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.

Katie Holmes in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark Trailer!

Check out IMTA alum Katie's Holmes, new movie trailer for the feature film Don't be Afraid of the Dark. According to the L.A. Times the film: "follows a young girl’s frightening encounter with nasty, tooth-collecting gremlins who live in a mansion’s furnace [and] was shown to wide acclaim at last summer’s Comic-Con International in San Diego. The finished movie now could end up back at Comic-Con this summer. The film, a loose remake of the 1973 television movie of the same name, was directed by newcomer Troy Nixey."

Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 & 1995! Her extraordinary talent, poise and beauty have won her starring roles in movies such as: The Romantics, with IMTA alums Elijah Wood,'89 and Josh Duhamel, '97, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, The Extra Man, and The Gift. She is featured in Ann Taylor’s Spring 2011 Advertising Campaign and recently was named the Max Mara Face of the Future. She also starred in the film The Son of No One which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently filming the comedy Jack and Jill with Adam Sandler! Katie recently starred as Jackie Kennedy in the mini-series The Kennedys which aired on the Reelz Channel.

IMTA's Katie Holmes Starring in The Kennedys!

Katie Holmes' new mini-series The Kennedys aired last night! In this historically based drama, Katie portrays first Lady Jackie Kennedy. The series is based on the Kennedy family and on JFK's Presidency. It will air Sundays on the Reelz Channel.

Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 & 1995! Her beauty and talent have won her lead roles in movies such as: The Romantics, with IMTA alums Elijah Wood,'89 and Josh Duhamel, '97, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, The Extra Man, and The Gift. She is featured in Ann Taylor’s Spring 2011 Advertising Campaign and recently was named the Max Mara Face of the Future. She just released a film called The Son of No One at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently filming the comedy Jack and Jill with Adam Sandler!

Be sure to tune in Sunday nights to watch Katie on this gripping new drama The Kennedys!

IMTA's Katie Holmes is Max Mara's Face of the Future!

According to The L.A. Times : " Holmes will receive this year's Max Mara-sponsored Face of the Future Award at the Women In Film Awards in Los Angeles in June." Katie was star power in the front row at the Max Mara Milan Fashion Week Show. Katie is also the new face of Ann Taylor’s Spring 2011 Advertising Campaign!

Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 & 1995! Katie's beauty and talent has won her lead roles in movies such as: The Romantics, with IMTA alums Elijah Wood,'89 and Josh Duhamel, '97, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, The Extra Man, and The Gift. She also portrays Jackie Kennedy on the new television series The Kennedys! She just released a film called The Son of No One at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews! Katie is currently filming the comedy film Jack and Jill with Adam Sandler!

Katie Holmes at The Sundance Film Festival!

IMTA alum Katie Holmes will be premiering her newest movie The Son Of No One tonight at the Sundance Film Festival. According to Film Industry Network: "The Sundance Film Festival is a place that celebrates independent filmmaking, which was originally set up by Robert Redford. The actor has created one of the most iconic institutions for film in the US since its inception, and now it carries international weight like never before. Katie Holmes' ‘The Son Of No One’ will get its premiere at the festival and Spike Lee produced ‘Pariah’ amongst a whole host of other movies."


Katie competed at IMTA twice, in 1993 and 1995. She returned to present awards at IMTA and debuted the first 15 minutes of the pilot episode of Dawson's Creek. The entire ballroom was riveted by this ground-breaking stylish teen drama and Katie received thunderous applause! On that special night, she gave us a very nice interview saying:

"Let's just say a girl from Toledo, Ohio wouldn't end up in a Hollywood movie if it weren't for the IMTA!"

Katie on the Cover of Elle Magazine!!

IMTA's Katie Holmes looks amazing on the cover of this month's cover of Elle Magazine. In the accompanying article Katie talks about her acting roles, her daughter Suri and her husband Tom Cruise!

Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 and 1995, where she met and signed with her manager Al Onorato and soon landed the role as Joey Potter on Dawson's Creek. Since her role on Dawson's Creek, Katie has been in many hit movies such as Go, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, Mad Money, The Romantics with fellow IMTA alums Josh Duhamal '97 and Elijah Woods '89. She has an upcoming film The Son of No One scheduled to premiere at the Sundance film festival January 28th and a new psychological thriller Don't be Afraid of the Dark due out in February.

Katie Holmes supports Buy Life!

Katie Holmes, along with Kim Kardashian, Usher and Ryan Seacrest and other celebrities, are wearing 'BUY LIFE' t-shirts in support of Alicia Key's Keep a Child Alive organization. They are wearing the t-shirts to raise money and awareness for the care, support, medicine, food and shelter for children and families with HIV/AIDS in India and Africa.

To become a supporter, BUY LIFE has created the Stickybits or WiMO app for the Android, iPhone and Blackberry where users can scan the 'BUY LIFE' barcode to donate and support the organization. Phones without application access can contribute by texting 'KATIE' to 90999 to donate and support. The 'BUY LIFE' t-shirts are also available at buylife.org store.

Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 and 1995, where she met and signed with manager Al Onorato and landed the role as Joey Potter on Dawson's Creek. Since her role on Dawson's Creek, Katie has been in many hit movies such as The Romantics, Go, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, and Mad Money. Katie is currently filming the TV series The Kennedys where she portrays Jackie Kennedy.

For more information on the 'BUY LIFE' project, please visit http://buylife.org/!
Together we can make a difference.

Katie on the Cover of Marie Claire Magazine!

IMTA's Katie Holmes is on the cover of this month's issue of Marie Claire! Katie competed at IMTA in 1993 and 1995, where she met and signed with her manager Al Onorato and landed the role as Joey Potter on Dawson's Creek. Since her role on Dawson's Creek, Katie has been in many hit movies such as The Romantics, Go, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, and Mad Money. Katie is currently filming the TV series The Kennedys where she portrays Jackie Kennedy.

Check ou Marie Claire to read all about Katie!

Katie, Josh and Elijah in THE ROMANTICS!!!

Terri Schwartz of MTV said,"THE ROMANTICS is easily one of our most anticipated films of the fall, if only because it brings together some of our all-time favorite stars in a wistful coming-of-age tale." All of us at IMTA heartily agree! THE ROMANTICS stars not one, not two but THREE IMTA stars in the cast!
Katie Holmes as Laura!
Josh Duhamel as Tom!
and Elijah Wood as Chip!

Each of these stars got their start at an IMTA Convention! To find out more, please visit our official site!

More Josh, Elijah and Katie in J. Crew for their film The Romantics!

Check out these just-released shots of IMTA alumni Josh Duhamel, Katie Holmes, Elijah Wood and fellow castmates wearing clothing from J. Crew from their new movie The Romantics. This film is due in theaters January 2010.

Katie attended IMTA in 1993 and 1995, where she met and signed with her manager Al Onorato and landed the role as Joey Potter on Dawson's Creek. Since her role on Dawson's Creek, Katie has been in many hit movies such as Go, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, and Mad Money. Katie is currently filming the TV series The Kennedys where she portrays Jackie Kennedy.

Josh Duhamel attended IMTA 1997, where he was awarded the prestigious title of Male Model of the Year! Josh edged out fellow competitor Ashton Kutcher to win the big prize. After IMTA, Josh landed a role on the popular daytime drama All My Children, on the TV drama Las Vegas and began starring in films such as Win A Date with Tad Hamilton! and When in Rome. His most current projects include Life As We Know It, Tranformers 3, What's He Got? and Beezus and Ramona!
IMTA Alum'89 Elijah Wood is in a cool video for The Apples in Stereo! After competing at IMTA, Elijah has gone on to star in over 40 feature films. His film Happy Feet won a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Children's Award in London! Elijah provides the voiceover for the main character Mumble. Currently, Elijah is post productiom on Happy Feet 2 which was done in 3D! This film is scheduled for release in November, 2011.

