Sky KID`s SKYNET

Let’s talk about lens time.

I guess first we should say what it is. Lens time is your time in front of the camera lens.

Now why is this important? Your a singer or dancer, not a marketing agent or a salesman. You want to do your craft. How much lens time and the quality of that lens time is how they decide who they sign to entertain. You are an investment. And although they seem nice and may have you thinking they are doing this because they like you, never lose sight of the fact that it takes money to do these things and it doesn’t grow on trees. They will invest only in the good acts, the most entertaining. Lens time is how they measure you. The more they see your face and hear your voice, the more someone has invested in you.

Everyone wants to be on a winning team. If they see your face a lot, they assume someone else thinks you’re going to pay off in the end by bringing lot’s of people to see and hear you. Lot’s of people who will part with those dollars for parking, drinks, food entry fees and the like. There is the return on their investment. So if you like to do your craft and you want to be the best then you need to learn a few things besides the song or dance in your act. You need to learn how to act in front of the camera.

Lots of our young singers transit back and forth from stage singing to acting. This brings about some confusion regarding treatment given the camera lens. It can be confusing especially to the very young.

This should act as a general guideline for you or your youngster.

First let’s talk about acting. When you are acting on stage as in a play like Oliver, or Maybe the little prince, your interaction is with the other members of the cast. Your audience does not exist. They are looking at your pretend word through a window. You pretend they aren’t there. The same goes for the camera. It is so those in another room can also see through their window into your pretend world. So when you look at the camera lens you return them to the reality they are seeking to escape. In short, don’t look at the lens. It is not there.

Now let’s discuss entertaining and interviewing.

When you are on stage entertaining, whether singing dancing or juggling, the camera is your audience and is more so your audience than the people sitting in the seats in front of you. The people sitting in the audience will think you looked directly at them if you even glance in their direction. The camera is usually feeding screens behind you or to the sides of the stage. It may also be feeding a recorder or a broadcast system. When you are singing, the camera is you best friend. Sing to it, look affectionately at it, and smile when ever it goes with the context of your song. If it is a sad ballad then look sorrowfully at it. The camera will help you create an emotional bond with your audience. A bond that lasts long after your song and event are over. Here is a wonderful example of great lens technique.

Notice how each singer appears to be singing to you, personally. Didn’t you feel that connection?

Watch this video and think how you feel from scene to scene. In the open, some interviewers look and speak to the person asking the questions and some answer to the lens. Which has greater impact on you, the viewer?

Hopefully the emotional connection lasts all the way to Amazon.com or long enough that they order your personalized CD. Don’t be afraid to put an “add on” with your order for an autographed CD for and additional sum. Maybe make half of that sum for a charity. Many will cherish the personalized nature of the CD and be willing to pay the additional sum. It also helps in branding your talent. But that is for another writing.

So the bottom line is this. Love the camera and it will love your bank account and get you more work.

Interviewing is soooo important. It can also be the scariest. You’re not singing a rehearsed song. You have to come up with answers. This is so important I can’t express it adequately. If you interview well then you will get more lens time than you can shake a stick at.

If you interview by answering each question with a yes or no or worse yet, shaking your head yes or no, then it really doesn’t matter how much talent you have you just went down a notch or two on the call back list. So you need to learn to converse. That means using several words at a minimum. Ideally you want to take 30-45 seconds for your answer. With a one word answer your cameraman doesn’t have time to tack you, zoom in and focus. You have to allow enough time for him to do that and then transition back to your host. With one word answers your audience will get ill if they bounce back and forth so what you end up with is a two shot; a shot where you share the lens with your host.

They [the audience] are not there to see your host. They are there, to see and hear you! They will judge your sincerity and character by your answers and the tone of your voice and most of all, by your eyes and the lens.

Interviewing is a little different in the way you treat the lens. You start off looking at the person asking the question and then look to the lens and back at your host at the very end of your answer. You also lower your voice at the end of you answer. Going up indicates you are not done speaking. These are signals to the producers to prepare for a switch. That may be a little tough for our British contingent as they have a tendency to go up instead. Get over it.

