Here are some things to consider with regard to getting Disney Channel Auditions

Do You Have Skills and Talents Other Than Just Acting?

You should know that a lot of Disney performers have skills that are not limited just to acting. They can also sing and dance and often lend their voices to animated characters. There are specific agents that look after these areas and sometime in the future of your acting career you may want to consider having separate agents if you want to work in more than one field.

Is All This Really Necessary?

You will find people who will tell you that it is not necessary to do ‘all that’ and if you do, guess what? They will be right. Anything is possible, BUT having those skills can dramatically increase your chances for success. Have skills other than just being able to act also widens your range of possibilities to get work. You automatically make yourself available for more types of jobs. Look at Zack Efron for example. He sings, acts and can dance!

It’s About More Than Just The Look

What I have found is that many youngsters rely on being good looking or even beautiful. Those who fit into that category should realize that there are so many good looking kids out there and that if they really want to have a chance at getting Disney Channel auditions, because of the enormous amount competition, it is really necessary to do something to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd.

What Agents Want

But first, remember that when you are looking for an agent that you will have a better chance of getting signed if you have a headshot and professional actor resume and have taken some classes or participated in on-going training. What’s even better is if you are training in a reputable school and/or acting teacher. You can increase those chances even more if you have some experience performing. All of this shows you have at least some experience in the field that you are hoping to break into and that you are serious.

Do You Have Stars In Your Eyes Or Are You Serious?

Casting directors and agents know that there are so many kids and even adults with ‘stars in their eyes’ and the dream of becoming famous who are not even willing to do the basic work that is necessary to get started. They just want to be discovered. People like that won’t go very far and those casting directors and agents don’t want to work with people like that. If you really want it, then you have to be willing to work for it! Remember it’s not about being discovered, it’s about working hard to position yourself to be discovered.

How Can You Prepare?

You could take private singing lessons, join your local youth theatre group, drama club at school or even work as an extra to get experience in a professional environment. These are all ways of giving yourself necessary exposure and gaining experience. Just keep in mind that when you do meet with an agent you should always take a parent or guardian with you and you should never be expected to give them any money up front. Agents take a cut from what you earn so they don’t get any money until you do.

Stay tuned from more articles about Disney casting calls and general information about how to start an acting career.

Papo Dilophosaurus Dinosaur Model Reviewed

Papo, the France based manufacturer of figures and replicas have added a Dilophosaurus dinosaur model to their prehistoric animal model range and very good it is too. A member of the coelophysid group of Theropods, this lithe, agile hunter was probably the apex predator in Early Jurassic environments. Scientists have estimated that this carnivore could have reached lengths in excess of six metres. It may have weighed over five hundred kilogrammes, that’s twice as heavy as an African lion (Panthero leo).

Almost a Quadrupedal Pose

Although most definitely a biped, Dilophosaurus did have relatively long arms. The arms were much longer than those of later Theropods. The Papo figure has been balanced on its hind legs but as the body is bent forwards the right hand with its three-fingered claws is also touching the ground. This is a more than acceptable stance for a dinosaur model and it permits the design team to keep the hind feet of their replica in proportion to the rest of the animal whilst still permitting it to balance.

Lots of Detail and Beautiful Painting

Papo have made sure that they include lots of fine detail. Individual scales can be picked out along the flanks and the patterning continues onto the belly, which is not found in cheaper dinosaur models. There is a row of triangular scales running from the top of the head down the slender neck and there is even a tiny, white-painted row of scales running down under the jaw. The famous double head crest of this dinosaur has been painted a vivid crimson colour. Obviously, the artists at Papo believe that this thin crest served no defensive or aggressive role, but that it was probably used for visual communication amongst Dilophosaurs. The rest of the model is painted a dark tan colour with flashes of blue set out in a stripe pattern across the legs, the flank and along the back.

To Scale with Other Replicas

The model measures around 14cm in length, but as the tail curls around the body, it is actually much bigger than that, measuring around 18 to 19 centimetres in length. As Dilophosaurus (D. wetherilli) is estimated to have reached lengths around six and a half metres, we estimate that this figure is in approximately 1:34 scale. Size wise it fits very well alongside two other Papo Jurassic dinosaur figures, the Allosaurus and the plant-eating Stegosaurus.

