Succeed In A Singing Audition

Are you ready for your singing audition?

Going to a singing audition can be an intimidating and scary thing. However, with a few tips, and a few tricks of the trade, you can insure that your next singing audition will be a successful one.

Instructions

1. Prepare. Before even entering the room for a singing audition you should be completely and full prepared. You should know your audition piece backwards and forwards. You should also be prepared to answer any questions that the casting/decision panel may ask you during the auditions such as, "Why should we pick you?" or "Why do you love to sing?". Being prepared will insure that nothing will surprise you during your singing audition.

2. It's all in the key. When preparing for your singing audition, choose a key signature that shows off your range without getting so daring that there is even the slightest chance you will crack. This applies on both the high and the low end. A crack is the fastest way to turn your singing audition from memorable to a disaster.

3. Have confidence. Walk into the singing audition with confidence, without being cocky. You should be proud of your abilities, but divas, regardless of what people may say, do not have any better chance of getting a part than someone who is just calm and confident. Always keep your head up and make eye contact with each of the panel members.

4. Dress the Part. This does not mean dress in costume, it means dress professionally. For a singing audition you want to find a good balance between trendy and professional. Stay on top of current fashion trends and use them to your advantage. Women wear enough makeup to look your best, but not so much that you look like you are auditioning for an adult entertainment show. Men trim your facial hair or go clean shaven.

5. Don't Apologize. If you are feeling sick, or not at your best, don't tell those auditioning you about it. This is one of the biggest mistakes that many people make when doing a singing audition. Just do your best and remain confident.

6. Be Grateful. Once you finish your singing audition, thank those auditioning you, smile, and gracefully leave. Do not try to add anything else to why you should get the job unless specifically asked to by the casting panel.

Blend Heaven To Some Lake With Acrylic Offers

Blending is a much trickier task with acrylic paint than with oil paint, because acrylic dries quickly and oil dries slowly. When you are painting this subject, in order to blend the lake with the sky you will need to mix your paint with water to slow down the drying time. Mixing the paint with water also thins the paints, making it easier to blend one color another.

Instructions

1. Using a thick paintbrush, paint the base color for the lake and sky, using the same shade of blue.

2. Dip your paintbrush in white paint and a little water, then mix it with the shade of blue you just painted the lake and sky. Move your paintbrush across the sky in horizontal strokes, gradually lightening the color of the sky as it approaches the edge of the lake. Continue to add white to the paintbrush as you move down.

3. Dip your paintbrush in a dark brown or green paint, and add a little water. Blend this color with the color you used for the sky, darkening the color slightly. Do not mix in too much dark paint--this will be the color of the lake with the reflections of the sky on top. Thus, it will be a dark green or brown with a light blue mixed in.

4. Brush your paintbrush across the lake (starting from the bottom), covering the base color with the now darker hue you mixed on your palette. Apply the paint to the canvas in horizontal strokes. Notice that your previous layers of paint will by now be gummy, or even dry. Add white paint to the brush as you move to the top of the lake, slowly lightening the color of the water as it approaches the line of the sky.

5. With a medium-sized paint brush, mix more brown or green into the paint used on the lake.

6. Use the medium-sized paint brush to break up the surface of the lake with small wavy lines over the water. They should get smaller as they get farther away.

7. Dip a small paintbrush in white paint and accent the top of the waves you just created in step 6 by lining the waves with white paint.

Blend Acrylic Offers

Acrylic paints are ideal for blending because you have the option of using water to aid you. If the two colors you are blending are somewhat similar (blue and purple, red and orange, etc.) you won't need to use water to help you blend. However, if you are trying to blend two colors that are distant from each other on the color wheel, you may need to use a dab of clean water to help them blend together easier.

Instructions

Blend Acrylic Paints

1. Use a paintbrush to paint two solid blocks of color on a piece of paper, side by side. Before switching from one color to the next, thoroughly clean the paintbrush by repeatedly dunking it into a coffee mug filled with warm water. After the pigment has dissolved into the water, squeeze the bristles of the brush with a paper towel to ensure that all the previous color has been removed.

2. Empty the coffee mug, then add fresh water so that is clear once again, with no trace of the two colors. Use the clean paintbrush to gently stroke the line where the two colors meet. Use small, quick strokes to effectively blend the colors together, making your way down the entire line. The strokes need to all go in the same direction. Every five strokes or so, dip the paintbrush into the water and roll over the paper towel so that it absorbs most of the water from the brush.

3. Go over the line once more, this time using the same small, quick strokes, but in the opposite direction, using the same technique to periodically dampen the paintbrush. If any of the blending doesn't appear even and natural, dampen the paintbrush a little more and stroke until the color has blended smoothly.

Use Virtual Dj Software

Virtual DJ is a fabulous software for DJs and KJs at all levels. It allows you to make play lists, use video, and provides many other function--all from your laptop. Gone are the days of tons of bulky equipment. You can run your business more effectively by utilizing this software. However, there is a lot to learn before you start a show with this software.

Instructions

1. Pick your interface. When you first open your Virtual DJ Software, it will ask which skin you would like to use. The first is "DJ Basic," which is the simplest interface. Your next option is "Full." It has more bells and whistles along with more options. You can access the loop sampler and the effects from this skin. The third option is "Full Video." This has all the options of full, but there are boxes to show the active video and the video in each deck. The fourth option is "Internal Mixer." This option is probably the most professional looking of all the skins. It has all the options that the full skin, but it just looks nicer and it has a little more versatility. Once you pick the skin you want to use, it will take you into the software. You can change skins at any time b going into your configuration settings and clicking on the skins tab.

2. Adjust your audio settings. Go to the configuration settings by clicking on the "Config" tab at the top of the skin. This will bring up a window with different tabs. Click on the "Sound setup" tab. Go through the options and pick the correct configuration for your system. Make sure to test this before your first show. Just one miscalculated setting can mean that the volume settings are off, or even worse, only one speaker is getting signal.

3. Adjust your video settings. If you are doing karaoke, or if you have a video component to your show, you will need to input those settings. While still in the config menu go to the video tab. If the signal is going to another screen or to a TV you will need to activate those settings, otherwise the video will only play in a window on your desktop.

4. Set up your options. You have one last thing to do before you close out the config menu. Go to the "Options" tab, and make sure that the options listed meet your specifications. Do you want the gain to adjust each time song loads, or do you want to set the level for every song your play? Do you want to use the pitch corrector? Make sure all of the listed options are set properly and then click "OK."

5. Find your music. Go to the menu on the left hand side of your computer. If you want to search your whole computer, just click on "My computer." If you only what to search a particular drive (IE an external hard drive.), select it from that menu. Once you have selected your directory, type a song title into the bar in the browser. The song should appear in the box below the bar. If you have multiple versions of the song, they should all appear. If the song does not appear you may have to click on the actual drive and let the drive be searched by the software before it can be found. If you are still having issues, try clicking on the second dot after the song bar. A menu should drop down listing "Show Covers," "Show Music," "Show Karaoke," and "Show Video." Make sure there is a check mark by the format you want. Also, if you only want one format (just DJ music or just karaoke) only have that format checked.

6. Check out your effects. Virtual Dj has tons of great effects. You can access them through the effects tab on your skin. There is a keychanger, backspin, overloop and more. See what effects you need for your show. Using them is pretty straight forward, but you may need some practice to get your timing just right.

Learn Photography Configurations

Learning your digital camera settings by trial and error is the best way to understand new photo technology.

Digital photography settings vary slightly from settings on a film camera, allowing a smooth transition to digital. The best way to learn is to work with the settings and test the outcomes which serve your purposes. A short review of main camera settings is relevant to all photography, regardless of the type of camera you own or the pictures you produce.

Instructions

1. Turn your camera on and go to the "Menu" option on the LCD, or digital screen, on the back of the camera. Select the icon which resembles a tool box or tools and press the enter button. Each camera will vary slightly in the icons and selection buttons and most cameras will use an arrow button to indicate the enter function for your menu.

2. Scroll through the menu and select the "White Balance" settings. White balance tells your camera the type of light source that dominates the image and will adjust the digital settings in the camera to create a "true white" when the image is captured. Most settings are represented by an icon which reflects the situation. For example, a sunny day will have a white balance icon of the sunshine and a shaded setting will have an icon of a sun partially covered by a building. If your image's white tones seem off color, such as a yellow tone to a white wall in an office, check the white balance settings first to correct the problem.

3. Select the image size using the menu on the LCD. When a digital image is taken, the photo is stored in the camera at a certain size setting. Choose the least compressed setting at the largest pixel size your camera can handle. The icon which shows a pie wedge with a smooth edge is an uncompressed image and will not lose any image data when stored. As a rule of thumb, shoot your images at the largest size possible. An image may be re-sized for a smaller output in a digital imaging software program, but you can not make the image bigger if you need to enlarge it for a print and are working from a small file size.

4. Choose either a JPEG or RAW image file format for your photos. A JPEG photo will serve 90 percent of your photographic purposes and slightly compresses the image when it saves the file to a card. This format is easier to work with as the files load quickly and can be used in all photo editing programs. RAW file formats are used mainly by professional photographers and allow the artist to return to the original state of the image and recreate the settings under which the photo was taken. For example, if you shot an image under florescent lights and accidentally used an outdoor white balance setting thus creating a blue toned image, you can open the RAW image in an editing program and change the camera settings to reflect the proper white balance.

