OK, I haven't said anything on this thread but there are a couple of things that I decided to chime in about.

First...my dd has shot with Nathan. I like the pictures he did of my dd, but I also like the pictures that other NY photographers have done of her. Would I buy his book? No. Did he ask me to buy his book? No. But he knows we have been in the industry for several years so I'm not really his target audience.

Second...Hey Kip! When exactly ARE those kids of yours ever going to book a job?!?!?!?! LMAO!

Third...Actorsmommy, what can I say? Anyone who knows you, knows your intentions and how you are always willing to give out helpful advice. Actorsmommy has put me in contact with some people who have opened up many doors for my daughter that otherwise I don't think would have happened.

Fourth....Bella & Jake, It is very common in this industry to speak of "our" agent or manager. As a very well respected acting coach once told me, it is a commitment of both the parent and the child. You will be making the same investment as your child as far as money, time, travel, negotiations, etc. The only difference is that your child will be in front of the camera and you will be behind the scenes. As long as your child is a minor and you are making the decisions about their career, then you are a team, hence the use of "our" when speaking of your child's team.

Fifth...to help those along who are looking for agents. You can submit to most of the NY child modeling agencies at any time. Go to the websites and look. All the info about how to submit is listed on there. They also have open calls throughout the year. Product very frequently does open calls. Generation, Wilhelmina and Ford all had open calls within the past month or two. If you are looking for a manager, I just saw a listing that JMM is having an open call. All you have to do is take a look.

Okay, that was all I had to say on the subject....carry on!

Okay, I have been laying low for a few weeks, choosing to read without posting, but I feeled compelled to post now to defend kipmil and actorsmommy. I personally know both these two great ladies, having met them through this very board. As a real newbie in this industry, both have helped me and my DD immensely to navigate the waters of this difficult business. They have taken large amounts of their time to answer my many questions, and all of their advice has been spot on. Anyone who has actually taken the time to read thier postings in the past know that they are neither "jokes" nor "not credible," as suggested by the previous poster. Both have a great deal of experience in this industry, and the children are very successful. Yet they are willing to share their knowledge with the parents who, as actorsmommy stated, may well be competing with their kids in the future. It is people like kipmil and actorsmommy that make this board worth reading.

Bethrosenthal and bellaandjakesmom, you seem to take the concern some posters have about NY's business model personally, as if they were suggesting that you yourselves were wrong in buying his book or entering his contest. Nothing could be further from the truth. Each of us as parents must decide what is right for our children. No one is criticizing anyone's decision to buy the book or enter the contest. They are merely suggested that NY's new business model is not one that industry professionals typically use and more closely resembles that used by the "scammers" in the showbusiness world. And I, for one, agree with them, and wonder why someone so respected as NY clearly is would want to have a business model that most in this industry are suspect of.

Now, can we all move on? I think the smartest thing the PARF folks did is close this discussion. Maybe this forum needs to be moderated as well.

You are right, I have taken it personally because I am a friend of Nathan's. As for the comment regarding couldn't get my kids foot in the door without Nathan, wrong. That comment was agency specific however, my kids have been with CLICK since they were little and working might I add. It does not make me less of a person because I do not live in the city and chose to drive there. You are no better person for being able to walk outside of your NYC apartment and hit an audition at the drop of a hat. I prefer my lifestyle walking out of my home looking at 2 acres and driving into the city and coming back home to reality. We are different people, with different tastes as well as different stands on things. I stand up for what I believe in as do you. With this said, I did not even know these silly boards existed before I was emailed the link. I can assure you that agents and clients do not hang around a teen and child parent discussion board. They are busy in their respective agencies trying to book our children. So with that said, yeah I will I agree with you on one thing, I am crazy. Crazy for coming here because you people are vultures and think you are the all knowing.

