Loose the Script

2009-02-16T04:00:00.002-05:00

Scripts are great to have your nose in when you’re sitting around before rehearsal, or waiting for your turn, but get rid of it before you hit the stage. Many actors have become so accustomed to have an off-book date set for them that they will cling to every available second of script they can get during rehearsals until that date arrives. Trust me, don’t wait, ditch the script fast!

Learn your lines for a given scene in a given day. If you’re blocking Act I, Scene 1 then memorize that and nothing else for that day. It’s hard to do if you’re unaccustomed to it, but I stand by this method. It lets you learn your lines sooner, lets you become accustomed to moving in character without something in your hands and it lets you look your partners in the eye from day one. And if you can’t remember all those lines? Well, that’s why there are those wonderful Assistant Directors. “LINE!” Just stick to and remember all of your acting training and you will be just fine.

Relaxed and Confident

2009-02-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

A crucial acting tip is to always remain relaxed and confident. Granted, you may play characters that display the extreme opposites of these emotions. What matters is that you approach the role with these attitudes. Learning to be relaxed within your role helps you to be a more flexible talent, allowing you to respond instinctively. Being confident helps to you develop your character more fully, even if you are playing a role that calls for a doubtful characteristic.

The Vocal Warm Up

2009-02-12T04:00:00.006-05:00

Part of any serious actor training involves training the lips, voice and tongue to articulate and project.

Here’s a great exercise to get you in tip-top shape for performance time. Begin by standing up straight, knees unlocked. Breathe long and deeply. Exhale through your lips in a sigh. Open your mouth very wide, and stick your tongue out. Then pull it back in.

Next, blow air through your loosely closed lips so that they flap like a horse. Stick your tongue out and move it in all four directions and hold for about 3 seconds in all directions. Then, place a pencil in your mouth, bite down, resting the pencil on top of your tongue. dig up all the tongue-twisters you can find and repeat them out-loud, correctly, 12 times with the pencil in your mouth.

Here are a few I use:

A tutor who tooted the flute tried to tutor two tooters to toot. Said the two to their tutor:"Is it harder to toot,Or to tutor two tooters to toot?"

The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick

What noise annoys an oyster? The noise that annoys an oyster is a noise that knows no oyster.

The Leith police dismisseth thee, The Leith police dismisseth us.

Pure food for poor mules

Show and Tell

2009-02-10T04:00:00.002-05:00

Showing verses Telling:
A critical acting tip is to remember that you are showing a story, not just telling it. This may sound simple at first, but it’s harder than you might think to engage your audience. Simply reciting your lines and obeying stage directions won’t be enough. Acting involves the whole of your being. Each movement, each breath, and each spoken line contribute to your performance. When you are on screen or on stage, know that your actions must be deliberate. Everything you do (your “stage business,” in other words) must work to show the audience the story.

The warm up

2009-02-08T04:00:00.002-05:00

The Relaxation Warm-up:

Acting training isn’t all about learning lines and how to move around on the stage. One of the most vital acting techniques is teaching and training the body and mind before you set foot on the stage or in front of the camera. The first part of any warm-up exercise is relaxation. This may appear counterintuitive, as you will want to have lots of energy to perform. What the exercise does is turn your body and mind into a blank slate, ridding you of…you, for lack of a better term. You want to remove all thoughts and tensions in order to rebuild a different person who will take on the role he or she has been assigned.

Example; Lie down in a quiet area, arms at your side, palms facing up. Take 12 long deep breaths. With each inhale, imagine you are breathing in pure energy. With each exhale, push out all toxicity and negative thoughts. Allow every muscle in your body to unclench and relax. do this for 12 minutes, then slowly revive yourself by wiggling fingers and toes before you slowly sit up.

The Alexander Method

2009-02-06T04:00:00.001-05:00

The Alexander technique is another way of approaching acting. It involves a complete restructuring of the way your body responds to stimuli, re-realizing how your mind and body integrate through retaining breathing and movement. It was Alexander’s belief that breathing and vocalization determine how the body functions as a whole. This technique allows actors to retrain any bad physical habits they have developed and create more efficient ways of moving and breathing.

Method Acting

2009-02-04T04:00:00.008-05:00

The Stanislavsky method,

is one of the most common acting strategies.

It involves studying and living as the character you are portraying. Basically, with the Stanislavsky Method, you are working to find common emotional experiences with the character. Once those common emotions are identified, you draw on your own experiences of those emotions to fill out your character. In this way the emotions of your character become more sincere. They become you.

Playing for Status

2009-02-02T04:00:00.001-05:00

Status is a big part of acting technique. Most of human interaction could be broken down in to shifting issues of status. During the course of an average conversation, a person’s status may shift from high to low, and back again, depending on the topic of the conversation. In order to be an effective actor, these status changes must be replicated on screen or on stage. Be conscious of your body language. What kind of status is your body projecting? You should also take note of the timbre of your voice. Is it clear and confident or low and quavering? These factors help determine your status in a scene, and thereby establish your position and goals within it.

Acting Techniques Tips

2009-01-30T04:00:00.002-05:00

Acting Techniques for Warming Up:

A well known warm-up acting routine involves re-naming your surroundings. The point of the exercise is to break down external barriers in the hopes of challenging any inner barriers that you may have.

Follow these steps:

Take a deep breath

Choose an object in the room, and rename it. It does not have to be a special name, just different. Example: change chair to elephant.

Move on to the next object, rename it, and repeat the new name of the first object.

Repeat until you have renamed everything in the room.