5. Format your digital media card after transferring your images to your computer. The digital media card replaces film as the image storage device for your photographs. Formatting the card after downloading the images will allow you to free up space on the card for future images. Avoid formatting the card in the computer, as the settings placed on the card by the computer might interfere with the camera's communication ability with the card to store your digital photos properly.

6. Test your digital camera settings by choosing an object and photographing it at various settings, adjusting the white balance, the image compressions and file formats. Open the images in a photo editing program and check the file settings in the program and compare the image outcomes of the different settings.

" Old World " Fresh paint Techniques

The term "old world" may be confusing to some. It does not officially describe any specific period of art history, so this particular classification can refer to just about anything premodern. The important thing to remember is that until the modern art period, paintings from the Western world were predominantly realistic in their portrayal of their subjects or were of a religious or mythological nature.

When trying to imitate the styles of any particular period, do your research first. Spend time studying, drawing what you see and reading about the paintings of that time period.

Ancient Art

Most ancient art available today is in the form of pottery and sculpture, but some ancient frescoes and paintings on wood and ceramics still exist. A key element to remember when you imitate the painting style of ancient masters is that they often used egg temperas, not oil paint. Their paintings were typically flat in appearance, and blending colors was tricky. Furthermore, the subjects in ancient paintings were somewhat stylized.

To imitate ancient styles, pick a subject that is grounded in ancient mythology. Use a flat background, and create a stylized, almost cartoonish portrayal of your subjects.

Medieval Art

Medieval art is nearly always religious in nature. Flat color still predominated because of the use of tempera paints and gold-leaf adornments. Linear perspective as it exists today was not discovered until the 15th century, so attempts to create depth and perspective were often distorted. Another quirky habit of medieval painters: They often proportioned children like small adults.

To imitate traditional medieval paintings, choose religious subjects. Paintings should be flat and somewhat stylized. Employ heavy use of symbolism.

Renaissance and Baroque Art

During the renaissance, oil paints became standard. They allowed artists to blend colors easily and create natural-looking shadows. With the discovery of linear perspective, paintings became highly realistic. Subjects were often secular or taken from the mythology of antiquity. Renaissance art and baroque art are often similar in appearance, but baroque art tends to involve more artistic flourishes and embellishments.

To imitate renaissance and baroque painting styles, paint your subjects highly realistically, with accurate use of linear perspective. Oil paints on canvas are appropriate.

Develop A Pit Bike Frame

A classic square pit bike stand holds up a motocross bike.

A pit bike frame or stand helps stabilize a motorcycle when it's being worked on or repaired at a race track. Making your own stand involves being able to weld metal together to give it strength. While the equipment also provides a handy vehicle brace for work at home in a garage, pit frames or stands tend to be most commonly used in the pit area of a race track as an easy way to prop up a motorcycle out in the open.

Instructions

1. Place the four-foot-long 1-inch diameter pipe in a metal bender machine. Compress the pipe so that it bends into a u-turn at the middle.

2. Reposition the pipe in the bender machine and bend the two ends upward, perpendicular to the u-curve in the middle. When done, the arms should form a 90-degree curve on each side.

3. Line up the bent pipe to the back of your motorcycle. Measure the upward bent end so that it meets underneath the rear fork in such a way that it would lift the tire off the ground.

4. Trim off the excess parts of the pipe that extend longer than the meeting point with the rear fork, using a hacksaw. Cut the extra material off after it exceeds three to four inches above the fork.

5. Attach square metal plates to the top of the tubes that will meet with the rear fork, using a welder. Additionally, weld a two-foot section of pipe to the back side of the u-curve in the first pipe to function as a tool handle.

6. Clean up the pipe with a rag after welding. Position it underneath the back wheel of your motorcycle and push down while propping up the rear fork and wheel. Check that the stand works properly and is stable.

The Famous Mexican Folk Art

Mexican folk art includes pottery, sculpture, textile arts and much more.

Mexican folk art celebrates the heritage and spiritual beliefs of a proud people. Many artisans are Mestizos, persons of Mexican-Indian ancestry. They draw upon Spanish and Indian influences to create masterpieces that reflect their culture---from the colorful masks of the Nahua Indians to the crafted-metal thank offerings, or milagros, of the Catholic artists.

Mesoamerican Roots

The folk art of Mexico is a culmination of traditions that began with the ancient Olmecs of Mesoamerica. Olmec influence is pronounced; they created many of the motifs still seen today. Sculptures of humans with gigantic heads and animals in unusual poses were common Olmec subjects. These persisted in later Aztec designs.

After Hernando Cortes claimed the land for Spain, Catholicism dominated Mexican art. Due to Spain's trade with the Philippines, Asian characteristics also show up. Modern trends indicate a more cosmopolitan slant, although the Olmec and Aztec influences remain strong.

Metal, Pottery and Glass

Mexican artists still rely upon their heritage for inspiration. They use tin and copper to fashion ornaments just as they did centuries ago. They work silver and gold into jewelry using traditional methods. Wrought iron smithies flourish in places like Chiapas and Oaxaca.

Potters use materials such as squirrels' tails to apply paints. In the northern state of Chihuahua, artists such as Juan Quezada, create new ceramic styles that resemble ancient pieces. They often depict mythological scenes.

Natural Fibers and Wood

Thanks to Mexico's abundant forests, wood remains a common folk art material to create bowls, toys and statues. The religious influence has spawned a thriving industry in crèches, crosses and nativity figurines. Folk art has long exploited the use of paper, too. Artists mold fantasy creatures called alebrijes out of newspaper and paint them brilliantly.

Textiles are among the most easily recognizable Mexican folk arts. Craftsmen weave fibers from agave plants into baskets and hats and use wool to produce rugs and serapes. Dyes made from plant materials create bold color patterns that reflect Mexican heritage.

Other Art Forms

Artisans use coconut shells, seeds and gourds to fashion intricate bowls and infant rattles. They also carve volcanic rock or stone to replicate ancient statues and polish them with corncobs. Other craftsmen use jaguar skins to make musical instruments. The Kikapú Indians, some of whom once populated the Great Lakes of North America, create moccasins that resemble those of their northern cousins. The variety of Mexican art is as diverse as the people themselves.

Future Trends

Much of the Mexican folk art created today is mass-produced for export, but artisans throughout the country keep alive the ties to ancient Mesoamericans. Tarascan, Zoque and Huichol Indians still use the time-tested methods their ancestors perfected. Through these and many other contemporary artists, the culture, history and traditions of Mexico endure in its folk art.

Let The Creativity Flow Inside A Monologue

A monologue is something most actors both love and hate. It's a double-edged sword. While it's a juicy piece of acting that we can sink our teeth into, it's also the basis that casting directors and agents will be judging the whole of our talent upon. Choosing the right monologue is important to an actor's career. Making sure your monologue stands apart from the crowd is all the more important. That's why you should put all your talent and creativity to use in a monologue. Here you will learn let your creative forces shine through in your monologue!

Instructions

1. Find the right monologue for you. No matter how much you love "Frankie and Johnny," it's just not going to work for you if you are a seventeen-year-old model. If you are an older man, don't try delivering James Dean's "Rebel Without A Cause" scenes. You have to be honest with yourself. However, by no means should you try to stereotype yourself. Challenge popular notions about what somebody with your assets and limitations can do. Yet, don't try to deliver a monologue for a play you would never be cast in. It will do nothing but show casting directors that you have unrealistic expectations for your career, or that you aren't capable of playing the roles you are likely to get. In finding a monologue, there are lots of options. You can find books of monologues in any library or book store. If you choose a monologue from a book of them, make sure to go to the source and read the original play. You want to understand and grasp the character. If you are an extremely talented writer, or have friends that are, consider using your own monologue. It will be original, hopefully different, and can often stand apart from the Juliet tributes.

2. Break the monologue down into beats. Like many actors do with a script, discover what each line means. You have the luxury of in-depth study of this character. The stakes are high, and you want to make sure you do everything possible to make it great!

3. Take the character from the monologue to an acting class, and work on the character until you feel that you know the essence of who they are and where they are coming from in the monologue. You need to be connected to the character.

4. Practice your monologue in front of family, then friends, then trusted people in the profession, such as your teachers. Get feedback, and keep re-working the monologue. The last thing you want to do is appear green in audition, so know that monologue as well as you know anything else about your career aspirations.

5. Mix it up. If you get feedback from someone, take it in. Does it make sense? Be objective. Don't be afraid to switch up aspects of your interpretation. Make sure you flex your acting muscle by practicing often.

6. Perform your monologue. Get involved in showcases and "agents' nights," although be careful of which ones you choose. Do all you can to get to perform your monologue in front of industry professionals. That is how you will truly grow and learn, as well as finding which monologue works best in getting you working as an actor.

Stepbystep On Faux Wood Grain

Prime, paint and glaze your surface before applying faux wood-grain.

