TAMPA BAY TALENT

Serving the Tampa entertainment, media, and advertising industries

This free resource site covers talent professions, which include, but are not limited to, modeling, acting, filmmaking, dancing, singing, writing, musicians, bands, dj’s, mc’s, cj’s, television hosts, comedians, and more.

Update 02/18/11 - New Secret Fifth Site Revealed
The secret is out. The secret 5th Tampa Bay Talent site which we’ve been hinting at has been revealed. Although the site is in development, and it will not launch until later in 2011, we can now reveal the name, and the mission, of this exciting new site.
The new site will be Tampa Bay Dancer!
Although Tampa Bay Talent will have a dancing resource section here on our site for professional dancers in the Tampa Bay area, Tampa Bay Dancer will be a dedicated talent resource site for professional and aspiring dancers. When most people here the term “dancer” in the Tampa Bay area, they think something other than what the term is supposed to mean, and this is because the Tampa Bay market is notorious for the exploits of another industry. Tampa Bay Dancer is about real dancing, and dancing as a performing art which demands respect and good taste. Tampa Bay Dancer will cover everything from freestyle and club-type dancing, to tap, ballet, jazz, swing, ballroom, hip hop, and other types of professional dancing. Tampa Bay Dancer will be a family-friendly dancer resource site, and it will contain a vast amount of free tools and resources for dancers. It will even include references to the best Tampa dancing schools, and other investments for the serious dancer.
Of course, they will also cover scams, as well as warn people about the dangers of less professional types of dancing, so expect some controversy with unethical people who call themselves dancers, but whom are really far from it.

UPDATE 02/02/11 - TAMPA BAY TALENT POISED TO BECOME MAIN TAMPA BAY CAREER RESOURCE SITE!
As our first anniversary approaches, a lot of work is planned for Tampa Bay Talent. It was intended from the very beginning that Tampa Bay Talent would eventually become the lead professional career resource site for our sister Tampa Bay sites. This will be achieved in 2011.
Tampa Bay Talent will become the site behind its sister sites, which include, but are not limited to, Tampa Bay Modeling, Tampa Bay Acting, Tampa Bay Photographers, Tampa Bay Film, and a secret fifth Tampa Bay talent resource site due in late 2011. With Tampa Bay Modeling currently the top modeling resource site in the world, and Tampa Bay Film consisting of a massive network of eight distinct web sites, we are already on our way. Expect a lot of work this year on Tampa Bay Acting, too.
All of these sites will be branded as “a Tampa Bay Talent site”.

Tampa Indie Film Alert 12/10/10
Tampa Bay Talent is an advocate for professional actors, talent, dancers, and models in the Tampa Bay area who are looking for legitimate work in independent film.
At the moment, there are a lot of independent films in the Tampa Bay market which actors and talent should not bother with. This know, how do you discern a good film from one which is higher risk to get involved with?
While we are currently working on a comprehensive online resource addressing this, here are some tips which will get you started.

1. General audition tips.
When considering auditioning for an independent film being produced in the Tampa Bay market, realize that at least half of all independent films in our market are either scams, or a waste of time. Additionally, performing in an independent film can reflect upon you professionally, and influence, or even undermine, your career.

A. Make sure that they have a web site
Whether amateur or professional, make sure that they filmmaker has a web site with a domain name. Anyone can set up a facebook or a myspace account and claim to be a filmmaker. Anyone can post an ad on craigslist. Those processes are too easy and quick, and with no investment needed in their filmmaking career, it is way too risky to consider working for them. A web site, at the very least, is the bare minimum that any indie filmmaker needs to be taken seriously.

