| How to Apply for Survivor Posted: 29 Jan 2020 04:00 PM PST Survivor is notoriously difficult to appear on, thanks to the huge number of applicants they receive for each season of the show. If you are determined to endure the long and grueling process, not to mention perform and compete on the program, then you will have to begin with the rest of the pack. Applying to be on Survivor requires you to either submit a video application that compels the casting crew to choose you for the next round, or to stand out at a local open casting call. With a little determination, and a few new skills, your application will shine and you may just have a chance at advancing as a semi-finalist. [Edit]Meeting Survivor's Eligibility Requirements - Have a US or Canadian passport as a citizen. CBS has two requirements that applicants for Survivor must meet. The first of these is to be a citizen of either the United States or Canada, and to have a valid US or Canadian passport. Be sure to apply for a passport well before you plan to apply, if you don't already have one.[1]
- Having a passport is a requirement because Survivor is filmed on location around the world. Without a passport, you will not be able to film the show.
- Be over 18 years of age, or older in certain US states. For most states and provinces, you simply have to be 18 or older to apply. Applying on your 18th birthday would be perfectly acceptable in these areas.[2]
- Alabama and Nebraska residents must be 19 years or older.
- Residents of Mississippi and the District of Columbia must be 21 years or older.
- Be in good physical and mental shape. During later phases of the application process, if you proceed past the first, will be asked to complete medical history checks and undergo both physical and psychological fitness exams.[3]
- You should be physically fit and have no major medical issues that could impact your performance.
[Edit]Filming Your Application Video - Write a general sketch of your video. A Survivor application video must be no longer than 3 minutes, and should showcase your unique personality and features. Your video can take any format you choose, so long as you are showing off your life story and your experiences.
- Successful videos are often filmed in a variety of scenic locations, mixed in with narration over videos and images that show off your past, your life experiences, and your day-to-day life.
- Tell good stories about yourself. Using specific examples will always be better than listing facts about yourself. The video is a narrative like any other, and it should have a clear structure grounded in the story you want to tell about yourself.[4]
- Bring up your most interesting traits. If you are from an area of the country most people have never been to, talk up your attachment to your community. If you work a particularly uncommon or difficult job, highlight the skills you have learned.
- Relate yourself to the show. The casting crew wants to see your knowledge of the show along with your personality.
- Use a camera to film your video, not a phone. Even though most smartphones have high quality cameras, it is better to rent or borrow a nice camera that will film you in the way only real cameras can. If you must use your phone, be sure to keep it horizontal, or landscape, rather than vertical.[5]
- The casting team watches videos on a TV screen, so your video should have the right dimensions to comfortably be viewed on a TV.
- Film your video in a quiet, well-lit space. You can film outdoors or indoors, but always choose a spot that is quiet and away from busy areas. The lighting should always be facing toward you. If the sun is directly behind you, move so that it is not making it hard to see your face.[6]
- Filming outdoors can create an image that is in line with Survivor's premise, by suggesting that you are comfortable outside.
- Shoot outdoors during the day unless you have a good reason to film at night. Natural sunlight will be more flattering than no light or bright artificial ones.
- Wind can make it difficult to hear your voice. Shoot outdoors only if it is not windy.
- Give a good delivery. Speak in a clear voice that will be audible in the video. Enunciate your words and use a voice that is audible to everyone in the room. You should speak in a tone that readily grabs attention, rather than a monotone or one that conveys an over-eager attitude.[7]
- Avoid reading from a script. Memorize at least the general structure of what you wrote, or memorize your lines cold if you wrote exactly what you plan to say.
- You can also just improvise and try several different phrasings of each idea you plan to introduce. This will make sure your video has a natural, conversational flow.
- Edit your video using editing software. There are many editing suites available to you. Apple computers come pre-installed with iMovie, while newer Windows computers have a simple editing tool in the Photos application.
- There is also third party software available, like Lightworks, which is a free download, and Adobe Premiere, which is a more expensive and complicated option, with many more features.
- At a minimum, you will have to learn how to import your raw footage and splice the clips together, cutting or "trimming" unnecessary footage.
- Keep in mind that you are not being judged on your editing skills. The video can be a rough cut so long as it looks clean and your personality shines through.
- Add pictures and videos of your daily life. As you edit, you will likely want to include images or videos that depict what you spoke about on camera, or ones you wrote down in your outline and plan to record a voice-over for.[8]
- Be sure to keep the audio layer in place as you cut out the video and replace it with a new photo or clip, or add each layer separately for a voice-over. Most editing tools have separate audio and visual layers that you can freely edit.
