xml:lang=”en” lang=”en” xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”>
International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Announces Model of the Year
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 20, 2010
Aspiring Models and Talent from around the world converged in Los Angeles with the most influential Modeling Agents, Managers, Casting Directors and Scouts for one week at the renowned International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Convention. At IMTA, the Models competed in Runway, Fashion Print, Jeans, Swimwear, TV Beauty Commercials and Makeup Competitions. The Talent competed in Monologues, Entertainment Host, Ready for My Close-Up, Sitcom, Commercial Print, Cold Read and Theatrical Headshots.
Agents from around the world were at IMTA to network with each other, discuss upcoming fashion trends and most importantly to scout for new faces for their agencies. Talent Agents, Managers and Casting Directors were also in attendance to find Actors, Singers and Dancers to represent. IMTA is known in the industry for being the launching point for the careers of top models and actors including Ashley Greene (IMTA 2004), Katie Holmes (IMTA 1993 & 1995), Ashton Kutcher (IMTA 1997), Eva Longoria (IMTA 1998), Elijah Wood (IMTA 1989), Jessica Biel (IMTA 1994), Josh Duhamel (IMTA 1997), Tiffany Thornton (IMTA 2003) Six time Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Model Jessica White (IMTA 1999), Vogue TV’s Madeline Kragh (IMTA 2007), The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency’s Brian Kehoe (IMTA 2001) and Elite’s Heather Isaacson (IMTA 2008). For more IMTA Alumni, please see IMTA.com (http://www.imta.com/talent.aspx).
One of the highlights of the week was when Martin Weiss of Martin Weiss Management signed a young talented actor Jason Henderson and Jason went from IMTA Callback day to his first feature film audition for a lead role in the new Adam Sandler movie. During the IMTA Callback Day, the Agents and Managers had one-on-one meetings with the models and actors they had spotted during the week and discussed the possibilities of a career in the industry. Many contracts were signed and hundreds of careers were launched. Fashion Show Producer and top runway instructor Michael Maddox produced an amazing fashion show that opened the Overview (where all the IMTA Contestants walked the Runway for all of the agents, managers and casting directors) featuring the latest designs from renowned designers and professional styling. Marlene Wallach, President of Wilhelmina Kids & Teens and JustAskMarlene.com presented a seminar for kids and their parents complete with a live podcast. For more information, please visit http://justaskmarlene.com/blog/?p=1374 .
IMTA covered the event with live Twitter updates posted in real time. See IMTA’s coverage on the Official IMTA Twitter Feed (http://twitter.com/IMTA). Bakir Silajdzic, Male Model of the Year, said,”IMTA is really amazing. It’s been a great experience, lots of learning, lots of exposure. IMTA is going to do great things for me, I have a good feeling about it.”
Riley Smith (IMTA 1997) stopped by to wish this year’s participants good luck during the IMTA L.A. Awards Party. Three time IMTA participant Dani Miura (The Hannah Montana Movie and the 2009 feature film Fame) was also in attendance and presented awards. She said, “IMTA started everything for me.” Brittany Curran (Men of a Certain Age and Legally Blondes) presented awards along with Lauren Storm (I Love You Beth Cooper), Matthew Florida (90210, Hank, General Hospital), Raini Rodriguez (Paul Blart Mall Cop), Miles Heizer (Parenthood), Jon Kent Ethridge (iCarly, Out of Jimmy’s Head), Joseph Castanon (Ghost Whisperer, Prodigal) and many other stars and celebrities. Check out the official IMTA Blog (http://that-imta-blog.blogspot.com) for more details on alumni celebrities, models and actors who got their start at IMTA.
The IMTA Awards Night Celebration on Saturday, January 9th saw the announcement of the Models and Talent of the Year. This prize is awarded to the Contestants who have the highest overall composite scores. The winners of the 2010 IMTA Awards are:
Female Model of the Year – Alana Greszata, Barbizon Ice, Toronto, Canada
Male Model of the Year – Bakir Silajdzic, IMD, Medford, OR
Young Adult Actor of the Year Female – Katherine Pulker, JMT, Orlando, FL tied with Jaimie Hayward, Barbizon Ice, Charlotte, NC/Toronto, Canada
Young Adult Actor of the Year Male – Samuel DeBoer, Barbizon Royal, Minneapolis, MN
Most Sought After Female Talent – Jillian Moss, The Rock Agency, Madison, WI
Most Sought After Male Talent – Charlie Gallagher, Caryn International, Minneapolis, MN
Most Sought After Female Model – Alana Greszata, Barbizon Ice, Toronto, Canada
Most Sought After Male Model – Tyler Waller, Diane Dick Legends, Amarillo, TX
Junior Model of the Year Female – Ashley Waddington, IMD, Medford, Oregon
Junior Model of the Year Male – Tyler Waller, Diane Dick Legends, Amarillo, TX
Junior Miss Model of the Year – Shaugnessy Brown, JMT, Orlando, FL
Fitness Model of the Year Female- Juliana Saenz, Barbizon JMT, Orlando, FL
Fitness Model of the Year Male – Joey Rodriguez, Barbizon Royal, Chicago, IL
Actor of the Year Female – Brittany Tiner, John Albert Talent, McAllen, TX
Actor of the Year Male – Michael Pidani, Texas Acting & Modeling Academy, Austin, TX
Junior Actor of the Year Female – Ashley Waddington, IMD, Medford, OR
Junior Actor of the Year Male – George Frazier, The Performers Academy, Laguna Hills, CA
Junior Miss Actor of the Year – Dominique Bruncko, MTM, Chicago, IL
Young Miss Model of the Year – Melissa Wittenmyer, Margaret O’Brien’s/Starbound, Toledo, OH
Pre-Teen Model of the Year Male – Avery Taylor, Talent Connection, Folsom, CA
Child Model of the Year Male – Julius Cruz, Texas Acting & Modeling Academy, Austin, TX
Child Model of the Year Female – Natia Moss, Barbizon Chique, Philadelphia, PA
Young Miss Actor of the Year – Kaitlyn Dias, Talent Connection, Folsom, CA
Pre-Teen Actor of the Year – Gerhard Feriyants, MTM, Chicago, IL
Child Actor of the Year Female – Sophia Sanders, Talent Connection, Folsom, CA
Child Actor of the Year Male – Nehemiah Sutton, Margaret O’Brien’s/Starbound, Toledo, OH
Many scholarships were also awarded during the gala ceremony. Crystal Varelis, from Barbizon Royal, Chicago, IL was awarded a three year scholarship to Wilkes University with a value of $ 64,000. Adam Hill selected Crystal based on her phenomenal singing performance and acting abilities. Crystal was the winner of the Singing Junior Showcase and was the 2nd Runner-Up for Junior Female Talent of the Year.
For more information on IMTA winners and events, please visit IMTA.com (http://www.IMTA.com).
About IMTA:
IMTA is the most prestigious Association of Modeling and Talent Training Centers. IMTA produces two Conventions annually where Models, Actors, Singers and Dancers showcase their potential in front of the largest audience of Agents, Managers and Casting Directors ever assembled. Since 1987, IMTA has debuted an extraordinary number of modeling and talent stars who are working in the fashion and entertainment industry.
# # #
Attachments
©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