It sounds corny...I know. But it works for some.

What I Love about my mom

2009-01-29T04:00:00.001-05:00

There is a concept, an idea, a thought: I don't want to be average. I got that from my mom.

She, from a small southern town in Alabama always stressed; "When you open your mouth, nobody should be able to tell where you come from." The second thing she stressed is work. She did not wait or depend on the government. She worked.

She worked. She paid her mortgage. She bought our food with cash. She did not want public housing or food stamps..."It's not my pedigree."

Because of that, work is my philosophy today. You may be a little smarter than me, you may have more connections than me, you might have more talent than me or a few more other things than me, but I will not be out worked or out hustled. I will not. If we run a race, one of two things will happen: you will quit or I'm going to die. It is that simple. And I do not die. You are not going to out work me. I get up very early and go to bed late. Work full time, school and a business. Hard work is the who, the what I am. I even named one of my businesses with that name.

...And this hard work ethic that I love about my mom is what I love about my grandmothers, my cousins, my sisters, my friends and all women who work and work hard. Work to provide for their families. Not waiting on the government for public housing and food stamps. Loving and wanting a man instead of needing one.

HardWork...

This is my pedigree!

HeadShot Format

2009-01-26T04:00:00.000-05:00

Format for Your Headshot. Having a proper headshot is crucial to your acting career. Consider a black and white 8×10 photograph. Commercial headshots should frame only your face from the shoulders up. You should be smiling, showing a little of your teeth. It’s not a bad idea to have an alternate shot as well that shows off your body. This picture can be more casual. Once you have a headshot, make sure that it evolves with your acting career. If you drastically change hairstyles or gain or lose weight, make sure to have up to date headshots taken. Remember, you want to be recognized.

Theatrical HeadShots

2009-01-24T04:00:00.003-05:00

There are two basic types of headshots: commercial and theatrical. A commercial headshot should be attractive, warm, and open. A theatrical headshot, on the other hand, is more serious, and should try to represent your characteristics as a person. The format for headshots varies throughout the country –- from close-ups to 3/4 shots, from bordered to borderless. Make sure you use the preferred format of the theater company who is requesting it for your area of application.

HeadShot Tips

2009-01-22T04:00:00.001-05:00

Little things can make a big difference.
When mailing; enclose your headshots in an envelope that is easy to open. That way, the casting director doesn’t have to struggle with your materials. A simple clasp envelope sealed with a small piece of tape should do the trick. Attach a small note to your headshot. It will gain you a few extra moments of the casting director’s time without being annoying. Your name should be printed on the front of your headshot and your resume should be on the back. If you have not printed it directly to the back of the headshot, staple your resume to the photo. Never use paper clips as they snag on other documents

St. Pete's Monica Raymund

2009-01-21T16:55:00.006-05:00

Shorecrest Preparatory School graduate, Monica Raymund is to appear on new show. Raymund has a supporting role in Fox’s Lie to Me, which stars Kelli Williams from popular ABC series The Practice. The Lie to Me series begins Jan. 21.
Read article by St. Petersburg Times' Mary Jane Park and blog post by St. Petersburg Times' Eric Deggans.

Selecting A HeadShot

2009-01-21T04:00:00.001-05:00

Get your headshots taken by a professional headshot photographer who knows how to capture your personality. When you go over the proof sheet, view the entire shoot, not just the photographs that the photographer selects for you. This way, you get a better idea of the photographer's overall skill, rather than letting them hide behind a few good shots. Remember, you want an experienced photographer who not only makes you look as good as possible, but also captures the true you.

Inauguration Day

2009-01-20T02:00:00.002-05:00

CHILD ACTING TIPS

2009-01-18T04:00:00.005-05:00

Television Acting Tips:
You’ve just landed your first acting job on television, and you’re feeling overwhelmed. Episodic television acting can be extremely demanding, particularly when you’re the new kid. The pace is frantic, the writers keep changing the script, and there’s so much to learn. How will you ever cope? Relax. You already have the essentials — the acting skills and the talent. The rest is just a steep learning curve. You’ll get the hang of it. Keep in mind that television is a writer’s medium. That fact coupled with the reality of television production schedules means scripts are forever being altered. If you’re used to features, you’ll have to be ready — to change, that is. The better prepared you are for all surprises, the less harried you’ll feel on the set. That kind of readiness requires a lot of work ahead of time. Just Do it. You’ll be grateful.When things start getting crazy, keep your cool and remember to breathe. You may not think you know how to pull it off, but you do. So search within yourself, stay in the moment, and have fun!

Acting School

2009-01-16T04:00:00.003-05:00

You’ve decided to follow your dream and apply to acting school.

Congratulations!

Whether you move to a different part of the country or stay closer to home, there are many acting and film schools to choose from. These tips will help you find the right program for you.Visit the campus. Check out the facilities. Talk to the other students. What’s the atmosphere like? Do students and faculty alike seem jazzed and happy to be there? If you can, catch a student performance. Ask about the faculty: Are the drama teachers experienced actors? Are they well-respected? Do they have connections in the industry? Try to meet with first-year instructors during your campus visit. Ask about the curriculum: Besides acting technique, what else will you learn? Does the school offer courses in film and drama history? How about dance, movement, and voice classes? Will you also learn practical skills for making your dream happen, such as how to approach agents, put together your resume and headshot, plan your career, and keep your books?

Much Success!

