Has anyone (adult or your child)ever gone to IMTA? I'm currious if anyone has actually signed with agent from going to IMTA.

Run fast, and run far

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My daughter went to New York IMTA in July. She received 17 call backs and won 4 awards. Most callbacks are from basically nobody's. Just think, would a real good agency need to go to IMTA in search of talent or models? Probably not. My daughter did have a few reputable agents call her back don't get me wrong. But our "mother agency" was suppose to get back with us after IMTA and get with the agents who called her back. Yet, that has never happened. This is Sept now!! Every time I call our "mother agency" it's basically one excuse after another. I even wonder if they just made up call backs?? IMTA itself was a fun competition but if you really think you are going to go and be an instant star, think twice. If you don't have the extra money to waste, then don't go. We had fun modeling and performing yes and enjoyed our trip. It was a lot of fun. High priced? Yes indeed. We could have went on a real nice vacation. I didn't go there with high expectations and neither did my daughter. So, we weren't disappointed. Some girls go there thinking that they are bound for instant stardom and some never receive any call backs. I saw a lot of girls that were totally devastated. It's very sad. There is a lot of misguidance that goes on. You can send out headshots, and dvd's of short monologues out on your own to agents. This is what I am doing now. My "mother agency" has done nothing since we got back and they got their money. The agency was so happy my daughter was going and that she was going to be "our little star" and now nothing from them. It's all about the money. They are now busy signing other girls and guys up for LA IMTA now so we are not in their thoughts any more. If you have the extra money and want to know what it feels like to model and perform in front of a large crowd then it's a good experience but otherwise save your money. I didn't find out until too late. Yes I know, Eva Longoria, Ashton Kutcher, etc came from IMTA but they are few and far beween and "mother agencies" keep throwing that in your face until you hand them your money. I hope this helps.

I think they are a joke. It seems all "to good to be true" when they call you for the initial meeting. Then things start looking fishy when you walk into a room of 50 other hopefuls. I took my daughters and when I called to inquire about it they said they chose 18 out of the whole room and only 1 daughter. They want you to come there right then so they can get your hands on your money before you change your mind. The price of $900 for a 7yr old make me hesitate. When the scout told me she would hate to see her lose her oppurtunity and she had to close her registration that night because the had another screening on Mon. made me leary. I think that they either eant you or they don't. You should be able to be represented whether or not you choose the lessons. Afterall, they are looking at a headshot when they pick you or tell you to go for a specific interview, right? I believe if they would have agreed to represent her, I would have soon enrolled her in the lessons. They are idiots!

Brian went in 2006 and did exceptionally well, winning Jr. Male Actor of the Year Runner Up and several awards. He had 28 call backs both in LA and NY. He signed an exclusive contract with a NY manager. However, we followed up on all his call-backs ourselves - we also sent the information to the "mother agency" but because of everything we had learned in our research on IMTA before he went, we went into it prepared to get out of it what we needed. Brian was in the talent competitions. We got out of it exactly what we needed. We also figured his "mother agency" had over 350 kids to follow up on after the competition and we were not leaving his fate in hands that might be overflowing.

There are no overnight successes, there are no easy paths. IMTA works for some as it has for Brian but can be disappointing for others.

Before advising anyone to go to IMTA, I would say, it is an "opportunity". What you do with that opportunity and follow up of that opportunity is completely up to you. It is not a sure thing. It is a lot of money so know why you are going, what you want, and what YOU plan on doing once you get back. Above all, be honest with yourself. There were a lot of kids and their parents there that never should have been. It was like a glorified summer camp to some, some actually expected to be "found" and were disappointed that they weren't; for some it was their "dream" but they lacked the talent and hadn't dedicated themselves to working at it in the months beforehand, they honestly thought it would be handed to them. If you think you are going to be "found" forget it, it doesn't happen that way. Can you find an agent or manager other less expensive ways. Sure.

Again, for us it worked. Brian is now going to college in NY and is signed exclusively with a NY manager but we never stopped marketing him and he never took any of this lightly and he got out of it exactly what he put into it.

HAL,
If you have a "mother agency", then why would you need to find a new agency through IMTA??

PLEASE don't tell me your "mother agency" is John Robert Powers / JRP or whatever name they're using now.

Exactly, JRP for us as well. But we could not get to IMTA unless we agreed to her taking lessons for $900.

quote:

Originally posted by addisonsommer:
Exactly, JRP for us as well. But we could not get to IMTA unless we agreed to her taking lessons for $900.

They are just un-friggin'-believable!!!

The only thing I can say is take it as an expensive lesson learned and know now not to fall for any of these types of scams again.

Did they actually pitch themselves to you as an agency?!?! Or were they up front and tell you that they were merely a 'school'??

No, they definately pitched it to us as an agency and made us feel like we were driving 2 hours to meet with them and told me to make sure my daughters are at their BEST!

OMG!!!

I went, won an award, got a call back and walked away wishing I'd put my money towards good acting classes instead. What a waste of my hard earned cash! Save your money.

That is so strange! Why does it seem that everyone who goes to IMTA wins some type of competition or award?? Not just here on the boards, but two other people I've met had taken their kids to IMTA and both of them won some competition or award.

I wonder if they actually let everyone win some type of award (in separate competitions) so that they can pitch those types of classes to them later on? Or to say something like "wow, you did great in the comedy competition!!! we should get you some classes to help you with your improv" or "you did so great in the comedy competition!! now, let's set you up with some classes to work on your dramatic skills"

No, not everyone wins an award. The year Brian went there were 5,000 contestants. I assure you we saw a lot of kids leaving there empty handed. I think the reason you are hearing more about kids winning awards is because those kids do have some type of talent or are still trying to get into the business whereas a large portion of attendees just go home and give it up.

I've yet to see an IMTA that approached 5,000 contestants .. but since you were there let's go with that number.

Can we pause for a moment and do the math. Average cost = $4,000 (or more)- so 5,000 x $4,000 = $20 MILLION dollars in revenue ... I hope they could come up with some trophies and awards.

Paula


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