Create the look of real wood by adding a painted faux wood-grain finish to various surfaces in your home. Home decorators use faux wood-grain techniques as an alternative to using expensive real wood and veneer finishes in their projects. Apply faux wood-grain to surfaces such as doors, shelves, kitchen cabinets, decorative accessories and walls. In just a few steps, the surface will have the look of genuine wood.

Instructions

1. Apply two coats of white wall primer using a paint roller. Allow drying time between coats according to product manufacturer recommendations. Allow the primer to cure overnight.

2. Apply one coat of yellow latex paint to the surface using a roller. Choose a shade of dark, golden yellow or a brownish yellow for your base color. Allow to dry for at least three or four hours.

3. Apply burnt umber faux glaze to the surface using a wide paintbrush. Brush in the direction that you will be painting your grain. This glaze is your topcoat.

4. Drag a paint comb across your topcoat at a 45-degree angle. Drag it along the edges of inaccessible surfaces, such as a side edge of a door or a corner of a wall. Pull the comb from the top to the bottom of the surface you're covering. Make a wavy pattern in the direction that the grain will go as you pull. This step will create veins in the glaze.

5. Place a rocker tool at the top edge of the surface, slightly overlapping the area that you combed, and pull the tool through the glaze, rocking it as you drag it. Make one continuous pull, starting from the top of your surface to the bottom. Continue pulling the tool from top to bottom of the surface to add texture to the whole surface.

Look For A Hiphop Dance Camp

Find a Hip-Hop Dance Summer Camp

Hip-hop music, also known as rap, became a part of modern culture during the '80s and as become popular over the years. Hip-hop dance, once known as "break dancing," has evolved into its own unique dance form. Finding a summer camp that caters to this specific art form has become easier over the years.

Instructions

1. Determine what type of hip-hop camp to attend. To help you decide, think about whether you want a camp close to home or if it can be anywhere in the U.S., how long you want the camp to last and what kind of budget you have.

2. Visit dance studios and see what kind of summer programs they offer. Some only offer dance classes, but others, like Hop to the Beat Dance Studio in Massachusetts, also offer day camps and summer camps specifically geared towards hip-hop.

3. Research performing arts schools online. Many of these offer some type of dance classes including hip-hop and some also have summer camp programs. The School of Cinema & Performing Arts not only has an intensive summer dance program that focuses primarily on jazz and hip-hop geared towards learning choreography at a professional pace, they also do weekly video shots so students can take home a DVD portfolio.

4. Check hip-hop news sites like ALLHIPHOP News. This site features daily news specifically about hip-hop music and events including an article about a summer camp started by one of the guys from Run-D.M.C.

5. Find a summer camp referral service, such as the National Camp Association's service. You can get free personalized guidance and referrals to camps worldwide by using their Camp Quest search engine on their site or by contacting them at (800) 966-2267. They also offer articles and helpful advice about choosing a summer camp online.

6. Search the American Camp Association site, which offers a camp finder tool with detailed information about each camp.

Color Grey In Blonde Hair

While blond hair does the best job of hiding gray hairs, it still doesn't make them what most women would prefer them to be- invisible. Having grays scattered throughout the hair can sometimes make the hair appear uneven. Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse or halt gray hairs from growing. The best way to relieve yourself of this nuisance is to simply dye over the grays once a month or so.

Instructions

1. Put on a smock or old t-shirt to protect yourself from staining against the hair dye. Open a box of blonde hair dye that is specially formulated for 100 percent gray protection. Read the instructions very carefully and put on the pair of supplied gloves.

2. Mix the bottle of dye according to the instructions. Carefully apply the mixture evenly through hair, using a comb to help distribute the dye if necessary. Make sure that you completely saturate all of your hair from the roots to the tips. Loosely pile hair on top of head and secure with a hair clip.

3. Wait for the amount of time given in the instructions, usually anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes. Rinse the dye out in the shower until the water is running completely clear. Slather on the supplied color conditioner and leave on for at least three minutes. Rinse hair thoroughly and style as usual.

Be Considered A Chair Filler For That Oscars

The Academy Awards annual ceremony is a gala event that attracts the world's top celebrities. In the event that some people do not attend or others have to leave their seat during the ceremony, the Academy employs seat fillers so the auditorium appears full. Although most seat fillers at the Academy Awards are ABC employees or Academy members, there is still room for people like you. If you work your way up as a seat filler, attending smaller events first, you may be able to make it to the Academy Awards.

Instructions

1. Join a seat filler program or organization for potential opportunities to be a seat filler. Getting the hang of the seat filler role and attending smaller scale events builds your reputation and confidence. Seat Filler and the Dynamic People Club are two popular seat filler groups.

2. Develop a formal attire wardrobe. Even though you're a seat filler, you still need to look your best. For men, a high-end tuxedo, nice haircut and shiny shoes are a must. For women, a formal gown or designer cocktail dress may work, depending on the occasion. As a seat filler, you have to blend in with a crowd of the best-dressed people in the world.

3. Build your seat filling history and credentials by attending other awards ceremonies and televised events that use seat fillers. After you've established yourself as an experienced seat filler, opportunities may open up.

Clean Your Brushes After Using Oil Offers

Dirty Paint Brushes

Paint brushes can be an slippery, colorful mess after oil painting. Here's a way to clean them up and keep them in good shape for future art works.

Instructions

1. First, wipe off any excess paint with dry rags. Oil paint is flammable, so the rags should either be immediately disposed of in an outside garbage can, or stored safely in an tightly sealed container.

2. Oil paint is not water soluble, and brushes and tools must be cleaned with something that cuts oil—like turpentine. Turpentine can be reused over and over, and one way to make the best use of it is to build a simple brush wash. You'll need a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and a clean, short tin can, such as a tuna can or cat food cat, that fits inside the jar. Poke holes in the bottom of the can using a hammer and nail (pressing through the outside of the bottom, so that the rough edges are inside the can), then place the can inside the jar, with the open end pointing down, so as to create a false bottom.

3. Fill the jar with turpentine to at least an inch or two above the top of the can. Now take your oily brushes and swirl them around in the turpentine, pressing the bristles lightly into the bottom of the can. The paint with sink to the bottom of the jar, leaving the turpentine above the can clear and ready for brush cleaning. Keep the jar tightly lidded when not in use.

4. Now you need to clean the turpentine off your brushes. This can be done with castile soap and water, or you can use specially designed paintbrush cleaner, available at art supply stores. Fill a cup or jar with warm water, then soap up your brushes, rinsing and resoaping as often as needed, until your brushes are no longer oily and are free of pigment. (Although some pigments may stain your brushes, especially if you are using natural hair bristles. Don't worry too much about this, so long as your brushes otherwise feel and smell clean.) Make sure to rinse the soap out completely.

5. Commercially available brush cleaner can also be used to condition and shape your brushes. Using clean suds, saturate the bristles and sculpt them into shape, allowing the suds to dry on the bristles.

6. Don't forget to wash your hands well, too. You might want to use a special "painting only" towel to dry off, just in case there's a little bit pigment left under your fingernails or behind your knuckles.

7. Dump out your rinse water, and allow your brushes to dry bristle end up. If you conditioned your brushes with brush cleaner, remember to brush out the dried suds before using the paintbrushes.

Make Polymer Clay Beads

Making basic beads with polymer clay is a project to do with children or any age group. The process for making a basic polymer clay bead is very simple. Read on to learn make polymer clay beads.

Instructions

1. Buy polymer clay from your local craft store or order it online. Keep in mind the project you are planning and who is going to be making it when choosing your polymer clay colors. A square of polymer clay makes quite a few small beads. You may need more for larger beads or larger projects. You might want to buy smaller packages of the polymer clay to begin with. You can always get more if you need it.

2. Open the package of polymer clay and work it in the palm of your hand until it is softer. Some forms of polymer clay are very stiff when you first open them. They need to be made pliable by working them in your hands. The kneading and the warmth of your hands will soften the polymer clay.

3. Choose the size of bead you would like to make. Take a small chunk of the softened polymer clay in your hand. Roll it with the palms of both hands until you form a smooth ball. If you want more than one color in the bead, add bits of another color in small globs or strips. Then roll them into the same bead until it is smooth. They do not have to be perfectly round. Make as many beads or bead combinations as you like. These are great for bracelets or necklaces.

4. Take a toothpick or small skewer and carefully poke a hole all the way through each bead. This is where you will put thread or wire through when making a bracelet, necklace or earrings after the beads are baked and cooled. Don’t forget this step. Once the clay is baked it hardens and unless you drill it, you won’t be able to poke a hole through the bead.

5. Set the beads spaced apart on a cookie sheet or pie tin. Cook at the temperature and for the time specified on the polymer clay package wrap. Let them sit to cool. Then you have beads ready for whatever beading project you are making with the handmade polymer clay beads.

Be Considered A Male Supermodel

Male models are always in high demand.

The fashion world is a fast-paced industry that is always looking for the next big model. That person could be you if you play your cards right and stay persistent towards your end goal. While many men can qualify as a model, it takes a certain look to become a supermodel. If you feel you fit the description of the supermodel then take the proper steps to pursue your dreams. The benefits of the supermodel are far superior to other industry models because the supermodel is just that -- super.

