9 posts tagged “vocalist”
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.
Often when dance auditions are posted, the casting notice
will include a list of requirements. Requirements may be related to age
or height and often you’ll have to know a particular style of dance like tap or hip-hop. One of the most common requirements included in dance casting notices is that the dancers must be able to pick up choreography quickly.
Dancers who are able to pick up choreography quickly are most likely to be hired for jobs. Directors and choreographers prefer to save time (and money) by working with dancers who are fast learners. Both new and experienced dancers often struggle with choreography, so if this is a problem for you, don’t feel that you’re alone.
Here are a few tips that dancers often use to help them overcome this common problem:
-Visualize yourself performing the movements as the choreographer runs through them. Repetition is the key to learning new moves, and doing them in your head repeatedly can be just as effective as physically performing the routine over and over again.
-Give each step a name. Creating a name for each move often helps dancers remember the steps more easily as well as anticipate the next move as they’re going through a routine.
-Imitate the choreographer using small movements as he or she goes through the routine. By imitating the movements as soon as you are shown the steps, you begin acclimating your body to the moves, which can also help you remember them better when it’s time to perform them.
-Pay close attention to how the choreography relates to the music. If the choreographer inserts a jump at a point in the song when the singer sings, “jump back” or something similar, those keywords can be a big help.
Lots of dancers create their own techniques for helping them pick up choreography. By talking with other dancers, as well as teachers and choreographers, you can find out lots of creative ways to help you learn choreography more quickly as well as become a better dancer overall.
To discuss techniques with other Star Search Casting members who are pursuing careers in the field of dance, log on to http://www.StarSearchCasting.com. Our community forum is a great place to trade tips and get great insights into the industry. Don’t forget to check out our auditions for upcoming dance opportunities near you.
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.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “practice makes perfect.” And no, singing in the shower doesn’t count. If you’ve decided to pursue singing as a career,
then it’s time you develop a consistent practice regimen to prepare
yourself for the road ahead. To develop a successful practice regimen
you’ll need to:
- Make a schedule of the days and times you will reserve for practicing
- Research vocal exercises that you can use during your scheduled practice
- Develop a system for charting your growth
Whether you’ve set aside 20 minutes to practice, or two hours, be sure to begin with a warm up. It’s also important that you prepare the exercises you’ll be working on before your scheduled practice time. If you spend your practice time searching for exercises, or trying to comprehend the instructions, that’s less time that you’re actually working on your voice.
In addition to helping you improve the tone of your voice, committing to a practice schedule will also help you to…
…build endurance. If you’re considering becoming a professional singer, then much like an athlete, you will need to train your voice so that you can sing for long periods of time without your voice fatiguing which can result in pitch problems.
…become a well-rounded singer. Longer practice sessions not only help improve vocal quality, but also help you become a better sight reader, memorize more material, and develop your poise and stage presence.
…gauge your progress. As you practice more often, you will begin to see marked differences in your voice, and begin to note how you’re improving. It’s also advisable to chart your progress on paper so that you can visually see how you’re developing.
Curious to learn more about how other Elite Casting Network members improve their vocal technique? Visit our community forum at http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com to network with other singers. And be sure to check out singing auditions in your area!
Chris Crocker scored more than 8 million web hits and exposure on some of the most popular television shows when he posted a dramatic video on You Tube begging the media and the public to, “Leave Britney [Spears] alone” just after her much talked about performance on the MTV Video Music Awards. Whether his rant left you intrigued or simply annoyed, the attention he got landed him what most actors would give their left arms for – his own television show. Crocker, admittedly an aspiring actor, signed a contract with Blue Productions to appear in his own reality show. The actor had been posting videos to the web for six months and he’d begun developing a substantial fan base. In addition to the famous rant that helped him secure a television deal, his You Tube page included more than 60 additional performance pieces.