B. Never respond to any audition ads in the paper or on the radio.
We have never seen a single one turn out to be legitimate. Also, stay away from any film project or job which claims that no experience is necessary. Legitimate indie films (at least ones that are worth performing in) and jobs in the entertainment industry ALWAYS REQUIRE experience. If you need experience acting, we suggest getting involved with community theatre groups. If you need acting lessons, learn from an experienced actor or a school (We hear good things about Venue) which is honest about what they are in business to do, and who do not advertise auditions or jobs. If you need headshots, photography for your career tools, or a portfolio, invest in them from a professional photographer who advertises photography services, and not jobs or auditions.
C. Never buy anything from anyone casting a Tampa indie film.
As an actor or talent, you MUST be fairly evaluated in an audition with no obligation to buy any product, or service, or be subjected to conditions which were never agreed upon. Make sure that they are honest about who they are, and what they do.
If they try to sell you something, or you feel uncomfortable, feel free to leave. It’s their loss, and you are now free to find opportunities which would be better for you.

D. At least 70% of all Tampa indie films have serious flaws, and will not help your career.
Be selective. Make them prove to you that the indie film is worth your time and effort. Ask questions.
By being picky, you will free your time to find independent film projects which are worth it for you. Quality over quantity works every time.

E. Read our sister site, Tampa Bay Film, for more information about the Tampa indie film scene. Be informed, and educate yourself. You may also want to read the Tampa Film Blog, which has a lot of useful information about what is really going on in the Tampa indie film scene. A lot of filmmakers try undermine potential competitors through slander, threats, theft, and intimidation. Don’t work with unethical filmmakers! Their crimes and behavior will undermine your credibility if you are associated with them!

F. Most Tampa indie films don’t pay, and that’s fine, unless.......
The work is rushed, exploitive, or poor. If you must work on a film for free, at least make sure that it’s going to be a good addition to your indie film portfolio.

2. Evaluating Tampa filmmakers who are new.
If the filmmaker is new, and they don’t have a reel to show what they are capable of? Ask to see the script when offered a role in their indie film.
Ask questions. Have they been trained. Do they have any experience at all, such as working on other films?
If they show promise, and demonstrate an investment into their career , with a real web site and references, by all means, consider giving them a chance. If not, move on!
If any filmmaker requires nudity, and the script does not make it absolutely necessary, consider working with them high risk. You might want to pass on any risky work, unless you can feel tht you can trust them. Remember that pictures, as well as indie films, are forever.
Also, never do any film without a written and signed agreement. If pay is involved, make sure that you get paid, in full, before signing any release!

3. Evaluating experienced Tampa filmmakers.
Look at their films. Check their references.
Do their films tell a good story? Are the films any good?
You might want to avoid horror films unless the filmmaker can demonstrate good work in other genres, too, as too many aspiring filmmakers try to make horror films, often at the expense of the actors and talent who help them.
Also, does the filmmaker have range? Have they done films in drama, comedy, and other genres. Avoid filmmakers who are obsessed with making only one kind of film.

4. 48 hour film contests: Haste makes waste.
If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. We have rarely seen any indie films which are made in those two day filmmaking competitions which turn out to be any good (there have been one or two exceptions, but most of them are crap). Do you really want to be associated with a film which will not go anywhere, or do anything, for your career?

5. Is the film a job which is worth it?
Consider the quality that the Tampa filmmaker demonstrates, as well as the investment that they have put into their career. Are they serious about making films, and about doing great work? If it’s worth it, consider it, but realize that most of the films currently done in the Tampa Bay market are not worth anything.

Tampa Bay Talent is not a modeling and talent agency. We are a free talent resource for both agency-represented and freelance independent talent. This site is available for use free of charge, and is for informational use only.
Although we do market services that talent need for their careers here in Tampa Bay Talent, you are not obligated to buy anything, contact us, or send us any information for membership in order to use this site. It is our sincere intention to provide this resource to help professional talent with their careers, and to help bring balance and integrity to the entertainment industry, with an emphasis on the Tampa entertainment industry.

Tampa Talent Headshot and Portfolio Photography Services available. Photography services are guaranteed for quality. Call (813) 546-0092 today!

