Words from PMTM/ IMTA Alums Part 7

Want to follow the story of one of our Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt/ IMTA alum from start to finish? Check out this blog post written by PMTM/ IMTA alum parent, Nancy Burham, which follows her journey as a parent from picking an Ohio agency for daughter, Sarah, to get started with to breaking into the national/ international markets through IMTA.

IMTA gave my daughter the opportunity to gain insight into how she could start to achieve her ultimate goal of being in movies. The workshops and sessions were very informative. IMTA allowed her to have exposure to agents and managers in the international markets. She was offered a contract for representation by a highly reputable agency in LA while we were at IMTA.

This opportunity to work with this agency has resulted in our temporary relocation to LA. Once leaving the known waters of Ohio, PMTM did not simply wish us well. They have continued to support us in ways I did not imagine. Their care is genuine. They have a great deal of knowledge and they are willing to share it. They have provided guidance every step of the way, helping us be aware of differences between working in the local market and international market and have connected us with people in LA that provided a very safe landing. Driving to the first audition once in LA, I was very thankful that I could be confident it would be in a good part of LA with reputable people. Today our daughter was on set for the first time in LA and it was a wonderful experience and has only increased her desire for more days spent doing what she loves like today. Our lives are also richer by the new friendships we've gained through IMTAand PMTM.

When our daughter decided she wanted to be in movies, she started researching on the internet how she could achieve this in Ohio. She started submitting on-line applications and I (her mother) was getting calls about our daughters applications. My husband and I decided that I'd go with her to check out one of the places. We did not have a good feeling about the place and told her she could not go to their classes. She was very unhappy with our decision. Over the next few weeks we researched places and gave her a list of three that she could review and decide which she'd apply to. She chose PMTM, which had also been our preference. They had a great rating with the Better Business Bureau, they seemed to be very family oriented (...no lingerie models anywhere on their website), and they appeared very professional and caring. We attended an information session and there was no high pressure "you must decide today" sales approach

We went home and decided that we'd allow her to attend classes. The classes covered a range of topics, each of them age appropriate and relevant. She never wanted to be a minute late for class. Once PMTM was ready to represent her we discovered that there were far more opportunities in the Ohio area than we realized. They've called for several very interesting modeling and acting opportunities. PMTM staff provides a very friendly, nurturing, yet professional environment.

5 Great Tips for Models and Talent!

Happy weekend, Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt. family! One of the things that we love most about backstage.com is all of the information that their staff of experts provide! We gathered these five tips from their website from just a few of the industry's greats. Take them to heart and incorporate them into your craft and you'll go far!

1. TRY NOT TO WORRY.

“We’re trying to improve the situation or come up with a solution or ease our pain. That’s not worrying; that’s discovering that we have the resources to overcome that which seems impossible. That’s dealing with the moment of now; it’s not living out of a fearful future that may or may not occur.” —ANTHONY MEINDL

2. DON’T WORK THROUGH PAIN.

“Pain is an action signal. It is created by your brain to say, ‘Stop what you’re doing,’ or ‘Do something different.’ Nothing we do as singers should be painful. If we ‘push through it,’ not only are we in danger of hurting our voice, but we are associating the act of singing with discomfort.” —ANDREW BYRNE

3. KEEP CRITICISM CONSTRUCTIVE.

“We are all, in different ways, pursuing art and dreams of our own making. Self-image can be a fragile thing, and while honest self-assessment is necessary on a continuous basis, so is positive, respectful, and educational feedback from others. If there is criticism, keep it constructive and keep it kind.” —ILENE STARGER

4. INCORPORATE YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR ART.

“Art and life have lost their separateness. When the class relaxed into the truth that life wasn’t going to stop so they could do their art, the only option became to include their lives in their art. Because of this, the work has become deeper, more personal and specific—more mature.” —CRAIG WALLACE

5. DON’T SETTLE.

“Trust yourself; you will know when you find the right class, photographer, agent, etc. If you have doubts, wait. There are plenty of options out there, you just have to take the time to find them.” —BEN ROVNER

3 Ways in which Auditioning is an Art Form!

Hi there, Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt. family! This blog was brought to us by the fine people at Backstage.com. Written by Craig Wallace, a great acting coach from California, it highlights three ways in which auditioning is an art form. It tells all of the secrets of auditioning and emphasizes the importance of being a warrior in the auditioning room; allowing self-exploration, trial and error of methods, and instilling your life and humanity into whatever character you are portraying. Great words and a great read! Enjoy!

Auditioning is often seen as the poor uncreative cousin to acting; a necessary evil, the thing you have to learn so that you can get the job and really act.

This losing attitude is just plain wrong.

Auditioning is a dynamic creative process that can shine a light on your soul and test your skills and bravery like few other artistic disciplines can. It is an art form unto itself.

