GET READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP! Looking Your Best On Camera with NY Headshot Photographer and former ELITE model Blu Toth

"It's every actors dilemma-to get a winning headshot. But with so many photographers to choose from and so many ideas on what makes a good headshot, what should you do. Actors Connection is pleased to have Blu Toth, one of NY's leading headshot photographers leading this very informative seminar. With years of experience working as an international model with the world class ELITE Agency in Paris and New York and now as a NY photographer, Blu's wealth of knowledge and expertise is invaluable. In this seminar, she'll give you useful advice on do's and don'ts in front of the camera to get your best results. Blu will also share some of her beauty secrets and give you helpful makeup tips for your on-camera auditions for film, TV, and print."

I attended Blu of BluFace Photography's (http://www.blufacephotography.com/) seminar at Actors Connection on Tuesday, December 1st. Here are some of the highlights:

When posing for a photo angle yourself with your "good side" forward, position your weight on your front leg, and send your energy towards the camera, not away.

BLU'S BEAUTY TIPS:

• Prior to on camera work (headshots, auditions, etc) Blu recommends 2 weeks of vigorous exercise.
• Take Vitamin D, especially in the winter.
• Make-up Forever High Definition Foundation (http://www.makeupforever.com/)
• Bobbi Brown Sheer Loose Powder (http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/)
• No eye liner for on camera.
• Haircut/ color: Cutler Salon (http://cutlersalon.com/) stylist: Anthony, Colorist: Lidia
• Facialist: Nina's European Day Spa (http://www.ninasskincare.com/)
• Dermatologist: Dr. Dennis Gross (212) 725-4555
• Manicurist: Sabrina's Nail Salon (212) 683-4320 aesthetician: Aida

BLU'S WELLNESS TIPS:

• Acupuncturist: Turning Point (http://www.nycacupuncture.com/) Therapist: Shane Hoffman
• Acupuncturist: Dr. Wong (212) 274-1823
• Massage: Peter Baldassari (212) 414-2475

Acting Success NOW!

Monday, November 30th, I attended a free seminar for "Acting Success Now" (http://actingsuccessnow.com/). Creators, Robert and Michelle Colt effortlessly combine quantum physics and neurosciene with profound and greatly misunderstood wisdom from the East to give you the TRUTH about Acting Success, not the "truthiness." Here are some of the things I learned, that stood out to me.

“Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art” (Konstantin Stanislavsky).

Your "neural thermostat" is set between the ages of 3 and 7. Your "neural thermostat" is your temperature for success. Our experience of different parts of life between those years set our mind on what we think about them today. For example; our attitude on relationship success is set, and this attitude will effect how successful we are in relationships in our life. We know our formative years are very influential. There are 15 "pride obstacles", one of which is mind reading. We put ourselves down by trying to read minds, when we cannot truthfully know what people are thinking unless we ask. Our conceptions on what they are thinking are based off of stories or experiences from our childhood, they stay with us, and "mess with our heads" when we are adults.

Core beliefs:

• self worth
• alone, not connected
• powerless
• inadequate
• unsafe
• feel trapped
• feeling out of control
• incomplete
• anxiety
• unloveable
• imperfect
• self sabotage

These "core beliefs" are constantly circling us and we pay so much attention to them that we miss the "guerillas of opportunity." Like a giant ice berg, sometimes it is the issues that we do not see that are our biggest obstacles and what are actually in our way of getting to where we want to be. Our core beliefs make us afraid of what will happen when we do have success, we convince ourselves that there will be negative effects when we become successful. For example; "if I lost weight, I wouldn't have female friends." And in turn we avoid success. Our mind gets in our way. The mind is about wanting control, but if you could let go and find the power of no mind, maybe you could find success waiting there for you.

"Have A Savvy Holiday Season Taking Care Of Business" by Jodie Bentley

"The holidays can be such a magical time. Reconnecting with old friends, visiting family, buying presents for loved ones, getting caught up in holiday bustle and good cheer. This bustle brings along the phrase “I’ll wait until January” which tends to be spoken A LOT among actors at this time of year.

There is, however, much you can do in December to continue moving your career forward strategically. Some forget that there are still auditions to go on and people to meet at the networking facilities (Yes, it’s fine to meet them over the holiday season.) And while it isn’t necessarily the best time to start a brand new mailings campaign, it is a time to start the projects you haven’t had the chance to get to this year.

If you’re stuck, there are a lot of things we can do during December in preparation for the new year; create a follow up plan for the meet and greets; start planning that website you have always wanted; clean out your song book or work on your monologues; refine your organizational system; find the holes in your audition wardrobe and ask Santa for a gift card to help round out that wardrobe.

December is also a great time for reflection to examine what worked and what didn’t in 2009. Plan some time in December to curl up on your couch for 20 minutes and write a list of all your successes of 2009 – ALL your successes. Write down anything that you want to celebrate from this past year. Use your calendar to remember the events of the past year and don’t forget to include the difficult times that you overcame. Those are successes too. Come up with at least 50 things you are proud that you did in 2009.

What was the biggest thing that happened to you this year?
What changed you this year?
What was your happiest moment this year?
What things do you know now that you didn't know a year ago?
What skills do you have now that you didn't have a year ago?
What new people are in your life?

As you continue to move your career forward, this December, honor the year coming to a close. Once you compiled your list, honor all that you have done this year by reaching out to your accountability partner, best friend, spouse, or fellow actor and share your successes with them. Use his holiday time not only to celebrate the season, but to celebrate your accomplishments as well. Look to the future, but learn from the past. The season is your reward!" ( http://www.thesavvyactor.com/resources/articles/09_December.php?__EB_CMP_CODE=raEz7JSZ )