Frequently Asked Questions
What other expenses should we expect in addition to the Contestant “Registration Fee”?
- Photo Shoot
- Marketing Material – Model Cards / Theatrical Headshots
- Travel Expenses if you are not local
- Hotel Expenses (Optional)
- Personal Expenses (Food, etc)
Is there any cost to parents, friends, etc who want to attend the Convention events?
Observer Pass for admittance to competitions and workshops ($75.00 in advance or $100.00 at the event)
Why is a photo shoot necessary?
Models need current pictures to show the Agents. These pictures, to
attract the Agent’s attention and properly market you, need to be taken
by a photographer who works in this industry, knows what the agents are
looking for, and is skilled in presenting the best image. Your Director
will schedule a Convention recommended photographer for your group. This
photo shoot will include the coordination of clothing, hair and make-up
to give you professional pictures.
What is the reason for Model Cards if I have pictures from the
photo shoot?
Model cards are your business card. The Agents will look at
your Portfolio, which is essentially your Photo Shoot pictures to determine
if you are right for their agency and clients. Remember that each
Agent is looking for different qualities and characteristics. Agents
then take your card back to their office to review with other agency personnel
and to be used by the bookers to review and to send to clients. These
Model Cards are also used in your local market.
If I am attending the convention primarily for Acting or Talent
competitions, do I need pictures?
If you have absolutely no interest in Modeling, all you really
need is a good commercial headshot done by a professional photographer. Again,
however you will need some type of “business card” for the Agents to take
with them. The Agents are going to need something to visually market
you. Also, don’t sell yourself short; you may have a look that Agents
are interested in for print work.
Are there special clothing (wardrobe) requirements for the convention?
Your wardrobe for the competitions will be coordinated for you
with the help of your Director using most clothing you already have in
your closet. An exception may be Swimsuit, if you are planning to
enter this competition, which requires a one- piece swimsuit for Females
and boxer style swimwear for Males.
How important is attendance at the schedule training “practices”
for the convention?
The training workshops are designed to prepare you to present yourself
in the best possible manner in each competition. Our
agents expect the models and talent attending the convention are ready for
their market; our training agenda has this is as one of its goals. The
Agents are aware of the content of the training workshops and can immediately
recognize those individuals who have not adequately prepared. This
also reflects on the quality of the convention, Connections insists
that contestants attend those workshops that are directed to their competitions.
Who makes the hotel arrangements to the convention?
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements.
Do we make our own travel reservations? Are we required to
stay at the convention hotel?
Yes, you will make your own reservations directly with the hotel. It
is not mandatory that contestants stay at the Convention Hotel. The Convention
can not be responsible if you miss a competition – Agents occasionally ask
to see individuals during the convention, it is easier to reach you in the
hotel.
What happens during each “Day at Convention”?
Every convention day has a full schedule…from talent auditions
to acting and modeling competitions, workshops and seminars, agent panel
discussions and personal interview with agents. There is ample time
provided between competitions to allow contestants to prepare for their
next event, but each day is busy. Your day will start around 9:00am
and will continue into the evening. Hair and makeup may start as
early as 7:00 am.
What happens after convention? Will I have a local Director
to help me?
Your Director is local and available to assist you. We will follow
up with any agents, managers, or casting directors who gave you positive
feedback.
Important Realities
A word about the MODELING & TALENT INDUSTRY
While the modeling and talent industry offers fabulous opportunities and the chance for financial reward and notoriety, it can also be somewhat mysterious for the beginner. Knowing as much as you can will not only help you and your child, but it will give you peace of mind when you are making important decisions. Knowing the difference in modeling schools, modeling agencies and modeling conventions is a beginning.
• A modeling school offers the education along with the preparation and for their services they receive tuition, A modeling school may or may not offer a great deal of assistance in placement, depending on the laws governing their state.
• An agency on the other hand secures assignments and “jobs” for their models, actors, singers and dancers. They are compensated with a percentage of each and every job from both the model and the client that hires them. They represent the best and want them to be professional and knowledgeable.
