Mic Technique and Voice-Over Training BY DAVE WINSOR

Mic Technique and Voice-Over Training BY DAVE WINSOR

If you really pay attention to the TV commercials that run in your local market, you’ll be surprised at the range of voice talent employed to sell items. If it’s a commercial for the latest Harry Potter movie, that voice-over (VO) talent is top notch and really SELLS the drama. It’s a well-written commercial with few words, that are all highly targeted. The VOICE is the star. Now listen for a local TV commercial. There is an amazing difference. Why is that?

For one thing, the high-end VO talent trains all the time at his or her craft, working on things most of us would never worry about, like “leaking” or spraying an S or a “plosive” P or D. They obsess about being able to make this phrase: “Irish sheet set” sound believable. Try saying it without making “set” into “shet.”

So, the question for you, if you are pursuing VO work, is how much do you practice?

The national VO talent has a coach and an agent. The coach instructs the talent on what needs to be worked on mechanically, as well as theatrical interpretation. That’s just the beginning. When you become a widely recognized VO talent, the jobs become more lucrative but also harder to get. Someone once told me I’d make an excellent “guy next door” in commercials. That’s not what I WANTED to be, oh no. I wanted to be the guy who says:

“In a world where…[insert whatever phrase describes something REALLY dramatic].”

Don LaFontaine (who died in 2008) was the famous VO artist who created that sensational style, and I wanted to have HIS delivery. I would have been happy to just talk with him and pick his brain. Here’s what he said about how to improve your voice:

“Singing lessons always help. You may never perform in Carnegie Hall, but you will improve your breath control, and expand the range of your vocal delivery. Also, simply using (not abusing) your voice by reading out loud will, over time, improve the quality and strength of your instrument. Do not think that smoking and drinking is going to help you develop a deep, rich tone. Smoking and drinking will help you develop cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.”

I sing to help me understand the range of my voice. I whistle too. I try to hit as many high notes as possible and I really try to hit the lowest note I can and still sound good. What have I learned from doing this? I know where my voice originates from and where I can take it when needed. How about you?

Are you blessed (or cursed) with a really low, deep booming voice? Does your voice start at the back of your throat, or in your head? I have some thoughts on these voices and I’ll share them with you in Vegas. Think about opera singers for a moment. What do they do that’s different from other singers? They move amazing amounts of air, have

perfect pitch, form notes with their mouths. They are powerful and yet when they have to be, they are tender. What can we learn from them?

Read this out loud:

“At the end of a long hard day, you can always count on us to help you relax”.

Keep practicing that. How do you think it sounded in my head when I wrote it? Can you glean anything about my choice of words? What is the delivery that you choose for this? Where is the emphasis? Try to read it with a different emphasis point.

There’s a lot to learn about using your voice properly, for voice-over work and for your regular MC duties. I look forward to speaking with you about the unique wonder that is your one true instrument: your voice. If you’re happy with it, we can find ways to tweak it. If you’re not happy with it, we can create a plan that will help you develop a stronger position. Are you up for it.

Dave Winsor is mobile entertainer and wedding specialist who has also been a radio broadcaster for the past 25 years. He was co-recipient of the Portland Press Herald’s “Maine Radio Personality of The Year” for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. He can be heard every morning, Monday through Saturday, on Maine’s top country music station, 99.9 FM The Wolf (www.999thewolf.com). Dave has also been the in-house announcer for the Hartford Whalers of the NHL and the Portland Pirates of the AHL.

Practice: PREPARE to Be Great BY DEAN CARLSON

Practice: PREPARE to Be Great BY DEAN CARLSON

Picking up new performance ideas at a conference can be a great thing if done correctly. The problem is that most DJs take those ideas home and insert them into their shows without ever considering what it takes to really make them work for them. In fact, they often “practice” a new bit or piece of interaction on the fly—meaning at a live show.

Over the last month I have been calling various DJs around the country and asking, “Do you practice?” And most DJs immediately tell me they do. But when questioned deeper I have found that they might not understand what practice looks like for a DJ. In fact, most DJs almost never practice. I would argue that too many DJs out there think that just their “natural” talent is enough.

Most DJs who practice at all engage in what I would call “reactive practice” rather than “proactive practice.” Here is an example of reactive practice: You have a show coming up that requires you to do extended intros for the grand march. You write out each intro in a manner that flows and is worded in a way to bring out emotion and reaction. The day before your event you read your copy out loud a few times just to be sure you have it all down. This type of practice is designed to affect just one part of your show, and only one time. This is more “show prep” than real practice.

Proactive practice is very different than reactive practice. DJs who want to take that next step toward becoming the top entertainers in their market should set up daily, weekly and monthly schedules of proactive practice. Proactive practice can also be specifically targeted, or range targeted.

An example of specifically targeted proactive practice would be music mixing. Within that practice area you can break it down into learning music, music sets and actual beat mixing. This kind of practice effort will obviously affect a large portion of your show, so it is well worth planning and carrying out.