Here are just a few of the many qualities that make it so:

1. Self-knowledge is its cornerstone. A successful film/TV audition answers the question, “Who are you and what do you have to add to the role?” It’s not about acting choices, but what you personally have to add to the role. It requires a way of working that allows you to go deeply into your own

personality and explore your internal landscape. “What are the most interesting and compelling qualities I have to offer this role?” “Which parts of me will bring the words to life in the most unique way?” “What will give the piece the strongest, truest heartbeat?”

Self-exploration is exhilarating and necessary work for the actor and the basis of the art of auditioning. Greatness can be achieved by the knowledge gained through these journeys of self-exploration as you continue to patiently and persistently peel back the layers of the onion and discover the intersection of yourself and the words on the page.

The art of film/TV audition is discovering not how you can act the role, but who you are in the role.

2. It requires its own technique. The art of performance requires a method that allows you to disappear into a

character. The art of audition requires a technique that allows you to create and define that character with the unique qualities that are yours and yours alone.

The audition technique you use needs to increase your focus and concentration. It needs to assist you in listening and reacting with more energy and spark than you may normally listen with in your real life. It needs to make the stillness required in a film/TV audition look natural even if it’s an action scene! Your technique needs to help you safely and specifically target the most compelling qualities that you have to bring to the role. And because you are doing all of this preparation by yourself, your technique has to fulfill the role of a wise, gentle, and persistent director. Finally, it needs to allow you to let all of the work go so that you can be present in the room with confidence and ease, and be the actor they want to work with and have to hire.

3. It demands a special brand of courage. Any art form that asks you to stand up in front of people and express yourself requires courage. Auditioning though, tests your courage, not just at the end, but every step of the way. It starts with having the courage to explore your heart and soul and to not stop until you find the truest and rawest parts of yourself to incorporate into the material. It continues in the need for complete trust in yourself and your instincts, as well as the courage to commit to your

decisions having no idea how they will be received—auditioning is a solitary art form.

If you have mastered the art of auditioning, you have instilled the words on the page with your specific life and humanity. Now, you have to stand in the room and let everybody see your life and humanity with no work or character to hide behind and no other actors to save you. Just you.

And then you have to accept the responses to your audition. If you’re performing as an actor or singer, you can always assign some of the reaction to your performance to things outside of yourself: “they didn’t like the play, not their type of music, etc.” But in auditioning it’s once again just you, and if you don’t book the job, the “no” can have a much sharper sting.

Artists are always exposed to some degree when they share their work, but there seems to be always something in most artistic disciplines that leave the artist somewhat protected —partially clothed. A true and honest TV/film audition, however, demands complete exposure and full-frontal emotional nudity.

This is not an art form for the weak or timid; it requires all of the fierce and tender bravery of the true artistic warrior.

Auditioning—especially for the camera—is the art of personal expression. It is about bringing the words to life by instilling them with the most interesting, resonant parts of yourself—illuminating them with what excites and moves you, and then delivering them with a voice that is unique to you.

It is the art of telling the truth, naked, in extreme close-up.

Summer Fashion Challenge for our Men!

Summertime: it's rapidly approaching! And as the temperature rises, so does the need to change up your wardrobe. That can be a scary thing for a lot of men out there who desperately cling to their jeans! And that's exactly why we're going to challenge you all to push your fashion limits and give a nice pair of shorts (*ahem* non-athletic shorts) a try! Check out this blog from Tower City Center with some handy tips on finding the right kind of shorts for you.

So, guys. We’ve got to talk. What are you going to do when the temperature heats up and your style needs to follow suit? You know those jeans and pants are going to get uncomfortable, but the idea of shorts? Away from the gym? It’s not a look that screams “GQ” to most dapper dudes, but it’s definitely that time of year to start considering it. So what’s hot in warm weather bottoms? Here’s the lowdown.

For the long-legged gent looking for a louche style, the word was “Bermuda”. Longer and fuller than the typical tailored short, this laid back silhouette was favored by the teams at Alexander McQueen and Jil Sander. Think of these as the shorts for the fashion-minded rebel.

Preppy prints made for a peppy wardrobe addition. These quirky picks give every day a bit of a holiday vibe, referencing both the country club and the beach. For a style more suave than collegiate, pair your prints with a simple crew or boat neck sweater and avoid over accessorizing.

Summer style’s not all fun and games—sometimes a little sharpness is required. On runways, basic black dressed up this laid back staple, with designers showing options in leather and wool, and bonafide fashion rockstar, Pharrell, taking to the red carpet in a short tux. Simple, versatile, and a definite conversation starter.

Long story, short? Get into some of these babies for a stylish summer fling.

9 Tips for Building Confidence

Here at Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt., we love to make sure that our models and talent are staying up-to-date on the latest industry advice. That's why when we saw this blog posted by Backstage, featuring the advice of Carolyne Barry, a highly respected casting director, actress, and director in LA, we knew that we had to share it with all of you! These tips for building confidence as an individual in our industry are on point.

Actors don’t have tangible products to sell. Each is their own product and they must believe in and have confidence their talents and themselves or there is nothing to sell. Confidence is essential for everyone, but it is crucial for actors and performers. Vanity, arrogance, or egotism is not confidence. They are usually facades for someone who lacks it. If you are honest with yourself, you know the difference.

