APlus Sign Co education Theater Acting Courses Online : Building Your Acting Resume Online

Theater Acting Courses Online : Building Your Acting Resume Online

November 25, 2024| Sarah Gomez| 0 Comment| 12:00 am

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Creating a compelling acting resume online requires more than just listing previous roles. It can also include taking acting courses online. Actors should focus on showcasing their unique skills and experiences using platforms like Backstage and Casting Networks, which provide tools for building professional profiles. Highlighting training from recognizable institutions such as the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute or the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art can elevate credibility. Including links to virtual performances or video auditions filmed in environments like Zoom or YouTube can give casting directors an immediate sense of one’s abilities.

In the digital landscape, actors can also leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to enhance their online presence. Engaging in conversations and sharing insights on performance techniques can attract opportunities for collaboration, while tagging fellow actors or directors can foster connections. Many actors have found success by participating in digital showcases organized by companies like Playbill or Actors Studio. By optimizing profiles and actively maintaining an online portfolio, performers can effectively stand out in an increasingly competitive industry.

Opportunities for Virtual Performances

The rise of technology has paved the way for a multitude of virtual performance opportunities, allowing actors to showcase their talents beyond traditional theatre spaces. Platforms like Zoom and YouTube have become popular venues for live-streamed performances, where actors can reach global audiences without the constraints of geography. Many theater companies have adapted by offering virtual plays and readings, often hosting events that feature original works. For instance, organizations like The Public Theater and 59E59 Theaters have embraced digital formats, providing performers with a stage that is far-reaching and inclusive.

In addition to formal productions, actors can engage in creative projects such as podcast dramas and web series, which have surged in popularity during recent years. These platforms often provide emerging artists with chances to collaborate with seasoned professionals. Initiatives like The Remote Theatre Company have succeeded in hosting unique performances that blur the line between live acting and digital interaction. Performers can also leverage social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share short monologues, behind-the-scenes content, and audition tips, maximizing visibility and creative expression in an online world brimming with potential.

Networking in the Digital Age

As film and television increasingly shift to online platforms, actors can seize new opportunities for networking outside traditional boundaries. Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn allow aspiring performers to connect directly with industry insiders, casting directors, and influencers. By engaging with posts from established production companies or participating in virtual workshops hosted by brands like MasterClass, actors can showcase their skills and enhance their visibility in the competitive landscape.

Connecting with Fellow Actors and Industry Professionals

The online theater community offers numerous platforms for actors to connect and build relationships with fellow artists and industry professionals. Social media sites such as Instagram and Twitter have become invaluable tools for sharing experiences, showcasing talent, and engaging with others in the field. Dedicated platforms like Stage 32 provide opportunities for networking, where members can join discussions, collaborate on projects, and even seek mentorship from seasoned actors and producers. Additionally, websites like Meetup and Eventbrite frequently host virtual workshops and networking events that cater to aspiring and established performers alike.

Using video conferencing tools has revolutionized how actors can conduct auditions and engage in discussions with casting directors and industry insiders. Zoom and Skype have become synonymous with remote casting calls, allowing actors to perform and receive feedback in real-time, regardless of geographical limitations. Online forums and groups on platforms such as Facebook and Reddit have also emerged as vibrant spaces for sharing tips on auditions, experiences with agents like Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and advice on honing one’s craft. Engaging actively in these communities means gaining exposure to a wealth of information that can propel an actor’s career forward.

Expand your network by following industry professionals and fellow actors on social media platforms.
Participate in online workshops and masterclasses to enhance your skills and make connections.
Join theater-related Facebook groups or forums to share experiences and gain insights from others.
Attend virtual film festivals or showcases to meet potential collaborators and learn about new opportunities.
Share your own work and projects online to attract attention from peers and industry insiders.
Utilize LinkedIn to connect with casting directors, agents, and other industry professionals.
Be proactive in reaching out to mentors for advice and guidance in your acting journey.

2024 IRMAA Brackets: Amounts and How to Forecast for Retirement2024 IRMAA Brackets: Amounts and How to Forecast for Retirement

May 23, 2024| Ralph Westlund| 0 Comment| 12:00 am

What is IRMAA:

irmaa is short for medicare’s Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount which is according to the Code of Federal Regulations:

“An amount that you will pay for your Medicare Part B and D coverage when your modified adjusted gross income is above the certain thresholds.”

IRMAA is a tax on your income through Medicare Part B and Part D coverage if you have too much income while in retirement.

Will you actually enter IRMAA:

According to the 2022 Medicare Board of Trustees Report, currently, there are over 6.8 million people in IRMAA. These people in IRMAA make up 16.63% of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

By 2031, according to recent reports the number of people in IRMAA will double to 13.8 million eligible people in IRMAA.

IRMAA is a revenue generator for both the Medicare and Social Security programs.

For the Medicare program, IRMAA is an added cost that the person in it must pay. This added cost provides more money each year for the program.

As for Social Security, according to Congress, all IRMAA costs are automatically deducted from any Social Security benefit a person is receiving. Thus, for those who enter IRMAA, Social Security has to pay out less to them which reduces that program’s obligation to pay Benefits.