It is important that you learn to speak slowly, don’t rush it. Speak plainly and project well. Pretend there is no microphone and you want to be heard. That doesn’t me to yell, but to speak loudly. One way to set the tone of the interview is to take the opportunity to thank your host for the invitation to appear before answering your first question. Let it go something like this:

Host Marie: Well Johnny, you have quite a voice for a little guy. How long have you been singing?

Johnny: Well, before I answer I just want to thank you for this invitation to sing it has been just wonderful, you and your staff are simply the best. [Pause for the applause to die down.] Now to answer your question, I started singing when I was very young. Mom said I would pretend that I had a microphone and sing along with the radio. I guess I would have been four or five maybe. But I didn’t start singing professionally on stage until I was nine.

Now what did we do? We captured 20-40 seconds lens time that we would not have had with a simple two or three word answer. Think about how valuable that time is. That is 20-40 seconds more that the audience has to learn your face, voice and personality. All very important.

The questions you are likely to be asked are generally easy to predict. And your mom or dad can help you rehearse and practice to stretch out your answers. They can also ask the booking agent to ask what questions you might be asked by the host, before the event. That way you have the opportunity to think how you will respond ahead of time. There are catch phrases you can use to give yourself time to think or to avoid questions that make you uncomfortable. But that will be in my next work on Interviewing.

Just make them laugh and you have purchased lens time that is invaluable. And more importantly, they will move you up a notch on the call back list. More interviews, means more opportunities to sing.

Relax and smile into the camera. Remember that $miles go a long way towards you getting lens time.

What they probably forgot to tell you or weren’t sure how to tell you.

This is very important. Your voice plate has thickened because your body is now producing massive amounts of testosterone. You’re becoming a young man. Because testosterone thickens the voice plate, it also changes the shape and the audio dynamics of it. Just like taking a guitar and adding another 2 inches to the neck length would change all the dynamics of the guitar, so does changing the thickness of the vocal plate. You would have to learn to play the modified guitar all over again.

Your voice plate is no different. The reason a boy squeaks when he speaks or tries to sing is his minds say to the body, “On my cue, tighten these muscles to shape the throat and position the larynx thus, lungs - push this amount of air out, mouth make this shape and tongue just get the hell out of the way.” The problem is that the mind is playing the old guitar. It needs to reprogram the body for each note.

If you go too fast it can’t keep up. (At least until the mind reprograms.) Once the new program is in place you can scream, rap or do just about anything. For now though until your mind is solid on its new commands, you need to sing very slow songs. And sing them softly. You can add volume later. That will make the programming more precise. Learn sloppy and you will sing sloppy. Take the time to learn properly and it will pay off.

My sensei once told me, *“It is better to practice one time correctly, than a thousand times wrong.”( * Sensei Katsutaka Tanaka, Alaska , a long time ago.) * http://www.tanakasmartialartsacademy.com/

Learning is learning. Karate or Singing or anything else worthwhile in life. Learn correctly. Don’t try to sing in the voice you had before. That time is over and now you need to focus on the new you; your new sound. Keep in mind that as beautiful as your treble voice was, so too will be your new voice. Whether it is alto, tenor baritone or bass, it is yours. It is still uniquely yours and you need to devote time to making it yours and making it right. Start where it is comfortable. If they all squeak then you’re probably still trying to sing too high.

Just like a child learning to speak. As he focuses the words will get better. You however have a more difficult time because your mind has already been trained one way, so you have to unlearn.

Think about each note and slowly deliver it and you will find a whole voice lacking nothing. And before long, you will have retrained your mind and body. All that you have learned will come into play, so none of it was wasted. It will all add to who your are today. You may be the youngest of men, but today you are man training a man’s voice. Just like when you were a treble, it will take time to get that richness and depth in your new voice. Be patient, I know it’s tough, but you were a treble. That was tough and you made it then too. You can do this also.

Sing a lot, it gives you something else to do in the shower and the moisture is good for the throat. But remember that rushing it is what confuses the voice plate. The mind and the body must synchronize for harmony to be restored once again. If it remains confused because you rushed it, you may never relearn properly.