Details Around the Mouth

Unlike other predatory dinosaur models made by Papo, the jaw is not articulated, it does not open. However, this is more than made up for by the superb details that can be seen around the mouth. The distinctive curve in the premaxilla of this dinosaur is present and individual teeth have been skilfully painted – all credit to the production team.

This is an excellent dinosaur model, one that will prove popular with collectors and young dinosaur fans – highly recommended.

The new hype in the Netherlands.

The American Wedding Planning trend has now hit the Netherlands with a big bang. Wedding couples are now using more and more the services of a Wedding Planner to organize and be present on the day of the wedding to make sure that everything runs smoothly and act as a focal point for the family members, suppliers and the couple themselves.

What does a Wedding Planner do actually is the usual question for most? A Wedding Planner can assist you from A to Z with the planning and organising of your special day and will be there on the day self to ensure that nothing goes wrong and goes exactly how you dreamed and wished for. In today’s modern society we live in couples are finding that they just do not have the approximated 250 hours themselves to organize their dream day. Stress is another factor why a Wedding Planner is asked to assist. Why would you stress when someone else can do all the stressing for you?

Planning a wedding for most couples can be a task, from finding the right location to finding the perfect dress! Your Wedding Planner will offer you suggestions and ideas and will provide you contacts with suppliers and locations. You will always be in charge of your own wedding day and your WP will act upon your decisions so don’t be scared that they will take over… it is your day!!

With many wedding couples now opting for their own   unique  ideas that will suit their personalities and budgets in place of the conventional traditional wedding, the wedding industry in the Netherlands is now becoming larger with a lot more wonderful choices to choose from.

Themed weddings are now also the in thing to do! With one recent wedding couple choosing to have a 80s themed wedding! Glitter balls, Glitter curtains, luminous lights and disco balls… wedding guests were greeted at the evening party with wigs and accessories to go with the theme. Music from the 80’s… John Travolta here I come!! Let your fantasy set the stage! Whether it be traditional, fun or themed, go with your own original ideas and style!

Andrew Carnegie has been noted for saying that if you want to be successful in business then you must do what successful people do. And to do that you must study how they lived, what they did and get some insight into their methods of operation. This is indeed good advice which no one can deny. Perhaps, this is why business students, professors, and future entrepreneurs study all the great business leaders of the past?

Since this is the case, I’d like to recommend a very good book to you about past great entrepreneurs, it is a collection of their biographies, shortened of course, and it is still on my bookshelf after all these years. The book is:

“The Entrepreneurs – Twelve Who Took Risks and Succeeded” by Robert L. Shook; Harper and Row Publishers, New York, NY; 1980. ISBN: 0060140259.

There were numerous standout great quotes, one of them that I liked was by W. Clement Stone; “I don’t care what field you are in, anyone who truly wants to be successful must develop a plan to duplicate their success.”

Another great thing the reader will take away from this book was the authors note that if you want to win in business you must have goals; “Write down your goal, give yourself a deadline, set high standards, aim high.”

This book profiled such great past entrepreneurs as; John W. Galbreath, W. Clement Stone (insurance), Mary Hudson (oil), Dale W. Lang (media), S. Roger Horshow, William J Richards (farming), Mary Kay Ash, Joseph Sugarman, Richard Schultz, William McCowan, and John Delorean. And it explained their similarities, attitudes, methods, big business deals and drive. I know you will love this book as much as I did and hopefully like me you will keep it on your shelf for a reference, please consider this.

“We all have the extraordinary coded within us waiting to be released.” ~ Dr. Jean Houston

Top of the year reflection, visioning and goal-setting can sometimes feel complicated and overwhelming. The ideas and options are endless and it can really slow you down or stop you completely. Yet, we know some type of forethought and plan is best for success. I am a fan of doing whatever works for you. If you thrive on resolutions, do them, if you like traditional goal-setting – go for it. If you prefer to think out a few years and create an ideal vision, and then back into it, that’s a good one also. To me it just has to work for you. That said, I have found there is something that is key no matter which way you decide to go.