With both Medicare and Social Security projected by the government to be insolvent (unable to pay) in less than 8 years the easiest way to save these programs is to make sure more people are in IRMAA.

How do you reach an IRMAA bracket:

IRMAA is all about your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).

The more of it you have the higher the chances that you have to reaching IRMAA while having less of an MAGI reduces the chance of you reaching IRMAA.

What counts towards your MAGI:

According to Social Security your MAGI is the total of your adjusted gross income (AGI) and any tax-exempt interest you may have.

Both of these can be found on lines 2a and 11 of your 2022 IRS tax form 1040.

Some examples of where your MAGI will come from are:

Taxable Social Security benefits	Traditional 401(k) Withdrawals
Wages	Traditional IRA Withdrawals
Pension & Rental Income	Traditional 403(b) Withdrawals
Capital Gains	Qualified Annuities
Dividends	Interest

If you want to avoid IRMAA all together then the goal is to generate an income from financial instruments that do not count towards your MAGI and they are:

Roth Account Withdrawals

Life Insurance Loans

Non-Qualified Annuities*

Health Saving Account Withdrawals

401(h) Plans

Home Loans or Reverse Mortgages

*Non-Qualified Annuities – depending on certain factors a certain portion of all income you will receive from them can be completely tax free. Please see an IRMAA Certified Professional for more information on which Annuity is best for you.

For a complete list of what does and does not count towards IRMAA please click here.

How to File an Appeal

If you feel you shouldn’t be subject to IRMAA, you can file an appeal. What you do comes down to how you want to appeal.

For Medicare enrollees with a qualifying life changing event:

All that needs to be done is for you to fill out the SSA-44 form by competing the first 3 pages and then submit it with your corresponding proof of your life changing event to your local SSA office.

You can find your local SSA office here.

Once the paperwork is submitted all correspondence about your appeal will be mailed to you from the SSA. If the result is not satisfactory you can request a hearing which can also be done through your local SSA office.

For Medicare enrollees without a qualifying life changing event but who want to appeal based on an updated tax-return or income discrepancy:

Appealing IRMAA is even simpler than have a qualifying life changing event as all that is needed to be done is for you to request an appeal at your local SSA office.

Explain to the local Field Representative that you have a received an IRMAA notification and that you like to appeal based on updated tax information.

A case number will be assigned to you as well as Field Agent, which could be the person at your local office, so always be nice and any correspondence about your case ill be mailed to you by the SSA.

If the IRMAA result is not satisfactory you can always request a hearing at your local SSA office too.

At the point of request your local agent will be able to submit your appeal and a case number at that moment should be assigned to you. As your case is evolving you will have to provide documentation that disproves the information that the IRS has provided which can be a corrected or amended tax-return or even a more update one

Conclusion:

The 2024 IRMAA Brackets are, by law, going to increase, but the odds of you or someone you know reaching IRMAA at some point are also increasing.

The Impact of Inflation on Home Building Across the USAThe Impact of Inflation on Home Building Across the USA

August 18, 2023| Lillian| 0 Comment| 12:00 am

Introduction

Inflation,the steady increase in prices of goods and services over time,is a phenomenon that has far-reaching consequences for various sectors of the economy. One such sector that’s significantly feeling the heat of inflation is home building in the United States. As inflation continues to climb,the cost of constructing new homes has surged,presenting challenges for both builders and potential homeowners. In this article,we’ll delve into how inflation is affecting home building across the USA and explore the implications of these rising costs.

The Rising Costs of Materials

One of the primary drivers behind the inflation-induced challenges in the home building industry is the escalating cost of construction materials. From lumber to steel to concrete,the prices of essential building components have witnessed substantial increases in recent years. Lumber prices,for instance,experienced a dramatic surge,driven by supply chain disruptions and increased demand during the pandemic. This surge not only impacted the cost of wood-framed structures but also sent ripple effects throughout the construction industry.

Builders,grappling with higher material costs,find themselves in a dilemma. They must either absorb these increased expenses,which eats into their profit margins,or pass them onto the potential homeowners,making housing less affordable. Inflation’s impact on material costs also trickles down to other aspects of home construction,such as plumbing fixtures,electrical wiring,and roofing materials,further compounding the issue.

Labor Shortages and Wage Pressures

In addition to materials,another crucial factor affecting the home building industry is the labor shortage combined with wage pressures. The construction industry has been grappling with a shortage of skilled labor for years,and the pandemic only exacerbated this challenge. The demand for new homes continues to rise,but the supply of skilled workers is struggling to keep up. As a result,construction companies are faced with the need to offer higher wages to attract and retain skilled labor,further driving up construction loan and construction costs.

Higher wages can have a cascading effect on overall project costs. When labor costs rise,builders are compelled to increase the prices of their services,contributing to the overall escalation of housing prices. This scenario creates a double-edged sword: while higher wages are essential to ensure fair compensation for workers,they simultaneously contribute to making homes less affordable for potential buyers.