• Model & Talent Conventions are organizations that help make connections for aspiring models and agencies. Most conventions will only work with quality Directors who prepare their models prior to traveling. This ensures only the best are being showcased and the agents will return the next year and sign more new faces!
• Being beautiful or handsome is certainly not enough to guarantee success in this industry. Personality, dependability and an understanding of this business is important. Having a positive attitude, being able to deal with the reality of rejection and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a huge plus too!
• Students should maintain superior grades and plan to sacrifice some weekends and holidays to be available to work.
• Pursuing this business should be your dream, if you are of age, or the child’s dream, but not the dream of the parent. Understand success takes time. Even by taking advantage of the networking that a modeling convention offers, the realities continue. You must be marketed to the clients the agencies work with, and you will not be the perfect choice every time. Continue to work on a local and regional basis while in school. There are many professionals with different opinions and they will offer varying professional advice. Listen to what they say, take your time and review everything with your local director, that is what they are there for! Remember, no one can hire you if they don’t know you exist!
• Children should look like children – no make-up! Braces are okay, after all, they are temporary!
• Teens should look like their age, and act responsible. Don’t think because you look older it will help – if anything, someone who is older and still has a youthful look will be in higher demand. (A client can avoid child labor restrictions if the model is of legal age, but can work portraying a younger age!)
•Singers should plan on having a demo tape(s) or CD(s) of three to five songs showing a variety of vocal styles.
•Actors should have committed to memory a couple of short monologues or excerpts, dramatic and comedy. A one minute length is good.
•Commercial print models should be promoted with great “commercial” imagery. Do not anticipate commercial print assignments if you are being marketed with fashion photography.
•Fashion Print models must have great fashion images – clean, minimal make-up and shot by a professional photographer with fashion experience.
•Parents should never hesitate to accompany or have another adult accompany an underage model on an assignment. Remember, it is an adult world, and a child is still a child.
•It is recommended you have a current photography shoot before a convention. You cannot be professionally represented with dated photos or images that have a different color, length or style of hair.
•At a national convention, you will be showcased in a category of similar ages and heights. Ages four through adults are categorized in various age groups…Children, Pre-Teen, Teen, and Adults.
•At a national convention, you will meet the agents and casting directors from throughout the industry – coast to coast and abroad. Because you are not traveling to their locale, they are meeting you halfway at a “career fair” of sorts, your travel expenses are extremely minimal.
•Keep your expenses to a minimum, but maximize your exposure when meeting the agents and casting directors. The more you can meet at one time, the better! It will save you from making those contacts one at a time!
•If you have talent and desire, don’t live your life without trying at least once. Prepare, Smile and Good Luck!
Insight from others. . .
After having supported my daughters in dance and gymnastics for eleven years, the opportunity to showcase their performance abilities to the agents and casting directors attending the national convention was great!
SusanWhat a great event, it was so well organized and a fun event too. I like the small proximity environment. Everyone appeared close knit with genuine concern on how the next one performed. The agents are REAL PEOPLE and much more personable than what I was expecting.
JoAn Whitaker, GrandmotherYou and Rebecca have been so sweet and hard-working the past year! When Laurie signed with you last June, no one could have ever told me that within a year she would be on her way to New York under the wings of a very reputable commercial print agency. I hope she will make you proud in the NY market!
Sabrina Baum, MotherI’ve made more great connections in the industry in just four days than I could have imagined. I also learned that rejection isn’t fatal and it is something you must prepare for, cause it will happen.
Tonya, Age 27Thank you for taking my kids under your wings and providing them with the opportunity to participate in the incredible talent search!
Laura DeChamplain, MotherThis was informative as well as inspirational for Miranda. It really did a lot for her. You have my gratitude and thanks.
Marty Richardson, FatherI attended a local modeling school while I was in high school and now I’m actually taking advantage of what I learned.
Cynthia, 21Again, overall your people were well prepared, so glad to see such professional looking resumes and really nice quality on the cards. I really appreciate your follow-up and look forward to being there next year!
Peggi McKinley, Talent Group MiamiWhat a blast! Everyone so nice and helpful.
Sybil, 10