NotaPushyMum.Com

Hi
Sorry if this has been covered and I missed it, but has anyone else had a message on Starnow from Marg Haynes? It's very long winded and as always I'm inclined to press delete but I wondered if anyone else had been contacted either now or previously? Thank you

Yes we had one too

yes we had one as well. Seem to remember it was an invitation to audition for a film course in LA at a cost of $4,500.

Gosh. I looked her up. She's no slouch at self-promotion is she? Can you tell us what the message is about?

Perhaps it's a cultural thing (it's "just not cricket" to blow one's own trumpet in the UK is it?). I believe that it is expected that one should do so in the States in this profession (which is where most of the testimonials seem to be from). However, I'm afraid her website made me feel ... I'm struggling to find the right words ... It made me wonder what exactly she was trying to sell.

Ah! Thanks Kitty Katty
Right, well, that answers my question. Now I understand what she is trying to sell!

There's quite a lot of information on-line about this organisation and there are interesting interviews available too. I am very pleased to see that there are no promises made about the likelihood of work or obtaining visas or anything like that (in any of the material I have been able to find). It's not something I would spend money on but I can imagine it will appeal to some.

You'd need to be certain about why you were doing it though. It's quite a lot of money to spend on a holiday!!!

It is not at all straightforward for Britons to get permission to work in the USA. Anyone going on a trip like this should first of all ask questions (and get independent verification) about the difficulties a British actor might encounter. It's all very well going on a film course in the States and being given a pat on the back and compliments about how talented you are. It might be a very interesting and enjoyable holiday. Will it enable you to get work though? Probably not! It's far more likely that you will get work in the States because of work you have already done here . Auditions can be filmed and sent to CDs (think of Nicholas Hoult who recorded his audition tape at Spotlight in London!) if your details are of interest.

I'd just like to make it clear that I am not in anyway suggesting that Marg Haynes is connected with Celebrity Talent Academy - though I do have the same concerns about the "lure" of Hollywood being used in publicity. Her approach seems to be much more open and from what I can ascertain she does seem to make it clear that she offers training. There is no attempt that I can see to trick people by calling it "pre-screening" or any other rubbish like that, BUT I would suggest reading carefully through the posts on the Celebrity Talent Academy thread http://www.notapushymum.com/phpbb/viewt ... 5&start=60 and take particular note of the information give by one of the posters:
In getting back to England, we were told to email the agents by introducing ourself. Out of the six agents, one replied. She said " your daughter will need to have american accent and it will be difficult for your daughter to obtain work permit." basically she was telling me not to bother. I contacted other parents to hear their view as we all spent huge amount of money for the 5days events. The story was the same. We were then convinced that we have been scammed. CTA then called a meeting for all the families that went IPOP Convention in Vegas. From the director speech, she said " it will be very difficult for our children to get a work permit to work in America. Unless the agent is really really interested in our children". I was shocked and nearly fainted in hearing this. She then said, " i think its a good idea of holiday". A parent then stood up and angrily asked her "if you knew it will be difficult to obtain a work permit in America, why didn't you present all this information before the payments were made, do you think spending £10,000 is everybody idea of an holiday? and she continued by saying many parents that took their children to the event hope the event will allow their children to meet top agents and progress in their chosen career as you made us believe!. The director; Analaura Martinez then said " i apologise if i did not make myself clear enough!". I was just totally shattered. And so were all other parents that i spoke to. We are powerless, confused and don't know what to do and we all went home.