Digital Comp Cards
Mar 3rd
In recent years, comp card databases and creation tools have become digital – most aspiring professionals in the entertainment industry utilize print as well as digital comp cards to ensure that they are gaining as much exposure as possible. Technology has made it easier for new models and actors to promote themselves.
Some talents development agencies offer GigaComps™, which can be printed on demand in high resolution from a home printer. GigaComps™ is well known among industry professionals, and many of these agents use the site’s search engine to scout models. With online acting and modeling comp cards, clients also save on the cost of professional printing and reordering.
Whether you choose traditional comp cards or digital comp cards, you should understand that they are an essential marketing tool. Make sure you are portraying yourself attractively to casting directors and talent agents by designing a unique acting or modeling comp card with your best photographs.
Print Comp. Cards
Mar 3rd
A composite card, more commonly known as a comp card, is a printed card that aspiring models or actors/actresses distribute to casting directors and agencies. This card, usually printed on thick, card stock paper, includes a small collection of photographs and the person’s basic stats like height, weight, and eye color. For modeling comp cards, more focus is placed on physical attributes.
Professionals in the entertainment industry have been using comp cards as a marketing tool for many years. Comp cards are relatively inexpensive to create and print, and they provide casting directors and talent agents with essential information quickly and efficiently. Modeling comp cards are essential for models because the industry is so image-based.
High-quality photographs, an exciting and unique design, and good card production show that you are a top-tier professional who is serious about obtaining work. Your comp card will represent the type of work that you are seeking and the image you want to present to the public.
You should hire a professional, experienced photographer, a talented make-up artist, and possibly a stylist to help you achieve the most eye-catching photographs for your acting or modeling comp card. Work with someone who knows what casting directors want and aspire More >
Self-Esteem and Criticism
Mar 3rd
Self-confidence is important because you have to know your own strengths and weaknesses. If you truly believe in yourself and your ability to become a model or actor, then you will be better able to weed out the good criticism from the bad.
Remember, the further you progress in your career in acting or modeling, the more people will criticize you. The way you choose to deal with this criticism can either make or break you.
Consider your level of self-esteem. If you have low self-esteem, and you want to become a model, you may have trouble dealing with criticism, even if it’s constructive and meant to help you. You should work on your self confidence before pursuing a career in acting or modeling. Criticism can bruise the egos of even the most confident people.
Take care to monitor yourself and the way you feel about yourself. As you pursue your journey to become a model, ask your friends and family to tell you if they notice any changes in your emotional or physical health. Sometimes, you may not even notice that criticism is negatively affecting you. You wouldn’t want a career in acting or modeling to ruin your life.
More >How to Cope with Criticism
Mar 3rd
Anyone who wants to become a model or pursue a career in acting will soon realize that criticism flows freely from the mouths of casting agents and directors. Competition is so fierce that you may feel pressure to meet impossible standards. Prepare to be scrutinized for your body, your look, and your talents.
Everyone you meet will have an opinion, and a lot of people will prevent you from advancing your career in acting, telling you what you need to change about yourself. When you try to become a model, you will never be able to please 100% of the people in the modeling industry.
However, that doesn’t mean that you have to listen to everyone’s opinions. Watch out for people who criticize you for the wrong reasons. Some people don’t have your best interest in mind – they picking on people because they are unhappy with themselves. Only trust criticism from those who are qualified to give it to you.
While trying to become a model or develop your career in acting, listen carefully and try to learn from criticism when trustworthy people give it to you. Don’t be defensive. Make sure you understand what the person is telling you; don’t be More >
Are American Idol auditions like real life auditions?
Mar 3rd
If you watch “American Idol” and want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, you are probably wondering if auditioning for “American Idol” is anything like going completing talent development or auditioning for a casting agent or director in real life.
In an article for MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22884182/), writer Andy Dehnart Dehnart asks: “Should people with proven talent and who are not new to the industry even be allowed to compete?”
“American Idol” is not a realistic portrayal of how real auditions work. When you go to an audition, the agents or casting directors might not give you any feedback – this can be a frustrating reality for new talent. You could leave the audition without knowing anything, which is not conducive to talent development.
Viewers of “American Idol” see hundreds of contestants try out for Simon, Paula, and Randy in just two days. Do you think all this “new talent” actually auditions for the “famous” judges? Auditions are not usually glamorous, and the people judging you might be assistants screening you for a next round of auditions.
Is American Idol an accurate assessment of talent?
Mar 3rd
On “American Idol”, the good singers always seem to make it to the final rounds of judging. However, in real life, so many people audition that even that talented ones might not make it to the final rounds. Luck is a huge component of the auditioning process. When hundreds of people are competing for a handful of roles, even the most qualified people, with the most extensive talent development, might be rejected.
In an article for MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22884182/), writer Andy Dehnart claims that new talent or “’untapped talent’ is not entirely what the series has found or seems to be searching for this season.”
According to Dehnart, one contestant, Kady Malloy, had already produced an album and attained a record deal with Arista. In 2003, “American Idol” contestant David Archuleta won a singing competition, which means that he was not new talent. He had already achieved some exposure.
What do revelations like this mean for you when you’re pursuing talent development or just starting to audition? Think about the other people coming to your audition. Though you are new talent, others might have lots of experience. In a fiercely competitive industry, ambitious people are fighting for even the smallest parts.
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