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.

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.

How To Avoid Choosing The Wrong Audition Song

If you’ve checked out our auditions lately then you may have noticed that there are several musicals seeking talented men and women to join their casts! Theatrical classics like Show Boat and Hair and two original musical films are just a few of the posts perfect for Elite Casting Network members who are great at both acting and singing!

Have you ever auditioned for a musical and afterwards you think to yourself, “Why on earth did I pick that song!” Selecting a song for an audition can be a challenge - especially if you’re new to auditioning. Here’s a checklist that you can use to eliminate song choices so that you don’t make the costly mistake of picking the wrong song for your musical theatre audition.

Don’t choose a song…

…If it doesn’t resonate with you. You should really like the song, and enjoy singing it in order to perform it well.

…If portions of the song are out of your range. If during practice you can’t consistently hit all of the notes, pick a new song.

…If it’s not in a key you can sing in and you aren’t able to have it transposed. Don’t assume that the pianist at your audition can transpose music on sight.

…If it doesn’t show off your vocal talents.

…If you have trouble remembering the lyrics.

Once you’ve eliminated songs that aren’t a good fit, begin keeping the songs that are well suited for your voice and for musical theatre auditions in a well-organized notebook. You can also keep your headshots and resumes in the notebook so that you’re always prepared when you arrive at your audition.

Ready to sing your heart out? Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today and check out some of the auditions that we have posted on our website. You can also connect with other members in our community forum to discuss other helpful audition tips. Good luck!

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.

How To Protect Yourself And Your Ideas

Many actors have gone on to have successful careers as writers, producers and directors as well. It’s almost a natural progression in the industry. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck even won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Good Will Hunting, a script they wrote together.

If you’re an actor and you’ve decided to also try your hand at screenwriting – congratulations! It’s a big undertaking and I wish you the best of luck. More importantly, I want to encourage you to make sure your ideas and your drafts are protected. Often novice screenwriters will share their ideas with others to get feedback, which is a great idea and essential to producing well-written project. However, whether you have a treatment or a fully evolved script, it’s important to have your work copyrighted and registered with the Writers Guild of America before you share your ideas, or your script with anyone.

Recently a Elite Casting Network member interested in pitching a television show to a major network posted his idea to the forum to get feedback from other members. Ideas, concepts, treatments and scripts that haven’t been registered – especially if they’re good ones – are extremely vulnerable. You never know when someone may decide to take your idea and pass it off as their own. And unfortunately, this does happen in the industry.

Each year the Writers Guild of America registers more than 55,000 pieces of literary material. In the event that someone tries to pass your idea off as their own, having your material copyrighted and registered serves as legal evidence that the idea is yours and can be used to pursue the matter in a court of law. You do not have to be a member of the Writers Guild of America to have your work registered.

To register your work with the Writers Guild of America, visit www.wgawregistry.org. To copyright your work with the United States Copyright Office visit www.copyright.gov.

Once you’ve protected your work, visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and get feedback from other members on your project.

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.

Hollywood Terminology: What’s A Table Read?

When you begin working in Hollywood, there will be lots of terms that you’ll hear that you may not be familiar with. Terms like blocking (the physical movements by the actors and the camera in a scene) or dailies (screening of unedited footage) are constantly thrown around and you’ll have to quickly become familiar with the terminology of Hollywood.

Once you book a role, you don’t always simply show up to the set, film your scene and then wrap. There can be lots of other steps in the process, depending on the magnitude of the project. One term - and process - that you’ll want to become familiar with is the “table read.”

As a performer, it’s easy to become fixated on your specific role in a production. But it’s important to take the big picture into consideration. A production requires cooperation, teamwork and creative contributions from everyone involved in order to produce a successful project. A table read is a great way for the writers, actors, producers and director to make sure that the script flows, and to determine if any edits are required. It’s important that this process is completed before shooting begins in order to save money and time.

Once the script is completed, everyone gathers in a room to act the script out – typically while sitting at a table. It’s an opportunity for the writers to hear the script out loud, and see what works and what doesn’t. The actors read the entire script and after they’re finished, the writers can take the notes they’ve made and apply them to the script. The script is then revised and redistributed to the cast and crew!

Don’t you just love the creative process! Want to learn more? Continue to read my blogs and visit our online forums ( http://Forums.EliteCastingNetwork.com ) for helpful “How To” information and other industry tips.

