Become Your Own Publicist

Promoting your work is one of the most important parts if you want to be successful. You can have the most artful and important message in the world within your film, but if nobody sees it, it won't matter very much in the scope of show business. A publicist is often the link between success and failure for a venture. If you absolutely cannot afford to hire one, be your own publicist. It's a challenge, but you are up for the job!

Instructions

1. Start in your own realm. Think of that game where everybody is six degrees away from Kevin Bacon. It really is a small world, and you likely know somebody who knows somebody who has the power to influence millions to see your picture or listen to your record. Call in all favors in a polite way, and ask all those involved in your industry about advice on getting the word out. You'd be surprised how many people come to your rescue and assistance.

2. Network on social sites. It is imperative that you make a page for your film, record, or artist. Make pages on every social networking site that you can find. Invite everybody you know or have met once. Invite strangers that share the interest or love of similar movies or music. Go all out. Read the site policies so that you know not to abuse them, but work the system as best you can. You need to get the word out to to large numbers of people, and this is often your best marketing tool. Look at the success of the "Blair Witch Project" for smart online marketing that paid off big time!

3. Create a niche market. Be realistic about the sort of people who will become fans of your work. You will have no success marketing a goth sound to pop Christian music fans. Truly decide where you fit in the market, and target that group of people. Post on their message boards without promoting yourself, and get to know what your market is seeking. Tailor all press releases and posters to that audience.

4. Design poster art. You will use this for your actual release, but it will also be used for promotion. If you know graphic design or have a vision in your head, try to design it yourself. Otherwise, enlist the help of others. Go to undergraduates at graphic design schools for the best deals.

5. Make a lot of postcards. You can get these made cheaply online or at local printing shops. You're sure to find the best deals if you buy a large amount. Place them in stores, record shops, and restaurants. Place them on billboards, and pay someone to stand on the street in high traffic areas that those within your niche market frequent. Mail them to those you know. Ask your mom and friends for their Christmas card lists if possible, and mail it to as many people as you can. If you have a large enough budget, consider purchasing a marketing list. People will take you seriously if they see your name and face often enough.

6. Create a press kit. Send this to magazines to create an interest in featuring your film. Send it to those who can ultimately find success for you. If you are entering your film in a festival, send it to the judges. If you are marketing your music, send it to producers and record company big wigs. Be creative in your press kit, and splurge a bit. If it's a film about red shoes, include a red shoe lace on the folder cover. A press kit generally includes press-ready photographs, insider information, biographies on cast and crew, and a synopsis of the project.

7. Get interviewed by as many reporters as possible. Go for things as small as 'zines, and go for things as big as national radio and television. You never know what success you may have. Send press kits with a personalized letter to as many places as possible.

Choreograph A Duck Race

The canoers herd the ducks downstream

A great way to raise funds for an organization is to sponsor a rubber duck race.

Instructions

Duck-meisters at work

1. Get a team of people together who are interested in organizing and participating in the event. Make sure you get people who aren’t averse to tromping around in creek water.

2. Decide how many ducks you think you can sell and how much money you hope to raise from this project. Purchase rubber ducks online. You might want to start out with 500 ducks, selling them for $5 or $10 each.You don’t sell the actual duck; you sell its corresponding number. For example, Duck # 38 is sold to Joe Jones. Joe doesn’t take physical possession of the duck. The ducks remain in the possession of the duck team.

3. Number the ducks using a permanent black marker. Make the numbers large so spectators watching from the shore can see them.

4. Decide when and where the race is going to take place. You need a body of water with a current. Advertise the event in the newspaper and on the radio. Decide on rules ahead of time, such as when are you going to stop selling the ducks. This can vary from several days before the event to up until the time of the race. Make sure to get the buyer's name, phone number, and address when the ducks are sold so you can contact him after the race if he's a winner. You may want to make it a rule that you have to be present to win.One of the duck team members must keep track of who bought what duck so there is no confusion at the end. At the race site, display several poster boards showing who owns what duck. Another duck team member must keep careful track of the money. Before the race, you must be decide how much of the money you’re going to give away and how much the organization is going to keep. Then you must decide how many winners there will be and how you will divide the money. You should announce this in advance of the race. It’s also fun to give a cash prize to the last place duck for just hanging in.

5. The team must decide where the starting line is and where the finish line is. The team should also decide how they’re going to ‘dump’ the ducks in to the water. One city puts the ducks in large trash bags and hauls them to an old trestle that spans the creek. The ducks are dumped from the trestle at a specific time.

6. Have people in the water in canoes and kayaks. This adds to the festivities but these duck-herders are also there to help untangle ducks that get stuck in the brush and to resuscitate ducks that take on water.The people in the watercraft should have walkie-talkies, as should the people at the finish line, so play-by-plays can be given: Duck # 402 is in the lead (and so on). It adds to the competitive nature of the event.Someone at the finish line should have a bullhorn so he can announce to the spectators which ducks are in the lead or in last place.

7. Construct a finish line. You can do this in a variety of ways. One city opted to pound stakes into the creek bed (in the water). They ran a waterski rope through swimming pool noodles, stringing several noodles together between the poles. This design created the V-shaped funnel, which led to the finish line. The noodles kept wayward ducks in bounds and in the competition and the noodles also added color to the event. The funnel narrows down to a small opening that only allows one duck through at a time, which is necessary to be able to clearly determine which duck is the winner. You need a duck catcher. He grabs up the ducks in order, careful not to get them out of order. The ducks come swiftly, so be ready. Other people at the finish line should have fishnets so they can capture ducks that are sprinting downstream. Don’t let them to get away. Collect all of the ducks and re-use them the next year.

Create A Existence Cast Sculpture

Life casting is the process of creating a sculpture of a person while they're still alive to produce the most accurate representation of that person. Creating a life cast sculpture requires a little patience, preparedness and caution.

Instructions

1. Gather the ingredients to make a life casting and have them at the ready. A well-organized project results in the best life casting and reduces the chance of harm or injury.

2. Put on a pair of vinyl gloves for this project. Latex gloves are acceptable if the person being cast is not allergic to latex.

3. Apply a thin film of petroleum jelly product over the life cast area. The jelly allows for easy removal of the life casting material. Place a swim cap over the poser's head to prevent material from sticking to their hair.

4. Spread a generous amount of alginate or commercially available plaster coated bandages over the casting area. Allow complete drying.

5. De-mold the model from the casting material. Gently and carefully cut away the mold from the model using a pair of very sharp scissors.

6. Fill the life-casting mold with the material the artist has chosen for the final casting, which commonly includes plaster, liquid metal or even clay.

Generate A Seem Board

Live performances are the most exciting thing about music. The band gets to connect with the crowd, the crowd gets to clap and sing along and by the end of the night something special has passed between everyone. But the next time you're at a show, take the time to realize that before the doors even opened that a sound person was working very hard to give your concert experience some memorable audio. If this sounds like an intriguing career possibility, read on to learn set up a sound board.

Instructions

1. Find a good location. In a studio, you have the luxury of the monitors being pointed at you. In a live setting, everything isn't all about you. The speakers are positioned so the crowd can hear everything. This means you have to move your rig to a spot where the acoustics are good and you are out of the way. Dead center toward the back is usually a good spot, but it may depend on the venue. The venue may also already have a booth set up.

2. Place your microphones. It's a lot easier said than done. You're going to have to mic up each amplifier, each drum and each vocalist and keep all of your lines and mics out of the musician's way. Also, a basic knowledge of mic placement will be helpful, especially on the drums.

3. Plug all your microphones into your snake. A snake is a box with a lot of XLR ports in it that runs directly to your sound board. Remember which microphone you plug into which port. Take a pad and paper with you if you can't remember. You're going to have to keep this information straight when you get to the board.

4. Label the channels the microphones are plugged into on your sound board by using masking tape and a felt pen. Lay down a long strip of tape beneath all the tracks and write down which mic is corresponding to that track.

5. Have the band check each of the mics individually by playing their instrument. This will help you see if everything is plugged in right while you EQ the instruments at the same time.

Things You Can Do In The Palacio P Cristal

Palacio de Cristal is a place to admire art and relax.

Palacio de Cristal (museoreinasofia.es) is a glassy pavilion overlooking a lake in Madrid's city park Parque del Retiro. Ricardo Velazquez Bosco established the building in 1887 as a greenhouse to host a exhibition of exotic plants from the Philippines. When the exhibition ended, the government decided to use the building for temporary art installations. The Museo Reina Sofia manages the art installations at the Palacio de Cristal, where you can also relax in contact with nature, enjoy the company of friends or a book or engage in your favorite artistic activity.

Enjoy Art

Palacio de Cristal hosts temporary art installations. According to the Museo Reina Sofia website, previous art installations include the works of Evaristo Bellotti and Josiah McElheny. In 2008, Belloti presented an installation that covered the Palacio's floor area using 1,668 marble flagstones covered by water. Entitled "A Space for an Island Universe," McElheny's work consisted of sculptures of hand-blown glass and chrome plated metal. Theories about the origin of the universe and the chandeliers of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York inspired this art work, also on display in 2008.

Enjoy Architecture

Palacio de Cristal 's building is a piece of art on its own, mostly built of iron and glass. Velazquez Bosco projected the Palacio de Cristal inspired by London's Crystal Palace, which had been built a few years earlier. However, the building is also a good example of the so-called iron-architecture of 19th century Spain. Reflected on the water of the front lake, the Palacio de Cristal seems to float, despite its solid architectonic structure.

