How did you discover Barbizon of Akron and Pro-Model and Talent Management?

Brandon: I casually stumbled upon Pro-Model and Talent Management right before I moved to L.A. for 8 months (without much success, I returned home). When I returned to Ohio, I gave them a call right away about possible representation, and went in for an interview! I learned having an agency is the right way to pursue the business.

Do you feel you would have been exposed to the auditions and assignments you’ve received without representation through Pro-Model and Talent?

Brandon: Absolutely not! I wouldn’t have had ANY of the auditions or assignments I got without representation through Pro-Model and Talent and the incredible hard-work that the entire staff puts in.

Tell us about some of the auditions and assignments you’ve done.

Brandon: Oh boy, a lot! I auditioned for a ton of regional and national commercials, infomercials, fashion shows, bridal shows, and even a feature film (a speaking role in a scene with Chris Kattan, from “Saturday Night Live”!), there’s been so many, I can't recall all of them! The assignments I have done include a Safe Auto commercial, The Columbus Bride magazine bridal show, a TV Special for PBS, and advertising for Cycle Leather. Plus, I have done some very fun promotional work for companies like Gillette, Capri Sun, and even for Bob Greene who started Oprah's Best Life Series.

With your experience now, do you feel training is essential in the business? Why?

Brandon: Yes, training is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL in this business. Training is essential in any business and acting and modeling is no different. Many people feel that they can just show up and act or walk the runway and they are wrong! Acting and modeling are crafts, and you have to constantly hone them. The best movie and stage actors in the world still have acting coaches and still go to acting class!

What is your best piece of advice for aspiring models or actors beginning in the local market?

Brandon: My best advice is to get training, training, training! If acting is what you are pursuing, get in as many local plays as possible, set goals for yourself, and work hard to achieve them.

We asked our local models/talent: men, women, and kids, to give us 5 minutes of their time to answer the five most commonly asked questions about modeling and acting in order to give YOU insight on their experiences in the industry and with Barbizon of Akron and Pro-Model and Talent Management.

Straight Talk from Local Models and Talent gives you and aspiring models and actors information and insights on what it's like to work in front of the camera, on how they got their starts modeling/acting, and what they are doing today as a result of Barbizon of Akron/Pro-Model and Talent Management!