[QUOTE] I can assure you that agents and clients do not hang around a teen and child parent discussion board. [QUOTE]

You would be surprised by the agents and clients that "hang around" these boards. You said you didn't even know they existed but yet you can "assure" us of who is and isn't here? Like I said, you'd be surprised.

quote:

Originally posted by bella&jakemom:
You are right, I have taken it personally because I am a friend of Nathan's. As for the comment regarding couldn't get my kids foot in the door without Nathan, wrong. That comment was agency specific however Uh, that doesn't make sense, stop backtracking, my kids have been with CLICK since they were little and working might I add. It does not make me less of a person because I do not live in the city and chose to drive there. You are no better person for being able to walk outside of your NYC apartment and hit an audition at the drop of a hat. I prefer my lifestyle walking out of my home looking at 2 acres and driving into the city and coming back home to reality If auditioning isnt a REALITY for you, get your kids out of the bizz now. We are different people, with different tastes as well as different stands on things exactly, they know what they're talking about, and you dont!. I stand up for what I believe in as do you. With this said, I did not even know these silly boards existed before I was emailed the link This isnt a "silly" message board, well it wasn't until your circus showed up. This site has been an outstanding place for actors to talk together. If you didn't know about backstage, it clearly shows you lack intelligence in the bizz. . I can assure you that agents and clients do not hang around a teen and child parent discussion board. They are busy in their respective agencies trying to book our children no one comes to this site to find an agent, so this comment should be stricken from the record. Pull your head outta your ass, and start providing useful comments.. So with that said, yeah I will I agree with you on one thing, I am crazy. Crazy for coming here because you people are vultures and think you are the all knowing.

Please, enlighten us on what is in that magical book for thirty bucks! I've been dying to become a model and from what you and your cohorts have exuded to us all is that this book is the messiah! What does it explain? Are there useful tips of getting agents? Please, elaborate on WHY this book is worth $30, and please explain why it is NECESSARY to purchase!

Ill be waiting for an answer that doesn't wreek of bs, but I'll have my febreeze on hand...just in case.

Nathan Yungerberg the photographer has become Nathan Yungerberg the "talent scout." None of his defenders question this. None dispute that reputable professionals think scouting is a joke and a scam. None can deny there is no legitimate business need for scouting in this business. In fact, he doesn't even defend scouting in his post.

Nathan Yungerberg is a TALENT SCOUT, and that, dear parents, is a scammy business. Praise the person all you want, but when you do, you give legitimacy to a business model that has exploited untold numbers of unsuspecting parents since the beginning of time.

OK people - STEP BACK from the edge.

It's $24.95. I've spent more than that on lunch in the city.

For $24.95, you get:
* a blog from NY (a respected photographer with many years in the business)
* a parent forum - gee, wouldn't it be great if the Backstage forums weren't clogged with print talk...
* a news section - letting you know when and where open calls are available AND
* "the book" which no one can judge, YET

There is also a section called "Scouting" which is 'under construction'. I AGREE, bad title! But again, no one knows where NY is going with that. (um, Nathan, maybe after reading about all the fuss, you might reconsider the 'scouting' thing? Just asking...)

Frankly, this doesn't sound like a bad deal. CERTAINLY, there is not enough info to make such HARSH judgments - we all really have to wait and see how this goes.

Breathe.

Unfortunately we have untrustworthy people in politics, churches, schools, police dept....the list goes on. They all claim to have their best interest in the people who support them and pay their salaries. They are only sorry when they are caught. You have all made your points - it is up to the parents to do their homework and take a proactive approach when starting out in this business.

The book isn't out yet. They are pre-selling the book. This is how it went.
-started writing book
-started website(no fee) to join
-started cover model contest (which was advertised through backpage and craigslist)
-decidied community would pick winner from the final 20
-started you had to prebuy book to join community

