Western Painting - Neo - Dadaism - Dadaism Revived the American WayWestern Painting - Neo - Dadaism - Dadaism Revived the American Way

Neo-Dadaism - The Concept
Neo-Dada is the term given to the mid 20th century, 1958 to be specific, art movement, including Fine Arts, literature, theatre, and graphic design, which was similar to the earlier Dada artworks. This genre challenged the concept of 'Aestheticism' associated with the traditional form of art and extended the boundaries of the category arts.

The History
In 1960, American art historian & critic Barbara Rose (born 1938) helped promote the term 'Neo-Dada.' The same year, another American art critic Irvin Sandler (born 1925) explained the term as "an avant-garde fad." Two years later, Neo dada was considered the most popular and talked about art movement. An alternate name 'Junk Culture' was also given by English art critic Lawrence Alloway (1926-90) to describe the artwork of the likes of American artists Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) and Claes Oldenburg (born 1929).

The Details
In the art mediums other than painting, like performance, dance, films, and Installation Art, Neo-Dadaists used their own bodies as the base. Even unsettling or threatening performances involving destruction, violence, and aggression did not deter them.

Performance Clauses In Entertainment Contracts

Producing and editing a masterwork of recorded music is obviously a specialized art form. But so is the entertainment lawyer's act of drafting clauses, contracts, and contractual language generally. How might the art of the entertainment attorney's legal drafting a clause or contract affect the musician, composer, songwriter, producer or other artist as a practical matter? Many artists think they will be "home free", just as soon as they are furnished a draft proposed record contract to sign from the label's entertainment attorney, and then toss the proposed contract over to their own entertainment lawyer for what they hope will be a rubber-stamp review on all clauses. They are wrong. And those of you who have ever received a label's "first form" proposed contract are chuckling, right about now.

Just because a U.S. record label forwards an artist its "standard form" proposed contract, does not mean that one should sign the draft contract blindly, or ask one's entertainment lawyer to rubber-stamp the proposed agreement before signing it blindly. A number of label forms still used today are quite hackneyed, and have been adopted as full text or individual clauses in whole or in part from contract form-books or the contract "boilerplate" of other or prior labels. From the entertainment attorney's perspective, a number of label recording clauses and contracts actually read as if they were written in haste - just like Nigel Tufnel scrawled an 18-inch Stonehenge monument on a napkin in Rob Reiner's "This Is Spinal Tap". And if you are a musician, motion picture fan, or other entertainment lawyer, I bet you know what happened to Tap as a result of that scrawl.

It stands to reason that an artist and his or her entertainment lawyer should carefully review all draft clauses, contracts, and other forms forwarded to the artist for signature, prior to ever signing on to them. Through negotiation, through the entertainment attorney, the artist may be able to interpose more precise and even-handed language in the contract ultimately signed, where appropriate. Inequities and unfair clauses aren't the only things that need to be removed by one's entertainment lawyer from a first draft proposed contract. Ambiguities must also be removed, before the contract can be signed as one.

For the artist or the artist's entertainment attorney to leave an ambiguity or inequitable clause in a signed contract, would be merely to leave a potential bad problem for a later day - particularly in the context of a signed recording contract which could tie up an artist's exclusive services for many years. And remember, as an entertainment lawyer with any longitudinal data on this item will tell you, the artistic "life-span" of most artists is quite short - meaning that an artist could tie up his or her whole career with one bad contract, one bad signing, or even just one bad clause. Usually these bad contract signings occur before the artist seeks the advice and counsel of an entertainment attorney.

Tattoo You - Considering Your First Tattoo

Considering having your very first tattoo? What should you do now? Certainly, it's never a good idea to dash off to the nearest tattoo design parlor, select a random style and design and then wait in line to be tattooed.

Listed below are important choices that you need to consider before you decide to move forward on that first tattoo.

Do You Actually Need a Tattoo?

A tattoo is actually a life-time commitment to your body, which means you have to be positively 100% sure that you desire one. It might seem that it is the most significant part of the entire world right now, however are you going to actually feel the very same about this tattoo in the long-term?

Alright, body art elimination technology is definitely developing constantly, however it's nevertheless time intensive, costly, as well as very painful. Therefore for the time being it is advisable to consider that your particular tattoo design will undoubtedly be for a lifetime.

The actual Tattoo Design and style

When you have made the decision you absolutely desire a tattoo, the next task is to find the design and style that you would like. You will find countless types of tattoo designs and styles from which to choose, such as dragons, eagles, skulls, floral, butterfly, angel, cherry blossoms, sun-rays, and many others. The majority of tattoo designs are executed as a result of pre-designed templates. It is simply your effort of time selecting the one which you are looking for.

Therefore you may elect to search for a variety of tattoo design from Internet websites, as well as considering tattoo style and design publications and chose the overall style of design that you might like. After you have accomplished this, reduce it all right down to the specific design and style that you would like.

As an alternative, if you fail to discover precisely what you are searching for, or that you desire your own tattoo design to generally be distinctive, you could also consider acquiring an artist to create a customized tattoo design solely regarding you.

This approach will be more costly (probably $200-300 and even higher for your layout, determined by measurement as well as degree of fine detail), even though considerably more popular designs may get the job done and quite a bit cheaper since many tattoo design artists should have experience for creating something especially for you. Nevertheless, you should have total command over the way in which your own tattoo appears, looks, and displays on your body.

The Diary of a Performance Artist

There is a strange part of me that is attracted to Performance Art like some sort of radiator that seeks me out or do I seek it out? When I am out in the cold. Literally. This piece of work was a sort of follow on to the work I did in Cork last November. For that I had prepared some performance poetry but due to time restrictions did not get called on to perform it (possibly just as well as there was very strong poetry produced that night).

