To read a day-by-day account and see lots of pictures from Macey’s Mom’s journal, visit Allen Family of 5 Blogspot

As Christians, we want to imitate Christ. When I became a committed Christian at the age of 51, I prayed in imitating Christ that I might bear His virtues: patience, kindness, humility, generosity, love, and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, it’s painfully obvious that Jesus bore much more than virtue. He bore a cross. He bore persecution, lies, and all of our sins in the world’s most self-sacrificing act. He made it possible for people like me to be forgiven, and even to forgive those who harm us.

The Bible says, “Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations.” (James 1:2) I am tempted to defend myself. I am tempted to tell anyone reading this blog everything wonderful that my mother, my company, and my staff have done over these many years. Instead, I thank God for His strength, His patience, and His blessings over AMTC. I am thankful for the excellent talent, families, success stories, and industry support He has brought us. I thank Him for His love, and I thank Him for Jesus.

AMTC will continue to be bold. I am a bold defender of truth in the talent industry. I am bold in believing that modesty, integrity, family values, and loving God can not only peacefully coexist in the entertainment industry, but can actually lead it to improvement. I am bold in asking for clean faces on teens, clean lyrics in songs, and clean words in a monologue. Am I alone? Certainly not! Are Christians in the minority? Yes, but we are the strongest minority.

Is AMTC just for Christians? Read my article entitled Actors, Models & Talent for Christ in our Reading Room.

As for cyber slander and negative blogs, it is written, “But shun vain and profane babblings: for they will increase as to more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a cankor.” (2 Timothy 2:16-17) With thanks, love, humility, and a continuing commitment to unite the best people in the Talent Industry, I follow God.

Carey Arban

“How is everything going? I’m really bad at keeping in touch, but please know that I have been praying for you and am so proud to be a part of Actors, Models, and Talent for Christ! Yes! It’s so awesome to know that there are Christians in the industry that know that their work and beauty is purposed to glorify God. We are the Esthers and Davids of the world and as long we continue to put God first and use what He has given us externally to show the light that is in us through Christ our work here will be fulfilled!

Anywho, seminary is awesome awesome AWESOME! I have gone into full-time ministry at an incredible church to 10,000 people! I am the Director/ Youth Minister of the R.I.P. the Runway Young Women’s Ministry and am now teaching 200 girls twice a month! It has been absolutely breathtaking to see how God has used my experiences in the industry to theme and run a ministry teaching teenage girls that they are God’s Couture and they can be fashion forward and “cool” and be a strong Christian young women…. all the while walking it out for His purposes! Words cannot express how incredible this journey has been.

Thank you so much for everything that you have done for me over the years. You and AMTC have played such a pivotal role in the woman that I have become and I will be forever grateful for you, your family, and the countless friendships and relationships I’ve made over the years. I am truly blessed to know such an incredible woman! You are a light in the world! :o)

I am finally attaching photos from my years in the business. Clearly some of them were before I turned to ministry, but I wanted to give them to you anyway. I actually will be in Pageantry Magazine sometime soon (I don’t even know) for a gown designer, and I am shooting a cosmetics campaign. :o) Little jobs here and there. I’m definitely not cool like everyone else anymore… but I’m thebomb.com in Jesusland. :o) Please let me know if I can do anything with you guys soon… you know I’ll be there!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!

Austen”

*For more about Austen, see Austen’s Top 100 Success Story page or Austen’s Video Interview

One AMTC Contestant’s Story!

“I met Ian Burke at the 2008 Winter AMTC Convention. I had completely bombed my one opportunity during the talent competition, and I needed a miracle. When the time came for speed networking, my agent, Marion Webb of Marion Model & Talent Agency (M.M.T. Agency), handed me my envelope and enclosed was a list full of agents that I could meet with in the given time frame, but she had only one name highlighted for me to see, Ian Burke of Launch Pad Entertainment. When I got to his booth and told him that I was a Christian rapper, his first response was, “What makes you think that I am interested in a Christian rapper?”

I told him that I assumed he was interested due to the fact that on the speed networking sheet, his interest read “…gospel singers and rappers” along with some others. However, I did not know that the two were totally separate. I played a little of one of my songs for him, and he said he would listen to the rest when he got back to his office in Atlanta. I sent him a message on myspace a few weeks later asking him what he thought of it, and he replied that he love my music. He just needed to know what he was going to do with me. So, I told him to call me. When he called, he told me that he liked my style and that it sounded better than most Christian rappers that he had heard. After a month or so, I had a meeting with Ian at his Drift City Records office. At the beginning of the meeting, I was completely lost. I had no idea as to how to answer any questions that he threw at me. He was up front and very honest, however. He said that I was a double negative, one I am a Chrisian rapper and two I am a female, neither of which sell that often on the Hip Hop charts.