Begin with your brilliance.

Tapping your brilliance means you need to take the time to determine what your most   unique  and powerful skill, talent or gift is–in what area you completely shine, and then really leverage it in as many areas of your life as you can.

Whether or not you know it, you have a gift as  unique  as your fingerprint, that nobody has quite like you. It is the thing that comes most effortlessly for you, and yet has the most impact on others at the same time.

It could be the way you connect people to each other, the way you inspire others one on one or as a speaker, your way with children, your humor in difficult situations or the finesse you have as a leader who people naturally follow and trust. Your brilliance could be your keen intuition or strong ability to solve complex problems. This special gift of yours is usually consistently recognized by friends, family, clients and colleagues alike….so if you are not sure, just ask them. Ask what it is about you that impacts people the most. What is it that they know they can “gain” from you when they need it?

Another way to confirm your signature brilliance or strengths is to use assessments such as Myers Briggs, DiSc or even the StrengthsFinder 2.0 which directly covers this question. Asking others and taking assessments usually is great for honing in on your core brilliance or confirming it. And for many of you, it may only be a confirmation. I say this because deep down, you may really already know what it is.

Regardless of how you come by it, once you figure out what your brilliance is, you are working with your best success-asset.

When you leverage your  unique  gift and fully plug it into your career and life, you are going to be happier, more passionate, more on purpose than you ever were, and it will make it so much easier to reach your dreams.

You will attract people, resources, and opportunities to you to move you forward, and even stuck areas will unhinge and start to shift. This ripple effect is a wonderful part of the process. Working with your core strengths in your career or business, will positively impact your personal life also. Or if you start engaging them more in a personal area, it will then flow to your professional life. For example, when you have a strong personal life, your career can soar. Likewise, when you have career success, you are more energized and positive, and this spills into your relationships.

Focus more on leveraging the positive versus changing what is wrong. Fixing something for the better is always good, but focusing too much on the negative is never a good thing. There is research that shows that it is hard for your brain to have insights when it is focused on the negative. Your insights are such an important part of leveraging your strengths and realizing your dreams. As you more fully move into this year, I would like to suggest you try on these three questions:

1. Where can you engage and express your brilliance more, personally or professionally? (these will be things that are fun, energizing and impactful)
2. What are you ready to let go of that has nothing to do with your brilliance? (this is the thing that feels like an obligation or a drain)
3. Is there something you can do this year, that will be a bold move – that allows you to fully step into your brilliance? (this will be the project that makes you a little queasy to think about, but excited, knowing that it is an ultimate expression of who you are) Even if it is scary, you can name it, and just begin with a small step. Even that will feel great!

See which one of these three questions speaks to you the most, and just start there. And again, as easy as it sounds, it will sometimes feel like a risk. Here are a few thoughts to help support you as you tap your brilliance:

* If it is hard to come by at first, do things to slow down and be more in touch with yourself, and keep trying. Just like the rusty pipe first flows brown water–if you keep it running and it eventually becomes clear.

* Share your plans with your friends or inner circle (fans not naysayers!)

* Use a coach or mentor for a success partner

* Reward yourself for the steps you’ve taken

* Act on the opportunities that will start popping up (more will come!)

So, brilliant you, as Katy Perry would say…”You’re a firework! C’ mon show them what your worth!..” (I opted for a theme song this year instead of resolutions. I know..corny as it is, try cranking this one!)

The world really needs your brilliance now more than ever, so let it shine! It’s just the right thing to do.

Recently, a friend invited me to stop and slow down. Just for a few minutes.

I slipped off my shoes and felt the cool stepping stones in her garden under my feet. In a few short minutes, with all systems slowed to the moment in front of me, I felt like Alice in Wonderland-one moment staring up at the giant, waving leaf of a tropical banana tree and the next moment bent down, in awe at the mini, star-shaped moss tuft peeking out between a crack in the stones.