BREAKING NEWS! Tampa Bay Talent launches!
Latest free career resource site from the makers of Tampa Bay Modeling launches on Saturday, February 23, 2010! Domain name and site launched on same day; more content on the way.
Tampa Bay Talent will eventually become the main “point” marketing site for Tampa Bay Modeling, Tampa Bay Acting, Tampa Bay Photographers, and Tampa Bay Film.
PLEASE NOTE: As this site is brand new, it is going to take a while for us to get up to speed with content and tools. As of February 23, 2010, our sister modeling resource sites are getting most of the attention, and after they get what they need, Tampa Bay Acting and Independent Acting are in a need of massive overhauls and updates. We are brand new, and it’s going to take time. This site is online, but it is a work in progress, and some design details may change in the coming weeks. Please be patient!

TOP TAMPA TALENT SCAMS FOR 2010

1. Modeling Job Scams
2. Actor and Talent Audition Scams
3. Talent Management Scams
4. Modeling and Talent Agency Scams
5. Indie Film Scams

Welcome to Tampa Bay Talent, a brand new Talent resource site, launched on February 23, 2010, serving the Tampa Bay entertainment industry. Tampa Bay Talent is brought to you by the minds behind Tampa Bay Modeling, and is a free talent resource site for both independent, and agency-represented, talent.
Tampa Bay Talent is designed to be the point regional talent resource site for Tampa Bay Modeling, Tampa Bay Acting, Tampa Bay Photographers, and Tampa Bay Film.
Much like Tampa Bay Modeling is interlinked with Independent Modeling as a resource core, Tampa Bay Talent will interlink with the upcoming Independent Talent Network site.

The Tampa Bay Talent site features the following sections:

Blog - The official Tampa Bay Talent Blog by director C. A. Passinault.
Talent - Featured Talent. Models and Actors are referenced on our sister sites.
Services - Photography and other talent support services. Invest in your career.
Features - Main site features, such as about us, Tampa talent history, and more.
Scams - A Scenario based Tampa Talent Scam Database with scam-fighting tools.
Auditions - Tampa talent auditions and audition tools.
Resources - Tools and information for Tampa talent.
Contact - Contact us!

PUBLISHED 02/23/10

UPDATED 12/19/11

TAMPA TALENT BLOG - TAMPA TALENT - TAMPA TALENT SERVICES - FEATURES - TALENT SCAMS - AUDITIONS - TALENT RESOURCES - CONTACT

TAMPA BAY TALENT - TAMPA BAY MODELING - TAMPA BAY ACTING - TAMPA BAY PHOTOGRAPHERS - TAMPA BAY FILM - TAMPA TALENT SCAMS - TAMPA TALENT AGENCY - TAMPA HEADSHOTS - TAMPA MODEL TESTING - TAMPA MODELING AGENCY

© Copyright 2010 Tampa Bay Talent. All rights reserved. Presented as-is, with no guarantees expressed or implied. Informational use only. Tampa Bay Talent is not legally liable for the content on this web site, and use of any content waives us from liability. Anyone using the content on this site or attempting anything described on this site assumes all legal and civil liability. Please be familiar with your local laws before using this site. Information on Tampa Bay Talent is not to be taken as legal advice or advice which may be covered under any licensed or regulated profession. Opinions expressed on this web site are those of the individual contributor and may not be shared by other contributors, Talent, models, photographers, advertisers, or businesses who may be involved with this web site or our online community. Tampa Bay Talent is a free, no-obligation professional talent resource web site operated from Tampa, Florida, by a team of professional freelance and agency-represented talent and talent-support professionals. For more, please read our Disclaimer.

Tampa Bay Talent utilizes a state of the art Raptor 3.0 web site design, designed by webmaster C. A. Passinault on 02/23/10

TAMPA BAY TALENT SITE DIRECTORY UPDATE HISTORY

04/18/11 - Adjusted links.

02/19/11 - Added faux "Dancer" link to our talent resource site intersite navigation link. Since Tampa Bay Dancer has not launched, the link does not work, but it has been made to look like a link for site design continuity. The link will become active when the site launches.

11/04/10 - Centered site design layout. Added service advertisement vertical banner ad on right side of site for Aurora PhotoArts. Reviewed code.

TBT site template and site directories refreshed on 02/23/10 - Site construction and launch

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