Modeling and talent conventions lay the foundation for successful careers by allowing participants to gain invaluable industry know-how and exposure.
By Nancy Mancuso
Nancy Mancusois the Vice President of Operations for the International Modeling & Talent Association (IMTA). She has been with IMTA since it began in January 1987. Prior to joining the company, she worked as the agency director for a large modeling and talent agency in Phoenix, Arizona. As Vice President of IMTA, Nancy works closely with the school owners and directors, visiting their locations and attending talent searches. Nancy also networks with the international fashion and talent agents. She is very active in the day-to-day operations at IMTA and assists in the production of the two annual IMTA conventions.
Success Stories
Accomplished stars such as these, who attended modeling and talent conventions, learned that being single-minded and willing to do what ever it takes often results in career success.
Mena SuvariAmerican Beauty
Katie HolmesDawson's Creek
Ashton KutcherThat 70's Show
Mira Sorvino Gods and Generals
Lynnette Cole Miss USA 2000
Elijah WoodLord Of The Rings
Gena Lee NolinBaywatch
Seann William ScottAmerican Pie
Jessica Biel7th Heaven
Ashley Scott Birds of Prey
Audra Marie Ford Models
Robin Mattson Another World
Kyle Lowde Days of Our Lives
Justin TorkildsonThe Bold & the Beautiful
Karle WarrenJudging Amy
Angellika Morton Ford Models
Are you fascinated by the fashion industry? Do you read the latest fashion magazines? Do you watch the collections on E Entertainment or attend local fashion shows? Do you dream about working on the international runways or appearing in major fashion magazine editorial layouts? Do you audition for local theater or try out for school plays? Can you see yourself on the next hit television series? Can you sing or dance? Do you consider yourself an actor?
If the answer to any of the above is "yes," then a modeling and talent convention is where you need to be to perform your talents. I have worked in the talent and modeling industry for 25 years, and now more than ever I truly believe that attending a reputable modeling and talent convention offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all who attend.
Aspiring models and actors who have the opportunity to attend conventions gain precious familiarity with an industry that must often seem mysterious and awe-inspiring to newcomers. Getting an eye-opening behind-the-scenes look at the industry helps give young, talented hopefuls new insight into how these creative businesses operate. Conventions also provide models, actors, singers, and dancers a variety of opportunities to showcase their potential to hundreds of the world's top fashion and talent agents, personal managers, and casting directors.
You may ask: Why do I need to attend a convention to become a model or an actor? Cost, exposure, educational seminars, competitions...the advantages are many. Cost is an important factor. When attending an organized event, you usually pay a package price, which is inclusive of the airfare, registration fees, hotel accommodations, and the like. The exposure you gain from attending a legitimate modeling and talent convention is significantly greater than a person could otherwise obtain by trying to go it alone. It would take you months to travel to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Italy, or Japan to see the number of agents that you will see and/or meet during a convention.
The educational seminars you will attend at a modeling and talent convention are presented by professionals who can guide and help you to better understand what talent, modeling, and acting-industry professionals expect. The fashion and talent industries are always changing, and attending seminars and continued training keeps you "plugged in." The competitions that models and actors participate in are judged and scouted by the agents and managers who have the ability to further participants' careers. Agents and scouts are always on the lookout for their next "beautiful face," their next "up-and-coming star." Competing in a modeling and talent convention opens up the possibility of being discovered. At the very least, you will get to meet and "network" with a number of professionals, and these are the kinds of contacts who can help you get a leg up on the competition in the industries' leading markets.
Nothing beats a modeling and talent convention for breeding confidence, as these IMTA performers can attest to.
There are several types of modeling and talent conventions to consider. Some take place over a weekend, while others are week-long conventions. Be sure to check out the reputation and compare the offerings of conventions you are thinking about participating in. Among other things, look for a convention with a solid history of success, a substantial schedule of showcases and workshops, and a long list of participants who have gone on to career success. Any convention should offer professional training seminars by industry professionals.
Training, after all, is vitally important to anything you choose to do in life. Think of your favorite sports figures, musicians, actors, or singers. They regularly train with coaches, in group workshops, and showcases, working to improve their skills. Olympic ice skaters and gymnasts train for many years before they are ready for competition. Doctors, nurses, teachers, stock brokers you name it all continue their education and training to be on top of their field.
The same is true for models and actors. With good training, you develop the ability to present yourself well, increase your self-confidence, and broaden your abilities. Every performer whether on the runway, on stage, or in front of the camera needs to master unique skills and develop a personal style. Even highly successful entertainers often brush up their act with live practice performances before audiences. Comedian and actor Robin Williams, for instance, shows up at the Improv in Los Angeles to practice and keep his comedy routine sharp. Supermodel Linda Evangilista believes the difference between a model and a supermodel is in the honing and polishing of their skills.
Modeling and acting conventions can play a significant part in jump-starting this attitude. For proof, you have the many success stories that began as a result of attending a convention (Please see "Success Stories" box).
By combining their individual personnel strengths and talents with years of experience and high standards of excellence, legitimate talent conventions offer potential models and actors a valuable package of training that breeds this level of confidence. It is my belief that, through careful training and thorough follow-through of opportunities available in modeling and talent conventions, hard-working creative people can reach their full potential sooner and with better chances of career success.
By studying the backgrounds of the roles that we’re playing and looking at the actual person, actors and actresses can gain an edge in developing their own uniqueness.
Pageants can bring out the best in someone looking for an entertainment/showbiz-industry career, but they also can create a few initial pitfalls to success. Here’s how to deal with it.
By learning the art of competition through pageantry, Kristine W went from small-town Miss Washington to breaking Madonna’s record for consecutive hits atop the Billboard Club Play chart.
As this pageant-savvy agent tells it, your Hollywood destiny rests in your own hands as well as with other key industry players. Knowing your part in the process can make all the difference.
School of success: Nine young breakthrough actors shine a reality spotlight on what it takes to fulfill dreams of becoming Hollywood stars. Their experience teaches lessons any up-and-coming performer can use.
Every promising performing artist asks themself that single question. Our veteran SAG/AFTRA actor/instructor guides you toward the answer in this virtual classroom based on his own decades-long stage and screen career.
Seeking success as a performer or model isn’t easy, right? This international runway model and actress knows just how you feel — and she’s grateful to teach you her success secrets.
Music-industry groove master Gary Haase explains why the record industry's song-downloading daze may provide the greatest chance in decades to spin the rock ’n’ roll roulette wheel — and win big!
Throughout the 20th century, the actors’ art has had a number of innovative, if prickly, practitioners. Adam Hill advises you to learn from all of them.