Ten minutes later, as I finished up this walking meditation in her garden, refreshed and ready to go about with my busy day, I knew it was something I wanted to remember to continue as a regular practice for myself and share with my favorite seven year old.

“Hey,” I said to the curly haired boy, “Wanna play The Slow Motion Game with me?”

“What’s that?” he responded, with the keen skepticism of a seven year old who has been around the block and played a zillion games or two in his lifetime so far.

“Well, it’s a kind of discovery game. We slow dooooown.” I started talking in slow motion speak. “And when we look aroooound we see things that we’ve neeeeeverrr seeeeeen beforrrrrrre.”

I could see the spark of interest lit in his eyes now.

“And whoever finds the most cool stuff is the winner?” he yelled excitedly.

“Sure, something like that.”

Five… Close your eyes

Four… Slowing down

Three… Your mind is going to sleep

Two… Your body is getting very relaxed

One… You are in slow motion mode. Open your eyes… And GO… s l o w w w w w w w w…

Our bare feet made their way slowly through the back yard. The dirt felt good sinking between my toes. I watched out of the corner of my eye as the boy did his best slow mummy walk and then presently crouched down.

Between the two of us, we discovered treasures galore in our familiar backyard space.

An army of ants coming out of tiny hole in the flower bed, a bright green arrowhead-shaped sprout shooting out ninety degrees from a tree branch, a baby fly sunning its translucent wings, a baby bee buzzing. We discovered the glossy, tightly curled leaf of a waxy flower pushing its way upward, and crystalline water drops sitting in the very center of a regal succulent. A family of pincher bugs scurried away as we studied the natural, hieroglyphic markings on an old tree stump.

Long after we finished playing, the curly haired boy was still bent over, looking at potato bugs curled up in tree hollows or looking up through tree branches, discovering many more unseen treasures in the garden.

I didn’t mention to the wild-haired one the part that we would feel ourselves coming back to ourselves during this game.

I didn’t mention that by slowing down our spinning minds, we would enliven all our other senses, as we became part of the world in front of us.

I didn’t mention that by slowing down, we recharge and reconnect with that vital source within us.

I didn’t mention that part to him. I didn’t have to.

Yes, this was a good game.

Many trading investors especially beginners would like to learn the best trading strategy for them. There are four that are commonly used by experts. These are the swing, discretionary, scalping, and automated trading. First thing to consider before entering the Foreign Exchange Market is to identify which trading style suits you best. Several factors may affect your trading style like your time and capabilities. This article will give you and idea on how each of these trading strategies work:

Swing Trading:

It is almost similar with Day Trading where you could use many trading systems. Its chart time fame is longer than that of day trading. It includes three types of trades, the trend trading, counter trend trading and range trading.

Discretionary Trading:

It does both technical and fundamental analysis. This trading style use visuals like charts to see the pattern of the movement of the market condition. It analyzes the market on a regular basis therefore giving the trader a better understanding of the trading environment. It also applies quantitative analysis to forecast traders’ earnings.

Scalping:

It uses the fundamental analysis to predict the future exchange rates. Traders who use this style watch the economic condition as a whole. They base their analysis on news that would affect the economy like natural disasters, politics, price hikes etc. Before the market adjusts to the condition they make a quick buying decision then sell once the market has recovered.

Automated Trading:

This is the most commonly used by both new and old traders. Trading is possible with little or no human intervention through the use of automated software programs. These trading robots were designed by expert traders. Since Foreign Exchange trading entails a lot of time and effort they saw the need for system to do the work for them. They programmed these robots based on their trading strategies so they need not to be in front of their PCs all the time. If you are the type of person who doesn’t have enough time to monitor the market 24/7 this is a trading style that will best work for you. Having the right knowledgeable, discipline and a reliable tool should not only make your trading easier but will also increase your chances of getting profits in no time.

Title and Author: I Dare You! by William H. Danforth

Synopsis of Content:

In this mid 20th Century motivational classic the author, a successful businessman and crusader for youth programs in St. Louis, Missouri, William Danforth dares you and any other reader to do great things and to be great. Originally published in 1953 it has been republished by several sources in recent years.

