Wow! I was just surfing the web about modeling and acting and came across the posts about ITS. LOL!!!! Sharon McCarthy is affiliated with ITS? Good for her!! My three children attended another search for a convention called Millie Lewis (AMTC?) about 3 years ago. Sharon McCarthy was the scout out the search we attended. She gave us a lot of info about the biz and my husband and I were very impressed! The price to go to the Amtc convention was extremely expensive and my children had to miss school! As much as we were intrigued we passed. Still looking for some way to get my kids involved.

Just read the post about ITS and Sharon McCarthy, THANK YOU!! I will look ITS up to see where they are auditioning. It is funny to read these posts. When I was thinking about possibly attending Millie Lewis I asked Sharon if I could speak with some past attendees. I spoke with three different families that were thoroughly impressed with her and her staff.

Take it from me, I have attended and researched first hand many different companies regarding this biz. Sounds to me like someone from the AMTC camp is posting negative info regarding other companies including ITS.

If what the post says is true about the pricing and time - sounds good to me since when I attended other convention auditions the pricing was much higher = AMTC included.

My 11 year old daughter has always been interested in acting and singing, so we attended an audition for ITS earlier in '07, not knowing anything about them or the business. We went through the whole process and attended the ITS conference in Miami in Dec. '07. Being stuck in Michigan, we felt it was a good way to see if our daughter has what it takes. All in all, we were quite impressed with the whole event. I felt that Sharon did a fine job, especially finding out later that it was apparently her first one. The facility at The Doral was top-notch, the main room having a runway-type stage with professional lighting and sound system, separate rooms with TV feeds for live commercials and acting scenes for observers to watch on big screens in the main room. Seminars with attending agents and managers were scheduled throughout the week and were quite informative. The showcases for each category were very professionally done. Sure it was expensive - the costs given in this blog by NS Assistant on Nov. 14 are accurate - but I feel that the experience for my daughter was worth it. I must admit we had our doubts as the convention approached. One of the monthly coaching dates was changed at the last minute, the main coach leaving for another job at one point, but ITS picked up the slack and made it happen. There ended up being a couple dozen agents there who seemed to have impressive credentials. Call-backs were not automatic and my daughter recieved a limited number. The agents were sincere and encouraging, giving good advice and methods to follow up. Other participants we met also came away with seemingly legitimate interests in them. The Awards Show on the last day was fine, but we were very disappointed in the extremely inflated cost for the breakfast, when the rest of the participants were let in for the show at no cost. That's something they should change in the future. If nothing else, we got a taste of life in the business, especially for my daughter seeing what high-level performing is really like. It was a memorable experience for all of us, my daughter saying it was the best week of her life. It remains to be seen if anything comes of it, but it's better than uprooting the family and relocating to LA or NY for a month on a whim. I feel it was a great tool for us to follow up and see if we can make something happen.

I have only heard negative things about these conventions except for the International Model and Talent Agency (or Association) IMTA I think it is called...in LA. The performing arts camps give a full scholarship to their camps to the winners...but that's neither here nor there.

For anyone who has attended what agents or managers are there? If you list them, perhaps those of us in the NY or LA can tell you if they are legit. Remember, even at the showcases in NYC where you pay to sing or read in front of agents or casting directors, those people are paid to show up.....and hardly anyone is cast from these workshops.

Sending in to agencies in NY or calling them is always an option. There are many first rate agencies in NYC who WILL take your call. If they like what they hear, then they'll tell you to send in a photo and a tape of your child singing (if they do)...they'll ask you to mark "submission request" on the envelope or something to that effect - it's their note that they've spoken to you.

Perhaps this convention is held in December when business is pretty dead, and it gives these reps from agencies a nice paid vacation. If they are from legit agencies, then they do what they do at the workshops in nyc, they listen to your child, provide a little feedback (if any) and then everyone is happy....the attendees get info on the business, they get seen, the agents are fed for free with no obligation to sign anyone.

Just my two cents...

Read the fine print on the contract! If you sign up and cancel within three days you get your money back MINUS $50. However you want to look at it, you sign..Your first taste of showbusiness.. You have lost $50 person contract. If you sign up three kids and decide you dont want to do it the next day..You lost $150...Read the print.. The lodging is not included and the days of the conferences are during breaks so prices are high for hotels.
Ask for references of past people who attneded these conferences..

AMTC have just started selling their convention idea in the UK. In their advertising over here they don't bother to mention there is any money to pay. They use a very clever sales technique whereby they hold auditions, mainly for children, then they tell the kids who get through that they are very very special, and that their parents owe it to their "special children" to pay the $2500 fee (not mentioned until after a 1 hour hard sell) or they could be holding back their kids careers.
This might not be illegal, but it's morally corrupt.

Ok, I am going to the showcase in December, and what all the people here are saying is not true. Sharon was completely open, and answered any questions we had.

And...

1. She did not give call backs to everyone. In my city there was 40 people + there, and she called back 7 of us.
2. She has coaches come in and train you for the showcase, free of charge.
3. She explains that there is cost. (Give me a break people, nothing in life is free), but it is a reasonable price.
4. She knows what she is doing, and she is in excellent standings with the better buisness bureau.

Check it out people. How stupid can you be.

