Succeeding at a Casting Call

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Theater is the Olympics of acting;

You only get one shot at center stage!"

Cedric the Entertainer

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?

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

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

America's Next Top Model

And the winner is:

McKey!

No PROMOTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

YES WE CAN! AND YES WE DID!




Watch CBS Videos Online

THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF USA

MR. PRESIDENT!

New Website

Black Women's Web

DREAMS

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

LIES

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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MYSPACE.COM/BAYAREASTUDIOS



Join Us!

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!

NPOs

A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose objective is to support or engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit.

NPOs are active in the environment, humanitarian aid, animal protection, education, social issues, charities, health care, politics, religion, research, the arts, sports or other endeavors.

An NPO is depicted on the Internet with a .org(dot org) domain.
More and more people are beginning to earn a living and simultaneously give back to the world thru their communities by NPOs.

INTERNET SERVICES

• Delicious
• Digg
  
• MySpace
• Facebook
  
• Furl
• Yahoo MyWeb
  
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit
  
• Newsvine
• Live
  
• Technorati
• Twitter
  
• Yahoo Bookmarks
• myAOL
  
• Ask
• Fark
  
• Slashdot Propeller (Netscape)
  
• Mixx
• Multiply
  
• Simpy
• Blogmarks
  
• Diigo
• Faves (Bluedot)
  
• Spurl
• Link-a-Gogo
  
• Mister Wong
• FeedMeLinks
  
• Backflip
• Magnolia
  
• Seganlo
• Netvouz
  
  
  I've been told that these services are of the devil.
  Nonsense! You can use a fork for eating or you can use a fork to kill.
  Like anything, these services can be used for good or bad, righteousness or unrighteousness.

The "Religious" people who speak against these services...they themselves use them...hypocrite.

Business/Social Bullies

Basically, bullies are cowards. A bully recognizes you can do something that they can not and often times they can see your potential before you can. And instead of exerting effort to establish skill or talent within themselves they work to shut you down. A bully will attempt to shut you down by any means necessary.

With business/social… a bully tries to gain control by making others feel angry or afraid. It is characterized by verbal abuse such as name-calling, sarcasm, incessant teasing, threatening, mocking, putting down, belittling, ignoring, and lying. Also known as adult and workplace bullying, emotional bullying also includes such abuse as micromanagement, exclusion from a group, tormenting, ganging up on others, or humiliation. Moreover, this type of bullying also extends to racially or sexually abusive comments and behavior.

In an article on bullying which appeared in the July 20, 1998 edition of the Toronto Star, experts pointed out that over 50% of the adult population have experienced this form of violence at work, at home, and in society.
Moreover, according to Peg Burr, MA, MFT, bullies exist along the same continuum as personality disordered persons who have anti-social tendencies and sociopaths.

When it comes to bullying, often the first advice given is to just ignore the bully. However, is this realistically possible when you have constant working relationship?

So, how do you stand up to and beat a bully?

Be confident. Be assertive. And hold your ground.

An emotionally neutral reaction to the abusive acting out will allow you to confine the relating you do with the bully to his or her positive areas (where he or she will feel less vulnerable and threatened) In other words, boost their ego. Tell them they are brilliant…etc. This is a good way to manipulate recurring difficult situations with a volatile boss, friend or coworker so that their acting out does not escalate. By doing this, you are performing a manipulation of the bully's narcissistic tendencies to get all of what you need and want
(i.e., a paycheck or even better: a business)

DON'T GET PIMPED

Pimps DO no-thing. They TALK ONLY.

That is the only skill they have.

Actual work they avoid.

These types are carried by the workers.

They piggy back ofF the work of others; Off the ideas of others, Off the name of others, Off the association of others, off the $$ of others--They have no skills.

Carrying people will tire you out.

And make you mad.

If you work and make things happen and your partner(business or personal) does not work and can not make anything happen...you will be frustrated and exhausted.

• 
  1 hardworking person + 1 hardworking person= a huge success
• 
  1 hardworking person + 1 non-working person = failure all around

Go Blue

Affordable insurance for entrepreneurs and their families

with

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

Click GoBlueFlorida for details

Listen, Learn and Grow

Listen, learn and grow from the old folks.

They have been here longer and been thru more.

They know.

AMPLIFY

NEVER ALIGN, PARTNER, COLLABORATE OR GO INTO BUSINESS WITH ANYONE WHO CAN NOT BE SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR OWN.

EVEN JESUS PARTNERED WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE ABLE TO 'DO' AND 'BE' ON THEIR OWN.

HIS DISCIPLES LEFT THEIR WORK
(WHAT THEY WERE ALREADY DOING) JESUS NEEDED PEOPLE OF VALUE AROUND HIM TO PARTNER IN MINISTRY WITH HIM.
THEY AMPLIFIED HIS MINISTRY,

THEY CARRIED IT.

YOUR PARTNERS, COLLABORATORS MUST AMPLIFY YOUR GIFT.

IF THEY CAN NOT AMPLIFY IT(BE A PLATFORM FOR IT),

THEY WILL TAKE IT (OR TRY TO)

ARTISTS

Artists:

writers, poets, painters, sketchers, designers etc.