So for a while, work on retraining. Do the scales and start at a comfortable level. When you get one you squeak on, take a breath relax the throat and focus on the note. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t come right away or if your mind can’t identify or co-ordinate all the muscles perfectly right now. Move on to the next note. As your mind learns adjacent notes which are easier to oscillate, it will learn to step in the same fashion as your previous voice. Remember that it is still growing too so sing slowly and your mind will compensate. Soon it will find the missing note simply by taking the shape of the previous note and stepping the same way it has learned previously, going not to note.

If you had a beautiful voice before, you will probably have one again; different but beautiful nonetheless. Work at it and you will be pleased with what you end up with.

I hope this make sense. I’ve tried to lay it out in a way that is easier to understand. It’s all so ambiguous when the say your voice broke and they are always willing to tell you what happened but few are able to explain the “whys” and more importantly the “what do I do nows?” And it’s frustrating because you not only had control but if was special and put you in the limelight. Remember that your hormones make you crazy during this time and your mind and body are also learning new things. Moving is even different because your muscle mass is different. Overnight you stretch out.

The bottom line for you is to do what you can do and be patient. Some guys need to give it some time for the body to quit changing things overnight, before they start to retrain. So go play some sports, exercise helps the body normalize and helps the muscles stretch and fit your new frame. Now is when you will build your new muscle mass. If you want to have that six pack, now is the time to start building it. Remember, you’ll want to look good up on that stage when you get up there to sing next.

It would also be a great time to take up a form of martial arts. It may help you to have, “A sound mind, in a sound body.”

Cheers

Please note that The motto of Sensei Tanaka’s Dojo is, “A sound Mind, in a Sound Body.” And although I have taken the wisdom of his teachings with me and have shared them with you here, this should in no way be construed as to infer, directly or indirectly, any type of endorsement or affirmation By Sensi Tanaka or Tanaka’s Martial Arts Academy. But I will always remain grateful for his wisdom.

Noa Johannesson of Jonkoping Sweden born 29 May 1992

Noa is every father’s dream of a child made to order and his father speaks proudly of him.

I can honestly say that it gives me great pleasure, when something comes up that gives me cause to contact this wonderfully musical family. I know it is going to be a pleasant experience no matter what it is.

Noa is an incredibly gifted young man, although he thinks himself just like every other kid. And he is. He is just like every other kid who plays multiple instruments and sings with a voice of subtle beauty, full of richness and depth not to mention his great stage presence. His interaction with the camera is natural and the lens likes him a lot. Much of the credit for that goes to his Dad’s incredible editing skills.

He began playing guitar when he was ten and he says he has been singing all his life. The number of videos that Noa has counts to only three, but the three he has done speak for themselves in their quality and their following.

In his Roxanne video he plays Lead Guitar, bass Guitar, Drums and has lain down audio tracks. That is a lot of studio time but Noa enjoys it and so does his Dad. Tommy is his videographer, audio technician, band and friend, when he isn’t playing the Dad role or working his regular daily job. They both count it as quality time spent with the other.

Noa Johannesson - Roxanne

The process of creating a quality video product is extensive, especially when one person is doing all the parts. So Noa is no stranger to hard work and when I asked him how he keeps motivated he responded that he thinks about the finished product and how it will sound when he is done with it. That keeps him going.

His video, “Time After Time” showcases this young artist’s subtle inflection beauty and style, as well as his wonderful treble range. He exhibits gentle control as he navigates through the notes, in this most beautiful well known piece. His attention and absolute pure tone is unique to this fine young man.

Noa Johannesson - Time After Time

When he’s not singing, he does all the things a normal kid does; TV, hanging out with friends, riding his mini-bike, video games and YouTube.

I asked him if his friends had an opinion about his music. He said they like it and he’s never heard any bad comments and his friends watch his videos on YouTube. I asked him what it was like having people recognized because of his videos. He said it has only happened a few time and although it is a little weird having someone know you when you don’t know them, he says it’s a still a pretty cool feeling.

Noa has just tested and has been accepted as music major for his next three years. For the admission testing, Noa has written some music and hopes to be able to share it with us in the near future. We certainly look forward to it, as we have for every new installment. Having been penned with his own hand we are even more intrigued to see the genre and flavor of his new piece. Until it is ready for broadcast, his fans wait with great anticipation.

