Models Who Became Actors

It's not a new thing to hear that an A-List actor actually was a model before. The fashion world and entertainment world are so close together (almost joined together by the hip) that models tend to cross over into acting and vice versa.

Here are some actors who were once models:

1. Angelina Jolie

Although she did not stay in modeling for very long, lots of modeling casting directors must have found her extremely attractive - I mean, who doesn't?

2. Halle Berry

Berry did a lot of modeling in her teenage years but what really put a mark on everyone's mind is when she won Miss Teen All American in 1985.

3. Charlize Theron

She is undeniably gorgeous at every angle - but it seems that she was bound for a greater career in acting than in modeling.

4.  Josh Duhamel

One of the hottest male stars today and popular for his role in the Transformers movies, Josh once did fashion shows alongside - guess who - Ashton Kutcher.

5. Ashton Kutcher

Ashton did a lot of runway and print modeling jobs for big brands like Abercrombie and Fitch. He got his big break when he was cast in That 70's Show.

The list of models-turned-actor can go on forever - proof that there really are no limits as to what a person can do, just as long as he sets his mind and heart to it. 

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!

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?

What is A Film Casting? – Movie Actor Tips

What is a Film Casting?

A film casting is where a casting director conducts auditions in the hopes of finding actors for roles in movies. It is being done after a script has been written, a director and producer/producers have been chosen and the budget for film production is in place. The process of film castings could vary but in general, they are a little bit like this:


Step 1: Auditions


Actors come and act in front of the casting director. There are times when a certain part of the movie script will be given beforehand but in majority, those who are auditioning will be put to cold reading.


What is Cold Reading?


A cold reading audition is where an actor will be given a script to read on the spot, in front of the casting director without time to prepare for or memorize the lines. This will give a casting director an idea of an actor’s skills under pressure. The key to nailing a cold reading audition is to read the lines clearly without forgetting the emotions required for the scene and to grasp what the scene is all about with just the information at hand.


Step 2: Callbacks


Getting a callback is a good thing – it means you have done something right or interesting during your audition that fits the movie role you’re auditioning for. This does not mean you got the role, though – not yet. A casting call is another chance to convince the casting director and producers that you are perfect for the job – by acting.


Actor Tip:


In callback auditions, do not change anything you have done from the first auditions. Remember that callbacks mean there is something about your first audition that captured the eye of the casting director. So unless you were directed to change something from the way you delivered your lines or the expressions on your face, stick to it.


Step 3: Deliberation


During this time, all an actor can do is to wait – the casting director or the staff will be calling your agent if you got the role. Or if you’re unrepresented, you will be contacted directly. Remember though that not being able to nail film castings or get the role you’re auditioning for does not mean you are talent-less. It just means that someone else is more perfect for the role than you are.

Actors and What They Did Before Becoming Famous

The A-List actors and actresses in Hollywood today almost always were not born with a spotlight shining on their faces. Before the glitz and Glam, some worked as valet parking attendants. Before making movies, some of them worked as waiters and waitresses and before walking on red carpets in movie premieres, some of them walked dogs for a living. I know it’s difficult to imagine! But here are a few bankable actors of today who had worked odd jobs like most of us do before they got famous.


1. Johnny Depp – Who knew that Johnny Depp, often dubbed as The Sexiest Man Alive, was once a phone salesman before landing his role in Nightmare on Elm Street? Bet he was the sexiest phone salesman during those years!


2. Jennifer Aniston – She first became famous for playing the role of Rachel Green in the hit TV series F.R.I.E.N.D.S but prior to that, America’s sweetheart was once a waitress and a Telemarketer (whatever a
Telemarketer is).


3. Russell Crowe – Crowe is famous for his role as Maximus Demicus Meridius in the movie Gladiator. However, a few years ago, he was just a Bingo Caller who got fired for being rude. Talk about one door closing and 5 million windows opening!


4. Kate Winslet – Before becoming an actress, Winslet did not go on board 5-star ships like Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic. She used to work at a deli back in London.


5. Cate Blanchett – Can you believe that Queen Elizabeth (or at least, Cate Blanchett who plays Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 biographical film, Elizabeth) was once a “Tim-Tam girl”? Yup. Blanchett was the very first girl who starred in Tim-Tam chocolate biscuits commercials.


6. Tom Cruise – Cruise, before he became the news, literally brought the news to people in Kentucky. For a brief period of time, he worked as a “newspaper boy” for the Louisville Courier Journal.


So what does this tell us? Well, it’s pretty much simple – Dreams really do come true! It doesn’t matter if you wipe people’s backsides for a living; when you don’t stop believing and you work hard enough to achieve your goals, you will get to the top. These actors are proof of that!