MAAI Modeling Convention: Making It Real!

By Carl Dunn

This pioneer of the modeling and acting convention brings today's top talents face-to-face with pros who can help the stars of tomorrow fulfill their dreams.

What do you envision when you think of the world-famous Waldorf=Astoria? If you're like most people, you conjure visions of royalty, celebrity, the famous movers and shakers of political dynasties. Thoughts of wealth, power, and grandeur are easily accessible. The world-famous Waldorf=Astoria epitomizes New York City. When you think of the Waldorf=Astoria, you think of New York City and all the nuances that make it unique.

What do you envision when you think of Easter weekend, the Waldorf=Astoria, and New York? Only one thing... the annual Modeling Association of America International Inc. (MAAI) Modeling and Talent Convention. The Easter weekend at the Waldorf=Astoria has become synonymous with MAAI. Celebrating its 43rd year, the MAAI convention brings the top new talent from across the country to New York City for one very important reason: to be seen by the elite agencies, scouting firms, managers, and casting directors in the country and from around the world. Just to name a few of the attending agencies which might ring familiar: Elite Model Management, Ikon New York, IMG Models, Nickelodeon, Wilhelmina, Bob Luke Studios, and World Top Inc. In total, more than 60 casting houses, agencies, and scouting firms were represented. With the biggest names in the industry looking for new talent, it is not difficult to imagine the excitement and pressure this weekend provides to all in attendance.

In addition to the brightest and newest young talent available from across the country looking to impress the scouts and agencies, the member schools in attendance were also looking to provide an impressive showing for themselves. After 43 years, the member schools take great pride in the talent each brings to the convention, and the possible recognition to be gained by their attendees garnering the available awards and call-backs. From small schools, to medium schools, to large schools, each ventured to New York to prove they could provide the modeling or entertainment industry with its next big discovery.

The callback is the dream of every person at the convention. It is the holy grail of this competition.

(Left) After presentations, the all-important call backs draw lines of talented candidates to agency tables, including this one for Wilhelmina, where agents can more closely examine the person and the portfolio.

Unlike most conventions, the MAAI prides itself on being a not-for-profit organization. Similar to most conventions, the attendees come prepared to prove they belong in the center of the industries they are pursuing. Both genders, children through adults, are competing against one another and against themselves. Through such categories as Swimsuit, TV Competition, Cold Reading, Monologue, Runway Modeling, Soap Star, Legs, and Voice Over Narration, the week of MAAI is a whirlwind of activity. Adding even more pressure, talent competitors rush to the individual competitions of Singers, Dancers, and Photo Competition. In addition to competing individually, the conventioneers compete within school categories such as Group Runway.

And if that weren't enough, all attendees are invited to seminars featuring industry experts and successful individuals who have chased and captured the dream that many of the MAAI Convention attendees are pursuing. In fact, many of the industry experts have given their expertise to Pageantry magazine over the years as guest columnist within the feature editorial, "How To Break Into Showbiz."

Throughout the convention, star-studded seminars attracted enthusiastic crowds. One, called "Petite/Plus Modeling," was hosted by Wilhelmina's Amber Gross and former Ford plus-size model Catherine Schuller. Another, titled "Runway Modeling," was hosted by the always alluring Lu Celania Sierra, the Elite model who has been featured in some of the world's most glamorous magazines wearing the designs of Versace, Armani, Dior, and Bob Mackie. Former Pageantry columnist Peggy Lewis of biz kids ny, inc. provided the insider knowledge needed by parents of young talent, while Joan See of the New York School for Film and Television offered insights to those wishing to work in front of the cameras for both the big and small screens.

Even with all the competitions and seminars held during the MAAI Convention, guests found the allure of New York City irresistible. Taking advantage of any break in the furious scheduling, young hopefuls ventured out into the city to take in the ever-popular shows of New York's finest -- Broadway -- there to envision themselves working in such a formidable environment. Just seeing the lights and feeling the excitement of a live Broadway performance was enough to rejuvenate even the most exhausted convention participant. But we were here for a reason: the opportunity of discovery. The opportunity to further study and pursue a career in one's chosen profession.

How would each attendee fair? Inevitably, every performance was enacted with an eye towards the call back. The call back is the dream of every person at the convention. It is the holy grail of this competition. It is the reward for an outstanding performance, which results in a personal request from an agent, scout, or casting director to meet and interact directly with the talented performer. It means you have that special something this particular individual has been looking to promote. It means... you may have just been discovered! It's what MAAI is all about.

Fans flock to MAAI's "success story" celebrity guests, including (above): Scott Holroyd of As the World Turns. Other stars included Ivan Shaw and Micah Alberti of All My Children.

What do you envision when you think of awards, celebrities, the Waldorf=Astoria, and New York during Easter weekend? You are correct if you answered the MAAI Grand Awards Banquet, which recognizes the special achievements of both individuals and member schools. A formal affair, it is a welcome respite from the week's pressure-filled events. Once again hosted by television and radio personality Richard Bey, the awards banquet featured real-life success stories from those already in New York. Featured celebrities sharing their individual stories included guests from As the World Turns, Scott Holroyd (Paul Ryan), a former MAAI attendee, and Peyton List (Lucy Montgomery). Representing All My Children were Micah Alberti (Jamie Martin), Maximillian Alexander (Carlos), Ivan Shaw (Henry Chin), and Elizabeth Hendrickson (Maggie Stone). Not to be outdone, Melissa Archer (Natalie Balsom) of One Life to Live and Lawrence Zarian (television's "The Fashion Guy") imparted words of wisdom and hope to those who had traveled to the MAAI Convention with personal dreams of stardom. Showing that they understand the realities of "the business," the young stars of television, after imparting their unique views, patiently and courteously signed autographs and answered questions from the throng of attendees.

So who was recognized for outstanding individual and school achievements during the forty-third MAAI Convention? In addition to the rewards of the individual call-back, special recognition would be awarded to those exemplifying outstanding performance. Garnering dual awards of both Large School Agency and School of the Year, John Robert Powers Philadelphia once again proved why it has been successful over the years. The Excellence Award Medium School/Agency went to Super Models New York, while the Excellence Award Small School recognized D&D Talent & Model Management, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Agency of the Year was captured by First Models, of Houston, Texas. In one of the more lighthearted but serious competitions, Group Runway was awarded to DMG, of Dallas, Texas. In addition to the overall award, D&D Talent & Model Management was recognized as 1st Runner-up, Network International, Scottsdale, Arizona, as 2nd Runner-up, and Super Models New York as 3rd Runner-up.

The time had arrived to announce the most coveted of all awards, the overall Male and Female Modeling Awards. These awards recognize the individual male and female who, in the view of the judges, scouts, and agencies in attendance, show the most promise and score highest in the various areas of competition. Having competed throughout the convention, Ryan Brown of Betty Lane Models & Talents, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, proved he had that special something. And the Overall Female Award? From John Robert Powers Philadelphia, Veronica Kovarikova proved beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

After presentations, the all-important call backs draw lines of talented candidates to agency tables, including this one for Wilhelmina, where agents can more closely examine the person and the portfolio.