I told him that I had a different sound that the world needed to hear and that I would not compromise. He said that he was not asking me to compromise. He said that he was interested in making money, his relationship with God was between him and God. I made it clear that my heart was focused on saving lives and making a difference. I respected his position and insight and he respected mine. Afterwards, he had me perform for him. After I finished, he asked me one simple question, “Are you willing to allow me to do whatever it takes to get you out there as long as I don’t cause you to have to compromise your values, beliefs, or morals?” With the favor of God on my side and God’s plan for my life in my heart, I gladly answered, ‘YES!’ “ To hear Rayne’s Music, visit Rayne’s myspace page

So, as of May 31, 2008, the Insider Scholarship will be no more. Instead, we’re going to take scholarships to a higher level. Project Dream Repair (or PDR) is the “vehicle” AMTC uses for charitable outreach. Check it out for yourself!

We’re believing there are people out there who possess the passion, calling, and gift to perform, but need some help along the way. And we’re here to help you see if you have what it takes to follow your dream.

Thank you, Insiders, for your essays and emails. We’ve enjoyed reading them and getting to know you better.

• Do you want to know what it’s like to go for an open call to a New York high fashion agency?
• What should an actor’s headshot look like?
• How do agents choose their talent?
• What are the other ways to “get discovered?”
• What agents are coming to the next AMTC?

You can find answers to all of these questions and so much more!

If you are a past, present, or future contestant, register for amtconline.com! Don’t forget to check the bulletin board for new announcements!

AMTC Europe Scouts Include…

Erika Vincent, The Biz Theatre School, Official Scout for the Surrey Area, U.K.

From Erika, “Just wanted to say a big Hi to everyone involved with AMTC. I hope you are all prepared because the Brits are coming! We are just so excited that we are finally going get the same chances as all you folks in the US have had for years. There is so much talent here in the UK and especially in Surrey where we are based and we can’t wait to show you what we can do.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you and tell you a little more about us and why we are so delighted and honoured to have been appointed the official scout for the lovely leafy County of Surrey, near London in the UK.

I run The Biz Theatre School and our agency, Biz Management, based in Surrey. I have been in show business for over thirty years since making my stage debut at the age of four in a Royal Gala in The West End. Since then my career has taken me to the English National Opera Company at the London Coliseum where my performances included La Traviata and Simon Boccanegra, to The Royal National Theatre where I performed in the European premiere and Olivier award winning production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George, and into The West End where my credits include Maria Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes with Ron Moody at the Cambridge Theatre as well as numerous productions such as West Side Story, Mr Cinders, The Merchant of Venice, The Wizard of Oz and The Beggars Opera many shows such as The Wonderful West End and Showstoppers.

TV appearances include my television debut at the age of nine in Junior Showtime, several Royal Variety Performance (Where I was honoured to perform in front of HM The Queen, HRH Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family) and feature films such as Heaven’s Gate with John Hurt and Kris Krisstoferson, (directed by Michael Cimino). I also have extensive experience as a Director and Choreographer for several Musicals including Annie, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Tours, Summer Seasons and Pantomimes.

As an Executive Producer, I have been responsible for productions such as Lettice & Lovage, Huckleberry Finn, Kind Hearts and Coronets with Robert Powell and Colin Baker, The 39 Steps starring Simon Ward and George Sewell, The Ladykillers with Tim Brooke-Taylor, Dulcie Gray and Brian Murphy, Passport to Pimlico with Ian Lavender and Kate O’Mara as well as pantomimes and summer repertory seasons. I also directed and produced for The Biz Youth Theatre Company, very successful productions of The Wiz, Oliver! and Guys and Dolls, which has raised over £10,500 (over $20,000) for local children’s charities such as CHASE (The Children’s Hospice Association) from our last three productions.

Having gained all this experience, I am so keen to pass it on to the next generation and for them to really have the opportunity to live their dream. For me it was a hard slog all the way, countless auditions, countless rejections, being told I was too small, too tall, too fair, too dark, but I never gave up and kept trying. At least in my day they had proper open auditions, which is how I got my first big break in the West End Production of West Side Story. Now because of shows like Pop Idol etc, most companies do not have the time to waste with open calls seeing ‘no-hopers’ who just want to be famous but are not prepared to put in the graft. This is why it is so hard now to be seen by casting directors and agents when you are just starting out in the business. This is why I believe in AMTC and the fantastic opportunity and training it provides and why I am so keen to get involved. How wonderful to have access to all these top people in the business in one go and to get the chance to meet the sort of people it would be impossible to get to see in the normal way. We are really looking forward to learning so much from the whole experience. My one regret: I wish they had AMTC-Europe in my day!! For further details contact enquiries@thebizgroup.co.uk or Tel:01483-765548

Gillian Oman, Dip RTS ALSM, Official Scout for the Dublin Area, U.K.