Instructions

1. Meeting industry standards is not a requirement for models that appear in advertisements and editorial spreads, but supermodels have specific requirements. Maintaining your body is high priority in the fashion world because supermodels typically walk the runway in fashion shows. They are required to remove their shirt, wear tight or next-to-nothing bottoms and fit into sample sizes. Keep in tip top shape by working out steadily to keep your muscles tight and toned.

2. Measure yourself to make sure you fall into the preferred high category of 5 feet, 10 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches for runway models. Supermodels are not short and not extremely tall. Booking agents look for slightly above average height so men can relate to the models and picture themselves wearing the clothing.

3. Know your age limitations for a supermodel career. Most supermodels will range from age 25 to 35; however, the booking agent may call for a younger man or older man depending on what the job requires. Younger male models will range from 15 to 25 years old, and older male models are age 35 and older.

4. Create a portfolio with several head shots and body shots. These are your resume; therefore, have the pictures professionally done to ensure a good quality photograph. You will want a clear, straightforward head shot, a full body shot with minimal clothing and a full body shot in a suit or casual clothing. Always wear clothing that is clean, pressed and classic. Avoid trendy styles or you will be paying for new photos annually. In addition, always attach a label to the back of your photos with your name, phone number, height and weight and clothing size.

5. Call modeling agencies to find out when they will have an open casting call. Agencies are extremely busy and typically do not take new models unless they are referred or appear at a casting call. The casting call is a way to talk with agents and sign up with an agency if you are what they are looking for at the time. If you are not able to attend an open casting call, request a new booking agent or find out where you can send your head shot. New booking agents are people who have recently been hired with a modeling agency to find new talent. They may not be able to get you many jobs right away, but they can get your foot in the door for bigger opportunities.

6. Stay persistent with your modeling career. Do not sit around and wait for someone to call you; chances are they will not and will move on to the next person. Follow up with any mailings or calls you place to modeling agencies.

Be Considered A Male Model

Male models need to build portfolios.

Models show or promote clothes, products or services and pose for artwork. Although female models make more headlines, male models are beginning to receive just as much attention in the fashion industry. Male models pose for images displayed on books, advertisements, magazines and TV. Types of modeling men can do include fashion, glamour, fitness and body-part (like hands) modeling. The world of male modeling is competitive and exciting.

Instructions

1. Know why you want to be a model. Potential modeling agencies and clients will want to know this about you. Keep in mind that modeling is more than just wearing nice clothes and having your picture taken. Consider the unglamorous parts of the male modeling world when thinking about your reasons for pursuing a career in this field.

2. Get headshots taken. Headshots are close-up photographs that show how you look naturally. The back of your headshot should include information about you: name, address, email address, website (if applicable), phone number(s), height, measurements (chest, waist and hips), clothing sizes and shoe size.

3. Find representation. Find a modeling or talent agency that represents male models. Big-name agencies will have casting calls periodically that will require you to go to the agency's office in person. The scouts will ask you questions, look at your pictures and ask you to walk around the room for them.

4. Build your portfolio. A portfolio is a photo album you show potential clients. It acts as a resume. Include all of your best pictures, pictures that have appeared in catalogs and pictures taken for magazines in your portfolio.

5. Establish clients. New male models must first meet with potential clients in person, like a job interview. Follow their instructions on what to wear. Act professional and friendly; attitude goes a long way in this business. Tyra.com states that you should never be forgettable. Be clean-shaven, have a clean face and clean hair. After you have established a base of clients, it will be easier to find more clients nationally.

Be Considered A Karaoke Dj

Karaoke has become increasingly popular over the past decade.

A karaoke DJ business can be operated from your home, and there are few prerequisites that need to be met in order to become successful in this industry. Potentially, karaoke events can be organized around other commitments such as a part-time or even full-time job. Being a karaoke DJ is an exciting and lucrative career; however, consideration is needed to ensure a positive experience at every event without fail, which in turn builds a better reputation for the business and leads to more prestigious gigs.

Instructions

1. Invest in the equipment needed to run the karaoke business. The budget should be between $2,000 and $10,000. You will need a car or van to transport the equipment to each gig, though if money is tight it is possible to use taxis or borrow cars from friends or family. If you intend to pursue this business as a career, start a sole-trading company, which entitles you to tax deductions on equipment you rent or purchase that are related to the business.

2. Promote your services through more than one medium. Create a website that lists at the very least your contact information and your song catalog. Pricing and availability can be discussed by telephone. Register your website with Google Places, which is free and will significantly enhance your visibility to potential clients. Use print publications such as local newsletters, newspapers and the yellow pages, because not everyone uses the Internet. When you receive a booking, make sure you discuss pricing and secure a 20 percent deposit of the total fee at least 24 hours before performing.

3. Perform your gig with your customers. A confident and enthusiastic personality is essential, and often you will have to sing the first few songs while the venue patrons relax their inhibitions. After each song, lead the rest of the audience into applause to maintain a supportive atmosphere in which the customers feel increasingly more comfortable with socializing and performing. Be concise with closing time, because the venue owner will want to keep to a strict schedule to comply with licensing laws and staff hours.

4. Follow up performances and further develop your network of contacts and potential clients by distributing professionally printed business cards with your name, contact details, and of course the service you provide. Furthermore, retain the contact details of all potential and current clients, especially e-mail addresses. With these details, you can continuously promote your services with e-mail marketing. Never spam your contacts, as this will damage your reputation.

Be Considered A Graffiti Artist Easily

Graffiti has become a widely celebrated, exhibited and collected art form.

To be a graffiti artist is easy, but to be a great graffiti artist takes practice. There are a few simple steps that can start anyone on the path to becoming a graffiti artist. Creativity, above all, is the most important thing to embrace in the process. Artists should be comfortable with exploring and implementing new techniques if they want to progress with their practice. Once an artist taps into his personal source of inspiration, his work as a graffiti artist can be unstoppable.

Instructions

1. Become familiar with different styles of graffiti. There is graffiti all around, especially if you live in an urban area. Look at examples of graffiti on the street, online and in books to get an idea of the different styles and techniques that other artists use.

2. Practice writing your name on paper, and experiment with some of the writing styles you've seen. Experiment with different fonts, capital letters, lowercase letters, thick and thin lines. Eventually you should find the style that looks best as your name and your own style will soon grow from that.

3. Practice your favorite graffiti designs over and over, until you can re-create them without looking at your sketch. Once in a while, you may find yourself improvising and adding on to the original design; just let the creativity flow. Keep these sketches in pencil so that you can easily erase and alter as you go.

4. Use markers, pencil crayons or pens to finish and embellish your designs. You may find that you gravitate to a certain color palate or shading technique.

5. Choose one of your favorite designs and re-create it on a piece of canvas. Start using spray paint with different caps to fill in the color and details. This is where you'll learn which combination of spray paints and caps will give you the final look you want.

6. Create stencils for any detailed shapes or images that you want to incorporate into your artwork. Stencils can be made by using a utility knife to cut images out of cardboard, stiff card stock or acetate. Hold the stencil flat against your painting and fill the cut out area of the stencil with an even layer of spray paint.

7. Appeal to local business owners and art galleries to allow you to re-create your artwork on their exterior or interior walls. This will draw attention to your artwork and help you to become a recognized graffiti artist.

8. Try to meet other graffiti artists in your area. Many graffiti artists are part of a group, or crew, who work together on murals and community art projects.

Be Considered A Good Stylish Hop Dancer

Hip-hop dancing is everywhere. It is a part of popular culture. Regardless of your income level or social status, you probably have experience with hip-hop dance. On the television, in the club or even at popular fitness classes, hip-hop dance is there. While hip-hop dancing isn't difficult, it does take effort to be a good hip-hop dancer. Hip-hop dancers have rhythm, flow of body movement and a look of ease. This article explains be a good hip-hop dancer.

Instructions

1. Take a class. There are several options for hip-hop classes because of its popularity. Dance studios offer technically sound hip-hop classes where students learn the moves in detail and very specific form rules. Fitness classes give students a simple hip-hop class with very little one-on-one instruction, but plenty of high-intensity cardio dance moves that can work in the club or on a stage. Universities and specialty schools have hip-hop classes that teach hip-hop according to experience level. These classes vary from being very close to dance studio classes to informal instruction with little assistance.

2. Practice the moves. Nothing improves dance like practice. Invest in a mirror so that you can check your form even when you're alone. Videotaping moves is also a common practice, and this makes issues visible even when you're practicing alone.

3. Invest in private lessons. Private hip-hop dance lessons can be a very helpful experience. There are a few things to consider before taking private lessons, however. Your instructor should have plenty of professional experience and several satisfied clients willing to give out personal references. The best way to choose an instructor for private lessons is by word of mouth. If someone you trusted benefited from the instruction, listen closely. A personal reference is the best endorsement for an instructor.

4. Go to the club. Dance clubs offer an atmosphere where people can watch and learn as well as get up and try the moves. It's a great place to practice current hip-hop dance moves and pick up a few new ones. Hip-hop dancers have to be current with their dance skills, so new material is a must. Clubs also allow a fun place where dancers can relax and just have fun, making learning an exciting experience.