I was surprised and delighted to be later invited by La Catedral, The Back Loft Studios for Mamuska, a performance evening on December 13th 2009 which was part of a few days of a mixed bag of cabaret, dance, sound, film, exhibition, comedy and performances. Basically whatever you're having yourself. It was to be fifteen minutes of performance but I was also asked to show my film Crab Murder so the performance had to be culled down considerably. I had to make clear to myself what I wanted to do and yet stick to my own found rules as to what this work was to be.

I found Hedwig Gorski to be my motivational force. Her work in the USA comes from a Polish war torn background and USA sixties Conceptual Art but was very distinct from all other poetry styles of the time. Unlike many of her contemporaries she did not come from a feminist stance and formed poetry designed for oral presentation not print. I added my own slant which is that it is never quite possible to repeat any performance again, each to be unique in its own right.

Stretching and Flexibility for Martial Artists

What does it mean to be flexible?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

1: capable of being flexed: pliant

2: yielding to influence: tractable

3: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements

So, looking at the first definition from the perspective of a martial artist, it is obvious that our bodies need to be capable of being flexed. Virtually every movement that we perform either begins or ends with one or multiple joints being flexed. The second definition, "yielding to influence" can have a number of different meanings but, as it pertains to physical flexibility, we may view it as yielding to, deflecting or absorbing energy. The last definition actually describes a primary character trait of martial artists as a whole. It also describes what our bodies must do as we perform the techniques and movements we so enjoy, ie, round kick/hook kick combo.

Therefore, in order to proficiently perform our art, we must possess some level of flexibility, especially if we want to avoid injury.

"..researchers at the New Jersey Medical School recently tested the flexibility of connective tissues and muscles in the legs and hips of 200 college athletes before their competitive seasons began. Then, the researchers monitored the athletes for injury for several months (Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol 77, pp 1139-1143, 1996).

As it turned out, in male athletes the risk of injury decreased as flexibility increased. In fact, for each additional point on the ligament-flexibility scale (the researchers graded flexibility on a 10-point scale), the chances of injury declined by about 15 per cent. In addition, for each one-point increase in muscle tightness, the risk of injury climbed by over 20 per cent."

As you can see, flexibility is extremely important in mitigating injury.

Some people are naturally more flexible than others. This is due to a variety of factors as there are a number of influences on flexibility (Age, gender, activity level, etc). If you are a person who is naturally flexible - Great! However, those of us who aren't should adopt the habit of stretching regularly to gain the many benefits that stretching provides.

Benefits of Stretching

Overall Fitness - Increased flexibility improves posture, decreases energy used for everyday tasks, allows you to breath more deeply and naturally and therefore helps decrease various stresses throughout the day.

Improved Body Awareness - Stretching creates a distinct sensation in a specific group of muscles. By being mindful of these sensations and muscles, you will develop a greater understanding of how your body works and which muscles are used for various movements/techniques.

Increased Energy - Stretching regularly helps to improve circulation in the muscles, supplying them with needed nutrition and removing harmful waste products.

Focus - Depending on the method you use to increase your flexibility, stretching can be a very meditative activity. Stretching, when combined with deep, controlled breathing, helps to relax the body and can be used to relax the mind as well.

Stress Relief - Stiff necks, sore back, hunched shoulders and headaches are all manifestations of stress. Stretching these problem areas help to bring about an overall reduction in stress levels.

The benefits of stretching for the average person are great. However, if you are a martial artist who wants to reach peak performance, regular stretching is essential.

Methods of Stretching

Static Stretching - Static stretching is the process of lengthening (stretching) the target muscle or group of muscles and then holding it as the muscle relaxes. This is the safest method of stretching and is recommended for those who are just beginning a stretching routine or are recovering from an injury. While performing static stretching, stretches should be held for at least 20 seconds in order for the muscle to relax.

Passive Stretching - Passive stretching (sometimes called partner stretching) is very similar to static stretching except that, instead of you making the effort to stretch, a partner or other device provides the stretch for you. While commonly used for rehabilitation, stretching with a partner does provide an increased level of risk since the partner can not feel the level of stretch they are pushing you to. Always communicate any uncomfortable sensation with your partner and do not allow them to push you to the point of pain.

Active Stretching - Active stretching is performed without any aid. An example of active stretching would be to slowly raise your leg into the final position of a roundhouse kick. This helps to develop flexibility in motion (not achievable with the previous two methods) while at the same time targeting the specific muscles utilized in the technique. Assisted active stretching provide greater gains by having a partner or other aid (towel, elastic band) help you stretch farther once you have reached your max without assistance.

Ballistic Stretching - No longer a recommended means of increasing flexibility, ballistic stretching can be similar to static stretching except that deeper stretches are obtained by bouncing against the targeted muscle. Still commonly seen by people new to stretching, this method of stretching has a high risk of injury due to muscle tears and strains.

Dynamic Stretching - Dynamic stretching utilizes movements that begin very slow and progress to near full speed executions to increase flexibility. Essentially, begin with active stretching and slowly increase the speed of your technique. A good warm-up is recommened to reduce the risk of injury.

PNF Stretching - Proprioceptive Neuromusclar Facilitation (PNF) stretching falls into one of two methods: contract-relax (CR) or contract-relax agonist contract (CRAC). The CR method involved stretching the target muscle, then contracting the targeted muscled gradually for a period of 4-6 seconds, then relaxing and stretching the muscle further. The idea is that the relaxation of the contracted muscle allows for a greater stretch than was originally possible. The CRAC method is similar, except that after the relaxation of the contracted muscle, the opposing muscle (ie, hamstrings/quads) is then contracted for 4-6 seconds followed by a further relaxation into the final stretched position.