Range-targeted proactive practice is a little more abstract. In this area of practice, we work on things that can affect several different areas of our shows. Probably the easiest example of this to see is vocal practice. We use our voices for so many different things, and yet my bet is that very few DJs ever learn how to use theirs properly. A lot of DJs no doubt get into DJing because someone tells them they have a great voice. And there it sits.

Just in the vocal practice area you have so many different aspects to work on; things like range, breathing, how not to strain, how to use your voice in different scenarios, etc. Announcements require a different approach than introductions. Of all the DJs I spoke with, very few practice this.

Becoming a top DJ requires the investment of practice. In attending my seminar this year, you will discover crucial performance areas for practice that you probably never thought of before. I will show you how to make the most out of your practice time and set up a schedule that works. This seminar will challenge everyone from new DJs up to the most experienced DJs. Do yourself and your performances a favor and spend an hour on proactive practices that will exercise your DJ muscles!

Dean Carlson has been DJing for 23 years and is the owner of Night Magic Productions out of St Paul, Minnesota. Check out his wedding blog at www.NightMagicProductions.com/djdeanblog.

Behind The Scenes BY RANDY BARTLETT

Behind The Scenes BY RANDY BARTLETT

While it may seem that most of what we do as wedding entertainers is quite visible to the guests, if done correctly, most of what we do is, in fact, invisible—behind the scenes.

The results of what we do are very visible, but it’s long been my goal to make everything seem as spontaneous and natural as possible. For example, I rarely ask or tell guests to applaud. Instead, I use inflection and wording, or sometime a simple body language gesture to create applause, because if guests applaud on their own, it seems much more genuine than when the MC says, “How about a nice round of applause for Steve?”

With that goal in mind, there are many parts of the wedding that can be managed behind the scenes so that the proper results are achieved without becoming that cheesy DJ who talks too much. In fact, doing things visibly will often cause you to lose the very effect you were striving to create.

A few years ago, I rode along with a wedding DJ to offer him a critique. At the end of the father-daughter dance, the DJ said, on the microphone, “Awww, now Dad, give your daughter a hug.” And as the father did as instructed, the DJ again said, “Everybody, say ‘awww.’” Well, they did, but I thought it came off as very contrived and cheesy.

Afterwards, the DJ defended his actions, saying that “awww” moment was really cute. I suggested to him that he could create a better moment by setting that up with the dad in advance, behind the scenes. By telling the father of the bride to take his time at the end of the dance, to hug his daughter and tell her how much she means to him, he would create that same moment, but it would be infinitely better, because it would look spontaneous and unscripted. I would also alert the photographer and videographer for this possible moment and then know that it would be different at each event, because the relationship between the bride and her dad would be different each time.

Some dads might hold that hug with tears running down both of their faces while others might do a high five, wiping their brows that they “got through it.” But the moment would be genuine and the guest reactions would be genuine. By setting that up behind the scenes, you’ll get a better reaction, which makes for a better moment and since a wedding is a series of moments, each of which can be impacted by our actions, you end up with a better event, more referrals and, ultimately, a more profitable business.

From the first meeting to the last moments of the reception, I’m constantly working behind the scenes to create incredible moments. Sometimes it’s for something sentimental, sometimes funny, sometimes useful. Sometimes it’s for the couple, sometimes for the guests, sometimes for another vendor.

I call the parents of the bride and groom before each wedding and do some behind the scenes things with them. I talk to vendors, to guests, to the bride and groom, to my staff and sometimes to complete strangers behind the scenes to create spontaneous moments that people will never forget. Whatever the reason, the goal is to have a seamless event that appears to flow effortlessly, without anything being forced.

I recently worked with a videographer who I hadn’t seen in a while, but we’ve worked together many times over the years and he said, “I always thought it was interesting how you somehow manage to always get the best crowds, but I’m beginning to think that’s not just random luck.” Indeed.

At my Behind the Scenes seminar at Mobile Beat Las Vegas in 2011, we’ll look at several ways to work Behind The Scenes to create incredible results that will enable you to make your very next event the best work you’ve ever done!

Randy Bartlett is the founder and President of Premier Entertainment, Inc. One of the most sought after DJ coaches in the country, he is well-known for his 1% Solution Series of DJ training videos and workshops, in which he shares the simple, key concept that very small, easy-to-implement changes will result in vastly improved performance.

The Economics of Grinding

It’s not just a social issue, it’s an economic one.  In tough economic times schools, like everyone else, are hurting.  One of the best sources for revenue for the many clubs and organizations at schools is the school dance.  Charge $5.00 for tickets sell 300 of them= gross $1500, pay the DJ $500.00 and the club walks away with a grand.
It takes alot of car washes and a lot of volunteers and a lot of Saturdays at the gas station, to make $1000.

It makes alot of sense to find ways to figure out how to stage good clean dance events as opposed to cancelling them.

