Her graduates have booked jobs in the film/TV industry within the past month and a half such as: Connor G. 2 national Kodak commercials and a print job. Wyatt Y. a co-star appearance on Judging Amy etc… Patrick D.R. a promo with Comedy Central's Reno 911 Magdalena Zielinska a guest star appearance with Two and a half men and a guest star on Reno 911 Elijah T. a Baby Einstein commercial Jolene C. a Wachovia National commercial Jackie H. a Disney national commercial Guner Washington. A Pizza Hut National Commercial.
Helene Goldnadel the owner of International Creative Artists the post-secondary acting school licensed in the State of California, speaks about this industry that she loves and has been working within for quite some time. Helene Goldnadel has also been a producer and the owner of the International Creative Artists Institution after switching from representation to development. She speaks about ICA, the industry and her beloved graduates
The very dream that has your child or teen-ager drag you to one of the franchised modeling schools anywhere could cost you a lost of money.
First off, a business is a business. A modeling school does not want your child because they are co cute and talented. A modeling school is after bringing in the figures.
A license as a post-secondary school for California for instance, would however indicate that the school is interested in working at the Institution type of level, with all the rules and regulations that would allow you to cancel if dissatisfied for instance. It would relieve that feeling of helplessness while having purchased lousy classes, taught by unlicensed teachers that do not get compensated enough by uncommitted business people turned school owners.
What this means is that at the franchised modeling schools, the only intent is to accept as many people as possible in order to have the figures turn out.
Don't get me wrong, at International Creative Artists we love to get that tuition money. The weekly presence of top Los Angeles agents however, as per our placement program, would have us think twice when it comes to accepting talent that cannot be trained and have no natural talent to build on. School such as John Robert Powers, John Casablancas, Barbizon do not have a placement program, and it is my opinion that their not being licensed disqualifies them from advertising any type of placement possibilities. For more info on the Californian "advanced talent fee law" and the licensing requirements in California you can contact the Bureau for Post-secondary employment in California.
It appears that some John Casablancas Franchises have some kind of licensing, while others don't. They are very modeling oriented, with mostly modeling classes and few acting classes. It is also my opinion that not enough people qualify for fashion to teach that many modeling classes. I also think that in order to make money, a very modeling oriented school would have to recourse to selling such classes to people that do not look "fashiony" and are more commercial looking. Therefore, what's the point? The tuition money! Also they do not have a placement program.
John Robert Powers have some agents come in to scout, but most agencies and of course all SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) franchised talent agents want little or nothing to do with a school that did not obtain proper licensing.
Barbizon, well I guess they teach modeling also, no license.
Also beware of little local schools pushing classes and zed cards on you, misrepresenting themselves as "a management company", "an agency"…etc… Highly illegal practices these are. Look for proper licensing always. The Bureau for Post-secondary Institutions in the Sate of California, will tell you exactly what the Law is and who qualifies and does not qualify for the license. I am here voicing my opinion, and which comes from finding out about "the advance talent fee law" and the regulations pertaining to talent oriented firms, modeling and acting schools etc…
Modeling, by the way is the only part of the industry that can be done without training if you are the right age range, height, weight. In order to do commercials and obtain parts on film, TV as well, you absolutely need the acting lessons.
To recap, I am not out to judge any and all businesses out there that have anything to do with actors or models. I would strongly recommend, as it is my opinion, that one would study the law before they give money to any modeling, acting school or place or anna be agency.
The advance talent fee Law, for instance is a good one to look at.
Meanwhile, good luck, and stay focused.
Omar Amanat