Aided Stretching - Stretching machines, bars and cable and pulley set ups are all types of aided stretching devices. These can be beneficial as part of an overall stretching routine but are usually too limited to suffice on their own. Ensure that the aids are working properly and that you are informed on how to use them properly.

Which Stretching Method is Right for You?

With all of these choices, it may be difficult to decide which method(s) is best for you. Here is a quick synopsis of what we have covered to help you decide:

Static stretching is an effective stretching method that is suitable for both beginners and experienced martial artists. However, it does not stretch muscles through their full range of motion and therefore should be supplemented with other types of stretching. Passive (partner) stretching can ensure that a stretch is being obtained but at the risk of injury if the partner careless. Active stretching works a muscle or muscle group through a full range of sport specific movements and is great to use as a warm up to dynamic stretching. PNF Stretching, like static stretching, is considered to be very effective at increasing flexibility.

So, to increase overall flexibility, static stretching or PNF stretching are the most effective methods. However, due to their limited nature, it may be a good idea to add dynamic stretching in order to increase flexibility for those specific techniques that we use in our martial arts.

Very few martial arts classes devote enough time to stretching. Also, most classes begin with a light stretching routine, followed by warm up/basics and then the main body of the class. Unfortunately, this is incorrect on a couple of levels. First off, stretching cold muscles gives very little benefit and actually can significantly increase the risk of injury. It is always recommended to first warm up by performing some light, simple exercises (light jogging, jump rope, jumping jacks, etc) prior to stretching. Additionally, stretching for flexibility should usually occur after the cardio or strength portion of a workout. At any rate, if your goal is to increase flexibility, you are probably going to have to begin a personal stretching routine.

When creating a comprehensive stretching routine, it is important to make sure that all parts of the body are covered.

What muscles should you stretch?

- Neck - Shoulders

- Upper Back - Chest

- Arms - Wrists

- Lower Back - Hip/Buttocks

- Groin - Hamstrings

- Quads - Calves

- Ankles - Feet

A sample stretching program:

Neck Rotations - 8-12 rotations each direction

Shoulder Stretch - 20-30 seconds, 2-3 reps

Wrist Flex - 8-10 times, each direction

Finger Stretches - 10-12 times

Standing Quad Stretch - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Calf Stretch - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Foot/Toe Stretches - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Butterfly Stretch - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Seated Torso Twist - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Seated Toe Touch - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Ankle Rotations - 8-12 rotations

Lying Trunk Rotations - 20-30 seconds, 2-4 reps

Lying Hip/Glut Stretch - 6-8, each side

Lying Reach Stretch - 20-30 seconds, 3-5 reps

These exercises will provide a good complete-body stretch and should take approximately 15-20 minutes to perform. Keep in mind that it may be necessary to supplement or add additional exercises in order to stretch specific muscles used in various martial arts techniques. The book "Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts" is a great resource that covers almost 200 flexibility exercises (with photos) and much more. It also has a number of stretching routines for various types of training (MMA, kicking, weapons, etc).

Final Stretching Tips

- If you are stretching to increase flexibility (rather than simply maintain), make goals!

- Consider making a training record to track your goals and progress.

- If it hurts, Stop! Stretching should be uncomfortable, but not painful.

- Do a light warm-up before stretching and begin stretching with large muscles/groups first

- If you are going to do a strength or cardio workout, save your stretching until after.

- Ensure that you are stretching all areas of the body

- Stretch joints/muscles in every direction they move (ie, stretch shoulders forward, backwards, up, down and in a circular motion)

- Stretch often! Moderate stretching can be done every day but save the intense stretches for every other day.

- Focus on relaxing into the stretch for a better and more effective routine.

- If you are injured, back off on that part of the body. Light stretching can help to maintain flexibility, but don't make it worse.

Character Development Part III

Personality or temperament types can also be a factor in character's psychological functioning. The actor can push the character slightly away from the normal line to create more drama and more interest. Having some knowledge about these abnormal behaviors will aid in portraying normal characters as well as those at the extremes. The following paragraphs identify a number of personality or temperament types along with the related behaviors.

Personality types fall into two categories. You have the extrovert and the introvert. An extrovert focuses on the outside world. They normally have low arousal/stimulation levels. Behavior is usually directed toward creating change and increasing arousal. The introvert, however, focuses on an inner reality. They have a moderate to high arousal levels and tend to avoid social contact and situations that might further increase arousal. They also maintain more orderly, less impulsive lives.

Behaviors can be further broken down into those that are neurotically abnormal. These have been given medical labels and the following generalizations offer insights about behavioral choices. These behaviors, in a milder form, are found in just about everyone and are thus good resources for building characters.

Manic. A manic thinks he can do anything. They appear optimistic, highly excitable, very social and easily given to emotional outbursts. They can be frivolous and over-talkative, have a short attention span, and their threshold for boredom is low. They pursue what they want, and tend to trample on others with little thought. They may be workaholics, driven by greed, or the belief that everything will work out.

Paranoid. A paranoid person believes people are out to get them. As a result, they tend to be aggressive, desire to be leaders, to have power and prestige over others. They are decisive, stub-born, opinionated, defensive and often competitive. They are also arrogant, conceited, and boastful. Often harbor unreasonable grudges, quick to take offense, very sensitive to any criticism supporting a belief that others dislike them.

Psychopath or Sociopath. The psychopath is one who is mentally unbalanced. The sociopath is one who is antisocial. These two behaviors are often harden criminals who have no moral center. They can be fearless, untrustworthy, out for personal gain, self-preservation, and have little empathy for others. These types of people do not transform during the story.

Character Development Part II

CHARACTER FUNCTIONS

Each character serves a function within the story and this function provides clues about how to develop and portray the various roles. The function will relate to the telling of the story and what purpose each character fulfills. Some characters are there to give color, texture, and background to the tale, to make the story more credible. Others may promote the theme, viewpoint, and arguments of the author.