Have a Picnic

Entrance to the Palacio de Cristal and the surrounding grounds is free of charge on weekdays and weekends alike. You can invite some friends and arrange a picnic by the lake, and relax afterward in a Spanish style siesta under the shade of the trees. You can also take a book and spend all afternoon reading or simply admiring the palace's beauty reflected on the lake.

Draw or Take Pictures

When visiting Palacio de Cristal, take some pencils and sheets of paper and test your artistic ability. You can draw the building itself, or the ducks and geese that live by the lake. If you are not a confident artist, swap paper and pencils for a camera. Explore new angles, reflections, people and animals surrounding you.

Things In La To Go To

Whale watching near the city offers some great sites.

Los Angeles is a city filled with sites for both the spectator and the vacationer. You may travel here to see the most famous sites associated with Hollywood and its glitz and glamor. But when you make your list of what you want to see in addition to the larger tourist attractions, include some sites that many tourists overlook.

Whale Watching

Along the shoreline, just minutes from downtown Los Angeles, you will find Newport Beach, where you can see whales surfacing at the top of the water. Contact one of the local charters to take a whale-watching tour, or head to the north of the beach to Channel Islands National Park, which has a visitor center featuring a tower with telescopes for viewing. During the winter and spring, you can get views of gray whales as they migrate from Alaska to Mexico. In the summer and fall, you can see blue whales and finback whales.

Tours

You may choose to take a walking tour of the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard or shop along Rodeo Drive. Many reputable tour companies are located in Los Angeles and offer tours of the city. The hop-on, hop-off double-decker buses are convenient, making it possible to stop where you want, and get back on the bus when you choose. Tours to Universal Studios, Warner Brothers Studios, theme parks and the Hollywood Wax Museum are available.

Farmers Market

The Original Farmers Market is an outdoor market where you will find stands offering a large variety of foods and gifts. You are protected from the sun while strolling through the market by canvas tarps. Close to the Farmer's Market is the Grove, an outdoor shopping district. The Grove features high-end stores, restaurants, a theater and live performances.

The Getty Center

The Getty Center is set against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views. Here you will find the J. Paul Getty Museum, offering art collections, with a concentration on western and southwest art from the middle ages to the present. Admission to the museum is free. There is a $15 charge for private parking at the center, where gardens, restaurants and shopping surround the museum.

Beaches and Parks

Along the beachfront in Los Angeles, you will find Venice Beach and Muscle Beach. The boardwalk runs parallel to the beaches leading to handball courts, paddle tennis courts, a skate dancing plaza and numerous beach volleyball courts. Griffith Park, located nearby, is a large recreational area that is also child-friendly. Bicycle rentals are available for transportation to the Greek Theatre, the Equestrian Center and other sites on the park's 4,000 acres. Griffith Observatory is also located here. No reservations are required and admission to the observatory is free.

Digital Piano Versus Keyboard

Whether playing in a band, recording in a studio, or merely playing music as a hobby at home, knowing what instrument you want to purchase is important. Knowing the differences between digital pianos and keyboards can help in making an informed decision on what is the right instrument for you.

Digital Piano

A digital piano is an instrument that is based on an acoustic piano. It is physically smaller than a piano and in most cases is a cheaper alternative to a new acoustic piano.

Keyboard Design

Stylistically based upon the piano, keyboards vary in size and quality. Mostly of a more compact design, keyboards range from cheap introductory level instruments to high-end professional instruments.

Sounds

Digital pianos have sounds that are derivative of an acoustic piano, recreating the timbre of instruments such as a Wurlitzer or Fender-Rhodes. Keyboards have a wider range of synthesized sounds including guitar, percussion, and orchestral instruments.

Playability

One of the main differences between a digital piano and a keyboard is the feel and the playability. Digital pianos have weighted keys to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano, whereas most keyboards will eschew this feature, instead choosing non-weighted keys as a standard.

Other Differences to Consider

Most digital pianos are designed to be used in exactly the same way as traditional acoustic pianos and do not need any extra amplification. Budget keyboards that are priced for home use also work this way, however, the more professional keyboards that are designed for studio and live work need amplification to produce sounds.

Undergraduate Art Scholarship grants

Painting: one medium of art

Studying art in college can result in a rewarding and challenging career. To help pay for an art education, a multitude of scholarships have been made available to undergraduates working toward their degree. Some are based on financial need while others are based on content and style. Each scholarship has its own specific set of requirements, but all are geared toward helping students on their way to a career in the arts.

World Studio AIGA Art Scholarship

The World Studio AIGA art scholarship is open to students who are planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program devoted to fine or commercial arts, design or architecture. According to the website Financial Aid Finder, students applying must have at least a 2.0 GPA and must demonstrate a need for financial aid. Recipients of the scholarship are chosen based on how much they give back to the community as well as their need and talent. As of May 2010, the financial amount awarded is between $1,000 and $5,000 as well as a number of $500 honorable mention awards. Those applying must submit files of their work online with a second set sent in through the mail.

AIGA

164 Fifth Avenue

New York NY 10010

212-807-1990

aiga.org

The Scholarships.com Art Scholarship

Sponsored by the search engine website, Scholarships.com, this $1,000 scholarship is awarded to high school seniors or undergraduates who are planning on majoring in an arts field. This scholarship is easy to qualify for which allows more students to apply. All that's required for applicants is that they be a high school senior or undergrad, a U.S. citizen, a registered user of scholarships.com and planning on majoring in an arts-related field. This is not strictly limited to fine arts or graphic design. Scholarships.com has opened its award to students planning on working in nontraditional artistic fields such as cosmetology, web design and new medias. It is also open to students in the performing arts sector. Those planning on studying vocal work, film studies or dance are also eligible. Scholarships.com has the full list of art focuses that qualify for the scholarship.

The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund

This scholarship, sponsored by the National Cowboy Museum, is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 35. As of May 2010,this is a year long appointment and recipients receive $5,000, although this money can be distributed between multiple applicants at the discretion of the committee. As stipulated in the Staceys' will, those who apply for the scholarship must be willing and committed to continuing the classical western traditions of art, including form, drawing, painting and in technique. Recipients are allowed to choose how they want to spend the money to foster their classical techniques, but the committee is allowed to make recommendations. Those who win the scholarship are also required to submit a quarterly report of their work along with a more complete report at the end of the year. The application for the Stacey Scholarship is available on the National Cowboy Museum's website.

Headshot Tips

A headshot is an 8" X 10" glossy photograph that is two-sided. One side has a full facial shot, the other side should have a composite of three or more photos that represent the kind of characters one might be able to portray. Your name and contact info, including any agent info, must be on the composite side, as well as a list of acting credits, if you have any. Professional photos should be taken.

The Full Face Shot

This is technically the headshot photo. This shot will be the dominant representation of your look and should represent you as you want to be seen by casting directors. If you are young and attractive, either male or female, you want this shot to show your face, hair and expression to the best of your ability. Consider it a "beauty shot". Make sure your eyes are visible and convey an expression of personality. There should not be a blankness to your expression, casting directors want to see a face that is alive with personality. Yet it doesn't have to be all smiles. If you see yourself more as a brooding or dramatic type, emphasize that. With older actors, you do want your age to show so that you will be considered for roles that are appropriate for you and your look. Use light makeup and make sure your hair looks the best it can. Some airbrushing can be used, but don't take years off your age or remove visible imperfections like significant scars or bags under the eyes. You want the photo to portray the person who will walk in the door if they call you in for an interview.

The Composite Side

Here is where you can show some range. If you see yourself as a very commercial actor, show yourself in settings that portray the kind of characters you can play. For example, if you are a grey-haired, serious-looking male or female, consider a shot with glasses, lab coat and a stethoscope in a doctor's role. Or if you're an action kind of character, sit on a motorcycle or bike. If you are someone whose face shows a lot of wear and tear and who could play gangsters, villains or gang members, show yourself in those kinds of poses. If you are just starting out and could play a range of characters that are "pretty" or "handsome" show one shot with glasses, one in action (e.g., running or dancing) and one that shows your full body, in bathing suits if you have the body for it. Many of these shots can be done outdoors.

Children's Headshots

This is a tricky area. Above all, do not use photos that are more appropriate for pageant work when dealing with little girls. Most all casting directors hate pageant-style photos with excessive makeup and hair on children. The main headshot should be a full face photo and show the child's natural charisma. If your child is an offbeat look, don't be afraid to play that up. Not everyone wants a little precious prince or princess. If your child has teeth missing, play that up. Put a baseball cap on them and have them smile proudly. Casting directors are always looking for every type of child. For the composite on the back, again, show your child in a set of three or four set-ups that show range. If you absolutely must include a pageant shot, you can put one on this side. Use costumes like Girl Scout uniforms or baseball uniforms, too.

The Very Best 10 Things To See And Do In Paris

Sacre-Couer Basilica is situated on the highest point in Paris, France.

