1. Do you sell portfolios at your school?

This is the biggest misconception in our business--that you can "buy" a portfolio. A real portfolio, or model's "book", as it's called, is really a scrapbook, a compilation of all your work (experience) in the business. No one can buy experience. If portfolios had been called "scrapbooks", EVERYONE would know not to buy one. Any school selling portfolios isn't being successful with the quality of their education, so they're making money on pictures. Real talent agents only make money by taking a percentage of what their actors and models make; if they're selling pictures, it's a sure sign they're not getting enough real work. BEWARE of schools and "agencies" selling pictures!!

2. Are you an agency, too?

Better than that--we work with ALL the legitimate agents! The most successful talent agents are Screen Actors Guild, & Screen Actors Guild won't allow its agents to be both an agency & a school, because of the obvious conflict of interest. The only agencies allowed to cast the residual paying national & regional TV commercials, along with union episodic TV and film work, are Screen Actors Guild signators , so we want ALL graduates to be listed with SAG agencies. If we at Lisa Maile ever decided to open an agency (which we would NOT!!), it couldn't be SAG, so there's no reason for us to even consider it.

Sadly, when students attend the schools that say they're agencies, too,they are never taught about the Screen Actors Guild union or the importance of SAG in developing your career. Although being a school & agency together is not illegal, in a market like central Florida with so much commercial work, it's highly unethical if you're serious about preparing actors and models and truly want your performers to succeed. We want our graduates to have every opportunity possible to work in the industry.

3. If you're short, can you be a model?

In a commercial area like central Florida, the way to get real agents excited about you if you're not very tall is to be strong on-camera--to be interested in appearing in TV commercials, as that type of works pays considerably more than the print available here. At TV commercial auditions, your head & shoulders are put on tape, so clients can't tell (& they don't care) if you're 5'3" or 6'3"--the most important factors are your believability, energy, professionalism and look! If you love being on-camera and get your agent in the habit of calling you for commercial auditions, they'll call you for print work,

too. Generally, if you tell an agent in central Florida you're only goal is print work and you don't enjoy talking and meeting people, they won't be very excited about sending you to any type of audition!

4. Why do you encourage teens to study Image & Confidence beforeProfessional Modeling?

Working in our industry--modeling and acting--means rejection for any performer, as no one can be selected for everything. At Lisa Maile, we know this, and we have always presented our business honestly and accurately; it's hard work, with lots of auditions to network, meet clients, and let them see what you offer, not only for today's job, but also for others they'll have down the road. Performers who have confidence, who truly enjoy meeting others, believe in themselves and don't take that rejection personally, ALWAYS are noticed for their positivism! We want our models and actors to feel comfortable in everyday situations, as well as all aspects of the industry, and that's why our Image & Confidence course, offering classes in first impressions, skin-care, make-up, nutrition & exercise, hair, wardrobe, etiquette, and manicures, along with on-camera sessions in posture & body language, public speaking and interviewing skills, gives such a headstart. The course helps develop your best possible look, as well as confidence to face professional and social situations--it allows you to see yourself the way others see you.

Since 1982, over 12,000 students from age 10 - 82 have completed the 13-week Image & Confidence course, including Miss America 1997, Tara Holland, of Longwood. This program is offered on weeknights for adults and older teens and on Saturdays for young teens. If you'd like to look your very best, feel comfortable speaking to others, and know people see you as friendly and confident, then the Image & Confidence Development course at Lisa Maile is for you! Students enjoy and benefit from this exciting program, many times making friends for life in the classes, as everyone attends with the same goals--to look great & have lots of confidence.

5. Since Lisa Maile's just in Florida, is it as good as the national name modeling schools?

Franchise schools usually brag about their hundreds of schools across the country that all teach the same course. But anyone within the industry knows that modeling in Miami is different from modeling in Orlando, because every market is unique. Anyone can buy a franchise. In central Florida a couple of local franchise schools were purchased by parents for their young adult children as gifts. Industry experience was not a factor for these new owners... who wouldn’t have been qualified to teach at our school. As opposed to many schools who enroll every student in the same course (ie. Modeling), Lisa Maile offers different programs for different student needs. Our courses including Image & Confidence Development for teens and adults, Children’s Modeling (ages 6 -10), Professional Modeling (teens, adults), TV & Commercial Acting for Children, (Ages 4 - 6, 7 - 10), Teens and Adults and Advanced Acting.

6. Why do talents agents require training before they represent you?

Agents earn income based on their (and your) success in getting bookings. Untrained clients are less likely to book.

7. At what age do you begin children? Do you have adult students?

Whether you are 4 or 84, if you have the desire, we can help you. Our courses including Image & Confidence Development for teens and adults, Children’s Modeling (ages 6 -10), Professional Modeling (teens, adults), TV & Commercial Acting for Children, (Ages 4 - 6, 7 - 10), Teens and Adults and Advanced Acting.