How To Become A “SAG” Actor

You may have heard actors talking about the elusive “SAG card” and wondered what they were talking about. The Screen Actors Guild, most commonly referred to as SAG, is the largest union for working actors. The union represents nearly 120,000 working actors in film, television, industrials, commercials, video games, music videos and other new media. While many people who are interested in breaking into the industry as an actor have heard of SAG, or are somewhat familiar with the union, they don’t know how they become eligible to join.

There are several ways that you can become a member of SAG. You can become a member by 1) securing a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial, 2) securing a role as a SAG–covered background player at full SAG rates and conditions for a minimum of three work days or 3) if you are a member of an affiliated performers' union (ACTRA, AEA, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and have worked and been paid for at least one role as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.

That’s a mouthful! Let’s see if we can simplify it.

-If you book a role in a major television, film or commercial role, then you become SAG eligible. Most of the time this does not include independent film projects – although there are some exceptions.

- If you work as a background actor for at least three days on a film where the producer has signed a SAG agreement where he must cover background actors, then you are SAG eligible.

- If you are a member of another union such as ACTRA or AFTRA for at least a year, and you secure a principal role on a major union production, then you’re eligible.

Being a member of SAG is a great opportunity and has a lot of invaluable benefits. If you have more questions about SAG, post them on our bulletin board. We have lots of SAG members that are active on Star Search Casting and I’m sure they’d be happy to answer your questions.

Stay tuned for my upcoming blog about the many opportunities available to non-union people who are getting started in the entertainment industry as actors, models, dancers, singers, background players (extras), etc. And be sure to take a look at our forums for more great information about the entertainment business: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php

Increase Your Exposure

We’re getting more and more testimonials each day. It’s amazing how many Star Search Casting ( http://www.StarSearchCasting.com) members are booking auditions and jobs in the entertainment industry. Some of the testimonials are really inspiring. If you’re ever feeling like you just don’t know if your dreams of landing a great Hollywood job are going to come true, reading the testimonials is a great way to pick up your spirits and assure yourself that it really is possible to land the role of your dreams.

Sometimes people pursue careers in the entertainment industry, but they never really get the necessary exposure to get their careers off the ground. Did you know that although Star Search Casting was created initially to help aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models who didn’t have representation get their foot in the door, the site is also helping members who have agents too?

Well it’s true. Never underestimate the importance of exposure. Even if you have an agent, it’s still a good idea to explore all avenues that can put you in front of the right people. Brandon Garland is one of many Star Search Casting members that already has an agent. But he decided to build a profile on Star Search Casting website to increase his exposure. And it paid off!

“After about 3 weeks on this site I received a call from Tyler Perry Productions stating they would like to meet with me to be in the Meet the Browns movie coming out soon,” says Brandon. Meet the Browns hits theaters in 2008 with an all-star cast including Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett. Not to mention Tyler Perry’s last movie opened in the theaters at #1 at the box office and grossed $21 million in its first weekend. So you can imagine that this was really exciting news for Brandon!

So if you’re having a hard time, ask yourself, what you doing to maximize your exposure? What’s your membership level on the site? How many pictures have you added to your Star Search Casting profile? Have you included video?

Don’t leave your career to chance. Take full advantage of any opportunity to really sell yourself and your talent!

Star Search Casting Exposes The Latest Entertainment Frauds & Scams

HOLLYWOOD – As the number of scams targeting aspiring actors, singers, dancers and models escalate, and scammers become more sophisticated in their methods, it can be tricky to identify the difference between a scam and a legitimate opportunity. In response to the growing number of internet scam victims, Star Search Casting ( www.StarSearchCasting.com ), in addition to becoming the number one casting website, has also become the leading provider of up-to-date information on the latest industry scams. Star Search Casting educates users on how to spot a scam; actively monitors all site activity to prevent members from becoming the victim of popular internet scams; and encourages members to report suspicious activities and warn others if they’ve uncovered a scam.

“Our members use our site not only because they know they’ll get access to valuable casting opportunities, but also because they know our website is a safe environment that’s actively monitored to prevent scammers from taking advantage of them,” says Jonathan Parker, CEO of Star Search Casting. “In addition to making sure that the site is safe, we also try to educate our members on how to spot a scam. Many internet users think that if a site or service charges money that it’s automatically a scam, but this is one of the most misleading pieces of advice circulating the web. More accurately, if the site or service asks for money but only accepts cash or money orders, that’s an immediate red flag.”