5. Watch the masters. Hip-hop dance is a public fascination, and there are hip-hop dance stars everywhere. Take a look at music videos, both at the stars and the backup dancers. Entertainment show guests commonly perform hip-hop routines. Music concerts feature dancers who are at the top of hip-hop dancing. Talent shows that focus on dance feature not only dancers but choreographers who specialize in hip-hop. Whatever source, hip-hop dance stars are everywhere.

Be Considered A Contestant Around The "Brainsurge" Game

If you've watched "BrainSurge" and imagined being a contestant on the show, you can actually fulfill that dream through the show's audition process. Nickelodeon produces "BrainSurge," a show for kids that tests the comprehension and recollection abilities of the contestants with puzzles and quizzes, eliminating a contestant at the end of each round. It's a good show for kids to play along with at home, but if you want to actually be one of the kids on TV, you will need to go through the audition process.

Instructions

1. Determine if auditions are currently going on for a new season of "BrainSurge" by visiting the TV show's auditions website, nickcontestants.com. If there are no auditions yet, it will say that auditions are closed. Click on "Join Our Email List" to be notified when auditions begin again.

2. Go to Disney Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles, Calif. -- where the show is filmed -- at the time and dates provided by the website if auditions are taking place to audition in person. You must be between the ages of 11 and 14.

3. Create a video showcasing your talents and submit it to the show via the website as a "virtual audition" if you don't want to go all the way to California. Someone from the show will contact you if the show is interested in having you on as a contestant.

Be Considered A Contestant On Abc'S Extreme Transformation

"Extreme Makeover" has helped numerous families in need obtain the home of their dreams. You may have watched the show and wished that were you receiving such a home. While the program receives thousands of applications, you have nothing to lose by sending in one of your own. If you and your family could use a home makeover, here's what to do to become a contestant on the hit show.

Instructions

1. Go to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's official website (See Resources).

2. Download and fill out the 19-page application. Be prepared to spend time on it. The application will ask you questions about your family, your history, your current situation, your finances and why you are deserving of a home makeover.

3. Read over the application release agreement carefully. Have everyone in your family, including minor children, sign it. If you are considered the head of the household, you will also need to sign the location agreement. This gives the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" crew permission to enter your home, conduct interviews, construct sets and use images of your likeness in its program and for publicity.

4. Attach photographs that depict every member of your family.

5. Make a video. Follow the guidelines listed in the application for content and format. Your video must include a family greeting and good-bye shot and a tour of your home. You and your family must also go over your story and why you need a home makeover. While making a video isn't required, your application is more likely to be considered if you do.

6. Mail the complete application package to the address given on the official website (see Resources). Note that all materials become property of the production company and cannot be returned. It's a good idea to make copies of all documents, photos and the video.

Begin Learning Miracle

Begin Learning Magic

Though too broad to perfectly explain in a article, beginning to learn magic is not all that difficult. The actual learning can be very hard, but beginning to learn will aid your development. This tutorial will serve as a kickstart to your magical heart.

Instructions

1. Ask yourself why you want to do magic. For me, it was in order to have a lasting effect on people the way David Copperfield had on me.

2. Learn the history of magic. Not magic tricks-magic in general. Why does it work? How does it work? What are great techniques?

3. Get some props and START SLOW. Weightlifters slowly work their way up to heavier weights; they do not bombard themselves early on.

4. Read some of my simpler magic tutorials and practice on a close friend or family member.

5. Learn and master techniques such as double lifting and forcing, since they are like Magic DNA.

6. Never move to the next level (intermediate or advanced), unless you are ready. You will know when you are ready because you will be able to teach someone else.

7. Embrace failure-it teaches much more than success.

Start A Wood Burning Craft

Add a pattern to a piece of wood with a wood-burning tool.

An artfully-completed wood-burning craft adds a decorative element to a space with its distinctive appearance of black-etched crevices. Using pyrography pens, special devices that heat to the proper temperature, artisans create anything from a simple pattern on a jewelry box to an elaborately drawn picture. Wood burning is a craft that even beginners can tackle and potentially master quite quickly.

Instructions

1. Set up the space where you'll complete the craft. Wood-burning tips heat up to temperatures between 600 and 900 degrees according to Classic Carving Patterns. Use a stone or tile surface to avoid accidentally burning the area. Place a piece of fine-grit sand paper in your crafting area for clearing the debris from your pen as you complete the craft.

2. Choose a piece of wood to begin. Basswood, butternut and sugar pine are all good options because their pale colors enhance the appearance of the lines and shading.

3. Trace your desired picture or pattern onto the wood using a pencil. This serves as a guide while completing the project and any remaining lines can easily be erased when complete.

4. Choose the tip of your pyrography pen and install. This will not be necessary if using a beginner wood burning tool as it only includes one non-removable tip. More advanced models may include interchangeable tips that create stroke widths, textures and shadings.

5. Plug the pyrography pen into an outlet close to your craft area. Let the pen heat up, according to the instructions on your specific model. Avoid using an extension cord if possible. If necessary, only use a heavy-grade model as the pen uses a significant amount of power.

6. Place the wood in front of you in your crafting space and sit or stand in a comfortable position.

7. Hold the pyrography pen as you would an ordinary writing pen avoiding the tip. Place your wrist on the wood as a way to keep your hand steady as you draw the pen towards you. Continue to draw the pen towards you to complete each stroke.

Make Use Of Your Mac Keyboard Like A Midi Device In Professional Tools

If you want to create music in ProTools then it is recommended that you use a MIDI controller keyboard. This way you can easily play your compositions on an actual keyboard. However, if you want to use your Mac keyboard as a MIDI device, then you need to get a MIDI keyboard controller application. These are basic applications that mimic an actual MIDI keyboard with the keys on your Mac laptop or computer. Once you have a MIDI keyboard controller installed you can start using it in ProTools.

Instructions

1. Click "Applications," then launch your MIDI keyboard controller application. If you need to download one, three options are located in Resources.

2. Click "Applications," then click "ProTools."

3. Select a MIDI track in ProTools. ProTools will automatically recognize new MIDI controllers.

4. Click your MIDI controller program from the Dock.

5. Press the keys on your keyboard to use it as if it were a piano keyboard. Your application should show a diagram to show each key representation.

End Up Being The Best Actor You May Be

Become the Best Actor You Can Be

To become the best actor that you can be, you first have to believe in yourself. Talent, hard work and persistence are also critical.

Instructions

See Your Name in Lights

1. Believing in yourself is the key. The mind is a powerful thing. You have to stay positive. If you think that you are not going to make it, then you probably will not make it. If you do think you are going to make it, then you just might. If you want anybody to believe in you then you have to believe in yourself first.

2. Hone your talent. Find what you do best and what kind of roles are your strong suit.

3. Work hard. Just because acting is really fun does not mean you do not have to work hard. Study your lines; know them backwards and forwards. Find a partner to study with you. Take acting classes. Even your high school or community college classes will help a great deal. Meeting a lot of other like-minded people will also enhance your career. Look for auditions everyday. Acting is a never-ending search for jobs.

4. Be strong, do not give up! You never know when you will get your big break. Sometimes it takes 100 "no’s" to get one "yes." That one "yes" could make your acting career. Remember that rejection happens to everybody; you are not alone. To be a great actor you have to be persistent.

Be A Virtual Dj

Music

A virtual DJ streams music into a virtual world. Inside of Second Life you can hear music being streamed throughout this 3D virtual world in different places such as nightclubs, tropical beaches and shopping malls. In Second Life there is not a single day that passes by that a virtual DJ is not performing a set. With the right tools and skills you can become a virtual DJ in Second Life.

Instructions

Virtual DJ in Second Life

1. Clear space on your computer that will allow you to download both Second Life onto your hard-drive and a music stream software. You will also need to have space for a music program such as iTunes to save your playlist. You can create a Second Life account at the virtual worlds website.

2. Buy a microphone for your computer if you do not have a built in microphone. Many nightclubs and lounges inside of Second Life requires the DJ to speak during there sets. This helps the DJ to connect to the audience, which helps with receiving tips in the form of Lindens. Second Life has it's own currency called Lindens that you can use to buy items inside of the virtual world

3. Select a streaming software for playing the music form your music library. You can purchase the software such as virtual DJ or use free streaming music software such as Shoutcast. Each streaming software has different features but provide quality sound. A majority of DJ's in Second Life use SAM Broadcaster because of its special features for online broadcasting such as MP3, mp3PRO and Windows Media 9.

4. Add a payment type to your Second Life account using a credit card or a paypal account to buy Lindens for your DJ avatar. Rent a stream from a vendor inside of Second Life. The stream that you rent will provided a IP address, the port address and the password of the server you will stream your music with. You will input this information into your streaming software.

5. Communities inside of Second Life are referred to as land parcels. Each land parcels has the capability of having music streamed into the land. As a virtual DJ in Second Life you will need to add your stream to the land parcel. While standing on the land click on the "World" tab to open a drop down menu and select "About Land" to open the about land box.

6. Inside of the about land box click on the tab labeled "Media" this will open the audio portion of the about land box. Locate the "Media URL" box and insert the streaming server URL. However, if you do not own the land, you will need to provide your stream URL address to the land owner or the club manager.

