24 September 2009

How to Select the Right Children's Magician For Your Event

While magic shows for children are often associated with private birthday parties, more and more event organizers are searching for a children's magician to perform at their function.

The most common problem with finding a children's magician that will be right for their event is selecting the right one. How do you know you'll choose a magician who is really talented, and not someone who the kids will find boring or "lame"?

The first place most people turn to find a magician is the internet. But with so many to choose from on the internet and in the phonebook, use these questions to help you find someone who will be a hit at your next awards banquet, fundraiser, or summer camp:

1. Can you talk with the magician before you book his show? It's important to be able to talk with the magician, make sure that you "click" with them, and make sure they are easy to work with. When dealing with children, you want to make sure they have a nice personality and not one that will create tension in the room.

2. Do they customize their show based on the age group of the children? Too often magicians have a show that is appreciated and enjoyed only by a specific age group. Both the sophistication of the magic and the length of the show needs to be tailored to the age group & attention span of the audience.

3. Do they have experience working with larger events? Some magicians have only done small, private parties, and you want to make sure that you have a magician who has experience with a larger audience, a tighter time schedule, and the general feel of a larger event. Make sure they have experience.

4. Do they have experience working with events similar to your event? The feel of a church program is entirely different than a school banquet, for example. Ask for any experience the magician has had with the specific type of event you are holding. If they haven't had any experience with that type of event, find out what's similar that they have performed for.

5. Do they have other people's feedback you can reference? Sure, they can say that they do a great job - but the real test is in hearing what other event organizers have to say about the show that was performed at their event. Read feedback from other clients and follow your gut instinct about using the same magician.

By following these guidelines, you should be able to find a children's magician who can make your event fun, entertaining, and successful.

Gemma-Leigh Garner is a freelance copywriter and blogger that writes on various topics including local entertainers and magicians in Dallas and other local cities.

Gemma-Leigh Garner - EzineArticles Expert Author


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How to Hire a Magician For Your Corporate Event

Looking to hire a magician? Not sure where to start? Here are some general tips to make sure you get the perfect match for your event:

1. Decide what kind of magician you're looking for. Yes, there are MANY different kinds of magicians. Some perform exclusively for children. Some are more geared toward adults. Some feature clean comedy. Some are more adult-oriented. If you're planning a corporate event, you definitely don't want a magician that does kid magic and balloon animals!

2. Check out their promotional material. Most professional magicians have a website and a brochure to help you evaluate them and make your decision. A good magician will not be afraid to show you video of his performance so you can see him in action in front of a group like yours. Most will have video on their websites, or you can request a DVD. Start by doing a Google search for "magicians in Houston" or whatever city you're in to get some websites to investigate.

3. Check the magician's credentials. You definitely do NOT want a magician who is just beginning his career. There are fewer things more painful than watching a bad magician! On the other hand, there are fewer things more entertaining than watching a really good magician. Ask for references and check out his previous clients.

4. Spend the extra money and get someone really good. Do your group a favor, and get a professional whom you KNOW will do a great job entertaining your audience. You won't regret it! If a magician is inexpensive, there's probably a good reason. Remember the old saying, "The quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten!"

5. Ask questions. Find out exactly what the magician is offering, what kind of magic he will do, and how long he will entertain your group. Ask if he will perform close-up magic before dinner to warm-up the crowd. Ask if he has more than one type of show available.

I hope these tips help, and good luck with your event!

Curt Miller is a professional corporate magician and comedian in Houston, Texas. He performs for corporate events all over the country for clients like American Express and NASA. For amazing video, pictures, and show information, please visit http://www.curtmiller.com.

17 September 2009

How Makeup Classes Can Skyrocket Your Career as a Makeup Artist

If you've always dreamed of becoming a professional, well-paid makeup artist, you might be able to realize your dreams sooner than you think. Helping others look their best can be a rewarding career both emotionally and financially. But just like any other profession, getting the proper training is essential for success. Makeup classes can help in more ways than one.

Learn Makeup Application for All Occasions

Perhaps you already know the basics of applying makeup, but that's not all you should know to become a professional makeup artist. Makeup courses can teach you to apply makeup for all different special occasions. Applying makeup for a bride before her wedding is different than makeup for a glamour shot. There are many occasions where the right type of makeup makes all the difference, such as ceremonies, award presentations, black tie events, informal dances, proms, and parties.

Makeup schools also teach you to apply makeup properly for certain needs such as a photo shoot for a model, a live performance by a speaker, politician, ballet dancer, opera singer, or musician, or even an acting session for an actor before entering the filming studio.

Makeup for the camera is often much different than everyday makeup applications, so it's wise to take some makeup lessons on these different methods.

Makeup Application for Different Skin Types

Another way in which makeup courses can help you develop your talents is they will teach you to apply makeup for a variety of skin types. Skin comes in different color shades, depending on the person's skin pigmentation. There is also oily skin, dry skin, and skin that falls somewhere in between. You'll need makeup lessons to learn about the skin types and what type of makeup should be applied to each individual's skin.

Knowing how to determine the colors of makeup is also important. You should consider the person's skin color, eye color, hair color, and the shape of their face to find the perfect color match. Depending on the type of makeup artist you will be, you might apply makeup to men as well. Mostly, this would be for photos or for the live camera.

Learn Other Makeup Techniques

Other makeup techniques you can learn by taking makeup classes include airbrush techniques, applying special effects makeup, applying makeup in salons or spas, working for cosmetic companies, and many others. You'll also learn to work with people and how to assess their needs before applying their makeup to get just the right match for their personality and skin type.

Makeup classes can help you develop your skills as a makeup artist while teaching you the many techniques necessary to become a well-paid professional. If you are unable to take an entire college course, which can take years to complete, then try a makeup workshop that provides a concentrated course on makeup during a limited amount of time. Some of the greatest makeup artists, the best makeup workshops, and the most career opportunities can be found in Hollywood.

You'll be helping others shine with gorgeous makeup in no time!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Makeup Classes Help Your Career or Majon's Health and Beauty directory