Youth Voice-Over Acting

2009-01-14T04:00:00.004-05:00

Many actors at one point or another will have an opportunity to audition for voice-overs as well as theater, film, and/or television. There are some actors, however who go out of their way to narrow their career to doing only voice-overs. You may wonder, “How do I become an actor who does just voice-overs?” The answer is: With a lot of training and experience. Becoming a voice-over actor does require you to have a decent voice, but it’s also great if you have a unique or quirky voice. Example of unique would be James Earl Jones. Regardless of the type of voice you have, you will need training to help you learn to sell the product or entity for which the advertisement has been written.There are several classes available devoted to just the art of the voice-over. You can also find voice-over classes within most acting colleges’ curricula. Once you have received training, you’ll still need to practice almost on a daily basis. Daily practice can be accomplished at home (by just reading copy) or in a studio, if one is available to you. You should look for voice-over auditions. Be sure to attend as many as you can, especially when you’re first starting out.

ENTERTAINMENT CREDITS

2009-01-13T04:00:00.002-05:00

A writer is anyone who puts pen to paper, whether for enjoyment, artistic talent, creative outlet. In entertainment, a writer provides the words the talent uses in television, film, radio or on stage. A freelance writer is simply a writer who acts as a small business or independent contractor; s/he sets his own pace, seeks out his own work, and pays no one but himself.

A director is responsible for overseeing every creative aspect of a project, from start to finish. From the "look" of it to atmosphere or mood, When a director reads a script he or she develops a personal vision for how that story should be told. Whether it is a dark tale, a story of triumph, or one of passion, the director's unique vision will be responsible for presenting it in a way that no other director would. A director sees beyond the words on the page to a moving picture with specific angles or scenes, lighting, mood, nuance and emotion -- all visually created for the audience.

An executive producer is someone who is either financing a project, or is representing a studio or entity that is financing a project. Entertainment projects can have multiple backers, and therefore more than one executive producer is possible. Executive producers -- often referred to as "the suits" because of their formal attire -- some EPs do not have any entertainment-making experience at all---JUST MONEY.

Just Waiting Around

2009-01-12T04:00:00.003-05:00

If you got into acting for the glamour, you’re in for a shock. You may make it to the small screen or even the big screen. You may be required to do night shoots, act like you’re freezing in 90-degree weather, or jump over that thing-a-mam-bob over there a million times. Your days will for sure start early and usually end quite late. For most of those long hours you’ll be just sitting around. Unless you’re a mega star, your chair probably won’t be that comfy, either. Setting up a shot takes time. LOTS of time. As the actor, you’ll be twiddling your thumbs while the technicians do their work. That can get to be draining. How on earth will you be able to deliver your emotional scene when your energy levels are depleted? You may not have a lot of control over the filming schedule, but you’ll be a much happier camper if you learn to spend your “waiting around” time in a constructive manner. What’s constructive for you will depend on your personality and on the demands of the film. If goofing off with the other actors will lead to greater freedom in front of the camera, then go for it. On the other hand, if being around people leaves you feeling dispersed, spend the time alone in quiet meditation. Or you may need some physical activity, to chill out with some music, or to run through your scene one more time. Each role, each film, will be a new experience and may require a new approach. But if you remain tuned into your own deepest needs, you’ll find the time spent on set less tedious. Both you and your performance will be better off.

Youth Acting Tips

2009-01-10T04:00:00.007-05:00

Want to keep your acting from getting stale? Make sure your life is interesting!
Your most crucial dramatic lessons won’t come from acting class but from your own life.

Sure, it’s important to go to movies and plays, read scripts, and study the great directors. But if your only reference point is other movies, your performances will come across as flat and derivative.

An actor has to continually fill her/his well of creativity to stay inspired.

For me, I must immerse myself around art and creative people frequently. The broader your experiences and your studies, the more resources you’ll have to draw from during a performance.

Follow these tips to spice up your acting:

Read. Learn all you can about art, music, family, science, psychology, history, politics and theology. Each field in its own way examines what it means to be human.

Become a first-class people-watcher. Keep a notebook with you and jot down dialogue, mannerisms, and interesting situations.

Develop a desire to experience other cultures. How do people greet each other within their own race, age group, social economical level? And then observe those same people interacting outside of their groups.

Follow current events for insights into the best and worst of human theater.

Seek novelty. Do something you’ve never done before, such as learn another language, repair a car’s engine, or pet-sit a snake.Take risks. Bungee jump. Travel solo. Scuba dive. Love and lose.

Love and win.

Live with your mind and senses fully engaged, and you’ll perform the same way. Not to mention you’ll have fantastic stories to tell your grandkids someday!

Casting Call Tips

2009-01-08T04:00:00.000-05:00

A huge part of getting a casting call or finding out about open casting calls is working your connections. A good actor keeps track of the people s/he meets. A good actress believes: no role is too small. A good actor always have his/her feelers out looking for leads; casting directors from your previous work might be able to recommend a new direction for you. Be active in the industry community. You’re not going to find any leads by sitting at home. Try to introduce yourself to new casting directors, producers, and writers every week.

Casting Call Preparations

2009-01-06T04:00:00.000-05:00

Make sure that your training is up to date and be sure to practice beforehand. Gather information through any connections that you have made in the industry. Whenever possible, prepare by reading the script from which you will be performing. If this is not possible, get all the information about the key players: director, writer, producer, etc. The more you know, the more you will stand out.

