Frankie Tease Blog

If you're new to show business, you will be new to the idea that Photographers are artists too. Just like you wouldn't want an image of you displayed without a name, photogs also take pride in the work and time that was put into capturing an image. The laws surrounding photo imaging, reproduction, and use of images can be very complicated and confusing. This  how to burlesque  is dedicated to side-stepping any issues surrounding use of photos and I hope you find it useful. Photography of a subject is usually handled with a simple  'model release' form . This document is signed by the subject or performer and specifies what the subject or model will allow the photographer to do with the photos taken. Model release forms are easy to print or create in person. They should simply state the desired purpose and distribution intended for the photo, who can use it, and where it can be redistributed. Paying a photographer is another way to get the full rights to a photo

How to shape and beautify your eyebrows. Eyebrows are an important stage element. They set the mood, frame your eyes, which are the window to the soul, and they are not only subject to eyebrow pencil. Check out this trick for shaping, and painting your eyebrows before taking to the stage. Keeping a shape that is easy to work with usually means a thick base toward the center of your forhead, and a tapered edge toward the ear end of the eyebrow. Plucking is the most traditional form of shaping, but you can also use wax strips or gel to remove hair and shape the brow. Once you do this a talc or tonic may be applied to ease any red skin. Easier than that, most salons that do hair or nails can accomodate you eyebrow shaping needs. Never do the shaping the day of your performance, as it may take a day or two for the skin to calm down and regularize from being agitated by wax or tweezers. Once you have shaped the eyebrow, it's time to paint it. Most people will reach for the 'e

Whitney Streed is a prominant comedy performer in the Portland Oregon Burelsque circuit who is also dabbling in combining Burlesque & Stand-up comedy. Frankie Tease sat down to ask this busy gal a few questions about comedy and burlesque, why she moved to Portland, OR., and what she has in store for you as her audience. FRANKIE-When did you get started in stand up comedy and what or who inspired you? WHITNEY-I started doing stand-up about two years ago. I had a job where I had a lot of free time but I couldn't seem to find any kind of creative outlet, even though I was craving some kind of art. I had thought about doing stand-up kind of in the back of my mind, but hadn't seriously considered it. Then one day I had this weird experience where I was wearing this shirt and I thought, "I should wear this when I try an open mic." By the end of the day I was like, "No.You should do it now. Now is the day. Go and do it!" And so I wrote a set list in a

How to Warm-Up While On Stage   as published by Kelly Dinardo on the Candy Pitch March, 2009. Did 'hair & make-up' go too long before you heard "you're on"? That's ok. You can build a warm up for your own safety into your every performance! If not, you can take 30 seconds to do this right before going on stage. Coming from a major injury to my hamstring, I can tell you that warming up is without question, the most important thing you can do for yourself before performing. I hurt myself on a cold December day during an audition which I didn't have time to warm up for! Because I do acrobatics during every performance, I have now devised a system that will ensure I didn't cool down while waiting to go on stage. Here's How To: Take that f irst 30 seconds  of your routine to breath deeply through your nose, connect with your surroundings on the stage, and warm up!  Think about your four 'major muscle groups'. The Chest, Legs, Back,

Frankie Tease sat down to talk with one of Portland, Oregon's favorite visiting Burlesque performers. Topics include: Honolulu, how a life-long ballerina started doing Burlesque, and what does Portland have to do with Honolulu anyway? Frankie- How long have you been a resident of Honolulu? Violetta- I was born and raised in Hawaii! I'm Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, European and Native American, which I think is a great representation of Hawaii's unique cultural strata. I love my island home and the "aloha spirit" that resides here! Frankie- That's beautiful. In Honalulu you are a burlesque performer and producer am I correct? Violetta- I consider myself a performer more than anything, I've helped to produce shows but usually do so as a choreographer and costumer. I'm thinking about beginning to produce on a limited basis though. Frankie- You are an amazing performer that is always well recieved in Portland for your unique choreograph

How to Clean Patent Leather Accessories You know those scuffs or spills on your patent leather accessories? They're not going to cost you a trip to the cobbler anymore, because your own household item will take them off! I found out from a friend way back when, that nail polish remover will get rid of any scuffs or stains on patent leather, without any damage. It might even make them shine a bit brighter. Start with a soft cloth or cotton pad. Dowse the cloth with a bit of nail polish remover. Wipe. Let it evaporate, then use a dry cloth to buff. You may end up cleaning your accessories in their entirety when you see how sparkly they get with the application of nail polish remover. Now go enjoy your politically correct patent leather products knowing how quick and easy you can clean them. Find out more about the columnist of 'How to Burlesque'  at   www.MissFrankieTease.com Love shoes? Who doesn't!  I personally have had a great time at  Imelda's Des