With over 170 museums, 476 parks and gardens, dozens of historic monuments and some of the best shopping and fine dining in the world, you may be overwhelmed on spend your limited time in Paris. To plan your trip to Paris, prioritize attractions according to your interests, plot locations on a map and plan to visit close-by sites on the same day, and don't try to do too much on your trip. Slow-down and enjoy the Parisian charms of strolling along the Seine river, leisurely drinking a glass of wine in a cafe and wandering medieval streets in search of the perfect souvenir.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral to see one of the finest examples of French gothic architecture. Designed in 1163, constructed over two centuries, and completed in 1345, the Notre Dame Cathedral overlooks the Seine River and the heart of medieval Paris. Don't forget to climb the bell tower for an incredible view of Paris and to see the bells made famous in Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Notre Dame Cathedral

Parvis Notre Dame

Paris, France 75004

011-33-01-42-34-56-10

notredamedeparis.fr

Sacre-Coeur Basilica

Situated at the highest point in Paris in the Montmartre neighborhood, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica has panoramic views of the Parisian skyline. Note the Basilica's unusual Roman-Byzantine architectural style, which is not commonly seen in Europe. Make sure to explore the nearby artists' workshops on the streets adjacent to the Basilica.

Sacre-Coeur Basilica

35, rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre

Paris, France 75018

011-33-01-53-41-89-00

sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

Louvre Museum

Smile back at the enigmatic Mona Lisa, gasp at the extravagant French crown jewels, shudder at the sight of preserved Egyptian mummies and admire the details of ancient Greek sculptures like the Venus de Milo at the Louvre Museum. The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, so plan at least half a day to explore the treasures of the Louvre.

The Louvre

Mo Palais-Royal / musée du Louvre

Paris, France 75001

011-33-01-40-20-50-50

louvre.fr

Eiffel Tower

No visit to Paris is complete without ascending the Eiffel Tower and marveling at the massive size of this monument that is an international symbol for Paris, France. Plan to visit the tower at night to see the sparkling, synchronized light show that occurs at the top of the hour, and to look out over the Paris skyline at night. When you experience the panoramic view over Paris at night from the top of the Eiffel Tower, you'll realize why Paris is known as "The City of Lights."

Eiffel Tower

5 Parc du Champ de Mars

Paris, France 75007

011-33-01-44-11-23-23

tour-eiffel.fr

Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is devoted to modern art, and is one of the most popular museums in Paris, hosting over six million visitors per year. The modern art exhibits consist of paintings, sculptures, multi-media displays and performance art. Even if you are not a fan of modern or abstract art pieces, the sheer scale and variety of the exhibits guarantee you will find something of interest. Don't miss riding the exposed escalators to the top of the building for a view of the Eiffel Tower and Paris skyline.

Centre Pompidou

Place Georges Pompidou

Paris, France 75004

011-33-01-44-78-12-33

centrepompidou.fr

Musee d'Orsay

Located in a renovated 19th century train station, the Musee d'Orsay contains some of the most famous Impressionist paintings in the world. Visit the Musee d'Orsay to see Monet's waterlilies, Vincent Van Gogh's self-portraits and Renoir's colorful depictions of French country life.

Musee d'Orsay

1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur

Paris, France 75007

011-33-01-40-49-48-14

musee-orsay.fr

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe towers over one end of the Champs-Elysees, and was built by Napoleon in 1838 to celebrate his victories on the battlefield. Today, for Americans, the Arc de Triomphe is most remembered for the pictures of Allied Forces marching under the Arc after liberating Paris in World War II.

Arc de Triomphe

Place Charles-de-Gaulle

Paris, France 75008

011-33-01-55-37-73-77

arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr

Luxembourg Gardens

At more than 60 acres, the Luxembourg Gardens are one of the largest parks in Paris and one of the most popular parks for Parisians to picnic and soak up the sun. Wander through the manicured gardens, search for the replica of the Statue of Liberty and watch children sailboats on the lake in front of the Luxembourg Palace.

Luxembourg Gardens

15 rue de Vaugirard

Paris, France 75006

011-33-01-44-54-19-49

Sainte-Chapelle

Located on an island in the Seine, Ile de la Cite, Sainte-Chapelle is a 13th century French Gothic Cathedral famous for its stained glass windows. Plan to attend a sunset chamber orchestra concert to hear the outstanding acoustics, as well as view the multi-colored play of lights through the large stained glass windows.

Sainte-Chapelle

4 bd. du Palais

Paris, France 75004

011-33-01-53-40-60-80

sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr

Musee de l'Orangerie

If you like the French Impressionists and especially the works of Claude Monet, plan to visit the Musee de l'Orangerie. The small museum, located near the Louvre in the Tuileries Gardens, contains a huge canvas of Monet's water lilies in a circular room with natural light. Monet created these scenes specifically for this venue for the Parisians to have a natural escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris city life. Walk 360 degrees around the large, seamless canvases to see why Monet is a master of the Impressionist technique of playing with color and light to create work of lasting beauty.

Musee de l'Orangerie

Jardin desTuileries

Paris, France 75001

011-33-01-44-77-80-07

musee-orangerie.fr

Custom Pad Your Pictures

Custom matting your photographs or other art work can be daunting if you are unsure of what kind of board to use or even where to start. With the right tools and supplies though, and a bit of practice, you can cut your own matte boards in no time.

Instructions

1. Find a piece of matte board that is about 2 to 3 inches larger than your photograph on every side. For example, if you have a photograph that is 5 x 7, your matte board should be at least 7 x 9.

2. Set up a clean area on a large surface. You will want to put down a backing piece of cardboard over your table so you do not cut through and scratch it.

3. Measure your matte board to a size slightly smaller than your intended frame (approximately 1/16 of an inch or smaller.)

4. Measure the opening for your photograph. You can measure the opening to be the exact size of your photographic image or choose to show a slight white edge around it depending on your preference.

5. Plan to “weight” the bottom edge of your frame. Optically, if your opening is exactly in the center, it will appear to be slightly off-center. Correct for that by adding ¼ to ½ an inch extra on the bottom of your board. For example, if your board is 7 x 9 and your opening needs to be large enough for a 5 x 7 image, make the top edge of your matte 1 ¾ inches wide, your side edges 2 inches wide, and your bottom edge 2 ¼ inches wide. Trace this opening on the back side of the matte using your ruler to make straight lines.

6. Place your matte with its good side down, on a clean piece of cardboard, and line up your ruler with the first edge. Very carefully, using the X-acto knife, cut your first edge. Take care to keep your fingers out of the way at all time. Repeat for each side of the matte board.

7. Place your photograph. You can hold it in place using a small piece of archival tape (known as “Linen” tape) on each side of the back of the matte.

Weather-resistant Garden Crafts For Children

Help children create a weatherproof garden stepping-stone.

Gardening crafts get children outside and working with nature. However, rain, snow and sunshine can all wash away the fun if the craft isn't suited for the great outdoors. Luckily, there are plenty of weatherproof garden projects and crafts for kids that can stand up to the elements once they're completed.

Clay Pots

Encourage kids to have a colorful garden-themed afternoon by decorating their own clay flower pots. Kids of all ages can get involved in this project as they use the rounded pots as canvases for their art pieces. Simply wash the pot with soapy water to ensure all the dirt is off. Then let your kids get as creative as they choose by decorating the pot with acrylic paints using paintbrushes, stencils and stamps. When they're finished, top it off with a coat of a waterproof sealer, such as an acrylic all-purpose sealer, to ensure it stands up to the elements once it's filled with a flower or plant and placed in the garden.

Plant Markers

Organize your garden by creating plant markers. Start with an 8-inch-long rectangular slab of a reconstituted wood, such as MDF (medium density fiberboard). An adult should cut the wood into a triangle shape using a jigsaw. Make sure to file any edges that might have splinters. Then let kids decorate one plant marker for each row of seeds they plan to grow. Help younger children correctly spell the name of each plant or vegetable. Add some extra flair by using bright colors and making designs on the plant markers. Coat the markers with a clear all-purpose acrylic sealer paint that will allow the markers to stand tall through any kind of weather.

Stepping-Stones

Create a pathway through their garden by helping children make stepping-stones. Start by mixing some quick-setting concrete in a bucket, following the manufacturer's directions. When the mixture reaches a peanut butter-like consistency, pour it in a container to shape your stepping-stones. This might be a round baking pan (coated with cooking spray) or the bottom of a plastic milk container. Place the container on a level surface and allow it to set for a few minutes. Decorate the stepping-stone with anything the children choose, from hand prints to mosaic tiles. Let the concrete set and dry for about four days before placing it in your garden.

Wind Chime

Help kids create a decorative weatherproof wind chime for their garden. Begin with a piece of PVC pipe about an inch or two thick and six to 10 inches long. Find weatherproof objects that can be dangled from the wind chime, including tiny plant pots, wooden balls, beads, bells, sea shells and buttons. If the item doesn't already have a hole in it, an adult can use a drill to make one. Tie a few items along a piece of fishing line or other weatherproof string, using knots to keep them in place. Attach the decorated strings across the pipe, with each string dangling about one inch apart. Using another piece of string, tie one end to each end of the pipe so that the wind chime can be hung in the garden.

How Big Headshots

Professional headshots are an important investment for every performer.

No matter how talented you are as a performer, sloppy headshots are a big turn-off with casting agents. Professional-looking headshots are an important element of every performer's portfolio that can help you land the next big gig.

Size

The standard size of a headshot is 8X10. Professional headshots are in black and white.

Function

A professional headshot is used to introduce the performer to casting agents. They are most often accompanied by a resume. The goal of a headshot is to provide a simple and accurate representation of what the actor looks like on his or her best day.

