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.

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!

How To Tape Your Monologue Or Scene

Once you’ve gotten your monologue under your belt and committed to memory, there are lots of reasons you may want to tape it. Perhaps you’re submitting a reel to agents along with your headshot and resume. Or maybe you’re sending your tape to a casting director in another state because you’re unable to attend the audition in person. Maybe you’re a new actor and you just want to see how you look on tape – which I highly recommend. Reviewing your tapes helps you to improve your on-camera technique and build confidence in front of the camera.

Regardless of the reason why you’re taping your monologue or scene, it’s best to:

• Make sure you have someone to stand behind the camera or directly next to it and maintain eye contact with you to help maintain your eye line.

• Make sure that you’re framed properly. (Don’t worry, no one expects you to be Spielberg.) Simply make sure that you are centered in the frame. If there’s blocking in the scene or monologue, make sure that the shot is wide enough to accommodate your movement.

• If you’re performing a scene, be sure that you’re performing with another actor, not just a friend who’s reading lines.

• Wear a solid color (other than black or white) that contrasts with your skin color, and pull your hair away from your face.

• Make sure that the background area isn’t cluttered, or filled with anything that will draw attention away from you.

• Do a couple of test tapings to make sure there isn’t an echo in the room, and that the camera’s microphone isn’t picking up distracting sounds.

• Make sure you watch your tape in its entirety before submitting it to anyone, especially if you’ve had it transferred from one format to another.

After you tape your monologue, be sure to upload it to your Star Search Casting profile so that agents, managers and casting directors can review your work. Visit us online today at www.StarSearchCasting.com.

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.

PERSONAL STYLE: Does it help or hinder your chances?

Most people explore jobs in entertainment because they love creative self-expression. They are generally outgoing and unique individuals that love the opportunity to shine. Additionally, they often have a distinctive personal style, with an eye-catching wardrobe that often gets them noticed wherever they go.

Personal style is great. But you have to know when and when not to rely on your style during an audition or meeting with an agency. While distinctive hair, makeup and clothing can be a useful tool to get attention, it’s not always appropriate when seeking a job in the entertainment industry.

Style tip for actors:

If you’re an actor going to an audition, you want to make sure that your look compliments the role you’re auditioning for. If you’re auditioning for the role of a businessman, you don’t want to show up in baggy jeans and a football jersey.

Style tip for dancers:

When you’re auditioning, you want to stand out, but you don’t want your outfit to distract from you performance. A bright leotard with a distinctive design will probably do the trick.

Style tip for models:

When you’re meeting with an agent, come in as a blank slate. You don’t want to appear overdone. Avoid high heels so that they can see how tall you really are. Where clothes that compliment your shape, but be careful not to wear anything that might appear inappropriate.

Style tip for singers:

When executives in the recording arts industry are evaluating singers, one of the main questions they ask themselves is, “Can this person sell records?” Image is often as important as talent. Therefore, feel free to be trendy, but make sure your style has a wide appeal. Think of what an artist your age might where on MTV’s TRL, but with your own personal flair. You don’t want to duplicate someone else’s style, but you do want to be marketable.

Ready to put these style tips to the test? Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today and check out the auditions and casting calls!