How do i find sponsors?

Question:Hi, I'm Taylor and I'm 13 years old. I just got accepted this morning to Pacific Modeling and Acting Academy [ I had an intervier last night]. Well there are several packages to choose from when you attend the school . So we're going for the second package, which is 6,000 dollars. It includes 6 auditions, perfessional photo shoots, and private lessons. We're kind of in a crunch time cause the money is due by March 1st. So I need to find some sponsers, so someone PLEASE help me out, this is my life long dream, and I'd appreciate it . Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hi, I'm Taylor and I'm 13 years old. I just got accepted this morning to Pacific Modeling and Acting Academy [ I had an intervier last night]. Well there are several packages to choose from when you attend the school . So we're going for the second package, which is 6,000 dollars. It includes 6 auditions, perfessional photo shoots, and private lessons. We're kind of in a crunch time cause the money is due by March 1st. So I need to find some sponsers, so someone PLEASE help me out, this is my life long dream, and I'd appreciate it . Thanks.

Hi Taylor,

I just looked up Pacific Modeling and Acting Academy and it seems to be along the same lines as John Robert Powers and other such schools that pray on young starry-eyed hopefuls and their parents.

This looks like a sort of scam to me. $6000?!

I looked at their list of "success" stories. They only have 6 students listed as "successful." If you look at their credits, none of them have done anything particularly "big" and if they have, it's only one or two things at the most. Of those 6, only one has any credits listed on IMDB (Internet Movie DataBase.) So even their success stories, don't seem all that successful. Why do they only list 6 students with rather feeble credits? Shouldn't there be a lot more "successful" students? And if they choose only 6 to highlight, shouldn't they have really great credits?

Did you know that you can get professional headshots for under $500? You can get acting lesson - private or group - from reputable places for under $500. And auditions and interviews with legit agents never cost anything. You can submit yourself to modeling agencies for the price of a stamp. All the big modeling agencies - Ford, Elite, Wilhelmina - accept submissions from aspiring models. You don't even need professional headshots for them - just clear snapshots.

So, you can submit to those three agencies for $2.70 (assuming postage is 90 cents for a nice big envelope.)

Talent agents for actors also accept submissions from actors seeking representation. You send them your headshot, resume, and a cover letter. Again, for the cost of a stamp.

Say you have done all of these things on your own - it still doesn't even come close to $6000. You can add on voice lessons and dance lessons - again with reputable people - and still not even hit $6000. With all the money you would save, you could have enough to actually got to NYC and/or LA to meet with agents in person or to go on auditions.

You can save so much money, by being smart about your career. What can Pacific Modeling and Acting Academy really offer you that you can't get from other places? Do you think their claims are rather inflated?

As a professional actor, I strongly urge you to look elsewhere for training to start your career. Also, if this place is a bit like JRP, it's likely that casting directors won't take the credit on your resume very seriously - and that's a big concern as well.

Even the headshots for the "Success" stories on the Academy's site, don't look like very good headshots.

Look elsewhere. I was duped when I was younger by Proscout and by a place that sounds a lot like this academy - and happens to no longer be around because they were shut down.

If you're interested, here is the contact information for the agents that represent the sole "success" story who happens to have an IMDB entry. Once you have some training and professional headshots, I would submit to them.

* Corsa Agency, Thomas Richards, Agent
11704 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 204, Los Angeles, California 90025 United States
310.231.7010 . thomas@corsaagency.com

* JLA, Kendall Park, Agent
9151 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, California 90069 United States
310.276.5677 . kendall@jlatalent.COM .
www.jacklippmanagency.com

* MC Talent, Jamie Malone, Manager
818.487.8781 . MCTalentLA@aol.com

Good luck with your career. Please feel free to e-mail me, if you have any further questions or desire further advice.

~*~*~*~*~
EDIT: I was just thinking about the 6 auditions that come with part of the package. The odds of you getting cast in something or getting an agent from these auditions are just the same as if you went to auditions on your own.

Just because they give you an audition through this school, doesn't mean that the people you're auditioning for have any projects that they're casting for that you would be right for. They may not even be looking to take on new talent at that time. There is also no guarantee that you would get anything at all from those auditions. You will still be competing against every other hopeful out there - including all of the other students at the Academy - as well as the young professional actors who already have credits under their belt.

So for something that is so uncertain, why would you spend $6000, when you can have the same shot for a lot less money?

You can find auditions on your own. And you can find reputable places to study from - that won't cost such a sum.

In this business, where every single job is temporary, it is best to be wise about how you spend your money. And the earlier you can learn to make the most of the money you have, the more successful you are going to be.

call big companies and be mature, make it seem that you are very serious and say you need a sponsor and if you sponsor me i am willing to ........
whatever you are willing to do if they sponsor maybe say you are willing to advertise for them! like put up posters etc good luck!

listen to what clawofiron said. She sounds like she knows what she's talking about. I've not had dealings with Pacific but with others that sound just like them and please save your money.
Good luck in your endevors.