Even the Ford Modeling Agency is turning to the web to generate more exposure for their agency and their models. The agency has produced more than 1,000 videos for the web featuring their models during photo shoots, backstage at fashion shows, and even at the gym. You can view these videos on the web, including on You Tube. Some videos have garnered more than one million hits.
Did you know that with a Platinum or Diamond membership on www.StarSearchCasting.com, you can post video files to your profile? Chris Crocker – though a bit quirky – and the Ford Modeling Agency are great examples of how you can use the internet effectively to generate valuable exposure. Whether you have a video from a previous staged performance, or you’ve recently self-recorded an audition piece, adding a video to your Star Search Casting profile is a great way to showcase your talent to casting directors and other industry executives and show them that you really do have what it takes. A picture’s worth a thousand words, but a video clip seals the deal! Just ask Chris Crocker!
To upgrade your membership so that you can add video clips to your page, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com and click on ‘Membership Levels.’ Remember, before posting any original material to our site, or any other site, make sure you’ve gone to the proper channels to have your work registered and copy written.You recently auditioned for a role and the casting director was so impressed that they want to see you again! Congrats! Getting a callback is great validation for a performer. It means that out of the hundreds of people that the casting director initially auditioned, you were among a small few that really stood out.
While the casting director typically selects a handful of people out of hundreds that he or she thinks would be most suitable for lead and supporting roles – it’s rare that the casting director gets the final say. When you go to your callback, you’ll most likely audition in front of high powered decision makers such as network executives if you’re auditioning for a role on a television show, advertising executives if you’re auditioning for a commercial, or the director if you’re auditioning for a film. Additionally, you may even have more than one callback.
This is your shot to land the role, so make sure you take the opportunity seriously. In order to make the most of your callback:
- Arrive early and ask if there have been any changes to the script. Unfortunately actors can spend hours practicing material they’ve received in advance, only to get to an audition and learn that the material has been revised. If you arrive early, you give yourself an opportunity to prepare for issues like this.
- Don’t alter your look. You don’t have to wear the same thing you wore to the initial audition (though many people do), but you want to ensure the casting director remembers you, and that you reflect the same image that you did initially because based on the fact that you’ve been called back, that’s what the casting staff is looking for.
- Try to get a copy of the entire script so that you have a better understanding of who the character is.
- Be friendly, upbeat, positive and professional. If you’re auditioning in front of the director, he or she will not only be evaluating your talent, but also if you’re the type of performer they will want to work with for the duration of the project.
If you don’t land the job, take it all in stride. By securing a callback you’ve proved that you have something really special and others are sure to see it as you continue auditioning for other roles. Additionally, the influential industry executives who you auditioned for during your callback may be interested in calling you in for upcoming projects.
Curious how other performers have handled the pressure of callbacks? Log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and connect with other members in our community forum.
Double your exposure this year! Purchase an annual Diamond membership at Star Search Casting & get 12 months for the price of 8, plus a one-year Diamond membership at Elite Casting Network. There’s no better way to let your talent shine!
HOLLYWOOD – If you’ve got the look, the personality and the talent, we can help you get the exposure! An entire year’s worth! Star Search Casting (www.StarSearchCasting.com) is helping aspiring actors, dancers, singers and models launch the career of their dreams by offering them an annual Diamond membership, for only $199.95 when they purchase an annual subscription. The subscription starts at just $24.99 a month, but by paying for a full year upfront, members can save $100. Additionally, as a special bonus they’ll also get a free, one-year Diamond membership at Elite Casting Network (www.EliteCastingNetwork.com). That’s two memberships from two leading casting websites, for the price of one – a $600 value.
Star Search Casting has been a leader in providing casting notices and other online resources for aspiring entertainers seeking acting, singing, dancing and modeling jobs for 10 years. The website has helped thousands of Hollywood hopefuls launch successful careers in the entertainment industry, and book the jobs of their dreams. This year, in an effort to help actors, singers, dancers and models get the most exposure for the best value, Star Search Casting is now offering Diamond memberships for both Star Search Casting and Elite Casting Network, a $600 value for only $199.95. That’s 12 months for the price of 8, plus two memberships for the price of one. It’s the best deal in the industry bar none.