For the most part, the minor and major characters' function revolves around the actions of the protagonist, the person or persons for whom the audience is rooting. Some characters will assist or help the protagonist towards his goal while others will hinder this progress. It is also possible for some characters to do both, to at times be a hindrance and, at other times, aid the protagonist. There is a third group that is neutral or serves some other story function.

The following tabulations categorize the most frequently found functions and offer insights into exploring others not listed here.

Assisting The Protagonist.

The protagonist, his strengths, knowledge, skills, obsessions, etc.

Catalyst, the one setting story in motion, providing the clue, forcing a transformation

Friend, lover, confidant, relative, sidekick, the one to whom the protagonist reveals dimensions of his character.

Helpers, assistants, servants, co-workers, co-cohorts, specialists, craftsmen, people doing their jobs thereby making the protagonist journey toward his goal easier.

Mentor, wise old man, good mother, teacher, the givers of wisdom and knowledge

The victim, the prize, the objective or goal. The person to be saved, won, or attained.

The antagonist, his weaknesses, flaws, self-doubts, misconceptions, etc.

Traitors in the opposition's camp, ambitious underlings, embittered subordinates.

Hindering The Protagonist.

The protagonist himself, his self-doubts, flaws, imperfections, obsessions, lacks strength, skills and knowledge.

The antagonist, his strengths, knowledge, skills, obsessions, and goals

The antagonist's subordinates, helpers, assistants, or people doing their jobs in such a way that hinders the progress of the protagonist.

The victim, prize, or goal. Ones which have phobias, selfish motives, attitudes, misconceptions, etc., which hinder rescue or attainment.

People with agendas or traits, which test or tempt the protagonist and thus better define his character and importance.

Traitors in the protagonist camp selling out for personal gain

Tricksters, mischievous pranksters, con artist indiscriminately applying their trade

Neutral characters or those serving other story functions.

Judge, arbitrator, God(s), deciders of fate.

Sacrificial pawns, pawns

To promote theme, viewpoint, arguments of writer

To provide color, texture, background, atmosphere, credibility to story

The prophet, visionary, voice of reason, philosopher

Red Herring, probable suspects

Character providing comic relief, tension

Narrator

The character's function should not be confused with the character's objective. Let's say a taxi driver is rushing the protagonist to the airport to catch a flight. The driver is not thinking, I'm helping the hero. He may be unaware of the hero's mission. Instead, he's hurrying because he wants a big tip... or he likes the thrill of driving fast.

Character Development Part I

In films and plays, actors portray a range of characters, from heroes to villains and those in between. And they do so with varying degrees of believability. In this chapter, we will explore the process of character development along with the main considerations and principles that govern their creation and portrayal.

Many believe creating a character requires considerable experience. Actually, it's not that difficult once you understand the process and how it's done.

For the actor, the process begins with the script. After exploring the story, the character is interpreted and brought to life, giving it wants, desires, characteristic behaviors, business, speech patterns, etc. These should not only be appropriate to the acting style, they should also reveal the character's nature and psychological reactions to the situations in the story.

CHARACTERIZATION METHODS

The ability to bring this off will depend largely on how one approaches the problem of characterization. There are three methods: the objective, the subjective, and the combination of the two.

The objective method entails playing the external qualities of the character: movement, speech, and mannerisms. It's focused on creating the illusion through copying and imitating anything that comes from outside the actor. This includes following the director's instructions or working out the action of the scene for technical reasons. Reproducing elements of real life characters would, likewise, fall under this category as would portraying action directives found in the script.

Using the subjective method requires the actor to become the character, feeling his emotions, thinking his thoughts. This method appears perfect, yet it consumes an enormous amount of time and energy. It's likewise impractical for it's not enough to produce internal effects; they must be conveyed to the audience in a controlled dramatic manner.

An actor who identifies himself with the character to the point where dramatic principles are neglected is likely to find he is not reaching the audience. And while he may feel and think as the character, these aspects must be projected as readable qualities that the audience can comprehend.

Fortunately, when the objective and subjective methods are combined, each supplies the virtues the other lacks. For when the actor projects the technical or objective aspects of the character, then adds the subjective qualities, the thoughts and emotions, the character begins to emerge, one which serves both the story and the demands of the audience.

Creating the character by combining both methods requires being inventive and flexible. The process is similar to putting a puzzle together, finding the patterns and shapes, then placing them in their appropriate positions to make the picture complete. It's the same in drama; the elements of each role are explored and interchanged until they fall into place, creating characters, actions, and situations which make the story fulfilling.

The process requires a good amount of juggling as adjustments, modifications, even complete changes are required to make the character work. Your initial efforts will be mostly objective as you read the entire script to get a feel of the character, and how your particular role fits into the story. Try to define the broad strokes of the character, the things that stand out and make him or her a functional part of the play.

Increasing Your Chances of Winning When Going To Casting Calls for Acting

Many people are specializing in acting. This is because of the substantial income that comes with this profession. There are a lot of people going for casting calls for acting, and this is why there is stiff competition. For this reason, it is vital to come up with ways in which you can perform well and meet the standards. This will increase your chances of winning, and thus having a source of income.

A lot of confidence is essential in such a situation. You need to show the judges that you can act and perform any part. Find ways in which you can capture the attention of the viewers. This will make people want to see more of your acting and will increase the chances of featuring in a play.

Starting a Modeling Career In Style

As opposed to what many may believe, models are not just discovered in the comfort of their lives. A lot of determination and hard work is put into making a successful career. To start modeling career is quite involving and is not a walk in the park. Some of the things one requires to build a successful career:

1. One should always start by doing extensive and thorough research about the industry. Many fake agencies are purporting to be legit, but in the reality are ripping off innocent aspiring models. Finding all the necessary information is crucial to avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous agencies.