Casting Call Attitudes

2009-01-04T04:00:00.001-05:00

Here are another essential elements of advice:
Do not be annoying, or needy, whiny, and don’t beg for a break. Nobody wants to hear it. Be confident and respectful. Let you light shine from within. Be yourself. Even if you stumble on a line or two...you can always start over.You can always train more and improve, you can always give it another shot, but you can never again make a good first impression. Remember that you have a set amount of time with a casting director; they have to sit there and audition people all day. Be considerate of their time. It will pay off!

Casting Call Tips

2009-01-02T04:00:00.002-05:00

There’s a basic application process behind getting into a casting call. Keep it simple unless you are asked for a package. If asked, your mail-in package should be simple as well: just a headshot, cover letter, and resume. Make sure to put your name on your headshot, so the casting director is not forced to flip through pages to remember your name. The cover letter should be brief. Introduce yourself, highlight apart of your resume, and give them a reason to see you. You can always try to send something crazy to seem creative, but they might just remember the crazy part and forget all about the creative. It’s best to stay professional. You don't want to be remembered for being crazy. You want to be remembered for talent.

Succeeding at a Casting Call

2008-12-28T04:00:00.000-05:00

Everything that is wrong with your life and everything that is right with your life is all your fault. Nobody can take anything from you. You either have it or you don't.

Likewise, you’re the only one who can make yourself look good in a casting call, so be proactive. Take note of the following advice:
Show up on time.
Be prepared for any readings that you have to do. The best way to prepare for that is to cold read newspaper articles or magazine articles.
Be very respectful to all of the people that you interact with, even other actors. A fellow actor could refer you later on. Show that you can work professionally with the casting director and anyone else attached to the production.
Follow up with an email or postcard or another small type of connection the next day.

More Youth Casting Call Tips

2008-12-26T04:00:00.001-05:00

If you’re wondering how to become an actress or an actor, one of the first things you’ll need to aside from attending an acting school for training is to get used to the fact that you will have to attend a lot of auditions. Hundreds if not thousands of them. There are a number of types of auditions you may be going to, so it’s best to get the jargon down right off the bat.

Casting Call: This is usually an open-ended audition for which you may or may not need to have an agent book you. In general, casting calls can go on all day and you may have a window of time during which you are called in to audition.

Cattle Call/Open Call: This is similar to a casting call, but is much looser in terms of how it’s organized. You often do not need an agent to book you a slot. In fact, often there is no time slot for anyone; it’s first come, first auditioned.

Casting Director Audition: This is generally a specific appointment set up by your agent, during which you will read for a specific director.

Callback: Once you have passed the first round of auditions, you may be called back to read again. Often, these auditions will involve you reading sides from the play or film rather than having you perform prepared material.

Acting HeadShot

2008-12-24T04:00:00.002-05:00

Professional Acting Headshots
Selecting a Headshot Photographer

When selecting a photographer, it is better to always use a photographer who specializes in headshots. Research different photographers, and ask contacts in the industry for recommendations. Ask to see the photographer’s previous work. It may be beter to use a photographer with a permanent studio; mobile studios are less trustworthy. Negotiate rates beforehand and get an agreement in writing before shooting begins.

Romans 12

2008-12-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

The key to conquering:be a blessing to your enemies, (those who have betrayed and hurt you) You must provide for them in someway. Give them something of value.
Buy them a gift card for gas or groceries or cash...if they receive it (if they rejoice and are glad); blessings for the two of you and you can repair the relationship based on your good-heartedness and gesture of peace. Chances are...their heart is good and they will feel silly for how they treated you. But, if they do not it will be coals on their head.
I know this not because the Word says so...but from experience. Blessing enemies is rewarding.

Mad Scientist

2008-12-23T13:46:00.005-05:00

I've been hearing lately people blaming others for their lack of success. It is such an immature stance to not take responsibility for ones own life and lack of achievement. How pathetic. Whether its an accusation of taking ideas or whatever.

It is simply impossible to take some body else's idea and execute it. You would have to be some type of mad scientist and then enter a brain and transfer the information to your brain and then use or actually put to work what you have retrieved. Even if that were possible the source of the idea, you as the mad scientist, will never be able to get...which is needed to implement. The mad scientist would never have the passion only the-step-by-step plans...and without passion, will and drive you will never be able to implement an idea of your own...not to mention someone else's. Mad scientist can only be found in a fictional world. So, if you have nothing, it is because you did not cultivate what God gave you...not because something was stolen from you.

"If you actually did the work of a builder, you will always know how to build. Like riding a bike...you never forget. You get on and ride. But if you never actually did the work, only said that you did; when you get on that bike you will struggle and perhaps fall."

you are a blind person holding a flashlight in a dark room.

GOOD SEARCH

2008-12-17T10:37:00.003-05:00

Yahoo! is revamping its company. GoodSearch is a new search engine that is really Yahoo!
So, instead of "Googling" we could now "GoodSearch."
Perform a GoodSearch for: Bay Area Studios Foundation

FROM STAGE TO SCREEN IV

2008-12-03T04:00:00.001-05:00

Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born in Salinas, California on December 14, 1988.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens landed her first commercial when auditioning for a friend of hers who couldn't make it
and her first movie was "Thirteen" in 2003, followed by "Thunderbirds" in 2004.

She loves acting, singing and dancing, and has always put it all together in theater musicals.

Theater credits include "Evita," "Carousel," "The Wizard of Oz," "The King & I," "The Music Man," "Cinderella" and "Damn Yankees." Vannesa Anne Hudgens has had numerous guest roles on television series including "Quintuplets," "Still Standing," "The Brothers Garcia, and "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."

