By Angel Anthony Mendez

Out of the darkness erupts screams of adulation as Elijah Woods flashes a shy smile from the theater’s multiple video screens to the elated audience assembled below. The enormous Grand Ballroom of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles is packed to capacity as wave after wave of cheers, oohs, and ahhs are unleashed as the visages of today’s hottest stars flash one by one, larger than life, for all to see. It’s the opening presentation of the “IMTA – Model and Talent Overview,” showcasing the biggest stars of today. Whistles barrage the big screens when the movie clips of Ashton Kutcher appear. The crowd marvels at the exotic beauty of Desperate Housewives TV series co-star Eva Longoria, and then explodes into cheers as actor Brandon Routh winks at the camera and flies off to save the day as Superman in a scene from Superman Returns. The throng of excited hopefuls is so amped and charged up, their energy, if harnessed, could single-handedly solve California’s energy crisis forever.

Runway Liftoff: When models and other talented performers hit the stage at IMTA, they are following in the footsteps of some of today's biggest stars.

It’s at this moment I understand what IMTA is all about. The audience doesn’t clap and cheer for these huge stars looming above them because they are famous, or gorgeous, or successful, or talented, or rich. They cheer because, at one time, these Hollywood icons once sat where they sit right now. They applaud because these stars succeeded in a tough and competitive industry. These pop culture idols all got their start one day, not so long ago, with the tremendous opportunity offered them by the very same IMTA convention those in the audience now attend. Suddenly, I see—this is who they want to be.

The International Modeling and Talent Association’s 40th consecutive convention was held in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, in early January 2007. Highly regarded IMTA training centers, schools, and agencies worldwide bring their most gorgeous and talented men, women, and children to compete for industry-leading professionals to scout, network, and influence the next generation of stars.

The event is a perfect symbiosis of education and application. The aspiring models, singers, actors, and dancers received the rare opportunity to attend seminars and workshops to help build their knowledge and further hone their skills offered at the convention by experienced industry professionals and trainers. Seminars such as “Perfecting Your Audition Techniques” by Unified Management, and “What Managers Can Do For You” by Dino May Management and Leverage Management guarantee an educational experience at the event itself. An industry powerhouse such as the Walt Disney Company can confidently count on the fact that the IMTA talent pool will not only be beautiful or talented but also knowledgeable and skilled.

Agencies such as AIM, World Talent, Barbizon, John Robert Powers, and REM Studios bring their top talent to compete in such events as the Soap Competition, Sitcom Competition, Fashion Print/Runway Competition and more. The events are unlike any competition I’ve ever witnessed, where the competitors actually root and cheer for each other. Contestants feed off each other’s excitement, creating confident and energetic performances. If these aspiring models and actors are successful, they can receive call-backs from industry professionals to meet for an interview and perhaps even sign a contract. The call-backs to sign the stars of tomorrow were held in the same grand ballroom that showcased the stars of today a couple of days earlier. The room was packed with thousands of applicants and hundreds of producers, scouts, and agents.

Donna Brown, a director for parent headquarters of JMT Management, was one such agent aiding both industry professionals and aspiring hopefuls. Donna, who is the reigning Mrs. United America 2006 and an etiquette and modeling instructor for JMT, had her hands full coordinating contestant’s schedules, getting students to their auditions on time, and acting as a hairdresser, makeup artist, and chaperone for more than 400 people in their private office on the 30th floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. It was Donna’s fourth time attending the convention, and she wanted the participants to really enjoy the experience—so much so that JMT Management organized an 11-bus tour of Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Rodeo Drive. She was also happy to help in the call-back room by introducing clients to agents, calming nerves, and giving empowering lectures. JMT directors Laura LaBelle and Jamie Joyce proved to be very successful at IMTA, with their clients receiving more than 200 awards and honorable mentions.

Just as today’s stars shone brightly that opening night at IMTA, the stars of tomorrow grace the video screens during IMTA’s final closing production. Energized by the knowledge, tools, and opportunities afforded during their week in L.A., IMTA 2007’s attendees leave knowing not only do they have a tremendous head start over the competition, but that this is far from being their journey’s end. Every brilliant star begins with an initial spark, and this year’s IMTA experience, like the ones that came before it, would light the fuse for some of them, sending their careers skyrocketing into Hollywood’s star-studded firmament.