Step It Up: How To Pick Up Choreography Quickly

Often when dance auditions are posted, the casting notice will include a list of requirements. Requirements may be related to age or height and often you’ll have to know a particular style of dance like tap or hip-hop. One of the most common requirements included in dance casting notices is that the dancers must be able to pick up choreography quickly.

Dancers who are able to pick up choreography quickly are most likely to be hired for jobs. Directors and choreographers prefer to save time (and money) by working with dancers who are fast learners. Both new and experienced dancers often struggle with choreography, so if this is a problem for you, don’t feel that you’re alone.

Here are a few tips that dancers often use to help them overcome this common problem:

-Visualize yourself performing the movements as the choreographer runs through them. Repetition is the key to learning new moves, and doing them in your head repeatedly can be just as effective as physically performing the routine over and over again.

-Give each step a name. Creating a name for each move often helps dancers remember the steps more easily as well as anticipate the next move as they’re going through a routine.

-Imitate the choreographer using small movements as he or she goes through the routine. By imitating the movements as soon as you are shown the steps, you begin acclimating your body to the moves, which can also help you remember them better when it’s time to perform them.

-Pay close attention to how the choreography relates to the music. If the choreographer inserts a jump at a point in the song when the singer sings, “jump back” or something similar, those keywords can be a big help.

Lots of dancers create their own techniques for helping them pick up choreography. By talking with other dancers, as well as teachers and choreographers, you can find out lots of creative ways to help you learn choreography more quickly as well as become a better dancer overall.

To discuss techniques with other Star Search Casting members who are pursuing careers in the field of dance, log on to http://www.StarSearchCasting.com. Our community forum is a great place to trade tips and get great insights into the industry. Don’t forget to check out our auditions for upcoming dance opportunities near you.

Is It Time For New Headshots?

Ever wonder what kind of an impression your headshots are making on casting directors? Your headshot is your passport to the role of your dreams. So if your headshots are not a good reflection of you and your personality, or the quality of your headshots is poor, it may take you longer to get to attain the level of success you’d hoped for. Whether your photos are outdated, or simply not the best reflection of your personality, new headshots are often just what an aspiring entertainer needs in order to land the auditions and the roles they have their hearts set on.

But how do you know if it’s time to take new headshots? Consider these questions:

• Does your photo look natural?
• Does your photo reflect the way you look now (and not five years ago)?
• Is your photo a clear shot of you, without distracting objects in the background?
• Are you looking directly at the camera?
• Does your photo convey the right image for you?
• Are the clothes you’re wearing in the photo contemporary?
• Did you use a professional photographer?
• Does your photo conform to industry standards?

If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, then you may want to consider taking new photos. Ask friends in the industry (or other Elite Casting Network members) to help you select a professional photographer. It’s also critical that your hair, makeup and attire help you portray an image that will grab the attention of casting directors the moment they set their eyes on your photo.

Once you’ve taken your photos, don’t rush to the printer. Make sure you have several people look at your proof sheet and offer their opinion on which photos are the strongest. Once there’s a consensus, you’ll be in a much better position to decide which photos would help you get the best results.

A headshot that accurately portrays your personality and lets your charisma shine through is the first step towards success in the entertainment industry. Check out some of the head shots posted on our members pages by visiting http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com. You can also get referrals for photographers in your area by posting to our community forum.

Broadcast Yourself – Using The Internet To Generate Exposure

Chris Crocker scored more than 8 million web hits and exposure on some of the most popular television shows when he posted a dramatic video on You Tube begging the media and the public to, “Leave Britney [Spears] alone” just after her much talked about performance on the MTV Video Music Awards. Whether his rant left you intrigued or simply annoyed, the attention he got landed him what most actors would give their left arms for – his own television show. Crocker, admittedly an aspiring actor, signed a contract with Blue Productions to appear in his own reality show. The actor had been posting videos to the web for six months and he’d begun developing a substantial fan base. In addition to the famous rant that helped him secure a television deal, his You Tube page included more than 60 additional performance pieces.

Even the Ford Modeling Agency is turning to the web to generate more exposure for their agency and their models. The agency has produced more than 1,000 videos for the web featuring their models during photo shoots, backstage at fashion shows, and even at the gym. You can view these videos on the web, including on You Tube. Some videos have garnered more than one million hits.

Did you know that with a Platinum or Diamond membership on www.StarSearchCasting.com, you can post video files to your profile? Chris Crocker – though a bit quirky – and the Ford Modeling Agency are great examples of how you can use the internet effectively to generate valuable exposure. Whether you have a video from a previous staged performance, or you’ve recently self-recorded an audition piece, adding a video to your Star Search Casting profile is a great way to showcase your talent to casting directors and other industry executives and show them that you really do have what it takes. A picture’s worth a thousand words, but a video clip seals the deal! Just ask Chris Crocker!