Sundance Film Festival Rules

The Sundance Film Festival, held in Park City, Utah, every January, hosts many independent and international film makers. Both feature-length and short films are allowed to participate in the festival, the nation's largest, with six sections for competition and one for non-competitive titles. There are no rules for the Sundance Film Festival other than submission guidelines.

Applying

The Sundance Film Festival does not accept paper applications. To have a film considered for the next upcoming event, film makers must submit their information through the online form available on the festival website. Submissions are based on category and also carry a submission application fee, which varies based on film type and whether the film is submitted early, on-time or late.

Deadlines

Deadlines for early, on-time and late submissions are posted on the Sundance Film Festival website. These deadlines do not refer to a postmark on the envelope carrying the film. The submission must be in the festival's Los Angeles office on the date listed to be considered for the next festival date.

Submitting a Previously Screened Film and Drafts

Previously submitted but rejected films or those that have been shown in a private viewing are not disqualified from being selected for the festival. Rough cuts and incomplete films can also be submitted for consideration by the committee, though extensive notes and outlines also need to be included in the submission package for the committee to consider it.

Perform A Paintbynumbers Painting

Whether creating your own, or working from a kit, following a paint-by-number formula can turn you into a Picasso.

Paint-by-number kits are wonderful projects for artists and wannabes alike. You can purchase paint-by-number kits in many stores and they range in difficulty from novice to expert with a variety of subjects. The really adventurous can try making their own paint-by-number painting using free, online tools, or your own photos and image-editing software. Whatever paint-by-number project you choose, the steps for finishing the project are all the same.

Instructions

1. Set up your painting station at a table. Put newspaper down in case of spills. Have your paper towels, open-mouthed container to rinse your brush, and your brush handy.

2. Read the instructions for your paint-by-numbers set to familiarize yourself with what is expected of you. Each outlined spot on the painting is labeled with a number, and each paint color is also marked with a corresponding number. The idea is to paint each spot with its corresponding paint color.

3. Check your painting for really small spots that are marked by a number and an arrow pointing to them. Paint those sections first to avoid accidentally painting over the arrow before you have painted the small spot. Use one color at a time, making sure to rinse and dry your brush in between each color to avoid cross-mixing.

4. Paint the larger spots of your paint-by-number project. Open the first paint pot and paint all of the areas that correspond to that number and color. Be sure to completely fill in each section, staying in the lines and applying a second coat if it is required to achieve an even and opaque finish. Continue in this manner, with each color, until all of the areas have been painted.

5. Check that all of the areas in your painting have been filled in with the appropriate paint color before finishing and allow your painting to dry completely.

6. Use your sponge brush to apply a varnish coat to seal and protect your finished painting.

Help Make Your Own Avatar Online

Make Your Own Avatar Online

Did you ever want to make your own avatar? How cool would that be to have an avatar online of yourself? There are avatar websites that allow you to create animated characters, or virtual avatars of yourself. You can make an avatar of yourself, or make one of a friend of yours. They're fun and easy to make. They don't require much effort, or graphic art skill involved to create an avatar. You typically just need a picture, and then you can pick out the design of your clothes, and accessories of your avatar. This article will show you make your own avatar online.

Instructions

1. Go to a digmi.com. A free site that allows you to create your own avatar online. Sign up using your email, a username, and a password. It's free to use. After you sign up you'll need a good picture to use of you, or someone else. The picture should be a good shot of the face. Not too bright, or not too dark. Black and white pictures won't work. You need your eyes, nose, and mouth visible... Add a picture picture from your files folder.

2. Click on create head. Once your photo is uploaded, then click on create head. Then click on genre to choose from. Then a screen should pop up for hair, accessories, morph, clothing, expressions, face, presets, and transformations.

3. Pick out what you want to be. For males, they offer being a cowboy, a pirate, or a ghost even. You don't have to be something specifically. They offer different ones for females. If you want to be funny, you can dress yourself, or someone else as a girl or guy for kicks.

4. Choose a hair design you want to use. Choose a hair design that fits your avatar. They don't seem to have a lot to choose from for men. Women have a few more options to choose from.

5. Dress up your avatar anyway you like. If you want to paint your face, you can do that. You can change eye color if you like as well. You can change your face structure to a chimp, panther, or demon even if you'd like.

6. Save avatar and download it for use. When you're done fooling around with the different gadgets, then you want to save your avatar. You can use it to put on your facebook, your messenger profile, or use it for an avatar of websites like message boards. You can email it to your buddies. If you have photoshop, you can use that to re-touch up blemishes on your avata

Be A More powerful Singer

Regular practice and exercise improves your voice.

Through smart practicing and taking good care of your voice and body, you can become a stronger singer. This improves not only your overall sound, but also your endurance and skills as a performer. As a singer, you have various opportunities to show off your talents: church choirs, school groups, personal bands, operas, musicals. Becoming a stronger singer enables you to perform more successfully in those situations.

Instructions

1. Learn your voice. Record your voice and listen back, trying to hear it objectively. Understand your range and abilities. Notice your abilities with vibrato, whether you have a big or small voice and how long you can sing before you need to take a breath. You can also consult outside opinions to help you better understand your voice.

2. Take care of your body. Drink plenty of water, avoid smoking and get enough sleep.

3. Look ahead of the beat when reading sheet music, so you're ready for what's next. This helps you avoid making a mistake if a tricky part happens in a piece, especially if you're sight-reading the piece.

4. Keep your jaw stationary, only moving it when necessary. Loose jaws cause better tones, while tense jaws can leave your tones constricted or out of tune.

5. Listen to the other singers while also listening to yourself, if you're singing in a choir or other vocal group. This helps you improve as a singer, while also helping the group improve.

6. Ignore mental blocks. You may feel you're not the best singer in the group or someone has criticized your voice in the past. Ignore these feelings and continue to improve your voice. Believing in your ability is essential to becoming a stronger singer.

Produce A Twist Ending

A twist ending is always a great way to conclude a story, because it turns the tables on the reader's expectations. But a twist ending can end up feeling superficial, manipulative or tacked on if it's used carelessly. The success of a good twist ending depends on how you set up your reader's expectations and the way in which you present clues to the twist along the way.

Instructions

1. Use the element of surprise. Begin your story one way (either by setting up character or plot expectations), then shift it in an entirely different direction, one unexpected by your readers. For instance, in the 1940s film noir "The Third Man," the lead character travels to postwar Europe to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding his friend’s death. The film sets up the audience to believe that his friend, the nefarious opportunist Harry Lime, is really dead, so it comes as a complete surprise that this isn’t the case at all. The element of surprise occurs when audiences realize that everything they were led to believe was not true.

2. Have your character discover something about him- or herself that is shocking or surprising. In the movie "The Sixth Sense," Bruce Willis' character realizes that he has been dead all along. In another example, a police detective suffering from alcoholic blackouts realizes he is the culprit in a crime he is investigating.

3. Use irony. An ironic ending will also create an element of surprise for your reader. For instance, the powerful and handsome businessman who inspires jealousy among his coworkers is actually a very lonely man. The spiritual guru is actually shallow, materialistic and vain.

4. Withhold information. Don’t tell your reader everything. Offer little clues along the way that, when reread, will make sense in the whole. This was done effectively in Walter Mosley’s "Devil in a Blue Dress." He didn’t reveal to his readers that Daphne Monet, one of the characters, is actually black, until the ending. M. Night Shyamalan’s aforementioned "The Sixth Sense" also achieves this effect by withholding until the end the information that the Willis character is dead.

5. Turn the tables on your characters. Have them share the same expectations your readers might have. The main character in Flannery O’Connor’s “Good Country People” is an intellectual snob who looks down on “country people.” Her attitudes toward the Bible salesman create an element of surprise once the tables have been turned on her and she becomes a dupe to this supposedly “uneducated” country boy.

Be A Cleaning soap Opera Star

Many big stars in Hollywood got their start on soap operas. Demi Moore, Julianne Moore, John Stamos, Ricky Martin and Sarah Michelle Geller are just a few examples. You may want a soap opera to be your stepping stone into movies or prime time, or maybe being a soap star seems like a perfect permanent gig for you.

Instructions

1. Audition for SoapNet's "I Wanna Be a Soap Star." Win the competition and a coveted role on this season's soap of choice. No experience is necessary.

2. Move close to Los Angeles or New York City, where most soap operas are filmed. By living nearby, you'll be able to attend more auditions.

3. Do theater work in New York City or Los Angeles on your journey to become a soap opera star. Send an invitation to a casting director or agent so they can see you in action. You could land an audition or an agent based on your performance. Any experience you can get in acting will help you become a soap star.

4. Get a franchised agent to become a soap star. You'll need a photo, a resume and audition material. Find agents in the yellow pages. For soap opera work, you need a theatrical or full service agent.

5. Take classes. You may be the most talented actor you know, but taking classes only improves your skill and it looks good on your resume. Learn cry on cue. Be prepared to play your own evil twin. Perfect the cut-to-commercial look that seems to linger for minutes in silence as the soap music plays and carries the show into a commercial.

