Lack of talent or need of money?

[AngActing]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 5:08pm

Wanted to see what some of you thought of this.

There are some schools, of sorts, here in New York and in Los Angeles which offer "classes" with current casting directors and agents (i.e. TVI Studios, Weist Barron). All in all, I agree with most actors who go here -- it's a good resource to be seen by casting directors and agents. I even had a couple of agents, on both coasts, tell me they like the fact I've been involved with a some of the workshops at these 'schools' and meeting the casting people.

Now, first let me state -- I've been "actively acting" since the age of about four and have been in forty or so stage productions in my life, so far (mostly musicals) and was accepted (one of five out of five-hundred who auditioned) to NY's AADA (from the West Coast) some years ago.

Secondly, without any help from these schools, I managed to get a commercial agent on my own, in Los Angeles. And have always been complimented and encouraged to continue my career (by casting people and directors and producers)aspirations. Never has anyone, in the business, ever told me to give up or find another career.

If there was a problem with my "talent", at this point -- someone would've told me to move on and find something else to do. At least, I would think so!

Anyway, TVI Studios has this "membership" program, both coasts which is costly. Part of this membership programs offers the member a chance to take workshops and special seminars with really top of the line casting people. But, the requirement for these very special workshops is you must 1) be a member and 2) you must audition to see if you're 'ready' to meet someone of this caliber.

The person(s) who auditions you to see if "you're good enough" for these special meetings is an employee there, at 'TVI Studios'. And, for the most part, they are very young people who, to be honest, I could be coaching and teaching!!!

What irks me . . . They have the nerve to say things like "when you have credits from Law and Order" then you can 'pass' this audition, or "when you've done seven leads in Broadway shows". Geez! When I do that I won't NEED TVI Studios!!!

And when forty different directors from ten different states, from community theatre to Off Off Broadway have felt me good enough to cast in all these productions (several times without an audition): I find it disgusting that a girl or guy 20 years my junior (who is NOT a director or casting director) has the nerve to say I'm "not good enough" yet and need "more classes" to get to that level, insinuating I would get put down or such by the casting professional as being below level for their 'advanced' class . . . wow, that pisses me off!

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that for thirty years numerous directors, actors, producers and casting personnel have been 'humoring' me and casting me even though I am untalented, wasting my life doing this? Or do you think these so-called schools have an agenda to "make money" by trying to get you to take classes?

LOL! Anyway, what are your thoughts on any of it?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 1:33pm

I think its a mixture of both, I'm a firm believer in the fact that we're all obviously given a bit of talent or we wouldnt have started in this career direction in the first place, its how hard you work for it. Now lets look at this from an economical standpoint, if you are paying people money to tell you you're good and that they want you-youre obviously going to get told so. However, it does not mean that you are not tallented! Almost everyone at one point or another has to pay for a class here and there! Id walk away from this ITV stuff personally but do what you feel is right :) and good luck!
*cassie*