- Use a soundtrack under your narration to keep the pace up. While it is not necessary, adding a soundtrack with some of your favorite music that fits the image of yourself you are presenting can help your video feel more exciting.
- Listening to someone talk for 3 minutes can be tiring, but with the right music you can liven up the casting crew's experience.
- You can use select portions of a few songs to mark transitions. When you switch topics, a new song can make the change clearer.
- Attend a local casting call rather than film a video. At peak application times, usually in the months preceding a new season, CBS will host open casting calls in select US and Canadian cities. If you attend one of these, they will film your audition and there is no need to film a tape on your own. Be sure to bring your photo I.D. to an open call.[9]
- An open call is a great opportunity for someone without the time or resources to write, film, and edit their own application video.
- You can attend an open call in addition to submitting a video to raise your chances.
- Check for open calls at https://www.cbssurvivorcasting.com/opencalls.
[Edit]Filing Your Application Online - Go to the Survivor application website. The URL is https://www.cbssurvivorcasting.com/apply. There, you will find the online application for the show. Be prepared to fill out the entire application at once and upload both your application video and a recent photo of yourself in a standard file format.
- You must complete the application in one sitting.
- Enter your basic contact information. This includes your name, email, phone number, and address. This information will provide CBS with a way to reach out to you if you are accepted, as well as to narrow down candidates by location.[10]
- Provide your appearance information. You will be asked to share your date of birth and gender, as well as your height, weight, hair color, and ethnicity. CBS will use this information to sort the applications and choose applicants in a certain demographic or appearance range to fill slots for each season.[11]
- Describe your situation. The application asks for your current occupation and past education, your relationship status, and your familiarity with Survivor. You should be honest about your situation, and it should match the information you provided in your application video.[12]
- Write a 500 character biography. You should take time to write a thoughtful, exciting, and compelling biography that summarizes who you are. Don't copy what you say in your video, but do try to capture your main selling points briefly. This is a sales pitch for yourself, so be sure to take it seriously.[13]
- Have a friend proofread your biography. You won't want typos in your application, as this can reflect badly on you.
- Share your social media accounts. CBS will want to know what your online presence is like, in order to confirm that you are a good fit for the show. The social media they request are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.[14]
- You may want to emphasize your worthy traits on social media in the months leading up to your application, but don't cram them all in or make them seem forced.
- Upload your picture. The picture should be a high quality portrait of you. There should not be anyone else in the photo, and your face should be clearly visible. The file must be less than 5MB, and in one of the following formats: .png, .jpg, .jpeg, or .gif.[15]
- Your picture should be recent, and match the description you gave in the application.
- Submit your video. The file you submit must be less than 50MB and be in one of the following formats: .mpg, .mpeg, .avi, .mp4, .wmv, .mov, .3gp, or .mkv. Before uploading, watch the video one more time to check for any problems with the file.[16]
- Give your file a helpful name, like one that includes your full name and the phrase "Survivor Application Video".
- Wait for a response. Only those who CBS wishes to move forward are accepted as semi-finalists, so if you don't hear back by the end of the September before the season you applied for, you most likely were not selected.
- Submit a new application or attend a casting call again if yours was not accepted. While you will have to create a whole new video and file the application again, the good news is that you can apply as many times as you want. Unless you were a finalist in the casting process, you still have another chance at being on Survivor.[17]
[Edit]References |
| How to Study for Long Hours Posted: 29 Jan 2020 08:00 AM PST Do you have trouble staying focused when you study? If you want to study longer without getting bored, set yourself up for success by working in a distraction-free spot. Take quick breaks to stay fresh, switch between subjects to keep things interesting, and motivate yourself with small rewards. While marathon study sessions may be unavoidable sometimes, do your best to study bit by bit instead of cramming the night before a test. [Edit]Staying Focused When You Study - Keep your phone out of sight and out of mind. Put your phone in a drawer or keep it in your bag so you won't be tempted to use it. Additionally, stay off any other distracting electronic devices unless you need them to study.[1]
- Eat a healthy snack before you study. A grumbling stomach is distracting, so have yogurt, oatmeal, or fruit before you get to work. It's also a good idea to keep a granola bar, nuts, or trail mix handy in case you get hungry.[2]
- Healthy snacks that are packed with protein and complex carbs give you the fuel you need to stay focused. Fruit, nuts, and whole grains are good choices. Avoid sweets and junk food, which will cause your blood sugar to spike and dip.