2. Finding out what class of a model one is, is necessary to zero in on all the strong points that will separate them from the rest of the models. Some categories include, runway/fashion show modeling, high fashion modeling, petite/plus size modeling, teen modeling, body part modeling and many more.

3. Creating a portfolio is the most crucial aspect in modeling. The portfolio includes the model's pictures and works done in the past. In this case, when one is just starting, it may not have a lot but it will get bigger with success. The pictures in the portfolio should show on what category one has chosen for your modeling career.

4. Taking modeling seriously is of utter importance. Photographers will only work with people who take this career with seriousness. Keeping time for shoot sessions, looking presentable for auditions and cooperating with fellow work-mates, are absolute career builders.

Starting a Modeling Career In Style

As opposed to what many may believe, models are not just discovered in the comfort of their lives. A lot of determination and hard work is put into making a successful career. To start modeling career is quite involving and is not a walk in the park. Some of the things one requires to build a successful career:

1. One should always start by doing extensive and thorough research about the industry. Many fake agencies are purporting to be legit, but in the reality are ripping off innocent aspiring models. Finding all the necessary information is crucial to avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous agencies.

2. Finding out what class of a model one is, is necessary to zero in on all the strong points that will separate them from the rest of the models. Some categories include, runway/fashion show mndeling, high fashion modeling, petite/plus size modeling, teen modeling, body part modeling and many more.

3. Creating a portfolio is the most crucial aspect in modeling. The portfolio includes the model's pictures and works done in the past. In this case, when one is just starting, it may not have a lot but it will get bigger with success. The pictures in the portfolio should show on what category one has chosen for your modeling career.

4. Taking modeling seriously is of utter importance. Photographers will only work with people who take this career with seriousness. Keeping time for shoot sessions, looking presentable for auditions and cooperating with fellow work-mates, are absolute career builders.

5. Signing up on modeling websites can have its advantages. One can create a profile and upload their pictures, look for photographers and makeup artists. Specify what type of work one is interested in taking. One can start by paying a professional photographer to have their pictures taken and later specify the payments that you will need for a photo shoot session.

6. One can find modeling auditions (also called go sees). This is when a model goes to see a potential client, casting director, designer or client for a modeling job opportunity. One has to bring along their portfolio and modeling resume.

7. Being presentable and punctual is essential. Handing out comp cards to the casting directors and photographers helps them to remember you and contact you whenever a job comes up. Remember to thank all involved in the audition.

8. Finding a modeling agency is vital. A modeling agency will look for jobs for the models they represent and take a commission. They will look after the business end of the models careers. It is, however, a highly competitive industry and one will have to be extremely careful not to be duped by fake of crooked agents.

These basic steps can be followed if one wants to start a promising career in modeling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6885082

A Quick Look Into The Modeling World

Modeling requires more than just beauty. Determination and dedication are key factors if one is to make it in this industry. Competition in this line of work is stiff, due to the huge number of people all gunning for the top place - to be the top model. It can be taken as a part-time venture or as a profession. Done right, it can be immensely rewarding and exiting at the same time. There is a lot of fame in this field, and it could lead to a great career if one does it in the right way. It sounds extremely exciting but it requires a strong character from the person. Achieving an impressive career in this industry is not all about looks but more about the determination, desire, and the will for a person to get to the top. An impressive portfolio cannot be achieved overnight but is developed over an extended period hence patience is also much needed.

Some modeling-modeling tips to follow include:

• Understand the industry though comprehensive research to know what you are up against as this will give you a better insight. Knowing how the workings of the industry will be extremely beneficial if one is to succeed. The industry is full of fraud and con artists ready to take advantage of innocent aspiring models, due to the number of people who want to get into the industry. One should take to research by reading books, online research and experienced models already in the industry to make informed decisions on the way forward. Research on what kind of model you are well suited for is also vital since there are different categories for models, such as tall models, plus size models or even child models.

The Passion for Acting - How to Become an Actor in Hollywood

For any person aspiring to have a successful career as an actor in Hollywood they need to have the passion, enough to pursue their dreams. This is the energy that drives you to your goal as opposed to the basic idea of just liking it. You also need to have a high degree of aspiration to become part of a major play, film or television show. It might surprise you, but some people who thought for a moment that they could have an established career as movie actors finally discover that they fall shot of the demands of the camera.

How to become a movie actor

The movie industry is extremely competitive and the decision to have an established career and a real passion for the job plays an important role in 'breaking through'. In order to gain grounds in an otherwise dynamic environment within the industry you need the passion to keep up with the pace of change, otherwise you will be rendered irrelevant.

In addition, to become a movie actor you need a clear vision. The vision illuminates the course to your goal. Therefore, any person seeking to pursue a successful career as a movie actor needs to envision themselves successful. Considering that becoming a successful movie actor is a journey as opposed to an event, you will also need to come up with practical steps geared towards achieving the destination. For instance you must deliberately seek to improve on your skills.

How to Find the Best Kids Modeling Agencies

The entertainment industry is not exclusively for adults. Children also have roles to play, be it in dancing, acting, singing or even modeling. When your child expresses interest in any of these fields of entertainment, it is up to you, as a parent, to nurture the interest and mentor them. You can do this with the help of kids modeling agencies.

These agencies specialize in giving exposure to kids with a talent or the potential for modeling. There are many places you can look for kids model agencies. The fastest way is through the internet. Many agencies have established themselves online, requiring only a login for you to be able to contact them.

