Leaving AMTC Land: What Happens Next?

7 Steps to Help Guide You Down Your Path:

The fast paced, exciting, adrenaline-filled week of AMTC has ended. You say goodbye to your newly made friends, take a breath in and realize you did it! The week went well and ended positively- you learned, you performed, and you thrived. For most, AMTC is the first taste and experience of the industry- all put together for you and presented safely in a pretty awesome package!

But after it all ends, what do you do to make AMTC your everyday life, your career? How do you take the next step down the road that so many eager stars before you have paved?

Step 1: Rest.
Take a day or two to unwind and relax.

Step 2: Take Comfort.
Take comfort and pride in your accomplishment. You did it!

Step 3: Process Everything.
Take in all you learned. Collect your notes from seminars, workshops, call backs and/or speed networking. Write down the advice agents gave you while it is still fresh.

Step 4: Appreciation.
Most important step! Thank God for the opportunity and strength. Thank your family or loved ones who helped you through the process. Thank any sponsors who helped you get to AMTC. Thank the VIP’s you met by sending cards and 1 picture. Thank your Director or Instructor and any staff who helped you on-site through the process. This is the best training for your life in the industry. Enthusiasm and appreciation are musts!

Step 5: Game Plan.
Sit down with your family, loved ones, or trusted advisor, and decide what is best for you to take your career to the next step. Do a little soul searching. All plans and paths will be different, but all include several of these:

*Finish School!
This is a must for all game plans.

*Work on Yourself and Your Trade.
Improve your skills and take local classes. Take the advice you learned at AMTC and go with it. Bottom line- get involved in everything you can in your town. There is no excuse for you not to be involved!

*Visit Local Agents.
Visit and try to sign with a reputable local agent. If you live near a nice sized market (Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, etc), schedule an appointment to meet. See if it’s a right fit. If so, this is a great way to stay at home while pursuing the industry. *Important- Run names of anyone local by AMTC Staff or your Director for reputation and advice.

*Take a 2-3 Day Trip to Visit a Major Market.
Visit major markets (like LA or NY) to meet with contacts you made from AMTC. This is a good way to test the waters, gauge the VIP’s interest in you, see if you like the city, and if you are ready to make the jump into that market. You can make these appointments on your own or ask the help of your Director or Instructor.

*Work or Test in a Major Market During School Breaks.
An agent you met at AMTC, feel comfortable with, and are excited about is ready to test you and/or work with you during breaks from school or through direct bookings. Many successful actors or models begin with this step.

*Move for Extended Period to Major Market.
An agent you met at AMTC, feel comfortable with, and are excited about is ready to sign you- wants you to move immediately! In this case, a normal length of time to relocate is 2-6 months. This is a big and exciting step! You must involve your AMTC Director or Instructor for help!

Step 6: Meet.
Plan a time to talk to your Director or Coach from AMTC- in person or over the phone. You take the initiative. Talk to them about your game plan. See if they have any advice or how they can help.

Step 7: Take Action.
Yes, the Talent Industry can sometimes be the “hurry up and wait” industry. So, be patient, research, and ask lots of questions. Put trust in the knowledge you gained at AMTC. However (this sounds like a contradiction), don’t wait for the industry to come to you- take it on by storm!

When someone asks:

Q: Will I be jetted off all-expenses-paid across the country and onto a TV show, starring role on Broadway, or cover of a magazine?

A: 100% NO!

Q: How then did all of the huge AMTC successes get their first big break after leaving AMTC?

A: It takes…
Hard Work
Follow Up
Grace and Charm
Talent
Making Contacts
Attitude
Positivity
Drive
Spirit
Appreciation
God

Step 8: Wild Card
If you have completed the above steps and need more help- email me! AMTC and I are more than willing to help anyway we can. In addition, we will try to put you in touch with a working AMTC success story- for more tips and advice.

Before Step 8: You must have taken a good shot at steps 1–7!

Lexy@millielewis.com

Warning: What Not To Do!
Commonly made mistakes after AMTC include:

*Waiting for an Agent or Manager to contact you. They are busy. 95% of the time you will need to initiate contact! Maybe they missed you or didn’t know you were serious about getting started.

*Not sending them what they asked for immediately… like Polaroids or a video.

*Being “wishy washy.” Be positive, polite, and responsive. They need to really LIKE you as a person- not just as potential talent. No one is so beautiful or talented that they can get away with a lukewarm attitude.

*Waiting too long to make initial follow-up with contacts. 3+ months is too long! The industry is fast paced and things change quickly – strike while it’s hot and interest is there.

*If you are signed immediately after AMTC, the work is not over. You must keep weekly contact with your Agent or Manager. Send cookies, stop by with coffee, drop an email. Be their favorite client! If you stay on their mind, they are more likely to think of you for a casting or job.