I was approached by a woman in the grocery store, who said that my daughter was so beautiful and would love if she could come in for a screen test. She gave me a invitation with a label on it that contained her name (although it was a few years ago, I still remember her name - Isabelle).
My daughter and I attended the screen test, and right after the screen test we met with a talent manager (Taylor or Tyler). He looked over the snap shot I was asked to bring and said that he saw my daughter's screen test and would love to work with her. We were then invited to a meeting at the main office in Emeryville where we set in a room of about 15 other families and watched testimonials of how MAP had changed lives and made stars of other children.By the time we were done watching the testimonials, my daughter was filled with visions of being famous (I had never seen so much joy in my daughter's eyes). After our "talent manager" asked us into his office where we were pressured into signing up for an acting boot camp, and paying $75 dollars to Sky Studios to take snap shots of my daughter in front of a white background. We were further lured in by the company offering us a payment plan. The acting boot camp was held in South San Francisco, and lasted a few weeks (Saturdays and Sundays).
I took my daughter faithfully to the class every week (she enjoyed the class very much), and since we were told that we could not participate in the talent event until we had a signature from the company providing the boot camp my daughter was that much anxious to get it over with. We completed the classes, and submitted the photo and paperwork to take part in the talent event. The day of the talent event the Emeryville office was packed with parents and kids just as hopeful as my daughter and I. After a couple of hours my daughter was called into a room that supposedly was filled with Casting Directors and/or other individuals seeking new talent. Of course we were not offered any acting jobs, but we were offered more acting courses.
Up until a few weeks ago before canceling my old email address I would receive emails that invited my daughter to come in and submit herself for modeling or acting gigs. Against my better judgment we responded one of the invitations to come in and audition to participate in the San Francisco fashion event. Once again the place was packed, and you had to submit a snap shot and $10 donation to participate. Of course we once again we never received a call.
The most sad part of the whole story is that my daughter still believes this company is legit, and that she just hasn't been good enough to get an acting or modeling job.
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