Anyone ever heard of this? They have been advertising on the radio, ITS Auditions, open call for dancers, singers, models, and actors, get seen by talent scouts, possible callbacks. Is this legit, and/or worth the bother?

The website offers no details of what to prepare for the auditions (monologue, song, etc), and doesn't say if there is a fee. The whole thing seems kind of sketchy, but tell me what you think. Here's the website: http://www.itsauditions.com/index.html

RUNAWAY quick!!!!!!! i went to this , ok this is what happens. you get there give them your picture they take another picture of you and you fill out papers. you get a number then they send everyone in this room with a runway type stage. first they ask for all singers then all models then with actors the say number 1-72 then 72-174 something lik that. then when everyones done they give you this brochure thing. it cost like 2500 just to go and then you have to stay at the hotel they want you to and you have to pay for that then if your parents are going to be there they have to pay a fee and they "offer" all this stuff you have to pay for some of its "required" and everyone gets called back because thats more money for them . trust me do not go!

Lol I like how they have stars floating around on their website. MODELING, ACTING, STARDOM... O PLEEAASE. These type of places take a load of money, I'm talking sometimes plus $2,000, to have you "meet" with industry people. You're better off taking that money and investing it in training, professional photos, and self-marketing. Please don't do it, you'll be supporting the Scam for the Arts Foundation (a fictitious yet flourishing foundation).

I agree with Danika - run run run as fast as you can...

I actually attended one of these auditions with my daughter and then went to the call back. We are not participating, mainly because of info found on this and other message boards, advice from people on the fringes of the business and lack of info available about this company.

I would be interested in hearing from someone who has gone through these workshops and convention. At the most recent meeting in Central, PA there were about 40-50 people and/or kids w/parents signing up for this. I imagine there are quite a few that have attending this convention in the past(?). Thanks for any info on this.

woodie

From what I have found out, This is run by the Rhode Island Modeling Agency. It is new this year because last year and in years past the RIMA has attended a Convention like this called Millie Lewis and then this year I guess they decided they wanted the money for themselves... Anyway the reasons why I found out it is run by RIMA is because..
#1 They have the same address
#2 The pictures on the ITS websites used to be on the RIMA website.
#3 The 866 217 MODEL number that is given on the ITS websites used to be used to contact the RIMA about the Millie Lewis Convention...
The RIMA website is http://www.rimatalent.com/aboutus.html

HI Tim,
Thanks for the info. I, too, found out about the RIMA and did a BBB search and it all seems legit to that point. The person running the call back and the auditions, indicated that there was a convention happening 7/31-8/6, in Orlando, FL, this year--and that coincides with the Millie Lewis Convention. However, next years the "ITS Convention" will be happening in Miami. I noticed on the Millie Lewis Web site that they have a convention planned for Orlando at the same time. I am wondering if ITS is "Spinning Off" of the Millie Lewis Convention(?) and/or going on their own (probably for the $$).

I still have yet to find some one who has participated in this ITS audition process or even the RIMA /McCarthy Talent workshops offered in conjunction with the convention.

Thanks again for the info.
woodie

Hello .... I attended the Millie Lewis Convention in January 2007 to see what it was like before signing on. Rhode Island Modeling used to attend the Millie Lewis Convention twice annually with 100-200 attendees. RIMA has recently gone out to do their own convention because Millie Lewis was getting to be too big and it wasn't able to focus on the needs of RIMA's Clients.

I have been debating for awhile whether to reply to this Message Board because my first instinct is to keep what I learned to myself...which has all been very positive....but then that would not be the Christain thing to do, would it?

