Kids' Auditions for TV Advert

The advertisement world has indeed come a long way. Long ago kids weren't allowed to appear on TV, let alone commercials. Nowadays, there are a lot of products in the market that specifically target children, and in order for them to sell, kids just have to be convinced that they are the best products for them. Such that when the kid's parents visit a supermarket they would prefer to buy the same products their kids showed them in TV. To be convincing to this particular age group, companies use fellow children to appear in adverts. Mostly, these kids appear on screen after permission from their parents. Before you present your kid to audition for a TV advert, the following are some of the things you should consider:

1) Does your kid really want to do this? Even if you are broke and in need of some quick cash, never do the mistake of using your child to get money by presenting the kid to audition for a TV advert. Most parents present their children to audition only after the kids have willingly accepted to do so. Another point to consider is that your kid doesn't have the capacity to make wise choices; as a parent, explain to the kid both the pros and cons of the child auditioning for TV. After he/she has understood this, then a go ahead can be allowed.

2) Comply with legal procedures. Remember that kids, even your own, form part of the minority group in the society. Most states don't allow children below a certain age to do TV adverts as this is viewed as child labor; and the penalties may be stiff. Also, there are guidelines that separate the ads kids can do and those ones left for adults. For example, alcohol adverts are not recommended for persons below the age of eighteen.

3) Another factor you should look into is your child's self confidence. Most kids tend to be helpless and only cling to their parents. Invest in helping your child develop trust in other people who'll be working with him/her at the auditions. This will save you from embarrassment of the kid trying to bite strangers or crying excessively. Remember, once your kid develops poise and self confidence, they can last with him/her for a lifetime.

4) Give your kid constant reassurance. The love and support you show to your kid would serve to boost the kids' self esteem as he/she prepares to audition. Words like "I know you can do it" or "you were meant for this" can help a lot in preparing the kid for the TV advert.

5) Manage your kid's income wisely. Remember that it's the kid's money and not yours; so don't go around wasting it in bars or throwing unnecessary parties. You can save it in the bank and later use it to fund the child's college education. Or use it to look for better roles your child can feature in other adverts.

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The Superstar Effect - Auditions & Confidence

How to Have Self Esteem? This question came to mind when I was reading a recent article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), called The Superstar Effect.

This article is based on the research of Jennifer Brown, an applied macro-economist at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University whose research paper is titled, Quitters Never Win: The (Adverse) Incentive Effects of Competing with Superstars.

The main point of the piece (by Jonah Lehrer) is this: "While challenging competitions are supposed to bring out our best, these studies demonstrate that when people are forced to compete against a peer who seems far superior, they often don't rise to the challenge. Instead, they give up."

In her research, Brown used Tiger Woods and the world of golf as an example. She discovered that when Woods is playing well, other golfers who play against him in tournaments, do not play as well as they can. She has numerous statistics to back up her research.

Brown ends her paper by suggesting that her findings may have implications for students - "...there is a potential downside to introducing tournament-style incentives into a classroom setting with a "superstar" pupil. Indeed, my research suggests that one possible outcome of such an introduction is a reduction in the effort of other students..."

How To Have Self Esteem

While Brown is talking about the classroom, I think that we singers can learn a few things from this study, as well.

Imagine this! You are in an audition or a competition and the person who sings before you is an absolutely remarkable singer?

How do you feel?

Do you have the tendency to shrivel? To say to yourself, "Sheesh, why bother singing? Of course, s/he is going to win? What chance do I have?"

If this has happened to you, you are in good company. Remember the Tiger Woods example: the men who play against Woods are professionals who make quite a lot of money a year playing golf. They must train hard to be in that league. They must have won many tournaments in their careers. And yet even they can feel diminished by the perceived greater worth of another player.

So let's take a creative look at how to have self esteem in this situation with an instructive example from the world of chess...

To Compete Or Not To Compete? - That Is The Question

Here's a true story...

An average amateur chess player got paired against his first titled National Master in an important city-wide tournament.