Vannesa has also appeared on "Drake & Josh," playing Drake's girlfriend, Rebecca.
The actress rose to fame playing Gabriella Montez in the smash hit Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical."

Vanessa sang and danced her way into everyone's heart as a shy A-student who has to overcome her fear of performing on stage.
Vanessa released her debut album, entitled "V," on September 26, 2006.

FROM STAGE TO SCREEN III

2008-12-02T04:00:00.001-05:00

Fantasia Monique Barrino or simply Fantasia,

is an American R&B/soul singer and Broadway actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the television series American Idol in 2004. After having the part of Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, Fantasia is cast to be in the movie version of the musical.

SADA

2008-12-01T08:04:00.004-05:00

Soulful Arts Dance Academy presents: Langston's Hugh's Black Nativity:A Gospel Song Play. It will be performed at the Palladium December 5th-7th. Admission is free.

FROM STAGE TO SCREEN II

2008-12-01T04:00:00.003-05:00

Angela Basssett Vance

Bassett attended Yale University and received her B.A. in African-American studies in 1980.

In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale School of Drama. At Yale, Bassett met her future husband Courtney B. Vance a 1986 graduate of the drama school. After graduation, Bassett worked as a receptionist for a beauty salon and as a photo researcher.

She soon looked for acting work in the New York theater. One of her first New York performances came in 1985 when she appeared in J.E. Franklin's Black Girl at Second Stage Theatre.

She appeared in two August Wilson plays at the Yale Repertory Theatre under the direction of her long-time instructor Lloyd Richards. The Wilson plays featuring Bassett were Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1984) and Joe Turner's Come and Gone (1986).

In 2006, she had the opportunity to work on the Wilson canon again, starring in Fences (play) alongside longtime collaborator Laurence Fishburne at the Pasadena Playhouse in California.

Currently, she can be seen on NBC's ER on Thursdays.

START YOUR COMPANIES

2008-11-28T09:42:00.006-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your companies!

Would-be entrepreneurs at "Startup Weekend" in Atlanta, Georgia.

A 32-year-old programming consultant helped create Twitpay, a service designed to let people settle casual debts, like splitting a bar tab among friends, using the micro-blogging site Twitter.

Twitpay was one of several projects in development at "Startup Weekend", held in Atlanta, Georgia.

The event brought together more than 100 people; marketers and designers who tried to create new companies from scratch in less than three days. "The actual building of the product was about 80 to 90 percent done at Startup Weekend," Brown said.

The process began Friday evening when more than 100 entrepreneurs gathered to pitch their ideas. Organizer Lance Weatherby said about 60 ideas were presented. After a series of votes, eight or nine projects were selected, and the attendees split into groups to work on the ones they were most excited about.

The Atlanta event was the 25th Startup Weekend since the concept was created in Boulder, Colorado, in July 2007. Startup Weekends have been held across the U.S. and in a few cities in Canada and Europe. Past weekends have produced such companies as Market Monitor, a search engine optimization tool, and iDream, an online collection of dreams and dream interpretations.

StartupWeekend.com

Clayton Stobbs, the interim CEO of Startup Weekend, says interest in the event has grown with the recent economic crisis.
"Startup Weekend is more of a time commitment than a big expense," he said.

It does not take long to start a business these days. Startup Weekend help people do it in 54 hours. All you need is the idea. Once you get your idea, you launch your website, then sell your product or present your service. With Startup Weekend you can do it all in days!

Child Opportunities

2008-11-28T04:00:00.002-05:00

Child actors often have more professional opportunities open to them because new talent is always needed to replace those who have become too old, and roles are often double cast due to strict child actor labour laws. However, there are also unique difficulties for child performers, such as choosing age appropriate audition material. It is very important that kids only use audition songs and monologues that are appropriate for their age level.

Message Boards

2008-11-27T04:00:00.001-05:00

So, after some deliberation... Teddy Young, my brilliant and creative business partner, decided we should have a message board. Really he decided it. I had no idea of what it was. But, it is a forum for the youth to connect with us while /after in production with ideas, questions and comments.

It's a brilliant idea. I look forward to the launch.

You should get one!

FROM STAGE TO SCREEN

2008-11-26T04:00:00.001-05:00

Can you make a transition from performing on stage to television or even to movies?

Hill Harper

Yes!

Consider Hill Harper; author, actor and activist.

While in college he was a member of the Boston's Black Folk's Theater Company, one of the oldest and most acclaimed black theater troupes in the country. Harper's stage credits include appearances in off-Broadway productions of Your Handsome Captain, Freeman, and David Mamet's American Buffalo. He completed a starring run of Jessica Hagedorn's Dogeaters at New York's Joseph Papp Public Theatre.

Currently you can see him in his best-known role to date as a coroner-turned-crime-scene-investigator, Sheldon Hawkes, on the American TV show "CSI:NY", the second spin-off from the very successful "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" franchise.

Hill Harper

A MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION

2008-11-25T04:00:00.002-05:00

Steps To Success

Step 1: Research the Company & Audition Specifics as soon as you have decided to audition, make an appointment right away if one is necessary. Some auditions have a limited number of spaces. Making an audition appointment early will also give you more choice of when you audition, allowing you to choose what fits into your schedule. Add a page in your audition journal with all the important info: who, what, where, when, what the requirements are, etc. Mark the date on your calendar.Find as much information as possible about the production company and the director.

