“Miley Cyrus had to start somewhere, and guess who got the job? We did.”
“We’ve help cast actors for such blockbusters as Twilight.”
“We’re looking for the next Disney star and no talent is necessarily needed. However, if you sing, dance, act and model, you stand a better chance. After all, that’s what Nickelodeon is looking for.”
This is only a snapshot of the comments that were spewing from the executives for the The’ casting call. Executive staff was not necessarily glancing at the young girls who attended this Saturday screening at the Hilton Hotel in Troy, but instead were focused on the image and wealth of the parents. It was all one glorified scheme.
That’s right, I said it – SCHEME.
The day commenced with what appeared to be well trained staff greeting kids and families. Rules and regulations, along with the necessary disclaimers, were all passed out to each family. We were shuffled to a holding pen and awaited a video that profiled what The’ were really selling. It wasn’t a casting call, per se and as advertised, but a marketing scheme to get families to participate in a week-long competition to be held on a Disney property.
I guess if you can’t have a contract from Mickey Mouse directly, the next best thing is to make parents feel as if he’s watching the event. Therefore, if you hold the venue on a Disney property, it must be legitimate, right?
Throughout the video, parents closely examined kids that looked happily ordinary. I didn’t see any glamour, talent, or any real reason that would make one possibly think that those kids in the video would be capable of winning anything. However, the kids in the video were the winners of cash a prizes offered by The’. My immediate reaction was that my child would be a sure-shot at taking this thing, smart, attractive, talented, OMG – In the bag!
As we neared conclusion of the event, organizers instructed me to contact them via email to determine if my daughter was selected to advance to the competition. If so, they would need my immediate payment of $5,000 due in full tomorrow. We were shuffled to another room where my daughter would read from a script in front of a camera. My husband took a look at the camera and noticed that it wasn’t recording.
Nice!
To me, it’s despicable to use children and build up their confidence just to exploit them, as what was happening at this event. Granted, the event may be real, cash prizes may be awarded, but I am skeptical of it all. These types of marketing schemes are worse compared to regularly advertised commercials targeting girls and children.
I simply believe that the $5,000 would be best invested in a pre-paid college tuition plan for my daughter compared to a completion-gimmick. Thoughts?
http://www.lovethespotlight.info/
October 4, 2009 at 8:51 pm |
I concur that is wrong to use children to promote an agenda. Investing in your child’s future is the best you can give your child. For sure I have learned that every thing that looks good isnt.
October 5, 2009 at 9:23 pm |
I think agents are actually out there looking for talent and, like any job, if you have to pay for it it isn’t legitimate. Let’s try to tie it into girls in the media, though. Why would so many actually pay for such an “opportunity.”
October 9, 2009 at 10:39 pm |
I believe girls have this obsession and are impressed with the glitz and the glamour from a very young age. From a young age we dress up in princess outfits and dream of our prince charming. I think it’s just another make believe world that only a select few get inducted into.
October 10, 2009 at 9:10 pm |
I think that girls… or in many cases their parents… and willing to spend this sort of money so that their child can be seen as “successful” and “beautiful” by the media’s standards.
I, like you, think that this money would be much better spent on an education. I am very proud of the position that I hold with my current employer. I am proud that I have climbed the “ladder” has far as I have and look forward to climbing even higher once my degree has been obtained. However… I do not think that media would deem an average looking 24yr old administrative assistant a success.
I guess, to me, what it boils down to is that some people would rather see their children be known for their beauty and popularity… instead of being known for being an educated, well-rounded and self-confident person.