This convention is a joke and total rip-off! The agencies that go to this are not among the top union agencies-if you look them up on the actra website-they will not be listed as agencies that actra recognizes! Reputable agencies do not solicit talent, advertise by media or other means and offer their own photographer and acting classes! Rip off! Do not be fooled by this convention-it is a cash grab that you are paying to have these agents fly in and enjoy themselves for 4 days on your $! Do yourself a favour, get good head shots done (not by these agencies), take reputable acting lessons. The only way you will get in to the top agencies is by referral only! Do not be fooled by the ones that use cattle calls to get people because you will just be 1 in a million that they have on their roster. Big agencies are selective! So don"t be fooled with the glam of this convention-rip off! They should be shut down!
I just threw $2000 down the toilet attending this 'convention' with my daughter. Talk about being taken! She did not have the opportunity to show her book to anyone. Just had 10 seconds to parade around the room in front of agents with two shots. During the runway competition, most of the agents were texting or chatting to one another. The seminars were not worth the money. One agent got up and didn't have anything prepared so just opened the floor to questions which were the same questions that were answered in other sessions. $75 a ticket for dinner which consisted of a terrible salad, one chicken breast, 3 small baby potatoes and a few carrot pieces. $225 for three people. $50, 000 when we totalled up the number of people at the dinner. Complete scam. They make you stay for the dinner and overnight one more night to check call backs on Sunday morning. This was completely unprofessional and unorganized. My daughter did not receive any callbacks. I can't believe what a fool I was for being sucked into this scam!
I'm sure that if I had attended this convention the exact same thing would have happened to me. This is why I'm so glad I didn't attend but by the time I wanted a refund on this whole bogus convention it was too late! I had already signed the registration agreement where CMTC'S Policy says NON-REFUNDABLE/NON-TRANSFERABLE. I had to consult a lawyer before signing a three year contract as well or else I would have been stuck going to this convention for the next three years with no promise/guarantee or work whatsoever! If you're rich, and have plenty of money to spend then make this a 4 day weekend purely for fun, the experience, and maybe a trophy or two at the end of the convention. Otherwise I would strongly recommend staying far away!
CMTC was a great experience for my child and our family. It not only taught us more about the industry but also taught us what is expected of our daughter if she is to succeed with her dreams. If you go to CMTC planning to become famous quickly, then you are surely to be disappointed. Similarly to expecting any child to become a professional dancer, hockey player, or gymnast etc...I signed the contract as well, and nothing in it states or promises anything other than experience, education, and putting you or your childs name out there. My daughter did not receive many callbacks, but she has gained the knowledge she needs in order to improve if she wishes to continue in this industry. By the sounds of a lot of these complaints, they are coming from bitter people who shouldn't have went in the first place. Nothing in this world comes for free, and just as I pay over to $2000 a year for my sons hockey (whom inevitably probably will never become an NHL player) I will also pay $2000 or more for my daughter to chase her dreams. (And no, I am not rich and I don't just have the money to throw away). I do not usually comment on these types of websites, but I'm astonished by some of these comments. I will not bash a well established industry or convention just because my daughter and I did not get everything 100% our way.
Good on you for posting this! I agree with you 100%! My daughter has not yet attended the convention; however she has been one of those selected to go this upcoming year. You just helped in making my decision to register her even clearer. Thank you.
Thank you for everyone helping us out , we were gonna fly or daughter out and they said it's a extra 250 per person to go with her . By the time of the end of it would could of lost $6000 . Thank you to whom ever made this site . Now I know why they were bugging us everyday to purchase. My daughter thanks you also .
I did not leave a review as of yet about my experience with CMTC in 2019. I did not have many complaints and we enjoyed the experience. I was very happy to have been able to offer such am opportunity to my daughter. However all that changed a few days ago when my daughter left a review that upset the owner of CMTC by saying that the experience was Ok but not worth the money. CMTCs response to my daughter's review has left a very very sour and disgusting taste in my mouth and I'm sick to my stomach with the accusations and personal information that was made public on this review.
This is not my review and I'm afraid that when I do put out MY personal review after the experience I had with such an unprofessional corporation they most certainly will not enjoy the TRUTH I will have to share backed up with my bank statements as well as screen shots of all the NASTY NASTY things that CMTC accused me of doing. Please everyone do not allow your minor child to leave a review with this corporation if you can help it as they posted some pretty personal information about my minor child that could potentially endanger my child if there was someone out there evil enough to take the information to find her. I am currently waiting for a call from a lawyer to deal with this matter as CMTC had not called me or emailed since I talked with their lawyer about the disgusting things that were said about me and the personal information that was shared publicly about my minor child.
P.S. My honest opinion in regards to this convention, it was a waste of money and I was better off using the money I spent to take my whole family to Disney land. We spent a lot of money for a small child to stand up in multiple lineups to spend a very small amount of time showing what she was made of. Also in my honest opinion it was hardly child friendly. There was a pink party held that I attended with my daughter there for all of 5 mins as it was more like a rave then a party for all ages. I personally did not feel safe in the environment however I did not complain to CMTC at the time as I knew it was an event meant for ALL people and it was infact my choice to stay or go. We spent most of the weekend running around trying to find something to do appropriate for a small child as there was nothing fun for small children to do between auditions.
That's my opinion. Keep your money people next thing you'll be threatened a lawsuit same as they have done with me.
PPS.
Will leave screenshots on my next review after I speak to my lawyer.
CMTC you had the nerve to accuse me of some dirty stuff, shame on you for the unprofessional way you handled this situation.