ITS is expensive but worth every penny in my book. To have the chance for my daughter to meet these casting Directors and Agents is incredible. In my book this training she is getting and then the exposure she will get at the Convention in December is incredible. I understand everyone's concern but I researched Rhode Island Modeling and Sharon McCarthy's background and reputation...all of which are impectable. If you do your homework, I know you will find out what I learned to be true. Or, why not visit the Convention in December like I did back in January to make sure it was the real deal before you sign on with them? Or better yet, call Ms. McCarthy and get some references. The Families at the Convention were wonderful and all very supportive of each other's kids....I feel sure they would tell you about their experience. Good Luck to you all and God Bless! Phoebe's Mom

Thanks Phoebe's Mom. Sounds like something worth looking into.
woodie

OK I need help!! I have recently had my children in 2 different "auditions" They truly have a dream to be actors and I would at least like to give the chance to try. So we auditioned for Barbizon first and I found mostly that they have classes to fill w no promise of even getting into an agency just to be agency ready... A bit off of what I expected especially when they hit me w a $2100 cost.. ok its for training but it was not initially presented to me properly. The nest is ITS who seems to be related to RIMA modeling. They called all 3 of my kids back and while I really hate to be a nay sayer I cannot afford on any level to be taken to the cleaners here. They say most of the kids are actually sponsored to the convention that I am unsure on the name of... it is held in Florida this summer??? Is this legit? Will they actually offer some training and will they actually have my kids in front of agents??

If you want to get your kids in front of "agents" you can just send a photo (snapshot will do). But if you are not prepared to relocate near the agents, I'm not sure how you'll be able to get sent out. Also--how do you know the "agents" at these conventions are looking for talent? I would think there is NO shortage of talent in LA.

My daughter did attend an event with the Rhode Island Modeling Agency (RIMA) and we had such a great experience, we are attending the next convention in December!!!! I would highly recommend ITS as a great way to be introduced into this business. They do workshops with the kids/adults every month, so the participants are truly prepared by the time they get to convention. Not to mention what we have both learned about this industry, not just from our monthly workshops but also from the workshops that were given by the agents, casting directors and scouts themselves at the convention.If nothing else you will leave with a great experience and a wealth of knowledge about the acting and modeling industry. I'm looking forward to this December at ITS and so is my daughter.
I am not telling you that your children are going to go to this event and be the next Hannah Montana, but what I can tell you is that they will be seen by some very impressive people in this business. I have no reason to make this up, I am just a satisfied customer and think it's pretty sad that people who haven't been there to experience this can say such negative things and post nonsense.
PS contrary to popular belief...you can't just send in a snapshot to an agent and think they are going to even give it a glance.

With regard to the International Talent Showcase, Sharon McCarthy DID attend AMTC for a few years until she was let go. AMTC is a premium convention that sets high standards on dress, language, actions & dress. For years they have made it a safe "family" convention that grandparents and siblings can watch without fear of it jumping from a PG to R or X rating. All AMTC directors are expected and execute an agreement to a code of ethics prior participating. After Summer 2006, Sharon McCarthy and her husband were requested to leave. She and her husband decided to start their own convention based upon what she learned during her years at AMTC. I understand that this summer 08 convention is to be held at the Doral Resort in Miami over 6 days. Event price is $2400 which includes 3 categories for auditions (standard) addtional categories can be purchased seperately. A Parent Pass is currently running $200 each. If you both want to go in and see your child perform you will pay $400. This price does not include the reduced rate contracted room price of $149/night, nor the food per day est conservatively at $50/day....and that's when you get there. Prior to convention you will have training that is part of your convention package; however professional photography that is brought in (no your brother or uncle can't take these quality pictures) will run approximtely another $295 for 100 pictures. Out of that shoot-be ecstatic if you get one really great picture! But the kids will love posing though. They really get into the hair and makeup and be warned that you will be sucked into another roll "please daddy/mommy!" After pictures have been picked then comp cards need to be made - usually out of Miami or NY and they usually come at a minimum of 500 which runs $295-$395. But this is your child's business card. You go to convention to hand out these comp cards so that the representatives from the agencies can collect them and bring them back to the bookers. Ever try to verbally describe somebody?? Pictures speaks a thousand words.
On one hand - you are trapped in a hotel with a bunch of agents and directors and they are in turn trapped with you -very great odds that they WILL see you. (Usually when you least expect it and when your child is acting out in the elevator or dining room) At the end of the event there is usually a banquet which is also an additional charge per person - but it's where the trophies are given out....so you end up going. It's a great experience, your child will come away having the best time of their ilfe. But in perspective, you could spend the same amount on dancing lessons and they would get the same excitement from their recital or karate lessons and get the same kick from moving up through the colored belts. Any agent that picks you up is going to require more photos be made and that you be available for auditions. This means that on one day's notice (if you're lucky for that much time) You have to get yourself to the audition site yourself, sit and wait, spend 15 min auditioning and then get yourself back home again. The average booking rate is approximately 1 booked out of 10 auditions. If you life in Florida, Orlando is pretty dead now. The days of Keenan & Kell, Second Noah, Dooley & Co, The Big Blue Chair, they all moved back to LA. The studio units are being rented now for Infomercials, Game Shows and Music Videos. Some non-union commercials and b movies are being cast there also - it's great experience. Miami still has some fashion catalog action but a lot of them moved to SA after 9/11. There are more tv commercials and music videos being cast in Miami than anywhere else in Florida. But again, unless you live in Miami, you have to be willing to drive to the audition 2-3.5 hours, sit and wait, in for a 15 min audition, then drive home and wait. No change in that the majority of the work is still done in LA and NY; some in Chicago, Vancouver, Atlanta. You need to take this into consideration if you sign with an agent from this area, how available you are going to be for auditions in their area? Odds are phenomenal you are going to have to cover your own travel costs to each audition ($3.15/gallon/gas)..which will add up. I can only assume that Sharon leaned a lot from Carey at AMTC and has brought what she learned to her event. AMTC had a strict policy of ethics and morals (no swearing, nudity, no body parts showing, no lude behavior, one-piece bathing suits.) It will be interesting to see how much of AMTC has been intergrated into the new ITS convention. Obviously there pricing is running very close to AMTC's convention. price.

