I have been around the modeling industry for the better part of a decade. In that time I have been to a number of talent searches, agencies, and other unproductive endeavors. I had pretty much written it off as a viable endeavor because of a general lack of progress in what I would consider a feasible direction. In the spring of 2003 that changed when Kathy approached me about The Avenue.
They started out by shooting a new comp card, which I felt was a step in the right direction and showed initiative and interest on their part. The modeling industry is plagued by a mass of agents, scouts and others that will promise you the moon and drag you around for a while and make no progress or in some cases just show a total lack of interest all together. That interest is what separates The Avenue from every other organization that I have been a part of. Kathy and Melinda take a personally active interest in your career development and the development of the agency. Since last spring I have been on a wide variety of castings and landed several jobs in the process. In each interview or audition you learn more about the industry and a lot about yourself. I have to do everything from monologues to playing the piano with my shirt off with four other guys. Every time you are nervous as all get out, but by the time it is over you are laughing with everyone else because they are as nervous as you are. Since I have been with The Avenue I have landed about a half a dozen jobs with clients ranging from Pfizer to CMT. I was on a shoot with CMT's Ultimate Home in May which was a lot of fun. It gave me a look at what goes on behind the camera on television shows and besides that I got paid to hang out in a pool for a couple hours.
I would really recommend the experience that I have had at the Avenue to anyone. I have been down several avenues (no pun intended) in the modeling industry over the past several years and this has been the most fun, but more importantly the most productive. I have always looked at modeling and acting as a fun job, but a job none the less. Getting auditions and parts is not the biggest reason that I chose to go with The Avenue last year. I chose to work with Kathy and Melinda because in their first meeting with me they made it clear they were approaching this industry with integrity and I would never be pushed to do things I did not feel comfortable doing. This was important to me because in the past I had been pressured by a number of agencies to do things that I did not want to do such as drop out of college. Kathy and Melinda made it clear they were all business and serious about creating a modeling powerhouse, but their vision and direction would not come at the expense of my goals or standards. This is a rare quality in this business and one that I feel fortune to have in a business partner.
This is all a lot of fun but also a lot of work. If you are willing to work hard though, you will never find better teammates than Kathy and Melinda. As in any endeavor in business, teammates are what will make or break you every time. That is why I am here and that is why I have had more success in the last year than the previous nine years combined.
Dan Crosby, Model/Talent
I have been in the modeling industry for about one year now. During this time, I have had a lot of great opportunities and have met many new people. My first experience started in February, 2004. I went to Miami for one month where I worked closely with Deco Models. While down there, I went on about 3-4 castings per week and also did a test shoot with a former model and photographer of Ocean Drive magazine.
Then, in May of 2004, I did a trade show in Atlanta, GA, for Sony. The trade show, Intercom 2004, lasted for three days and we were booked at $250/day. Our job included speaking about the new teleconferencing equipment and also promoting new up and coming equipment for 2005. We were not expecting to have any of our food or travel expenses paid for by Sony, but were so pleased with our work that they ended up paying for our hotel expenses as well.
My next job was for Dodge Premier Night. This took place in June and I was responsible for greeting each potential buyer and showing them the 2005 models, as well as answering any questions they may have. As for the future, I will be attending another trade show in July for two days in Washington, D.C. The show will be for Hitachi Electronics and will include me speaking about new equipment and generating leads. I will be paid $325 a day and will have all food, hotel, and airfare paid by the Hitachi Corp.
I am very grateful for all of my previous experiences in this industry and look forward to many more!!
Ashley Ryan, Model/Talent
I started out about a year ago with THE AVENUE Model & Talent Agency under the direction of Kathy and Melinda. My first job was at Rivergate Mall in Nashville, TN. I was asked by these particular women if I would be interested in doing a runway fashion show within the mall. Without any experience, I said yes. Kathy and Melinda made me feel confident enough to do it and assured me some fun - and that it was!!
Some months after that I had my first photo shoot and got my first comp card. THE AVENUE shopped me around and found me some work in Tampa, FL. I went to Florida for one day to audition for the work not knowing what I was really auditioning for. When I got there, I realized that it was for a NIKE fashion show! I got the job and was excited. The job was a week long. Four of the days consisted of rehearsals; the other three days were various fashion shows. Every show had about 1,500-3,000 people as spectators. Kathy and Melinda called to check with me on a regular basis to see how things were going and that everything was moving smoothly. I told them not to worry. Being my first time to work out of town, it was an overall success and NIKE was glad to have me and said they will probably be in contact in the future.
I also had the opportunity to meet in Memphis, TN, a representative of ELITE. We had brief conversation and he had the chance to meet Tommy English. Meeting R***** was a pleasure and I hope we meet again. I plan on going as far as I can in the profession and represent THE AVENUE not to make a name for only myself, but to make a name for THE AVENUE and their staff (co-workers) as well!
Tommy English, Talent/Model
Some other references for talent and visitors alike who would want more information on our industry . . . and some companies that The Avenue has relationship with for your personal and business use.**
ADVANCED BUSINESS CONSULTANTS Lisa Unge, Tax Attorney / Accountant www.TheConsultants4u.com
CHURCHES Zion Center, Nashville Grace Chapel, Lieper's Fork Cross Point Community Church, Nashville
ACTING COACHES, Independent Arita Trahan Steve Flanigan Adam Black *others available upon consultation
**We are in no way affiliated with these business; nor do we take responsibility for their services. Please research any business venture responsibly.
