How To Break Into Acting And Commercial Modeling

They're on magazine covers, catalogues, newspaper ads and inserts, billboards, posters, brochures and even on packages in grocery stores. "They" are models. But these models are not famous like supermodels, but they can entice you to buy everything from food to shampoo, jeans to health insurance, and can earn between $25-$250 an hour across North America. These models can be drop dead gorgeous, or can look like your next door neighbor or your best friend?and the best part is, unlike fashion modeling, there are no height, weight or age restrictions to your typical modeling assignment. The opportunity is available to just about everyone.

old, had the ?perfect? height, weight, look, or if you had the time? Stopped pursuing modeling because you weren't getting the opportunities or the work you desired?

The first step to realizing your dream of modeling or acting is to find yourself a good agent. Your agent is going to be the link between you and the modeling or acting audition information that you need, so having a good agent can mean the life or death of your career.

How Do I Get A Good Agent?

1. Go to a local theater. After the performance, ask the actors for the names of the agents who represent them.

2. Call local photographers and find out which agents they use when hiring models.

3. Call your local SAG (Screen Actors Guild) or AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) office for the names of signatory agents in your area. These are agents who have signed contracts and have agreed to abide by union rules. SAG or AFTRA will give you the list of names for free.

4. Call the agent(s) of your choice, and schedule an appointment to meet with him/her. Make your appointment during working hours and meet the agent at his or her office. Avoid meeting with an unfamiliar agent anywhere else.

5. Call models who work with the agent before your interview, if possible. Do they like the agent? Do they get work through the agent? Does the agent treat them well? Are they paid on time?

6. Look around the office. Do you see pictures of ads the agent has booked for his or her models? Are the phones ringing? You should see a busy office.

7. Decide whether or not you feel comfortable with the agent. If you're not sure, call the local SAG or AFTRA office, which might have some information about the agency.

A few things to watch for:

? Agents make their living by earning a percentage of each job they book for a model or actor. Fees paid to Photographers for photos, comp cards etc., are normal. Any fees that you pay, should not be fees that you?re paying to the agent. Do not pay any up-front fees to an agent.

? If the agent lies to you, makes outrageous promises or asks for up-front money (to cover phone calls or mailing expenses on your behalf), keep looking. Legitimate agents do not ask for expense money.

? If you're not happy with the number of auditions or bookings you are getting, set up an appointment with your agent and discuss what you can do to generate more jobs.

Copyright 2006 Alexandra Warner All Rights Reserved

Alexandra Warner has been a successful Talent Scout for 8 years, and regularly advises hopeful models and actors on the pros and cons of the business. Look for more information on the industry at http://www.new-faces.biz

Acting For The Disney Channel

Many young actors and actresses (and their parents) often wonder what it takes to begin acting for shows on the Disney Channel. Unfortunately, the Disney Channel and their associated programs basically follow the same routines as any other commercial film or television endeavor. Disney does have auditions for their live shows, but they probably won't be much help for your film and television dreams.

Don't fret though, all is not lost! One thing that I think is important to realize as a young actor starting out in the business is that if you are a solid actor (or actress) that is mature, focused and professional, you stand an excellent chance of succeeding. In truth it can be quite difficult to find the right combination of traits in younger actors that will translate into a smooth working situation for the crew.

The first thing to understand before you embark on an acting career in your youth is that your parents must be heavily involved. The amount of time that is required to drive you to auditions, take you to acting classes and basically become a 'manager' to your career is tremendous. If your parents aren't just as motivated as you are, you're probably going to have a tough time of it.

Most importantly, there are a lot of people that will prey on your youth and lack of experience. Do not ever contact anyone regarding your acting career without letting your parents know exactly what you are doing and with whom. Getting scammed would be terrible, but putting yourself in danger is the more worrisome thing here, so be careful and let your parents know! Trust me, you're not going to 'make it' without Mom and Dad by your side...please don't try.

Now, assuming your parents are willing and able to provide that level of support, the next step is up to you. The second thing you will have to realize about acting professionally is that, as a general rule, the work is long, boring and tedious. As a young professional, there are rules regarding how much and how often you can work, but during the time that you are working, it can be really arduous...even on the Disney Channel.

There are a lot of responsibilities that are placed on you when you act professionally and a ton of money is riding on what you do on set. You must be willing to set aside a lot of time to learning lines, rehearsing and shooting. Once you get a job, you are contractually obligated to continue that job and as such, you are going to miss out on a lot of experiences that you may take for granted right now. Hanging out with your friends on a Friday night or going to school functions like dances and plays or participating in sports is going to become a rarity, if not non-existant in your life.

You also must be professional. When you are on a film or television soundstage, whether on a Disney Channel show or any other, you will be expected to act as professionally as any other adult on set. When it's time to roll the cameras, you have to work. Even if you're sick, bored, tired, restless...whatever, you will be expected to do your job. If you cost the production time and money by throwing tantrums or not cooperating, you will quickly gain a bad reputation and you won't get hired anymore.