Gillian’s career in Film and Theatre spans the last 20 years and includes experience acting, casting, crewing, teaching, directing and producing. Gillian completed her Performing Arts training at Redroofs Theatre School in the UK and worked professionally as an actress in the UK and Ireland for several years. Probably best known in Ireland for her role as Caroline Clancy in Fair City she started the Independent Theatre Workshop almost 15 years ago, and it has grown to be one of the most respected and successful Theatre Schools in Ireland.

From Gillian, “ITW has enjoyed great success in this time training our students to the highest standards in Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre and Singing. We also have a thriving Youth Theatre Company; IYT and students taking their Speech & Drama Grades right up to and including their Teaching diplomas. Many of our students go on to work professionally in the business on stage and screen both in front of and behind the scenes. The ITW Agency has provided literally hundreds of young performers in Film, Television and Theatre in Ireland, the UK and further afield in Canada and Europe too.

We are looking forward to bringing some Irish Talent to AMTC in November. It is hard to get seen in by top agents & casting directors especially when you are not Dublin/London based, so we are thrilled to get this opportunity and hope it will open a lot of doors for performers from all over Ireland. This will be a chance for people with talent, drive and ambition to meet and get advice and training from the people who know the industry the best and to discover if this is the career for them and maybe even be discovered!

The next Irish Auditions take place during April and May. Please contact amtcdublin@mac.com to register for an audition. You can also visit our website www.independent-theatre-workshop.com for more information on our school and agency.”

Our most recent Theatre credits include:

2007/08
High School Musical Show – Eurodisney Paris
Motel – Fiddler on the Roof, Savoy Theatre, West End
Prince – Cinderella – Cork Opera House
Various Lead roles – Jack and the Beanstalk – Olympia Theatre
Young Pip and Young Estella in Great Expectations- The Gate Theatre
Oliver!- National Concert Hall
The Trojan Women – The Empty Space
Anything Goes- National Concert Hall
Julius Caesar – The Abbey Theatre
Troy – High School Musical, Liberty Hall Theatre
Dancers – Chess, National Concert Hall
Chorus -Magic of the Musicals, National Concert Hall
Ensemble – Sweeny Todd, The Gate Theatre
Girl – Blackbird, Project Theatre
Julius Caesar, Abbey Theatre
Anna Karenina, Gate Theatre
Surfia, Duffus and Young Keano in I, Keano – National Tour

Niki Robinson, Official Scout for the Berkshire Area, U.K.

Niki Robinson is the owner of Artemis Studios based in Berkshire, UK. Niki has worked in film and television since she was 8, and attended drama school in London before co-running a resident theatre company at the UK’s third largest Arts Centre. Artemis is her second school, and students study full and part time in dance, acting and music. Euro AMTC will be Niki’s 5th AMTC convention, having supported students through 4 U.S. events with amazing results. Artemis is proud to be part of the AMTC family!

Please see details for Niki’s upcoming AMTC auditions on amtcaudition.com or you can contact Niki at niki@artemis-studios.co.uk. or call 01344 429403. Visit the Artemis Studios website as well!

Congratulations to all past and future Insider Scholarship Winners!

Julia Keeley
for the Insider’s Club

This is a VERY late, and hopefully helpful letter to all the parents out there who are considering AMTC:

First and foremost, I am so very proud that Steven got his start with a Christian based competition!!! This business is tough. At AMTC, friends and camaraderie surrounded him- that I know he could not have gotten anywhere else. He got TRUTH, and was protected, he learned and excelled. What a privilege to meet all the wonderful agents, managers and guests that AMTC had in store for him. With HALO as his Mother agent, he got superior training from a loving, firm, experienced, knowledgeable, and Christian source in Stephanie Duke. When he got on the stage at AMTC, he did so prepared with poise, and prayers. He did great with the confidence she helped instill in him! He met many other wonderful directors that he also learned from, once at AMTC. As a parent, we have loved getting to know the AMTC family and appreciate all the support you have continued to be in Steven’s career.

Also as a Mom, I have a lot of advice for other parents. Sometimes, I almost think, I might really “know” this business. Oh, how we all want to be an expert! LOL, but truly every time I think I have learned a lot about this business, I learn something else!! How ever changing it can be, but some things are constant:

*One of the things I have learned and in my mind the MOST important, is HOW important it is to make sure your child realizes that his or her value is NOT in talent or looks or voice. It is in the fact that they are children of God, and their worth is so valuable to Him that He sent His only Son to pay the price for their mistakes, their sins. Without God, our self imposed worth is simply temporal, but with God our worth is ETERNAL, no matter how successful we are or are not on this earthly stay.

