Our last class was very interesting. We have started Webcasting. Yes, so now you have no excuse for learning Revit.
We learned how to link files and about worksharing.  Revit is really gaining popularity with the A/E world and even the Construction industry is learning it.  From small one man operations to large multi-disciplines and offices worldwide, Revit is becoming more and more common.  It is no longer the new kid on the block, and quite frankly, it is here to stay.  I am sure that as soon as the economy turns around and firms start hiring again, every company will be looking for people with Revit experience.  Now is the time to learn it and be ready for the demand.

Step one: Practice

Step two: Practice

Step three: Practice

That’s right practice, practice, practice, oh by the way did I mention you should practice. 

The only way to perfect your craft is to spend time learning “Your” voice. Until you record your voice you won’t know how you actually sound.  What you hear and what others hear is completely different. 

So simply get magazine ads and find as many various products as possible to sell. Begin my recording your copy, then listen back. Don’t erase what you record, do it again and again. Listen to all your takes this method will help you hear if you are indeed improving, which should be your goal.

Also try changing your voice, producers and directors want to hire actors who are versatile and can change direction upon request. To help you have a better understanding of Voice Over acting, start paying closer attention to commercials, while watching tv, and listening to the radio close your eyes when the commercials start and simply listen to the voices, pay attention to the various techniques.  Train your ears, develop your listening skills.

One last point PRACTICE!

Darlene Hall

PPI has their 3.1 ARE exam books on sale in preparation for the 4.0 transition at the end of this month.  $55 and $80 books are marked down to $19.95.  This is a great deal! Instead of the $517 for the new set.  Take note that the lateral forces section may not be current. I would advise browsing the IBC for current information.  See the link below.

http://ppi2pass.com/ppi/PPIShop?pr=ARCRP&ct=AREEXAM

Les Jours Tristes – Amelie PoulainSo, if you have not seen it yet (or again),
you must! Le Fabuleux Destin D’Amelie Poulin was a masterpiece starring Audrey
Tautou (one of my favorite actresses) about the irony of love and life. It’s
a jewel of a tale that I carry with me as a souvenir from my times living in
Paris, learning, teaching, living, traveling, and just, well, relaxing. I suppose
those memories are my therapy, until I can get away to the Maldives–or somewhere
equally exotic. As a cathartic gesture of magnanimity, I have therefore embedded
for you a track from arguably one of the best movies scores I’ve encountered.
If you listen to the lyrics, you’ll find a pitch perfect message about why it’s
never too late to change the scene and create a new story. Sometimes, you help
others in the process. I meet people everyday who, on the outside, seem to be
holding it together, but we discover after a few moments of dialog they haven’t
really been taking the time to do a little maintenance on the inside. That person
who is a pin prick from insanity could be your friend, relative, coworker, a
stranger…or you!

Take the time to cut them a break when you can…and speak words of encouragement
rather than complain about their pouting. Those very same words will return
to you one day when you least expect it. Take a breather! Stop rushing and worrying,
and remember that whatever you are dealing with is always temporary. Besides,
there is probably good news on the way if you’re thinking it can’t get any worse.
I’ve had to take this advice myself many times over, and I promise, if you continue
listening to the song, you’ll realize why it is one of my favorites. It invites
us to hope again, dismiss naysayers, and press repeat tomorrow morning. “Les
Jours Tristes”….rough translation= “Sad Days”. But what you should walk away
thinking after letting the catchy beat soak in is….ahhhh,

Happy Days! Helpful Tips:

(1) If you’re worried about your job, consider investigating or training for
a new specialty…perhaps even career. DIVERSIFY!

(2) Increase your income by working more hours or getting a second job

(3) If you dip into the retirement plan, know the rules. Sometimes there’s
a penalty, but sometimes…not. We like the latter. Talk to your financial advisor
and get the facts.

(4) According to history, sometimes unemployment rises even after the recession
is said to officially be over. Don’t get caught up in the headlines. Make your
own history

(5) Don’t give up on having fun! Perhaps instead of abandoning your trip to
paradise, you postpone it and take a class on middle eastern cuisine, or learning how
to speak French. Use this time to prepare you for when you can execute Plan
A.

Today I taught the Actors Shop Voice Over Class, and three of the participants had no desire to be actors. Go figure!  Why on earth would anyone take an acting class unless they want to sharpen their acting skills?   Well,  life is a stage and we are all playing a role of some sort. Here’s the deal.

One young lady is a singer and she decided she could gain more confidence to performance in front of large audiences.  Another young woman is an attorney and she realized that an acting class will give her technique and skills to deliver more compelling opening and closing statements when trying a case. And then there was the guy who is a motivational speaker who inspires young people to pursue their college dreams.  He wanted to sharpen his delivery and learn some creative ways to keep his audience interested and intrigued.

So consider how you could benefit from taking The ActorShop, how can an acting class take your career or profession to the next level.

Something to think about!

Darlene Hall

Marry me and fly free was the flight attendant slogan that could be seen on t-shirts, license plates, key chains and other collectible items. This is a slogan that must be changed for this generation. Many airline employees are used to going to the airport with our spouses and friends and flying free all over the world. This is one of the benefits of being a flight attendant or an airline employee. However, the problem that plagues this generation is packed planes, smaller planes; carry on bags and not much room for standbys. The new slogan should be changed to marry me and fly free, OOPS I mean STAND-BY.

Before the days of pleated paper chef’s hats that come in boxes of 100, a traditional Chef’s Toque was made of pleated and starched fabric.  Legend has it that the number of pleats in the hat indicated the number of methods that the chef knew to cook eggs.  Often a job interview for a cook’s position is nothing more than to cook a simple omelet.  Sounds easy enough, but the technique is everything.  Eggs are the standard by which other protein sources are judged.  They act as a binder, a browning agent, a leavener, an ingredient, a main course, appetizer, main dish, soup, salad, and dessert, even beverages!  Understanding the many complexities of the uses of eggs is just one of the many things an avid cook, hobbyist or professional, must master.    How many pleats would you put in your toque?

Chef Christy

Everywhere around the world, no matter how or when, we all learn something new each day. Its no different at the LearnShop. I enjoy taking the workshops in a relaxed and comfortable environment with patient instructors; nothing like an ordinary classroom, which is beyond boring. Need I say more?