Here is the most recent example from a school in Ohio:

The “no grinding policy” went into effect only a couple weeks after the Homecoming dance, however it made a major impact on the amount of people who attended the Halloween dance, which was sponsored by Youth Philanthropy Fellowship (YPF). Morgan Maxwell, president of YPF hoped for a huge turnout at the dance because all of the proceeds benefit a seven year old who is suffering Leukemia, and whose family is struggling to pay the hospital bills.
“I feel like the student body is blowing the new policy out of proportion. It’s just one night to support a good cause so I don’t understand why people are choosing not to go,” Maxwell said.
Cahoon wanted at least 200 students to purchase tickets for the Halloween dance. However, about 142 tickets were sold, which is more than what was expected. As a member of YPF, Junior Emily White did attend the Halloween dance, along with many other YPF members.

-fromt he Bay Window, Bay High School

Responsible DJs can join the growing list nationwide on the School Dance Network.  Follow Ric’s  DJ musings blog at www.richansen.wordpress.com

US Karaoke Alliance Karaoke Charts – Updated Top 500 Karaoke Songs of All Time

compiled by US Karaoke Alliance and Karaoke2Night Network

Congratulations to Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow
on keeping the number one spot for this year!

Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow performing Picture

Our survey this year had some interesting results.  Our first survey completed 18 months prior was only done with 2 companies and a total of 30 bars and 1000 shows.  We opened this one up to all companies submitting data from across the USA.  We had results provided from Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, Florida, Nebraska and Arizona.  Most of the companies outside our area do not update music weekly like we do and they do not have the selection of harder rock that we do.. This resulted in a more mainstream result in the survey and more traditional or classic music did better.

Much to the dismay of many Karaoke Jocks around the country, Picture by Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow maintains it’s hold on the top spot.  Most of us love the song, and both artists, but honestly we are getting tired of hearing it.  It was sung at over 60% of all shows polled this year!  Maybe if we are allowed to screen the singers and only allow it to be sung by singers we approve, we might handle hearing it nightly a bit better.

7 of our top 10 songs remained the same.  Behind an internet youtube parody-fest, Bohemian Rhapsody crashed back into the top 10.  The Fugees keep killing us softly with this song!  And yes, people, Baby still got BACK!
Look out top 10, the Ladies, Gaga and Antebellum are knocking hard at the door to the top and will probably be there next year!  Pink, the Black-Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, and Toby Keith all hit the list repeatedly and Carrie Underwood keeps notching hits.  Lady GaGa, Lady Antebellum, Ke$ha,  Toby Keith, Taylor Swift and Pink had multiple hits and all moved up greatly..

Florida and the heartlands of the USA made artists like John Mellencamp, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bob Seger all do much better this time around.  Harder rock groups like Metallica, Guns N Roses, Stone Temple Pilots, AC-DC and Pearl Jam, all moved down slightly to make room for more mainstream acts.

NR* – Previous survey results are shown if artist was in the top 500. 

The top 500 songs in our survey account for over 50% of all songs sung at Karaoke shows.

Top 1000 songs – over 70% of all performed songs

Top 1500 Songs – 79% of all performed songs

Top 2500 Songs – 93% of all performed songs

**These ratings are based on actual singers from actual Karaoke locations.  None of these results are base on opinion in any way.  If you would like your results included in the survey for next year, export your singer history from your karaoke program and send it to info@uskaraokealliance.com. If you do not submit your numbers, you can not complain about the results!