When it will be ready he won’t say, but one thing remains certain. Noa and his music will be around for a while to come. And so will his fans.

While Noa is ready for his voice to change as he is anxious to start music towards a little rougher rock genre, we will miss this treble when he finally does break. And at 16 he is on borrowed time. I for one am grateful that he has been blessed with it a little longer. The world would have missed out on a very special and unique voice, if he had broken earlier. I send this message to you Noa.

“Do not be in a hurry, it will come in time. Meanwhile, make hay while the sun shines. SING!

For more information please see Noa’s BCSD profile where you will find links to his other sites.

http://www.boysoloist.com/artist.asp?vid=3395

There is a rising star out there you need to keep an eye on.

A wonderful young voice by the name of Sam Verlinden.

A young talent who lives in the zone of music that the rest of us get to visit once in a while.

Out of Kiwi land Auckland New Zealand and now just 10 ½ years old he is finding his firm footing on the stage.

By way of a quick introduction taken from his resume:

* At only 10 years old - Sam is possibly the youngest singing sensation to hit Auckland - and possibly New Zealand - ever. His vocals have been described as natural raw brilliance. He has a powerful soulful tone and lovely quality to his voice.
* He is the youngest member of the junior 5 piece vocal band KIDZ ROCK – and has often been compared to the young Michael Jackson from the Jackson 5 era.
* Sam loves the old Jackson 5 hits, he sings a powerful rendition of “I’ll Be There” and “Who’s Lovin You”. His other musical influences range from R Kelly, Justin Timberlake, Jesse McCartney, Stevie Wonder and the Beatles.
* Sam recently won several gold medals as a soloist in the NZ singing finals of Aim to Fame. His precious gold medals qualify him to represent NZ to compete at the World Championship of Performing Arts in LA in July 08. This competition is likened to the Olympic Games of the Performing Arts, with 52 countries competing.
* He is also been an active member of the musical theatre company (NYTC) for 3 years.
They are currently rehearsing the stage show Grease in which Sam has the lead role of Johnny Casino. He has had many leads during this time, including Oliver and Little Joe in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
* Sam is very passionate about his Pacific Island heritage and does a very moving performance of leading the Haka.
* Aside from singing, Sam’s biggest passion is rugby. He’d like to sing the National Anthem, lead the Haka, and play as number 11 with the All Blacks one day - and all on the same day!

Links to his gold winning performances can be located on his website and YouTube which has received over 210,000.00 hits.

Here are just some of the Honors this particular video has scored on YouTube the week of 30 March 2008:

#67 - Most Discussed (This Week) - New Zealand
# 9 - Most Discussed (This Week) - Music - New Zealand
# 5 - Most Discussed (This Month) - Music - New Zealand
#22 - Most Viewed (This Week) - Music - New Zealand
#44 - Top Favorites (This Week) - Music - New Zealand
#31 - Top Rated (This Week) - New Zealand
# 3 - Top Rated (This Week) - Music - New Zealand
# 4 - Top Rated (This Month) - Music - New Zealand

Sam is a down to earth kid with one small exception. The music never stops. He said he can’t remember when he first started singing, he just always has. Like New Zealand’s own little August Rush, he hears it all the time. During my interview he said that he is often asked by his teachers to stop singing in class. What’s a kid to do? That’s where his head is.

KIDZ ROCK are currently looking to fill two of their positions bringing the group back to five. But that will be a different article.

I asked if he played any instruments and he replied that he was left handed and tried the guitar but it just wasn’t happening even when they strung it for a lefty. He decided to stick to what he does best and enjoys the most. Singing! And the boy can certainly sing.

When he’s not singing, he loves Rugby and aspires to be Number 11 or 12 with the All Blacks. He can recite every All Black players credentials from height, weight, position – he’s a number one fan all the way. He’s like a walking encyclopedia for the NZ All Blacks. Incredible.

He also enjoys WWE Wrestling in his quiet moments of evening contemplation, where he can watch Shawn Michaels make someone listen to his “Sweet Chin Music.” (Even his wrestling favorite is associated with Music! But I don’t think I would want to listen to that one up close and personal.)