- Choose a designated spot for studying. Find a distraction-free spot, like a low-traffic part of your home or the library. Try to use that location (or a few regular locations) whenever you study. If you study in the same place over and over again, you'll unconsciously sense it's time to get to work when you arrive at that location.[3]
- Additionally, study at a desk or table with enough room to spread out your study materials. Avoid studying in bed, since getting too comfortable can distract you from your studies.
- Keep your area neat, clean and organized, which can help you keep a clear mind. A messy space will make your mind feel cluttered, as well.
- Try to study in an area that has natural light, which can help energize your mind.
- Mix up tasks and topics to prevent boredom. If you have multiple assignments or subjects to study, work on 1 for an hour, then switch gears. Even if you're studying for a test and can't switch subjects, try to focus on 1 unit or topic for about an hour at a time.[4]
- For example, if you're studying for a history test on World War II, review your notes on the events leading up to the war. Take a break to have a snack or stretch, then work on the European front. You could also review textbook chapter outlines for an hour, then switch to studying flashcards.
- Rather than try to force yourself to concentrate on 1 thing, you'll boost your efficiency and remember more if you mix up your tasks.
- Study difficult subjects first to get them out of the way. If you get your toughest or most boring work out of the way, it'll be easier to study for a longer period of time. Tackle difficult tasks when you're fresh, and save your easiest assignments for when you start to run out of gas.[5]
- For instance, if you're not a fan of chemistry, start your study session by doing practice problems for the quiz you have the next day. Once you've knocked that out, move on to the subjects you enjoy most.
- Play music while you study if it helps you concentrate. Playing music helps some people stay focused, but it doesn't work for everyone. If you don't find it distracting, listen to instrumental music while you study to keep your head in the game.[6]
- Classical music is a good choice, since there are no distracting lyrics. You could also try listening to ambient tunes, electronic music, or nature sounds.
- To keep track of time, make an hour-long playlist instead of listening to random tracks. That way, you'll know when to take a break or switch to another subject.
[Edit]Motivating Yourself to Keep Studying - Write down your goals on a calendar or dry-erase board. Seeing your goals written in an obvious spot can help you commit to them. Place a calendar or dry-erase board in your work area, and write down what you need to accomplish. In a pinch, write your goal prominently in your assignment pad, on an index card, or on a sheet of paper.[7]
- Take a break every hour or so to stay fresh. You may be tempted to hunker down and study for several hours straight, but that's a quick way to lose motivation. Your body and brain need breaks, so take 10 minutes or so to refresh yourself every hour. Go for a walk, grab a snack, or stretch, then get back to work.[8]
- During your break, make sure you don't engage in any distracting activities. For example, don't turn on your TV, as you might get interested in what's on and not go back to studying. Similarly, you might avoid getting on social media if you have a tendency to keep scrolling once you've started.
- Find a natural break in your studies instead of stopping abruptly in the middle of something. It's better to hold off on taking a break for 15 or 30 minutes than to stop and forget what you were doing.
- Try to connect the material to your personal interests. Look for ways to relate your studies to your life. Take a stand on an issue in history class, or connect topics in science to your daily experiences. Even if something seems uninteresting, keep an open mind and give it a chance to capture your attention.[9]
- When you're interested in a topic, motivating yourself to study it takes a lot less effort.
- If you just can't get into a subject, do your best to make it fun. For instance, if you love to draw, make diagrams and sketches of the concepts you're studying.[10]
- Give yourself a small reward when you complete a task. If you know there's a treat waiting for you, you'll be more likely to stick with your studies. Incentives for a job well done could include playing video games, watching TV, indulging in a snack, or a splurging on a clothing item or accessory.[11]
- Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't accomplish your task, but be sure to reward yourself only when you actually finish.
- Writing down a specific study goal and reward in your assignment pad can help you stay on target. For instance, write "Task: Review history lecture notes for 2 hours. Reward: Play video games for 30 minutes."
- Study with a group to hold each other accountable. Get together with classmates who take studying seriously and won't tempt you to blow off your work. Quiz each other, take turns explaining concepts, and help each other resist the urge to procrastinate.[12]
- Explaining concepts to others is a great way to process and memorize information. Studying with others can also help you fill in any gaps in your notes.
[Edit]Managing Your Time Effectively - Reduce your workload by studying more efficiently. Before you start studying, always read over your assignment sheet or exam guide to make sure you're focusing on the right topics. Additionally, you can save time by asking your instructor to explain any topics that confuse you and any unanswered questions you have. This saves you time looking it up. Finally, prioritize the most important information you need to know so you can study it first.
- When you're studying for long hours, it's important to use that time wisely.