6. Build up your stamina and memory. Being a soap star requires long days with very little rehearsal time before shooting. Soap stars have to memorize dozens of pages of dialogue for every day they shoot scenes. The bigger stars have more lines, the recurring ones, fewer.

7. Audition as much as possible. The more you are seen by casting staff, the better chance you have at being remembered later on down the road if a role comes up that you have the perfect look for. Take unpaid jobs, if offered, to help build up your resume until the soap opera industry snatches you up to become their next star.

Be A Cleaning soap Actress

Ask any actress that got her start on soap operas and you will find that landing a gig as a soap actress is no easy task, but it is one that can open unlimited doors. Whether you use becoming a soap opera actress as a means to make a name for yourself and branch out, or you are looking for a lifetime role (see Victoria Lord Davidson of "One Life to Live" or Susan Lucci of "All My Children"), you will need to use your beauty, brains and acting chops.

Instructions

1. Hone your craft. Take classes on acting, especially courses that specialize in soap opera acting. Search your community for acting workshops and groups that will help you fine tune your skills as a soap opera actress. More than just a pretty face, you need to be able to show casting agents that you have what it takes to be on this soap opera, so take your craft seriously.

2. Decide which type of role you are looking for. "Contract role" actors are paid the most and they have the recurring, everyday role on these soaps. While this is ideal for those interested in spending their career on soaps, "day players" or "recurring day players" can use their role on these soaps as a jumping off point. Day players are actors that speak at least five lines on an episode. Recurring day players come back for more than one speaking role in one episode. There are also "atmosphere players," who are essentially extras. Their work is not steady and they speak less than five lines on a single soap. It is not steady, but it is a good way to network and get to know major players in the world of soap acting.

3. Get headshots taken of you. These are your calling card, so don't skimp on this aspect. Have professionally photos taken and have plenty of glossy copies to leave with casting agents and production companies.

4. Create your acting resume. Include any relevant classes, workshops and acting experience, paid or non-paid, that will demonstrate your ability. Include any special skills that might be used on a soap opera. For example, can you speak multiple languages, stage fight, do a foreign accent or juggle? Include this information on your resume along with your contact information, references, and background.

5. Move to New York City or Los Angeles. As with most television shows and movies, these are the two places where soap operas are ordinarily filmed. You need to be able to be as close to the action as possible to stand a chance at landing a role. It is extraordinarily rare that soap actresses are plucked out of small towns, so make yourself available, even if it means taking a few waitressing jobs to pay the bills.

6. Prepare a monologue. If a casting agent were to call you to come over in an hour and show them what you got, would you be ready? Practice and become extremely familiar with a monologue that demonstrates your range. Practice in front of a mirror or on video to get a clearer view of your strengths and weaknesses.

7. Search for open casting calls and attend every single one that you can. Even if you don't land the gig, leave your headshots and resume to network wherever you go. Soap operas rely on a revolving cast of characters and ever-increasing storylines and plot webs, so don't be afraid to keep auditioning for different roles.

8. Consider hiring an agent. Some popular casting agencies used by soap opera producers are Cenex and Central Casting. These agencies specialize in extras, but because soap operas are always looking for new faces it is not unlikely that you could be discovered just by being on the set. These agents can be an invaluable resource in landing a gig. They will often have insider knowledge that will help you get your feet in the door of auditions that might make or break your career.

Be A Sitcom Author

Writing sitcoms takes a lot of hard work, creativity, an understanding of screenwriting and a sense of humor. Bring your funny everyday stories and jokes to life on the screen by first writing on the page. While writing for a sitcom can involve excruciatingly long hours, the excitement of bringing comedy to life is well worth the work.

Instructions

1. Watch sitcoms on television. Get to know all the different formats and types of sitcoms currently running. Study the structure and comedic timing so you can identify key moments and points.

2. Take screenwriting courses to learn properly format and structure a television sitcom script. Take improvisation classes and comedy lessons so you can get a feel for what actors go through as well as develop your own comedic timing and sense of what is humorous.

3. Acquire copies of several scripts from various episodes of a sitcom that you enjoy. When choosing a show, consider the popularity of the show and its longevity, format and type of comedy. You want a show that is popular and has been on for at least one season so producers will have seen it and know what to expect. In addition, you want a show that matches your comedy style. Develop your own storyline using the same characters from the show. Write a spec script for the show.

4. Get a literary agent by sending out query letters and then sending out your spec sample. Try to find an agent who specializes in television instead of films or has several television contacts. Find a sitcom-writing group that meets regularly to make contacts and give one another feedback on projects you have in the works. The group can help you develop your comedy further and take it to the next level.

5. Ask your agent to send your spec out for open television sitcom writing assignments. If your spec is good enough, you might get an interview to freelance an episode. Nail the interview to get the job.

6. Write your first real sitcom episode and enjoy the moment you see it air on television.

Brush Approaches For Oil Painting

A brush technique in oil painting often combines paint consistency with stroke to create a distinctive effect.

The history of oil painting goes back as far as the fifteenth century and Flemish art. Over the years, oil painting has become refined and advanced. Masters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Rembrandt have expanded the art to forge museum pieces like Van Gogh's "Self Portrait," and Reynolds's "The Adonis of Titian." Using a brush technique in oil painting often combines paint consistency with stroke to create a distinctive effect.

Scumbling

Scumbling involves applying a thin layer of opaque paint over a darker region. This method differs from glazing; it involves overlaying light color onto dark. Artist Jess Bates suggests the best pigment for the scumbling layer is a clay-like product, although any pigment will work. Clay-like pigment binds well and tends to be brittle. The artist drags or scrubs the lighter color over the dark space to create a reflective coat. The lighter the scumbling color, the more the light will reflect. Fat layering is a variation of this technique. Fat layers consist of scumbling with each successive color containing higher oil content. Lean paint goes on the bottom and heavier paint, in lighter shades, at the top. Fat layering protects the piece from the paint cracking associated with oils.

Impasto

Impasto is an Italian word the means dough or paste. Oil paint, in its original form, is stiff, much like toothpaste. When painting in oil, you thin the paint with turpentine or linseed oil. For the impasto method, the paint application is undiluted. This creates a raised texture on the canvas. Add paint from the tube to your palette. Load a brush or knife with the thick substance, and apply it onto the picture in order to create texture. The brush technique involves dabbing the paint to raise the texture. The classic masters of oil, Renoir and Van Gogh, made this approach popular. It is one prevalent style noted in Van Gogh's "Twelve Sunflowers."

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is a technique used to implement highlights. Paint is loaded to a brush free of any solvent or oil. After loading your brush, tap it onto a paper towel or cloth to remove excess paint. Application should be quick and delicate. Instead of adding a thick section of color, dry brushing creates individuals strokes with every application. What would have been a solid line now breaks up into several thin marks. Highlighting adds distinction and depth to a piece. It creates light in shadowed regions to develop perspective. Dry brushing is a subtle detail and common form used to create contour and texture in portrait art.

Be A Set Designer

A Set Designer designs scenery used in production. A designer may design sets for theatre, film, television, music concerts and much more. There are certain skills and experience needed to become a set designer. Follow the tips below.

Instructions

1. Get involved in all aspects of production. The easiest form to break into is theatre, and most training for production artists takes place in the theatre. You have to work your way up to become an actual designer, but being involved in all aspects will only help. Work with costumes or lighting if needed.

2. Know construction and build things. This can be learned at a very young age. Construction is a very big part of scenic design. Get summer construction jobs or get side jobs building fences, dog houses or anything.

3. Get involved in local theatres. Most will always accept volunteer help. Offer your skills to help build a set. This is the best way to get experience.

4. Learn about art, interior design and architecture. Knowledge in all of those areas will help you become the best scenic designer. All of those are considered when designing a set. Much knowledge in these areas is encouraged in a structured educational environment such as college, but take it upon yourself to have this knowledge.

5. Get a degree in design. A degree in production design will be found in theatre programs in colleges. Specialize in Set Design, and take classes in these areas. There is often much opportunity in college to get hands-on experience as well as build a portfolio. There are many colleges that offer a Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts in set design.

6. Get as much experience as possible. Be willing to work for free or next to nothing in the beginning. Work for summer theatre festivals during breaks from school. This will gain experience and help attain professional contacts.

7. Apply for your dream job in Set Design. Emphasize all of your experience and education.

Kinds Of Graphics

Graphic design or visual communications is the use of typography, graphics and layout to enhance the readability and effectiveness of a message in a visually pleasing way.

History

Graphic design was developed along side written language. The early use of "graphics" in cave art, hieroglyphs and early writing was the beginning of graphic design. Advancements in civilization like the invention of paper by the Chinese, the printing press by Gutenberg and the development of the computer all affected the development of the art of graphic design.

Further Definition

Graphic design differs from fine art in its purpose and product although often the lines are blurred between the two disciplines. There is communication of an idea in art; however graphic design is more purposeful in its use of the elements of design to communicate a message. Both are capable of being enjoyed for their aesthetic value alone.

Products

Whatever is man-made has to be created. Whatever humans create has to be designed. If in the product there is visual communication, then the graphic design process has been employed. Printed materials like newspapers, magazines, books, advertisements, greeting cards, stationery, business cards, packaging and a multitude of other products are considered graphic design.

