3 Acting Secrets for TV and Film Actors

Perhaps only a handful of actors truly know the secrets in acting - secrets that drama schools fail to teach these days. We're not talking about improvisation or method acting here - we're talking about something else. Things that you may find more useful when auditioning in the future.

1. When acting, do not fling your hands.

Using your hands often when acting is not good - unless you are playing the part of an Italian character. In real life, people do not fling out their arms with every phrase from their mouths - so why do it when acting? Perhaps you can fling out your arms sometimes, but doing it with every act can be a little distracting and irritating.

2. Add some mannerisms with every character

When we say mannerisms, we don't mean something big like twirling your hair or sucking your thumb. We mean something very small, you can barely notice it in the screen. This will add character to your character. Observe Johnny Depp's different characters - Sweeney Todd, Jack Sparrow, etc. - see how he moves his hands or walks? One cannot describe it because it is very subtle, yet by closer inspection, you can see it.

3. Research about your character's background and then forget about it


It seems like an odd advice, but you have to study the script and find out your character's background - his age, his ethnicity, his hometown, what decade he lived in, historical events during the decade of his birth, the culture of his parents, etc. From this, you will know at which point you can jump in on your emotions when acting. When you have found out everything there must be to know about your character, forget all information, instead, let them blur into the background and use them to position yourself in your character's world. Use it as your "springboard" for acting.

Most actors find these tips useful. Remember, if you love your craft, you will continue working to be better at it. Good luck!

Tips for Fashion Models - Preparing for A Photoshoot

Even the famous top fashion models we see on TV do preparations for upcoming photoshoots. Just because they are at the "top", doesn't mean they can stop doing things that can help them do their jobs well. What more for fashion models who are only starting out?

If you are about to have your very first professional photoshoot, it is inevitable to feel nervous. Here are some tips you can follow prior to the big day.

1. If you are shooting for a portfolio, mail out your outfit choices a week before the shoot. This way, your photographer may offer some advices and also be prepared.

2. Sleep early the night before the photoshoot. Being late is a big mistake - the clients will tab you for that and may lose your chances of working with them again or be referred to other clients.

3. Moisturize your skin before sleeping and after showering on the day of the shoot. Dry skin will make it hard for the make-up to stay on.

4. Supermodels like Miranda Kerr love taking a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil daily. It is known to help fat build-up in the body and skin break-outs. In Asian countries, women also use it on their hair to make it healthy. So if you wanna feel good (especially in the tummy area), take virgin coconut oil.

5. Prepare all the things you need to bring the night before the shoot. If possible, put everything into one bag.

6. Three days before the shoot, do all the waxing necessary. Remove underarm hairs and re-shape your eyebrows. Three days is advisable because it will give the skin enough time to heal from all the pulling and plucking.

7. Two or one day before the shoot, call your photographer or if you have one, your agent. Confirm if the photoshoot is still on.

8. Of course, if you want to be a fashion model longer, you have to keep your body looking healthy. Exercise can also help you to have glowing skin - just in time for your photoshoot.

Male Models - Pressure to be Perfect Leads to "Manorexia"

Male models are not immune to the pressure to become perfect. They are expected to have the perfect bodies that we usually see in magazines. Because of this, a lot of men are what we call "manorexics".

The term "manorexic" is used to describe a man with Anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder. A person has Anorexia when he or she becomes obsessed with any quantity of fat that he or she sees on her body. this leads them to exercise extremely and starve themselves.

Anorexia is more common with women but recent studies in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that there are over 1 million men struggling with this eating disorder in the United States.

A lot of manorexics belong to businesses or industries that value beauty and physical appearance very much.

In the modeling world, a lot of men develop this disorder. A perfect example is Jeremy Gillitzer, a former male model who developed Anorexia after entering the modeling business.

Gillitzer used to look like a Hollywood star with a ripped physique. But then his obsession and desire to look perfect for photos all the time led him to work-out excessively and eat very little.

Here is a video featuring Jeremy:

It is not an easy thing to get out of, Anorexia. It takes years to make a person with Anorexia healthy again. And for many, such as Jeremy, fighting this disorder ends tragically. Male model Jeremy Gillitzer died in 2010 at the age of 38.

