Kamis, 23 Desember 2010

Audition Day: How to Prepare

By Don Turner


If you want to be famous, or become a successful artist, you can shoot for Broadway, or be in a band and be discovered, or become a solo artist who sings and dances. You can be any of these, as long as you have the skills and the talent, plus the right amount of guts. But, bear in mind that you can't become famous in just one day. It takes time, even for the big stars like Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Bono, and Justin Bieber. All of them underwent intense training. Maybe you could improve by just practicing alone at home, but chances are, you will come out short.

One thing that the above-mentioned performers have in common is extensive and intensive training. Although they were discovered and became sensations, they still had to undergo rigorous training to improve their skills and talents. Stardom could come your way too. Maybe you could improve just by practicing alone at home, but chances are, your self-training may fall short. This is when it's time to do your homework and look into local talent agencies; they need to be honest and licensed in order to help you find the right jobs for your particular talents.

You can join dance, singing and acting workshops to help you hone your innate skills. But, this would not be easy. Aside from having the right skills, you also need good mentors. Unfortunately, there are people out there who claim to teach you to become a star, but only give worthless stuff and get your money for nothing.

It would be towards your advantage if you look for references and credentials when shopping for a mentor. You can also ask around and contact the people within your industry so that they can give you the best possible referral.

You also need a lot of self-assessment. Ask yourself if you have what it takes to become a star. You might have the love for it, but sometimes you have to look for something else to do. Not everybody is meant to be a star. The entertainment world is very harsh; sometimes even the good ones won't get very far. It's the reality my friend. So, before you start spending money for lessons, think twice.

If you plan to dance on your audition, you have to decide on the type of dance that you would be very comfortable with. Knowing the song by heart is vital, so that you can dance to the beat and really feel the rhythm. For singing, you need two music pieces; one slow and another with a faster tempo. If you are going to act your way to stardom, you'll need a monologue for the auditions. Make sure that you memorized everything so that you do not get lost in the middle of the auditions.

One of the aspects that directors and judges look for in an aspiring star is general attitude. Your attitude and conduct during the entire audition process will showcase your personality positively. Nobody wants an egotistical and arrogant artist. It is important that you show courteousness even when handing your resume during the auditions. Confidence is also a big plus in auditions. When you walk to the middle of the stage, walk with positivity, knowing that you have the skills and you will make it. Stand straight and smile to the judges, greet them sincerely and look them in the eye. Even when handing a music piece to the instrumentalists, or to the technicians, always remember to be polite.

Although it seems like an obscure part of the audition, your resume holds a big part in landing your dream role. It is like your advertisement in writing, wherein you write about your skills, goals, background and experiences. Like being on stage, you should positively showcase yourself in your resume. Choose what makes you stand out, your edge over the other candidates. Your photos in the resume should also be professionally done, to show your most attractive profile.




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