Parents please above all, LOVE your children. It breaks my heart to see some parents convince their child that they have to perform or look a certain way to be accepted. We are all accepted by the heavenly Father; we just have to ask! SadIy I have seen in more than one waiting room as Steven was on auditions, some sad examples of “stage” Moms and Dads. How sad to see children literally RUN out of an audition … in tears!!! Even worse to hear a parent yelling at a child just outside the door!

*Make sure parents understand … if your child is not tough, and able to handle rejection, don’t put him through this…. If we didn’t believe in Steven’s GOD given talent and looks, and I repeat, GOD GIVEN, and that God is going to USE Steven in something to glorify the Lord, we would have easily stopped by now… I can’t tell you how many times I have had to be a cheerleader when he came out of an audition, when inside it was breaking my heart that they just didn’t see my “perfect” child as the one for the part. Mom, be prepared to have a good game face, and a strong pair of kneepads, because when they leave as Steven has, to travel half way around the world, you are gonna be on your knees praying a lot! It is tough to see him get on a plane to NY, or Korea, or Japan, etc.! I am still developing a tougher “hide.”

*Another issue is financial, remember, PRAY about how to manage your child’s business. I cannot stress enough, how important it is to have some money backing you in this business. I really believe, if Mike and I had more money to back him while he started, he would have already landed something big in Hollywood on film or TV. We have learned that the huge expenses it takes to start up in this business are very prohibitive for a middle-income family like ours (especially with a Mom now on disability). But I don’t think it is wise or good to go borrow money to get your child into this business, and that is pretty bottom line biblical. God I believe will honor not putting the family in debt, and Steven is appreciating more and more, as he is learning and earning!

*Finally, a VERY important point … that we were told at AMTC, but I am just not sure is sunk in completely…...In fact I know it didn’t…Please, PLEASE tell all the parents out there, THIS IS NOT AN OVERNIGHT BUSINESS… Steven has had continual work since he started. He had a lot of callbacks, and he was off to NY for an audition for “All of my Children” immediately after AMTC. He started out with a bang and hasn’t stopped yet.

Some of the agencies he has been or is currently signed with are: Halo Talent, Elite Atlanta, Elite Chicago, Hotshots Kids, JPervis Talent agency, OSBRINK- LA, NY models, the W agency in Seoul, Korea, The Cosmopolitan Agency in Osaka, Japan, and has verbal agreements with several others that become signed when he is in those states. ... Sounds great right?

BUT- the expenses to pay: gas for castings, return call backs and jobs, comp cards, head shots, resumes, photo shoots for comp cards, clothes for the model bag, makeup (yes even for boys), hair stylings, gas for all of that, parking, airline tickets, hotels, restaurants, living expense, his apartments overseas, interpreters, taxies, renting a car, transportation, chauffers, acting classes, private acting coaching, living expenses for other states, and a car for L.A., (as he is not old enough to lease or rent a car without me!!!) Food, passport fees, insurance for another state, website ads, every agency charges for web profiles-yearly, and we have not even gotten into the SAG and other union dues yet!!!

All that takes time and money. Steven is working also at Aeropostal along with the modeling to help pay expenses so he can continue saving for L.A. How blessed are the families who have the money, or the opportunity to just move their family out there, but even they have challenges!

*Now, on another side, Steven CHOSE to finish High school here in GA. and in doing so, got some great opportunities and training in both Black Box Theater and stage presentations. Grayson High has a very high tech drama department, and Steven starred or directed in about every performance his senior year, in both State competition plays and musicals. He got to go to his HS proms, and activities, and he has great memories to pull from for acting from those. We believe he chose wisely. Steven also did some heart felt praying and true investigation about moving before graduation. He decided it would be good to “finish” being a kid”... and we are glad he did. He also found he was that age, that the directors would choose and older guy over him if they could. He is blessed that he LOOKS at age 19 like a 16 yr. old most of the time. This will help him in LA, because he realized that for every job he went up for that had a 19 yr. old that was out of school- that the directors preferred them, due to not having to deal with on set teachers etc. His call back from the director in Louisiana was a truly interested director, but an older kid that LOOKED younger got the job. So parents of almost legal or almost graduated kids, think hard about moving your child out of school. Every agent we have been in contact with has stressed EDUCATION first!

As much as possible, even before he was legal age, we have tried to make sure the decisions in this business were Steven’s wishes. Discuss things even with a younger child; make sure this is what he or she wants to do… Not your dream that didn’t quite make it.

*To Summarize all that last part, even though Steven started out with all the interest, and all the call backs, He has not made the move because of money… So, all that said, I really encourage parents to be aware, unless you have a bank roll, a rich auntie, or are rich yourself, don’t feel bad if your child isn’t able to participate in everything right away. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT that doesn’t happen overnight!

