I know alot of people say IMTA is a scam, but I can't help but wonder why Aston Kutcher (one of their students I guess?) would do it if they are a scam. Idk, but there was an audition at their agency a few days ago and I asked for an interview for agency. What should I expect? I won't pay anything if its not right.

Also I got an email from LaCasting about MZA, or Michael Zunack Agency wants me to send them submissions in the mail. A headshot, cover letter, and resume. Are they legit?

IMTA is a scam! It's NOT an agency nor school! It's one of those OVERPRICED conventions that wannabe actors and models go to in hopes of "getting discovered." They use Katie Holmes and Ashton Kutcher as their success stories to sell their convention to suckers like you. Both Katie and Ashton could have done well WITHOUT IMTA.

The ONLY way these kind of conventions are NOT a scam is if you're the BEST actor, MOST photogenic, and REALLY wealthy. Otherwise, you're part of the 500 suckers who leave thousands of dollars poorer. Based on the posts you've made, you're NONE of those things, so welcome to the other 500.

In fact IMTA has been exposed as being scammy on Dateline:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/...vp/30151247#30151247

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30156875/

Don't get too excited about Scammuck. He sends that out to EVERYONE on LACasting. MZA is one of the WORST agencies you can be with. Agoura Hills? Really?

Obviously, you were too lazy to do your research. Well here it is:

Once upon a time there was a really scammy agency called Zanuck, Passon, and Pace. They were so scammy that industry papers like Backstage would write about them. Some of the most notorious things that they did were, forcing potential clients into using THEIR photographer, getting 15 literal character shots (ie. Dressing like a cop with gear, etc.), and taking THEIR classes. They were involved in "kick-back" schemes!

The agency split in two, one called Dedicated (Jerry Pace and Melissa Cohen) and the other called the Michael Zanuck Agency. Despite, splitting in hopes of bettering their reputations, both agencies still continued the similar schemes described above.

He also gives out a paper on why his agency doesn't shake hands.

Saint...

>>but I can't help but wonder why Aston Kutcher (one of their students I guess?) would do it if they are a scam.
Why? Because people like Katie Holmes and Ashton Kutcher make mistakes at the beginning of their careers (decades ago, btw--and that's the best success they can claim?), like everyone else. You don't see him endorsing this now, do you? NOPE. Not ever.

When you sign up for IMTA (or iPOP, or Barbizon, or JRP, etc) you sign the rights to your image to them FOREVER as part of the contract for the event. Whether or not you hated it, whether or not you find out you were scammed later. They can use your pic forever.

So the star names can't do anything about it.

That's also why you occasionally hear that someone went "on scholarship" -- the convention/school is getting something far more valuable from that person--their image.

>>>Idk, but there was an audition at their agency a few days ago and I asked for an interview for agency. What should I expect? I won't pay anything if its not right.

You didn't have an audition at their "agency". They don't have an agency. They are just a high priced compettion that is run by franchised schools. You will pay for classes.

Come on now...use your brain and google. It sounds like you have already found a boatload of complaints about IMTA. Why are you ignoring them? Because you WANT to believe you have talent? Because you think it will be EASIER?

This is a business. Make a business decision. And the good decisions are not based on dreams or "easy".

A

They are probably being paid to be a part of IMTA. My niece went to this IMTA convention just a few weeks ago and she siad there were thousands of "hopefuls" there. It's crazy that these people believe that something will come out of this....but they are told that they may be discovered and a lot of them are given false hope.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:


Obviously, you were too lazy to do your research.

Exactly.

Maybe if you stopped mocking actors., you'd get more help.

quote:

Originally posted by Morgin Felicia:

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:


Obviously, you were too lazy to do your research.

Exactly.

Maybe if you stopped mocking actors., you'd get more help.

AND learned how to spell. Read some books, for crap's sake. Actual books too, not Archie comics.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
IMTA is a scam! It's NOT an agency nor school! It's one of those OVERPRICED conventions that wannabe actors and models go to in hopes of "getting discovered." They use Katie Holmes and Ashton Kutcher as their success stories to sell their convention to suckers like you. Both Katie and Ashton could have done well WITHOUT IMTA.

The ONLY way these kind of conventions are NOT a scam is if you're the BEST actor, MOST photogenic, and REALLY wealthy. Otherwise, you're part of the 500 suckers who leave thousands of dollars poorer. Based on the posts you've made, you're NONE of those things, so welcome to the other 500.

In fact IMTA has been exposed as being scammy on Dateline:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/...vp/30151247#30151247

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30156875/

Don't get too excited about Scammuck. He sends that out to EVERYONE on LACasting. MZA is one of the WORST agencies you can be with. Agoura Hills? Really?

