Thursday, February 28, 2013

7 Public Speaking Lessons We Can Take From the Oscars

At last night’s Oscars we got to see musical numbers, jokes, gorgeous gowns, and acceptance speeches. The Oscars are a great time to see the good and bad parts of public speaking by the Hollywood elite. We spoke with human interaction expert Blakely Thomas-Aguilar of iMeet, a cloud-based service that helps groups of people connect, share, and interact via HD video on any device. Here are some lessons we can take from last night’s speeches.
Public Speaking Tips

Have an agenda.

Though sometimes we criticize the stars with speeches that, by the sound of them, placed a lot of confidence in Oscar wins, we should actually take notes. On a show that clocked in at four hours, anyone that helped keep it moving should get another Oscar. One of those people who clearly memorized her speech (and has been it doing it all awards season) is Anne Hathaway.
“Anne was very composed on stage, and knew exactly who to thank and why,” says Thomas-Aguilar.
Having a list of topics you want to cover and ideas you want to convey in your presentation is key, she says, especially when you’re only going to get one chance. Be sure to prioritize, in case you won’t be able to say everything you want.

Inject a little humor, if it’s appropriate.

Though Daniel Day-Lewis takes on the most dramatic of roles and is known for his very disciplined work ethic, his acceptance speech was delightfully light-hearted. The joke about him originally wanting to play Margaret Thatcher was well-delivered. And at four hours in, we all needed a joke.

Keep it short and sweet.

“In real life, there’s rarely an orchestra to start drowning you out when your speech takes too long. That’s all the more reason to stay concise,” says Thomas-Aguilar.
Who struggled? The team from Life of Pi, who won for Best Visual Effects, struggled to get all their thank-yous in before the ominous Jaws theme began drowning them out. Before they could finish, their mics were cut off.

Drop some names.

Thomas-Aguilar says, “What’s in a name? Way more when it’s properly dropped. Being friends with everyone in the room means being strategic about whom to thank and who’ll star in your humble-brag anecdote: ‘Steven [Spielberg] didn’t have to persuade me to play Lincoln, but I had to persuade him that if I was going to do it perhaps Lincoln shouldn’t be a musical.’”
Think about collaborations you want to flag up and top grossing talent you want to be associated with. They’ll appreciate the shout-out and everyone else will know that working with you can make them a star too. Who did it best? Daniel Day Lewis, Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Look presentable.

Yes, most people at the Oscars look fabulous, but one of the women who won for best makeup and hairstyling for Les Miserables had a hairstyle that looked like she didn’t brush it and then stuck a pencil in it. Not everyone can look like Charlize Theron, but if you are winning an award for your craft, and it happens to be hairstyling, you may at least want to look like you have a reason for winning! This is like making a speech on why it’s important to wear power suits, and deliver it while wearing overalls.

Let your face do the talking.

Thomas-Aguilar says there’s a reason the nominees don’t just phone in their acceptance speeches.
“Why do we see all the nominees when the winner’s name is called? It’s because reading facial expressions is so deeply ingrained in our minds. That’s also why we can even see faces in inanimate objects, like cars. Non-verbal communication such as facial expressions also helps tell any story. Make sure to think about the sentiment you want to convey in your speech or presentation and focus on it while hitting the cues on your agenda. This will help you sincerely express anything from gratitude and pride to graceful defeat.”
He feels that Jennifer Lawrence, who won for Best Actress, did this best when she was nearly moved to tears in her short, touching acceptance speech.

If you stumble, keep going.

Speaking of Jennifer Lawrence, she tripped on her gorgeous-but-very-large Christian Dior dress on her way up to accept an award. This is pretty scary considering you’re tripping in front of the whole world, but she recovered gracefully and still delivered a great speech. She didn’t let the stumble stop her.
As fellow winner Ben Affleck said, ”It doesn’t matter if you get knocked down in life. All that matters is that you gotta get up.”
Did you learn any surprising lessons from the Oscars? Tell us in the comments!
Photo courtesy of Fan Pop

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

How Makeup Helps my Self Esteem


I remember my first makeup set like it was a first kiss–white, creamy eyeliner from New York Color; bright purple mascara from my all-time favorite store, Limited Too; and silver Wet & Wild lipstick. It was the height of “Clueless” mania, and my main goal was to look like I was from “The Valley,” despite being in rural Wisconsin.

I had always been fascinated with makeup and the application–I pored over past issues of YM and Seventeen that I got from older babysitters. As I entered middle school, my tastes evolved and I transitioned to Maybelline Full & Soft mascara and matte Cover Girl powder. My mom, a Great Lash devotee, allowed me to wear pretty much whatever I wanted and felt that it allowed me to express myself. By the time I was in high school, I had a Caboodle full of bright lip glosses, purple eye shadow (hey, it was the early 2000s) and fun nail polish.