2010 Survey	Artist Name	Title Name	2009 Survey
1	Crow, Sheryl & Kid Rock	Picture	1
2	Diamond, Neil	Sweet Caroline	8
3	Duets-Travolta, John & Newton-John, Olivia	Summer Nights	3
4	Brooks, Garth	Friends In Low Places	6
5	Underwood, Carrie	Before He Cheats	2
6	Journey	Don’t Stop Believin’	4
7	Myles, Alannah	Black Velvet	5
8	Queen	Bohemian Rhapsody	24
9	Sir Mix-A-Lot	Baby Got Back	14
10	Fugees	Killing Me Softly	18
11	Sublime	Santeria	7
12	Wilson, Gretchen	Redneck Woman	13
13	Lady Antebellum	Need You Now	NEW
14	Joel, Billy	Piano Man	42
15	Bon Jovi	Wanted Dead Or Alive	12
16	B 52′s	Love Shack	9
17	Benatar, Pat	Hit Me With Your Best Shot	16
18	Radiohead	Creep	19
19	Buffett, Jimmy	Margaritaville	28
20	Morissette, Alanis	You Oughta Know	11
21	4 Non Blondes	What’s Up	17
22	Bon Jovi	Livin’ On A Prayer	90
23	Sublime	What I Got	82
24	Wilson, Gretchen	Here For The Party	112
25	Lady GaGa	Bad Romance	NEW
26	Seger, Bob	Turn The Page	71
27	Gray, Dobie	Drift Away	158
28	Stone Temple Pilots	Plush	20
29	Lambert, Miranda	Gunpowder & Lead	80
30	Vanilla Ice	Ice Ice Baby	95
31	Raitt, Bonnie	Something To Talk About	31
32	Tyler, Bonnie	Total Eclipse Of The Heart	23
33	Mcbride, Martina	Broken Wing	70
34	Morrison, Van	Brown Eyed Girl	110
35	Skynyrd, Lynyrd	Sweet Home Alabama	51
36	Evanescence	Bring Me To Life	25
37	Madonna	Like A Virgin	65
38	Dixie Chicks	Goodbye Earl	139
39	Guns ‘n’ Roses	Sweet Child O Mine	63
40	Joplin, Janis	Me & Bobby Mcgee	29
41	Mellencamp, John	Jack & Diane	117
42	Keith, Toby	I Love This Bar	155
43	Chapman, Tracy	Give Me One Reason	37
44	Roth, David Lee	Just A Gigolo	125
45	Turner, Ike & Tina	Proud Mary	108
46	Snoop Dogg	Gin And Juice	111
47	Alice In Chains	Man In The Box	424
48	Carter, Deana	Strawberry Wine	162
49	Warren G & Nate Dogg	Regulate	322
50	Sinatra, Frank	Fly Me To The Moon	102
51	Sinatra, Frank	New York, New York	27
52	Cline, Patsy	Crazy	35
53	Red Hot Chili Peppers	Under The Bridge	30
54	Pearl Jam	Black	41
55	Def Leppard	Pour Some Sugar On Me	109
56	Tenacious D	F@@@@ Her Gently	493
57	Benatar, Pat	Heartbreaker	45
58	James, Etta	At Last	39
59	Digital Underground	Humpty Dance	50
60	Mcentire, Reba	Fancy	103
61	Tunstall, Kt	Black Horse And Cherry Tree	107
62	Cohn, Marc	Walking In Memphis	157
63	Gaynor, Gloria	I Will Survive	15
64	Temptations	My Girl	67
65	Fleetwood Mac	Dreams	60
66	Madonna	Like A Prayer	75
67	Jett, Joan &  Blackhearts	I Love Rock ‘n Roll	10
68	No Doubt	Just A Girl	62
69	Spears, Britney	Baby One More Time	252
70	Cash, Johnny	Folsom Prison Blues	21
71	Apple, Fiona	Criminal	34
72	Divinyls	I Touch Myself	32
73	Loeb, Lisa	Stay (I Missed You)	79
74	Pink	Who Knew	56
75	Charlie Daniels Band	Devil Went Down To Georgia	151
76	Poison	Every Rose Has It’s Thorn	297
77	3 Doors Down	Kryptonite	48
78	Sonny & Cher	I Got You Babe	251
79	Dixie Chicks	Sin Wagon	53
80	Etheridge, Melissa	I’m The Only One	76
81	Brooks & Dunn	Neon Moon	69
82	Jefferson Airplane	White Rabbit	269
83	Adkins, Trace	Honky Tonk Badonkadonk	1108
84	Brooks, Garth	Dance	91
85	Jewel	You Were Meant For Me	22
86	Travolta, John & Newton-John, Olivia	You’re The One That I Want	187
87	Steve Miller Band	Joker	73
88	Kid Rock	All Summer Long	NEW
89	Green, Al	Let’s Stay Together	890
90	Green Day	Basket Case	148
91	Beatles	In My Life	NR*
92	Ke$ha	Tik Tok	NEW
93	Springfield, Dusty	Son Of A Preacher Man	57
94	Montgomery, John Michael	Sold	121
95	Righteous Brothers	You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’	54
96	Kings Of Leon	Sex On Fire	NEW
97	Black Eyed Peas	Imma Be	NEW
98	Twain, Shania	Man I Feel Like A Woman	190
99	Meatloaf	Paradise By The Dashboard Light	58
100	Aerosmith	Dream On	262
101	Ke$ha	Your Love Is My Drug	NEW

Top 101 songs are shown above – For complete listings of top 500 Karaoke songs go to the
US Karaoke Alliance Website

We hope you find this list interesting.. If you are a KJ and you have data that includes singer names, song titles and number of times sung please send it to us and we will include your shows in our next chart!

The UN-Comfort Zone by Stu Chisholm

The UN-Comfort Zone

SITTING STILL AND RESTING ON YOUR LAURELS IS A SURE WAY TO LET THE WORLD PASS YOU BY

BY STU CHISHOLM

Your equipment is set up, you’ve changed into your tux and you’re looking over the evening’s itinerary as you await the arrival of your audience. The forms you use make the job a snap; you just run down the list, plugging in your standard routines as the night progresses. Sure you hit ‘em with the newest, hottest music when the time is right, but you’re also relaxed enough to check in on Facebook, toss out a tweet to your followers or quickly advance your caper in Mafia Wars. Your pulse never goes above 90 beats-per-minute.

