STARTING MY ACTING AND STYLIST CAREERS

Hey guys! I've been gone a while but for good reason. Well, maybe not a good reason for you but a good reason for me. I've started getting serious about my acting and fashion stylist careers. I've been spending many hours doing research and I thought I would share it with you guys! Starting with acting:

So the first thing you need before you can do anything as an actor is experience. As they say, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." And when you're trying to get to know someone, they want to see what makes you special. Why should they give you the time of day? So if you don't have much experience, chances are they're probably thinking that it's some phase you're going through. That you're not really serious about becoming an actor. Or that you just don't have any talent.

So how do you get experience? Well I just learned this myself and when I learned it I was like "Duhh. Why didn't I think of that before?" There are plenty of things to do no matter where you live.

1. If you're still in high school, use up some of your elective courses for Theatre Arts/Drama. Create or join a Thespian group for after school. Audition for school plays. If there are any kind of filmmaking classes or extracurriculars, go to the Film Teacher or some of the students and ask if they need actors. If they don't, leave your name and email address/phone number so when they have positions available, they will have your info.

2. If you've already graduated (or you can still be in high school) Google local community theatres. Write them down on pen and paper and call them up. Ask where you can find auditions. If you're not yet comfortable with auditioning, ask if you can help with prop set up or anything backstage. Maybe you can even intern somewhere. Don't exclude any opportunity because anything can help and will be great for a resume.

3. Touching on the earlier subject of not being comfortable to audition, get your butt in acting classes if you're not in high school. Again, Google local acting classes. And don't just commit to one place for a long period of time (unless that's what you really want to do) but it's always good to go from place to place because what one teacher may not tell you another one will. Take maybe one 8 week course one place and another someplace else. This can also help your resume look fuller. If you don't have the money for a class, ask if you can audit which basically means sit in on a class for free to see if it's something you'd be interested in. And if you do like it, ask your parents, save your allowance, or if you're old enough, get a job.

4. Most actors are pretty good singers, so try to take some singing lessons if time and money permits. It also helps with your speaking voice!

5. Prepare at least 3 monologues (get them, memorize them and practice them). You should have a classic one (such as Shakespeare), a dramatic and a comedic. This shows you are versatile and you don't only have to do one thing.

6. Google your local film commission. For me, I typed in Dallas Film Office (just replace Dallas for wherever you live) and it gave me a film commission which gives you everything from extras casting to make up artists/stylists and independent films. If it has to do with film in your region, it's on the website. Find some local independent films and audition or become an extra.

Once you do all of that (or most of it), it's time you got a little bit more serious because by now, you're positive that this is what you want to do. Save up some money (about $400 or a little more) and research some good photographers. It's time to get a headshot. Make sure that your photographer isn't asking you to pay an absurd amount. Like I said around $400 or $500 is ideal depending on how many copies you want.

When you have all that and you're pretty confident you won't be turned down, it's time to start researching agents. Now remember while you're researching, agents don't ask for money upfront. If they do, it's a scam. Now once your signed, they will ask for maybe prints and other stuff and in that case, if it's not unreasonable, go for it. Just make sure you know what the expenses are before you sign the contract.

That's basically everything I researched so far. If you want to know more, click here and there are some really good tips. I haven't acted on any of this information yet but I'm trying to get a job and as soon as I do, then I will!

As for styling, you can call your local community theatres and see if the costumer needs any interns or any kind of help. You can also Google local stylists/image consultants/costume designers and ask the same thing. Look up fashion houses/showrooms that are close to you and maybe they know about local fashion shows and internships that you can participate in.

As I've said, there are many opportunities, you just have to know how to get them. I have researched all of the above and all of my local places and we're going to make some things happen sometime this week hopefully.

Good luck to you!

HOW TO BECOME A CELEBRITY

Hey everyone!

So today I want to briefly go over this website that could potentially help you become the star you've always wanted to be. Long story short, it's a website where you can upload audition videos via webcam or pre-recorded videos. They go straight to the casting director that is holding the auditions and if they like your video, you can be called in for either the callbacks or given the job. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn't.

The website was founded by Paula Abdul. She wants to change the way the audition industry is. When you first go on the website, there are users' videos everywhere. You can make an Introductory video and then start uploading auditions for your specific likes or skip the Introductions. There are a  limited amount of auditions but the website is updated frequently so if you don't like any of the casting calls, you can check back.

It's also not only for actors/actresses. If you're a singer, they have auditions for you as well. Even if you don't have any talent, they have reality show auditions. But let me just say, the site is relatively new so it's not the best of websites just yet but it is one of the few. It's free to sign up and audition but if you want to put your video at the top of a casting director's inbox, there's a fee. If you're serious about breaking into the entertainment industry, then go for it. If you don't have the money just yet, it's not that big of a deal. Now the website can give you more information than I can so check it out by clicking here. It's called Audition Booth. It's very easy to navigate but here are some suggested tips;

1. Get familiar with the website by scrolling all the way down and click on About Audition Booth. Make sure you click on the FAQ's. Go back to the main page and check out the Open Auditions. Watch some of the other users' videos that can be found on the main page.

2. If all of this is appealing to you, go ahead and create an account here.

3. Then you can continue to make your first Introductory video if you so choose. This is highly recommended by me because you can get to know the other people that use the site. Be sure to check out their videos, like them, become a fan, write comments, and send messages. If you're a social person, it's a lot more fun when you have someone who wants the same things as you to talk to.

4. Start auditioning and tell your friends!

It's that simple. So I'm going to stop talking so you can get to it and become the celebrity you've wanted to be. Just make sure you thank me when you're giving your acceptance speech at the Oscars.

FTC: I am not being paid by Audition Booth nor am I affiliated. I just want to be an actress.