Now, my makeup routine is pretty natural. I like to put on some liquid eyeliner or a bright lip on special nights, but for the most part, it’s tame. I’ve graduated from my high school makeup and now obsess over Bare Minerals, Benefit and Tarte. I’m a frequenter of my local Sephora, like most 26-year-olds.

I do wear makeup daily and made a few emergency trips to CVS when I forget to put on mascara to grab a trusty tube of Full & Soft.

A made-up face makes me feel bold, confident, and, more importantly, polished. I feel like I conquered the first part of the day and now I’m ready for anything. Bring it.

And, like Natasha Scripture mentioned in her recent New York Times article, “with red lips, I often feel like I can rule the world.”

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Dos And Don'ts Of Your Professional Profile Picture

First impressions have always mattered, and in the past it was all about the handshake. Now that we’ve entered the era of LinkedIn, virtual business, and online personal branding, a well-done headshot can be equally important as a firm grip.

A carefully chosen headshot is a key part of publicly representing yourself and your brand. As with all first impressions, your headshot should set the tone for who you are and what you’re about. It’s important that the image looks and feels like you, not how you think people want to see you. Luckily, the days of staged and stuffy yearbook-like headshots are over. Polished, genuine, and more relaxed headshots are in. Here are some tips for putting your best face forward:
  1. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Show some personality and SMILE!
  2. Don’t abuse Photoshop or Instagram. A little touching up is fine, but steer clear of any unnatural filters or alterations.
  3. No matter how pretty you look, skip any headshot that has other people’s body parts cropped out around your head.
  4. Lighting is key. If you’re using natural light, never shoot at midday–the strong light creates harsh shadows. If you’re indoors, try moving near a window since a combo of natural and artificial light often makes a better shot.
  5. Pay attention to how you frame the shot. Make sure horizon lines are straight, that there are no distracting objects in view, and that you have chosen the best angle. (It helps to take a few practice shots from different angles.)
  6. Keep your background simple and clean. This can mean a white wall or a tree; just make sure that the background makes you stand out, and not the other way around.
  7. Don’t wear anything with words, and stick to solids or subtle patterns. Words and flashy patterns distract viewers from your beautiful profile!
  8. Skip the suit and wear something that shows off your (work) style. Anything with a classic neckline should do the trick.
  9. Depending on your industry and career path, a professional photographer may be worthwhile. But if you have an amateur photographer friend, ask him or her to use you as a test subject!
  10. Update regularly–once a year is a good rule of thumb. A career change or branding adjustment may also mean an update is in order.


Read more: http://www.levoleague.com/career-advice/are-corporate-headshots-new-handshake#ixzz2M0pKjArj

Monday, February 25, 2013

Here's What Everyone's Wearing At The Oscars

As the stars are rolling in for the 85th Academy Awards, we're excited to see who's wearing what.
Jacki Weaver's wearing $2 million in jewelry and Reese Witherspoon is dazzling in Louis Vuitton.
We'll be updating as more celebrities join the red carpet.
Take a look at what the stars are wearing tonight.

Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton

Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton
Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture
Getty Images

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Eddie Redmayne in Alexander McQueen

Eddie Redmayne in Alexander McQueen
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani.

Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani.
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta
Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Quvenzhane Wallis in Giorgio Armani

Quvenzhane Wallis in Giorgio Armani
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Daniel Day Lewis

Daniel Day Lewis
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen

Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Helena Bohnam Carter

Helena Bohnam Carter
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Jacki Weaver in Custom Rani Zakhem Atelier.

Jacki Weaver in Custom Rani Zakhem Atelier.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson in Robert Cavalli

Jennifer Hudson in Robert Cavalli
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Sally Field

Sally Field
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Samantha Barks

Samantha Barks
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Anne Hathaway in Prada

Anne Hathaway in Prada
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Catherine Zeta-Jones in Zuhair Murad, with her husband Michael Douglass

Catherine Zeta-Jones in Zuhair Murad, with her husband Michael Douglass
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Jane Fonda in Versace

Jane Fonda in Versace
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Olivia Munn in Marchesa

Olivia Munn in Marchesa
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Naomi Watts in Giorgio Armani

Naomi Watts in Giorgio Armani
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott

Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior
Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Adele

Adele
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Sandra Bullock in Ellie Saab

Sandra Bullock in Ellie Saab
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Jennifer Garner in Gucci and Ben Affleck

Jennifer Garner in Gucci and Ben Affleck
jennifer in gucci
Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Halle Berry in Versace

Halle Berry in Versace
Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/oscars-red-carpet-2013-2013-2?op=1#ixzz2LtLIV7Dn

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Here's Everything That's Inside The $48,000 Oscar Swag Bag

In case the Oscar nominees don't win one of the coveted awards Sunday, they always have a swag bag to take home.
For the past 11 years, Distinctive Assets has put together a consolation bag full of "goodies" for the Oscar losers called the "Everyone Wins at the Oscars Nominee Gift Bag."
 