Investigate and move forward with knowledge. LISTEN at the AMTC seminars and take NOTES!! AMTC is the best teacher and tool we have had!

Now days, We are looking at it as Steven is earning his dues, and truly learning. He is getting stronger through the process, and growing wiser. Being patient has been hard, but the Lord is teaching us all through it. In appearance of all the great successes he has had, you would think he has a lot of money, but the cost so far is just starting to break even! With us entering our 4th year since he started, wow, hard to believe, it has been a great ride, but not financially strong yet. But the perks are neat so they must be considered. Think about it?

HOW many 19 year olds get to travel the world and see it’s many wonders!

The best thing for us though is STEVEN LOVES what he is doing, and that said, IF for some reason he didn’t “make” it in Hollywood, he wants to be a Drama teacher.

As for me, I happen to believe with ALL MY HEART, more now than even when he went to AMTC in 2004, that God has gifted Steven with his talents and looks for a reason, and that Steven is going to be successful in Film and or TV, etc., to the Glory of our Lord! Steven loves people, and he Loves God, I know he loves to introduce people to God… I continue to stand on, “it will be wonderful to see what God does with Steven!!!” I MISS him terribly while he is gone for months at the time modeling and living in a different country, but I am so proud of him, and for him! He knows, Mom and Dad will always have a bed ready for him when he comes home too:)))

My Love to all at AMTC, and HALO… Thank you for being the family friendly, Christ Centered, group of people that you are! Steven feels LOVED by you all, and we know that isn’t just a feeling … thank you for all the opportunities AMTC has afforded to him! Sorry about the long book letter:)

My best advice to parents out there, LOVE your kids so much that the business is just a fun way to express the talents God has given them!!!

In Christ’s Love and service,
Debb Showalter

I received your message about posting my comments on your blog. I don’t know if you received my email because I was at the airport, and I sent my response via cell phone, but absolutely. All of my success is first and foremost, God; all the glory be to Him and I am not ashamed to say it. He led me to AMTC to get my start. I will pray that God continues to have favor on your family, because what you are doing for kids and young adults in this industry is amazing. The talent industry needs to have all of God’s children stand up and declare war on the enemy, by standing up for Jesus and bringing back values to television and film.

We need to continue to make a statement and let the world know, that there are people who still believe in morals and values. AMTC opens up the doors to up and coming performers that are truly role models who represent God through their testimony and their God given talents. I will continue to testify and glorify God’s holy name in all that I do, knowing that He is going to continue to take me higher …................all the way to the Oscars!!!!. That night I will make sure the industry knows who got me there. Once again, Roberto and I thank the AMTC family for giving us our start and for this we will always be in debt to you.

Sincerely,
Laimarie Serrano

Growing up in this industry as a model and a trained singer, I am often surprised at the “raw” talent in vocalists – singers with very little or NO training. Many of you come in and blow me away with your singing! Here are a few tips to incorporate into your daily vocal training to help make you the BEST singer you can be.

MOST IMPORTANT: Always warm up your voice before singing. Take 10 to 15 minutes and start with facial movement, rolling of the tongue, and singing scales. If you don’t know how to do this, ask a choir teacher at school or in church. You can also learn “do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do.” Never sing without warming up! You can strain and damage your vocal chords.

Limit dairy products and foods high in sugar, especially before singing in an event. Always drink lots of water.

Open your mouth when singing to AVOID a nasally tone in your voice.

Enunciate your words when singing so that everyone will understand you.

Song choice is key. Make sure to choose songs in your vocal range that are age and style appropriate for you.

Practice, Practice, Practice! You should be practicing daily. Sing in front of the mirror; critique yourself as objectively as possible and try to improve your performance. Pay attention to other performers and learn from them.

The music industry is changing! Learn a musical instrument. Try to write music. You never know what you can do UNTIL you try!

Wanting to be a singer is not enough. You MUST pursue your dreams to make it happen. This takes determination, hard work, practice, and continued performing in whatever venue you can get. Church, community theater, and schools can be great sources for training, experience, and performance.

Good luck to you all! And remember to use your God-given talents to glorify God!

“We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us.” Romans 12:6

Marion Webb
Regional Director AMTC

The fast paced, exciting, adrenaline-filled week of AMTC has ended. You say goodbye to your newly made friends, take a breath in and realize you did it! The week went well and ended positively- you learned, you performed, and you thrived. For most, AMTC is the first taste and experience of the industry- all put together for you and presented safely in a pretty awesome package!

But after it all ends, what do you do to make AMTC your everyday life, your career? How do you take the next step down the road that so many eager stars before you have paved?

Step 1: Rest.
Take a day or two to unwind and relax.

Step 2: Take Comfort.
Take comfort and pride in your accomplishment. You did it!

