IMTA - International Model and Talent Association - Help I need Advice!?

I'm desperately in need of advice. My daughter was invited to attend a scouting audition in which top scouts from the IMTA came to a local 'registered' agency to hold auditions for the NYC July convention.

There were roughly 180 children, teens and adults auditioning (age 4-21+). Laura Gentry was one of the scouts, along with Mark Lund, and Nancy Mancuso the Vice President of Operations for the IMTA.

The audition went amazingly well, and I was pulled aside by one of the scouts and told quietly, that she had everything they're looking for. As quoted : "She's absolutely adorable, outstanding camera, film (they taped the audition) and cold read technique."

Please help! I'm looking for advice - Has anyone had direct experience with this? The IMTA is in it's 42nd year, so longevity alone is impressive, along with the sheer numbers of celebrities that are on camera endorsing the convention.

I thank you for reading, and a huge thank you if you have advice and share.

IMTA is very impressive. You do need to keep your head on straight, because they are very complimentary and draw you in.

The drawbacks are that it is expensive and you are taking a risk. There is no guarantee that the agents, managers and directors are going to sign your child.

The upside is that there is no other venue available for your child to have this opportunity and find out if they have what it takes. Your child will grow tremendously during the preparation and experience alone.

I have spoken with other families that have gone to IMTA in January of '08 and they have had positive things to say, except for the cost. The way it is set up is that you are spending less at IMTA than you would going to LA and spending weeks or months there, knocking on doors, hoping to get 5 minutes with the same people.

It's not a guarantee, it's an opportunity.

Good luck to you!

As the first answer said, IMTA is indeed impressive. Many actors and models have received their start there (Ashton, Eva Longoria, Katie Holmes, and Jessica Biel to name JUST A FEW!!). My sister and I are both on our way to IMTA this summer and I have a close friend who has gone twice, each time with different agencies.

The price is a downside, but IMTA does its very best to make you comfortable. Honestly, the convention is what you make of it. My agency is really great about fundraising, and has a really great training program before hand. I guess what I am trying to say is agency makes a difference as well. As long as you are with a solid agency, things should go well.