To upgrade your membership so that you can add video clips to your page, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com and click on ‘Membership Levels.’ Remember, before posting any original material to our site, or any other site, make sure you’ve gone to the proper channels to have your work registered and copy written.

Member Spotlight – Car’ynn Sims

While many of our Star Search Casting members may be small, they are no strangers to BIG success. Car'ynn Sims, originally from Dallas, Texas is just 10 years old, but she's booked more than two-dozen acting jobs, appearing in various commercials and television and film projects.

Car'ynn's all-American girl image has landed her on commercials for some of America's most popular brands, including Burger King, Southwest Airlines, Blockbuster and Oscar Mayer. In addition to her work in commercials, she's also been featured in print advertising campaigns, including the Fall 2007 campaign for American Girl.

Car'ynn has also booked roles on several notable television series. She's recently appeared on Cory in the House, the popular Disney Channel show. She's also appeared on Yes, Dear on CBS and Girlfriends on the CW Television Network.

Like many of our SSC members, Car'ynn has a long list of talents. In addition to acting and modeling, she also sings and raps with her sisters and has performed at Macy's Passport, one of the largest fashion events in the United States.

Car'ynn comes from a very talented family. Her first film was Choosing Your Course, which she appeared in along with her father, and her two older sisters. Car'ynn is currently filming the movie Angel Wishes with her sister Chris'tol.

While it's clear that Car'ynn is a natural, she's also taken a number of classes to sharpen her skills. She's studied acting with some of the industry's top coaches including actress and director Chip Fields. Additionally, Car'ynn has studied dance at Millennium Dance Complex where Wade Robinson and Shane Sparks, both choreographers for So You Think You Can Dance, teach classes.

That's quite a long list of accomplishments for such a young performer, isn't it? We'd like to congratulate Car'ynn and her entire family on all of their recent success. She's an awesome example of how you can achieve anything, no matter how young you are!!!

If you're a young performer and you're inspired by Car'ynn's story, we want to help you achieve the same level of success! Visit us online at http://www.StarSearchCasting.com to find auditions in your area and begin taking the industry by storm!

Banking On Commercials

While television and film roles are exciting, commercials are great opportunities for actors as well. In fact, commercials can be extremely lucrative, especially if you’ve booked a major, highly recognizable brand such as McDonalds, Apple or Target.

Once you book a commercial, there are a number of fees that you must be paid. A session fee is the amount of money that you’re paid for the day or time that you work on the commercial. This amount is regulated by the unions (SAG, AFTRA, etc.) and varies based on your role in the commercial. You’ll also receive residual payments – this term is thrown around in the industry a lot. Every thirteen weeks that the commercial runs, you will receive a holding fee (or residual payment) equivalent to the session fee that you were originally paid. The idea of the holding fee originated when executives decided that they didn’t want actors in their commercials also appearing in competitors’ commercials. So by “holding” the actor with the holding fee, the actor in a Pizza Hut commercials could not simultaneously appear in a commercial for Dominos or Papa Johns.

Additionally, residual payments are also made based on how often the commercial runs during those thirteen-week periods. This is referred to as a use fee. The use fee is determined based on how often the commercial airs, the markets (or cities) that it runs in and on which networks it appears. If your commercial is apart of a large campaign and runs often on network and cable stations nationwide during peak hours, like primetime, this can mean a huge payoff for you. For one or two days of work, you could eventually make several thousand dollars.

Voiceovers for commercials for major brands alone can be a six-figure career. Often major brands choose one person to serve as the voice for all of their commercials. This is a major opportunity and the audition process can be lengthy. After your first audition, you may be required to tape demo commercials (which you’ll be paid for) just so the decision makers can be certain that your voice is the right fit to advertise their brand.

Want to make your big break in commercials? Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.comcasting opportunities. today to search for television and commercial casting opportunities.

Nearly A Half-Million Contacts Made On Star Search Casting In 2007

The numbers are in & Star Search Casting is officially the #1 casting website & the first choice for entertainment professionals and aspiring performers. Star Search Casting members have been contacted nearly a half-million times in 2007 by casting directors & agents resulting in the launch of thousands of successful careers in the entertainment industry.

HOLLYWOOD – There are a lot of reasons why Star Search Casting (www.StarSearchCasting.com) is the #1 casting website, but one of the primary reasons is that casting directors and agents contacted singers, dancers, actors and models on Star Search Casting 424,610 times in 2007. And the year isn’t over yet! Each week, thousands of contacts are made and new stars are born.