Stage Moms Exploiting Child Actors and Models

Selfish stage moms exploit their child model or actor in one way or another. These are parents who put their children's rise to fame first and the emotional needs of their children second.

The following list are some of the most famous stage mothers who took advantage of their children.

 Lynne Spears

She let her daughter, Britney Spears, pose seductively for Playboy, wearing clothes that excite pedophilic men and allowed her to shoot a music video where she danced around in a Catholic school girl costume at the mere age of 15. She also controlled every bit of Britney's life, including disseminating the information that Britney was a virgin (which was a lie, of course), to stay true to her innocent-but-sexually-arousing image.

Jaid Barrymoore

When her daughter, Drew Barrymoore was only a kid, she let her in a club where people were doing drugs and partying like there's no tomorrow. Since then, Drew developed a lot of bad habits - smoking and drinking alcohol at the age of 9 and doing drugs at the age of 13, plus attempting suicide. Luckily, Drew was able to redeem herself and is now one of the most bankable celebrities in Hollywood.

Dina Lohan

Like Jaid Barrymoore, Dina introduced Lindsay to partying and alcohol - the shoplifting and DUI thing was totally Lindsay's idea, though. But it's no doubt that Dina Lohan is partly to blame for Lindsay's crazy and irresponsible actions. Now that Lindsay is still under house arrest, though, she has a new project. A girl to follow in Lilo's footsteps - Ali Lohan, Dina's youngest daughter.

Teri Shields

When Brooke Shields was 10 years old, Teri let her pose naked for Playboy at the price of $450. Then, she let Brooke play a young prostitute in the movie, Pretty Baby. Perhaps because she is an actress herself, Teri seemed to have forgotten that Brooke was a child.

Sometimes a stage mother's ambition to see her child "up there" cloud their judgement. If aspiring child actors or models have mothers like them - what will become of Hollywood?

Petite Preteen Models - Petite Modeling Do's and Don'ts

What are the chances that an ordinary teenager can become successful even though she isn't 6 feet tall? Well, a lot of petite preteen models actually succeed in the modeling business. There are some Do's and Don'ts that aspiring teen models can follow.

DO:

1. Work on your portfolio - get great headshots. This will get you noticed by agents and casting directors.
2. Mail your headshots to agencies that cater to petite and preteen models.
3. Attend open casting calls.
4. Always be punctual during appointments.
5. Keep a schedule book where you can write down all your appointments so you won't miss them.
6. Treat clients, photographers and fellow aspiring models with respect. Politeness and friendliness will bring you a long way in this business.
7. Prepare a wardrobe you can wear at any moment's notice. Something that works at whatever event you go to.
8. If you can't make it to an appointment, let your agent know so he can talk to the clients. Or if you are unrepresented, talk to the clients.

DON'TS:

1. Cancel an appointment without prior notice. If you do ave to cancel - you must have a very good excuse for not making it to the appointment or else you will be tabbed as unprofessional for the rest of your modeling life.
2. Discuss payment matters with a client if you are represented- this is a job for your agent and it is unethical.
3. Do not be arrogant, stuck-up or condescending to anyone ever. No one likes to work with a primadonna, especially when she isn't even "there" yet.
4. Act like you know everything but don't show people that you're clueless, either. Balance it out.
5.  Don't be too aggressive. This might give people an impression that you're trying to hard or desperate.
6. Do not do things or accept project that you do not want to do. You have the choice to take on some projects and turn down some.

When you're a petite preteen model, people might take advantage of you. However, if you are careful and stay true to your self, you may find that modeling becomes a rather enjoyable job.

http://www.newfaces.com/model-search.php

Actor Auditions - Broadway Shows Actors Must Audition For

 When you're an actor looking to succeed in Broadway, it is always necessary to attend actor auditions. You may start with small roles in small shows and slowly work your way up. Of course, there are those Broadway shows that lots of actors dream of being a part of. Here are five of the best Broadway shows of all time.

1.  The Phantom of the Opera


The longest-running show on Broadway since 1988. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was based on the French novel  Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux. It is a love story about Christine, a chorus girl and The Phantom, a disfigured musical genius.