- For example, review your exam study guide as soon as you receive it, and highlight the main topics you need to study. If you have any questions, talk to your instructor so you won't waste time trying to look it up on your own. Then, decide which topics you need to spend the most time studying and start with those.
- Prep your area before you start studying. Make sure you have everything you need so you won't need to get up every few minutes to get something. Neatly place your textbooks, writing utensils, notebook, and other study materials on your study space. This way you can easily grab what you need without taking an unplanned break.
- For example, let's say you're studying math. You'd need your assignment materials (i.e. worksheet, textbook, etc), a calculator, graphing paper, a pencil, an eraser, drinking water, and a healthy snack.
- Plan out your study sessions in advance. Estimate the time you'll need for each task, add 10% extra time for insurance, then schedule blocks for your assignments. Set priorities, schedule your toughest and most important assignments first, and remember to include short breaks every hour or so.[13]
- For instance, if you're planning out a 4-hour session, set aside the first 2 hours to study for your big science test. Switch gears and do your math homework for the third hour, and review your history notes for the fourth. If you have time left over, spend a little more time studying for your science test.
- Additionally, make a weekly list of your upcoming tasks. Fill in fixed blocks of time, such as classes, work, and practice, then divide your flexible time between studying and other assignments.
- Break up overwhelming tasks into smaller steps. Assignments such as "Study for History Final" or "Write Term Paper" can seem daunting and unapproachable. Instead of getting overwhelmed, divide big assignments into bite-sized chunks.[14]
- For example, if you're studying for a final, start by looking over past tests and quizzes, and note specific areas that gave you trouble. Then review your class notes, divide the course into its units, and study 1 unit at a time.
- Smaller, approachable study tasks may also include creating outlines that summarize textbook chapters, making flashcards, and quizzing yourself.
- Do your best to space out your study sessions instead of cramming. Whenever possible, try to plan ahead and give yourself time to study a little bit at a time. It's better to study for 3 separate 3-hour sessions instead of 1 marathon 9-hour session. If you study in multiple shorter sessions, you'll remember more information in the long run.[15]
- Lighten your load if you're stretched thin. If you're having trouble finding time for your schoolwork, take an inventory of your responsibilities. Ask yourself if there are lower-priority activities or commitments that are taking up too much of your time. If necessary, consider giving something up to free up your schedule.[16]
- For instance, suppose school, a part-time job, basketball, and choir are running you ragged. School and work are priorities, so they're not going anywhere. If basketball is really important to you, take time away from choir. Then see if you can rejoin after basketball season is over.
- Set your priorities, and avoid wasting time studying material you already know well.[17]
- If possible, schedule study sessions during times of the day when you're most productive.
- If you're having trouble managing your time and feel overwhelmed, talk to a teacher or school counselor.
[Edit]Warnings - Remember that your health is important, too. Sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise are all essential, so make sure you have time to take care of yourself.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Bake Mini Cupcakes Posted: 29 Jan 2020 12:00 AM PST Mini cupcakes are the perfect bite-sized treat, and they can be made just as easily as regular cupcakes with a few modifications. You'll need a mini cupcake pan and liners that fit the pan. Prepare a batter, either by using a recipe or buying a cake batter mix from the store. Remember that mini cupcakes won't take as much time as normal cupcakes to bake, so keep an eye on them when they're in the oven to ensure they come out great. [Edit]Ingredients - butter at room temperature
- sugar
- 2 large eggs
- vanilla extract
- flour
- baking powder
- salt
- milk
- heavy cream
[Edit]Preparing the Batter - Use a mixer to beat together butter and sugar. You can use a stand mixer or a handheld one. Turn on the mixer and stir up butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until they create a fluffy consistency.[1]
- If you don't have a mixer, you'll need to mix the butter and sugar by hand using a spoon spatula.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Crack open 1 egg into the large mixing bowl and starting mixing it. Once that egg is mostly mixed, crack open the second egg and mix it together again. Pour in vanilla extract after both eggs have been added.[2]
- Mix together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. In the new bowl, pour in flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to stir these 3 ingredients together so they're well-mixed.[3]
- Use a fork if you don't have a whisk.