OMG! Have I gone down the rabbit hole into another universe? This kind of stuff has nothing to do with the acting world as I know it-- as someone who has been a NY actress for over 20 years.

Sounds more like a beauty pageant or something to do with modelling. I guess if you can afford it and your child is having fun, but otherwise--what?!

Lots of one-post newbies speaking out in favor of this here...

Save your $$$. Take some classes, maybe even ones with a showcase component, instead.

Waste of money. Seriously.

Think of it from this perspective -- from an agent's perspective. You live in LA. You have an agency with 110 working actors and actresses whom you send out on castings DAILY. Every day you're not at your desk is a day of potentially missed casting decision calls from casting directors, a frustrated actor or 5 who are pissed they can't get a hold of you to ask you something VERY important, and a day of missed casting notices.

You're going to miss out on potentially THOUSANDS of dollars in business EACH DAY, for all 3-5 days of this silly convention (remember, you only make money when your actors work, and work for good pay) to go to what is essentially a pay-pageant in the midwest to see untrained, questionably talented, NON-SAG (read: low earning potential) children and their parents (who are NOT going to be moving to Los Angeles or NY any time soon, nor will they let their little snowflake travel alone) strut their stuff?

Are you kidding? The only agents showing up will be either scam artists or TOTAL newbies to the business, who have ZERO clout to speak of. No clout in LA or NY = none of the actors they represent will be cast for anything meaningful.

Besides, a kid/teen's ability to putz around in stupid clothes and overdone makeup says NOTHING of that child's potential to actually MAKE IT in modeling, acting, or any other genre of performing talent. So they pay $2500 to go to a stupid convention in Florida (not a hub of acting talent, FYI) from Chicago or Connecticut. So what? What if they DO get representation? Will they move to NY or LA to show up to auditions? No.

For $2500, here's what you CAN get in LA:

Rent - $800 for a studio in Venice or Santa Monica for one month

Commercial Class in LOS ANGELES from a teacher with REAL INDUSTRY CLOUT, and lots of it for 4 weeks: $220

Food, new clothes (from the Fashion district!) - $600

Rental Car from Rent a Wreck to get you to your important castings and agent meetings for ONE MONTH - $350

Headshots and 300 reproductions - $350

Membership on LA Casting - $69 for the year

PLUS you can actually get cast as background while you're in LA without experience AND get an opportunity to get your SAG card.


Yea, so basically... fuck this silly convention. Just spend your cash on a month in LA. If it doesn't work, oh well. If it does, then you will have WISELY spent $2500 over the course of a month, instead of a weekend.