(Note: contestants must meet age and height requirements to compete in any model competition)
FASHION PRINT & RUNWAY: Model Divisions M1 – M11
Contestants are directed onto the runway as the announcer calls the Contestant number. Contestants hold in place, center stage, while both fashion print images are displayed on the screen. When the third image appears, the Contestant number is called again and he/she walks the runway and exits off to the left as the next Contestant’s number is called. Note: Fashion Print and Runway are scored individually as two separate competitions.
FASHION PRINT: Two (2) photos (editorial fashion shots) are submitted for each Contestant which and are projected on a large screen for judges’ viewing. Photos will be submitted by mtm. Judging is on fashion print potential.
RUNWAY: Contestants appear on the runway in one outfit which is appropriate for their age (no swimsuits, no props). Judging is on runway walk, attitude, appropriateness, sense of style and booking potential for fashion shows.
SWIMWEAR: Model Divisions M1-M3, M5, M7-M8, M10/BEACHWEAR: M4, M9, M11
Contestants: 9 and older walk the runway in a one or two-piece swimsuit (no thongs allowed); children 4-8 appear in age-appropriate beachwear, which may include shorts, shirts or skirts over a swimsuit. Bare feet are recommended; beach shoes or low sandals are suggested. No stockings or props (something which is carried); accessories such as sun glasses or hats are allowed. Contestants must wear a cover-up in the hallways and on the elevators. Judging is on swimsuit figure and modeling techniques.
TELEVISION COMMERCIAL – BEAUTY: Model Divisions M1 – M11
Contestants: perform on camera in front of a panel of judges on a closed set with scripts provided by IMTA. Scripts focus on beauty products (hair, skin care, makeup, fragrance). No hats, bare shoulders, or costumes. Contestants should not deviate from the written script. Judging is on projection, delivery and believability. Note: the competition is recorded for IMTA use; the competition is judged “live.”
MAKEUP: Model Divisions M1, M2, M3 and M5 ONLY
Contestants arrive at the competition with a clean face, and hair completely pulled away from face. Contestants have fifteen (15) minutes to apply makeup. Contestants provide their own lighted makeup mirror and makeup supplies. Makeup is a closed-set competition. No second party is allowed to assist. Judging is on application techniques, and overall effect based on appropriateness for age and professionalism.
JEANS: Model Divisions M1 – M11
Contestants: compete on the runway in basic blue jeans and a T-shirt. As a Jeans Competition, skirts, overalls and shorts are not acceptable. Judging is on the fit of the Jeans and runway appeal.
COMMERCIAL PRINT: Model Divisions M1 – M11
Two (2) photos: (commercial/advertising photos relating to products, real people, lifestyle or fitness) are submitted for each Contestant. The photos are projected on a large screen for judges’ viewing; Contestants are not required to be present for this competition. Commercial Print photos must not be the same photos used in other print competitions. Photos will be submitted by mtm. Judging is on commercial print potential.
MODEL SPOT: Model Divisions M1-M3, M7-M8 ONLY
Models should appear fresh-faced with minimal or no makeup. As a Contestant’s number is called, the Contestant takes their mark center stage and strikes a fashion pose before a panel of judges in an open-set competition. Contestants then state “What makes you stand out?” for the judges in 15-20 seconds (maximum is 20 seconds) on a microphone while the Contestant’s live image is displayed on screens. Contestants should not state their name, Contestant number, or IMTA training center/agency. Model Spot is a timed competition; contestants will be stopped at 20 seconds. Judging is on presence, appeal and personality.
Notes regarding Model Competition eligibility:
Models must meet the minimum height requirement for M1- M3 or M7 to compete in Fashion Print, Runway and Swimwear. Keep in mind that Model competitions are for contestants with Model faces and bodies. Models who do not meet the minimum height requirements for high fashion modeling and models who are true Fitness Models should compete in the Commercial Model divisions of M5 or M10. Female Plus models who are 5’9”-6’, sizes 10-14, compete in M1 but compete in Commercial Print instead of Swimwear to meet Model of the Year eligibility. True Fitness Models in M5 may compete in Swimwear instead of Commercial Print for Model of the Year eligibility. True Male Fitness models 18-28 in the Male Commercial Model division may compete in Swimwear instead of On-Camera Host.
THEATRICAL HEADSHOTS & SCREEN TEST: Talent Divisions T1 – T10
Contestants are directed to take their mark in front of a camera as the announcer calls the Contestant number. Contestants hold in place while the two theatrical headshot photos are displayed on the screen. When the second photo appears, the Contestant number is called again and the Contestant performs the selected one-liner. Note: Theatrical Headshots and Screen Test are scored individually as two separate competitions.
Theatrical Headshots: Two (2) photos (theatrical headshots) of different poses are submitted for each Contestant and are projected on a large screen for judges’ viewing. Photos will be submitted by mtm. Judging is on theatrical headshots.
Screen Test: Contestants take their mark in front of a camera and recite one line selected from cards provided by IMTA during line-up for this open-set competition. Contestants’ images are projected onto large screens and monitors for judges’ viewing. Recommended wardrobe is jeans and a solid color shirt or T-shirt. Contestants should not deviate from the written script. Judging is on casting potential, stage personality and on-camera appeal.
