CTA

[doodledude]

I have posted this message on couple of forms. Has anyone's son or daughter been offered a scholorship by the cta. My daughter has but I am not convinced it is not a catch and I will have to pay something or do something after the first term?

[pg]

Hi there.

I expect you will have read the thread about CTA on this forum http://www.notapushymum.com/phpbb/viewt ... =8&t=11065 so you won't be surprised to learn that I would share your concern! I would think that the best thing to do is to quiz the people at CTA and to read carefully any written information and anything you are asked to sign. If you are asked to pay anything in the future, you do always have the option of pulling out I suppose - though perhaps by then they might hope to have you hooked. If they are not willing to give you clear information in writing about your current and future financial obligations to them then I think you have your answer.

The inability or disinclination of the company to be upfront about charges is a major warning sign in my book - that, and the misleading way they go about "recruiting".

[doodledude]

Hi,

Thank you for your comments. I have read so many reviews, but nothing that mentions about scholarships. Did you go to the Academy at some point?

I have so many concerns and had made my mind up lastnight but then they offered scholarship and I had not even considered this.

Many thanks

[bruno2]

"If in doubt, leave it out" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aliceinwonderinc]

There are so many different, better, and potentially less costly ways to get representation for your child. I agree with pg and bruno, it just sounds so dodgy. I was rehearsing for a play at a place in King's Cross the other week and there were CTA auditions going on in the building next to us - there were people queuing up for hours in a massive long line with children of all different age ranges, it just seemed like such an odd way to do an 'audition' for an agency. Did your DS/DD go for an audition?

[pg]

Hello again doodledude.

No, I haven't attended the Celebrity Talent Academy and would not consider doing so, nor would I recommend anyone else doing so, as everything I have ever read about them (including their own publicity) leads me to believe that they are simply out to make money out of people with no industry knowledge. Regardless of whether or not the teaching they offer is of a high standard (and the snippets I've seen on youtube from the "celebrity" workshops certainly don't fill me with confidence), I could not possibly entrust my child's education and training to an organisation with such dubious business practices. I certainly don't believe that attending Celebrity Talent Academy will give anyone an advantage in the industry they wouldn't get elsewhere (in most cases, much more cheaply). If children or parents believe the hype in CTA's publicity I think they will be disadvantaged by attending. I am certain that no-one looking for young professional actors will be remotely impressed by a child attending an overcrowded, over-priced "celebrity" workshop. This is the kind of thing I would recommend keeping off an acting CV! It's about as relevant as attending a pop concert.

I'd be happy to debate with anyone from CTA about my views and doubts. I would also welcome the opportunity, as an interested observer, to attend a recruitment/audition day and ask a few questions and perhaps attend some classes. I somehow doubt I'll get an invitation.

I work in the industry as an actor and director and I know quite a number of directors and casting directors. I also have an adult son who works professionally as an actor and a daughter currently training at a music college.

I know nothing about any scholarships at CTA but would suggest that looking at other schools with more established industry reputations would be worthwhile. If you ARE tempted (and I can understand why you might be) I would certainly look at it with a cynical eye, as you seem to be doing, and be prepared to walk away if you cannot get all the answers and reassurances you need. Have you been able to establish exactly what they mean by a scholarship?

By the way, just to be clear, CTA is not an agency, it's a part-time, very new (and very expensive) "school" with (seemingly) a very good publicity machine. It is not a route to jobs in the industry.

[islandofsodor]

My earlier reply seems to have disapeared into cyberspace.

From everything I have heard or read I do not have a good feeling about CTA. I don't like its ethos which seems to be gving false expectations to children and their parents.

I would agree with making sure that anything is in writing. Is the scholarship for 100% of the fees for example or just for part of it. It is very expensive for what it offers and there are other training organisations that I believe offer much better value for money.

Even the word celebrity in its name, why? What impression does that give, that it is run by celebrities, that children attending will become celebrities????

I would personally steer well clear.

[doodledude]

Hi,

Everything everyone is saying is exactly what I am scepticle about. I am going to clarify the word 'Scholarship' and I think if I ask to see a copy of the contract I should get my answer if they refuse. At this point I would not touch them with a barge pole. I agree that their ethos is not good - it was advertised on a radio station. We read lots of the blog on this site, prior to going up and decided it was a good experience and if nothing else my daughter would learn that things aren't always what they are cracked up to be. We had a great day out so all was not lost. I would still like to know if anyone has been offered a scholarship as on their website under FAQ there is a bit about scholarships and it states they are offered from time to time if they spot extraordinary talent - how true is this???

Many thanks to you all for your comments.

Doodledue

[pg]

Well, It would do no harm to investigate I suppose, as long as you do it with your wallet firmly in your pocket! Do I seem to have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about CTA? I probably do, but I think it's with very good reason!

There are two ways of looking at it. I think the first is more likely - with no disparagement intended:

1. Scholarships are offered because they sense some doubt and don't want to lose you and some, at least, of your money. They offer a very flattering incentive, saying that because of your daughter's talent they will subsidise the classes. This needs investigation with a cynical eye - as you are clearly doing.

2. Scholarships are offered for completely free tuition throughout her time at the academy because they see tremendous potential and would hope to be able to use your daughter's success to enhance publicity for the school - this is something to be wary and cynical about and you need to be clear about what permission you are giving about use of images and information in future publicity. There may be hugely talented individuals who attend a school (good or bad) who then go on to achieve great things elsewhere - the school will obviously want to make the most of any success achieved by alumni. This is quite understandable and on the face of it is a reasonable marketing decision that any school might make. However, because of the nature of the publicity I have seen so far from CTA I would feel very uneasy about my child being used to promote such an organisation.

I wouldn't be anything like as cynical as this if Celebrity Talent Academy would be honest in their recruitment publicity, would publish their fees on their website, state exactly what you get for your money and let people come and visit the "school". They should also publish more details about what a scholarship means and what kind of subsidy it offers. They don't do any of these things, therefore I don't trust the organisation at all and will continue to raise doubts whenever I get the opportunity. If they dislike this fact, the solution is crystal clear: start running an open and honest business!

I think it would be much safer to try to find out by other means whether industry professionals - and I don't include CTA in that definition! - think that your daughter has the potential to do well - if this is the answer you are seeking. It depends what you and she want I suppose. If you want confirmation/validation of her talent, it's probably best not to look for it from an organisation you are so cynical about. If you want to get good training, there are cheaper and better established alternatives who will also give a more honest and balanced view of the profession. If she would like performance opportunities, these are far more likely in the amateur and youth theatre arena. If you want the opportunity for professional work, then it would be as well to consider agency representation. You don't need to attend CTA for this. If an agent (one who charges NO upfront fees) is willing to take your daughter on, then this means that their industry experience suggests that she has the potential to get professional work. It doesn't mean that she will get professional work, but at least you won't be spending over the odds to find out!

Best of luck with whatever you decide and please keep us posted. I hope you'll find NAPM useful - I think it's a great resource.

[doodledude]

Thank you very much for your extremely useful thoughts. I really do not feel right about this and will have to break the news to my daughter. Thankfully she is pragmatic and accepts things very well. You touched on all the issues and concerns I had so this has been confirmation for me.

Doodledue

[pg]

I feel sure you've made the right decision. I hope your daughter isn't too disappointed but it sounds as though she has a great attitude. Here's to many exciting opportunities in the future!