Step 2: Research the Show Look at the cast requirements, make a note of the roles you are eligible for. Take notes in your audition journal. Listen to the music from the show if possible. If it is not offered, ask for it. Pay particular attention to any songs sung by the characters you are suited for. Read the script if at all possible. Take note of scenes that might be used for a cold reading. Research the time period and context in which the play or musical is set.

Step 3: Choose Your Audition Song, Dance & Monologue, use character profiles to research characters similar to those you are aiming for in your audition. Be prepared for a upbeat tempo as well as a slow one. You never know what the director is looking for.

Step 4: Prepare Other Skills & Rehearse Thoroughly Prepare for cold readings

The Olympics

2008-11-24T04:00:00.002-05:00

"Theater is the Olympics of acting;

You only get one shot at center stage!"

Cedric the Entertainer

2008-11-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

Cedric the Entertainer Takes the Stage

Cedric the Entertainer joins the ever-growing list of Hollywood successes who are taking a stab at Broadway. The popular stand-up comedian makes his debut in the revival of David Mamet’s American Buffalo, opposite John Leguizamo

SAG STRIKE?

2008-11-23T12:44:00.005-05:00

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator.

Federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez adjourned the talks between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers shortly before 1 a.m. after two marathon sessions failed to produce an agreement. No new talks are scheduled.
The SAG, representing more than 120,000 actors in movies, television and other media, said in a statement that it will launch a "full-scale education campaign in support of a strike authorization."

Talks broke down after the studios sought the right to create productions for new media, such as the Internet, using nonunion actors and without paying residuals, said Doug Allen, SAG national executive director and chief negotiator.

Residuals are payments to actors that are made every time a production airs, such as TV reruns. Many SAG members rely on residuals for more than half of their income, Allen said. "They're asking us to bless a system we believe would be the beginning of the end of residuals, and that's a very scary thought for working actors," he said.
The producers' alliance condemned the SAG decision and said it remains the only major Hollywood guild without a labor deal this year.

"Now, SAG is bizarrely asking its members to bail out the failed negotiating strategy with a strike vote — at a time of historic economic crisis," a producers' statement said. "The tone-deafness of SAG is stunning." SAG's national board has already authorized its negotiating committee to call for a strike authorization vote if mediation failed. The vote would take more than a month and require more than 75 percent approval to pass.

SAG wants union coverage for all Internet-only productions regardless of budget and residual payments for Internet productions replayed online, as well as continued actor protections during work stoppages.

But the AMPTP said it was untenable for SAG to demand a better deal than what writers, directors and another actors union accepted earlier in the year, especially now that the economy has worsened.

The producers' group this week said it had reached its sixth labor deal this year, a tentative agreement on a three-year contract with the local branches of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, accounting for 35,000 workers.

The stagehands alliance accepted Internet provisions that were modeled on agreements with other unions, the producers group said.
Actors in prime-time television shows and movies have been working under the terms of a contract that expired June 30, with the hope of avoiding a repeat of the 100-day writers strike which shut down production of dozens of TV shows and cost the Los Angeles area economy an estimated $2.5 billion.

CHILD ACTING TIPS

2008-11-22T04:00:00.005-05:00

Helpful Advice for Parents

Memorizing Lines - Before starting with helping your child(ren) memorize lines, read through the script together and make sure s/he understands what all the lines mean, what the story is all about, what the character wants/needs/thinks/feels, and the process of memorizing the lines will suddenly become a lot easier. Try letting your child write out the lines on a slip of paper or record the lines to a CD and play them in the background while driving or doing activities at home.

Speaking - Encourage your child to speak clearly and pronounce each syllable in a word. Don’t worry about his speech being perfect — no one wants him or expects him to sound like Peter Jennings. Improvement in speech goes a long long way in auditions. Diction is important.

Getting into Character - Since kids are naturally creative and imaginative, this isn’t hard for them; what is hard is staying in character. If your child’s character is from another era or a different part of the country, rent films or take out books related to that character’s settings. The more your child learns about the character, the better s/he will be at becoming that character.

Auditions - Auditions must be held at reasonable lengths of time and hours. Casting is preferred to take place quickly. Always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and make sure you’ve read the breakdowns and scripts that has been provided.

Resume - Children love learning new things, and the more skills you can add to your child’s resume, the better. If a director is looking for a child who can sing or dance, and your child can, they’ve already beat out about 90% of other their fellow auditioners.

ANTM

2008-11-20T04:00:00.002-05:00

America's Next Top Model

And the winner is:

McKey!

No PROMOTION

2008-11-19T04:00:00.000-05:00

There is a time to promote and their is a time to work. After you have conducted your research, made your plan and are executing your plan...then you promote. When you talk about your business, that too is promotion. And if you promote before their is anything; like a product, service or tangible item--you could loose your potential audience. They key is to lay low until you have everything set in order. You might want to refrain from using your business email account if you have no content on your website as it will draw viewers to the site. Drawing viewers to a site without content gives you dead statistics and no advertiser wants to be presented with dead statistics...you want live statistics!

Pen-Name

2008-11-18T04:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we artists just want our art out.
We do not care if someone else gets the credit we just want to produce our project and release it.

It is the idea of anonymity that causes authors and publishers to have pen names(fake names), to remain hidden so they can focus on their art or project.

That way people can get caught up in the work and not them.

CIRCLE OF ADVISERS

2008-11-17T04:00:00.012-05:00

Kings and Queens have advisers

I think it is interesting that President-elect Obama has advisers...people who he can consult with when he makes a decision.

Barack and Michelle Obama are definitely a

King and Queen.