You didn't have to be in the community to be in the contest. Many paarents did becuse they wanted to be able to cast a vote. I did thinking I would have a better chance to be in the final 20 if I bought the book. I didn't buy the book thinking it was going to get my children discovered. Like I said before I really was more wanting the free trip to NY. I had already submitted to my agancies. When the final 20 came out I had already received contracts for my three children. I wasn't hoping to get my children discovered but I am sure there are plenty that did. I see the arguement about making people think you have the edge to get your children discovered is scammy. So then asking them to buy the book to get that opprotunity is a little shady. I'm not sure that is what he was going for. I have spoken to him because he personally called me to let me know my pics were not of the right size. So he is a very nice person who does think of others. And if you go through the first post from the vets you can see where they were honestly hoping that Nathan would change because they knew he is great photographer. They seemed to understand he might know that it seemed scammy. In my first opinion when reading the posts it seemed like they wanted to help Nahtan. Then everyone started going crazy. At no point did I see where the were bashing Nathan. Things only got back when all this new people started getting defensive and all he** broke loose. To me the new people have made Nathans new website look worse than it did before. So everyone let just stop it.

Wow, this has really gotten out of hand. Bella and Jake, did I miss something with the comment about people feeling superior (paraphrased) who live in the city? I live in Philly subs and have to drive/take train into the city and I have never felt that anyone on this board feels they are better then me or anybody else because they live in the city.

I think if you and others were to step back from this ONE issue and take the time to look over the TONS of posts by kipmil, actorsmommy and the others, you would see that they are not at all the way you are perceiving them to be. They are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Geez, everyone, just take a deep breath and agree to disagree!

quote:

I can assure you that agents and clients do not hang around a teen and child parent discussion board.

And I can assure you 100% and unequivocally that they most certainly do. Some of the biggest managers and agents (on both coasts) read this board on a regular basis. I know this for a fact. Not only do they read it but they email copies of whole threads back and forth to each other when something in particular piques their interest. You have no idea of the potential damage you just did to your own kids career. And thats all I'll say on that topic. They read this board and I know this from experience.

PS: Your photographer Nathan managed to find his way here within 24 hrs of his name being mentioned. Doesnt that tell you something? But then again...you arent the brightest.

Let me preface my comments by saying I have absolutely no interest in spending valuable time and energy debating with folks I do not
know in cyberworld. With that said, it is
mind boggling how many of you are going on and
on about something which has no bearing on you whatsoever. For those of you who claim to be so
successfully involved in this industry, honestly where do you find the time? I mean, some of you are really working this forum
full-time based on the amount of banter you're engaging in. And you should be ashamed of
yourselves for criticizing the efforts of children because they don't book a certain amount of work or because they didn't get cast for something (that's truly petty). Some parents choose to raise their kids in a healthy, well-rounded way while allowing them to pursue the industry at their own pace. Not everyone has aspirations of being a bonafide stage mom or is counting every nickel, dime and penny their child brings in. NEWSFLASH! For some of us, the money isn't as important as the experience that our kids will get from doing something they enjoy. Lastly, I am not new to this business or naive...to the contrary, I have 30 years of industry experience. I see nothing wrong or controversial about a professional writing a book and using the web to market it. Hello? Companies use the web each and everyday to promote products and services, so what's the big deal? I'm sure some of you are paying the monthly fee to be part of this very site. And as for the term scouting, my translation is as follows; Having the experience to know potential and connecting gifted individuals to entities who can provide opportunites within their realm of interest.
Nathan Yungerberg is a talented, credible &
highly respected professional in this industry. Those of you who have wasted valuable energy slandering him and his company are haters, plain and simple. Please get a life, get a job, get a hobby, most importantly, get off the computer and go spend some quality time with your child.

My kid’s career? LOL! My kids that are in the industry are twelve and seven, they are too young to know what career they want in life and I will not be the one that chooses it for them. Scholastics are top priority around here and juggling the hobby between honor students, school sports and other activities is a bit tough. When they tire of this industry, I will support their decision to stop and frankly their father will too since it is a costly industry for children to be in. Our ten year old son has no interest and we totally support his decision. So reading your post today where you are referring to it as a “career”, it totally contradicts your post yesterday where you referred to it as a hobby.