Step 3: Process Everything.
Take in all you learned. Collect your notes from seminars, workshops, call backs and/or speed networking. Write down the advice agents gave you while it is still fresh.

Step 4: Appreciation.
Most important step! Thank God for the opportunity and strength. Thank your family or loved ones who helped you through the process. Thank any sponsors who helped you get to AMTC. Thank the VIP’s you met by sending cards and 1 picture. Thank your Director or Instructor and any staff who helped you on-site through the process. This is the best training for your life in the industry. Enthusiasm and appreciation are musts!

Step 5: Game Plan.
Sit down with your family, loved ones, or trusted advisor, and decide what is best for you to take your career to the next step. Do a little soul searching. All plans and paths will be different, but all include several of these:

*Finish School!
This is a must for all game plans.

*Work on Yourself and Your Trade.
Improve your skills and take local classes. Take the advice you learned at AMTC and go with it. Bottom line- get involved in everything you can in your town. There is no excuse for you not to be involved!

*Visit Local Agents.
Visit and try to sign with a reputable local agent. If you live near a nice sized market (Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, etc), schedule an appointment to meet. See if it’s a right fit. If so, this is a great way to stay at home while pursuing the industry. *Important- Run names of anyone local by AMTC Staff or your Director for reputation and advice.

*Take a 2-3 Day Trip to Visit a Major Market.
Visit major markets (like LA or NY) to meet with contacts you made from AMTC. This is a good way to test the waters, gauge the VIP’s interest in you, see if you like the city, and if you are ready to make the jump into that market. You can make these appointments on your own or ask the help of your Director or Instructor.

*Work or Test in a Major Market During School Breaks.
An agent you met at AMTC, feel comfortable with, and are excited about is ready to test you and/or work with you during breaks from school or through direct bookings. Many successful actors or models begin with this step.

*Move for Extended Period to Major Market.
An agent you met at AMTC, feel comfortable with, and are excited about is ready to sign you- wants you to move immediately! In this case, a normal length of time to relocate is 2-6 months. This is a big and exciting step! You must involve your AMTC Director or Instructor for help!

Step 6: Meet.
Plan a time to talk to your Director or Coach from AMTC- in person or over the phone. You take the initiative. Talk to them about your game plan. See if they have any advice or how they can help.

Step 7: Take Action.
Yes, the Talent Industry can sometimes be the “hurry up and wait” industry. So, be patient, research, and ask lots of questions. Put trust in the knowledge you gained at AMTC. However (this sounds like a contradiction), don’t wait for the industry to come to you- take it on by storm!

When someone asks:

Q: Will I be jetted off all-expenses-paid across the country and onto a TV show, starring role on Broadway, or cover of a magazine?

A: 100% NO!

Q: How then did all of the huge AMTC successes get their first big break after leaving AMTC?

A: It takes…
Hard Work
Follow Up
Grace and Charm
Talent
Making Contacts
Attitude
Positivity
Drive
Spirit
Appreciation
God

Step 8: Wild Card
If you have completed the above steps and need more help- email me! AMTC and I are more than willing to help anyway we can. In addition, we will try to put you in touch with a working AMTC success story- for more tips and advice.

Before Step 8: You must have taken a good shot at steps 1–7!

Lexy@millielewis.com

Warning: What Not To Do!
Commonly made mistakes after AMTC include:

*Waiting for an Agent or Manager to contact you. They are busy. 95% of the time you will need to initiate contact! Maybe they missed you or didn’t know you were serious about getting started.

*Not sending them what they asked for immediately… like Polaroids or a video.

*Being “wishy washy.” Be positive, polite, and responsive. They need to really LIKE you as a person- not just as potential talent. No one is so beautiful or talented that they can get away with a lukewarm attitude.

*Waiting too long to make initial follow-up with contacts. 3+ months is too long! The industry is fast paced and things change quickly – strike while it’s hot and interest is there.

*If you are signed immediately after AMTC, the work is not over. You must keep weekly contact with your Agent or Manager. Send cookies, stop by with coffee, drop an email. Be their favorite client! If you stay on their mind, they are more likely to think of you for a casting or job.

I urge everyone in America to be careful of franchise modeling schools. While good ones may exist, I have yet to find one. The common denomenators in franchise schools seem to be high pressure sales, half-truths, outdated training, and poor pictures. I believe reputable agencies feel sad, just like we do at AMTC, when a franchise school graduate walks in for an interview. We know they have spent a lot of money, and most of what they learned about the modeling or talent industry is wrong. Education is important, but it must be a good education. It must be honest. It must be current.

So, parents, teens, and talent of all ages, be cautious of big talk, hard sales, and false promises. Follow your gut feeling. Listen to your heart. Almost everyone I have talked to said, “I didn’t feel right about it.”