2. Cats


The show has been translated into many languages all over the world. However, its reign as the longest-running show on Broadway ended in 2003 when the show closed. The story revolves around the life of the Jellicle cats, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot.

3. Les Miserables


Based on the novel by Victor Hugo and was composed into a musical by French composer Claude-Michel Schönberg. The Boradway production of Cats began in  March 12, 1987 and closed after over 6,000 performances in 2003. It revolves around the character Jean Valjean and his life after being released from jail for stealing a loaf of bread.

4. The Lion King


Based on the 1994 Disney animation, it opened  on Broadway in October 1997, after debuting at the Orpheum Theater in Minnesota. Several changes were made in the musical production of Lion King when it opened.

5. Wicked


A new musical that took Broadway by storm and broke box-office records all over the world. Despite being ignored by critics at first, audiences embraced the show and was voted Best Musical in 2007. It was set in the land of Oz prior to Dorothy's arrival.

Joining actor auditions for these Broadway shows and getting in will be big thing to put in your resume. So practice, prepare, go to an audition in any one of these shows and good luck!

Sex for Sale - Teen Models and A "Sexed-up" Culture

Teen models nowadays appear in magazines, looking like they are selling their bodies, instead of products.

These days, children can easily watch porn through the internet. Girls idolize Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears as they appear in news programs, arrested for DUIs. Teens flip through magazines that feature models (who are often under-age) wearing next to nothing.

In Japan, Junior High students were discovered to be selling sex by sending coded text messages to men. These students include 13-year-old girls. In the States, a 21-year-old woman auctioned her virginity online. While in Canada, police discovered some 16-year-old girls posting ads in Craigslist.com to let people know they provide sexual services.

What is happening to the world? Is the media to blame for this?

In truth, yes, the media is mostly the one to blame.

Today's generation is influenced by the things they see on TV and internet. They watch shows and listen to music about getting wasted, getting high and getting "down" with guys they just met in a bar.

In High Schools, what used to be a competition of beauty and popularity among girls, now becomes a competition of "who-loses-their-Vcard-first" and "whoever-has-sex-with-all-the-guys-in-the-basketball-team-first-is-the-winner".

What can adults do to protect their teenage loved ones from this "sexed-up" culture?


1. Lay down the ground rules at home.
2. Talk to your kids.
3. Teach them strong values.
4. Observe what your kids are watching or listening to.
5. Make them understand that they don't have to be like those people they see in magazines.


There are a lot of things adults can do to keep their kids from turning into a Lindsay Lohan clone. When they they succeed in making their kids understand that media is sometimes deceitful, then they can worry less about those teen models in provocative TV ads.

Getting Your Beautiful Child Into Child Modeling - Things to Consider

When we see beautiful children, we usually tell their parents "why don't you get your son/ daughter into child modeling?"

A lot of parents would oblige, thinking about the extra income the could make by letting their child model. Indeed, it can give struggling parents a lot of help - a lot of child models were able to enter College because of it. But before you decide to call an agent for your child, let us consider the following facts about the world of modeling:

1. In an early age, your child will be exposed to superficiality.

We are all superficial in some way, but the modeling world is a whole new level. Looks always come first in the modeling industry. Now, if your child is exposed to this kind of environment at a young age, it could affect him mostly negatively, if you're not careful.

2. Your child will be under pressure.

Sure, your child has to learn to cope up to pressure sooner or later, but the pressure in the modeling is quite different - it is the pressure to be perfect all the time. And if your child is extra receptive at a very young age, this could take a toll on him or her. A lot of child models began having body issues because of this very reason.

3. Your child might be deprived of his childhood


Normal children play, while child models work. What with that, and trying to stay in school, your child may be deprived of much-needed interaction with other kids. Thus, depriving him of his childhood, which could have negative effects.

Getting your child into modeling could be fun for him - maybe even for you. But you have to weigh in the Pros and Cons first before thinking of helping your child have a modeling career. Now if you will be dedicated enough in ensuring your child gets the right guidance while pursuing this career, then go for it!