IMTA Countdown - Week Three

Model Tip of the Week

Get your hair in gorgeous condition! Find the products that work best on your hair and remember salon products may cost about the same as drugstore products because you can use so much less. Be sure to ask your Director before you make any significant changes to your hair such as a shorter style, or highlights. Your Director will want you to look like your photos and comp card so dramatic changes are not a good idea. The Agents at the IMTA Convention will want you to have healthy, beautiful, shiny hair.

For some hair style tips from Marie Claire, click here.

Runway/Fashion Print

Let's focus on Runway/Fashion Print. The way you walk is one of the most important factors in presenting yourself in the Runway Competition. Be sure to select shoes that you can walk in. It's good to show some personality -- and the judges love a great smile! As you practice and refine your walk, focus on moving smoothly and confidently. Wardrobe selection should not deter from your walk - choose an outfit you feel great in. Guys, make sure you walk naturally too. You may want to use creative imagery and envision yourself on the Runway at IMTA, walking beautifully with elegance and grace. Remember, your three fashion print shots will be projected onto screens and monitors just before you walk the T. Agents love seeing how you look in print as well as your potential on the runway.

To see some great examples of runway walks from the Fall 2011 Collections, click here and select your favorite designer's show.

Talent Tip of the Week

Have you ever noticed how your first impression lasts the longest? It's that way for the agents, managers and casting directors at IMTA too! So when you take the stage or the mic for your performance at IMTA, be in character and in the moment. In fact, as soon as you walk in the room, you may have attracted an agent's attention. Whether you are on stage, in the elevators or in a meeting room, be professional, friendly and upbeat. You never know when you'll be noticed!

Having a great stage presence has a lot to do with how prepared you are. Rehearse enough so that you feel comfortable with your lines but don't over rehearse. Smile; you're on!

Break a leg!

Competition Tip of the Week

Get ready for your TV Commercial Competitions. When performing your Commercial, remember that you are selling a product. Make your product sound like it's the best ever! Make your delivery fresh and stick to the script. Judges are looking for personality, projection and believability.

You can practice your commercial in front of a mirror. On your competition day, make sure you are not wearing distracting jewelry or hair clips. The judges will want to see your eyes so if you have long bangs, make sure they are off of your face. Wear a solid color shirt (stay away from white). Prints and striped materials usually don't show up as well on-camera.

The best part of an IMTA Commercial Competition? It may be about a product but you are really promoting yourself as a talent! IMTA alum Eva Longoria is pictured above performing her IMTA TV Commercial Competition.

Actor of the Week

Raini Rodriguez has been in numerous feature films and television series since attending IMTA in 2005. Raini's television projects include The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Parker, I'm in the Band, and True Jackson, VP. Most recently, Raini starred in the Disney hit movie Prom! She is currently working on two new projects titled See If I Care and Austin & Ally.

Model of the Week

Zhanna competed at IMTA in 2003 and signed with IMG. Zhanna has appeared in tons of fashion magazines including Nylon, Teen Vogue and Jane. She has also modeled in many designer fashion shows including Genart, Daryl K and Michael Soheil.

In an exclusive IMTA interview with Zhanna, when asked about what she learned at IMTA that helped her in her career, Zhanna replied, "EVERYTHING, How to walk, how to pose, how to talk to clients, how to portray myself as a professional model and as a professional woman."

IMTA Hall of Fame

From the big screen to sitcoms to Broadway, Katie Holmes has done it all. She starred in numerous projects after competing at IMTA, such as Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Mad Money, Go, and the hit television show Dawson's Creek. She has also appeared on Saturday Night Live as a host.

Katie displayed her talent at IMTA in 1993 and 1995, where she caught the eye of many top agents and managers. She won Junior Talent of the Year, and it was at IMTA where she met her manager who helped her get to where she is today! Be sure to look for her next film, The Son of No One, Jack and Jill, and Responsible Adults, set for release in the upcoming year.

A complete list of Katie's work is listed here on IMDB.com.