Star Search Casting has quickly become the first choice for casting directors and talent agents scouting singers, actors, dancers and models online. The website has almost a quarter of a million members worldwide, and the membership base is constantly growing due to the wealth of invaluable opportunities and resources available at http://www.StarSearchCasting.com.

Star Search Casting makes it easy for casting directors and talent agents to search for talent. The website gives its members the option to post and online resume, video and audio files and up to 100 photos. By reviewing the online profiles of Star Search Casting members that are interested in acting, dancing, modeling or singing, casting directors get far more information than what they receive from most agencies on a day to day basis. This additional information is essential in helping casting directors not only make better decisions, but also find the perfect singer, dancer, actor or model for the job.

SSC is not just paying off for casting directors and agents looking for talent. It’s been a huge success for aspiring performers as well. Star Search Casting members of all ages have booked roles on popular movies and television shows and have found tons of singing, modeling and dancing jobs as well.

“I have been a member since 2004 and I have been very successful in getting auditions and acting jobs thanks to Star Search Casting. I had a singing role in Cutout with Al Martino and also appeared in the film, Invincible with Mark Wahlberg,” says Ed Maloney of New Jersey.

Aspiring actors, dancers, singers and models looking for their big break don’t have to look any further. Star Search Casting makes it easy for aspiring entertainers to connect with influential casting directors and talent agents and launch their Hollywood dreams!

For more information, visit www.Starsearchcasting.com.

Modeling Scam/Fraud Alert

If you receive an email from the Good Venture Modeling Agency of Canada, beware. Many models have received emails from representatives of this fictitious agency offering $2500 for modeling jobs. Within the email, the scammer offers potential victims an opportunity to bring someone along with them to make them feel more comfortable. This is a clever trick by the scammer to try to win the trust of potential victims. But don’t be fooled. These individuals cannot be trusted!

One model admitted to responding to the fake modeling agency. Once she sent them her contact information, she was sent several cashiers checks by mail. The instructions were to cash the check and then send a portion of the money to pay the makeup artist, photographer and stylist who would be participating on the photo shoot. Luckily she learned that it was scam before she had an opportunity to take the checks to the bank. Had she cashed the checks, she would have later discovered that they were fraudulent.

Many other models who received this email did some investigating on their own to find out if the company and the representatives were legitimate. One model called the number that was provided only to learn that the number actually belonged to someone else. Another model noticed that the area code of the phone number and the city in the address provided were approximately 300km away, which was an instant red flag for her. Another model compared the email to other email scams and noticed that they were almost identical. Other models were suspicious because the emails came from Yahoo and Netzero accounts rather than a company email address.

It’s important to carefully examine any emails that you get from agencies offering you large sums of money to avoid being victimized. As you become more resourceful and diligent about investigating possible entertainment scams, the scammers will more than likely go to greater lengths to pull the wool over your eyes. But the good news is that you can continue to count on us to post current information on modeling scams plaguing the Internet.

If you’d like to read the entire email sent by the Good Venture Modeling Agency of Canada, visit www.StarSearchCasting.com and check out our Scam Alert section. You’ll also learn about several other recent scams that we’ve uncovered. Be careful out there!

Star Search Casting Helps Aspiring Performers Harness The Power Of Internet To Land The Role Of Their Dreams

Star Search Casting (www.StarSearchCasting.com ) utilizes cutting edge technology and web-based tools to help aspiring singers, dancers, models and actors harness the power of the Internet to launch successful careers in the entertainment industry

HOLLYWOOD – While many websites post casting notices and auditions, SSC ( http://www.starsearchcasting.com ) is the only website that uses advanced web tools to help aspiring performers fully take advantage of the opportunities and the resources that the website has to offer. From allowing users to bookmark their favorite casting call, to sending users auditions via email and cellular phone, Star Search Casting is making it easier for today’s aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models to realize their dream of becoming tomorrow’s Hollywood stars.

Star Search Casting has always been a leading provider of online casting resources. Users choose Star Search Casting to further their careers in singing, acting, dancing and modeling not only because the website features thousands of casting notices, but also because Star Search Casting makes it easy for aspiring performers to search for, receive and organize casting calls in order to make sure they can take advantage of any and every opportunity.

Star Search Casting’s search tools allow users to search for auditions that are within a certain mile radius of their homes. This tool is especially popular because singers, dancers, models and actors from all over the world use Star Search Casting to find auditions in their area. In addition to user-friendly search options, users can sort auditions by deadline as well as bookmark their favorites. They can even add the auditions to the “Audition Cart” as they browse the casting notices and then go back later and send their headshots and resumes to the casting directors all at one time. When a deadline passes, notices are immediately deleted from any saved lists the user has created, yet another convenient feature.

