“Normally on Saturdays, one would sleep in early, especially in 18-degree cold weather. However, I woke up at 5am, took a train downtown to Bennett Media Studios in the heart of the West Village in New York. I had been invited to a VIP Talent Connect networking event, and the opportunity seemed worth bearing the cold to attend.
The day began slow, with coffee and bagels, and awkward mingling with people I had only just met. Shortly afterwords, the event began. The speakers were amazing. We had people from spectrum of the entertainment industry. From actors, to producers, directors, writers, hosts, model agents, musicians, really, we had the whole shebang.
It was so wonderful to get an insider’s perspective on how to get started in the business, how to not annoy people you are auditioning for, and how to better present yourself as a professional. In addition to meeting the likes of such people as Mark Schoenfeld, Willie Wisely, Ryan Colby, Stephen De Angelis, and Robert Galinsky, we also got the meet Ed Bennett, former CEO of VH1 and MTV. That in itself was a treat. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, the event was more than I ever could have imagined. I made so many new contacts, and am sure that I have the right connections to get my start in the industry. In fact, I even have meetings with a few model agents and casting director’s set up just because I braved the cold and attended this event. The VIP Talent Connect event so eye opening and helpful, I hope to attend another one in the near future!”
