Barbizon Blog

Do you remember being read the fairy tale Chicken Little when you were young?  In the story, the chicken is obsessed about the sky falling down and didn’t notice Foxy Woxy prepping for a nice chicken salad. There’s a little bit of Chicken Little in everyone.  Instead of focusing on what’s in front of us, we humans devote too much time to daydreams and thinking about everything but reality.  In many cases, it’s not sweet dreams but worrying or “awfulizing” that eats up our time.

Do you have the “What ifs?”  What if I fail the math test?  What if I never find a boyfriend?  What percentage of the day do you spending imagining worse case scenarios?  Optimism, in reasonable doses, is far more constructive than pessimism and it will inspire you.  But be careful.  Too much optimism and believing “nothing bad will happen” can give you a false sense of security.  Talking to a parent, older sibling, or teacher as well as going to Barbizon can help you develop a more positive way of thinking.

1.  GRADES — SEEK KNOWLEDGE

• Cut back on one hour per day of TV time or playing video games.
• If you enjoy both, cut back 1/2 hour on each daily.

Pageants are in the business of making dreams come true…even if it’s for a short period of time. Some girls enter for the scholarship money or other prizes. Some enter with the hopes of launching a career in modeling or entertainment. Others do it for the title alone, to advance their platform, or simply for the opportunity to grow. Whatever your reasons, remember that you don’t have to actually win to achieve your goal. So, don’t just enter to win. Do it for the learning experience and the chance to meet new people. Life in general is filled with “wins’ and “losses.” Take each one in stride.

Pageants can typically have 5 elements of competitions:

1. Interview
2. Swimsuit
3. Talent
4. Evening Gown
5. Final Question

Many Barbizon grads have achieved their dreams in the pageant world. You can see more on our Success Stories page.

by Barbizon Student Stephanie Conley

Dear Barbizon Friends:

Though we have not known each other long,
I feel as if we have grown up together.
We have built friendships
That will last a lifetime
And memories to cherish.

I came to this school six months ago
Hoping I wouldn’t be embarrassed about myself.
My hardest struggle has always been
Taking off the mask and “being me.”

From the first day I walked in,
I had this comforting feeling
That I was going to be okay.
Everyone has placed a special moment in my heart
That I will carry with me forever.

Although we may lose touch,
I will never forget my time here at Barbizon
With you…

Manners Matter:  Manners you use around friends need to be a little more polished around others — like adults, job interviewers, teachers and strangers.  For example:

1.  Your friends could probably care less if you eat your salad greens with your fingers.  But if you’re out to dinner with your parent’s friends or your friend’s parents, you’ll look immature and out of place doing so.

2.  The way you sit in the food court may work fine on a Saturday afternoon, but when you are being interviewed for an after-school job, slouching is out.  Sitting up straight and attentively sends the message that you are interested in the job.

3.  You might tell a friend that you’re “pissed off” when she goes to the movies and doesn’t invite you, but using those words with your teacher will not make a persuasive argument for why that “C” should have been an “A”.

4.  You can nickname a friend “Skittles” because he raps worse than Eminem,but you shouldn’t do that to your grandma or the person who hired you for a job.

Sound off:  Can you think of a few more examples of casual vs. formal manners?  Be sure to Contact Us to find out more.

Here are Barbizon’s 12 Keys to Personality Plus Development. Try to accomplish at least one of these each week:

1.  Be wise about human relations.

2.  Don’t put off until tomorrow.

3.  Develop hobbies.

4.  Go places and do things.

5.  Become an avid reader.

6.  Broaden your circle of friends.

7.  Learn to compliment people.

8.  Learn to remember names.

9.  Maintain a sense of humor.

10.  Learn to show enthusiasm.

11.  Speak up.  Assertiveness can be fun.

12.  Learn to use gestures.

Like what you see here?  Click here to learn more.

Over the next several blog postings, we will be going over the five essentials to performing “your Barbizon best” in commercials or other acting roles: The essentials are #1~ Wardrobe, #2~ Memorization, #3~ Shooting Day, #4~ The Shoot Begins! #5~ Working on the Set.

#4~ THE SHOOT BEGINS! :

1. Set yourself up for the first piece of business you’re going to do and focus in on those lines. Do it just like you did during rehearsal.

2. The assistant director will usually ask for quiet, then tell the sound person to roll sound, and tell the camera person to roll camera or “roll tape” who will response with “camera’s rolling” or “speed.” At this point, the slate will be put in front of the camera and usually clicked to make sure sound and video are synchronized later on. The director may then ask for “quiet on the set” and then “action.”

3. At that point, you should wait a split second (called a “beat”) so your dialogue won’t overlap with the director’s “action,” then start.

Next week #5: Working on the Set. In the meantime, check out what Barbizon has to offer in their Acting Classes .

Over the next several blog postings, we will be going over the five essentials to performing “your Barbizon best” in commercials or other acting roles: The essentials are #1~ Wardrobe, #2~ Memorization, #3~ Shooting Day, #4~ The Shoot Begins! #5~ Working on the Set.

#3~ SHOOTING DAY:

1. Get the best night’s sleep possible.

2. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the shoot so you don’t get frazzled because of a traffic jam. There are no excuses for being late.

3. Make sure you have everything you need for the day. You’ll need whatever wardrobe you’re been asked to bring, and your script.

4. Eat a good breakfast before leaving. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Next week #4: The Shoot Begins! In the meantime, check out what Barbizon has to offer in their Acting Classes .

Over the next several blog postings, we will be going over the five essentials to performing “your Barbizon best” in commercials or other acting roles: The essentials are #1~ Wardrobe, #2~ Memorization, #3~ Shooting Day, #4~ The Shoot Begins! #5~ Working on the Set.

#2~MEMORIZATION:

1. Don’t make the mistake of not memorizing your part. When you show up on the set, know the script from start to finish - forward, backward, and sideways.

2. Know your lines really well because there are a lot of people on a TV commercial set and with all the distractions, your lines can be easy to forget.

3. An actor has a certain confidence when he or she knows that the lines are memorized letter-perfect. You’ll be better prepared to handle detailed blocking and complicated moves as well as end-of-the-day fatigue.

4. If there are any last minute script changes (and many times there are), you’ll be able to handle them if you’re confident that you know your words. If you harbor the slightest doubt that the copy isn’t etched in stone in your mind, those changes are going to throw you.

Next week #3: Shooting Day. In the meantime, check out what Barbizon has to offer in their Acting Classes .