8 posts tagged “headshot”
I don’t know about you but I love action films and I’ve always wondered what it’s like for actors like Jackie Chan (Rush Hour) and Matt Damon (The Bourne Ultimatum) who’ve starred in some of the most exciting films to hit the box office. I’ve always been even more curious to learn about the stunt doubles who’ve worked alongside them handling the more dangerous stunts – everything from jumping off of buildings to high speed car chases that end in a fiery crash.
Mark Bedell is a Star Search Casting member who’s seen the action firsthand! Mark Bedell, like many of our members is a multi-talented actor who has really worked hard to make a name for himself in the entertainment business. He has worked as an actor in nearly 20 projects, including roles on the popular soap opera Passions. In addition to his acting work, he’s worked as a stunt coordinator and stunt performer on more than 20 projects. Talk about an adrenaline rush!
While a career as a stunt person can be action-packed as well as lucrative, it’s important to point out that there are lots of dangers and risks involved. You may suffer from muscle strain, sprains, broken bones, concussions and other minor and sometimes major injuries. Serious injuries, in addition to being painful, can also lead to loss of current and future jobs.
If you still think you might enjoy a career as a stunt person, then it’s important that you develop a list of skills to help you land a job. Stunt people often have taken classes to learn a variety of skills and talents such as martial arts, horseback riding, fencing and scuba diving among other useful skills. Stunt people also often spend a great amount of time in the gym because it’s important that they remain in shape to help them deal with the challenges of the job, as well as ward off injury.
Even if you don’t think you’re cut out for the intensive demands of film and television stunts, it’s important that all actors and actresses stay in tip-top shape. While directors turn to stunt specialists for much of the stunt work done in films, you may still be required to throw a punch in a scene or engage in rigorous physical activity. Recently a friend of mine was required to perform a stunt in a pool in an independent film. He had a great time doing it, and was filled with pride once it was complete.
To learn more about the variety of jobs that are available to you in the entertainment industry, whether you’re interested in becoming a stunt person, or something a bit less risky, visit our auditions page at http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today and explore jobs that would be perfect for you.
HOLLYWOOD – Want to know what’s the latest episode in the Britney Spears saga, or how the Oscars faired in the television ratings game? From Lindsay Lohan to George Clooney, Star Search Casting has the scoop! While actors, dancers, singers and models log in to Star Search Casting to browse the most current casting notices, they also check out the website each day for the latest in entertainment news.
Star Search Casting (http://www.StarSearchCasting.com) has been the leading casting website for more than a decade and provides a comprehensive database of resources for aspiring dancers, actors, models and singers eager to break into the entertainment industry. In addition to being the industry’s #1 website for resources and tools for new and experienced performers, it’s also a great source for members who like to stay up to date on television ratings, award show winners, box office news and the latest on Hollywood stars.
“Everyday our website offers new casting notices that actors, dancers, models and singers at any stage of their career can take advantage of,” says Jonathan Parker, founder and CEO of Star Search Casting. “However, one of the reasons that people decide to explore careers in the entertainment industry is because it fascinates them. Therefore we make sure we satisfy our members’ cravings for both exciting job opportunities as well as hot entertainment industry gossip and compelling entertainment news stories.”
Each day Star Search Casting posts current entertainment news to its members’ delight. Star Search Casting is the only website where actors, models, singers and dancers can look for jobs in the entertainment industry as well as check out a full list of Oscar winners or see how Tina Fey (30 Rock) feels about Hillary Clinton. From one of the largest databases of agents and managers to music reviews of the latest pop stars, Star Search Casting has something for everyone.
For aspiring and experienced actors, dancers, singers and models who want to take advantage of this dynamic website and all it has to offer, membership is both easy and affordable. Just visit www.StarSearchCasting.comand click on the ‘Membership Levels’ link to join. New members who sign up for an annual Diamond membership will also receive a one-year Diamond membership at Elite Casting Network, another leading casting website.
For the leading website for casting notices, talent resources and entertainment news and gossip, visit Star Search Casting (www.StarSearchCasting.com) today!
Not everyone who professes to be an acting coach is actually qualified to teach you to become a better actor or actress. Therefore it’s important that before you pay for acting classes that you interview your acting coach
to determine that they are: 1) trained and experienced and 2) capable
of and excited about helping you reach your personal performance goals.
A great acting coach will not only help you become the phenomenal actor or actress that you’d always dreamed of being, but also help guide you as you navigate the early stages of your acting career.
Once you’ve generated a list of acting coaches in your area, determine if they have a website. You may find much of the information you need to make a decision based on details provided on their webpage. If not, give them a call and be sure you ask the following:
- Do you have a list of your credentials?
- Can I sit in on one of our classes for free before I make my decision?
- How many students do you instruct in each class?
- Have any of your former students landed major theatre, television or film roles?
- Do you offer private instruction?