Considerations

Before taking headshots, some important considerations include the photographer's reputation, cost of headshots, how many 8X10 headshots are included in the package, cost for reprints and who owns the negatives.

Advice

Avoid wearing clothes with patterns, turtlenecks or jewelry. Artistic lighting and poses should be avoided. Professional-looking headshots are crisp, clear and strive to capture the subject's natural look.

Learn Calligraphy For Wedding Invites

Hand addressed envelopes

Learn to address wedding invitations in calligraphy using special tools that help create a beautiful writing style. It takes a little practice and understanding of the technique when using a calligraphy pen (very different from writing with a ballpoint pen). Guests receiving a lovely hand-addressed wedding invitation will appreciate the time and effort taken to make the event very special.

Instructions

1. Use correct technique. Using a pen with a wide nib, hold the calligraphy pen so the nib is at a 45-degree angle. Rest your palm on the writing surface and move your hand so that letters are written with wide and narrow features. This requires a consistent writing angle. Keep the pen rigid between your fingers and do not turn the pen or you will lose the angle needed to write pretty letters.

2. Practice writing individual letters like "X" and "O" before you write words. These lend themselves to wide and narrow thicknesses, the essence of calligraphy. Letters should be written at the same angle, stay equal distance apart and stay within the proper proportion. Study calligraphy books to understand the basic technique. It may help to photocopy a page or two in Italian italics, one of the easier calligraphy writing styles to learn, and trace the letters. The more practice, the better.

3. Follow the Italian italics lettering style in a guide book and write the alphabet in lower case. Write slowly, carefully and large. Do the same with capitals. Writing with a large nib makes it easier to acquire a consistent calligraphy style.

4. Switch to a medium nib pen and write the italic alphabet again (lower case and capitals). There is a distinct difference in letters now that you have a little experience writing with a wider nib and have learned to hold your hand properly.

5. Make an insert on white card stock with lines wide enough to be seen through an envelope. This is a guide to address envelopes evenly and on a straight line. The insert can be used for all envelopes addressed for the wedding invitations.

Do Fundamental Top Rock Moves And Stages In Break Dancing

Do Basic Top Rock Moves and Steps in Break Dancing

Top rock is the standing up part of break dancing that dancers begin with and use to transition to the flashier down rock moves. Although top rock is sometimes thought of as basic, it is a central part of break dancing and helps define a dancer's style and skill.

Instructions

1. Stand with your feet together and arms at your sides. Take a step forward with your right foot, landing only briefly on the balls of your feet.

2. Spread your arms up from your body to a position that resembles a broad hug just as you start to take your step forward.

3. Bring your right foot back to the starting position. Do a little hop on your left foot as you bring your right foot back to add some style. Bring your arms back to the starting position as you do.

4. Step forward with your left foot once your right foot returns to its starting position. Complete the step by performing the same arm movements and hop that you did when you stepped with your right foot.

5. Start doing the move in a rhythm. As you get comfortable moving forward and back in the top rock, add some more bounce to your initial step. Make sure you're not leading with your hips by staying upright throughout the top rock move.

6. Turn to the side as your perform the top rock so you face different parts of the room. Keep the top rock moving and turning so you face different directions to add some more style.

Christian Youth Group Activities For October

Many Christian youth groups struggle for acceptable activities to do in October. Some congregations do not feel that celebrating Halloween is a good idea, while others hold a celebration in order to offer an alternative to the youth at their church. Whatever your congregation's views, October activities can be good outreach opportunities for the church in the community.

Harvest Festival

Instead of having a Halloween party, your church group can hold a harvest festival. This can be a carnival-type atmosphere, which offers kids and youth the opportunity to play games and earn prizes such as candy and stickers for participating. A good harvest festival will have activities that appeal to young children as well as to teenagers. Consider scheduling events such as a pie-eating contest. Face-painting booths can help to discourage children from wearing costumes. You can also offer a dinner inside the church's kitchen.

Barn Dance and Hayride

Plan a youth dance and hayride at a nearby farm. This activity can be coordinated with other area youth groups to have a higher turnout rate. You can hold a short devotional before the hayride to the barn where the dance will take place. Make sure that you have plenty of chaperons and that there is enough lighting on the floor, and go over the music selection with the deejay before the dance begins, so that you do not have any questionable music playing. You can plan the dance on Halloween night so that the youth have an alternative to participating in traditional Halloween activities.

Service Opportunities

Hold a harvest food drive and then visit the local food pantry and volunteer. Most food banks will appreciate receiving the extra donations in the fall. Once you have collected the food, your youth can go and volunteer at the food pantry by stocking shelves and preparing boxes for pick-up or delivery. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen is another great way to do community outreach and teach your youth to help others. Planning service activities where you volunteer at the same organizations will help the youth to form positive relationships with those they are serving.

Draw Room Designs

So easy that . . . well, you know.

A well-planned room design shows off your creative flair while saving money for your home or business. The method described here will provide you with a reusable design template that works whether you prefer using a computer or drawing designs by hand. With a little work, you can perfect the space planning, color schemes and furniture arrangements of your room.

Instructions

1. Measure the length of each wall with a measuring tape. You may need an assistant to do this step in larger rooms. Start in a corner and work your way around the room. Write the distances on a rough sketch of the room, including where doors and windows break the plane of any walls and how wide they are. Record the door and window heights, and the distance between the floor and any window sills.

2. Draw a bird's eye view of the space using an architectural ruler. Include any windows, doors or other features that will affect your layout. Mark the placement of electrical outlets, phone jacks and cable outlets in case some of the fixtures in your final design are dependent on the location of these outlets.

3. Draw elevations of each wall in your room using your architectural ruler. An elevation is a flat representation of every vertical feature on the wall. Cover these elevations with trace paper so you can sketch in the design elements you are playing with for the room, such as furniture, drapes or wall paper.

4. Copy your final elevations with the trace paper overlays in place. This finalized version of your room design should include all of the elements you previously sketched. Now you can color the finished product in your preferred medium, whether markers, pastels or colored pencils.

Produce A Bubble Logo design

Creating a logo can seem like one of those things that anyone can do, but it is harder than it seems to create a professional logo. In fact, most people can immediately recognize an amateur logo, and will consider the product "generic" and less valuable than a similar product with a better logo. It is therefore important to really take time, and make an effort to create a distinctive logo. To get an idea of how visual marketing works, read up on graphic design and what is popular right now, so you can create the most effective design possible.

Instructions

1. Know your market. What are you selling or trying to say with a bubble logo? Find out who the competition is and examine their logos and why they are effective or not. This will help you create a more effective logo for yourself. You can use a simple list to write down what you observe and research, or you can use mind mapping to plot out your observations and plan your own logo around them.

2. Choose colors with care. Most amateurs are careless with color choice, throwing colors together for variety. This is a serious mistake. There are social and psychological aspects to color choices and preferences. Choosing the right one can have a subliminal effect, helping convince clients to come to you. Another serious mistake is using a "close enough" approach to colors in marketing materials. A potential customer will varying hues and come to a number of subconscious conclusions: "this company doesn't care enough about its image to be consistent which may mean the quality of the products is similarly inconsistent," "is this a scam company," "why is the logo different every time". Use the Pantone color scale to ensure your colors remain the same across all media, from your website to your printed materials.

3. Choose a form for your logo. A bubble logo can represent all kinds of things: a comic book company, a soap manufacturer, even a bubble tea shop; but to have an effective logo, they would each need to consider a different creative approach. The comic book company, for example, might be referencing word bubbles from their comics, so they would keep with the comic theme. They might opt for a distinct, thick black line that makes clear that it is a word bubble. A tea shop, on the other hand, might have a logo that features a cup with a straw and bunch of bubbles inside the cup or perhaps a small mound of different, pastel colored bubbles on top of the cup (to suggest they have a variety of flavors). Ideally, this form should be simple, easy to recognize and unique, and reflect immediately what the product or service is. In general, you want the customer to see the logo "word bubble" and think "your company" immediately.

4. Create your logo. There is no special procedure for actually drawing your logo. You can do it with a pen on paper or use software specially designed for it. Choose the method that will get the best results for your logo. For example, a new comic book company might want to show their "newby" status by having an amatuer (but polished) looking logo that looks like something drawn on a napkin. This is part of their image. In this case, the looser nature of a hand drawn logo would present their company image better than a more structured digitally created logo.

Use Orange Filters In Black Whitened Photography

In black and white photography, colored filters are used as a creative tool to alter contrast in images. By selectively filtering light by color you can control what tones are lightened and darkened in an image. Let's discuss use the orange filter in your black and white photography.

Instructions

1. First choose the appropriate size orange filter for the lens you will be shooting with. The size, in millimeters, of the filter needed should be marked on the body of the lens; if not, consult the documentation for your lens. Filter adapters may also be used if the filter size is not a perfect fit for the lens.

2. Once you have purchased the orange filter, install it on your lens. The filter has threads that match the threads on the end of the lens. Carefully screw the filter on to the end of your lens and seat it firmly. Do not over tighten the filter, as it will be difficult to remove later.

