Videotaping Your Magic Practices

The video camera can be quite the valuable ally for a magician. One way that a video camera is invaluable to a magician is that it will allow you to record your magic tricks and put them online for the world to see. Through this means, you can get excellent audience feedback. However, there is another way that you can benefit from having a video camera as well. By taking the time to record your own practice sessions, you will be opening up a new world of opportunities.

It's tough to get a good idea of what you look like when you are performing a task, and magic is no different. Recording yourself practicing magic tricks can be done in stages and in different ways. However, regardless of your approach, you should usually find this technique to be helpful.

Recording Your Tricks Alone

Knowing what the audience will see is very important for a magician. After all, you want to be certain that you are not giving away any secrets. One good way to make sure that your secrets are safe is to videotape the actual performance of your magic tricks. You may want to record your magic trick performances from various angles as well to ensure that you have your act down.

Record Your Tricks as a Whole

There are good reasons to record yourself practicing not just your tricks, but also your persona as well. In fact, you might even want to consider videotaping your persona without doing your tricks, so that you can strictly focus on how you are approaching your audience. Of course, seeing both the trick being performed and your "act" or approach to the audience should yield major rewards. Videotaping your performance will allow you to reflect on what you do and don't like and also to reflect on how you can improve.

Videotape Your Live Performances in Front of Audiences

Videotaping yourself in front of live audiences is the next step of the process. It is one thing to see your performance in a completely controlled and relaxed environment and quite another to see that same performance in front of a crowd. You may find that there are major differences; regardless, you will want to see your magic in action.

Taking the time to evaluate your performance is a step that all performers should periodically do. There is nothing quite like seeing yourself in action to help you learn and improve your act. While you might not always like everything you see, there is little doubt that such information will improve your overall performance.


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Cultivating Creativity - Part I

Art making has been around longer than the art establishment. Mankind has been motivated to create art for 70,000 years. The first cave paintings were done by someone...unnamed. He or she did it because he had to. The designation of art as self-expression or fine art is a contemporary idea. Artists do not have a lot to shore them up in today's world. At one time there was the church and patrons who kept art alive...today, the artist is essentially on his own to create and support the creating.

There is an assumption today that art is based on talent...something you either have or don't have. This assumption is fatalistic and offers no useful encouragement to those who would make art. While talent, fate, luck, and tragedy all play into human destiny, they are not tools for advancing your own art on a day-to-day basis. The danger is in identifying yourself with your art so you think that if you create flawed art you are a flawed person. It is healthier to accept a path to successful artmaking and do it because you have to. It makes you whole. It makes you happy.

Making art is difficult. Often the work in our minds seems more real than the work we have actually done. So, the questions are: How does art get done? Why, often, does it not get done? And, what is the nature of the difficulties that stop so many who start? With this series of articles, I would like to share the wisdom of many people who have studied the processes of creativity. I will be giving techniques to help the artist (writer, painter, dancer, musician, actor) maintain the skills that allow the art to be created. Let's start this discussion with some truths about creativity that place the power for your actions in your own hands.
These truths are:

1. Art making involves skills that can be learned.
In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive. These qualities can and need to be nurtured by others. Talent is doing something easily, but talent is ephemeral. Art is made through perseverance and hard work. Even if creativity is based on intuition, the artist must have a vocabulary and experience to apply what he feels. He must be grounded in craft.

2. Art is made by ordinary people.
People who are totally virtuous can hardly be imagined making art. Would the Virgin Mary paint landscapes? Would the Dali Lama throw pots? The perfect person doesn't need to make art. Our flaws and our weaknesses, while often obstacles to our getting work done, are a source of strength as well.

3. Making art and viewing art are different at their core.
To all viewers, what matters is the product: the finished work. To you, the artist, what matters is the process: the experience of creating the work. Virtually all artists spend much of their time creating work that no one else cares about. The function of the overwhelming majority of your artwork is to teach you how to make the small fraction of your artwork that soars. Even failed pieces are essential.

