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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. 

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.

If there was such a thing as an actor’s toolkit, what do you think would be in it? Of course all actors need a headshot and resume. A Star Search Casting membership is another essential item that every actor should also have. Some might say that every actor should prepare and have committed to memory a song that they can sing well to audition
for roles that require both acting and singing. And for actors who are
interested in musical theater and audition frequently, a pair of character shoes is a must.

When auditioning for musical theater,
many casting notices specify that actors must bring character shoes for
their audition. Character shoes are named for their use in theater
because they are worn when actresses and actors are performing “in
character.” They look very similar to tap shoes, and some actually can
be ordered with taps. Character shoes typically come in tan or black,
with leather soles, and are designed for rigorous movement and dancing
for long periods of time. Directors and casting professionals also
prefer character shoes for actors because they provide a sense of
uniformity. Character shoes, especially for men, may also be referred
to as jazz shoes.

If you’re purchasing a pair of character shoes for the first time, here are a few tips you may find useful:

- Although
character shoes are sold widely online, you may consider visiting a
retail establishment to try on a few pairs to determine which style you
prefer. You can then comparison shop for the same brand and style
online. 

- Character shoes for women are made with varying heel heights. Be sure to pick a height that you’ll be comfortable with.

- Break your character shoes in by wearing them around the house.

- Wipe the bottoms of your character shoes (if worn outside) before dancing on wooden floors

Character
shoes are available at a variety of price points and can range from $30
- $130. One of the most popular brands of character shoes is Capezio,
however there are lots of consumer reviews online that can also help
you decide which brand would be best for you.

Feel free to discuss brands, prices and the best retail stores and websites to purchase character shoes on our community forum. Log on to http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today to talk to other singers, dancers, actors and models about career related apparel, supplies and more!

www.EliteCastingNetwork.com members are becoming increasingly diligent about researching agents, managers and other entertainment industry
professionals before establishing business relationships with them. In
cases where Elite Casting Network members are uncertain about the
legitimacy of an agent or manager, they often post their questions to
the community forum where the Elite Casting Network staff and other members are quick to assist.

Most recently, a Elite Casting Network member was invited to an audition
by Model Management Inc. in Los Angeles. While the member reviewed the
company’s website, she still wasn’t sure if the company was a
legitimate business. So she posted the name and address of the agency
to the community forum to get feedback from the Elite Casting Network staff and other members.

When we researched Model Management Inc. we discovered that there were no complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau
against this company, nor were there any complaints on the web.
However, there was not much information available about the company at
all, other than the company’s website, Myspace.com profile and posts on sites like Craigslist.org.

When
we called the company’s Los Angeles office number, we got their
voicemail. When we called their toll-free number, we also got a
recorded message. In researching the Los Angeles address that the
company included in their email to the Elite Casting Network member, we
found that the company rents an HQ Global suite. HQ Global is a leading
provider of virtual offices and small business suites. According to the
company’s website, they have offices in San Diego, Las Vegas and Salt
Lake City.

None
of the information we uncovered indicates that the company is engaged
in fraudulent activity. However, we always recommend that if you’ve
diligently researched a company and you still have reservations, feel
free to call and ask a few questions if it will make you feel more
comfortable.

Not
every agency or management company will be a huge enterprise with a
full staff and a fancy office. That doesn’t mean that the company isn’t
capable of helping you to reach your goals as a model, singer, dancer
or actress. In fact many smaller agencies are able to provide their
clients with more personalized service. Explore all of your options,
both small and large agencies, and then based on the information they
provide, decide which option is best for you.

For more information on entertainment industry scams, or to ask questions related to companies that have contacted you, log in each day to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and review our community forum and our Scam Alert section.

Many aspiring models have signed up for modeling classes only to discover they’ve been the victims of a scam. This is unfortunate because there are actually a number of reputable modeling schools that have successfully helped many new models sharpen their skills and approach the industry with confidence. While modeling school does not guarantee your success in the industry, it can be a helpful stepping-stone for many aspiring models who are new to the industry.

In addition to researching the modeling school
before you sign up or pay any fees, it’s also important that you learn
about the school’s curriculum. To make sure that you benefit from the
experience, you want to be sure that you’ll learn valuable information
about the industry and helpful tips that can help you secure jobs in
the future.

A reputable modeling school should help you to:

- Develop good posture

- Learn the fundamentals of walking on the runway

- Learn how to apply makeup and take care of your skin

- Develop poise and self confidence

- Adopt good nutritional habits

- Learn how to model for the camera

Modeling
schools can be extremely helpful for models who are new to the industry
and want an opportunity to learn about the industry in a comfortable,
nurturing environment.

You should not sign up for modeling schools that require you to pay for photo shoots with specific photographers. Additionally, you should not sign up for modeling schools as a requirement for being signed to an agency. These are common tactics used by disreputable agencies.

Additionally,
a reputable modeling school should give you a realistic assessment of
your modeling potential. If a modeling school promises you work based
on enrolling in their school – it may be a scam. 

Are you interested in talking to other aspiring models who have enrolled in modeling schools? Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com
and post your questions in our community forum to learn more about
other Star Search Casting members’ experiences in the modeling industry.

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!