Hi Taylor,

I just wanted to let you know that my daughter was also accepted into this school this weekend :) After doing a little research I too found it to be a scam. I know how exciting it all was and how they make you feel like that have chosen you out of so many but when you go in they are really looking at the parent and choosing which ones they think can come up with the money. Please listen to what this actor that responded has said my boyfriend and my nephew have both modeled and they both say you should never have to pay for auditions, I think the advice the actor gave you was priceless and I hope you listen to them carefully. I'm also inluding an add that I found on Craigs list when googling this place, to me if they are as fabulous as they say then they would not be putting ads out on craigs list to hire their teachers and they would not demand payment before you can have a tour of their school.

Acting and Modeling Coaches for Kids/Teens

Reply to: education.seattle@pacmodact.com
Date: 2008-02-04, 6:27PM PST

Pacific Acting and Modeling Academy is a new school for children and young adults hoping to enter on-camera acting and modeling careers. Our grand opening is scheduled for March 1st and we are actively scouting coaches for weekend classes as well as private coaching sessions on weekends and weekday evenings.

Students enter our program by audition and are trained in on-camera performance and modeling as well as essential life skills (such as interview skills, manners and etiquette, voice and diction/public speaking, and image development/presentation). They are also given the opportunity to audition for Hollywood’s top youth agents, managers, and casting directors at certain points in their program.

A fun and challenging classroom experience is essential to the success of the students in our program, and ideal candidates are reliable performing arts professionals (with at least 3 yrs. professional acting/modeling experience) who are excited about teaching and enjoy working with youth. A Bachelors degree is also required to be considered for a coaching position. Coaches are independent contractors and background checks are required.

Pacific coaches choose scripts and relevant exercises from our resource library and their own experience as well as follow syllabi which define weekly learning goals, lesson plans which include lecture and discussion material, activities, handouts and homework. Full-time opportunities include 16-18 hours per weekend, 2 weekends per month. Beginning in June, full-time teachers will have the opportunity to work 4 weekends per month. We are also seeking part-time coaches and on-call substitutes.

If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to education.seattle@pacmodact.com. We will contact those we are interested in scheduling for an interview. Coaching rates will be discussed with potential candidates. Looking forward to hearing from you!

?Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
?Please, no phone calls about this job!
?Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 563177372

PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM THINK THEY CAN COME INTO SEATTLE AND SCAM US!!!
GOODLUCK! I'm sure with hard work and dedication you will make it at whatever you choose to do in life :)

$6000 seems like a lot of money. I'd think twice. Maybe three times.

I would also suggest that you rethink your decision. Wouldn't you know ?- my daughter was also chosen today to come for a callback for PMAA!:) If chosen, she would need to register today for the academy and pay the tuition in full. Red Flag! Much to our daughter's dismay, we declined the second audition. Now, after reading the experience and suggestions of others, the pieces are all fitting together. Did you happen to notice on the application where they asked you to list if you knew anyone else attending the auditions yesterday? I didn't think about it at the time, but I am thinking now that if anyone filled that in and had come with a friend or sibling, they probably didn't get called back. (Because really, wouldn't that seem a little odd if you knew 3 other people there and they all were chosen in their "typecast" to return for another audition?) I think that rather than viewing video recordings last night, the audition facilitators were probably going through the applications figuring out who came with whom and who they could call and get money from without raising suspicions. My cousin is a professional actor and had not heard of PMAA and immediately suggested that we not pursue it any further. I wish you the best in pursuing your dream. It sounds like there are many reputable and less costly ways to go, rather than getting caught up in whatever scam this has turned out to be. Don't be discouraged by the events of this weekend. Hopefully some of these answers that people are writing will save you some money and future heartache.

Hi Taylor:

I am a teen as well and I too had lots of adults trying to talk me out of attending a private performing arts school here in Phoenix, AZ, where I live.

Lucky for me my parents didn't listen to all the naysayers. They went with me when I interviewed and auditioned. They knew it was expensive to bring Hollywood celebs and casting people into Phoenix, so they understood why the fees were what they are. And, they also knew good private lessons from professionals don't come cheap.

I don't know anything about your school there in Seattle, but the private academy I go to is excellent. I've learned so much. My teachers are pros, one acting teach has his own TV show. There are lots of kids at my school that have gotten acting and modeling jobs. I haven't yet, but I just started in early Jan.

If you need sponsors so you can go to a good private acting school, then go find some. I'm not sure how you would go about that, maybe one of your family members could sponsor you. Also, maybe you could consider a cheaper class schedule to get going.

No matter what, I encourage you to listen to your heart. I did and boy am I glad I did.

Listen to clawofiron, she knows what she's talking about.

I feel bad for mccrackind they got taken by their acting school. These academies as well as some scammy agents, agencies, and managers are always very good at making excuses for their fees - why they have them, why they're so high, etc. They usually go something like "This fee covers the cost of your submissions (either via mail or messenger);" "This fee is for office supplies or Xeroxing your resumes;" "This fee covers our overhead costs to represent you," or "this fee covers the cost of bringing the talent agents here".

It's a bunch of brainwashing that they do to inexperienced aspiring actors. Like clawofiron said, you can get extremely good professional and reputable acting teachers for much less that $6000!

For goodness sake, for $6000 you can fly first class and visit all of those agents on your own!

This school sounds like absolute crap. Skip it and go seek out another place to study. You'll thank us later.

No one is saying don't pursue acting. No one is trying to step on your dreams. We're just advising you to stay away from these vultures.

mccrackind says listen to your heart. Yes, do that, but you must also listen to your head and gut.