GALLERY: Randburg models shine in New York
RANDPARK RIDGE – SA models are offered scholarships to study at the New York Film Academy.
Models from Figures Models Randburg recently spent a week in New York to attend the prestigious International Modelling and Talent Association (IMTA) event.
IMTA is where the world’s top model and talent agents, managers and casting directors come to find new faces and talent. The IMTA is held annually and it’s where Eva Longoria, Aaron Paul and Katie Holmes were discovered.
Three of the models from Figures Models Randburg, in Randpark Ridge, Izabella van den Berg, Shannon Leibach and Ricardo Barradas were offered scholarships to attend the New York Film Academy next year.
Owner of Figures Models Randburg Merlene Spies said that the IMTA offers models and anyone with talent a platform to showcase what they could do in front of the world’s top class agents and talent scouts. She explained that the trip to New York to attend the IMTA included workshops where the participants were told what to expect and also each person competed in a competition according to their talents.
The categories that they entered were modelling, singing, song writing and acting, among others. They took home several top 10 positions as well as honorable mentions, and all the models received call-backs from agents and talent scouts.
Jade Voges, who was offered two scholarships, said, “I had a good experience, and enjoyed going to Time Square.” Ricardo Barradas, who was also offered a scholarship, obtained an honorable mention in the male commercial model of the year and came fourth in all the categories he entered, said the IMTA showed the world that South Africa has world-class talent.
Shannon Leibach, who took home the number one position for acting as well as a scholarship to the New York Film Academy, said he was proud of their attendance at the IMTA. Njabulo Pundle, said the experience for him was mind-blowing and he was happy to fly South Africa’s flag.
“We competed against the best in the world and were recognised as equally talented and beautiful,” he said. Spies added that Figures Models Randburg would be hosting auditions soon, and urged anyone with a talent to contact her.
Figures Models: 082 929 6606.