I believe that creativity is something that needs to be discussed and understood. I also believe that there are a number of exercises that can be used to increase the creative output of the individual. In the coming articles of this series, I will be sharing insights and activities that you can pursue to enhance your creativity. I invite you to join me in this adventure.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tricia_Poulos_Leonard

How to Do Vampire Makeup for Women

One of the most common looks that people try for Halloween is the look of a vampire. Bumping into a vampire can be dreadful experience for anyone and everyone. A lot of people think that it takes a lot of time and expertise in makeup to get the perfect look of a vampire. Here we are providing a short description on how you can just use the routine cosmetics and get that look. For the vampire makeup the first thing to be kept in mind is that the base of the makeup should be such that the face must look white.

How to do vampire eye makeup

To get the prefect look of a vampire one needs to focus on the eye makeup after one is done with the white foundation to get the pale look. Apply a lot of black liner on the eyebrows and the eye lids. Make sure that it is thick. To add more apply silver-colored eye shadow on the lids. If one wishes to get a sexy vampire look then apply mascara as well. For the eyebrows it must trimmed before or plucked. Then draw some lines on the top. This would give a scary look.

To make the eye look more scary work on the eye shading

The eyes are that part that would make one fall at the single glance, therefore, the eye makeup for the vampire look must be given high attention. After the liner and shadow application see to it that the area near the eye lashes must be given a dark tone. For this you can use grease paint of grey color. As you move towards the centre of the eyes it must get lighter. In order to put emphasis on the eye area, apply a highlighter of light color below the brow line.

Mouth of the vampire is the centre of attraction

It is the mouth of the vampire with which she sucks from the neck of the human being. Therefore, when doing makeup at the mouth, make it loud. For the best, use darkest red shade of the lipstick. After that use a red colored lip stains to give look as if she has just suck blood. If it is left to flow a bit then it would look as if blood is still fresh on her mouth. Do not use a liner as is normally used with red colored lipstick. This would give a look as if blood is flowing.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anuradha_Joshi

Keeping Focused in the Creative, Entertainment and Media Industry

Being successful in the creative, entertainment and media industry is no longer as simple as getting a job and climbing the career ladder of your choice.

As an actor, a musician, a writer, a producer, a director, an editor, a cameraman, a designer, a make up or costume designer, a production manager, a programme maker or an administrator or a manager, you now have to think outside the box and be flexible and open to opportunities.

It now requires more than just the professional skills and qualifications you've acquired, and even those need updating regularly as technology progresses at a rapid rate. You have to manage your own mindset, stay focused, network, build and maintain contacts and chase work - you have to be a business and do your own PR and marketing. At times, this can be frustrating, disheartening, stressful and exhausting.

Tips for keeping focused when you're looking for work

Maintain a routine from Monday to Friday
Get up at the same time each day - it doesn't have to be the crack of dawn! And go to bed at the same time each day.
Set yourself tasks for the day - job search on websites, sending emails to contacts, sending out CVs, applying for jobs and phone calls. Make a list or a chart and tick off when they're done.
Use a time management tool - something as simple as a list or a chart. Use a grid to help you prioritize what you need to do - eg: what's important/not important and urgent/not urgent.
Keep a day book - on one page write out what you have to do and on the opposite page make notes, so you easily go back and check what the outcome of a call or email was.
Keep a list of who you've contacted and when to follow up. Note in your diary or set an alert on your phone for when to follow them up.
Use social media - Facebook, Twitter and Linked In - to find out what's going on and who's doing what.
Give yourself a treat when you've finished your tasks- maybe go to the gym, go for a swim, watch a movie, bake a cake, paint your nails, have a soak in the bath or phone your best friend.
Exercise is a great way to help you remain positive as exercising releases positive endorphins. Why not train for a 5k or 10k race, so you have something else to focus on not just your job hunting.
Learn something new while you're not working. It will keep your brain active, give you something else to think about and help you stay positive. And, you may learn something new which could become another skill which can help you to earn money.
Alison B Matthews


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_B_Matthews

Japanese Calligraphy Tools

First of all, if you don't know what calligraphy is, here is a three sentence summary: Japanese calligraphy (shodo) is a branch of calligraphy (visual art), using the symbols of the Japanese language (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji). Today, there are three styles used: Kaisho, Gyosho, and Sosho. Japanese calligraphy is mainly a hobby for adults, and taught to elementary kids in Japan.

