Give It Your Best Shot

When you think of your favorite model, words like glamorous or natural beauty probably come to mind. And that can be intimidating if you’re interested in pursuing a career in modeling. You might be wondering if you have the natural talent to make it. Or if your flaws will hinder your success.

Stop worrying. Most models look so flawless and naturally beautiful because they’ve worked hard to overcome the challenges their flaws present through extensive preparation and camouflaging. So relax. Here are a few tips from the pros to give you an edge and help you take flawless photos that will wow agencies and clients:

• Practice posing in the mirror often to figure out the best angles of your body and face and then use those poses when you’re shooting with your photographer.

• Make sure you understand what type of image the photographer is trying to capture so that you’re able to nail it.

• Use your assets. If you have really great hair, learn how to use it to create creative poses.

• If you have a broad nose, avoid poses where your head is tilted down when facing the camera. Instead, turn your head at an angle and learn to use your eyes to engage the camera, and take attention away from your nose.

• If you’re not very curvy, arching your back can help you to accentuate your bust, creating a curvier look.

• If you have wide hips, turn your hips but keep your shoulders and head facing the camera to get a slimmer look.

Whether you’re taking test shots for your portfolio, or you’ve booked a photo shoot, there are lots of trade secrets you can utilize to help you give it your best shot. Go here http://Forums.StarSearchCasting.com to visit the forums on our website and network with other models to get more tips on taking great photos.

So You Think You Can Dance

As the popularity of television shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars grows, more and more people are inspired to pursue careers as dancers. We’ve got tons of opportunities on http://www.StarSearchCasting.com for aspiring dancers, so don’t forget to take a look.

As with any career in entertainment, pursuing a career as a dancer can be grueling and competitive. Additionally, the rigorous work involved can take a toll on your body. But if it’s something that you really want, then give it your all and don’t give up.

It’s important that as you pursue your career as dancer that you:

-Continue to take classes and improve upon your technique. Whether you’re auditioning for a dance company, a role in a production, or even a music video, there will be lots of other dancers with as much experience or more. You want to make sure that you have what it takes to compete against the other dancers that you’ll face along the way.

-While your passion may be ballet, or modern, you should still become familiar with a variety of styles. You never know what opportunities may arise and you want to be prepared for any opportunity that presents itself. Even if a job isn’t your dream job, it may open the door to something bigger and better.

- Commit to a healthy lifestyle. Many dancers feel pressured by the weight requirements that accompany many opportunities in the dance community. While booking your dream job is important, your health is your number one priority and you shouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.

- Consider teaching or choreographing as well to supplement your income in between jobs and auditions.

- Consider living in a major city where there are large dance companies and production companies with lots of opportunities.

There are lots of dance auditions on our website. Check them out today. You could be pirouetting on a stage near you much sooner than you think!

A SCHOLARSHIP & A CHANCE AT YOUR BIG BREAK

WANT TO BE A STAR? WIN A SCHOLARSHIP AND A CHANCE AT YOUR BIG BREAK

Win a scholarship from Star Search Casting to attend a premier Hollywood talent showcase. Over 40% of past participants hired for work! Sign up today!

HOLLYWOOD - Star Search Casting (www.starsearchcasting.com) is now offering scholarships to its members to attend The Best Talent Awards. Labeled as the “…best way to get brand new talent!" by Lauren Regall at NBC News, this premier talent showcase offers participants in-depth training, a chance to showcase their talent via auditions and talent competitions and meetings with casting directors, agents, producers and other Hollywood professionals. Over 40% of past participants were hired for work. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Apply for a scholarship from Star Search Casting today and attend this life-changing talent showcase for only $399, an incredible value.

Any successful actor, singer, dancer or model can remember their first big break. Whether it was meeting an important casting director or being discovered by a talent scout at the mall – everybody’s success story begins with a pivotal moment that propelled them toward their dreams. This year, The Best Talent Awards will be the first big break for many of the actors, singers, models and dancers that take advantage of this amazing opportunity. And as a bonus, Star Search Casting, the leading casting website in the entertainment industry and a sponsor of The Best Talent Awards, is giving away scholarships to Star Search Casting members to help them land the role of a lifetime and break into the entertainment industry!

While there are lots of talent showcases in Hollywood that promise results, only The Best Talent Awards:

• Limits the number of people who can attend each talent showcase so you’re not lost in the crowd
• Offers an entire day of valuable, intensive training
• Lets you personally meet and talk one on one to casting directors, agents and producers

And guess what? The Best Talent Awards has one of the best track records in the entertainment industry! Nearly half of singers, dancers, models and actors who have participated in The Best Talent Awards were hired for work!

Don’t miss your chance to get cast in the role of a lifetime! The benefits are endless! Entry to the showcase is just $599, hundreds, even thousands, less than other talent showcases – an unbelievable deal! Save even more by logging on to Star Search Casting and applying to win a $200 scholarship and attend the showcase for only $399!

This year The Best Talent Awards, sponsored by Star Search Casting, will take place November 2-4, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. If you’re a Star Search Casting member and you’re eager to launch your career as a singer, dancer, model or actor, log on today and click on Best Talent Awards to learn more about scholarship opportunities.

Not a Star Search Casting member yet? The casting call of a lifetime is just a click away. Don’t put your dreams on hold. If you are dancer, singer, model or actor, join Star Search Casting today to learn more about how you can launch your career in the entertainment industry!

HOW TO LAND A JOB IN HOLLYWOOD WITHOUT AN AGENT (Part 1)

Thousands of members on our site have booked exciting jobs in Hollywood without an agent. Often aspiring actors, models, singers and dancers think they don’t have a shot at making their dreams come true because they don’t have an agent. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are tons of opportunities available to you, even if you don’t have representation. Don’t let lack of an agent or manager stand in your way.

Melina Rochelle, a singer and actress living in Los Angeles, knows all about the challenges of looking for work without an agent. “I was worried that because I didn’t have an agent, I wouldn’t be able to audition for roles that I really wanted. Initially I was discouraged but I didn’t let it stop me.” Instead, she began doing her own research and was able to find lots of opportunities. And in no time she was landing great jobs.

This fall she will appear in the musical City Kid at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles in the role of Niki. “I’m so excited! It’s a great role and I get to showcase my singing and my acting in a really great show.” When asked how she’s managed to get such great opportunities without an agent or manager, Melina Rochelle offered this advice:

• “Just because you don’t have an agent doesn’t mean you can’t submit yourself. Do your research. There are lots of resources that list opportunities that you can submit yourself for without the assistance of representation.”

• “Make and keep in touch with contacts in the business. It’s a lot about who you know. There are lots of ways to meet people, for example taking classes to meet other actors, singers, dancers or models.”

Follow these tips from Melina Rochelle to help you get your career off the ground today! Need information on auditions, acting classes or other opportunities? Check out our site to access valuable resources you’ll need to help get your career off the ground.

And don’t forget to check out my blog tomorrow for more tips from Melina Rochelle on how to land a job in Hollywood without an agent!