Let your gift make way for you.

Michelle Obama, Barack's Secret Weapon

Next to every great man is an
equally great woman!

Barack Obama in Berlin, Germany

Larry Bryant

Congratulations to friend and colleague Larry Bryant,
(a God sent for A Garden of Truth.)

This playwright and recording artist has a new venture.

He is now international.

Click to see how he is fulfilling his purpose in the Virgin Islands.

Congrats 'bizzo' That is so exciting! I declare success!

I am proud of you and glad to know you.

No compromise

You do not have to give up your body

(not even a kiss) to get ahead.

Wait on God and he will provide for you and bring you into your inheritance.

compromise = lost

HardWork and Faith

Website management, social networking, youth project meetings, full-time employment, student and meetings with execs....

A good kind of tired.

Hard works, and faith in God pays off. And it pays good!

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur.Com is an excellent resource

You Get Yours!

• If your time made it happen, it is yours.
• If your money purchased it, it is yours.
• If your ideas brought it to life or made it better, it is yours.
• If your name was used to get it, it is yours

Fight. Never walk away from what is yours.

No matter what it is.

You make sure You Get Yours!

P R E S S - R E L E A S E !

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

David Forsythe- 727-565-5599

Ted Young- Admin@BayAreaStudios.Org

Florida Organization--Provides a Way for Youth to Build Character for Lifetime Performance

Saint Petersburg, Fl -- Bay Area Studios Foundation seeks to encourage youth living in
Bay Area communities to explore opportunities in theatrical arts and athletics.

Since May 2005, The Bay Area Studios Foundation has been producing effective outcomes
within the community. “Our organizational philosophy is to work together to produce creative
ideas, provide valuable information and develop recommendations that will foster positive youth
development and as it relates to the arts and help prevent kids from engaging in criminal and deviant activity
in the community. This is the main purpose for our character and talent program,” said Monica Hardwick,
President of The Bay Area Studios Foundation.

For more information about The Bay Area Studios Foundation, view the web site at:

www.bayareastudios.org.

###

Platform focus

Under the Lord's anointing, I built a fabulous platform in building Bay Area Studios and had no intention of standing on it…but now I do. And so I walk on it. It goes to show; what you do for someone else God will make happen for you. Haman scoffed at Mordecai and built gallows for Mordecai and Haman himself died on those gallows and Mordecai was exalted and appointed.

You dig a ditch and you will be in it. Build Platforms and you walk on it

With Bay Area Pros I continue to build platforms for others

Life Decisions

Sometimes women are too busy fantasizing and dreaming when they need to be 'bout the business.

Women need to be about the business of their lives conducting their lives as a business.

Keep from running your life in the ground with and by bad

life decisions. Women are Too busy shopping and trying to be cute. Too much dining out, too many movies. Too much frivolous spending.

Women need to have their names on deeds and on documents of value. For example:

What do you have--other than clothes, material things and kids? Do you own stocks? Bonds? Mutual Funds? Property? A Business?

Decide today to own something. Get your name on a deed or document of value.

Not just receipts.

ADRIAN WALKER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!

TO:

MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE

ADRIAN WALKER,

RADIO PERSONALITY & PRODUCER 94.1FM SMOOTH JAZZ WSJT

Teresa Patterson

Poet and Author Teresa D. Patterson,

co-writer for A Garden of Truth

Book Signing!

Project Queen

When: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Where:James Weldon Johnson Library

(Next to Enoch Davis Center)

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

James Weldon Johnson Library: 1059 18Ave So.

727-893-7213

Click: Teresa D. Patterson for more info

KEEP FOR LIFE!

Packing & Moving is not an easy task. Nor is it a desirable one.

If you are fortunate to have people in your life who bless you with

help in moving from one residence to another--with no questions

asked, without looking for anything in return-or payback, without

an opportunistic agenda--those are the people you

keep for life!

HARDWICK ENTERPRISES

HARDWICK ENTERPRISES

Studios LLC Progress!

Regression-
movement toward a worse condition that is less advantageous.
Proof of God not moving in your life.

People of God move forward to progression- movement toward a much better condition that is advantageous with continual testimonies and evidence of the goodness of of the Lord.

Bay Area Studios Prospers

1. Turning lemons into lemonade
2. Turning rain into sunshine
3. Turning led into gold

When the anointing is on your life...everything you touch prospers. Psalms 1

FEIN / TAX ID NUMBER

An FEIN (Federal Employee Identification Number) also known as TAX ID NUMBER is needed if you have employees.

It is easy to get and it is free on irs' website. It is used to 'id' a business to the IRS for W4 and W2 forms just as a social security number is used to 'id' an employee on those same forms.

In addition, it is used to establish a bank account in your company name.

People with bad credit and criminal records start businesses(with no intention of actually doing anything with them), obtain Tax ID Numbers just to get things their bad name and criminal record will not let them get.

Like a cell phone

And....so they can pretend they are working on something- 'cause they are unemployed.
So, when somebody says;"What do you do?" they can mention the name of the company and it sounds so important.

But nothing is being worked on. Especially if it is the second business. Because once you have actually worked to start one business---the 2nd, 3rd, 4th businesses are easier than the first. It does not take long to get going.