And lastly, you must be able to deal with rejection constantly. Now, your chances of success are, in my opinion, much greater when you start out at a young age, but the competition is still quite fierce. You will be turned down for most of the jobs you go out for. And, by most, I mean nearly all of them. If you are booking one job out of a hundred auditions, you would be doing fantastic. Keep that in mind, becuase to continue on month after month like that takes a lot of diligence and patience from you and your parents.

To sum up, acting for the Disney Channel is going to require the same path that any other acting job would require, but if you are smart, dedicated and professional you will have an excellent chance of succeeding. Get your parents involved and let them know what you want to do. Take the time to talk with them and together you may find yourself on your favorite show!

D.L. White is a film and television professional with 14 years of experience in post production, working on hundreds of films from Paramount, MGM, Warner Bros. and Buena Vista, as well as dozens of network shows including Frasier, Seinfeld and Reba.

As a Director, D.L. White has shot and directed several commercials and music videos for clients from around the world and is proud to shoot on Kodak Film exclusively.

Mr. White's new book "Acting in the Real World: The Film Professional's Guidebook to the Job of Acting" is available as a free download at Film and Television Acting Book at ActingReality.com

The Future of Video Search, Getting Paid For Acting Like A Jackass

Found an interesting article on SEOChat regarding Google?s plans for video (both regarding Google Video and their newly acquired youTube properties). Here was one of the most interesting quotes from the article:

Google and YouTube made another announcement about the same time that attracted some serious attention from those in the search community. Over the next few months, the two companies are going to introduce a system whereby those who upload videos to YouTube?s site will get to share advertising revenues. The details have not been worked out yet, but only those who actually own the copyright to the videos they upload will be eligible.

Beautiful, now all of those kids with videos of fireworks going off in their hands and exploding soda bottles will be able to make money from their dangerous acts.

Seriously though, this is a phenomenal idea. A few weeks ago I was having a discussion with a commenter on another blog about Digg. There has been a lot of controversy about Digg?s rating system and the ability for top users to get any article they choose to the first page.

The first page of digg means thousands and thousands of visitors to your site. Advertisers and marketers have been contacting the top users of digg, in some cases offering cash to get their particular article or website to the front page. But, the most interesting thing about digg, and one of the biggest reasons the top diggers are taking compensation is that digging takes work, time, skill, but digg is free. There is absolutely no way to monetize your efforts (as a user) through digg. Digg itself is only supported by advertising.

Some might say this is what makes digg so great, but I wonder if the complete lack of monetary compensation for diggers might lead to its eventual collapse. I personally don?t have time to spend hours searching the web digging sites and articles.

Google?s announcement may also shed light into how they plan to index videos. By allowing users to post their own videos, and get a portion of advertising revenue from any ads shown before, during, or after the video it gives people incentive to add the proper search and meta data to their videos (the most time consuming portion of video search). Video search is complicated in that content spans time (changes over time) and it is completely visual. Unlike text on a blog or a website, it is not as easy for a search engine to scan through a video. I am sure some kind of automatic detection process is being worked on, but even if it is flawless it will probably take a lot of processing power to detect any content.

For now, humans are probably the best tools for adding meta data to videos.

For more information on the future of search and search marketing you can contact the author of this article, Zach Katkin via his company web site at http://www.webdesignid.com.

Zach also authors a blog at Naples, Fort Myers and Estero Based Web Design Firm, Unique ID Web design with his business partner and fellow technologically savvy employees.

Acting Schools Teach Performing Arts

Acting Schools can be found in many fine arts departments in colleges and universities across the country. Acting Schools can also be specialized institutions for teaching the art and craft of the performing arts.

Acting Schools train students in stage, film, and television performance. Four-year degrees through intensive professional study in Acting Schools are common, however, some specialized acting schools provide programs that last just weeks. Students can choose the level of acting instruction and training they want. Private lessons are also available in some instances.

Acting School associate degree programs prepare students to convey information, attitudes, feelings, moods, and ideas through natural behavior in imaginary situations. Acting School instruction can include acting styles; script interpretation; voice, speech, and stage dialects; body movement and improvisation; theatre history; and coaching.

Admission to Acting Schools for obtaining the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs often involves student application forms, academic records, portfolios, theater experience, and acting auditions. Students should contact individual schools for admission requisites.

Acting School classes can focus on overall ability of individual students, and students may choose to pursue stage, film, or television acting. Students can expect classes in acting techniques; movement; play analysis, production, and production design; and in directing. Additional courses may include theater history, theater theory, dance, and voice. Non-elective general education courses are also required for Acting School degrees.

Stage performance in Acting Schools may begin in the first semester of many Acting School programs. Master studies often include writing and directing.

If you are interested in learning more about Acting Schools and other types of schools, please search our site for more information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

All Rights Reserved Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.