3. Compensate for the filter. The filter will cut down on the amount of light reaching the film or sensor, so you will have to adjust your exposure to factor this in. How much you will have to compensate will change from filter to filter. Filters will be marked with a value indicating how many stops to compensate. If a "filter factor" is given, such as "4x", compensate by 2 stops, "2x" would then be a factor of 1 stop. If the value is listed as "+1", simply compensate by the number of stops after the plus sign, in this case 1 whole stop.

4. Photograph the proper subjects with the orange filter. Orange filters will darken a blue sky more than a yellow filter, and this is often why they are used. However remember that an orange filter will also lighten orange values. When shooting a subject such as fall foliage, which contains a large amount of orange, this may not be the effect you are looking for. The rule for colored filters is that they darken their complementary colors and lighten their own color.

Get Curves Like Salma Hayek

Since Salma Hayek first burst onto the scene in movies such as "Desperado" and "After the Sunset" her voluptuous curves have inspired envy and admiration in other women. Though Salma doesn't follow any particular diet or exercise plan to get her curvaceous figure, you're going to have to put in some hard work.

Instructions

1. Do pectoral exercises to make your breast look fuller and perkier like Salma's. Use pushups, bench presses and dumbbell flys to target pectoral muscles. A pushup bra, padded bra or corset can help create the illusion of curves.

2. Work out your derriere. Salma Hayek's rounded glutes are thought to be one of her finest assets. Squats, dead lifts, and lunges are a few moves for targeting the glute muscles and helping create a well-toned attractive derriere.

3. Take up a training program that emphasizes resistance training and flexibility. As a child, Salma was an accomplished gymnast and her toned arms, legs and stomach are a result of years of training. Look for adult gymnastic programs in your area.

4. Enjoy food. Salma has stated that she doesn't diet, instead focus on managing portions and eating nutritionally balanced meals. Salma has used the "Diet Designs" home delivery program created by nutritionist Carrie Wiatt to receive healthy gourmet meals (See Resources).

Strategies For Children'S Face Painting

Improve you face painting by with advice from face painting professionals.

Face painting is a rewarding way to express your creativity. Seeing the happy and surprised looks on children's faces when you show them their painted faces in the mirror is extremely satisfying. Enjoy your face painting experiences even more by following a few helpful face painting guidelines.

Have Proper Equipment

Having the correct equipment and supplies when face painting is essential. Use water-based face paints and soft bristled brushes, including a small round detail brush, medium round brushes, large round brushes, and a fan brush. Use latex-free sponges to cover larger areas on the face and to do base coats quickly. Keep wipes at your station to correct mistakes. Also, bobby pins, hair clips, head bands or hair gel can be used to hold hair away from the face. Sparkles are always a big hit with children, but make sure you get non-toxic sparkles that can be used on the skin and face. Have a mirror on hand to show children the finished product and a camera to take pictures of your work. Make sure you get permission from parents before you take pictures.

Care for Equipment

Keep a clean inviting work station so that people are drawn in to get their faces painted. Empty dirty water on a regular basis as you are face painting. Clean your brushes, sponges and paint with hot water after every event. Use a different sponge for every color. Discard face paints older than 18 months. Do not leave your brushes face down in the water because it will warp the brushes. Use only a very little bit of water to moisten and load the sponge and do not let the sponges soak in water.

Learn the Basics

Learn and practice a few basic face painting designs. Expand your repertoire of faces as you become more comfortable with face painting techniques. Learn basic brush strokes such as the comma stroke and the teardrop stroke. The comma stroke is done by pressing the brush fully down then lifting the brush as you curve and end the stoke with a point. The teardrop stroke is accomplished by dragging only the tip of the brush a short way on the face and then ending the stroke by pressing the whole brush down. Learning these strokes will refine the look of your face painting designs and will save time when you are face painting.

Working with Children

Face painting a child is more difficult than painting on a canvas. A child's face is not flat like a canvas and painting a child can sometimes be like hitting a moving target. Hold the child's head with your hand to steady the child. Use your pinkie finger pressed against their face to steady your hand. Make sure the child's face is clean and that the hair is out of their face. Speak to the child with a kind, friendly voice and always smile. Ask children to close their eyes when you are painting around their eyes and ask them to turn their head or put their head up as you need them to to facilitate painting.

Have Insurance

If you are face painting as a business or on a regular basis, you need to get insurance for your face painting industry to protect yourself and the people you are face painting. Responsible employers will not hire a face painter without insurance. Professional face painters know that having insurance is essential in the unfortunate event that there is a liability issue.

See Celebs At Sundance

See Celebrities at Sundance

The annual Sundance Film is held in Park City, Utah. Sundance is a great place to see celebrities since Park City is a small town. The Sundance Film Festival prides itself on the intimacy of the experience, and most celebrities attending Sundance are approachable and open to meeting the public. Celebrity watching at Sundance is one of the main social activities of the event.

Instructions

1. Look for celebrities at the Sundance film premieres. This is the place where all the stars go to see the Festival's films. The premieres take place throughout the festival, but the Independent Feature Film Premieres are attended by the highest profile celebrities.

2. Visit the trendy restaurants. Sundance has many fine places to eat and attracts some of the finest chefs in the region. Celebrities dine at the more upscale places, but expect to pay a lot for a meal. Try to book a table on the premiere night of a top independent film or a controversial film such as those in the Park City at Midnight group.

3. Volunteer at the Sundance Festival and get a ringside seat to watch visiting celebrities. A wide variety of volunteer positions are available and some offer a great chance for celebrity watching, but volunteers also have to endure long hours and difficult weather conditions at times.

4. Buy a Festival Pass. The Festival Pass allows visitors to pick and choose from nearly all Sundance events. Arrive an hour early for the more talked about events.

5. Attend Panel Discussions. These are held during the Festival and many have celebrity panelists. The discussions can be lively and many celebrities will sit in the audience of the more high profile or controversial panels.

A Brief History From The Warped Tour

The History of the Warped Tour

Blink-182 sang about it in their song "The Rock Show," and thousands of teens and even adults take part in it every summer. The Warped Tour offers fans of its musical groups a chance to not only see their favorite bands perform, but also to meet them under their tent after their show.

History

Kevin Lyman created the Warped Tour in 1994. He got the idea while working skate shows that combined skateboarding with music. Lyman got the name from a magazine that covered sports like skateboarding and surfing, as well as music. 1998 was the first year that the tour took place in countries other than the U.S.--there were shows in Australia, Japan, Europe and Canada.

Features

The Warped Tour features performances by musicians as well as athletes. The musical groups that perform at the Warped Tour vary in genre. There are performers who are emo, alternative rock, post-hardcore, metalcore, Christian rock and electronica. The athletic performances include skateboarding and BMX cycling. There is also several tents set up at the venue that sell a wide range of goods like t-shirts, shoes, CDs and pins.

Controversy

In the tour's early years, there was much less focus on selling goods and the musical groups that performed were considered to be original punk bands. As the years have gone by, more commercialism has crept into the tour, from the tents selling merchandise to the performers themselves. It is because of this commercialism that many criticize the Warped Tour, claiming that it isn't about good music anymore. Similar claims have been made by bands that have left the tour over the years.

Effects

The perceived changes in The Warped Tour over the years, namely the changes to the types of performers included in the tour, has lead to some bands leaving the tour and others being banned from the tour. Guttermouth was allegedly removed from the tour after insulting another band on the tour and CKY was kicked off of the tour in 2000 after complaining about vendor prices.

Past Bands

Many musical groups have performed at the Warped Tour over the years, including but not limited to My Chemical Romance, Bedouin Soundclash, MxPx, The Starting Line, Matchbook Romance, Gogol Bordello, Motion City Soundtrack, Millencolin, Avenged Sevenfold, The Casualties, Anti-Flag, Rise Against, Less Than Jake, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Helmet. While the tour started as a showcase for punk rock and ska music, it has grown to include many more genres over the years.

A Brief History Of Tempera Painting

The History of Tempera Painting

Tempera painting was the primary medium used in the ancient cultures of the world. The paint was created through a combination of minerals, egg yolk and water. The egg yolk was used chiefly as an adhesive substance while the minerals varied greatly based on what was available and the color desired. Tempera painting is the oldest type of painting in visual art.

First Appearance

Tempera paintings first appeared as cave paintings around 15,000 B.C. This period is also referred to as the Paleolithic period and the paintings made were limited to the colors red, brown and black.

Cultural Tempera

Around 3100 B.C., tempera painting began to be used for decorating walls and ceilings in tombs and palaces. In addition, tempera paintings gained popularity as decorative and expressive works of art.

Fresco

A type of tempera painting done when the canvas was still wet arose in the Roman Empire and was referred to as fresco. Many fresco paintings were found when the ruins of Pompeii (destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 A.D.) were excavated.

Byzantine Period

During the Byzantine period (700 to 1450 A.D.), a wide variety of colors were introduced in tempera painting. The still-popular fresco style was expanded upon through the use of wood paneling murals.

Late Tempera

Tempera was the medium used by Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling (using the fresco method) and Leonardo da Vinci to paint "The Last Supper." However, the rise of oil-based paint in the 15th century led to the eventual discontinuation of wide-spread tempera painting.

Build Art Show Shows

Display pottery on shelves.

Art show displays add to the essence and appeal of your artistic products. Building art show displays may require a good deal of time and effort -- depending on the complexity of the exhibit. A school art show may demand a simple effort, while a professional show can require a more advanced display. Consider the size and weight of your art before you build to ensure a safe and successful exhibit.