Many of you have discovered our new AMTC Insider club. And you may have been wondering when you were going to hear from us…

The Backstory

We’ve always had an email newsletter where we sent out news, success stories, and other fun stuff, but with AMTC Insider we decided to do something a bit more ambitious. From the start, we’ve been looking for a way to make the AMTC Insider program something special. With so many boring email newsletters going around out there, we wanted to provide the AMTC community with something informative, useful, and fun.

So, we started thinking about all the things we might do and then we had a bright idea… Why not award an AMTC scholarship to a lucky Insider every month? As of yesterday, the AMTC Insider registration page stated:

“Every month we give a random AMTC Insider a scholarship to the upcoming AMTC!”

At first this seemed like a great way to reward the Insiders, and a fun thing to do. But then it occurred to us—how do we choose the winner each month? Random selection wouldn’t be fair, so how do we make this fair for everyone? How do we award scholarships to those that really deserve to win? We gave it a lot of thought and today we’re proud to announce the AMTC Insider Scholarship Program.

AMTC Insider Scholarship Program

Millie Lewis AMTC will award a scholarship to attend our international competition to one Insider every month! This scholarship to AMTC, including coaching and advice, is valued at $2,595.00.

How it works

Every month, each and every AMTC Insider has the opportunity to submit an essay on the topic, “Why I deserve an AMTC scholarship.” We’re looking for special life stories, and why you want to be an actor, model, singer, or dancer. What in your life has pushed you toward this dream?

Every month we’ll publish the finalists. At the end of the month, we’ll announce the winner here on the Millie Lewis Blog with your winning essay! Also, you’ll be featured in the next month’s AMTC Insider email newsletter.

Submit your essay

It’s very easy to submit your essay for consideration. Here’s how:

1. Write your essay. (500 words max)
2. Prepare at least one photo of yourself. The photo(s) will not be judged and will be used only if you win.
3. Email your essay, with photo(s) attached, to amtcinsider@millielewis.com with the subject line “AMTC Scholarship Submission”.

The clock’s ticking…

We are eagerly awaiting your submissions over the next month. A winner will be chosen by July 31, 2007. The winner will be posted here on the Millie Lewis Blog shortly thereafter.

For more info, check out the official AMTC Insider Rules page.

Signing off…

We just want to thank all of you for being patient as we’ve been developing AMTC Insider and the scholarship program. We can’t wait to read your essays!

Sincerely,
Carey Arban & the entire Millie Lewis team

Mistake #1: Standing still. Not moving anything. Expecting the photographer to tell you every small movement.

Solution: In most cases, models must know how to move on their own. Depending on the mood of the shoot and the clothing, a model must be able to show appropriate emotions and movements. Study magazines, catalogues, major fashion and commercial agency websites, and practice in front of a mirror. Ask a friend to shoot you with a digital camera. Never stop moving, although movement can be minimal- such as shifting weight, turning to the side, or stepping backward or forward.

Mistake #2: Cheescake, dated poses or poses that do not match the outfit or the age of the model.

Solution: Stick with what your body naturally wants to do. Kids and teens: be a little “slouchy,” kind of like you’re hanging out with your friends- not like a Vogue shoot. Don’t use an extreme pose in a casual outfit.

Mistake #3: Fake smiles

Solution: Never hold a smile too long. Mix up expressions. Make yourself laugh- even if it’s a fake laugh. Make the noise (“ha ha ha”), and it will look more real than a plastic smile. Practice laughing in the mirror to see what looks best. Be able to produce a small smile, a “no tooth” smile, and a serious look with lips slightly parted.

Mistake #4: Acting embarrassed or rude if a photographers asks you to jump, dance, walk, run, or spin.

Solution: This is your job. Keep a great attitude. Commit 100% to the movement. Don’t halfway try. You can ask questions, like “what sort of dancing do you want?” Then go for it with gusto. Even if you aren’t a great dancer or jumper, you will be respected for your excellent effort. Look at movement pictures in magazines. A former AMTC Overall Winner was sent on her first big job, asked to dance, and she started crying. She was sent home, and her career fizzled.

Do you have anything to add? Tips or tricks?

Watch this YouTube video of top model, Naomi Campbell, on a W cover shoot. She is not an AMTC grad, but this video is a perfect example of being uninhibited in front of a camera.

I can’t say that ‘flattered’ is exactly how I felt any of those 24 times. I am Carey Arban, the 51-year-old daughter of the late Millie Lewis, and the Owner of AMTC. What I have learned in 30 years of working with my mother is that time takes care of everything fairly. As my mother said, “time will tell.”