Although the book is aimed at youth and young adults challenging them to become more than they might first believe possible it has motivational value for all ages. Danforth was a strong believer that we limit ourselves and that by seizing opportunity and believing in our virtually unlimited potential we could exceed all expectations, including our own, and dare to be great.

In addition to providing raw motivational material the book discusses seven primary areas, called “dares” where the author challenges the reader to go deeper and strive further in life. They include adventure, accomplishments, strength, creativity, magnetic personality, character, and the willingness to share what you have. These qualities will be recognized as common to most success books and materials published over the past two centuries. What distinguishes Danforth’s little book is his framing his challenge as a dare.

While the attributes which Danforth promotes are found in works by Marsden, Hill and others the daring approach used by this author is unique. It appealed to the young and youthful, whether it be the high school aged children who attended his summer camps or the young men entering the business world.

Readability/Writing Quality:

The Executive Books edition is only 144 pages. It is easy to read, having been aimed at young people. It may appear somewhat naïve and simplistic by today’s standards. However the motivational truths in this work are no less true today than they were over 60 years ago.

Notes on Author:

William Danforth was the founder and long time President of the Ralston Purina Company. He also served as President of the American Youth Foundation and was very active in the YMCA. During his summers he devoted his time to training and helping less fortunate young people at summer camps in Michigan and elsewhere. He died in 1956.

Three Great Ideas You Can Use:

1. “Wealth, notoriety, place, and power are no measure of success whatever. The only true measure of success is the ration between what we might have done and what we might have been on the one hand, and the thing we have made and the thing we have mad of ourselves on the other”.

2. Each of us has four hidden giants or resources which we must develop constantly to attain greatness. These include the physical, the mental, the social and the spiritual aspects. To attain a balanced and powerful life you must nourish each of these aspects fully.

3. Continuous learning and improvement are essential to achievement. The author recommends a program of reading not less than one book per month. It will pay you back many times.

Publication Information:

I Dare You! by William H. Danforth. Copyright 2009 by Executive Books in the form presented in their publication. Published by Executive Books, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Over-all Rating for Book: Fair

When it comes to satellite television programming, your choice usually comes down to Dish Network vs Direct TV. By comparing these two satellite television providers, you can find the one that works best for you and your television viewing, so that you make the most of the money that you spend. Where do you begin your comparison of Dish Network vs Direct TV?

You will first want to compare the number of channels and the type of channels that are offered from each satellite provider.

Here is the basic rundown of the offerings of each service. For around $40 per month, Dish Network offers a satellite package of 100 top channels with the local channels. For the same amount, Direct TV offers a package of 140 top channels and includes 50 XM Satellite radio channels as well. This price for the Direct TV includes local channels as well.

By comparing the offerings for each price that fits your budget, you can find the right satellite provider for you and your needs.

Another comparison that you will want to make is the price of the components that are needed to get the satellite programming.

For the most part, these components are offered free if you sign up for service for a particular length of time, but sometimes there is a rental fee that is associated with components, which can cause your monthly fee to be more than the programming cost.

Be sure that you read the fine print of your contract to be sure that you completely understand the terms, so that there will not be any surprises.

Customer service is much the same for both companies. They each offer a 24 hour a day, seven days a week customer service line, which will allow you to get in touch with them any time that you need it.

Dish Network is ranked #1 in customer service for cable and satellite providers, but Direct TV is right behind them at #2. This shows you how much they value their customers and work to keep them happy versus cable providers.

One thing that Direct TV offers you that Dish Network doesn’t is some really cool sports viewing ability. This does cost extra, but the bird’s eye view and extra features that you get from these packages may be well worth the additional cost.

The sports that offer you these amazing views are NASCAR, NBA basketball, major league baseball, NFL football, hockey, and more. If you are a sports fanatic, then you will want to consider Direct TV for this programming.

When comparing Dish Network vs Direct TV, you will want to include those parts of television viewing or features that are important to you. If price is your main consideration, then use this as the main comparison. If sports are your thing, then use sports as your main comparison.

By customizing your comparisons to your viewing and needs, you will find the right satellite programming option for you and your needs.