- Combine the milk and cream before adding everything to the large bowl. Mix milk and cream together in another separate bowl, and then start slowly pouring the dry ingredients and milk/cream into the large bowl. Do this in 3 batches instead of all at once, pouring half of the dry ingredient mixture into the large bowl, followed by all of the milk/cream mixture, and then the rest of the dry ingredients.[4]
- Beat the ingredients together in the large bowl for 1 minute. If you're using a mixer, turn it on medium-high and beat the ingredients for 1 minute. If you don't have a mixer, stir the ingredients together until the batter is smooth and ready to be poured.[5]
- Use a store-bought batter mix as an alternative to making your own. If you're low on time or ingredients, pick out a cake batter mix from your local grocery store. You'll have lots of options to choose from, such as chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet. Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the batter for pouring.
- Even though the directions may be instructing you on how to make a cake, the ingredients and directions for preparing the batter will be the same for making mini cupcakes.
[Edit]Distributing and Cooking the Batter - Line a mini cupcake pan (or silicone baking cups) with mini muffin liners. Make sure that the liners are mini muffin liners and not candy cup liners—candy cup liners will be too small. If you have 2 mini cupcake pans, fill both with mini muffin liners, as you'll most likely be able to make 48 mini cupcakes.[6]
- 1 mini cupcake pan makes 24 mini cupcakes.
- If you only have 1 mini cupcake pan, you can bake the cupcakes in batches.
- You can find mini cupcake pans at a big box store, home goods store, or online.
- Use a cookie scoop or measuring tablespoon to distribute the batter. A cookie scoop works well because you can easily pour it into each liner. If you don't have a cookie scoop, you can just use a tablespoon or small spoon. Dip the cookie scoop or spoon into the batter to start pouring.[7]
- You can also pour the batter into a sealable plastic bag and snip off a bottom edge of the bag, creating a unique piping bag that you can squeeze the batter from easily.
- Fill ⅔ of each liner with batter. Scoop batter into each liner, going slowly around the entire pan until you've done all 24. You may need to experiment with how much batter you scoop up each time—it's better to fill the liners with too little batter than too much at once, as you can always add more.[8]
- Filling the liners all the way to the top will cause them to overflow when baked.
- Bake the mini cupcakes at for roughly 15 minutes. Check on the mini cupcakes after 9 or 10 minutes, sticking a toothpick into the center of one. If the toothpick comes out clean, they're done! If batter shows up on the toothpick, leave them in for about 5 more minutes.[9]
- The edges of the cupcakes will turn golden when they're done.
- Keep a close eye on the cupcakes as they're baking—mini cupcakes tend to cook very quickly, and you don't want them to burn.
[Edit]Decorating the Cupcakes - Make your own frosting if you have all of the ingredients. Most frostings require simple ingredients such as butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. There are lots of different recipes to choose from when it comes to creating a frosting, so peruse your pantry and see which ingredients you can turn into a frosting for your cupcakes.[10]
- For example, you can create a simple frosting using heavy cream and semi-sweet chocolate.
- Buy store-bought frosting for a quick fix. Visit your local grocery store to pick up a container of frosting, available in flavors like chocolate and vanilla. 1 container should be plenty of frosting to ice mini cupcakes.
- Buy vanilla frosting and use food coloring to make it a different color, if desired.
- Store-bought frosting works best when you spread it directly onto the cupcake with a spreading knife.
- Create a piping bag to frost the cupcakes in a quick and elegant way. Fill a disposable decorating bag (or just a resealable plastic bag) with the frosting. Cut off the bottom tip of the bag, and then squeeze the frosting out in a swirl on top of the cupcake.[11]
- Test your piping abilities out beforehand by squeezing the frosting out onto a napkin or plate before frosting the cupcakes, if desired.
- When cutting off the bottom tip, make a small cut. You can always make the cut bigger if you want more frosting to come out at once.
- Use a spreading knife to decorate each cupcake with a flat layer of frosting. Dip a spreading knife into your frosting and start layering the frosting onto the cupcake. Smooth the frosting out over the cupcake so that the entire top is covered, going around in circles with your spreading knife until you're satisfied with how it looks.[12]
- Since they're mini cupcakes, you won't need to scoop out a ton of frosting—1 small spoonful should do the trick.
- Add any embellishments onto the mini cupcakes, if desired. You can add sprinkles, candies, or any other small edibles onto the cupcakes. It's best to add the embellishments right after you've added the frosting. If the frosting has already hardened, things like sprinkles or small edible flowers won't be able to easily stick to the frosting.[13]
- You can find cupcake embellishments at your local grocery store, right next to the cake batter mix and frosting options.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Mixer
- Spoon spatula
- 2 mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Mini cupcake pan
- Mini muffin liners
- Cookie scoop (optional)
- Small spoon (optional)
- Disposable decorating bag
- Sealable plastic bag (optional)
- Scissors
- Spreading knife (optional)
[Edit]References |
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