Confident is just who some actors are. Others may have had support from family and friends and/or from of multiple successes. For most, the lack of confidence is an issue that needs to be worked on. Let’s start by considering the value of building your confidence.

Experience creates confidence. The more you do anything, the more experienced and skillful you become. So the more you properly study, rehearse, audition, and work, the more confident you are

about your craft.

Confidence produces freedom. With real confidence, you do not worry about what others think, or failing, thus you have the freedom to be courageous and be yourself.

With freedom, your talent can shine. When actors get auditions, sign with an agent, receive good feedback or reviews, get callbacks and book jobs, etc., it helps them to feel confident. Unfortunately, these events are dependent on the acceptance of others. In that case, confidence can come and go without these “wins.”

Here are nine tips to help you build your confidence:

1. Train with professional acting teachers. When you honestly know that you have a solid acting training, you can believe in your craft.
2. Take improvisation workshops. In professional improvisation classes, you learn to trust your instincts and commit. Once you get over your fear of making mistakes, you experience that they are fun, and that great moments come from messing up. This progression helps you to learn that no matter what happens in class or in life, you can handle it. This type of training goes a long way in building confidence.
3. Always be prepared. Whether putting up scenes in your classes, auditioning for jobs, or working as an actor, always be as prepared as possible. When you are unprepared, you’ll feel most insecure about your work.
4. Acknowledge yourself for your successes. Most of us are quick to find fault within ourselves and what we do. I strongly suggest that you always take a few minutes to acknowledge yourself for what you’ve accomplished, or when you have done your creative best—whether or not you get the job or the positive feedback you desire. This is really important for building self-esteem. When you can be totally supportive of yourself, you will not be dependent on others to feel successful. And while you are at it, acknowledge others. It is great for them and reminds you to always do it for yourself.
5. Learn from mistakes. You are human and you make mistakes—especially when you are moving into uncharted waters. Most learn more from their mistakes than from their successes. So I suggest you look at mistakes as lessons and as gifts, instead of emotionally beating yourself up when you make them.
6. Avoid negative, jealous, angry, or bitter people. Those you surround yourself with affect how you feel about yourself. As much as possible, lose all the disempowering people in your life.
7. Have a full life. The more fun and stimulating activities you are involved with, the less pressure you attach to having to prove yourself.
8. Stay out of debt. Too much pressure is put on booking work when actors have money problems. When your financial life is somewhat in balance, you go into auditions without the pressure of needing the money. 
9. Enjoy your survival job. If you have a job that you dislike, that can create negative feeling about yourself.

I truly believe that if you follow these suggestions to help build your confidence, that it should have a powerful affect on your ability to feel good about yourself, thus do your best auditions and get acting work.a

“Mull” Over these Tips from our IMTA Photographer

Don’t just take it from us, take it from photographer Eric Mull: practice makes perfect!

Eric Mull

Photo courtesy of Eric Mull

Eric got his start in photography at Bowling Green State University where he was hired as an assistant to the university photographer. From there, he became the photo editor of the yearbook and school paper. After school, Eric began working as a construction photographer before beginning his own business at the age of 26.

For the first few years as a small business owner, Eric made ends meet by photographing weddings while taking the occasional corporate or commercial job. On a whim, he began shooting models at the age of 29 and never looked back! Within just five years, Eric had studios in three cities and was traveling non-stop, solely shooting models and actors.

One of Eric’s aims is to help those interested in becoming a part of the industry. His advice?

Photo courtesy of Eric Mull

• When preparing to shoot with a photographer, relax and don’t get nervous 
• Practice your movements and poses in a mirror before your shoot 
• If it’s your first shoot, make sure you only do what you are comfortable doing 
• Do research before picking a photographer! The digital wave has flooded the market with “wannabe” photographers and makeshift studios making it easy to find someone with little or no experience. Don’t just pick the first photographer you find! 

All great tips! Our favorite, however, was in the closing of an email he sent us:

“Modeling can be a great way to meet some wonderful people, to travel and to make some extra money... You will never know unless you try!” 

Photo courtesy of Eric Mull

So, the next time you see a job posting but aren't sure whether to try out or not, keep his words in mind! You will never know how successful you could be if you never try. Keep his tips in mind for your photo shoots, and you will be amazed by how much better you will perform. Good luck!

 To see some more of Eric’s work you can go to his web site www.ericmull.com.

Runway vs. Rachel-way: More Fashion for Less!

 

Hi All! Today we are so very excited to bring you a guest-post from Rachel Whitehawk-Day. Some of you may know of her through Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt. or may have had the opportunity to work with her on Fashion Workshops. Check out Rachel’s extensive background HERE.

Although a role model before everything else, Rachel is a fashion model, self-proclaimed fashionista, author, teacher, mentor, and philanthropist … amongst other things. She agreed to share some marvelous insight on fashion-for-less, shopping and style and is our Guest Contributor today.

 

Read it and be inspired!