AHHHH! Huge News (for me)!!
 

My daughter and I both had an audition this morning, and we were both invited to participate in INTERNATIONAL TALENT SHOWCASE!!!! (Her as a model, and myself as a singer.)

What is ITS (in case you don't care to visit the website)? It's a conference that brings Casting Directors, Modeling Agencies, Record Labels, etc from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Paris, Chicago, etc. They usually have people from Disney, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, and those types.

I'm :D:D:D, but I'm also a little :eek::eek::eek:, because there is a price tag involved. The nice thing is that I'm invited to July 2011's event, so I have time to raise money - and they also allow me to get sponsors, who get a tax deduction because they can advertise in the program. Other fundraising ideas would be appreciated!!!


It's all still setting in. AHH!:D:eek::D:eek:

Cool! I'd be just as freaked out. That's so exciting!

Kudos to you and your daughter! :D

Congrats!!

not to get your hopes up, but i've worked professionally in the entertainment industry since I was 10, and anything like this is considered a scam. Yes, there are agents there, but you can just as easily find an agent without paying the price for something like this. they literally invite pretty much anyone who auditions for these things because they make money per person who then attends the event. If you have any questions on a better way to go about getting an agent then just PM me. :) I just don't want you wasting you money on this when there are better, more professional, and free ways of doing it.

good luck with everything!

I'm well aware that there are scams out there similar to this. My daughter got signed with Carolina Talent back in October, and I'm signed with them as of yesterday's audition. Carolina Talent is a completely reputable agency, and they are the ones that sponsored the ITS audition. Also, not everyone gets invited - my daughter auditioned for this year's event back when she first started modeling, and she didn't make it at that time.

Are there other ways to meet casting directors/producers/etc? Sure. For free? Not really. How much would it cost me to go to NYC or LA for a week? Probably more than the cost of this. Plus, part of the fee covers the entire year's worth of professional coaching that Carolina Talent is required to provide. A couple days of the event are also intense training workshops. So, even if nothing comes of this specifically, it's still experience.

Ok, I don't know why I'm justifying myself, but there you go.

As a fellow (sometimes) performer, congratulations!! The industry is tough. I'd love to hear updates on this experience! What and when is the next step? What kind of music do you sing? What is your vocal type? Do you train with someone?

Yes, you do get some classes...but if you are already signed to an agency, why are you going? I am signed with 3 agencies and all of them I didn't have to pay money for. I guarentee you that any casting director, agent, ect you ask will tell you there are better and more financial smart ways to go about this. The general rule of thumb is that you ONLY pay money when you book a job, then the agent takes out 10-20% (depending on what your contract states) from your paycheck.


You don't have to take my advice (you probably won't) but i've been in your shoes, gone to one of these things, signed with an agency, only to realize that I could be with a much better agency that would book me more gigs, signed with a few more and then started getting what I wanted. And I didnt have to pay for the legit ones.

You're in one of the carolinas? Wilmington has a huge film industry and Alanta's is growing. There are numerous agents there that are willing to look through your headshots, give you an audition, ect. Try one of those before you waste a couple hundred dollars.

A lot of people pay to go to talent showcases, casting workshops (chance to meet with casting directors). In LA, the pay-to-audition thing is something that a lot of people want changed. It's gained popularity in NY, and some of my friends have found work through them, but it's often a very long day (or week), and you end up with maybe a few minutes in front of CDs.

This isn't the only method, but some people have found success this way. Especially if they start out doing "Law and Order" type shows.

/hijack/
Unfortunately, the road to SAG is rarely a direct (or honest) one. Most of the people I know in SAG have entered via membership in AFTRA, a few Taft-Hartleys, and several via the waiver system (a lot of people hate this system bc of the ways people get the waivers; plus, if you go SAG before you are ready - and background work is not acting work and therefore doesn't give you any credited experience - you're competing with people with a lot more experience than you).

/end hijack/

I still wish you luck. I hope that you haven't signed exclusively with this agent. When you're "new", you want to have as many people sending you out for work as possible. Exclusive contracts are better suited when you're more experienced and/or have a billable name.

^Exactly, I booked an agency through something like this, paid like 500 dollars to go, all when I booked 3 more agents that actually got me gigs...and I didnt pay to find them. I'm just saying there are better ways to do this and if you walk into an agent and say "I went to this talent search blah blah blah" it doesnt sound like you have talent but rather someone ITS wanted to make money off of.

BeeBee, what market are you in? I'm near NYC.

Wow, nice buzzkilling of the thread. What's a Taft-Hartley? It's bringing back memories of American history class.

At any rate...WHOO HOO JESS!!! :) :)

I know, right? Good luck to you! I hope it works out for you and your daughter. Sure, there are scams out there. Sometimes things work out. Good luck and keep us posted!

Oh, OK - it's coming back to me now - it applies to unions in general and not just SAG in particular.

I'm in the south.

Alphafrog, as far as SAG goes...if youre in the south I would wait to even think about SAG. Here people get more work if they arent SAG than if they are because they automatically pay more to hire a SAG member.

Yes, I'm signed with one agency. The fact that you're signed with 3 agencies should give you an idea why we're going - because my agency only handles NC work. NC doesn't have a ton of work. This is a way to get into (inter)national markets.


Which one did you go to?

My daughter's been on Carolina Talent's list since October, so I see the casting notices constantly. They're just little indie films that don't pay anything...


BTW - since you're such an expert, what's on your resume?

Yeah I was flashing back to history class myself and was all confused about how it ended up here.

I dont remember the name of it--I was 9. I'm just saying, you can pay 500 and MAYBE get some agent, but the big agents usually don't show up to these things. You can contact the good ones without having to participate in talent search things like this.