Instructions

Build Display Shelves

1. Build a shelf display. Measure and cut four 76-by-2-by-2-inch wood poles.

2. Measure and cut five 21-by-21-inch plywood panels.

3. Measure up 3 inches from the bottom of each 76-inch pole. Tack a shelf holder into place on each pole. Measure up 12.5-inches from that same point on each pole and tack in another round of shelf holders. Continue until five shelf holders are in place on each pole.

4. Stand the poles up -- using a helper to assist with holding the poles in place. Tab the bottom corner of each plywood panel with permanent epoxy. Press the corners of each plywood panel down onto the shelf holders. Hold for 30 seconds until the epoxy is dry. Continue until all panels are in place. Shelves are beneficial for displaying pottery or small sculptures.

Large Visual Art Display

5. Measure and cut six 76-by-7/8-inch aluminum poles. Measure and cut six 48-by-7/8-inch aluminum poles.

6. Measure and cut three 66-by-48-inch sturdy vinyl panels. The panels will be used later.

7. Place two 48-inch poles horizontally between two vertical 76-inch poles. The top 48-inch pole should be flush with the top of each 76-inch pole. The lower 48-inch pole should measure 10 inches up from the bottom of the 76-inch poles.

8. Solder the ends of the 48-inch poles into the 76-inch poles. Repeat this process for remaining poles. You now have three large frames. Lay the frames side by side.

9. Hinge the middle frame to the outside frames. Place hinges on each side of the frame at the bottom, middle and top. Hinges on the left side of the frame must open upwards. Hinges on the right side of the frame must open downwards. Hinge outside frames to the middle frame. Screw three 66-by-48-inch sturdy vinyl panels to each frame to complete the display. Visual art displays are useful for exhibiting amateur and professional paintings.

Build a Table Top Display

10. Measure and cut two 14-by-24-inch pieces of poster board.

11. Measure and cut one 24-by-24-inch piece of poster board.

12. Stand the pieces upright on a table top. Place the largest piece in the middle. Use a helper to assist if necessary.

13. Glue the edges of each outside piece to the edge of the middle piece. Use a permanent epoxy. Hold each outside edge in place at a 45 degree angle for 30 seconds until the glue dries. Small visual art displays are helpful for exhibiting drawings and other light weight pieces of art.

Buy Offered Out Concert Tickets

You can't wait to get tickets to the big show. It's your favorite band and they're finally coming to town. Nothing is worse than the sinking feeling you get when you discover that all tickets are sold out. Or are they? This guide will explain buy sold out concert tickets.

Instructions

Buy Sold Out Concert Tickets

1. The first thing you should do is check every available local outlet. If tickets are no longer available at the arena, check with local music stores, radio stations and other media outlets, as they frequently purchase advance tickets to resell or giveaway.

2. Go online. Check the band's website. Some bands allow you to buy tickets directly through their website, which may or may not be separate from the commercially available supply of tickets. If it's a local or regional band, email or message them and ask if they can help you get tickets.

3. Scan the classifieds. It never fails that people will purchase tickets to an event and then not be able to go, check to see if anyone has any concert tickets for sale in any of your local newspapers. As an alternative you can place and add yourself and see if you get a response. Also you could post a listing advertising your desire to buy tickets on your local message boards.

4. Go to the concert anyway. If it's the big day, and you've still failed to find tickets, don't give up yet. People frequently sell tickets which they are unable to use right before the show. They can usually be spotted standing outside of the arena with signs that say "tickets for sale" or something similar. If you arrive early, most likely you can buy tickets this way.

A Brief History Of Shea'S In Zoysia New You are able to

Shea's Buffalo Theater originally opened in January 1926.

Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York is comprised of the Smith Theater and the original Buffalo Theater on Main Street. While the Smith Theater typically features dinner theater and cabaret performances, the Buffalo Theater features larger productions suchas the award-winning musicals "Dreamgirls" and "The Nutcracker."

Construction and Original Opening

Construction for the Buffalo Theater began January 15, 1925. The theater opened the following January, under Vincent McFaul's general management.

Buffalo Theaters, Inc.

After theater founder Michael Shea died in 1934, theater operation fell to Buffalo Theaters, Inc., with Vincent McFaul as president. Buffalo Theater's, Inc. operated the theater until 1948 when Loew's Corporation acquired rights to the theater.

Foreclosure and Official Closing

During the mid-1960s, Hepco Reality purchased the theater and later leased it back to Loew's. In 1974, the theater was foreclosed on for back taxes, and in 1975, the theater officially closed.

Restoration and Official Reopening

In 1980, Shea's O'Connell Preservation Guild took over management of the Buffalo Theater and restoration procedures. These procedures continued through the 1990s to 2005, when the theater officially reopened with the addition of the adjacent Smith Theater.

Attract Potential Clients For Your Exhibition Stand

Offer product demonstrations to interested attendees.

Attending trade shows, fairs and other events may increase your sales and enlighten individuals about your products and services. Despite rows of exhibition stands, you can make yours stand out to attract potential customers. Seek out the appropriate events and ensure you get prime placement on the floor. Set up your exhibition stand with bold, prominent signage, interesting giveaways and greeters who will attract potential customers. Showcase your products, making them easily accessible to attendees.

Instructions

1. Participate in events where you may find a customer base. For instance, if you're a jeweler, participate as a vendor in a jewelry show that's open to the public. When you sign up to participate, ask the organizer if you can choose your booth placement. View the layout map and request preferred placement in a heavily trafficked area near other exhibits.

2. Advertise your exhibition participation by placing ads in local papers, town newsletters and radio, if it's affordable. Engage in a direct mail campaign by mailing postcards and sending emails to anyone on your mailing lists. Place an alert on your website with event details. Advertise "door" prizes, treats and other giveaways to attract people to the event and specifically to your stand.

3. Set up your exhibition stand with prominent signage indicating your business name and website. Place banners, flags and large signs on each side of your stand so people will immediately see your business name. Ensure your signage is easily readable and attached firmly, without other objects blocking your name. If people pass by and don't see who you are, they'll be inclined to keep walking.

4. Place promotional objects on a table at the front of your exhibition. Put colorful, eye-catching toys and objects -- such as pens and key rings with your business name, logo, website and phone number -- on the table as handouts for potential customers. Those drawn to the free items may take a few minutes to linger at your stand to look at your products and services. After the event is over, those taking the promotional items may continue to use the objects, giving you another source of advertising.

5. Use greeters to attract the attention of passersby. Hire a celebrity, if your budget allows. Align the type of greeter with your products and services. For instance, if you sell clothing, hire attractive models to wear the clothing and stand at the entrances of your stand. If you sell pet products, bring your dog and walk him around the event, stopping to talk to attendees. Greeters can drive individuals to your exhibition who wouldn't normally stop by. Once your greeter draws a crowd, seize the opportunity to demonstrate your goods.

6. Present your products for sale on tables, shelves and hanging bars. Make your display uncluttered, easily accessible, and place it at eye level or lower. Allow potential customers to handle your goods to get an idea of each product's quality. Hand out brochures, catalogues and other communications about your products to those who stop by your stand.

Write Cartoon Scripts

Artistic ability is not a necessity for drawing up the kind of characters, situations and interactions that can only exist in cartoons. The key to making the most of the "anything can happen" world of animation is a vivid imagination. Thankfully the world has been blessed with many. Walt Disney, Max Fleischer, Chuck Jones, Hayao Miyazaki and Genndy Tartakovsky are some of the outstanding achievers who broadened this art form with their fantastical imaginations. While some of the writers working on animated series and movie scripts couldn’t draw a chop stick, they are able to visualize scenarios. Put your visualizations into words, and you'll be writing cartoon scripts, too.

Instructions

1. Visualize and hear. Animated production is done with pictures and sound. While the characters also experience tactile, olfactory, taste and emotional stimuli, it’s all presented with sight and sound. A description of a setting will include objects, their color and condition and resulting noises. For instance: the interior of an obsessively clean modern kitchen with pale yellow walls, lime design Formica cabinets and eggshell white appliances. A coffeemaker is trickling out a fresh pot, while the microwave hums and digitally counts backwards. These are just simple notes for making up the background, before any characters come into play.

2. Characterize. A cartoon character can be anything, wear anything, speak in any way, and posses any abilities or shortcomings you imagine. To observe the possibilities let’s create: Myron–a chestnut and white buck with ring–toss pieces stacked in his antlers, who wears red overalls that are only buckled over one shoulder. His accent denotes a sophisticate from London, and he’s prone to saying, “jolly well–tastic.” He walks on hind legs with his palms out, fingers up; and a squeaky toy noise accompanies every steps of his left foot. His special talent is swallowing broken down buildings whole, and regurgitating them in perfect repair. Impressive yes, but he’s unable to tie a shoe. Myron’s simple sidekick is Dedrick–a huge black bull with a raspy Mexican accent, who wears nothing but a loop earring. Myron and Dedrick are typical cartoon characters.

3. Use dialogue to move the story. Though everything is pictured, all events are set up and highlighted with dialogue. A narrator will sometimes even verbalize the obvious. Common script form shows the name of the character speaking off to the left, with their speech separated to the right. Descriptions of settings and character movements can be noted in separate paragraphs or parenthetically inserted with dialogue.