In the last few months, Sharon McCarthy, a former AMTC regional director, has begun to recruit contestants for a new convention called ITS. The first ITS is to be held in December, 2007, in Miami. Sharon’s company, Rhode Island Talent, brought contestants to AMTC as recently as January 2007. Sharon was one of 46 regional affiliates for AMTC throughout the world. Two fellow affiliates, Believe Talent and Turnabout Talent, have left AMTC to join ITS.

These actions are not unusual. AMTC is not for everyone. What makes the ITS start-up different is that some people believe ITS is connected to AMTC. My office has received phone calls, email, and actual recruitment documents from confused individuals who have been to talent searches conducted by ITS, Believe, or Turnabout- in cities from Florida to Michigan.

Each was inquiring as to how AMTC was connected with ITS. They had seen the Millie Lewis name, logo, and materials that seemed identical to ours, success stories from our website, and most had visited our website believing that we were associated in some way.

AMTC is not connected to ITS. We do not endorse them, and we are in no way associated with any of their activities- nor can we guarantee their first event or its results.

That being said, I am in favor of any person, business, or event that promotes a positive and ethical entry, education or involvement in the talent field. Good competition can work together to uplift an industry.

I urge newcomers to educate themselves. Investigate any prospective company, agency, photographer, scout, or event with whom they trust their hopes. How? Look at each company’s history, reputation, success stories, BBB membership, and find out what respected people within their field have to say about them.

Also, pay heed to your ‘gut feeling.’ I am a firm believer in the Holy Spirit guiding us when we ask- and sometimes when we don’t! Hope is precious.

If anyone has questions, please call our office at 1-800-AMTC-NOW or you can email me personally, carban@millielewis.com.

Carey Arban

From Myke, Janet’s daughter, who always came with Janet to AMTC…
“My mother was a kind and courageous woman who enjoyed life, always moved forward and sought the best in every person and situation. We have all, indeed, been fortunate to be a loved and important part of her long and happy life. She has gone to Glory with the wings of Angels wrapped around her.”

From Kim Myers
“I am so sad today at the news of my dearest friend Janet. I reflect on the many wonderful and happy times that we’ve shared over the years. As many would agree, our lives are that more enriched just because we knew her. The many “sleep-overs” (that is what we called them) that we had in her Stuart home were always filled with laughter, dancing and stories! Her morning breakfast routines were hysterical! She would waltz into my room dancing with the morning paper and a cup of coffee, singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business” – her and Ethel Merman! I will forever keep those moments close and pull them out in the years to come. Her impact will live on for years.”

From Carey Arban
“Janet Kyle was my role model. I can honestly say that she was like an angel of light in this world. One of my best Janet Kyle memories is when she brought a rap group to AMTC. She was their manager. There seemed to be a lot of them- boys and girls. They were big and looked a little “rough” in their oversized gear. Yet they circled attentively and respectfully around Janet. She instructed them with her soft voice and a twinkle in her eye.

It is hard for me to say what an inspiration Janet Kyle was to me. She was a light of wisdom, wit, and love- with a joy for life that was undeniable and awesome. She brought so many gifts to the talent industry, to AMTC, and to the thousands of lives she touched directly and indirectly. I will never forget Janet!

Why? Beauty is natural. Anyone can look fabulous with a ton of makeup, big hair, high heels & studio lighting. But, who can look just as good without? Models!

Models working in major markets- NY, LA, Miami, Paris, etc… do NOT wear makeup on castings or to meet with important clients. Why? Their natural beauty would be hidden. Instead, the attitude is embraced- “I am so cool, I do not need to look like everyone else”

Attn all girls!- Drop the eyeliner, the makeup, the highlighted hair, the heels & uncomfortable clothing.

Katherine Sims, a very talented AMTC Kid from Miami is pictured below before & after. Before she was a confused newcomer trying to break into the industry & after she is a real working model. What changed? She dropped the sexy pose, makeup & overstyling. She embraced her unique look. Katherine is signed with Wilhelmina Miami & Jet Set Models in LA.

AMTC is looking for new advertising ideas. While we’ve always enjoyed good word-of-mouth from successful AMTC grads, top 40 radio ads have been our primary means to spread the word in new areas. We have a feeling we need to do more to reach out to talented teens and kids over the internet, but where do we start?

Check out this radio ad (1.6MB mp3) that we ran before a recent search in Annopolis, Maryland. This is a perfect example of what we’ve been doing for the past 10+ years.

But now that radio seems less effective, the big questions is: where are you looking for news, ads, and entertainment?

• Radio (what type? and what hours?)
• TV (cable or network? favorite shows?)
• Internet ads on other sites?
• Postcards in the mail?
• Classified ads in the back of fun magazines, like “Teen Vogue?”
• MySpace? (btw, we do have a MySpace page now)

So, where are you? Drop us a comment below and let us know! We appreciate your thoughts.