Most aspiring performers who are pursing careers in acting, dancing, singing or modeling have full-time jobs outside of the entertainment industry. Therefore the time they have to search for auditions may be limited. SSC makes it easier for actors, dancers, singers and models to search for auditions by delivering casting calls to their favorite feed readers, email and their cellular phones. These user-friendly options help ensure that aspiring performers don’t miss an audition that would be perfect for them.

Additionally, Star Search Casting validates all casting notices posted to the website - just another step the staff takes to ensure the safety and reliability of the website. It’s no wonder Star Search Casting is the #1 Casting Website for aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models!

For more information, visit www.StarSearchCasting.com.

Star Search Casting Now Serves More Than 235,000 Members

More than 235,000 actors, models, singers and dancers have joined Star Search Casting and the membership base continues to grow.

(HOLLYWOOD) – Star Search Casting ( http://www.starsearchcasting.com), the #1 casting site on the internet, now serves more than 235,000 members. The website’s membership base is comprised of actors, models, singers and dancers from the United States and around the globe. Every day SSC members are successfully making their mark on the entertainment industry, and thanks to their testimonials and the website’s solid reputation among entertainment industry executives, the number of Star Search Casting members continues to grow.

Actors, singers, dancers and models of all ages and ethnicities have achieved record success from using Star Search Casting to attain jobs in the entertainment industry. Each week the website is flooded with testimonials from members who have gotten closer to their dreams of becoming a Hollywood star by landing agents and managers, and booking roles on major television networks and the silver screen. And each week, more and more actors, singers, dancers and models continue to join the http://StarSearchCasting.com/index.php website in order to seek the same success.

“The number of members has grown substantially,” says Jonathan Parker, founder of Star Search Casting, Inc. “I think one of the primary reasons is because many of the industry’s top casting directors, talent agents and managers, and other entertainment industry professionals use the site consistently to find new talent and the word is spreading quickly.”

Another reason is that Star Search Casting attracts so many members is that it offers invaluable services and resources. Actors, singers, dancers and models not only get access to auditions and casting calls from major networks and production companies, but they also get to network with other actors, singers, dancers and models in the community forums and get expert advice from the website’s talent consultant.

Additionally, Star Search Casting offers its members premium opportunities to showcase their talent on the website. Models can post up to 100 photos on their profile to showcase their versatility. Singers can upload three audio files to showcase their vocal range and style. Actors and dancers can display their skills by uploading three video files of their best work. No other website gives actors, dancers, singers and models this amount of exposure in one central location.

Actors, singers, dancers and models rely on maximum exposure to advance their careers. Star Search Casting provides not only maximum exposure, but also resources, opportunities and valuable information in a safe, user-friendly, online environment. The website has become so successful that actors, singers, dancers and models from all over the world now use Star Search Casting to find opportunities in film, television, theater, modeling, dance, the recording arts industry and more.

For more information on the benefits of joining Star Search Casting, visit http://www.starsearchcasting.com.

Jonathan Parker - www.StarSearchCasting.com

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THE BUSINESS OF ACTING: AGENTS AND MANAGERS FEES

One of the biggest advantages of our website is that thousands of actors, dancers, singers and models are able to audition for and book really great jobs without an agent. However, many of our members will eventually get representation and it’s important to be aware of some of the business practices that go along with signing with an agent or manager.

There are lots of perks that come with a career in the entertainment industry. One of those perks is the money. An actor that works regularly can make a great living doing what they love. Many SAG actors (members of Screen Actors Guild) make an average of $1000 a day while working on a major motion picture. But while the money can be a huge draw, it’s important to be aware of where a lot of your money goes. Aside from taxes, union dues and other expenditures like headshots, classes or any other valuable investments in your career – first and foremost you have to pay the people that represent you.

Just like any other industry, in entertainment there’s a cost for doing business. Agents charge a commission for any work that you book. Most will charge on average 10-15% of your gross earnings - that means before any other fees, such as taxes are taken out. If you have a manger, in addition to your agent, that can be an additional 10-15%. Some agents even charge fees for other services such as couriers (although these fees are generally miniscule.)

Often when we think of Hollywood careers, we think of the glitz, glamour, fortune and fame. But it’s important to look at the entire picture when you’re considering a career in the entertainment industry. It is a fantastic industry to work in, but it’s important to learn about all of the aspects of the business that face you on the journey ahead.

If you have questions about agency commissions, or any other questions related to the business of the industry, feel free to drop me a line or visit the message board on my website to talk to other actors, singers, dancers and models that are finding their way in the industry.

And check back tomorrow for more information on choosing an agent! Thanks for reading my blog!