With proficiency comes confidence, and our mindset reflects this. But having done hundreds or maybe even thousands of weddings and other events, your actions can become nearly automatic, like driving a car. But is this a good thing? Or might it be a silent alarm, alerting you to a problem?

COOL…OR COLD?

We’ve all seen people who are inflexible. While they might have a world of experience, they also may have gotten stuck in their ways, unable to adjust to new conditions or situations. A sudden change or problem can throw them, taking them by surprise to the point where they fumble, while up to that point, they probably felt quite comfortable. Does this sound familiar?

This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but I always feel like I’m doing my best work when I’m walking that edge of my comfort zone; a space where I have control and a clear direction, yet have added enough innovation, novelty or even just a new piece of gear that I’m just ever so slightly uneasy. It not only helps me to improve over time, keeping my show fresh, but helps me to stay alert, attentive and focused. If I am able to give some of my attention to an instant message or even a call on my cellphone, it tells me that I’m NOT FOCUSED ENOUGH on the party at hand.

EMBRACE CHANGE

This also applies to before and after the gigs. At the Mobile Beat show in Las Vegas last February, Andy Ebon gave an excellent presentation on the changing face of marketing in the twenty-first century. Young couples communicate in young ways. If you’re not on Facebook and/or using Twitter, you may not even be on your prospect’s radar. Jorge Lopez took this concept a bit further in another seminar, breaking down our potential clientele by generation, and giving insights as to how best to approach them. I don’t think that Andy and Jorge had teamed-up on this topic! My guess is that they both perceive the reality that is the wedding market: Those who become too “comfortable” and don’t change with the times will not connect with their intended customers.

Being in the music-playing business, we should be more than comfortable with a constant background of change. From week to week, new music is released, and tried-and-true favorites fall by the wayside. It is a continuum, and what you play this weekend may not occur to you or anyone else a year or two from now. There will always be those tunes that are impossible to ignore today but gone tomorrow, and those tunes that will hang on seemingly forever. I’d be surprised if the year 2100 rolled around and people aren’t still partying to “Old Time Rock & Roll” or “Y.M.C.A.” somewhere.

By the same token, we may find things that work each and every time, yet a year down the road might make party guests groan! Yet the Hokey Pokey and Chicken Dance roll on and on. As Kenny Rogers sang in “The Gambler,” “You have to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.” Don’t become so attached to any part of your show that you can never give it up if the changing times demand it. Yet be aware of your audience enough to know when that old chestnut will be the perfect song or activity for the moment! This can ONLY be accomplished by FOCUS—by paying attention to what matters and shutting out distractions. Don’t dread a curve ball, but let it energize you. Be the solution to a couple’s problem by thinking on your feet, having some emergency items in your bag of tricks. (I once saved a cake-cutting ceremony by having a serving set on-hand.) Use that problem, circumstance or setback to shine!

Well-known mobile DJ Randy Bartlett has also given much thought to this idea. In fact, it’s the basis for his 1% Solution DVDs, which give you an excellent tactic to deal with continuous change. His advice is simple: Don’t try for huge, sweeping changes to any facet of your show. Simply pay attention, maybe take notes, and then try to make small, incremental increases—each time a one percent improvement over the last show! Over time, those one percents will add up to a great deal of improvement. It is also a way to respond to the continuum of constant change. As with the above, this is also an idea to apply beyond the gig; the office, vehicle, marketing and all other facets of your business.

DON’T MAKE ALL THE MISTAKES BY YOURSELF

Conferences like the Mobile Beat shows, DVDs like Randy’s and the many books available at the Mobile Beat bookstore and elsewhere give you the benefit of many decades of DJ experience. As professional as the authors and presenters are, they’ve made ALL of the mistakes as they built their businesses and gained stature in the mobile DJ industry. Benefit from them! Making a few errors here and there is unavoidable. Making ALL of them yourself IS.

So remember: the next time you’re feeling right at home at an event, maybe yawning as your guests are enjoying themselves, listen to that inner alarm and ask yourself, “What am I missing?” If you’re honest, I can guarantee you’ll be able to answer that question yourself!

Until next time, safe spinnin’!

When the Lights Come On

When the Lights Come On

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO ON, ARE YOU ON?

Mobile entertainers are show business performers. Like comedians, actors, singers, musicians, hypnotists, public speakers, improvisation players, and more, mobile entertainers are on stage—albeit a fluid, ever-evolving, not always ideal performance platform. It may not usually be a stage with curtain and footlights, but it’s show business nonetheless.

LIVING IN THE LIMELIGHT

So how do you prepare for the moment when the “curtain” rises and the lights illuminate? How do you prepare during “the half”—the sacrosanct 30 minutes just before a performance when the actor is in the dressing room, preparing to go on stage?

As Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey explains, “It can be 30 minutes of quiet contemplation or utter fear, depending on how the performance has been going.” How has your “half” been lately?