4. Exaggerate the action. To make the best use of the unlimited physics these drawings permit, create lots of action sequences that are beyond conceivable reality. Anything goes, and any result can come of it. The effect it has on your characters, and their condition, depends on the needs of the story. Some action is simply used for gags. The ridiculously impossible needs no explanation. When characters are asked why something happened, they say, “because it’s in the script.” You can, too.

5. Introduce elemental twists. Most of the oddities that mark the poetic license of cartoon writers are presented pictorially. Buildings dance, clothing designs move, characters fall after a few mid-air steps. Some are eccentric personality traits, forcing characters to repeat comical actions. Those can be based on actual or fabricated psychosis. Animated twists range anywhere from slightly quirky to outright anomalous. While many nuisances are copied and overused, creative cartoonists invent new ones.

6. Write it up. Here’s an example of a typical animated scenario in simple script form, using the characters described in step 2. Note that there are intentional misspellings in this example to account for the dialect of the characters."Our fated friends stroll down a suburban sidewalk on a sweltering sunny afternoon. A passing bird stops in flight to wing-wipe a brow, and say shhew! Myron stops with a fizzling squeak and listens to the gurgling in his belly.Myron: I’m positively famished, ol' boy. Where can we rake in a little cash for some grub?Dedrick: Hhhi don’t know Myron. First I should tie your shoe, but maybe thees guy could benefit from your spaaecial services. (He says pointing to a man in front of an unpainted split level home with siding falling and holes in the roof.) Myron: Hmm, (Stroking his chin while Dedrick ties his laces) I suppose. You there, what would you say if I repair your for a small fee. The little, balding man runs to the sidewalk and skids to a stop on his knees in front of the pair. He’s sobbing onto his green checkered vest as he grovels with interlaced fingers.Man: Please, oh please I beg you. The contractor wants 7 months and 40–thousand dollars to fix this.Myron: Oh rubbish, I’ll do it today if you’ll give us both ten spot.Man: (Still pleading) I’ll do it, I’ll do it! Myron walks to the structure, unearths it and swallows it whole.Man: (To Dedrick) Ooh I just remembered: I left soapy water in the bathtub!Myron spits up the home in perfect condition with sparkling new paint. He has a slightly disturbed look on his face, though. The man smirks and fans out two ten dollar bills.Dedrick: How do you feel about going to lunssh Myron?Myron: (Bubbles flying as he speaks in gargles) Jolly well–tastic!"

A Brief History Of Pantomime

Circus clown performing a pantomime routine.

Pantomime employs facial expressions and movements to convey a message or tell a story. Dance and acrobatics contribute to the skills needed to perform pantomime. While pantomime defines a theatrical style, people performing pantomime are known as mimes or clowns.

Roots

Pantomime originated during the Middle Ages. Pantomimus, a Greek form of solo dancing displayed both tragic and comic moves. This art form was a part of Roman culture until the Christian church questioned pantomime and forbade its display. The government counteracted the Christians' view by requiring Christians to attend Roman theater performances of pantomime. Eventually, the church won out and pantomime was banned from the stage.

Italian Renaissance

During the Italian Renaissance, pantomime reappeared and was called Commedia dell'arte. Performances spread quickly throughout Europe, settling in Paris, France and eventually England. The set stars in these productions included Pagliacio and Arlecchino. This art form communicated across language barriers, since presenters did not have to speak the local language.

Commedia Dell'arte

While Commedia dell'arte continued to thrive in the 18th century, pantomime made a profound impact on high society. By 1715, rules relaxed and pantomimes displayed more natural expressions in greater freedom. Johann Jacob Engel wrote the Mimic in 1786, incorporating the idea that silent gestures rather than speech expressed the true inner spirit of the individual.

Joseph Grimaldi's Influence

In the 19th century, the popularity of England's Royal Ballet limited pantomime to the circus world. Joseph Grimaldi emerged as one of the founders of early clowning, incorporating pantomime in many of his routines. In England, a tradition emerged limiting pantomime performances to Christmas time. Optional forms of pantomime appeared, including Henriette Hendel-Schutz's "living picture," Jacques Lecoq's gymnastics, and Jean-Gaspard Deburau's staff fighting moves.

Combination of Pantomime with Acrobatics and Dance

Many individual artists developed their craft in the 20th century, combining pantomime with other art forms. Carl Godlewski demonstrated features of pantomime, circus acrobatics and dance. Buster Keaton and Charles Chaplin used pantomime skills in theater as silent films appeared on the theater scene. Etienne Decroux formed the first pantomime school in Paris in 1930. Eventually, Marcel Marceau surfaced from the school and popularized the solo pantomime performance. In the 1970s, dance troupes formed and were instrumental in performing pantomime collectively.

A Brief History Of Mambo Dance

Born in Cuba with traces of Haitian culture and influenced by American jazz, the mambo became a Latin ballroom dance craze that swept the globe and became exceedingly popular in Latin countries as well as the United States. The name of the dance is rooted in African culture, with connections to voodoo religion in Haiti. A precursor and alleged inspiration to the cha-cha dance, the mambo blended American jazz and swing with Cuban music and revived interest in the rumba.

Before the Mambo

With the excitement and novelty of the rumba dance winding down, the mambo reinvigorated interest in ballroom music, rather than the jive music that had been gaining interest. The mambo was similar to the rumba in both rhythm and hip movements; however, the mambo added a jazz element. Known for its jagged rhythm--within every bar of music is a pause for the dancer to rest--the mambo punctuated the holds with kicks and body movements. The dance is done in 4/4 time but accentuates counts two and four.

The Beginning

The mambo dance as we know it today was created in 1943 by Cuban bandleader Perez Prado, who was influenced by the American jazz movement while still maintaining a distinctly Cuban rhythm. The new dance style debuted in 1943 at La Tropicana nightclub in Havana. However, Orestes Lopez composed the first mambo music, entitled "Mambo," in 1938.

Introduction to the USA

The dance was introduced to the United States in New York City's Park Plaza Hotel, but in 1947, the "temple of the mambo" was found in New York City's Palladium Ballroom. Other popular New York City mambo clubs were the China Doll, Birdland, Tropicana and Caborojena. The mambo celebrities of the time included "Killer Joe" Piro, Augie and Margo Rodriguez and Pedro "Killer Pete" Machito. "Mambomania" occurred in the 1950s, when the mambo reached the height of its popularity in the U.S.

Precursor to the Cha-Cha

Springing from the mambo, the cha-cha gained popularity following the mambo, much as the mambo eclipsed the rumba. Also from Cuba, the cha-cha eliminated the pause that gives the mambo its jagged rhythm and replaced it with a quick triple step. The steps of the rumba, mambo and the cha-cha are similar in rhythm, all consisting of a quick-quick-slow pattern.

Mambo Today

Eddie Torres, professional ballroom dancer, instructor and mambo expert and enthusiast, is often credited with the resurgent popularity of the mambo. Torres, who was first introduced to the dance in the 1960s and 1970s, was taught by professional ballroom dancer June Laberta, and later performed with mambo music legend and "King of Mambo" Tito Puente. Along with his wife Maria, Torres teaches mambo technique and dancing. Shows such as Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, where various Latin ballroom styles, including the mambo, are highlighted can also be credited with its current popularity.

Create A Room Into A Skill Studio

Turning a room into an art studio can be a big step in your career as an artist. There are many things to consider--you must decide on lighting, flooring, seating and more. Here are some important things to think about when creating your studio.

Instructions

1. Check zoning laws in your area. Some areas will require that you acquire a permit to convert a room into a studio, especially if you plan on selling paintings from your studio.

2. Decide on ventilation. All good studios need plenty of ventilation to disperse paint fumes or pastel dust. You can either install a ventilation fan in the ceiling, or set up a box fan in an open window, depending on your needs.

3. Consider your flooring. Ideally, you want flooring that is easy to clean. Carpet is generally a bad choice because it is easily stained by paint and will collect pastel dust more than linoleum or wood.

4. Consider lighting. Most artist prefer a north facing window for the best daytime light. If your room doesn't have a north facing window, you can compensate by adding lighting that simulates northern light.

5. If you are planning to have people visit your studio, you will need to decide on some kind of seating plan. Some studios have a simple couch and coffee table arrangement, while others have matching wing chairs. Your seating will depend on your needs and the number of people who will be visiting at one time.

6. Decide on what kind of storage you will need. You will need to store finished pieces while they dry, so flat storage is important. You will also need to have a storage area for paintings that are dry. This place should protect the pieces from dust, moisture and scratches. Shelving for reference books and art supplies should also be added to the space.

Find Contests To Go In

People are competitive by nature. Contestants enter contests, sweepstakes, promotions and lotteries for various reasons. Two persuasive factors for entering a contest are feeling confident and lucky. The type of contest a person enters is contingent on the mental, physical or artistic skills the contest requires.

Instructions

1. Analyze personal strengths and weaknesses. Choose contests that cater to your skills.

2. Find a contest offered in a medium you know. Contests are found in all types of media. The media types are: television, radio, newspapers, magazines and Internet. The contest prizes will vary according to the sponsor's promotions.

3. Choose a promotion that you are comfortable with. Contests are presented in diverse marketing schemes to attract contestants. The most common promotion types are: beauty, poetry, dancing, athletic, photography, cooking and music.

4. Use hobbies as guidepost for selecting contests. This will make entering contests fun and profitable.

5. Read all eligibility criteria for a contest, promotion or sweepstakes. Review the theme, subject, start and expiration date, submission procedures and demographics.