This is not FAKE! I'm sure none of you have went to one of these, let alone know what your talking about.


http://reports.bosbbb.org/Boston/Public/Reports/BrandedReport.aspx?firm=108109

That's right, Jessica. Keep telling yourself that. The good folks at Bizparents, who've been monitoring these scams for years, know nothing. True, nothing in life is free, but you can get far better training for far less cost elsewhere.

Oh golly gee, Jessica! You signed up TODAY!?!?! Just to let everybody know how great this sca - uh, showcase is?!?!?!

And you've NEVER posted here before? You just wanted to HELP SO MUCH!!!!!!

That is just so.... like.... completely...

transparent?



PS - No, the company isn't "in excellent standings" with the BBB. It's got a satisfactory rating - which is pretty much neutral (after, that is, various complaints were resolved.)

Oh boy. I got an email asking me if I'd ever been to one of ITS' events. As if....

The person writing clearly took it very badly that I had said.... well, as she puts it, "negative" things about ITS (did I? Read my post above) given that I'd never actually been to their events and that I might want to put that in my post "next time".

No time like the present, eh?

I have never been to ITS or anything like it and certainly don't plan to go to (much less pay for) any such events. Ever.

That's pretty clear, no?

Just wanted to bump this thread up for a person who wrote me privately. Lordy, it must be the season. This is literally the 4th "showcase" email I've gotten this week!

--ITS
--Casting Fusion
--"The" (pronounced TAY because the "h" is silent, dontcha know...also handy for making sure no consumer can google it)
--Big Break Hollywood
--Best New Talent
--Worldwide Star Search
the list goes on....

They are all the same: come to an open call to see their scout at NO CHARGE. There you are "chosen" by a "talent scout" with no experience in the real industry. No experience necessary of course, because you are a natural. THEN they tell you how much it costs to attend. Pay, then get "trained" for your opportunty with the agents. You lucky dog, you.

People will go, meet someone they *think* are those agents and casting directors. Even the ones that do attend are the bottom of the barrell.

But the attendees don't care..they got a trophy, got 9 "callbacks", or just had FUN. So they count it as a good experience becuase they were CHOSEN. I'm glad these people aren't abusing you after you pay them hundreds or thousands of dollars. LOL

The sad thing is, these things have nothing to do with the real entertainment industry. It's sad.

A

quote:

Originally posted by henryshowbiz:
...
They are all the same: come to an open call to see their scout at NO CHARGE. There you are "chosen" by a "talent scout" with no experience in the real industry. No experience necessary of course, because you are a natural. THEN they tell you how much it costs to attend. Pay, then get "trained" for your opportunty with the agents. You lucky dog, you.

People will go, meet someone they *think* are those agents and casting directors. Even the ones that do attend are the bottom of the barrell.

Well said.

Years ago as a columnist I covered a "models event" for graduates of a modeling ... whatever it was.

God that thing was awful. We left before the end. Another writer couldn't because he had been suckered into being a "judge" and was on the dais. Even the free booze they gave us couldn't dull our senses enuff to ignore the charade.

We wrote a scathing review which was never printed. Maybe because the charade operator was a display-ad advertiser.

Scams are everywhere and unfortunately, there are thousands of well intended wannabes who get sucked in everyday. Especially for those who have not taken the time to research, no matter where they live. And now with YouTube glamorizing these events with their well edited, make you want to be a part of the fun videos, it's only going to get worse. These companies that get away with this are legally legit, but only in it for the money because they know that most parents would do ANYTHING for their precious children. It's so sad how some parents will go deep into debt or even sell their homes. And then they find out after spending all that money, agents will tell them NOT INCLUDE these events or training on their child's resume. That must, or SHOULD, tell you something.

As someone who grew up in this industry and now as a parent of children in different aspects of the industry, I try to help when I can by helping others learn how to succeed without getting ripped off. I'm grateful that the world of technology has come so far to make it possible to help get the word out. Unfortunately, technology has also helped make it easier for these ripoff companies to move forward. Some people research and listen, others choose to make mistakes on their own, regardless of the cost. I can only hope we have all helped others avoid unnecessary wasted time and their hard earned cash.

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/932105/m/12110087

Also check out the extremely helpful site for parents (thanks henryshowbiz ) www.bizparentz.org

I auditioned in july for the december ITS and got a callback. I really want to go into the entertainment industry and so i thought why not try and see what happens? So far i have been to 2 of the workshops and it seems pretty legit. My coach is awesome and we are getting lots of helpful tips and whatnot. Everyone that has gone in the past that i have read stuff from has had all positive things to say about it but it still scares me because of all of the negativity about ITS being a "scam."
For those who are saying that no good agents will be there and it is all the bran new ones im not so sure that your correct. Do you consider americas next top model to be "low on the totem pole"? They were scouting at the last showcase in july.
If you or anyone that has attended ITS could email me at kristybrt@yahoo.com that would be fantastic. I would feel more comfortable after talking with someone who has attended and just finding out about your expierence would be helpful. thankyou

It's called "INTERNATIONAL Talent Showcase" because they don't care where in the wourld you are from, they will gladly take you money and rip you off.

It would be incredible if people that have no idea what they are talking about could stop voicing there opinion. lets here from someone that has expierenced it.