A TALE OF TWO ACTORS

Last the spring, I appeared in a local production of Couple Dating, an engaging comedy about a New York couple with a young child seeking to connect with other couples in similar circumstances—with unexpected results, insights gained and generous hilarity for the audience

Eight actors comprised the cast—the primary story couple (Bobby and Tess) and the three couples they “date.” I played the husband in the couple in the second to last scene of the play. Thus, we did not appear on stage until about 90 minutes into the production for what turned out to be a memorable 12-minute scenes.

I was paired with a very talented actress, Jenny MacKenzie, with whom I connected well during auditions. Our call time was generally 30 minutes before the proverbial lights went on, so Jenny and I had about two hours to wait before our scene.

The backstage machinations of many theatrical productions organically develop their own preparation rhythm. Jenny and I developed ours with each other and the other actors during our 16-show run.

We rarely said two words to each other for the two hours backstage before we did our scene. Jenny often read, texted, did her makeup, dressed for the scene and, occasionally, quietly chatted with the other actors. I usually completed work on a laptop, reviewed my lines, blocking and cues, read, changed clothes and helped do the dishes at intermission (it’s community theater—actors are often the crew, too!) Just before we entered the stage together, we each made our final preparations.

Jenny would check her purse for the items needed in the scene, review her clothes and ensure that she had a finger ready to ring the doorbell on cue. Typically, I engage in some physical movement to get into character. So, just before Jenny rang the doorbell, I would round out my shoulders, cock my head slightly back and stand as erect as possible to become the confident persona of Scott.

And, after we completed our scene? We were often as chatty as two long-lost friends on a chance meeting.

Far from the result of deliberate planning, the rhythm evolved during rehearsals and the show’s run, becoming a comfort zone of preparation for Jenny, myself and the rest of the cast.

SHOWTIME!

How do you prepare for your entrance on the mobile “stage,” the moment when you are in the “spotlight” of the party guests’ attention at your event? What is your rhythm in preparing for a gig? What do you do during your version of the half?

A significant part of your preparation may be tied to the primary role you are playing that evening. Are you an emcee? A music programmer? A director? Gamemaster? Dancer?

YES AND…

For the last six years, I’ve been a member of Triage, a local improvisational troupe. When we are in the half, we do a variety of exercises and short games to get the blood flowing, elevate the energy and sharpen our minds for the performance. Our final activity before heading out on stage? We form a circle, put our hands together in the center and look each other in the eye as we declare, “Got your back!”

Our preparation is a combination of best practices in the art and organically developed activities that work for our group. What works for you?

CATCH THE RHYTHM

Some entertainers may meditate, seek quiet time, exercise, or eat a small meal before a performance. In my twenty-plus years as a mobile entertainer, I’ve developed a pre-event rhythm of setting up 30 to 60 minutes before the scheduled start of the event or, at least, well in advance of guest arrival. Then, I walk the entire entertainment space checking not only sound, but perspective and feel.

After making any necessary tweaks in the sound, I review my notes, agenda and any other information about the event to refresh the energy I need to portray. Then, I visit the facilities to freshen up and just before I depart, look in the mirror, make sure my smile is keen, flash a Hawaiian shake hand sign to the mirror, and give a chuckle. Now, I am ready to entertain.

FIND YOUR SPACE

There is no single correct method to prepare for an event, to work the half. But, like Jenny and me, if you do not have yours yet, look for the right formula to put yourself in the best frame of mind to offer your clients a memorable event!

The Art of the Quinceañera – By Cheryl Q.

The Art of the Quinceañera

By Cheryl Q.

TRADITIONS, PAGEANTRY AND MUSIC: THE QUINCEAÑERA IS AN IMPORTANT CELEBRATION IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY

Quinceañera (pronounced keen-see-ahn-yair-ah) traditions have a long history dating back to the Aztec Indians and are very symbolic. The custom celebrates the 15th birthday of a Hispanic girl who is leaving childhood behind and now is assuming the responsibilities of womanhood. It is very religious in nature beginning with a Catholic mass where the Quinceañera reaffirms her faith in God. Family is important in this rite of passage.

VIPS

Some key people who may be acknowledged during the reception or may be introduced as a part of the entrance are:

• Abuelos (ah-boo-ay-lows) – Grandparents
• Padrinos (pah-dree-knows) – Godparents, whose spiritual responsibility to the Quinceañera ends.
• Patrones (pah-trown-ace) – Sponsors, who are people who contribute to the success of the celebration.

The Quinceaños (“fifteen years” – one of the three terms used to identify the celebration—see if you can find the other two in this article) is a very elaborate event (even more than some weddings), is very expensive to put on (thus the importance of the Patrones), is usually a formal affair, and may revolve around a theme. Since this is such a major event, and involves extensive, wedding-style preparation on the DJ’s end, I typically charge the same as I do for a wedding.