A Brief History Of Frederick & The Astonishing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It is based on the Book of Genesis from the Hebrew Bible.

Early History

Originally commissioned for Colet Court prep school, the musical began as a 15-minute cantata. It was expanded and promoted following the success of Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar.

Broadway

The Broadway production premiered in January of 1982. It opened at the Royale Theatre and ran for 749 performances.

Earliest Performances

Dreamcoat was first performed in 1968 at Colet Court in London.

Fun Fact

Andy Gibb of the BeeGees played Joseph in a West End production in the early 1980s. He was fired after his drug problem caused him to miss several shows; he eventually died of drug-related illness in 1988 at age 30 (see Resources).

Any Dream Will Do

A reality TV show called "Any Dream Will Do" was produced by the BBC in 2007. It was a contest for unknown actors, with the prize being the role of Joseph in a West End production of the musical. The contest was won by Lee Mead.

A Brief History Of Japanese Dragons

The History of Japanese Dragons

In Japan, like most Asian countries, dragons are an important part of the folklore and religion. Dragon artwork and statues found all over Japan are an example of how well integrated they are within Japanese society. While Japanese dragons are similar to dragons in China and Korea, they have some unique characteristics, including their history.

Origin

Japanese dragons comes from three places: Japan, China and India. The indigenous Japanese dragons are more like giant water snakes than actual dragons.

Chinese dragons influenced the look of Japanese dragons. Also, the Japanese borrowed stories about Chinese dragons and adapted them to their own use, such as the "Four Dragon Kings."

Indian dragons were brought to Japan through China with the arrival of Buddhism. The Naga, a protective rain dragon that looks over the Buddha, now presides over many Buddhist Temples in Japan.

Features

Japanese dragons look like other Asian dragons. They are long and snake-like in a variety of colors with four short legs. They can fly through the air although they have no wings; they have long whiskers on their face like a cat.

Unlike Chinese dragons with have four or five toes, Japanese dragons only have three toes. This is because the Japanese believe dragons originated in Japan and as they migrated farther away they gained toes.

Japanese dragons can often shape-shift into people.

Function

Japanese dragons historically live near water. They are water gods, so their association with water is understandable. Many times they watch over rivers, streams and, of course, the ocean.

Statues of Japanese dragons can be found at most Buddhist Temples in Japan, even now.

Japanese dragons were prayed to for wealth and luck.

Kojiki: Earlist Dragons

Many dragons are mentioned in the "Kojiki," the oldest surviving manuscript about ancient Japan, dated 620 A.D.

Yamata-no-Orochi is an eight-headed snake dragon that is slayed by the wind and sea god Susanoo.

Watatsumi is the God of the Sea who lives in a palace under the ocean where he keeps magical jewels.

Chinese Dragons

Later with the arrival of Chinese travelers, the Japanese adopted some dragon myths from China.

The Azure Dragon is one of the four guardian spirits which protects the ancient capital of Kyoto in the east. It is aided by three other guardian spirits.

Japan also has four dragon kings which watch over the sea, one for each cardinal direction.

Indian Dragons

Finally, with the arrival of Buddhism in Japan, the last wave of dragons influenced Japanese dragon legends.

Hachidai ryūō are the eight dragon kings that assemble around the Buddha to hear him speak.

Kuzuryū is a nine-headed dragon worshiped at Togakushi Shrine.

A Brief History Of Intaglio Printmaking

A one of a kind rock etching

The intaglio process involves the making of an image on a hard surface with a sharp tool and has been around since cavemen started scratching figures on rock walls in prehistoric eras. However, intaglio printmaking, which is in some ways similar to the former technique, is an invention of 15th century Germany.

Goldsmiths

Engraving in precious metals by ancient civilizations was a step forward from the rock scratchings of prehistoric cultures. Gold ,silver and copper made excellent engraving surfaces as did the metallic alloy of bronze. As early as 5,000 B.C. ancient cultures such as the Sumerians were scratching intricate designs into these metals. The ancient Egyptians were particularly adept at and fond of engraving images in soft, pliable gold.

Early Engraving

In 1430 Martin Schongauer developed copper engraving, which quickly became a popular means of printmaking. A process similar to intaglio, called drypoint was developed about the same time by a German artist who used the pen name Housebook Master. These processes along with the wood engravings flourished until the end of the 16th century, when etching methods overtook the engravers. Some of the well-known early engravers include Albrecht Dürer, E.S. Meister, Theodore de Bry and Lucas van Leyden.

Intaglio Etching

Daniel Hopfer, who was born in Germany in 1470, successfully made the transition from an etcher of helmets and armor to an intaglio printmaker, making ink prints on paper. Around 1490 Hopfer came up with a process that etched images onto iron plates, producing a series of prints that still falls under the category of intaglio printing. Hopfer was really the first to produce clear and lucid prints by etching a metal (iron) plate with acid.

Etching Passes Intaglio Engraving

With the development Hopfer's iron-etching process, etching gradually became the method of choice for many Early Renaissance artists. By the end of the 16th century, the etchings were becoming more frequent than prints made from the engraving process. Etchings by such artists as Giulio Campagnola, Rembrandt and Francisco de Goya help push the medium to new visual heights.

Invention of Photography

The 19th century saw the advent of photography and lithography (another printmaking process) and a resulting drop in all types of intaglio printmaking, but especially among engravers. The ability of lithographers to produce multi-colored prints may have had some bearing on these events. Today, the intaglio processes are taught at most art schools and are still shown at important museums, but the current popularity is much less than it was several centuries ago.

Today

Win At Slots

The thrilling jangle of coins dropping into a metal tray has mostly been replaced by an LED display of your credits, as most slot machines now are electronic, with no physical reels to spin. Whether you play at a casino or online, though, the excitement of seeing those jackpot symbols line up is still the main reason people love to play the slots. Though the odds are always against you, it is possible to win at slots if you follow a few simple guidelines.

Instructions

Understand How Slot Machines Work

1. Be aware that slot machines are regulated by an electronic random number generator (RNG). The RNG changes the outcome of the game several thousand times per second.

2. Examine the pay table carefully. This is the list of possible combinations and the number of coins or points each will pay. Be sure you understand how many coins must be played to win the jackpot, since playing with fewer coins will get you nothing.

Learn Strategies to Win at Slots

3. Compare payouts and select the machine that gives you the best payout per coins spent. If you need to play three quarters on Machine A to win a $2,000 jackpot, while Machine B pays out $2,000 on one coin, Machine B is your better choice.

4. 'Hit and run' is the best strategy for maximizing your winnings. People sometimes continue playing a machine that gave them a good payout, thinking the machine is 'hot.' The RNG assures that there is no way to predict whether the machine will pay again soon. Don't feed your winnings back to the casino.

5. Pay attention to jackpot bonuses. If Machine A pays $1,000 on one coin, $2,000 on two and $5,000 on three, it's worth playing three coins at a time. If there is no jackpot bonus--if three coins pay out $3,000--play one coin at a time.

6. Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Decide beforehand how much you want to gamble in each session, and stop play when that limit has been reached. That will leave you enough money so that you can play, and perhaps win, more later.

Mixing Skin Tone In Acrylic Offers

Painting skin tones can be intimidating for young or inexperienced artists. Unrealistic, lifeless or "cartoonish" skin colors result when the artist uses the same generic flesh tone for the entire painting. Skin tones full of life can be created by mixing earth tones with reds, blues, yellows and white, and by using glazing techniques,

Earth Tones

A simple way to mix a convincing color when creating skin tones with acrylic paints is to use an earth tone as a base color along with another pigment and white. Earth tones are pigments based on natural tones, such as browns and reds, and include siennas, ochres, and umbers. Use burnt sienna, a warm red brown, as a base for light skin tones, and burnt umber, a cool, dark brown, for dark skin tones. Umber and sienna can be mixed together with white to create a simple flesh tone.

Pink or Rosy Skin

To give skin tones a pink hue, add cadmium red, a warm red, or alizarin crimson, a cool red, with burnt sienna or burnt umber. Naphthol red can be used to give a rosy appearance.

Cool Skin Tone

Ultramarine blue can be used for cool skin tones. Adding ultramarine to burnt sienna or burnt umber will tint the skin slightly blue or gray. Prussian blue is a strong, deep blue that can be used for dark skin tones.

Shadows

Shadows can be created by using any of the pigment combination ideas above, either without white or with very little white. Artists will often use glazing techniques for details such as shadows. Eliminate white and dilute the pigment mixture with water or acrylic medium, such as matte medium, to create an acrylic glaze.

Whites

Two different whites typically are used in acrylic painting. One is called titanium white, a brilliant, thick, opaque white, which is great for its hiding ability. Titanium white is most often used in painting. The other color is zinc white, a cool, transparent white typically used for glazes and mixing. (Some brands offer a mixture of these two whites marketed specifically for mixing colors.) When making a skin color, add enough white to match the subject's skin tone. Since acrylics dry quickly, try painting the skin all white, then glazing on top with thin veils of color washes.

Real Colors vs. Hues

Hues are not real colors but mixtures of other pigments that try to imitate the real, more expensive pigments. When creating skin tone, real cadmium red should be used, not cadmium red hue. Cadmium red hue is made from naphthol red and is rosy in color, not a bright orange red like cadmium red.