AMTC Shine Conference 2014 Recap

SHINE Summer 2014 was the 63rd biannual conference AMTC has hosted since 1982. On July 1-6, The Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Fla. hosted 690 performers who showcased their talents of acting, modeling, singing, dancing and comedy.

Thirty showcases were spread across six days. AMTC-trained performers had the opportunity to participate and perform in a wide variety of agent-attended events. Photography, TV Presenter, Standup Comedy, Lifestyle Runway and Singers, Dancers and Songwriters are just a few of the showcases that performers could choose from. This Summer, AMTC introduced a new showcase to the SHINE Conference. The Sing-Off and Dance-Off event allowed performing troupes to showcase their ability to work as a unit and come up with a choreographed dance or  cover of a song.

Seventy-three leading agents, managers, casting directors and record-label producers attended SHINE to scout out upcoming talent and host industry-professional seminars. Some of the VIPs who attended SHINE Summer 2014 were the following: Alpha Tyler, Alpha Tyler Casting/BET Casting, Atlanta (casted for Tyler Perry Films), Nelson Diaz, DMG Diaz Management Group, L.A. (represents Stephen “tWitch” Boss). Joy Pervis, The Osbrink Agency, L.A. and J Pervis Talent, Atlanta (discovered Dakota Fanning), Blaine Barcus, Provident Label Group, Sony Music, Nashville, Nate Butler with America’s Got Talent, top modeling agencies such as Ford, Wilhelmina, NY Models, LA Models, and Ian Burke, Burke/Stone Entertainment, Atlanta (Signed Arrested Development and TLC).

SHINE also brought in entertainment stars like Mrs. America 2014, Austen Williams, Tyler Griffin (American Eagle’s “Live Your Life”), New York model James Toller, Nicole Smolen (Lead role in upcoming movie, “8 Days”), Ser’Darius Blain (In over 12 films such as “Footloose,” and in multiple television shows like “Jane By Design”), Abbie Cobb (Recently in “Mom’s Night Out”) and Capitol Records artist Keta (releasing single, Wooden Horses, to radio this August).

A total of 49 seminars, workshops and panel discussions were taught by entertainment VIPs, Guest Stars and AMTC coaches. “How to Succeed in Hollywood (Without Losing Your Soul) was taught by Dr. Ted Baehr, MovieGuide. Stone Stafford (BurkeStone Entertainment, Icon Studios) hosted “The Three E’s: Education, Execution and Excellence.” “The Wow Factor…for Actors” was taught by Joy Pervis, owner of J Pervis Talent, Atlanta. Marissa Surmenkow with New York Models, Ny. hosted a seminar on fashion modeling. American film actress, Jenn Gotzon, was in charge of the seminar called “Creating Boundaries as a performer.”

On Sunday, July 6, performers attended the Grand Awards Banquet and Show. Top talent training schools and universities from around the country gave over $250,000 in scholarships to performers wanting to further their training in the industry. In addition to these scholarships and Performer Choice Awards, thirty-seven performers were given VIP Choice awards throughout 31 categories.

Ricardo Hurtado received 36 callbacks with some of the most prestigious names in entertainment. He is a triple threat, winning AMTC awards for Overall Male Teen Actor, Male Teen Lifestyle Model and Teen Singer. “Shine was an absolute amazing experience! It truly prepared me and showed me a lot about the entertainment industry. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to go to AMTC,” Ricardo said.

Matthew Alexander, a fifteen-year old from North Carolina, won Overall Male Fashion Model. He speaks about the event, “SHINE was an unbelievable experience. I was so appreciative of the support system I had, and could not believe how much God revealed to me while going through the program. He also gave me the assurance that I was in the right place doing what I love,” he said. Matthew is currently looking over contracts with agencies in New York City, and is possible going to be in the New York Fashion Week this September.

Halie Arreaga won Overall Group Performance for her dance with Enom Clayton, and Overall Songwriter. This was her second time attending SHINE, after previously participating in the Summer of 2010.

Corey Atkins is a 34-year-old from California. Feeling Christ lead him to entertainment, he attended SHINE and won the VIP Choice Award for Overall Male Mature Lifestyle Model. He speaks about the exciting AMTC event, “SHINE was absolutely amazing and more than I expected,” he said, “I was thoroughly pleased and to be selected as Best Mature Male Model was overwhelming and icing on the cake!!”

Jared Shay, a 14-year-old from Maryland, has an audition for the new Broadway revival of “The King & I.”

The Craig Knutson family, which includes six children – four of whom are adopted, is already in contact with agents who are interested in the family as a whole. Craig speaks about God’s Presence at AMTC, “Words cannot really describe watching so many talented performers using their abilities that God has given them to ‘make good bolder’. We also learned some valuable information about the industry from all of the seminars we were able to attend and the VIPs were top notch professionals,” he said.

To see the full list of VIP Choice Award winners, visit http://www.amtcworld.com/our-event/event-detail/shine-summer-2014.

Click here to watch Adam She, President of AMTC share a devotional on the excellence of speech.

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http://www.amtcworld.com/videos/faith-edit-2