- Do you offer a refund policy if I’m unable to attend the remainder of my sessions due to unforeseen circumstances?
It’s very important that you get a list of your teacher’s credentials. There are many teachers who have worked in the industry and have many years of experience, but they don’t necessarily have formal training.
Additionally, many actors find that they get far more out of classes when the teacher limits the size of the classes. While private instruction on a regular basis isn’t necessary, it can be beneficial to have the option of private instruction in cases where you need to work one on one with your teacher or coach to prepare for an important audition, or work on material before your first day on set for a big role.
Elite Casting Network offers an extensive list of acting coaches and teachers on our website. You can also visit our community forum and ask other members for recommendations and referrals. Visit us today at http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com.
www.StarSearchCasting.com is quickly becoming the leading website casting directors use to scout talent for commercials across the United States.
HOLLYWOOD – An increasing number of casting directors are using Star Search Casting (www.StarSearchCasting.com) to cast commercials for leading brands across the United States. Commercial casting directors find thousands of fresh faces and new talent each year on the website perfect for playing enthusiastic, likeable characters that advertising executives think will most effectively represent and sell their brands. Whether searching for actors, dancers, singers or models for commercials, casting directors know that Star Search Casting members have the look and the talent to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Star Search Casting has been the leading casting website for a decade. Casting directors and other entertainment industry professionals consistently use Star Search Casting to scout dancers, actors, singers and models for film, television, theater, music videos, commercials and many other types of productions. Casting directors have discovered thousands of energetic and expressive actors, dancers, singers and models for major motion pictures, network television shows and other major projects.
“Star Search Casting members have booked tons of commercials through our website,” says Jonathan Parker, founder and CEO of Star Search Casting. “There are thousands of commercials produced each year, so the market for commercials offers actors, dancers, singers and models lots of opportunities.”
Star Search Casting has provided numerous opportunities for actors, singers, dancers and models to audition for commercials for major consumer brands such as Nintendo as well as popular regional business like TZ Family Food and Fun. The website offers both union and non-union roles and the commercials posted on the site offer great opportunities for talent with all-American looks as well as unique and quirky looks. There’s no website with more casting notices for talent of all ethnicities, body types and levels of experience.
Star Search Casting has thousands of current casting notices online daily perfect for aspiring entertainers who think they’ve got what it takes to take the industry by storm. Actors, dancers, singers and models interested in auditioning for commercials, or other types of productions, can log on to http://www.StarSearchCasting.com to submit their headshots, full body photos and resumes today.
When we go to the movie theater to watch our favorite actors and actresses in a new film, we’re often blown away by the “magic” that we observe on screen. But there’s a lot of work that’s invested into feature films and just because it looks perfect when we see the end result – that doesn’t meant that it’s the product of a perfect process. In fact, the post-production phase of a film can be very involved and require everyone, even the actors, to help fix flaws that may have occurred during the shooting of the film.
Sometimes when shooting a film, while the footage may look great, there may be problems with the dialog. Perhaps the microphone didn’t pick up all of the lines in their entirety, or maybe background noise distorted the audio, making the dialog difficult to understand. Instead of shooting the entire scene again - which can be quite costly - the director may call an actor into the studio to re-record or dub his or her own dialog. This process is called looping. While it’s not the most exciting part of the job, it’s essential to creating the perfect end result that we’re all used to enjoying in the theater when we sit down with friends, family and buckets of popcorn to watch the latest action flick or romantic comedy.
When an actor is called in for looping, he or she goes into a recording studio with a microphone and a video screen. Once the scene is played for them, the actor must then try to match their dialog to what they see on screen. It sounds simple, but in fact it can be quite a challenge. They must consider rhythm, timing and tone, and sometimes these sessions occur months after they originally filmed the scene, so the scene is no longer fresh in their memory.
While acting is often considered to be a glamorous occupation – and it is – there are a lot of challenges. In addition to all of the creative aspects of the job, there are a lot of technical aspects that happen behind the scenes that can require as much time and energy as the onscreen work.
If you’re ever called into the studio for a looping job, especially if it’s your first time, it can be helpful to practice at home first. Videotape yourself without sound and then play the video back, while trying to match your voice to the video.
Think you have what it takes to make it as a successful actor or actress? Have you checked out the feature film auditions we have posted on our website? Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com for the latest casting calls in your area.
HOLLYWOOD – Technology continues to transform the way business is conducted in the fast paced world of the entertainment industry. These advances are not just helpful for entertainment executives, but also for aspiring dancers, actors, models and singers, many of whom juggle day and night jobs with auditions, rehearsals and gigs. Elite Casting Network, the industry’s leading casting website, now makes it easier for aspiring performers to stay connected to the industry and get real time casting & audition information while they’re on the go.