When looking for the best agencies for your child, it is prudent to look at their records of success. This implies that you must delve into a background check of every agency you would like to use. The study should be able to bring up the records. You can conduct them through an online research or recommendations. More often than not, when you contact an agency through a personal recommendation you are bound to experience top quality services.

You can find a lot of likely agencies from the background check. You need to narrow down the list further, by eliminating the expensive agencies. As you contact each agency, check their rates. Some agencies provide services and only charge their fee upon the success of the child model. Identifying such agencies can be a big plus.

Acting Casting Calls - Easy Way to Get an Acting Spot

Today, acting is one of the most rewarding jobs. It is not a secret that actors are earning good bucks just for their talent. Luckily, everyone has a chance to make it big in this business provided they have the talent, and they know where to audition.

The film industry keeps on growing by the day. Therefore, film directors and casting crews are always on the move searching for talent and new blood that they can nurture to fit certain acting spots. The easiest way for one to know about the acting casting calls is through newspapers and Internet, the latter being the fastest and easiest to use.

Almost all casting calls for acting find their way to the Internet and thus searching for updates on the networking sites on a regular basis is imperative. Rules and requirements will accompany the casting calls. It is vital for you to practise for the roles required before the audition. You also need to make sure you fill the give application form in totality and post it within the stated period.

In many auditions, they will need you to provide an admission slip showing your eligibility to participate. For you to qualify for the auditions, ensure you fill all the required fields on the form. Not providing all the needed information can see your form end up in the trash can.

Moreover, there are open acting casting calls. These auditions don't require one to apply for the try-out. In this case, anyone can attend the auditions. Such auditions are usually swamped with people seeking a chance to act. This means that you need to be exceptional for you to go through.

During the auditions, there are various dos and don'ts that you ought to remember. One thing that you should do is be familiar with your role. Practice beforehand and make sure you are relaxed during the audition. While at it, make sure you do not over do your part. Do not scare the judges. More so, when you make a mistake, do not dwell on it. A better way to avoid mistakes is for you to ask questions whenever you are presented with the chance.

While choosing which auditions to go for, make sure you only apply for ones that you will be comfortable with. Identify the direction that you would love to pursue. If it is comedy, fashion shows, movies and such, you need to make sure you audition for tasks that you would love to build your career on.

Always be prepared to face any form of challenge during the try-out. Judges will always want to see your creativity, and they will at times go off the book testing you on other skills too. You need to be attentive and have an open mind.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6892144

Implementing Humor

In the article on Comedy Acting we looked at the structure of the gag, and the basic principles, which govern comedy performances. Let's move on to the tools and skills required implementing the telling of the humorous story.

In the articles on acting styles, we set up several parameters for implementing the style of comedy. To review, we determined that in comedy, reality is at a suspended level of believability, distorted, lacking balance and proportion, yet founded on a real truth and real character values.

The general behavior is exaggerated, usually with high energy and a definite positive attitude. Among characters, a wide contrast of types is prevalent and their behavior is readable, definitive, precise, open, and outward.

Emotions are light, decisive, readable, and usually played on the surface. Intentions, while usually meaningful, are pursued with considerable vigor and enthusiasm. The simplistic objectives, apparent and obvious, are played, for the most part, externally.

Pacing in comedy is quick, energetic, fast, and rapid, to limit exploration of transparent stories where logic and reality are distorted; to maintain focus on lighthearted wit and humor; to replace dissipating information with the new. Pace is also intense to drive up sense of urgency or importance.

Timing is highly calculated, highly responsive, building on audience reactions. Sharp accents are also used to emphasize, control focus, and/or punctuate intended humor.

The dramatic flow is much more informational than emotional. The rhythmic pointalistic flow builds upon a simple singular line of thought. There is almost immediate clarity of wants/opposition-hero/villain polarizations.

The premise or theme of a comedy is moderately worthy in ultra serious pursuit, sometimes seeking ridiculous and irrational goals. But comedy is affirmative in spirit with the protagonist almost always being triumphant. And the point of view of life is from the outside, an external observation on human nature, and at best, displays a distortion of a reality to provide higher insights, a better understanding of ourselves, and the truth within us.

In comedy, the goal of the creative team should be to tell the story in a humorous manner. To surprise the audience and make them laugh. To make them feel that life, with all its frustrations, is still worth living. To stretch the soul toward heights where laughter and understanding triumph over hate and fear. And by observing from the outside, the audience forms a new perspective on human nature.

SKILLS FOR IMPLEMENTING COMEDY

As you can see from these requirements, comedy requires a range of abilities. Foremost is the agility to make quick and articulate changes in behavior. Comedy is usually written around fast-moving plots, spirited dialogue, and sudden surprises. Therefore, behavior must be immediately readable for there is little time to question or search for underlying meanings.

This agility extends to the tempo, emphasis, rhythm, and enunciation of dialogue. Much of comedy revolves around the meaning and nuances of the words and if they are unclear or the delivery is off, both the story and humor suffer as a result.

Quick articulated changes are what sets up the plausibility for surprises. A character is moving in one direction and ding; something sets him off in another direction. It could be changes in emotion, intention, attitude, movement, and/or behavior resulting from external or internal dramatic forces. It's a clear distinct transition jumping for one attitude/intention/etc., to another.

It could be the realization of a new emotion, a new attitude. Or it might be feeling the pain of the blow, the fall or drnp from dignity. And it's played as if it were the first time, breaking the balance of life, of nature. It's instantaneously readable, as if the behavior almost stops, and then, it takes off in a different direction.

Such readable open articulate behavior makes it possible for the entire audience to read the comic presentation and comprehend it in perfect sync. They must understand and appreciate the humor simultaneously; otherwise the contagious effect of the humor is lost. A roll in the routine or scene is unlikely when the audience is not thinking and reacting as one. Therefore, in order for comedy to work properly, humor must be approached with the lowest common denominator for that specific audience.

