So flipping what? I know a few people who have done similar things. It may not be the road to getting a multi-million dollar contract with Ford Modeling, but for local talent, it's JUST FINE. Calm yourself down.

Congrats Jess and Little Jess! Don't let the haters get you down.

AF - if you have done live theater, it might help you to take a class in "Acting in front of the camera". I did musical theater for years, and had to adjust for the camera. There are some real differences. You might ask around for a reputable teacher. Many have 6-8 week sessions (which I find to be a perfect amount of time).

I don't know anything about modeling except what I learn on America's Next Top Model (lol). Good luck on everything.

PS Be sure to check out the BACKSTAGE.COM message boards. They have so much information!!

Thanks for that!

Mini-update...I got an email a few minutes ago letting me know who my vocal coach is - and he has performed principle roles with several opera companies, including Opera Carolina, right here in Charlotte...who I've been trying to get an "in" with for a few years. That alone may be worth the price of admission.

I'm well aware that this could turn out to be an overpriced summer camp, but sometimes, you have to take some risks.

as long as you have fun with it and can afford it, I say go for it. (and you know what you are getting into)

Kind of like I know my 7 year old won't turn into the next Landon Donovan, but I still pay for him to play soccer.

Congrats!

just trying to save you some money. good luck though.

this. sometimes i think that you have to learn and experience things for yourself and not just turn and run the other way bc of what others have said.

good luck AlphaFrog!

Exactly! When I was younger, man I tried everything to get into acting. Signed up with an agency who I thought was reputable (and the dude in charge at the time was a friend of my parents) and everything. Man, dude scammed us completely, and then when I got wind of an "audition" for a big talent agency coming through, I went for that as well. $600 later, nothing came of that either.

But do I regret it? Not really. Sometimes you have to take the chance, what's the worst that could happen? You lose some money, that's it. I rather lose money than have the 'what if' feeling.

yep yep

AF, I sent you a pm.

UPDATE!

For whoever asked, I did find out that our agency does subscribe to Breakdown services.

So - last Saturday was our first seminar, and they neglected to mention (though I admit I should have known) that everyone does ALL of the classes...and it makes sense, since modeling helps your poise and presence if you are an actor/singer, and most models end up doing some sort of acting.

So, runway class, they line us up by height, and although I have everyone in that line by at least 10 years or so, I end up 3rd behind my 5 year old daughter and a 12 year old. All 5'3'' of me. Our "runway" was on the roof of the building, and was 24x24 concrete patio pavers sitting on top of loose gravel - which meant they moved and wobbled as you walked. We also had the white version of Miss J shouting things like "head up, faster, feet in line, etc" as we walked. I kept looking for the CW cameras, because it was seriously like something on ANTM.

Also, a cool thing for our agency - they are being featured on an episode of Made. There is an Albino girl who wants to be an actress, and they are auditioning her, as well as bringing in a casting director to audition her for a SAG film (MTV set that up).

This is something that I think some people were worried about - that signing up with the agency "requires" you to take unneeded (in this case, "modeling") classes as part of your acting training. The fact that you didn't know this does raise my eyebrow.

Simply being a model (and I mean working model) does not necessarily give you the skills or talent to act.Often, "models" who act on television end up playing "models" or "pretty victim", or featured background which isn't really "acting". Sure, having poise and being comfortable in front of people are assets, but what you are doing in your class doesn't offer any insight into how to do a cold read/audition, Improvise, creating intent, how to develop a character, etc.

I don't say any of this to discourage you, but the "pitch" - that classes in "poise" and runway will help you as an actor - sounds a bit suspect. For an example of what I am talking about, google "John Robert Powers" and "scam".

I sincerely do hope that everything is on the up and up and that you will be able to use what you learn. I'm glad that you are having fun, because if the process isn't fun, it's not worth it!

Side question - what type of modeling are you interested in? At your height, beauty and catalog come to mind as more accessible areas. Most petite models are on the taller side.

Have fun, and break a leg!!!

I guess I gave the impression that these are all separate classes that you pay for separately...that's not the case. Everyone goes to the seminar and they rotate the coaches in. Within the showcase, there are multiple categories and divisions, and everyone does 3-4 different ones. So, even if you are invited as a model, you could do an acting event (which gets you in front of more people than if you just stuck to modeling events). It's not like it was hidden from us that we would be meeting with all the different coaches...it just didn't dawn on me.


More exciting news: www.portraitinnovations.com If you let the main pic scroll once, Mariana is the 3rd pic from the left, with the seashells and little boy.

SAG membership requirements for the under 18s is different: one SAG job and you're invited in. Again, not to rain on anyone's parade but please read my pm. Youngest has done photography modeling. You do not need special training (other than ears to take direction and the look that they want) to do this. Daughter got her first job through the zed card.

BTW: Please don't call other posters "haters" because they, while rooting for your success, offer information/caution because they have more experience and information in a given area. Notice that in other forums here when someone says, "I'm going through recruitment for the 4th time, I only want ABC and this time I will get it," and other posters says, "Well....maybe not," they aren't not called "haters". They are called realistic, not blowing smoke, etc.

I'm glad you said this!:) Great analogy.