And NC has a lot of big films come through and GA is starting up as well. A Walk to Remember, One Tree Hill, Nights of Rodanthe, Ya-Ya Sisterhood were/are all filmed through the studios in Wilmington. They often have open castings and use agents within the southeastern region to cast for roles.

Atlanta is in the process of building several sound stages. Recent movies shot in Georgia are The Last Song, Killers, and the series The Vampire Diaries and Drop Dead Diva.

If your daughter's agent is only giving you listings (not actual auditions) for indie films. Try contacting better agents. Most are always looking for new talent. Plus, some will want you to take classes through their own agency and get your headshots or comp card done through a particular photographer. Again, there are much cheaper ways to do this...yes money is involved, but your not wasting 500 bucks on a 'maybe' and you only pay when you get a paycheck from a gig they booked you for.

Alphafrog - What BeeBee is saying is pretty accurate. I don't think that she is trying to be a buzzkill at all.

If this competition is a way for you to showcase your talents, it might be worth it to you, However, you don't have to (or shouldn't have to) pay an agency until they actually find you paying work. I don't know the legitemacy of this competition (and again, exposure is exposure), but there are a lot of scammy places (John Robert Powers is one, so is Barbizon, John Casablancas, and the one that has the setup at the mall - begins with an I).

These places will charge you (they tend to target kids) and you pay all this money for headshots/comp cards you don't need (kids change so quickly, it's a waste for a 4-year old. A lot of younger kids get cast based on snapshots, to tell you the truth), classes (which end up being etiquette classes and little to no instruction in your talent), etc.

ETA - does your agent (legally) subscribe to Breakdown Services? That's the major difference in finding the higher-profile auditions (commercials, television, film, industrials). Of course, non-union has its benefits - more projects mean more chances to actually have a speaking role, exposure in film festivals, and the chance to work with people who are doing it purely out of love of the craft, but many are also low-non paying, have no craft service, poor conditions, etc. Of course, you need to pay your dues. You don't want to join a Union until you are ready.

Alphafrog - do you subscribe to the casting sites (NowCasting, NYCastings, Actor's Access (a lot of indie/smaller jobs) and Mandy? I am sure there are also local boards. Where I am, there are a few specific to my region.

It is possible to self-submit.

Thanks Ree-Xi.

Alphafrog, I'm really not trying to get your hopes up, but seeing people put their hard earned money into something that isnt called for is very common, and I hear it all the time. I work for an agency and so many people start out in the wrong way. Please consider contacting agents in your area AND surrounding areas in regard to signing with them before you invest all of this money into a talent search.

Yes, when I went to one of these things I came out of it with an agent, but it was for modeling which wasnt even what I wanted to do. They were based in NYC, Paris, LA ...no where near where I was from. It was completely unrealistic. Had my mom known that we could have found an agent without going through all of the expense and time of one of these things...we would have gone that route from the beginning. I hope you'll at least consider what I'm saying. :)

You still haven't told me which one of "these things" you went to, or what you've done professionally that qualifies you to give this kind of advice. I'm just trying to make sure we're talking apples to apples and this isn't like someone from a small, private northern school giving SEC rush advice (to use a Greek comparison).

Also, we do get fully audition info/sides, etc when casting notices are sent. Our agency uses 800casting, NowCasting, and ActorsAccess.

Does your agent subscribe to Breakdown services?

PS A great resource for information on the ins and outs of the business are the forums at Backstage.com. You will learn a lot about agents, casting directors, and unions. There is a board specifically geared to child actors as well.

I think they do - I'm not as familiar with what all they do for actors, because my daughter has done more on the modeling side, and I was just invited to sign on the acting side yesterday.:)

Have you done acting before? Have you studied at all? If not, i would suggest taking a few classes (from an acting coach). Even the best "raw" talents could use basic tools like Improv, knowing the differences between acting for the stage and acting in front of a camera, scene study, etc. The most successful actors in my circle take classes every once in a while. I think that group classes are most beneficial unless you are working on something specific (like an audition) and need one-on-one help.

I don't want to assume anything, and I am certainly not an expert, but I wanted to share if it would help you.

PS NYCastings (with an S) has a decent amount of modeling gigs (not sure how old your daughter is).

As I said earlier, I do not remember the name of talent showcase thing I went to...I was 9.

As far as professional work, I got my first agent when I was 9, and started out doing professional theater. After that I primarily worked on independent films in the south but among the productions I've worked on include One Tree Hill, The Marc Pease Experience, and Not Since You. I've also done work on the production side as a production assistant for a few films. I currently work at an agency. So, I know my way around this industry. :)

I'm excited for you, Jessica!!


P.S. What should I do to try and find my BabyBug some modeling jobs? I can't seem to figure out who to go to around here...

I did local theatre in my hometown. In college I did a bunch of productions (Musicals, Broadway Reviews, Operas, and a couple straight plays - although I don't enjoy those as much) and I took some classes (Musical Theatre Group Voice, Opera Workshop, Diction). I've done some local theatre in the Charlotte area. I also sing with the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte (Chorus of the Charlotte Symphony), and the Oratorio Chamber Group. So, no, I'm not COMPLETELY raw talent.;)

My daughter is 5, so she's probably not ready for NY Fashion Modeling.


Winni - I don't know anything about your market there. My agency said mid-summer is the busy season for children here, but I don't know if that applies where you are as well.

I'm not sure you know what "getting someone's hopes up" means, since I don't think you've said anything that would get anyone's hopes up.

Right? More like letting the air out of someone's tires!

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).