Tips & News
What Young Actors Can Do During Slow Times You may be wondering what your child actor should be doing during periods of weeks or months when calls for auditions are slower than usual. The extra time can be used for your kid to hone his or her abilities by enrolling in a GJC Talent Acting 4 Life class. Find an agent to represent your aspiring star, if he or she does not have one yet. Talk to GJC about how we promote talent. It's also a good idea to update zed cards for both actors & models. (Commercial print season begins February 1st.) Most importantly, stay positive, & encourage your child to take advantage of the slow times to fine tune his or her craft - whether it's a specialty of performing on film, television, stage, radio or all of these areas - so when the industry gets busy again, your little star will be ready to shine!
Vicki Fulkerson, GJC Talent manager & acting coach, will be taking her students, ages 10-16, on a trip to Los Angeles, CA in February 2009. If you are interested in joining them for a great opportunity to learn about the entertainment business, &/or would like to enroll in a class, contact Vicki at 317-641-3546 or GJCTalent@aol.com.
Don't Compare Your Child Actor to Other Talent If your klds are in the entertainment business (or if you are an actor or a model, yourself), it's important to understand the auditioning process of selection. Casting directors seek certain "looks" for different projects. Some auditions will call for actors with brown hair & brown eyes, others will search for talent with red hair & green eyes, etc. Your child could give the best performance of all the actors at an audition, but later wonder why he or she was passed up for a role. Do not take the rejection personally or make comparisons to others' talents. If a director is not looking for your kid's type of look during a certain audition, reassure him or her that another casting agent will - it's just a matter of time. The point is, teach your children to do the best they can with the skills they acquire & remind them that working in the entertainment industry is a journey, auditioning is a learning experience, & landing a part in a commercial, TV show or film is a bonus! These principles help my own three kids genuinely enjoy acting, which enhances their well-being in every day life.
As a personal note, I believe we are all wonderfully created by God, & that He has a plan for each of our lives. He blesses us with a variety of abilities to serve a unique purpose. What will your child (or you) do with his or her own talents?
Enroll your aspiring young star or model in our Acting 4 Life class today, & take advantage of the limited time special offer of 5 classes for the price of 4! Gift certificates are also available. Contact Vicki at 317-641-3546 or GJCTalent@aol.com.
How to Become an Extra in a Blockbuster Movie
For many, the dream of being in a film may seem far away. However, if you just want the movie experience, why not be an extra? It's a great opportunity to learn the behind-the-scenes of movie making. But to get an extra role in a big film, like Harry Potter, you will need to complete some basic steps:
1.) Familiarize yourself with casting agencies. Extras normally do not audition because they don't have lines to speak. Most extra roles are filled by casting agents. So you need to register with at least one. Sometimes a small fee is required. If an agency wants an outrageously high amount of money, DO NOT pay it. Find another company to represent you.
2.) Make an effort. Usually, extra parts will not easily fall in to your lap. You need to actively pursue it, which means calling casting agencies regularly to inquire if any work is available. Also try to acquire a wide variety of clothing styles. You may be asked, for instance, to go to a shoot wearing punk rock attire.
3.) Join the SAG union, if possible. It can be difficult for an extra to become a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), but it's not impossible. If, for example, you work three times on a union voucher because a SAG extra fails to show up, or if you speak a line, you may be able to get in. Your overall appeal, plus a little luck, can also increase your chances of becoming a union member.
4.) Do what you're asked. Be quiet on the set. Talking out of turn, moving around, or making noise can get you fired as an extra. It can be exciting to be on a film set with actors & production in full swing. But be respectful, & only speak when spoken to first. A rule of thumb on film sets is do not talk to the actors. They are there to do a job, & so are you.
5.) Enroll your aspiring child actor in a GJC Talent Acting 4 Life class! We are always looking for new ways to promote new local talent.
6 Tips for Strengthening Your Voice Have you ever been passed over for a role in a play because your voice wasn't srong enough? There are a lot of ways to train your voice, starting with these six steps:
1.) Practice singing 2 of your favorite songs wherever possible. Choose one that sounds similar to your voice & one that does not. Sing them exactly like the artist does, without pausing or dropping verses.
2.) Do some tongue twisters whenever you can, especially before rehearsals or auditions.
3.) Read Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Imp of The Perverse' aloud, until you can do it without mis-pronouncing any words. When you've achieved that, outdo yourself by rehearsing The Architect's Speech from 'The Matrix Reloaded.'
4.) Make sure your posture is good, & that you stand as erect as possible. This produces the longest, clearest "speaking channel" through the torso.
5.) Keep your throat moistened with plenty of pure water. (Hint: if you take a menthol cough drop after every performance, you will rarely, if ever, lose your voice.)
6.) Improve your breathing by inhaling for a count of 10, exhaling for a count of 15, then holding that breath for a count of 20. You don't need to breathe like this all the time, but perhaps 10 times a day (or whenever you remember to do it). It will also help increase your energy level.
By K.K
Click here to add text.Highlights from Our Trip to Los Angeles, CA
Many good things happened for GJC Talent students who made the trip to L.A.. with us in February 2009! All of the children auditioned at least once for a television or movie role, which really helped them advance to the next level in their careers. Chelsea Hasket, the newest talent of our group, has now grown from being a performer in school plays to a professional actor in Hollywood! Zach signed on with a TOP Hollywood agent, & his family is now thinking of relocating to Los Angeles. The Fulkerson children, Graylyn, Jordan & Corbin, auditioned for several T.V. networks, as well as a feature film role. Jordan ended his trip with a visit to the set of The Disney Channel's 'Suite Life on Deck,' where he was able to meet the stars of the show (pictured below).
There was such a unity between the GJC Talent students during our L.A. trip - no 'I's were emphasized in this group of kids. We believe that's why they all did so well, & we're very proud of each of them. Thank you, truly, for your prayers & support!
If you would like to hear more stories about our experiences in Los Angeles or audit one of our child Acting 4 Life classes, please contact Vicki at 317-631-3546 or GJCTalent@aol.com. Check class schedules & available times.
Jordan Fulkerson (in green shirt) with the cast of Disney's 'Suite Life on Deck' show.
Click here to add text.
Click here to add tex t.Acting 4 Life
Is your child shy? Does he or she have a lot of energy, but nowhere to focus it? Then the Acting 4 Life program may be perfect for him or her. Your child will learn great acting skills to utilize in school plays, local theater productions and auditions for commercial, T.V. and film roles. But he or she will also be taught must-have life skills, such as developing confidence, handling rejection, being a good friend and a leader, plus much more! Now that school is back in session, our kids will be exposed to many negative peer influences beyond our control. The Acting 4 Life program can make a positive impact on your child for life - one of the best investments you will ever make.
To find out more about Acting 4 Life, contact Vicki at 317-631-3546 or GJCTalent@aol.com. All 4 sessions packs are half-priced for a very limited time. These classes fill up fast, so act now!