The Quinceañera (also referring to the guest of honor) is dressed in a princess-like ball gown complete with petticoats and hoops. She has an Honor Court consisting of Damas (dah-mas) and Chambelanes (cham-bay-lahn-ace) similar to bridesmaids and groomsmen. Her escort is a Chambelan. While past tradition dictated 14 couples in the Honor Court (one couple for each year of the Quinceañera’s life), current trends are toward seven couples (one person for each year).

TRADITIONS

A number of traditions are usually part of the event, including the following.

Crowning – This is usually done by the mother and can be done at the church or reception. The crown signifies that the Quinceañera is a princess in the eyes of God. It also signifies the responsibilities she is now assuming. If your client says the crowning will be done at the church, you don’t have to do anything else. If it is going to be done at the reception, then ask who is going to do it, when it will be done and if any special music is required.

Changing of the Shoes – It is thought that up until this time, the Quinceañera hasn’t been able to walk in high-heeled shoes. It isn’t unusual for her to wear flats during the religious ceremony. At some point during the reception, her shoes will be changed from flats to high heels. This is done by her father, brother, padrino or other important male figure in the Quinceañera’s life. This signifies leaving behind childhood and entering adulthood. Special music is usually played during this tradition. Your client will let you know if they are going to do the Changing of the Shoes, who will do it, and when.

Presentation of the Last Doll – This is the last doll the Quinceañera will ever receive as a child. There are a number of ways the presentation can be made. There is a dance with the doll that may or may not be done. If the Quinceañera is not going to dance with the doll, I suggest that her grandmother present the doll to her.

The Dance (El Vals) – The highlight of the entire celebration is a well-rehearsed and choreographed dance involving the entire Honor Court. This is one of the first things the Quinceañera does as an adult. To be prepared, I strongly suggest that find out who the dance instructor is and go to some of the rehearsals. This is also a great way to cultivate new clients and meet an important vendor who can send business your way. The dance instructor may provide the music for the dance (or dances, if there will be a second special dance). They may also help with the entrance.

In each of these traditions, it’s important to let the guests know what’s going on and why.

MUSIC

Latin music and how it is used in the event is a regional matter. For example, in Arizona salsa is only something that is eaten, while in Miami it is something that is danced to. Rancheras, Bandas, Boleros, Cumbias, Nortena, and Corridos are some of the styles popular in the western states, while Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, Bachata, and Reggae are styles most requested on the east coast. Promo Only has “Tropical” (East Coast) and “Regional” (West Coast) music collections available, and TM Studios has incorporated both on one disc. Latin Grammy CDs are also a good source for a wide variety of popular music. The DJ Intelligence Top 200 has lists of wedding music that can also be used for entrances and dances with parents. Keep it age-appropriate when helping your client select their music. Interestingly, most of the requests I receive are first by type of music (such as Salsa, Bachata), then by artist, rather than song title.

RECEPTION

A typical order of events at the reception is as follows:

1. Entrance – announcing the Honor Court and Quinceañera (special songs)
2. Dance/Crowning//Changing of Shoes (order can be changed) (special songs)
3. Specialty Dance (optional) (special songs)
4. Father-Daughter Dance (special songs)
5. Last Doll Presentation (possibly special song)
6. Toasts
7. Thank You’s (usually done by Parents and Quinceañera)
8. Cake Cutting (may need “Las Mañanitas,” a traditional birthday song)
9. Candle Lighting or similar (may need special song)

IMPRESS YOUR CLIENT AND HELP YOURSELF

When you impress your client, you have the opportunity to earn big bucks. Do whatever you can to help them make the event a success. Sit with them face to face and help them plan the reception. Use the correct terminology—call the Quinceañera’s escort a Chambelan and the grandparents Abuelos. Some of the traditions have gotten lost over time, so suggest them and let your client know what they mean. Work with them on the dancing and music suggestions. Go to the dance rehearsals. And lastly, give your client “stuff’ such as music selection lists or a handy checklist of items they might need for the day.

FINDING CLIENTS

As most of the Quinceañeras are Catholic celebrations, call your local Catholic churches and ask about advertising in their bulletins. Go to Mexican restaurants and leave some business cards or fliers. You might ask if they know any Quinceañera dance instructors. If so, call them, as well as your local dance studios. Partner with local photographers who do “Quinces.” And there are supermarket bulletin boards that are usually free.

Have fun with Quinceañeras, and remember, when you participate in one, you are a significant part of a family milestone that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Korg Mp-10 Professional Media Player

KORG UNVEILS MP-10 PRO PROFESSIONAL MEDIA PLAYER
- All-in-one MIDI instrument and dual-song player for the mobile entertainer -
MUSIKMESSE, FRANKFURT, GERMANY, March 24, 2010 – Korg has introduced the MP-10 Pro Professional Media Player – the perfect musical companion for mobile entertainers, solo keyboardists, singers and amateur musicians. This revolutionary, all-in-one product brings together a reliable and comfortable performance interface with total control over the most essential forms of media required by the modern performer.

