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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.
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  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. |
Additional Showbiz ArticlesRead More Breaking into ShowbizSummer 2010 In order to achieve your dreams, you have to be willing to do whatever is necessary.
Spring 2010 In the entertainment industry, success is only as strong as the bond between the talent and the supporting cast.
Winter 2009 If you're an actor, model or music artist, your success ultimately relies on your dedication and passion for being prepared.
Fall 2009 Jasmine Murray’s experience as Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen helped
prepare her for American Idol fame.
Spring 2009 It doesn’t matter which industry you’re looking to break into—if you don’t do your homework, you’ll find most doors are shut. By Tisha Savage
Summer 2008 Total success through self-confidence, personality and a rock solid delivery. By Lisa Maile
Winter 2007 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 Bob Luke
Fall 2007 Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami Farrell teaches lessons that all star-struck hopefuls should know by heart. By Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003
Summer 2007 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. By Scott Kearnan
Winter 2006 Breaking into Showbiz - Authoring Your Success 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. By Dawn Reese
Fall 2006 Breaking into Showbiz - The Nine 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.
Summer 2006 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. By Perren Page
Spring 2006 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. By Suzanne Von Schaack
Winter 2005 These women will tell you what the job is really all about... and how you can get started, too! By Cathrine Goldstein
Fall 2005 The ‘Instant Success’ of Tyler Patrick Jones A 7-year-old boy discovered at a birthday party becomes a major acting prodigy in a matter of months. By Martin Weiss
Summer 2005 The Career Can Wait Until You Educate We think we know actors and understand the mechanics of their profession. It looks glamorous and appealing. It looks effortless! It ain’t. By Konnie Kittrell
Spring 2005 Pop Music’s Woes Good News for New Acts 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! By Gary Haase
Winter 2004 Here We Come, Commercials, TV & Film! But How? A talent manager and specialist in child performers explains the teamwork needed to maximize a young star’s Hollywood success. By T.J. Stein
Fall 2004 How To Be a Beauty School Drop-in A Southern California-based beauty, education, and staffing expert offers her advice to those considering a career in makeup artistry. By Christina M. Kane
Summer 2004 Breaking Into Showbiz: A Master’s Class in Acting 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. By Adam Hill
Winter 2003 Build a Voice That Sounds Like No Other Build a singing voice as distinctive as your face and you will stand out from the crowd of diva wanna-be's. By Brett Manning
Fall 2003 Modeling and Talent Conventions Lay the Foundation Modeling and talent conventions lay the foundation for successful careers by allowing participants to gain invaluable industry know-how and exposure. By Nancy Mancuso
Summer 2003 Secrets to Conquering the Magic Kingdom A veteran of Disney's talent development division offers insider tips on making your own music for the vacation-resort giant. By Gene Columbus
Spring 2003 Escape to New York: Avoiding 5 Mistakes How to avoid the five mistakes that most people make. By Jack Newman
Winter 2002 Your Voice Can Control Your Acting Success What and how you speak often says volumes about who you are, as the "voice teacher to the stars" reveals in this essay. By Sam Chwat
Fall 2002 Training Is the Key to Acting Success By keeping your efforts businesslike and your expectations realistic, you can follow your dream to stardom. Along the way, you'll also pick up skills useful in all walks of life. By Tiffany Minami
Summer 2002 Surviving the Casting, Winning the Call-Back Ten lessons from a seasoned pro who has been an actor, agent, and casting director. By David Vando
Spring 2002 By mastering these three simple suggestions, you'll be ready for that "lucky" break. By David Vando |
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