Sam loves is special needs sister Emily and loves it when she sings with him.

Sam is up for the Gold now but there’s a snag. The trip to LA is not funded and is quite expensive. And the little guy can’t go it alone so Mum needs to go too. And time is running out, they leave 13 July 2008. The cost is $6k pp - they have raised nearly $1,200 and are seeking corporate Sponsors for the balance. Clothing logos or the like. Hey!

Why not ask the All Blacks! I think something could be worked out?
A little tattoo work and

If you would like to be a corporate sponsor, or would like to make a donation please contact Sam’s manager/mum (Bronwyn) by email samverlinden@gmail.com or 021499264.

Website

2008 brings a new way of doing business in Hollywood. Before a casting call is made they look to the tube. You Tube that is. The numbers of people showing their skills is growing and the leaders of the pack are younger than my truck.

Kids are finding their niche in the working world before they ever leave school. Everything from Contortionists to Comedians. Song writers to Song players. And the skills are amazing. We seem to be producing a brighter crop of kids these days. Or maybe it’s because they are more driven by the stimulus of the net, stardom and fame.

In the US, most schools cut art and music from the curriculums as non-essential. No one is judged by them so why focus on them. Those in the know can give them a million reasons but math and decision making top the list.

Our youth are notorious for going the opposite direction of authority. So maybe that’s what draws them to the tube. Perhaps it is the computer and years of games. Perhaps it is just the possibility of fame. Or maybe it is all of the above.

But what ever the reason, it has created the largest casting call in history. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for. Motorcycle stunt drivers, dancers, bird trainers, snake handlers, contortionists or journalists of tomorrow. It’s all there, and the industry has noticed.

And lots of mimic sites have poped up. But none have a foothold like YouTube. Even Myspace has gotten into the act. They just advertised to show your talents on video and maybe win a spot on a “You’ve Got Talent Show.”

I think TV broadcasters are back peddling on the issue of down posted pulling videos, as the lack of exposure is hurting their ratings. YouTube is taking the airtime. They better wise up and see the value of branding and hope for the best. Broadcast TV is on the way out. Fast.

The Euro Jr. has become the reality shows of today. And the world has flocked to them like a hobo on a ham sandwich. It’s like sifting through YouTube and pulling out all the Paul Potts and Troye Sivan Mellets. They do the searching and the sifting for you and then sensationalize it on stage, most every person’s dream.

Todays, carphone salesmen is tomorrows Great tenor. Sandbox today, stage tomorrow. There is no limit to what people will or won’t do. Sometimes dangerous, most times stupid. But almost always creative.

This will be interesting to remember. One day I think it will become a “Chicken or the egg” conundrum. Did YouTube create You’ve got talent or did You’ve Got talent kick off the YouTube craze. Which ever it is, one thing is clear. Casting agents are not looking at the classifieds to find their prospects, they’re watching the tube.

Cheers,
bestpi

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Better resolution and download link available at the official web page of Vienna Boys’ Choir

Individual Treble Singers

1. Conner Burrowes
2. Eugeny
3. Yvann Sangsue
4. Sasha Cherkas
5. Michael Junior
6. Anthony Way
7. Ricky Tanner
8. Sebastian Dubois
9. Edward Burrowes
10. Jean Baptist Maunier

These are based on solo performances and their ability to excel in the following areas:

Tonal Quality
Control or apparent ease of delivery
Ability to emote vocally

I know there are many great choir voices but they have almost all been in a choir setting. This is my top ten individual voices list. Each one had to have at least one judged piece separate from a choir.

Others that were great but in different catagories:
Robin Schlotz, Marc D. (Les Petits Chanteurs A La Croix De Bois), Marcel Oravec

For choirs I couldn’t even begin to give you a list. There are so many and I have not yet even begun to evaluate them or even decide on a criteria to judge them by.

I thought this list would be so easy to create. But then to narrow it down to the top ten, the best of the best. It was tough and I am sure it will change. I am equally sure that many would disagree both on my choices AND my criteria.

But this is MY list.
bestpi