Should Your Child Attend Talent Contests?

Talent Contests

When we began looking into an acting career for our daughter, we saw information about talent contests and wondered if we should sign her up for one.

I was frustrated that I could not figure out how to get my daughter into modeling or acting, and I thought talent contests might be our answer.

I heard about some auditions coming up at Millie Lewis of Charleston for one of the talent contests called AMTC.  We signed up along with some friends of ours

Talent Contest Auditions

When we arrived at the AMTC auditions, we viewed a presentation about AMTC. It included a long talk by the talent scout and a promotional film showing scenes from previous talent contests.

Some former contestants talked about their experiences, answered questions, and performed.

Next, the children auditioning walked across in front of the parents and talent scout and then introduced themselves and said a few words into a mic.  Then, they also performed if they wanted to.

We were told that they would call if our child was selected to attend.

When both my friend and I got calls saying our daughters had been chosen as well as a couple of other children we knew, we started wondering if it could be a scam.

Talent Contest Callback

At the callback, we were informed about exactly how it would all work and how much it would cost. It was much more expensive than we expected!

We were asked to put a deposit down to hold our child’s spot, but they gave us additional time to decide when we asked for it.

We wondered if all the children who auditioned got callbacks. My friend and I both looked on  the internet for more information about AMTC talent contests and about the talent scout.

Could It Be a Scam?

Initially, I decided not to sign my daughter up for AMTC because of the cost and because I was skeptical about it. I thought it might be a scam.

My friend called several of the agents, casting directors, and managers on the list of attendees and was told that they did indeed attend AMTC.  I decided to reconsider.

I continued researching on the internet about talent contests and carefully read all the materials they had given us.

I discussed it with my husband and with family and friends. Everyone who knew our daughter, knew what a ham she was and thought she seemed destined for the entertainment industry and mostly encouraged us to do it.

So, we finally made the decision to attend AMTC.

It was being held in North Charleston, SC, only 30 minutes from where we lived.

There would be weekly classes at our local Millie Lewis Agency to prepare the kids for the talent competitions at the week-long convention. There would also be educational seminars and workshops at the event as well as talent shows, social events, and award ceremonies.

We really had no idea exactly what we were getting ourselves into or whether we would be glad we did this or whether we’d later regret spending the money.

So, what happened at the talent contest? I’ll discuss more about it in future posts.

When trying to figure out how to help your child start a show business career, at some point you may wonder, “Are talent contests a good way to get my child into show business?”

There is not a simple answer to this question.

The first thing you really must do is investigate whether the talent contest you are considering is a scam. Don’t let your dreams blind you. Do your research on the event and the people running it before paying any money.

If possible, talk to previous contestants and their parents, and talk to other parents who are considering attending the event. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Be wary of anyone promising you that your child will become a star.

There are many factors to consider before making a decision about your child attending expensive talent contests. Five questions that you really should ask are:

1. What is the cost? Find out exactly how much it will cost and decide if you can easily afford it. Are there hidden costs that are not revealed to you initially? Ask  about  other expenses such as entry fees for extra competitions, clothing, lodging, meals, photography, and entrance to the event for family members
2. What are your goals? What do you hope to accomplish for your child by attending this contest? Does this particular talent contest provide what you are looking for?
3. Will your child enjoy this? Is this something your child really wants to do, or are you pushing your child to do this?  Will your child have fun participating in an event like this? Don’t do it if it is because you want your child to do it. If your child does not want to do it, it is not likely that it will be a good experience for you or for your child. (See more about this topic in “Why Are You Pursuing an Acting Career for Your Child?“)
4. How will you feel if your child does not “win”? Will you have any regrets if you spend this money and then your child does not win any awards or get any callbacks from talent agents, talent managers, or casting directors? Or will all the training prior to the contest, participating in all the competitions, and attending all the seminars, workshops, and other events make it worth the cost?
5. Are there other alternatives? Are there other ways of achieving the same goals for your child without participating in a costly talent contest? Can you attempt to get representation on your own through other means?

Talent contests are not generally viewed favorably by show business professionals because of the high costs that are typically associated with them.  If you ask entertainment industry professionals their views on talent contests like this, many will tell you that your money can be better spent on classes and good headshots.

Take some time before making the decision to participate in talent contests such as AMTC and IMTA. Don’t rush the decision.  If someone tells you that you must sign up on the spot if you want your child to attend, don’t do it. Also ask lots of questions before you sign up.

If you do decide to participate, you should do so with a full understanding of the costs and risks as well as the possible benefits. Participation can indeed launch a show business career for your child, but on the other hand, it can result in great disappointment at a high cost.

Please sign up for Your Young Actor’s Newsletter for more about talent contests and other topics related to helping your child start a show business career.

To Your Child’s Success,

Debbie Sikkema

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