An annual Diamond level membership at Star Search Casting includes: 100 photos in your personal profile; five customizable web addresses linking to your profile; eight documents; three audio files; three video files; 100 free SMS credits; a hit counter; unlimited contacts from casting directors and other industry professionals; and the exposure of a lifetime for aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models! For a limited time only, when members sign up for an annual Diamond level membership at Star Search Casting, they will enjoy the same benefits at Elite Casting Network.
Singers, actors, dancers and models who purchase an annual Platinum, Gold or Silver membership at Star Search Casting will also get a one-year membership for the cost of eight months! They’ll also get the same level membership at Elite Casting Network and instantly double their exposure.
For more information on these amazing savings, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com and click on 'Membership Levels'. There’s no better time for singers, dancers, actors and models to shoot for the stars!
While many of our Star Search Casting members may be small, they are no strangers to BIG success. Car'ynn Sims, originally from Dallas, Texas is just 10 years old, but she's booked more than two-dozen acting jobs, appearing in various commercials and television and film projects.
Car'ynn's
all-American girl image has landed her on commercials for some of
America's most popular brands, including Burger King, Southwest
Airlines, Blockbuster and Oscar Mayer. In addition to her work in
commercials, she's also been featured in print advertising campaigns, including the Fall 2007 campaign for American Girl.
Car'ynn has also booked roles on several notable television series. She's recently appeared on Cory in the House, the popular Disney Channel show. She's also appeared on Yes, Dear on CBS and Girlfriends on the CW Television Network.
Like
many of our SSC members, Car'ynn has a long list of talents. In
addition to acting and modeling, she also sings and raps with her
sisters and has performed at Macy's Passport, one of the largest
fashion events in the United States.
Car'ynn comes from a very talented family. Her first film was Choosing Your Course, which she appeared in along with her father, and her two older sisters. Car'ynn is currently filming the movie Angel Wishes with her sister Chris'tol.
While
it's clear that Car'ynn is a natural, she's also taken a number of
classes to sharpen her skills. She's studied acting with some of the
industry's top coaches including actress and director Chip Fields.
Additionally, Car'ynn has studied dance at Millennium Dance Complex
where Wade Robinson and Shane Sparks, both choreographers for So You Think You Can Dance, teach classes.
That's
quite a long list of accomplishments for such a young performer, isn't
it? We'd like to congratulate Car'ynn and her entire family on all of
their recent success. She's an awesome example of how you can achieve
anything, no matter how young you are!!!
The year is off to an exciting start at Star Search Casting and we’re excited to see how all of our members progress as they pursue their dreams of working in the entertainment industry. We’re always exceedingly proud when we hear of the great opportunities that our members seizing in order to make their dreams come true.
One Star Search Casting member is really taking the industry by storm. Lianne Lin is a multi-talented actress, model, writer and makeup artist. While she has a number of interests, she has managed to juggle them all and successfully land opportunities in all of her fields of interest. Lianne has appeared on a number of popular television shows including How I Met Your Mother, Ugly Betty, Entourage and CSI Miami. What great exposure! These are some of the most highly rated shows on television! Additionally, Lianne has appeared in several films including Super Sweet 16: The Movie and Norbit.
Like many models, Lianne has completely immersed herself in her craft and in addition to a long list of print modeling jobs, modeling competitions and promo modeling opportunities, Lianne has also become an experienced photographer and makeup artist as well. It sounds like there’s nothing that Lianne can’t do!
We’d like to congratulate Lianne on all of her success. It’s always inspiring to hear how Star Search Casting members are taking Hollywood by storm and doing what they love best. If you ever get discouraged, remember that if other Star Search Casting members are paving their way toward stardom – there’s no reason that you can’t too!
For more information on Star Search Casting members or to learn more about other members’ experiences in the entertainment industry, visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today. Good luck to all of you!