They are wise, rich and are living in their purpose. It is a principle I've adopted with my life and with my businesses.

I am able to make wise business choices because of my counsel; my parents, pastor, cousin and close friend.

Now, to hear President-elect Obama does it... it reinforces my desire to keep the circle of advisers in my life and apart of my business decisions and to constantly bounce ideas off them and remain humble(they are advising me not the other way around) ---they keep me looking good!

Real good.

I'm too cute...I cannot look like a fool.

FAMILY SUPPORT

2008-11-16T04:00:00.001-05:00

Marion Robinson(Michelle's mom)

When you have family support, your family and the support of your in-laws,

You have a huge powerhouse behind you!

MANAGER COMPENSATION

2008-11-09T04:00:00.003-05:00

Striking a tentative compensation agreement that can be renegotiated after three or four months is recommended, and the rate of pay is generally based on commissions of 20 percent of the net or 10 percent of the gross or more of performance and commercial incomes, as stated in contracts. This amount obviously depends on the level of development the artist is at and the experience, networks, credibility and resources of the manager (The less developed the artist and more experienced the manager, the higher the commission). The artist should never agree to circumstances that can not be terminated or negotiated within a short period of time (three or four months).

Family manager/artist relationships usually do not work unless it is a parent/child relationship. Generally speaking the artist(child) does not have a problem with the parent making money off of them since the parent has done so many things for them in life. That feeling does not usually last with a sibling or cousin etc. Unless the non-parent relative already has big pockets on their own.

Artist Start Off

2008-11-08T04:00:00.000-05:00

Early on in an artist's career, the different facets of management and marketing fall upon either her/himself or, if they have one, their manager. Because the artist is relatively unknown initially, promotion, booking, dealing with media and touring are minimal. Knowledge of how to formulate sentence structures to and for reporters are essential. A manager begins by establishing a clear understanding of what the artist(s) wants. This can be accomplished through either a written or verbal contract. A manager's first task is usually focused around a launch of some sort. Either a book, line of art work, CD etc.

Just say; "NO!" to cowards

2008-11-06T04:00:00.001-05:00

Beware, cowards can not be trusted.
A coward will not be able to stand or fight for/at any given obstacle or task.
Cowards walk away from a fight. Or perhaps I should say they duck. Either way they get out of the way.

When it is time for battle they are motionless

If the right amount of pressure is on the cowards...for a long enough time they will lay down, walk away and/or hide.
Consider Barack Obama...
a man who fought hard for two years for what he knew was HIS...
The Presidency of this United States of America

Death fights

2008-11-05T12:00:00.001-05:00

What I have learned in my short time on this planet is that when you see too much fight, that means death is close by and inevitable.

Life does not have to fight because "Life" is alive. It's cool and relaxed. It's bold.

"Life" is what "death" wants.

"Death" is erratic, blind, cowardice and frantic.
Since "death" is dead...it fights like crazy to hold on...it does not want to be dead.
It does not want to be over, it does not want to be done or finished.
And everything hanging around "death", everything connected to it is over, done and finished too!

NOV 5, 2008 OBAMA'S VICTORY SPEECH

2008-11-05T10:41:00.008-05:00

YES WE CAN! AND YES WE DID!

Watch CBS Videos Online

THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF USA

2008-11-05T08:58:00.002-05:00

MR. PRESIDENT!

2008-11-05T06:41:00.002-05:00

New Website

2008-11-05T04:00:00.002-05:00

Black Women's Web

DREAMS

2008-11-04T04:00:00.000-05:00

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH DREAMING AS LONG AS YOU ARE GETTING UP AND GOING TO WORK.

LIES

2008-10-29T04:00:00.003-04:00

If one participates in a lie (of any form and for anything) by either building, crafting, speaking, printing or even just going along with it...

Then that one will be lied to also.
You do not have a right to demand, require, insist or expect not to be lied to...you will be lied to.

You set the standard by just going along with a lie and not telling truth. When you even go along with a lie...It means you condone lies.

Everything built or based on lies falls apart. Like the famous house that was built on sand...no strong foundation.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR IV

2008-10-08T04:00:00.001-04:00

It has been written that the best measure of success for social entrepreneurs is not how much profit they make, but rather the extent to which they create social value - social entrepreneurs act as change agents. Increasingly, the social sector is finding that becoming more entrepreneurial and innovative can be very rewarding – in a financial sense as well as in terms of the spirit and energy that is released within an organization at all levels.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURIII

2008-10-06T04:00:00.001-04:00

"Making a profit, creating wealth, or serving the desires of customers may be part of the model, but these are means to a social end, not the end in itself. Profit is not the gauge of value creation; nor is customer satisfaction; social impact is the gauge. Social entrepreneurs look for a long term social return on investment." - J. Gregory Dees

Talent Agents and Managers

2008-10-05T04:00:00.002-04:00

It's the million-dollar question:

How does an actor stand out from the crowd of wannabes and land representation?

First, let's talk about finding the kinds of representation:
talent agents and managers.

A talent manager's job is to provide entertainment career guidance: helping a client to select classes, coaches or monologues; working with a performer to rehearse; exposing actors to casting directors; and helping to plan what direction a performer should be heading.

Talent agents, meanwhile, submit you for work and book and negotiate jobs for you. Ideally, if you have both, your agent and manager will have a solid working relationship with each other.

The basic way to approach finding talent agents and/or managers is of course the mailed-in submission, which consists of a cover letter, resume, and headshot(s). You may also include a reel, if you have one.