Long gone are the days of receiving information from your agent or a casting director via fax, or even email. Now entertainment industry professionals send everything from casting breakdowns and lyrics to script pages and other audition information to actors, singers, dancers and models via cell phones and PDAs. Elite Casting Network was one of the first casting websites to give its members the option of receiving casting calls and audition information via their wireless devices.
“When casting and audition information is automatically sent to my Blackberry, I can respond right away,” says Jenna Barber, an aspiring actress based in Los Angeles. “If I had to wait until I could login on my PC, I don’t think I’d able to compete with a lot of the other actors who have agents working around the clock on their behalf.”
In addition to helping actors, dancers, singers and models remain connected to the industry via their cell phones and PDAs; Elite Casting Network also provides several additional high tech options. Members can upload video and audio clips on their personal Elite Casting Network websites to showcase their acting, singing, dancing and modeling talents. They can also network with aspiring and established performers as well as entertainment industry professionals via the website’s interactive video chat rooms. The website also provides interactive business cards for its members to help them generate additional exposure for themselves and make a great impression on industry professionals.
“We’re always developing new and exciting applications on our website so that members have all of the tools they need to launch successful careers,” says Jonathan Parker, founder of www.EliteCastingNetwork.com. “It’s a very challenging industry, but we’re doing everything we can to make it easier for our members.”
For more information on the advanced technology and cutting edge applications Elite Casting Network uses to help aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models stay connected to the entertainment business and remain competitive in an ever-changing industry, visit hhttp://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com.
on NBC. Normally his day is consumed with auditions, but when I talked to him he had actually just finished working a 9-5 job at a local Los Angeles office and was preparing to go and teach an evening acting class.
The Writers Guild of America strike has left many actors all over the country out of work, and uncertain of what's ahead for them in the near future. With the number of auditions dramatically reduced and a number of projects on hold, many actors are taking temporary jobs so that they don't deplete their savings while they await the outcome of the strike.
So what's an actor to do? For many it's a toss up. According to SAG, actors who were in the middle of the project cannot be placed on unpaid hiatus. Instead the studios must either: 1) terminate the actor; 2) put series regulars on hold at full salary; or 3) suspend the actors for a period of up to five weeks at half pay.
For other actors who weren't contracted for a role at the time of the strike, it seems they may have a lot of idle time on their hands indefinitely. If you're an actor and you're out of work due to the strike, don't get discouraged. In your free time, perhaps consider:
- Taking or teaching an acting class
- Trying your hand at standup comedy to sharpen your comedic skills
- Volunteering at a local organization
- Supporting the writers by joining the picket line
Some may view the lull as evidence of the tumultuous nature of the industry but every industry experiences downturns. Just ask any real estate agent or dot com investor. All we can do is wait it out. In the meantime, there are still lots of projects that are not being affected by the strike. Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com for a list of casting notices for projects that are forging ahead with production.
While we pride ourselves on being a resource for aspiring entertainers, there are also lots of Star Search Casting members who have already achieved enormous success. I like to spotlight these members occasionally as a reminder to others of the opportunities that are available in the entertainment industry and how attainable success in this business can be.
Melanie Tillbrook is a Star Search Casting Silver member currently residing in Miami, Florida. Her page has been viewed nearly 60,000 times by casting directors, agents and other visitors. Melanie, like many other Star Search Casting members, has a number of interests and has pursued opportunities in music, dance, acting and modeling. She’s even currently working on developing her own independent music label, Fire House Entertainment.
Melanie has gained a tremendous amount of exposure through the numerous jobs that she has booked. She has appeared in a number of national publications including Maxim, Super Street Bike Magazine, and Sister 2 Sister in both editorials and advertisements. You also may have seen her in the music video for “I Won’t Tell” by Fat Joe and J. Holiday, on the cover of the calendar published by Muscle Mustang magazine, or on The Best Damn Sports Show or the Home Shopping Network. She’s developed an extensive resume, which includes experience in television, music videos, runway shows, calendars, commercials and more. Not only has Melanie pursued opportunities in music, acting, modeling and dance, she’s excelled at all of them! In fact, in addition to singing in the choir at Florida State University, she also studied both ballet and modern dance there and was a backup dancer for Snoop Dogg on the Projekt Revolution Tour. Pretty impressive, right?
In addition to her past accomplishments, Melanie has lots in store for her in 2008, including hosting a local Miami television show called Spread the Word TV. To her credit, Melanie has managed to juggle all of her success while simultaneously attending college to earn her degree in business. We want to congratulate Melanie on all of her achievements and wish her the best as she continues to excel in the entertainment industry!
If you’re inspired by Melanie Tillbrook’s success and are eager to pursue a career as an actor, dancer, singer or model, visit www.StarSearchCasting.com today to gain access to tons of opportunities that can help to propel your career. You can also browse profiles of other Star Search Casting members who are proving they have what it takes to make their mark on the entertainment industry!