New Media

With the development of the computer and an assortment of graphic software, there are relatively new areas of graphic design. Web design, multimedia presentations, PowerPoint, computer animation and all kinds of interfaces between man and machine, such as the graphics on touch pads for bank machines, are produced by graphic designers.

Employment

Graphic design jobs are both technical and creative and can fall anywhere in between. A production artist gets files ready for print, while a high end graphic designer does corporate identity and logo design. Some graphic designers are employed to design websites that require both technical expertise and creativity.

Airless Fresh paint Gun Tips

Using an airless painter requires different tips.

If you plan to use an airless paint gun to paint the interior of your house, you will need to use several different tips to complete the task. Latex paint, stain and varnish each have different viscosity. Each one requires a different size tip to ensure proper application.

Acrylic/Latex Paints

When painting a typical wall or room with acrylic or latex paints, a tip with a wide-diameter orifice is used. Wide-diameter tips spray wide paint patterns and allows thick acrylic paint to spray evenly and in thicker coats. The result is being able to paint faster and with fewer applications. A 515 to 517 tip is recommended.

The three numbers used to label a tip size refers to the fan width and the orifice size. For example, a tip that is labeled "515" has a fan width of 10 inches and an orifice size of 0.15 inches. The first number denotes half the fan size. So, the 5 equates to 10 inches of fan spray. The second and third number measure the orifice size in thousandths of an inch. So, the 15 equates to an orifice size of 0.15 of an inch.

Wiping Stains

An airless spray gun can be used to spray wiping stains onto wood trim. The tip is small in order to limit overspray. This takes stress off the sprayer motor. Wiping stain has the consistency of alcohol and is not thick. Using a 509 to 511 tip will keep the spray pattern narrow and allow a smooth flow of stain onto the wood. If overspray is an issue, use a 209 tip.

Varnish

Spraying varnish onto stained molding requires a tip between wiping stain and latex. Using a 211 to 213 tip keeps the flow of varnish narrow to reduce overspray. The tip is large enough to prevent thicker varnish from clogging the orifice. If you use hand-mixed varnish or shellac mixed with flakes, a 413 tip or larger is recommended to prevent orifice clogging.

Be A Readers For Audiobooks

Become a Reader for Audio Books

If you have a nice voice and people enjoy hearing you talk, you may want to consider a position as an audio book reader. They narrate novels or works of nonfiction, which are then recorded and sold as a set of CDs or MP3 files. It's very difficult to land a job as an audio book reader, but it can be extremely fulfilling for those who succeed at it.

Instructions

1. Listen to as many audio books as you can and pay attention to how the speaker uses his voice. Audio book readers are adept at evoking specific characters through their tone or inflection, as well as creating moods through the pace and diction of their voice. The more your familiarize yourself with their work, the easier it becomes to emulate it.

2. Volunteer as a reader in a library, elementary school or home for the elderly. They often need people to read books aloud, which provides you with an excellent place to practice.

3. Take acting classes. Many audio book readers are professional actors, and audio book producers often go through talent agencies to find the right people for their projects. Enroll in classes that can help you enunciate properly and create characters through the tone and delivery of your voice. If you can, become involved in your local theater community and endeavor to work professionally as an actor. The experience helps your resume stand out.

4. Speak with talent agencies, small publishing companies and casting agents about possible work as an audio book reader. Keep an expansive list of your contacts and check in with them periodically to see if they can open any doors for you.

5. Make a demo tape of your voice and send it to your various contacts. It should contain excerpts of your voice reading passages from a number of different books, using as many different character voices, accents and tones as you can manage. A wide range helps sell your talents to audio book producers.

6. Keep at it. Working as an audio book reader is similar to acting, which means it's tough to make a go at it. Perseverance and optimism will serve you extremely well.

Be A Professional Card Magician

Card tricks are a wonderful way to wow your friends, but it takes real skill, perseverance and a willingness to fail in order to become a professional-level card magician and even more of all those things to become a successful one. If you think you have what it takes, read on.

Instructions

1. Stock up on Bicycle-style playing cards. These cards have an air-cushion finish that makes them ideal for shuffling, fanning and magic tricks. You will probably go through about a pack a day of cards as you wear the finish down. When they stop fanning nicely, move on to a new pack. You can donate the old packs to schools, senior centers, YMCAs and after-school care centers to reduce waste.

2. Start with the most basic things, and learn as many different shuffles and fans as you can. Build up your hand speed, strength and control.

3. Learn tricks online, but also talk to other magicians. You may be able to apprentice with a street magician, especially if you have another trick, like juggling, that can help him or her draw a crowd. The best way to learn magic is from another magician.

4. Practice every skill you learn until you are not just good, you are flawless. You should not be without cards in your hand whenever you can have them. Use a mirror to help you with tricks like vanishing.

5. Read library books and watch videos online to perfect additional skills, and start working on ideas of your own to create a truly unique act. You should also start working on your patter, or conversational skills, to help retain attention and misdirect your audience when necessary.

6. Have free business cards printed up somewhere like Vistaprint.com, and carry them with you at all times. Start performing on street corners downtown and for your friends, and always lay out a selection of your business cards near your cash hat. As an alternative, have free address labels printed up with your business information instead of your address, and stick them to your used playing cards to use as unique business cards.

7. Advertise with flyers in locations like daycare centers as a card magician to begin working parties. At the same time, work on perfecting your street act. In a good-sized city, a street magician with skill can make $50 or more an hour when the streets are busy.

8. Audition for magician positions whenever the opportunity presents itself, and begin to send your information with a nice cover letter to places like clubs or hotels, where a magic act might be appreciated.

Refill A Parker Fountain Pen

Parker pens can be filled with a cartridge or with an ink converter.

George S. Parker, the founder of the Parker Pen Company, filed his first patent in 1889. Parker pens dominated the fountain pen market before the ballpoint pen was developed in the 1960s. In 1931, Parker developed and patented "Quink" quick drying ink. This innovation lead to over $400 million Parker pen sales over a 30-year period. Today there is a worldwide group of avid Parker fountain pen collectors willing to pay top dollar for Parker collectibles, particularly the famous "Parker 51."

Instructions

1. Choose your ink from seven colors. These inks come in cartridge form, or you can load your pen directly from the bottle.

2. Undo the barrel of the pen by grasping the nib section and twisting the barrel counterclockwise.

3. Remove the old cartridge and push the replacement in until you feel it click into place.

4. Refill the ink reservoir by first dipping the nib into the ink bottle. Depending on the model, fill the reservoir by either turning the converter several times in a clockwise direction, or by pulling the plunger.

5. Replace the barrel. Wipe the nib with a piece of tissue or a lint -free cloth. Test the pen by writing a few lines.

Get Involved With A Broadway Musical

If you're hooked on Broadway musicals, you're in great company. From the newest and edgiest productions to cherished revivals, the Great White Way offers theater lovers a concentration of theater houses that remain one of the nation's greatest cultural treasures. Looking for more than just a "third row center" seat? Become part of Broadway musical history by finding your own special place in the spotlight.

Instructions

1. Decide exactly what part you want to play. "Involvement" can mean anything from getting coffee for the director to helping stitch costumes or pursuing an apprenticeship to launch a musical comedy career. Savvy neophytes know that every entry-level job in theater offers a magical opportunity to break into show business, so whether your goal is to apply makeup or be in the chorus line, do yourself a favor and start wherever you can.

2. Research the contemporary musical theater scene on Broadway. Tap the list of theaters found in the Resources section below and use it as a resource for making contact with individual musical production companies. Compose a succinct, well-focused letter that describes your interest, your availability and the circumstances under which you would like to get involved (e.g., "I finish this semester on May 12, but after that time, I will make myself available to you every day that the theater isn't dark to pursue my interest in costume design.")

3. Aim your personal appeals at the people with whom you would like to work. Want to build sets? Contact the head carpenter. Looking for a chance to help the orchestra? Approach the librettist or conductor. Avoid going to movers and shakers behind the musical production. Your appeal could wind up in a stack of mail that's been untouched for months by higher-ups who are too busy producing Broadway musicals to read their mail.

4. Don't be shy about doing something that's a bit crazy when you create your theater contact approach. For example, buy a cheap pair of flats and put a note inside that says, "I'd love to get my foot in the door." Include a resume. Since you're aiming for a role in an industry that thrives on fantasy, meet that challenge by showing off your creativity.

5. Show up at theaters with resumes and other material if your letter-writing campaign proves fruitless. Dress appropriately and ask to speak with the wardrobe mistress, lighting technician or whomever you have identified as the person who can best help you get on board. Your chances of speaking to someone face-to-face will be much improved if you arrive at the conclusion of a matinee rather than just before an evening performance or right after a curtain call following an evening performance. It really is all about timing.

6. Collect pertinent information each time you visit a theater, and then follow up with a thank-you note to each person with whom you talked. End each note by saying something like, "I plan to contact you next month, but in the interim, please get in touch with me if you are looking for help dressing the set before performances. I would love the chance to show you how much I learned in my theater classes." Keep a log of contacts to be sure you don't mistake the house manager of "Cats" with the box office manager of the "Carousel" revival.