His friend said "Boy, were you unlucky! If you were rated only a few points higher, you would have played an unrated, but instead you are playing the only master in Philadelphia!"

He was right. This was going to be one tough game.

However, that amateur won the game --- roughly a 50-1 long shot! He still uses this example today when telling players not to be afraid of their opponent and just try their best on each move.

He explains he was not playing the National Master. He only focused on finding the best move he could in the time available - (because serious, slow chess is played with a clock) - every time it was his turn to move.

How to Have Self Esteem in an Audition

So this chess player strategizes about moving pieces around on a board, while we singers "play" our bodies. How can we use this man's wisdom in the world of singing auditions/competitions? Here's one suggestion: Go to the audition with a unique state of mind.... Decide not to compete.

I mean it. Do Not Compete.

Tell yourself that you are not there to beat others. Instead you are there to present yourself in your best light. Step by step, follow through on all the things that you wanted to accomplish in the audition - from how you walk into the room, to how you complete your final phrase. If you attend carefully to all those performance details, you will be successful whether or not you "win."

And you will leave your best impression with the judges who will remember you next time, even if you do not take the prize this time.

If you would like to learn more about singing career tips please visit me at: http://www.singing-tips-with-barbara-lewis.com/index.html
I have been a singer, songwriter and vocal coach for over 25 years. I have produced and/or co-produced several of my own original-music CDs as well as two television-quality music videos which play regularly on Bravo TV and Classical Arts Showcase.

Auditions - Get, Set, Go!

Your audition dates are nearing and nothing matters to you more than performing well before the judges. It is quite natural to feel butterflies in your stomach whenever you think about it. Your mind is not in place and sometimes you may lose your appetite and sleep. You are worried if all these factors would affect your performance and spoil the chance. Now don't take all this to your nerves, there are ways to excel even in the hardest of all situations.

Self-confidence should be your word on the day of audition. Nothing can boost up our energy levels than a radiating self confidence. If you're feeling low and think that others are far better, then you would probably end in ruins. The best thing to boost your self confidence is taking the audition in a light manner. Never think that this is a 'do or die' job. So even if you see chances of losing it, you won't be shattered. Hope for the better tomorrow. Be positive in your attitude towards your skills and luck. Now self confidence should not be mistaken with over confidence. It would affect your performance not in the right way. Make sure that you believe in yourself and at the same time in others too. Be unique in your way of presentation but try not to keep an air of it.

You must do a lot of preparation prior to the auditions. This includes proper research on the requirement. If you are attending auditions for film, theater or modeling, it would always be better to learn a few facts about the director, company or theatre that will audition your talents. Try to understand what they are looking for and incorporate your talents with their needs. If it's a musical or dance audition, ask them about the accompaniments. It would be perfect to prepare yourself with your performance after knowing the basic requirements.

First impression is the best and this cannot be thwarted away as a cliché. So when you are preparing for the auditions, plan well about your dress and it would be better to have a dress rehearsal beforehand. Try not to be very casual and carefree. If you dress formally, this would create a good impression about your total personality. For dance, acting and modeling auditions, it would be better to ask about your costumes and accessories. Even then, never overdo your make-up or costumes. Try to be simple as possible. Messy hair styles should be strictly avoided. The mantra here is to look good and feel good. Punctuality is also an important factor as you don't have to mess the performance by reaching late at the place. Keep a professional resume which would highlight all your talents and be polite to the judges and other crew members.

During auditions try to be casual with no hurry berries. Never put extra effort to showcase your talent and neither play it down. During acting auditions, if the director asks to perform monologues, you should not overdo with unnecessary emotions. Try being yourself and everything else will come naturally. If you know that there would be cameras to pick up your performance, you should be prepared to manage that too. After you have finished your performance, it is always good to thank the judges with a smile. This contributes in assessing your basic etiquette.

Well, with all these self confidence and etiquettes in place, you are surely going to grab the opportunity. The best confident performances always accompany best results. If not, come on, this is not the last chance in your life! There is always a second chance.

The author is famous for writing articles on auditions for films. He has written various articles on auditions for movies.