Obviously, you were too lazy to do your research. Well here it is:

Once upon a time there was a really scammy agency called Zanuck, Passon, and Pace. They were so scammy that industry papers like Backstage would write about them. Some of the most notorious things that they did were, forcing potential clients into using THEIR photographer, getting 15 literal character shots (ie. Dressing like a cop with gear, etc.), and taking THEIR classes. They were involved in "kick-back" schemes!

The agency split in two, one called Dedicated (Jerry Pace and Melissa Cohen) and the other called the Michael Zanuck Agency. Despite, splitting in hopes of bettering their reputations, both agencies still continued the similar schemes described above.

He also gives out a paper on why his agency doesn't shake hands.

I believe you are quite wrong about MZA. My research shows them to be pretty good, according to numerous sources I have quoted here:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...=494107252#494107252

Zzzzzzzzz.

quote:

Originally posted by Denisemm:
They are probably being paid to be a part of IMTA. My niece went to this IMTA convention just a few weeks ago and she siad there were thousands of "hopefuls" there. It's crazy that these people believe that something will come out of this....but they are told that they may be discovered and a lot of them are given false hope.

Funny how some industry reps advise parents through interviews and books they write not to spend $$$$ to jumpstart a career, yet they frequent so many of these very expensive talent/modeling events! Why not hold open calls on their own..said it many, many times. Three or four agencies jump in and share the cost of an audition hall..it's a tax write-off, business expense and on their dime find new fresh faces/talent. For goodness sakes there are some that frequent almost every one of these events/auditions over and over.

Money is tight, economy is crazy, people do not have health benfits, college is crazy expensive the INDUSTRY is way slow right now and there is very little work for the established actors, reality tv producers are making a bundle not even using real actors and thousands are flocking to these events like Hollywood is waiting with open arms.

Applause once again to the industry reps who are truly trying to help the little guys out! We see you!! and are thankful.

You know...I've been debating back and forth whether or not to chime in on this topic since it seems to be somewhat controversial. But those who know me know that I can be somewhat outspoken, so here it goes.

This is MY PERSONAL OPINION based on MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.

I love IMTA. For me, a talent manager, it allows me to see hundreds of actors from all across the country in the matter of a few days. It's one of the most effective uses of my scouting time.

I like IMTA for several reasons. First, it's educational. The conference offers workshops and seminars to the talent that attend. I find that those who attend learn more helpful information about the entertainment business in one week than they could have learned in an entire year.

I have personally scouted talent at IMTA and have found and signed some amazing actors who I never would have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Many of the IMTA actors I have signed are working successfully today in TV shows and feature films.

Sure there are actors who attend this and any other convention who don't win the competition. There are those who don't get any callbacks. There are those who do get callbacks and don't get signed. This is how the industry works.

How many auditions does your child go on? How many callbacks do they receive? How many jobs do they actually book at the end of the day? ONE ACTOR will book the job. Remember that. That's reality.

I attend IMTA to judge a competition and see actors perform. I also attend showcases, acting classes, high school plays, Broadway performances, scour the TV dial, and call actors in from headshot submissions. I have had great success scouting for new talent and that is why I continue to do so.

Is IMTA the only way for someone not from LA or NY to get started? Absolutely not. But it is a viable avenue, one that I recommend in my own book, and one that I stand behind.

When I meet a kid at IMTA who might not have what it takes to compete at this moment in time, I talk to them and help them understand what it means to be competitive in this industry. I tell them that it's not easy, but if it's truly their passion, they should follow their dreams. I don't blow smoke or BS, I tell them the truth. Was it a waste of time to come to IMTA prematurely? Not if they've learned what they need to do and received proper guidance on what they need to work on in their career to get better and achieve success.

IMTA does not promise to make you a star. IMTA does not guarantee representation. I'm not saying IMTA is for everyone. If a family cannot afford to go, they shouldn't go. There are other ways to gain entry to the entertainment industry.

What irks me, however, are those families that do go to IMTA, don't get the callback, and then go around bad-mouthing the event, calling it fraudulent. Sounds like sour grapes to me. If you can't handle not receiving a callback at IMTA, how on earth will you handle the rejection actors deal with on a daily basis while auditioning for projects?