This year's bag is estimated to be valued between $45-$48,000, a five-year low according to Bloomberg.
 
And, it's full of some odd items ranging from condoms to Windex.
Mind you, some of the inclusions are quite pricey — stars receive a three night $3,000 stay at the St. Regis Punta Mita and a $12,000 trip to an Australia location of their choosing.

A six-pack box of Naked brand condoms valued at $20.

$120 worth of maple syrup from Rouge Maple Gourmet Products, which is supposedly the "best you've ever tasted."

A $30 photo-essay book following the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historic "I Have A Dream" speech.

A $4 bottle of Windex Touch-Up Cleaner.

$80 Bracelets that can also be used as hair ties.

A $5,000 "Vampire Facelift" procedure that involves re-injecting blood platelets into your face to trigger stem cells to grow new skin and rid of wrinkles.

This is how the procedure is explained: "combines the sciences of hyaluronic acid fillers, blood derived growth factors, and the mathematics of beauty to provide a custom designer procedure."

A $24 book about starting over, to cope with your Oscar loss.

The book is "Take 2: Your Guide to Happy Endings and New Beginnings" by Leeza Gibbons.
Here's the description: "This is a book about rebooting your story at any point. It’s about starting over; taking inventory; and getting smarter, stronger, and sexier with no apologies, no regrets, and no turning back."

$400 in circus tickets to see the only pro all-kid circus in North America, Le Petit Cirque.

$59 worth of ceramic dinnerware from Slimware that's meant to help with portion control.

$204 in custom candles and wax sculptures from Southern Baked Candle.

Yes, those are candles. (They're actually really cool looking.)

And, a $20 lint roller called The Ultimate Fuzz Remover from Gleener.

$95 worth of Chocolatines from Sweet Endeavours

$850 in hand-illustrated tennis shoes from Carlitos Brand.

A $40 electronic cigarette from Njoy King.

A $40 electronic cigarette from Njoy King.
www.njoy.com

A $3,300 stay at the Imanta's Ocean Casa suite with ocean view.

A $49.95 Touchfire screentop iPad keyboard

A $19.99 elastic lacing system from HICKIES that allows you to make your shoe a slip on.

$250 worth of Diet Pepsi and a Samsung WB150F Wi-Fi camera

$99 worth of Bonita Platinum Tequila

And here's the rest:

And here's the rest:
Celebrity trainer, Lalo Fuentes
$625: 5 training sessions with celebrity trainer, Lalo Fuentes
$3,000: 3-night stay at the St. Regis Punta Mita
$2,000: 5-night stay at the Koloa Landing Resort in Kauai
$12,000: A choice to stay at either Lizard Island or El Questro Homestead in Australia
$7,400 from boutique design firm Seyie Design
$4,100: 7 days at Live in Fitness Enterprise, an all-inclusive fitness and weight loss retreat
$850: A package of ten personal training sessions with Huntley Drive Fitness
$250: D'Milikah swimwear
$137.80 in iPad and iPhone cases from Devicewear
$30: EZdetailer Premium detailing Kit
$100: M3K Beauty products
$20 Born Free USA T-Shirt
$9.99 eco-friendly duffel / laundry bag from The Green Garmento
$125 in Latin-inspired clothing from Cha Cha ChiC
$152.75: A limited edition signed print of the 16th president titled "Abraham" by Dan Duff
$100: A bangle bracelet from Jan Lewis Designs
$185: A Men's button down from Bine & Bas
$406: Renouve anti-aging lotion
$795: Under Counter Water Filtration System from Krystal Klear Water
$69.95: Body slimmer from Cheetz
$70: Jays of Sweden headsets
$60: Gluten-free macarons from Macaron Magnifique
$411.96: Food including oat bran chocolate chip cookies and oat bran coconut bars to follow a Dukan Diet.
$98 in cosmetics from Lierac Paris
$113: Beauty package from Phyto
$530: Styling and curling iron along with a hair dryer from Sedu.
$150: JNL Clothing and a cookbook
$1,800: VIP service from Heathrow by Invitation
$50: Hydroxycut weight loss supplements
$300: Locally Grown Globally Known (LGGK) clothes
$48: Swyt Culture flats with flower and crystal designs.
$420: A year's supply of a caffeine-free beverage youthH20


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-oscar-nominees-gift-bags-2013-2?op=1#ixzz2LhOyXDU4