The staff at Star Search Casting is very knowledgeable of scamming trends and it’s this knowledge that helps to keep the site and its members safe. Star Search Casting staff members regularly and routinely updates its members on the latest industry scams. When members log in to their website, the Entertainment Scam Alert section provides instant updates on the most recent scammer activity targeting aspiring actors, dancers, models and actors. Additionally Star Search Casting staff members post information about these scams in the site's forums to make sure members are informed and aware of potential scams. Many of these posts occur within 24-48 hours of the scam’s first appearance on the internet.

Star Search Casting has always taken vast measures to ensure the safety of its site. It’s the only casting site that is both Hacker Safe and a member of the Better Business Bureau Online Reliability Program. In response to escalating internet scams, the staff at Star Search Casting monitors all of the messages on the site regularly to ensure the safety of its members. Additionally when members access their messages, Star Search Casting provides their members with an option at the top of each message to flag the message if they encounter spam or abuse.

Star Search Casting members also work to keep the site safe, and to keep fellow members from falling victim to internet scams. Star Search Casting members are encouraged to post information about scams in the site’s forums if they encounter a scam or have become the victim of a scam. The forums are also a great way for members to learn more information about how to spot and avoid popular scams & frauds.

All of these measures combined help to combat over 90% of scam attempts on the Star Search Casting website. For more information on the latest entertainment industry related scams, log on to www.starsearchcasting.com visit the online community for up-to-date, comprehensive information, tools and tips on how to avoid and spot scams today.

ARE YOU A TRIPLE THREAT?

We’re gearing up for The Best Talent Awards which will take place this November in Los Angeles. We had so many talented participants last year and over 40% of them were hired for work! While I was blown away by how many really great actors, dancers, singers and models there were – I was really impressed to see how many people were multi-talented and had mastered more than one craft.

In the entertainment industry, a “triple threat” refers to someone who can act, dance and sing well. Take the cast of High School Musical for example. It’s a high energy production with an incredibly talented cast, many of whom had to act, dance and sing to land their roles.

While it’s great to be a really good actor or a really great singer, you never know when the role of a lifetime will call for you to have more than one skill. It’s important when you’re preparing for a career in the entertainment industry that you are versatile and well-rounded. Learning to do several things rather than mastering just one skill can greatly increase your chances of booking really great roles.

Many actors have a “Special Skills” category on their resume. While singing and dancing can be listed here, you can also include languages, dialects, sports, instruments, stunts or any other special skills you may have that make you unique. Having lots of talents can be really helpful when you’re going after a role.

Often people are tempted to fudge this section of the resume, but this is a big DON’T. Instead, take advantage of classes or training in your area to pick up additional skills that will make you more marketable.

We have lots of classes listed on the Star Search Casting website that you can check out. I think you’ll find that classes can be lots of fun and a great way to meet and network with others in the industry.

Be sure to check in tomorrow to learn more about how to look the part when you go on an audition!

ON SET ETIQUETTE

The staff at Star Search Casting has been extremely busy. We have nearly 1500 auditions posted this week and we’ve been getting more and more success stories from members who have booked jobs listed on the site. It’s an exciting time for both the staff and our members and we want to congratulate everyone on their recent success.

While a lot of members have been booking really great jobs, I’ve heard many say that while they’re excited about their newfound opportunities, it can be intimidating to go on set for a job for the first time.

First, I want to remind you to take the opportunity to enjoy your accomplishment. It’s a big deal and you should be excited that you’ve come this far and are taking steps towards making your dreams come true.

If you’re new to working on a set, keep the following tips in mind:

• Approach your job on set with the same dedication and drive as you would any other job you’ve had or an important school assignment. Listen carefully to everyone on set, follow directions and be patient if you’re required to wait for long periods of time.

• If there are celebrities on set that you’re not working with directly, it’s often best that you don’t approach them unless you’re directed to or have permission.

• Although people often perceive the entertainment industry as being fun and laid back (which it can be), there are still rules that must be followed. Always arrive on time, or better yet early, even if you’ve heard that most productions don’t begin in a timely manner.

• Don’t take it personally if members of the production crew are short with you. Working on set can mean long days at a hectic pace. Under these circumstances tension and stress levels often run high.

• Make the most of it. This is a great opportunity to learn. Watch the pros and see how they do it. There’s nothing like firsthand, on-the-job experience. Soak it all in and you could be well on your way to mastering your craft.

If you haven’t booked anything yet, don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll land a great gig soon. Check the site today for new auditions. There are tons of opportunities out there just for you.

Be sure to check out tomorrow’s blog. I’ll be writing about ways you can increase your chances of getting the role of a lifetime. Thanks for visiting!