As a media player, the MP-10 Pro features two independent media song players; each is able to play both MP3 and MIDI files* directly from the massive 120 GB internal hard drive. The motorized 60 mm crossfader allows creative DJ-style mixing. Songs can be saved into multiple playlists, and the database can be sorted using any criteria. Playlists can be easily imported, or even created “on the fly.” The Browser gives an immediate view of everything available in the selected genre. Using the Find function, the MP-10 Pro will carefully search the entire database for the user’s favorite song. Once found, the song can be immediately sent to either of the two players.
* .mid, .mid+G, .kar, .xf, .mp3 + lyrics, .mp3+G

As a MIDI instrument, the MP-10 Pro can play MIDI files from the song players. The internal sound engine uses the same EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) found in the Korg Pa500 arranger keyboard and can also be played from an external MIDI device. The front panel offers four assignable performance pads for triggering sound effects and musical phrases. Numerous on-board effects are available for the internal players and MIDI engine. For the entertainer, singer or master of ceremonies, the MP-10 Pro is equipped with a TC Helicon vocal processor offering compression, EQ and delay. A pitch shifter for changing keys, a time stretch function for changing the tempo and an advanced vocal remover allow MP3 files to be customized to suit the entertainer’s style.

The MP-10 Pro features Korg’s huge color TouchView^TM display, offering extreme ease of use. A comprehensive set of connections provides the MP-10 Pro with maximum versatility. In addition to MIDI and USB connections, there are connections for a PC keyboard that make naming and cataloging songs very efficient. Two microphone inputs (one XLR and one ¼”) assure compatibility with nearly any mic. The video outputs (S-Video and Composite) allow karaoke style lyrics, chord changes or even full scores to be displayed on an external video monitor. A headphone-based cue system is provided as well.

The MP-10 Pro will be available July 2010 with pricing TBA.

FoamMasters X-Stream Canon Foam Machine “Goes Back In Time”

FOAM CANNON X-STREAM “GOES BACK IN TIME” THROUGH SNOWMASTERS SPECIAL EFFECTS

The debut of the FoamMasters X-Stream Cannon Foam Machine at the 2010 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival’s “Back to the Future” reunion coincided with the appearance of a DeLorean time machine replica.

Lexington, AL March 25, 2010 – With a stainless steel body similar to that of the DeLorean automobile made famous in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, the FoamMasters X-Stream Cannon Foam Machine is built to withstand the test of time. This foam machine produces 4,000 to 4,800 cubic feet of foam in 8 to 10 minutes (that’s a maximum of 480 cubic square feet per minute). The foam cannon fills a 20 to 40 ft area with foam 5 feet deep and lasts 40 to 50 minutes per one gallon of High Dilution Foam (FG-HDF) concentrate, using a premixed solution in the foam machine’s 25 gallon reservoir. The cannon shoots twenty to thirty foot streams of foam and its stainless steel construction includes a swivel base with locking wheels for adding some fun and frolic to your party, you can take aim and redirect the foam. The foam machine is made in America and available in 110V or 220V. The X-stream comes with a lifetime limited warranty and 24 hour technical support. Foam Masters Labs constantly invents and reformulates solutions in order to improve the rich foam production for its foam machines. There are also many different foam scents available such as bubble gum, vanilla, cherry, and more; foam can also be tinted blue, green, yellow, and pink. There are many ways to contain the foam such as with inflatable foam pits, construction of a containment area, or if used outdoors, by just by finding a suitable grassy area.
After years of perfecting illusionary snow fall at SnowMasters Special Effects, FoamMasters has applied that technology to create the top of the line foam party machines on the market. Since the SnowMasters snow is comprised of dry suds, it was only logical to evolve the technology into foam. FoamMasters’ easy-to-use machines produce mountains of foam for kids parties, nightclubs or auditoriums. Foam products are available as non-toxic, hypoallergenic, non staining, and environmentally friendly. Foam solutions also include a moisturizer for the skin. Systems are available for sale or rental. FoamMasters also provides complete onsite performances. Now you can throw your own foam party right at home anytime. Foam can be used to create unique experiences at church events, children’s birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, summer camps, night clubs, and even fund raisers. Every one of all ages loves to play in foam and this machine requires little to no maintenance.
About SnowMasters Special Effects
Whether on land, sea or in the sky, SnowMasters makes special events and occasions unforgettable. From white weddings, cruise ships, hotels, casinos, department stores, theme parks, sporting events to Los Angeles area film productions – their special effects machines and services are used worldwide. The company has expanded its products into over 20 countries, including France, China, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, Austria, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Chile, Lebanon, Israel, South Africa, Australia and Canada. Building upon the success of the invention of Evaporative Snow®, their Flogos (Flying logos) are becoming ever increasingly popular as forms of sky-vertising. With superb warranties on products and impeccable customer support, the SnowMasters Special Effects line of products and team are setting new industry standards.

www.snowmasters.com for more information!

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