Land and Regulatory Costs

Inflation’s impact on home building doesn’t stop at materials and labor. Land prices and regulatory costs are additional components that significantly contribute to the overall cost of constructing new homes. As demand for housing continues to grow,the cost of available land has also risen. This is particularly evident in urban areas where space is limited and competition for land is fierce.

Moreover,regulatory costs,including permits,inspections,and compliance with building codes,have also seen an upward trajectory. While these regulations are essential for ensuring the safety and quality of homes,the increased costs associated with them pose a challenge for builders who are already grappling with other inflation-induced expenses.

implications for Homebuyers and the Housing Market**

The cumulative effects of inflation on home building have significant implications for homebuyers and the housing market as a whole. As the cost of construction materials,labor,land,and regulations continue to rise,the prices of newly constructed homes are also climbing. This trend has the potential to make homeownership less attainable for many individuals and families,especially those with lower incomes or first-time homebuyers.

Furthermore,the affordability crisis in the housing market can impact the overall health of the real estate industry. A slowdown in new home construction due to higher costs could lead to a shortage of available housing units,which may result in increased competition for existing homes and drive up their prices as well.

Conclusion

Inflation’s impact on home building in the USA is undeniable,with rising costs of materials,labor shortages,and escalating land and regulatory expenses all contributing to the challenges faced by the construction industry. As builders grapple with these inflation-induced pressures,potential homebuyers find themselves facing higher prices for new homes,making the dream of homeownership seem further out of reach.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach,involving collaboration between government entities,builders,and other stakeholders. Policymakers need to consider ways to streamline regulations without compromising safety standards,and the construction industry must explore innovative methods to enhance efficiency and productivity.

Revolutionary Australian Robot-Built House Poised to Change the Construction LandscapeRevolutionary Australian Robot-Built House Poised to Change the Construction Landscape

August 2, 2023| Lillian| 0 Comment| 12:00 am

Revolutionary Australian Robot-Built House Poised to Change the Construction Landscape.

The burgeoning field of home construction technology has witnessed yet another groundbreaking innovation – a robot-built house, emerging from Australia, that could drastically reshape the entire industry. This revolution is not merely a technological spectacle, but a potential game-changer for sustainable construction, housing affordability, and workforce evolution.

Produced by an Australian tech company, this pioneering venture marks the world’s first functional, fully automated, robot-built house. Unlike previous instances of robotic assistance in construction, this project has taken automation a step further. This astonishingly advanced machine performs everything from laying bricks, installing windows, to even plumbing and electrical works – tasks traditionally performed by humans.

The robot, referred to as the ‘Automated Construction System’ (ACS), employs a combination of several cutting-edge technologies. Among these, 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and advanced robotics are the most noteworthy. The AI and ML elements enable the robot to ‘learn’ from its environment, adapt to any unforeseen challenges, and execute tasks with remarkable precision.

The 3D printing component plays a crucial role as well, particularly in sustainability. The ACS uses a specialized eco-friendly mixture that solidifies when printed, instead of traditional bricks or concrete. This feature dramatically reduces the house’s carbon footprint and can potentially revolutionize the way we perceive sustainable construction.

But what does this mean for the housing market and affordability? If the ACS can scale up and the model is adopted widely, the decrease in construction costs could be substantial. The automation of the construction process eliminates several layers of labor costs, bringing down the overall expense. Moreover, as the construction time is significantly reduced, the costs related to project delays are also minimized.

This development holds potential implications for housing policy and affordability, particularly in areas where cost and availability of skilled labor are significant constraints. A reduction in the cost of production can make housing more affordable, facilitating access for lower-income households. This can directly contribute to tackling the ongoing global housing crisis.

However, it’s essential to address the question of labor displacement. Automation has always been a double-edged sword, offering increased efficiency on the one hand, and potential job loss on the other. The construction industry is no different. The introduction of such highly automated systems might lead to reduced demand for manual labor, a primary source of employment for many.

While the advent of automation will undoubtedly lead to some job displacement, it can also open up new avenues. The need for skilled personnel to operate, maintain, and upgrade these robotic systems will create job opportunities in the tech sector. Furthermore, by transferring manual labor to automated systems, workers can focus on more complex tasks, enhancing overall productivity and potentially leading to better work conditions and job satisfaction.

A final point of interest in this Australian marvel is its potential applicability in disaster-struck areas or harsh environments. Because of its automated nature and the rapid pace of construction, the ACS could be used to quickly provide emergency shelters in crisis situations, where time is of the essence. Additionally, it could also operate in environments deemed unsafe or inaccessible for humans, expanding the horizons of construction to new frontiers. The real question is who offers construction loans for these types of homes? And who offers owner builder construction loans

In conclusion, the Australian robot-built house represents an exciting and transformative chapter in the construction industry. Its ability to integrate AI, robotics, and 3D printing into a seamless, efficient, and sustainable system brings us a step closer to the future of construction?

However, with such profound changes on the horizon, it is imperative for policymakers, Businesses, and society to navigate this transition responsibly. Balancing the benefits of automation and sustainable construction with the potential impact on employment and ensuring that these advancements are used to the benefit of all will be the key to harnessing this revolution effectively. The robot-built house from Australia, indeed, has the potential to change everything – if we let it.