The agility to quickly change emotions and intentions is also a required skill for comedy players. Comedy is flighty, unpredictable and has the potential and opportunities for sudden changes. Emotions, therefore, are played on the surface, like a water bug skimming across a pond, capable of changing direction at any moment. If it, however, delves too deep into the water, then it can not turn quickly.

Comedy must be played lightly allowing for the quick changes of direction, for the derailment of thought, and the element and plausibility of surprise. Therefore, the intentions are played externally, apparent, and obvious so the audience can follow effortlessly and in sync.

Comedy plays with the possibilities and usually does so with a sense of mischief. Probabilities are not usually served, but destroyed with surprises beyond our expectations. The passion is for a celebration of fun and the agility to make quick changes serves this passion.

Increasing Your Chances of Winning When Going To Casting Calls for Acting

Many people are specializing in acting. This is because of the substantial income that comes with this profession. There are a lot of people going for casting calls for acting, and this is why there is stiff competition. For this reason, it is vital to come up with ways in which you can perform well and meet the standards. This will increase your chances of winning, and thus having a source of income.

A lot of confidence is essential in such a situation. You need to show the judges that you can act and perform any part. Find ways in which you can capture the attention of the viewers. This will make people want to see more of your acting and will increase the chances of featuring in a play.

How to Become a Model Within a Short Period of Time

Being a model needs a lot of practicing and commitment. You need to prepare well for all the auditions to be among those chosen for the modeling profession. Because there are a lot of people who want to be the best in modeling, the competition is usually stiff. For this reason, coming up with strategies on how to become a model will increase the chances of being among the best.
Models usually promote different products, depending on the company they are working with. Most of the time, photos are taken. To be on the safe side, take as many photos as you can. This should be done by a professional. They should be well captured and give you a professional modeling look.
After taking photos, look for modeling agencies and send it to them. If they like some of the photos, there is a high chance that they will get back to you. Once they call you, the chances of having a long term working contract with them are high. To be on the safe side and increase the chances of getting employment as a model, send different photos to many different companies.
Another way on how to become a model is by coming up with a modeling website. Here, you can post some of your photos for people to see. A lot of people will get to look through some of the photos. There are some modeling agents who always do their search online. With the photos posted online, it will be easier for the agents to look through them.

How to Become a Hip Hop Dancer (3 Golden Rules)

"Dance is a delicate balance between perfection and beauty." - Anon
Hip Hop dancing is fun and easy to learn. The hard part is becoming absolutely amazing. This takes desire, discipline, and dedication (3 D's). Just know that professional dancers are still improving everyday to perfect their craft because there is always room for improvement. For now, I'll focus on the basic aspect of how to become a hip hop dancer.
How to Become a Hip Hop Dancer:
1. Watch Hip Hop Dance
This seems like a no brainer, but it's amazing how a lot of people forget how important this aspect is. Watch hip hop dancing videos as much as you can in your free time. Youtube is the obvious source as it contains millions of these.
There are also a lot of new dance shows on TV, such as America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, and countless others. Watch and be inspired.

Strip Clubs and Performers Laws

Performers in strip clubs often have to deal with so many things. The fact that they work in an industry where they try to market themselves in order to draw attention to themselves and to encourage patrons to buy more drinks and spend more, is in itself a bit tricky. In spite of this, there are laws in place that help to protect the women, and the men, who are in this industry.
Laws
There are many different laws in place that help to protect performers and workers of such venues, specifically, those who perform onstage. Some of the laws are focused on a no touch policy that is implemented by strip clubs to ensure that their dancers do not come in contact with their patrons. This law is specific in the sense that many, if not most places, have adopted it because it minimizes the probability of interaction between the woman and the customer. It also relies heavily on a current law that states that there must be a distance of at least six feet between any dancer from the audience or the clients. This law is a safeguard for the women from being molested or having undue attention which may result in harassment. Some states do allow touching and some interaction, in the form of a lap dance or fondling, usually in private sessions away from the general public. Other fetishes and requests from customers can also be performed in strip clubs by the dancers or performers.

Movie Auditions to Look Out For

If you believe that you got an acting talent that boasts some degree of respect, and do want to share this talent with the world then you need to find yourself an audition finder. There are a dime a dozen audition finders and when you scroll through them. These are the likely ongoing auditions that you are bound to find for the year 2012:
• ABC channel: From the ABC Family, there are basically two auditions that are currently ongoing, Make it or break it and The Secret life of an American Teenager. Make it or Break it is currently in its third season whilst the Secret life of an American citizen is currently on its fifth season. This is but just one of the eleven auditions that this network is presenting for auditions.

Choosing the Best Music School For You

Why does an individual choose to study music? People study music for different reasons. Some people want to be a performing artist and others may want to be in the entertainment industry. Deciding on a music school is important because it is the foundation for your career.

There are many choices someone has while in music school. There are those who choose to work in the entertainment business, you are probably in one of the two main areas. One area of focus is selling; it entails more of the marketing aspects of your client's records to possible buyers. The other main area is producing. Here you will be involved in the actual creation of the work.

If your choice is in the area of performing you may decide to play for the orchestra, singing in an opera or playing in a band. It was reported that a musician has one of the best unions in the world and the pay is very good. Whatever area you choose to study in, you should know what to consider when choosing a music school.

How to Choose the Right Tour Operator for a Student Performance Trip

There's a saying that goes, "It's the little things that make a BIG difference." Although it's a cliché, it is often very true, especially when choosing the right tour operator. When planning your trip, a detailed step-by-step process is needed. This process is outlined below and is systematic, thorough and will help you decide which tour operator best suits your needs, what destination to take your performance ensemble to, what festival, if any, you would like to participate in, what fun activities you would like to include on your tour and if you want your group to perform in public.