I am proud of my association with IMTA. And I will continue to scout for new talent there for years to come.

well, my only problem with IMTA and iPOP and conventions such as these, is that they are waaaaaay overpriced. Another thing is that they are a competition, moreso than an audition. Now, I work at a JRP. I am a teacher. And I love teaching classes there. Are all JRP's reliable places to get an education? NO. Are there a few good eggs out there? YES. But Im not here to defend them. Lord knows they have horrible business practices. I feel if these conventions were 2500 bucks, yeah, they'd be worth it. But ten grand? I mean, thats a down payment on a home in certain areas. I always went to upta, urta, netc, setc, strawhat, and many auditions like that, and they were very cheap to attend, and I got some great work out of them. I see thousands of kids go to imta, ipop and such, and really, hardly ANY of these kids get work out of it. I always tell my students (especially the teens) that yeah, its a fun week, and yes, you get to meet some famous people and yadda yadda yadda, but that could be ten thousand dollars going to your first year of college. OR ten grand on a first car (my first car cost 2000). They have to have things put into perspective. Now, if you're a rich family with money to blow, then sure, go and do it, because its a blast. But if you are struggling to make it, SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by avidactor:
well, my only problem with IMTA and iPOP and conventions such as these, is that they are waaaaaay overpriced. Another thing is that they are a competition, moreso than an audition. Now, I work at a JRP. I am a teacher. And I love teaching classes there. Are all JRP's reliable places to get an education? NO. Are there a few good eggs out there? YES. But Im not here to defend them. Lord knows they have horrible business practices. I feel if these conventions were 2500 bucks, yeah, they'd be worth it. But ten grand? I mean, thats a down payment on a home in certain areas. I always went to upta, urta, netc, setc, strawhat, and many auditions like that, and they were very cheap to attend, and I got some great work out of them. I see thousands of kids go to imta, ipop and such, and really, hardly ANY of these kids get work out of it. I always tell my students (especially the teens) that yeah, its a fun week, and yes, you get to meet some famous people and yadda yadda yadda, but that could be ten thousand dollars going to your first year of college. OR ten grand on a first car (my first car cost 2000). They have to have things put into perspective. Now, if you're a rich family with money to blow, then sure, go and do it, because its a blast. But if you are struggling to make it, SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!

That kind of honesty we appreciate, thank you!

And on that note I believe there are some really good posts on how to get started in the biz that need to be bumped up.

There is a lot more to these events, leading up to the event itself and the companies involved who are sponsoring the kids and taking them for a ride before they even GET to the event.

I'm not going to even touch this thread, not worth the effort.

Thank you for your honesty...got some bumping up to do now!

I have to add something very important and I as well am very outspoken and this is where I began 12 years ago with a so-called model management company that explained to parents that there was plenty of work in the suburbs outside of NYC..don't have to travel to NYC..after taking photos using their photographer for 750.00 and while a video played all day long in the waiting room...A TALENT CONVENTION!

This was the way you'd be introduced to agents if you want to further your career! Just another $5,000 at the end of the day when u added all the expenses up to get to the event!

For anyone to endorse a convention, well that's their opinion but does that not also endorse each and every one of these companies sponsoring the kids/teens who used their own marketing tactics to entice the kids, cost the parents $$$ on portfolios, possibly acting/modeling classes that were unnecessary or perhaps not run by experienced teachers. Contract issues..a company having the right to a child's image and/or compensation for any work in the future the children may book. There is a lot of behind the scenes before a child ever gets to the IMTA or other conventions. We also have to worry about HOW that child arrived at the convention and if perhaps if there were misleading promises made there.

There is a long history behind how they got there and more than just a parent being upset if a child did not receive a callback. None of this should be taken lightly.

I think there are more than enough messages on this board to shout out plenty of red flags in this industry and although there are no promises made with these events..it doesn't mean that it was okay for a parent to spend thousands of dollars and if they are upset not believe there might be a very valid reason for that.

I didn't have the internet 12 years ago to figure this all out. I walked away and did not spend the money. I didn't know anything about the industry nor did I realize I signed a release that would allow a company to use my child's image to advertise their company...which they did! I didn't know until i got phone calls from people who saw her picture.

I went around and listened to hearings about modeling scams held by a state senator in NYS at the same time the Lou Pearlman Whilhelmina Transcontinenal mess was going on. SAG attended as well and we all listened to the stories and they are real.

There is a lot more to all of this, not just the Hollywood sign, not to being discovered but who the first person a parent/child comes in contact with in this business, totally unprepared, in markets far outside of NY or LA and we hope that one person or company is following industry standards and not providing false promises.

Many parents who don't live near major markets fail to realize that even if they do get an agency interested in representing them unless they plan on packing up and moving to LA or NY or a major market the chances of getting representation by a big name agency are slim to none. Most agencies in LA or NY won't even sign you unless you living within an hours drive of the agency let alone being out of state because agents need clients who are available at a moments notice.

Parent's could save a lot of time and money if they understood this because unless you plan on packing up and relocating to LA or NY at a moments notice paying thousands to have an agency interested in you and then find out they wont represent you because you live out of state isn't worth it.

New Jersey IMTS investigated on Inside Edition
http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=3637