Me having a defensive opinion against your offensive comments will not help nor hinder my children in their hobby. You have no idea what our last name is and you really do not know if that is their real name or not. Regarding you calling me a dummy last night; you know nothing about us after your many attempts to gain information about my children so who is the dummy here? I have your IP and the demographics behind it, do you have mine? NO!
You also have no idea the work my children have done and you will never know. You and I will never cross paths in the city so who cares what you and I think of one another? You talked trash about people putting pics up on the net yet in your past posts you comment to people who have posted huge pics of their children on this very board and it is not a private board. I have read some of your posts and I will admit some are educational and helpful to the person that has asked for anyone’s opinion. Of course they got yours. Lol!

You and I went to blows because I came on here and posted a nice defending post about Nathan and you and some of your friends would not have any of that. And one of your friends admits she entered her child and they did not make the top twenty. I would bet the farm that yours did not either hence the reason you’re all frosted and commenting on the issue. You started attacking my character and my children the moment I disagreed with you regarding Nathan. You threatened to try to black ball my kids in the industry which I had quite a belly laugh over as did some of my friends in the industry when they got a gander at that post of yours. I bet if you and I were to meet face to face, you would be all talk but no action. A person standing there talking out of the left side of her mouth while kissing my behind with the other.

Regarding the industry professionals that may or may not read this board, I could really care less. We do not eat, breath and sleep this industry like you do. It is plain to see that you do with the number of posts you post each and every day on this board. I bet there is not a day that you do not log on here. Regarding the backstage website; yes, my dear, I knew the site was here for a while and have rarely used it. I do not do a lot of self promoting with regards to my children. That is what their agents are for and I certainly am not a monger of message boards. But to each his/her own actorsmommy.

quote:

you know nothing about us after your many attempts to gain information about my children so who is the dummy here?

I made an attempt to gain info about you? Show me where? you are the one who threw your myspace pages into the forum and included your agents. Believe me, I could care less about you.
And who is the person collecting IP addresses in an attempt to find out info? If you think you can figure out who I am from the 3000 people who have already read this forum and clicked on your pimping myspace pages, then go right ahead. Spend a few more hours obsessing over me.

quote:

And one of your friends admits she entered her child and they did not make the top twenty. I would bet the farm that yours did not either hence the reason you’re all frosted and commenting on the issue.

I never knew about Nathans scouting website, book, or contest until it was first mentioned here (by my so called "friend" who until 2 days ago, I had never known). You are so far off base about everything you have posted that at this point you border on the ridiculous.
Those who know me and my child know that the last thing we need is a modeling contest or Nathan's book. I wouldnt go betting your farm so quickly. Do you even realize how ridicuous you have made yourself appear? You are the talk of the town on this forum and others.

quote:

We do not eat, breath and sleep this industry like you do. It is plain to see that you do with the number of posts you post each and every day on this board.

Right, you only drive 6 hrs to get to a go-see, submitted several times, needed Nathan's help to get an agent, and have spent Lord knows how many hours going back to review my old posts and quote them here. Who seems more interested in who? And let's not forget your pimped out myspace pages of your children. How long did it take you to make those and get the logos on there? LMAO.

quote:

That is what their agents are for and I certainly am not a monger of message boards. But to each his/her own actorsmommy

You certainly seem to have become one pretty quickly. Didn't you say yesterday that you never even knew this "silly" board existed? Yet, you also said you were a member of Nathan's forum. Back stage has a long history of being an industry forum. Nathan's forum, by his own admission was formed for the purposes of promoting his book. Wake up Dummy.

Let me give you a tip: Sometimes it is better to remain quiet and appear an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. You, My Dear, fall under this category. And since you seem to need to always have the last word, have at it. Give us even more to laugh at. This is my last response to you. I dont like wasting time on people that exhibit ZERO common sense or intelligence.
You sound more and more moronic and clueless with each post you make.

quote:

And as for the term scouting, my translation is as follows; Having the experience to know potential and connecting gifted individuals to entities who can provide opportunites within their realm of interest.

Anyone who defends scouting has no clue or credibility. Especially when they join a Board just to do so, as you have.