It Starts with a Conversation

First, the simple process starts with a conversation with multiple tour operators. You must first discuss approximate dates, destination possibilities, performance goals and venues, any festivals, fun activities, and more. Make sure you choose to speak with operators who are well versed in student performance trips and send bands, choirs, dance troupes and more to the top performance destinations throughout North America. For example, Orlando has some of the finest music performance festivals, workshops and public performance venues in the U.S. including Disney Performing Arts OnStage, Festival Disney, Disney Honors, Universal Stars, Sea World's SoundWaves and OrlandoFest. Washington DC provides a wonderful historical backdrop for performing groups including the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and more. New York City provides student performance ensembles with many exciting options including Broadway Workshops, performance venues such as the Statue of Liberty and more.

Build a Program Your Way

Upon review of your conversation with each operator, ask them to build a program based on your budgetary needs, curriculum, performance goals and more. Make sure they can provide economic solutions that fit your budgetary needs. Most of all though, make sure they place a priority on scheduling activities that appeal to you and your performance group. You may want to visit a museum, historical site, theme park, attraction(s), zoo, theatre, special event, sporting event, day trips to other destinations, etc. Also ask them if they can provide any high profit fundraising suggestions. Some operators actually work with third party fundraising companies that can produce high profits for your program that will ensure that you and your group travel.

Choosing the Best Entertainment for Your Event

The type of event you are holding will greatly influence what entertainment you should hire. Whether it be a formal corporate function, a wedding, a 21st birthday, a family reunion or a fund raiser, you need to choose the right entertainment to suit the personalities of your guests and also the occasion. You may choose to organise the whole event yourself, including hiring the venue, choosing the food and booking the entertainment, or you may prefer to contact a party hire company and get them to handle everything. Whatever you choose the entertainment still needs careful consideration.

Formal Corporate Events

For a formal event, whether it be a black tie dinner or business orientated do, suitable entertainment needs to be arranged that is more on the conservative side. Having a roving belly dancer would not be appropriate, nor would a heavy metal rock band. You may choose to start the evening with drinks in a separate foyer and have a string quartet playing or an A Capella group singing. Your entertainment could also be in the form of ice sculptures which are positioned around the venue and are carved into shapes that best represent the evening or the company.

A Degree In The Performing Arts Field Will Educate You on Numerous Aspects Of The Field

Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts

If you are someone who is interested in acting and performance and are trying to figure out how to build your skills so that you can have a successful career, you may want to earn your bachelor's degree in performing arts. During your four years in college you will learn about music, dance, and performance. You may even be able to focus in one of these areas. Choosing to major in performing arts gives you the opportunity to learn about the various aspects that go into this career rather than only experiencing one area.

Curriculum

Performing arts is a degree program that encompasses many useful areas in this field and gives you a rounded and thorough knowledge that you can apply when seeking work. Rather than just choosing to focus on dance or music or performance, getting exposure to all of these will make you more flexible and versatile when applying for parts.

Performing Arts Tours of California - Perfect for Drama Students

If you are looking for the perfect way to inspire your drama students during your next school trip, a performing arts tour of California could be the ideal solution.

Educational tours to San Francisco and Los Angeles are a brilliant way to give budding young actors a taste of the American theatre experience. And with so many places to visit, you are sure to enjoy a school trip packed with culture and excitement in two of America's most cosmopolitan and fascinating cities.

Your journey begins in San Francisco, where you will have a chance to get acquainted with the city firsthand. After a four-hour city tour, you can enjoy a guided visit to the infamous island prison of Alcatraz.

In the evening, you'll be able to enjoy an exhilarating performance of a stage production such as Grease or Wicked before you return to your hotel and prepare to make your way to Los Angeles.

Online Performing Arts Career Preparation Options

When looking to obtain an accredited education in performing arts students have the option of looking into online career training. Not all required courses can be completed through online schools and colleges but students can learn the basics. Online performing arts career preparation options allow students to prepare for the career they wish to enter by providing various levels of education in a number of specialized areas. Accredited training is available through certificate and degree programs ranging from an associate to a doctoral degree level.

*Education

When looking to pursue a career in performing arts students can choose from a number of paths. Finding the program that best fits the individual student's needs and goals can be done by researching available programs. Accredited career studies can be completed in areas such as:

    * Music
    * Broadcasting
    * Public Speaking
    * Dance
    * Theater
    * Arts Administration
    * Stage Management

...and much more depending on their desired career. Preparation will require students to study various subjects in order to obtain the skills and knowledge they need for a successful career.

*Careers

There are numerous career options for students who wish to enter into the performing arts field. When looking to enter into a career in performing arts, students have a variety of options to choose from for their desired profession. Possible career paths can include working as:

Online Performing Arts Training Schools

Listening to music, watching someone act on screen, and hearing a speech all stem from the world of performing arts. This broad area can require an education to successfully fulfill the needs of a performance. Online performing arts training schools offer performing arts training through courses and introductory lessons.

The field of performing arts is known for dance, theater, and music. These three factors make up a large part of the professional study but education broadens to include many areas. Students can choose to enter arts administration, stage management, and more. Skills will be acquired that transfer over to areas like:

    * Dance

    * Circus

    * Motion Picture

    * Comedy

    * Magic

With training online students can choose how they want to apply their skills depending on their talents and interests. Online education provides a wide range of study options through the use of the Internet and computer based technology. Courses encourage interaction between students by creating chat rooms and e-mail communication for specific courses. Students can choose to learn about the history and business aspects of numerous fields. Examination of topics that include musical performances, theater experiences, and technical components provide a solid base for students to build on.