The Four Treasures of Japanese calligraphy. This is the name for the basic tools needed. Which are: Brush, Ink Stone, Ink, and Paper.

The brush (fude) is the main tool for Japanese calligraphy, although you need the other three of course! It is a tool used for both drawing and writing in ancient Japan. A traditional brush is made up of bamboo body with a head of animal hair, although other materials may be used. A brush is used over a pen or pencil simply because it is softer. Strokes with the brush are more suitable for the style of Japanese characters.The size of the brush may vary. A large one is used for the art of calligraphy, while a smaller one is used for signatures. In modern times, you can buy Japanese calligraphy pens, although you won't get the natural look.

The ink stone (suzuri) is a tool used for ink grinding. It is not only made out of stone however, it may also be created from ceramic or clay. This tool is used to grind an ink stick into liquid ink. It comes in a variety of colors and designs. and is also bought and used for decoration.

Ink (sumi), well the ink stick, is made up of charcoal and glue. These days, ink can be bought in bottles, but it is not as durable as ink from an ink stick, very low quality. And as I stated, won't give it that natural feel. This ink is used by the brush on paper (kami), or Washi specifically.

It is a soft paper suitable for a brush! This paper can be made up from several materials, such as bamboo, rice, wheat, gampi bark, mitsumata branches, or mulberry bark. Rice paper (hanshi) can also be used. Paperweights are a good idea to hold it steady while you work.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_R_Brown

Various Uses of Lanyards

Lanyards from the past have been used to hold some or other item for a person for whom that item can be of extreme importance. It can be a simple instrument such as a key or a space-age digital device to a simplest of instruments such as a whistle. In today's world, in big Multi-national companies to keep a check on its employees or visitors Identity cards or Passes are issued. Such passes are generally attached to a lanyard. Even for Promotional events Lanyards Printed with companies' logos are in use. In such a way the company and its brand name is also advertised on a large-scale.

Lanyards are also used in industries where heavy-duty machineries are fitted with dead man's switch or a kill switch has a lanyard so if incase some mishaps occurs with the operator the lanyard is pulled out thus switching off the heavy-duty machines and thus avoiding further accidents. In such cases Lanyard is wore on the wrist. Deep sea divers also practice wearing Lanyards so that the small instruments that they carry can be accessed very easily whenever needed as also swimmers use neck lanyards to keep their valuables. This helps them to keep the valuables with them even when they are swimming. Even in the game of geocaching - where in a small container the trinkets are hidden. The container which is generally small in size has also lanyard attached to it so that it can be handled properly.

Now days the digital devices which are lightweight and are small have a built in notch where a lanyard can be attached to make the handling easy. In such cases a cow hitch can be used to tie the lanyard to the digital devices, which also in turn helps to affix the digital device and the lanyard firmly.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_N_King

Lanyard Business in Today's World

Many of today's Lanyard manufacturers today give a variety of products which are made up from various types of fabrics and in various sizes & colors especially for the consumer on their specific demand. The most commonly used materials for making a Lanyard are cotton, polyester or any other nylon fabric, plastic such as PET, silk, nylon etc. Lanyards can be used by a specific company by printing their symbol on the lanyard as graffiti or a print-art. As this also a way to promote the Companies brand name and provide uniformity among the staff workers.

These printings are done by hot stamping or screen-printing or dye sublimation. Hot stamping is generally done by a Hot Stamp metal Plate with the art-work which is pressed on the Lanyard fabric. The artwork is what the client provides or is designed according to his needs. Hot-stamping is one of the most economical ways of getting the lanyard printed, but the only drawback is that the dye can be adjusted to give out a single color product. Whereas Screen-printing is one of the best forms to get the Lanyards printed with the symbol or art-work which is needed by the client.

It gives a very high quality and durable product. Dye sublimation gives out a superior outcome which is used for highly detailed and multicolored designs. This method gives out a smooth design which can resist abrasion and is thus less prone to fading. Depending on the user and its demands the printing of the Lanyard is chosen. For huge orders and where the lanyards are to be used for shorter period for example- Auction Galleries or expos or for Annual exhibitions the economical method of Hot-stamping is used.

Many Lanyard manufacturing companies are now days smartly marketing Lanyards online to increase their reach in global market.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_N_King