Local boy seeing stars
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Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun
Last Saturday, Justin Looper, 7, of Lake Isabella, met with the International Modeling and Talent Association, also known as IMTA. By Sunday, at 4:30 p.m. Looper signed with IMTA. “I never thought he would be seen by such a big name, much less get signed with them,” said Looper’s mother, Angela.
“I am so excited, but scared out of my pants too!” young Looper said.
IMTA is an association of highly regarded agencies, management companies, and training centers located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America, and Europe. IMTA produces two annual conventions in New York and Los Angeles, which attract the top international agents and personal managers from every major market in the world.
More than 200 agents and scouts come from all over the world to attend IMTA conventions, hoping to discover new models and talent. IMTA is responsible for bringing us such faces as Ashton Kutcher, Sean W. Scott, Jessica Biel, Katie Holmes, Jeremy Kissner, Brandon Barrett, and Elijah Wood, just to name a few.
Looper has been invited to attend the Los Angeles convention for a week in January; however, it comes with a $7,000 price tag. So, Looper’s mother is reaching out to the community for support. They will hold various fundraising events. She is currently seeking a sponsor for her son. A sponsorship can range anywhere from $25 to a full sponsorship, she explained. Anyone who offers a $100 sponsorship for her son before Oct. 25, will receive a listing in the IMTA Program Book.
“Justin is very excited to attend the convention in January,” his mother said. “I would like to thank everyone who has supported us through this. This is bigger than anything we ever expected!”
Looper began taking acting classes with John Casablanca’s in April.
According to his mom, her son’s interest in acting began while he was watching television and said, “Mom, I can do that. Can I be on TV too?” His mother made some phone calls, wrote some letters, and landed a scholarship to Casablanca’s. Since then, Looper has taken acting and modeling classes every weekend. His mother said she had her doubts if anything would come of it, but she kept taking him every week anyway. She said, “He enjoys it so much. Like any parent who takes their child to football, baseball, or even soccer practice, I took Justin to acting practice.”
If you would like more information about IMTA, you may visit their website at http://www.IMTA.com. If you would like to sponsor Justin, please call or email Angela Looper at (760) 379-7661 or (760) 223-2393, or via email:at rosedestiny24@yahoo.com