Photo courtesy of Amanda Richards After over two years of working with Amanda Richards aka DeManda at all types of Burlesque Shows, Miss Frankie Tease sat down with Amanda to discuss her brand new Grammy nominations, how she got on the PNW Burlesque circuit, and what it's like to be a Singer/Songwriter, Bohemian Country Songstress in Portland, Oregon. FRANKIE So Amanda, how did you get the news of your "Official Grammy Nomination" this week? AMANDA Well I got a call from my manager saying "we have some good news for you' and I hadn't heard from them for a while. And they said 'You're up for Grammy nominations this year'. It took about a week for me to get the list of what all the categories were, six total. [Here are the six nominations 1-Record of the Year : Cookies & Whiskey 2-Record of the Year : Perfect Cup of Coffee 3 - Song of the Year: Ballbuster 4- Best Female Country Vocal Performance: Ballbuster 5-Best Country Song:

You might have a great act, but what if no one sees? Here are a few ways to get booked, and booked again as a performer. 1. Be easy to reach once you're contacted. It's not a deal until it's a done deal. It's cool to be professional and answer show planning questions. This means no drama the night of the show. Changes happen and you'll want as much notice from the producer, so be reachable once you've made the commitment.  2. Have requested bio and photo information accessible on your website, or ready to send to the booker or producer. If they don't have the materials to promote you they may go searching and use a photo you have posted online and aren't fond of. Be sure to take control of your destiny by providing this material very quickly after you are booked, so as not to hold up the promotion team who's marketing your performance. 3. Let them know your staging or dressing room requests or requirements without being a diva.  4. Be prepa

How to Burlesque: Fake Eyelashes or 'falsies'- as published by Kelly Dinardo , Aug. 13 2009 In our monthly column How To Burlesque,Miss Frankie Tease brings you tips and advice on a mishmash of burly topics. Today, she dishes on how to apply false eyelashes. Whether you have thick eyelashes or not, applying a false eyelash set can perk up the face for your photo or performance. Lashes come in strips, pre-made from human hair, or individual lash sets, which are great for accenting your already existing lashes.There are also metallic and colored falsies out there. Practice applying the falsies so they look as if they are part of your own lash line. You'll need a tube of lash glue, usually called lash grip. This can also be used to apply body jewels or pasties in a pinch, so it's great to keep on hand. Squeeze some of the glue on to a tissue or small palette. Dip a toothpick into the adhesive and spread liberally onto the fake lash line on the side that will

In our column How To Burlesque,  Miss Frankie Tease  brings you tips and advice on a mishmash of burly topics. Today, she dishes on how to approach basic choreography. There are two approaches to choreography: one is to have the music first, the other is to have the costume and then find music to fit. This all depends upon the nature of the situation. If you are preparing for a show, they may ask you to choreograph to specific music. In this case the costume will be tailored to the music assignment. If you have your costume or prop first, then you will be searching for the tunes that accompany your idea. Mainly go in search of the mood that you want to convey with your prop, find music to match it. Many advanced and successful performers tend to use music without words, so that they are actually the star of the song, not the words, but this is by no means a rule. Just something I've noticed through time. This allows some tight and some looser choreography. In other words, th

Portland, a hub of creativity, can now claim its own Burlesque Webcomic. Creator/Editor: Miss Frankie Tease & Artist/Writer: David Herrick present: TEASE TIM E  A Burlesque Webcomic Meet artist / creator and crew at the official launch party. Wed. Jan. 19th , 5:30-7:00pm  with sounds from DJ Mr. Mumu.  A Limited number of Posters will be for sale, signed by: David Herrick Blaze Lucky Lucy O' Rebel  Miss Frankie Tease Those not in Portland can view the very first in a long series of strips to make up a  riveting story of a world full of Burlesque stages... via  http://teasetimecomics.blogspot.com/ About the artist:  David Herrick  David Herrick hails from Colorado, and is now a resident of Portland, OR. A comic buff, fan, and creator / artist of original webcomic  Root Rot Comics , David is a massive talent at only age 19. Joining with  Tease Time Comics  creator: Miss Frankie Tease, David writes and pens this amazing modern day vinta