So I might be on television this fall..... Help!

[Lynx]

I've been scouted for a show called "Talang", which is basically the Swedish version of "America's Got Talent." I'm a pole dancer (the acrobatic dance kind, absolutely nothing stripperish) and they want me and two others to audition as a group. Of course I want to participate, it's a huge opportunity, and frankly, I still can't believe they suggested me of all people... But... A TV audience? Me? Cue horrified shriek.

I'm scared of getting trash talked. I know it sounds stupid, but I'm a fairly private person and I don't much like being the center of attention, apart from the three and a half minutes I'm dancing on stage. I've been in small competitions before, but they were very friendly and I certainly didn't risk ending up in any newspaper the next day. On the other hand, it's a great opportunity to showcase the (these days, quite huge) pole dance community in a more realistic light, and I would probably get to move up in the dance world a bit if I do well...

Sorry, lost track a bit. Do any of you have experience with publicity and how to handle it with grace? Does anyone know how these type of shows work, backstage mainly? Gaaah, I'm so nervous. I really love dancing in front of an audience, it's the talk that comes afterward that scares me.


Thanks
/Lynx

 

[Vegosiux]

I was on a few quiz shows (nothing like these "talent" shows I suppose; one of them WAS Weakest Link tho, so there was guaranteed trash talk...) and in the end, you just phase out the cameras and do what you do, that's the best way. The moment you focus on what you're there for and forget that there are any eyes on you.

Now of course since you are in with a pole dancing score I suppose it's inevitable that you'll be checked out and hit on, and you kind of gotta keep calm about that too...

Not sure how much help I am, but the main thing is simply forgetting everything but what you're there for. You're going to be there to show your talent; not to look good on camera. Everyone can look good on camera, TV stations pay people to take care of that.

So, stiff upper lip and all that, just don't lose your focus!

 

[Batou667]

I was never the most confident person either but having spoken/performed in front of a crowd a few times, I was surprised by how easy they are to completely forget about. In fact, probably the more people there are, the easier it is to stop seeing them as individuals. On a big show like America's Got Talent it's likely that the lighting will make it quite difficult to make out the crowd even if you wanted to.

Bear in mind though that they'll probably want you to "spice" your act up (read: sex it up). If your usual outfit isn't very glamorous they'll probably want you to bring it a bit more in line with the public perception of a pole dancer - the show is about spectacle after all. Otherwise it's quite likely you won't get much airtime, if any, unless of course you're REALLY good at what you do.

Best of luck, anyway!

 

[Lynx]

So, stiff upper lip and all that, just don't lose your focus!

I was never the most confident person either but having spoken/performed in front of a crowd a few times, I was surprised by how easy they are to completely forget about. In fact, probably the more people there are, the easier it is to stop seeing them as individuals. On a big show like America's Got Talent it's likely that the lighting will make it quite difficult to make out the crowd even if you wanted to.

Bear in mind though that they'll probably want you to "spice" your act up (read: sex it up). If your usual outfit isn't very glamorous they'll probably want you to bring it a bit more in line with the public perception of a pole dancer - the show is about spectacle after all. Otherwise it's quite likely you won't get much airtime, if any, unless of course you're REALLY good at what you do.

Best of luck, anyway!

Thanks guys, your advice is actually helping me a lot. However, I don't think I'll want to sex it up, it's never been my style, and here in Sweden I don't think they value that as much as in the US... Also, the woman who suggested me as part of the group said it was because of the style of my previous performances, and they were all sort of contemporary/ballet inspired, lots of lines and flexibility and all that. A lot of people just like do a cool trick, then walk around the pole "sexy", then another trick, then more walking... I've never found that very impressive, it's much more captivating to do a fully planned choreography as you would with any other type of dance.

I actually might be of the opinion that the sexy style is only appropriate for people who are already insanely skilled otherwise, I find it looks so tacky if you're not...

 

[Vegosiux]

Thanks guys, your advice is actually helping me a lot. However, I don't think I'll want to sex it up, it's never been my style, and here in Sweden I don't think they value that as much as in the US... Also, the woman who suggested me as part of the group said it was because of the style of my previous performances, and they were all sort of contemporary/ballet inspired, lots of lines and flexibility and all that. A lot of people just like do a cool trick, then walk around the pole "sexy", then another trick, then more walking... I've never found that very impressive, it's much more captivating to do a fully planned choreography as you would with any other type of dance.

I actually might be of the opinion that the sexy style is only appropriate for people who are already insanely skilled otherwise, I find it looks so tacky if you're not...

I'd say it looks tacky either way. You kinda said it yourself, pretty much everyone "can sex it up", while a full choreography with a purpose is both more interesting and takes more skill to pull off.

 

[EeveeElectro]

There was once a lady on Britain's Got Talent who was a similar sort of pole dancer to what you sound like. I don't really care for the show but I stopped what I was doing and just watched her. She was gorgeous, the way she glided and danced in mid-air was beautiful and captivating. I didn't think it was slutty or trashy at all. I remember everyone seemed to like her, the media and the audience.

It's highly likely you will get hate from someone. No matter what you do, there's always going to be some sad prats ready to try pull you down. If the thought of that is too much, I'd advise against going on TV.
You need thick skin and to take the good with the bad when you step into the limelight. There will be people ready to criticise you and not all of them will be trying to help. However I can guarantee the amount of praise you'll receive will completely cancel that out. It's a good idea to forget the insults you get and remember the compliments.

I've performed on stage several times and it's pretty easy to forget the audience are there if you're confident in your act. If I knew all my lines I'd just think of the audience what they are - members of the public here to see a show.
Be confident in yourself and in your act.

You have a talent that not many people do, embrace it and share it with others if what you do makes you happy. You don't want to live in regret over missed opportunities.

 

[Lynx]

snippety snip

Oh wow, that was actually a really great answer. Thank you for that.

You said you'd performed before, what is it that you do?

 

[EeveeElectro]

snippety snip

Oh wow, that was actually a really great answer. Thank you for that.

You said you'd performed before, what is it that you do?

You're very welcome. I did write a better, longer response this morning but my laptop went NOPE, NOT CONNECTING TODAY so I had to write it out again but abridged after work xD

I used to do performing arts, I've done probably over 20 plays/musicals. I REALLY excelled at the improvisation module, everyone apparently loved watching me and I got the highest grade in the class. That's because I love shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway? and the summer before I had seen a brilliant improv group at Edinburgh's Fringe Festival so I took things from that. I went out feeling confident whereas most people were shitting themselves because it wasn't scripted.
We all excel at different things and we shouldn't be afraid to show off our talents.
Hell I couldn't even stay on a pole never mind dance on it! It'll be something new and refreshing to watch too rather than "I'M SINGING FOR MY DEAD HAMSTER" XD

 

[Zoe Castillo]

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