When it comes to putting your packet together, it's essentially best to keep things simple. After all, agents and managers have seen every gimmick in the book — from food to party favors — and these gimmicks end up in the trash. But if you're in a play or showcase that spotlights your talent particularly well, invite reps to see you.

While it is possible to get your foot in the door via an unsolicited submission, many reps much prefer to hear about talent through referrals. To land that valuable referral, work on your networking skills and watch for opportunities. For example, if a casting director seems impressed with you at an audition, ask if he or she can refer you to a rep.

When scouting for reps in the entertainment career field, keep your guard up. Research prospective reps and the local laws governing them; many cities and/or states require talent agents to be licensed, for instance. Also, check if an agent is either franchised by the Screen Actors Guild or a member of the Association of Talent Agents or the National Association of Talent Representatives. Currently, most ATA and NATR members are not franchised by SAG, but may still represent you for union work.

Managers are not regulated the way agents are, but you can find out if they're certified by one of the talent managers' trade organizations: the Talent Managers Association or the National Conference of Personal Managers. Each requires that managers abide by a code of ethics.

Don’t be shy, ask for client referrals and be on the lookout for common scams, such as reps asking for money up front or requiring you to pay for certain services, like photos or classes.

Acting As A Business

2008-10-04T04:00:00.001-04:00

Acting is many things. It's an emotional release; it's an artistic expression; it's playful and fun. But sometimes — let's be honest — acting is just something to do.

Many of us hate to deal with it, making your living as an actor brings up many legal and financial issues, from taxes to contracts. You might have to deal with managers and agents. And get regular work in the meantime.

Before getting that big break in an entertainment career, many successful actors worked regular everyday jobs. Many worked as waiters, temps, clerks, salesmen, web designers — even behind the counter at a fast-food joint. They scrimped and saved money for classes, headshots, and bus fare to get to the acting auditions available to them. The "struggling actor" is more than a cliché? because it's true.

To keep the struggling to a minimum, learn quickly the best ways to handle your money. Networking skills are essential; they can get you in the door with key people such as agents, managers and casting directors. Likewise, knowing the proper etiquette — for everything from auditions to contacting agents—could help smooth the way to success. Remember, it’s better to make excellent and lasting impressions. Nobody want to work with a troubled, brat personality.

Going on tour for the first or 50th time? Study and learn the best ways to prepare to make it a less stressful experience. Finally, technology is such a dominant part of our world now. Learn how it can best assist you in your entertainment career — beyond downloading tunes onto your iPod.

Cartoonist/Animator

2008-10-03T04:00:00.002-04:00

Provides drawings or animations used in advertising, programming and promotional efforts, to amuse audiences, or to meet other needs.

Uses various methods to communicate the organization's efforts through an assortment of freehand artwork. May prepare artwork for printing or mass production. No formal experience or training necessary.

Just talent.

Salary: $60,000

2008 Salary.Com

Our Space

2008-10-02T04:00:00.003-04:00

MYSPACE.COM/BAYAREASTUDIOS

Join Us!

Children Casting Calls

2008-09-29T04:00:00.005-04:00

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!

No Good!

2008-09-26T04:00:00.000-04:00

If I can not trust your word then I can not trust you.
If what you do differs from what you say
or
If what you say is going to happen, but yet, never happens--your word is not trustworthy.
If your word is no good, then guess what?
So are you!

Casting Calls

2008-09-25T04:00:00.000-04:00

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

2008-09-24T04:00:00.000-04:00

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

You never know what you may find.

Audition Tips

2008-09-23T04:00:00.001-04:00

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

2008-09-22T03:33:00.000-04:00

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

2008-09-21T04:00:00.003-04:00

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

A big head takes all the hits.

2008 Laetiçia AKA: Lettuce

An email from 1 of my uncles

2008-09-18T04:00:00.000-04:00

"I hafta share this with you guys.....All who know me, know how I am and what I stand for.I'm not a racist by any means,but this just got to me. This older white gentleman at my doctor's office just asked me if I was voting for Barack Obama just because he's black.

So I asked if he was not voting for him because he's black.Why can't I vote for him just cause he's black? Is there some kind of law that prohibits this? Hell,in this country men are pulled over everyday just because they are black, passed over for promotions just because they are black, considered to be criminals just because they are black, but nobody seems to have a problem with that.Why?

This country was built with the sweat and whip off the slaves' back, and now a descendent of those same slaves has a chance to lead the same country where we weren't even considered to be people. We weren't allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote! So you damn right I'm going to vote for him! It's not just because he's black,but because he is hope, he is change, and he now allows me to understand when my grandchildren have dreams to be president when they grow up, it is not just a fairy tale but a short term goal. I want them to see, understand, and know they can achieve, withstand, and do anything and not just because they are black!

I'm not the most political person,but I had to share this.I hope this doesn't change your opinion of me as a person."

People of God

2008-09-16T19:02:00.003-04:00

One of my sisters just got a promotion...

One of my cousins just bought a new SUV...

One of my uncles, his companies are doing bigger and better business...

and my business, stocks and investments are doing just fine...still multiplying.

Goes to show People of God do not live by the world's economy,

we live by heaven's economy...God's economy.

Live that way and you have nothing to worry about.

THE PRESIDENTIAL PLAN

2008-09-16T04:00:00.001-04:00

Click below to read:
BARACK OBAMA'S PLAN

BARACK OBAMA'S RECORD

2008-09-15T04:00:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-14T04:00:00.001-04:00

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.