Katie Holmes is on the Cover of New York Magazine!

IMTA alum Katie Holmes is on the cover of New York Magazine's new Fall Fashion issue! In the accompanying article Katie shares how she has started a new children's clothing line call Holmes and Yang. She also discusses how being married to Tom Cruise affects her. Katie competed at IMTA twice, in 1993 and 1995. She returned a couple of years later to present awards at IMTA and debuted the first fifteen minutes of the pilot episode of Dawson's Creek the TV show which made her famous.

Kate has joined producer Guillermo del Toro to remake Don't Be of the Dark. This scary movie is due in theaters in January of 2011 and Katie plays the part of Kim is the horror flick. Katie's film The Extra Man is in limited release now. In this comedy Katie stars as Mary Powell.

Be sure to pick up New York Magazine to read more about Katie's exciting projects and get to theaters to see The Extra Man!

IMTA's Josh Duhamel in Beezus and Ramona

IMTA superstar Josh Duhamel is starring in Beezus and Ramona in theaters now! This movie is based on the wonderful children's book series written by Beverly Cleary and co- stars Selena Gomez! Josh portrays Uncle Hobart in this imaginative story about a third grade girl and her adventures! When Josh competed at IMTA in 1997, he was awarded the prestigious title of Male Model of the Year! Josh edged out fellow competitor Ashton Kutcher to win the big prize. Josh recently debuted his film called The Romantics which co stars Katie Holmes, IMTA alum from 1993 and 1995. Josh also stars in Life as We Know It and just signed on to do What's He Got? He is currently filming Transformers 3 where he will reprise his role as Major Lennox!!

Everybody Loves Katie!

People Magazine reports,"The Girl Scouts have got nothing on Katie Holmes! This is one sweet girl who comes armed with the best cookies in the world, according to the cast and crew of The Extra Man, who gushed about the actress's sweet ways at the movie's New York premiere on Monday. 'Katie Holmes is so much fun and really down to earth,' director Shari Springer Berman told PEOPLE on the red carpet. 'She bought cookies for everybody on the set one day. And they were the best cookies I ever had.'"

All of us at IMTA always knew Katie was sweet! She competed at IMTA in 1993 and 1995!

You can read a darling letter Katie Holmes sent us from the IMTA Archives right here exclusively on THAT IMTA BLOG!

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IMTA Spotlights...
Feature Film and Television Star
Katie Holmes...

Katie Holmes attended the IMTA New York Convention in July '95. She signed with Onorato/Guillod Entertainment and was cast in the Ang Lee feature film, The Ice Storm with Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver and IMTA discovery Elijah Woods, which is slated for a summer release. Katie has recently been cast in the lead role in a new television series "Dawson's Creek" which will air this fall. We have just received the following letter from her and felt it was so incredible that we wanted to share it:

"For years I have spent some time sitting in front of the television from 7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. listening intently to John Tesh and Mary Hart inform me about which star was filming what new movie, who was dating who, and who was the rising new actor or actress. Hollywood and its numerous success stories seemed extremely far away and definitely from a world that I would never come into contact with.

On July 23, 1995 my life changed. This particular Sunday evening, I found myself in the New York Hilton for the International Modeling and Talent Association Convention. I was sitting in one of the ballrooms reciting a monologue in front of about 50 other contestants, as well as Al Onorato, David Guillod and Bobby Moresco, the men who were conducting this seminar on "Prepare to Compete". After I had finished, Al and Bobby offered some direction and had me alter it a little. I used my nervous anxiety to help me become more intense and, following my second performance, I felt elated. It was clear to me that something very special occurred in that ballroom that evening.

