Win Over Casting Directors Every Time!

Are you a really great actor, dancer, singer or model but you’re having a hard time landing jobs? Sometimes talent isn’t enough to seal the deal. If you’re consistently late for your appointments, or come across as being rude or arrogant, no matter how talented you are, you may be passed over time and time again.

Succeeding in the entertainment industry often hinges on the ability to win people over. You have to sell yourself as a performer who is not only talented, but who’s responsible, professional and courteous to others. Want to get cast? Then dedicate as much energy to winning over the casting director that you dedicate to your craft.

So, how do you go about winning over the casting director? Here are a few easy tips that are guaranteed to help you make a positive, lasting impression on the casting director, and help you standout as a talent they’ll want to work with and endorse:

• Submit professional photos that both look like you and reflect your personality.
• Bring extra copies of your headshot and resume to your audition in the event yours have been misplaced.
• Consistently show up for your auditions on time.
• Be polite and professional to everyone in the casting office.
• Dress professionally.
• Demonstrate that you’re well prepared for your audition.
• Be receptive to the casting director and take direction as it’s given.
• Thank the casting director for his or her time before you leave your audition.

And as a little something extra, send a thank you note to the casting director letting them know how much you appreciate them for the opportunity. You can even have note cards or postcards created with your photo on them.

The goal is to standout from all of the other actors, singers, dancers and models that the casting directors will meet with. Even if you don’t get the job, I guarantee that you will leave a lasting, positive impression and the casting director will remember you when other opportunities arise.

Ready to begin using these tips to ace your next audition? Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today and check out the thousands of auditions we have posted on our website.

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!

Major Agencies Are Searching For You!!!

Each year thousands of model searches and open calls are held online and all over the country. Model searches and open calls are some of the best ways to increase an aspiring model's chances of being discovered by a major agency. In addition to the possibility of landing a contract or deal, model searches are a great opportunity to make contacts, learn more about how the industry works, and win great prizes including cosmetics, clothing, and other really great perks.

If you've heard you have to go to New York in order to get signed to a prominent modeling agency - that's simply not true. Agencies are just as determined to find new faces as you are to get signed. In addition to model searches and open calls in even some of the smallest towns, many larger agencies work with scouts from Jacksonville, Florida to Tacoma, Washington to find their next big client.

As an aspiring model, it can be difficult to know which opportunities to take advantage of when trying to land an agent and launch your career. Model searches and open calls are extremely helpful to aspiring models because:

• Most model searches typically cost less than $50 to participate and most open are free - there are some exceptions.
• You can find model searches in your own hometown, or online which means you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on travel and accommodations.
• Model searches are a great opportunity to get feedback from industry professionals who can advise you on your strength and your weaknesses.
• You can get a better idea of what kind of work you're best suited for, ex. Runway, catalog, etc.

If you've been doing your homework then you know that Elite Model Management is the largest modeling agency in the world, representing more than 800 models from five continents. Models previously represented by Elite include Tyra Banks, Claudia Schiffer, Heidi Klum, and Gisele Bundchen. If Elite can help those models rise to fame, then imagine what they could do for you!

Well signing with Elite may just be easier than you think. Aspiring models often think that meeting with a large agency without dazzling photos is almost impossible, but that's not true at all. Did you know that at the Elite Model Management office in Chicago, they have an open call EVERY DAY at 3:30PM? Did you also know that professional photos are not required, no appointment is necessary and dress is casual? The only requirement is that girls are at least 5'7 and guys are at least 5'11 and it's suggested that you wear little or no makeup.

Isn't exciting to know that the opportunities are out there? For more information about opportunities available to aspiring models, visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and check out our 'Auditions' page.

A Dancer’s Dilema: Should I Go To College?

While a career as a professional dancer is rewarding, it can also be extremely demanding. The toll that it can take on a dancer’s body can often lead to a short-lived professional career. Based on that fact, many dancers often struggle with the decision of whether they should go to college or immerse themselves in their career immediately after they graduate from high school in order to maximize the years their bodies are able to endure the physical stresses of the industry.

While most ballet dancers who have the potential to become professional dancers either join a company or a conservatory immediately after high school, dancers who pursue other types of dance including modern, hip hop, and lyrical have more flexibility in their decision. This decision is usually made after weighing the pros and cons and making a decision that’s best for the individual.

Some critics argue that the majority of college dance programs are not designed to train professional dancers, and that dancers benefit most from professional experience accompanied by studio classes. Others argue that a college degree helps dancers to prepare for post-dance careers, develop their level of maturity and learn many of the skills they will need to live in cities like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago where there are lots of opportunities for work.

If you’re a dancer and you’re struggling with whether or not college is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have other interests outside of dance that are equally important to you that can be nurtured by attending college?
• Do you have a desire to teach at the collegiate level as a post-dance career?
• Do you think college would be beneficial in helping you learn important life skills and lessons such as meeting deadlines and following through on projects before you head out into the real world?
• Is having a “backup plan” important to you?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then college may be an important step in your journey. However, if you’re still not sure, you might also look into colleges that offer delayed enrollment, which would allow you to take the professional route for a year with the option of entering college the following year. Some dancers also try community college while pursuing their dance career in order to earn credits in a less demanding setting.

If you’d like to explore professional dance opportunities in your area, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com and check out some of our casting notices.