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People of all ages dream of becoming a star, whether they want to be an actor or model, and there are plenty of opportunities for people to get their moment in the spotlight. Unfortunately, the talent industry has developed a bad reputation due to people taking advantage of individuals and families wanting to make it big quickly.
The talent development team at Turner Talent strives to make the industry safer by exposing the false promises standard of the industry and replacing them with valuable coaching and connections. Turner Talent is led by the mother-daughter duo Kelli and Erica Turner, who have years of experience in the industry. Having started as models and actresses themselves, the Turners have deep knowledge of the ins and outs of the business and can help guide up-and-coming talent through the process of getting their foot in the door.
Disrupting the talent industry with honesty
The genuine, honest advice that the Turners offer to their clients allows people to better understand how to navigate the complexities of the talent industry. Through easy-to-follow online courses and one-on-one communication with Kelli and Erica, participants in Turner Talent’s programs will be ready to face the industry head-on.
Turner Talent’s signature offering is its Casting-Coaching-Connections program, a development and training program designed to help prepare prospective talent for success in modeling and acting. The program helps teach industry-specific skills like common lingo, audition techniques, and set etiquette while providing casting opportunities and industry connections to help them kick-start their career.
The team at Turner Talent works with aspiring talent in ways that many other programs don’t. “When people are first entering the acting and modeling industry, they tend to be overwhelmed by the fast-paced nature of the work, and try to immediately jump into getting signed with an agent which can lead to problems,” Erica explains. “Finding reputable agents in itself can be a tricky task that Turner Talent is here to assist with. On top of that, if talent is going back and forth with an agent with questions or lack of industry knowledge they are often looked at as inexperienced which doesn’t make the best impression. At Turner Talent, we are here to answer those questions so your agent doesn’t have to.”
Most reputable agents look for professionals for whom they only have to book jobs, not train. “Agents should be working off a percentage of their client’s earnings, so their goal is to get clients as many jobs as possible,” Kelli asserts. “Taking time out of their schedule to answer questions will only distract them from what they need to do. This is why we still work with many people who are represented by agents, as their agents advise them to keep us on as a developmental coach.”
The Turner Talent team is set apart from other talent development programs by their complete transparency and inclusivity. Turner Talent wants to help driven actors and models get the most out of their careers or even if someone wants to pursue it as a fun hobby.
“There are casting opportunities for people of all types and ages, and we are honest with anyone we consult about their potential place in the industry,” Erica states. “Oftentimes, when people hear words like ‘acting’ or ‘modeling,’ they assume it to be out of reach, possibly because they don’t think they feel like they ‘fit’ what the industry is looking for.”
But, as Erica explains, times have changed. “People no longer have to be the traditionally tall, skinny, and buff model or actor with the perfect complexion to find work in the industry. Turner Talent is helping to break down those misconceptions because we know that, with the proper guidance, anyone can succeed in the talent industry the right way.”
Defeating glam scams through education
With their commitment to transparency, Turner Talent is running directly counter to the “glam scams” that have given a negative name to the industry. These scams prey on new talent with vague success stories and empty promises of helping to fulfill their dreams but offer very little value.
“If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,” Kelli adds. “Many of these programs tout high-profile ‘success stories,’ but the truth is that their successes are so few and far between that they’re a waste of money.”
Unlike glam scams, which are based on the idea of “getting famous quickly,” Turner Talent’s CCC program is designed to empower prospective actors and models with the skills they need to thrive in the industry. Their coaching curriculum is built on years of experience in front of and behind the camera, which has allowed them to form legitimate, valuable industry connections that they share with the program’s participants.
The CCC program helps talent get their foot in the door while spending as little time and money as possible. “Although there are some costs associated with getting started in the industry — such as high-quality, professional headshots or professional training — it shouldn’t cost an exorbitant amount to enter the business,” Kelli says. “If you’re being charged large sums and don’t really know what you’re paying for, you are probably being taken advantage of.”
The Turners hope that by informing and educating aspiring talent and their families about what to expect in the industry, they will be able to find success as actors or models without falling victim to glam scams. While it’s unfortunate that people feel the need to prey upon others simply wanting to fulfill their dreams, organizations like Turner Talent are here to right those wrongs and make the industry a better, more positive, and trustworthy place.