About six months later, I found myself in the Los Angeles office of Al Onorato, rehearsing an audition piece for the Ang Lee, film The Ice Storm. David, Al and Bobby had become my business managers following that memorable convention and encouraged me to audition in Los Angeles during the 6-week pilot season. Instead of viewing Hollywood on my T.V., I was there. Being in that untouchable world, experiencing the life of a beginning actress, was surreal. Suddenly this strange path of life seemed so normal. I love it.

My experience grew even more unbelievable. On May 21, 1996 I found myself in a trailer on Park Avenue in New York City, getting my hair and make-up done in order to transform myself into a teenager from 1973. I was anxiously waiting to begin filming The Ice Storm. Suddenly, I was part of Hollywood. I was then inside the walls of the business instead of remaining a curious outsider gazing in, struggling to discover what exactly takes place on the inside. I found myself chatting with actors whom I had read about for several years. After receiving directions by the highly acclaimed Hollywood director, Ang Lee, and talking to Kevin Kline for a substantial amount of time, it was time to begin becoming a professional actress.

My rather eventful and definitely memorable year provided me with such valuable life-long lessons that will forever remain a part of me. Fortunately, I was able to work with extremely focused, conscientious people who are completely unconcerned with the Hollywood myth. They work hard at their jobs and then retreat home to their families. I discovered that the Hollywood portrayed on Entertainment Tonight of exciting parties, premieres, galas, etc. is a distortion. The Hollywood I came into contact with is one of extremely talented people who spend their time participating in acting workshops, auditions, films, etc. in order to perfect their craft. The highly respected actors and directors are solely concerned with their work and concentrate on ways to improve. Although "Tinsletown" continues to be a mystery to all and several have benefited from the fortunate fate that seems to occur only in Hollywood, it remains to be true that even in Hollywood, those who diligently work hard are the people who achieve true and long-lasting success."

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Are you interested in competing at IMTA and seeing if you have what it takes to be a model, actor, singer or dancer? Please fill out our IMTA Information Request Form and browse our list of upcoming local searches.

Katie Holmes and Josh Duhamel model for J. Crew!

IMTA alumni Josh Duhamel, Katie Holmes and fellow castmates modeled clothing from J. Crew for the upcoming Fall 2010 collection, a clothing brand they also wore for their recent film, The Romantics. According to E! Online, "Holmes sparkled in a pink sleeveless mini-dress paired with a brown belt while Duhamel donned a classic suit, white shirt and a preppy blue tie."

Katie attended IMTA in 1993 and 1995, where she met and signed with her manager Al Onorato and soon thereafter landed the role as Joey Potter on Dawson's Creek. Katie has previously modeled for J. Crew with the cast members of Dawson's Creek, (see photo on the right). Since her role on Dawson's Creek, Katie has been in many hit movies such as Go, Pieces of April, Batman Begins, and Mad Money.

Josh Duhamel attended IMTA 1997, where he was awarded the prestigious title of Male Model of the Year! Josh edged out fellow competitor Ashton Kutcher to win the big prize. After IMTA, Josh landed a role on the popular daytime drama All My Children, and began starring in films such as Win A Date with Tad Hamilton! and Turistas. His most current projects include Life As We Know It, Tranformers 3, What's He Got? and Beezus and Ramona, based on the beloved children's book series in theaters July 10!

Katie, Josh and fellow IMTA alum Elijah Wood
will premiere together on September 24th
in the movie The Romantics!

Tom Cruise Apartment

Tom Cruise Apartment

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise Go to Broadway 2 out of their apartment Broadway play, "Fences." dated 22 June 2010.

Katie Holmes Tom Cruise

Katie Holmes Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise with Katie Holmes his wife New York City home dated June 22, 2010.

Katie Holmes Awards

Katie Holmes Awards

Katie Holmes National Movie Awards 2010 Red Carpet Arrivals Tom Cruise at the Royal Festival Hall dated May 26, 2010 in London, England.