TELEVISION COMMERCIAL - REAL PEOPLE: Talent Divisions T1 – T10
Contestants: perform on camera in front of a panel of judges on a closed set with scripts provided by IMTA. Scripts focus on commercial products (food, home and office products). No hats, bare shoulders, or costumes. Contestants should not deviate from the written script. Judging is on projection, delivery and believability. Note: the competition is recorded for IMTA use; the competition is judged “live.”
MONOLOGUES: Talent Divisions T1 – T10
Contestants: present a timed (1-minute maximum) comedic or dramatic monologue in an open-set competition before a panel of judges. Material selection is at Contestant’s discretion and can be from a play, film script, TV script, short story or a stand-up comedy routine. Material that is suggestive, sexual in nature, contains offensive language, or contains subject matter inappropriate for Contestant’s age is unacceptable. No props or costumes. A microphone and a chair are provided. Judging is on acting ability and casting potential.
COLD READ: Talent Divisions T1 – T9 ONLY
Contestants: read opposite a “casting director” in this closed-set, live competition before a panel of judges. Scripts are provided by IMTA prior to the competition. Contestants should not deviate from the written script. Judging is on acting ability and casting potential.
KIDS’ SPOT: Talent Divisions T5, T9, T10 ONLY
Contestants: show and tell their favorite recreational/playtime/sport item (toy, action figure, doll, board or video game, soccer ball, etc.) in fifteen (15) seconds on a microphone in an open-set competition before a panel of judges.Judging is on appeal and believability.
IMPROVISATION: Talent Divisions T1-T4, T6-T8 ONLY
Improv: takes places on stage in an open-set competition before a panel of judges. During line-up, Contestants select a brief scenario of a character, a location and a situation; they then work during the line-up period with a professional actor to develop an idea for an improvisation of no more than 30 seconds based on the pieces of information. The paid will then improvise a scene in front of the judges to last no more than 30 seconds. This is a times competition; the improvisation will be stopped at 30 seconds. Judging is on creativity, contestant’s ability to interact with the scene partner, adaptability, and talent for vocal and physical expression.
ON-CAMERA HOST: Talent Divisions T1 – T9 ONLY
Contestants: read a script provided by IMTA on-camera in front of a panel of judges on a closed set. The script is displayed on a monitor for Contestants to read. Scripts are provided prior to the competition. Judging is on on- camera personality appeal and appearance, professionalism, and believability of a conversation. Note: the competition is recorded for IMTA use; the competition is judged “live.”
TV SCENE: Talent Division T10 ONLY
Contestants: read opposite a professional actor on stage in an open-set competition before a panel of judges. Scripts are made available by IMTA to Directors prior to the Convention. Contestants should not deviate from the written script. Judging is on acting ability, reaction to their scene partner and casting potential.
VOICE OVER: General Divisions Female, Male Junior Female, Junior Male (T1-T4, T6-T8) ONLY
The Voice Over competition takes place in an open-set competition before a panel of judges; contestants are concealed from the judges behind a curtain so that judges judge solely on voice and performance. Contestants read a short script, choosing from a commercial or PSA (Public Service Announcement). Scripts are provided by IMTA prior to the competition; scripts do not need to be memorized or prepared for visual performance. Judging is on clarity, cleanliness of speech, characterization, connection to the script, conviction, confidence and vocal quality.
INDIVIDUAL SINGING/INDIVIDUAL DANCING TALENT PRELIMINARIES: Talent Divisions T1 – T10
Singing/Dancing Females – T1, T2 (Females 18 and over) Singing/Dancing Males – T6, T7 (Males 18 and over):
Singing/Dancing Juniors – T3, T4, T8 (Females/Males 13 – 17) Singing/Dancing Pre-Teens – T5, T9, T10 (Females/Males 9 – 12) Singing/Dancing Children – T10 (Females/Males 4 – 8):
SINGING PRELIMINARIES: Directors submit in advance a 1-minute track with background music only for the preliminaries and a separate 2-minute background music track. All contestants sing for the qualifying round. Those selected to advance will perform in the Preliminary round. Singing Preliminaries are held on a closed set and timed (one (1) minute maximum). Costuming is optional. A microphone is provided. Finalists selected at preliminaries will perform in the Talent Showcase, an open set, timed competition (two (2) minute maximum). Judging is on vocal quality, musical skill and casting potential.
An additional note regarding Singing: Directors should help select appropriate music and listen to contestants’ singing tracks. Contestants should avoid singing a cappella, avoid long musical intros, and avoid pop songs that do not show off the voice.
DANCING PRELIMINARIES: Each Contestant entered competes in the Dancing Preliminary Competition. Directors submit a 1-minute track with music and a separate 2-minute track for use in the Talent Showcase if the Contestant is a finalist. Music is submitted following the Competition Music Requirements and Encoding Instructions. Dancing Preliminaries are held on a closed set and timed (one (1) minute maximum). Costuming is optional. A wooden dance floor, 16” by 16” is provided. Finalists selected at preliminaries will perform in the Talent Showcase, an open set, timed competition two (2) minute maximum). Judging is on dancing technique, skill and casting potential.
TALENT SHOWCASE: Finalists from the Singing, Dancing and Songwriting Preliminaries compete in the talent Showcase, an open set, timed competition (two (2) minute maximum for Singing and Dancing, three (3) minute maximum for Songwriting) before a panel of judges. Contestants selected to sing or dance in the Talent Showcase must have a separate two (2) minute music track prepared for the Competition. Music is submitted following the Competition Music Requirements and Encoding Instructions. Any props or effects (such as glitter, powder, etc.) must be approved in advance by IMTA staff.