Frequently Asked Questions Answered

How do I know if I'm ready for STAR?

If you're a talented beginner, Shine's unique training can help you start strong with fewer time-sucking, disheartening, and costly mistakes. If you're a working performer wanting bigger opportunities, you're definitely ready.

You can also request a short, one-on-one Zoom session with us by emailing hello@shine.us to ask questions and see if STAR is right for you.

Also, you must be accepted into STAR. If you need more time to be ready, we'll notify you within 1-2 business days and refund any tuition paid immediately. We'll also give you written feedback to help you improve!

Advice: what you really need to ask yourself isn't, "Am I ready?" If you ask that, you'll never be. Instead, ask yourself, "Am I committed?" If acting is your dream, follow it wholeheartedly.

My life is so busy. Can I fit this in?

My mother said, "If you want to get something done, ask a busy person." In other words, busy people know how to work— and how to succeed! Success breeds success. Motion creates momentum. If you research your favorite stars (or any stars), you'll discover that most of them are high achievers in many areas. They're BUSY, and they're thriving.

Here's the bottom line: Where is your heart? You must prioritize what's important to you! It's not about busyness. It's about priorities. You can also set an example for those who look up to you. Pursuing your dreams gives them the courage to pursue their dreams, too.

Practically, the live sessions, pre-recorded content, and self-study assignments will take around 2-3 hours a week. As long as you can block WOW Weekend, late October or late April 2025 (exact dates TBA) you can make it work!

What if I'm brand new?

The industry loves new faces. Every VIP wants to be "the one" to introduce a new star! That's also why veteran talent "re-invent" themselves. Another GREAT thing about being a new talent is that you don't have to "unlearn" bad habits. STAR specializes in helping newcomers compete with established pros with savvy polish.

How do I know I can trust Shine?

You can judge a tree by its fruit. A company by its history or success. I'm 69. STAR is the modern evolution of my last company's (AMTC) amazing 36 years in business, working with thousands of talented performers and many top VIPs (partial list here) who trust us to present well-prepared, awesome talent.

In terms of Shine's success stories, judge for yourself. For a partial list of working Shine Grads, visit shine.us now.

What if I'm already a working performer and/or have representation?
Expert branding often proves to be the missing link when you're not booking as well as you hope.

A great coach can see things you've missed for months or years! Think about it this way... the top artists and athletes in the world value and hire coaches. They may need a fresh look, a savvy perspective, and/or new marketing materials.

Consider our MARKETABILITY package, which helps even very established performers refine their marketing, branding, and self-presentation skills. Or, if you're interested in finding different or additional representation, the VIP and ICE packages are what you'll need. Qualified performers can also be approved to do the WOW Weekend alone.

How does the STAR compare to other talent training programs or showcases?

Traditional 4-year university programs (price tag $200,000!) do NOT have effective methods to get their grads signed by top agents and help them work successfully in the real world as professional performers. In fact, we've had many recent grads of TOP theater programs come to us saying, "I have no idea what to do next. How do I get an agent and actually do this?"

Acting schools are wildly inconsistent in quality– you'll often learn from teachers who haven't worked in the industry, and if they did, it was long ago. If you're fortunate enough to find one with modern training, they sometimes have showcases as their finale. But even if you get an offer, you're still not equipped to thrive long-term with business and marketing strategies. And should you take the first offer you receive? Sometimes, not! We've consistently seen our Grads get better offers after STAR.

Shine is different from other stand-alone talent events (which cost up to $10,000, not including extra expenses) because bad or outdated advice is given– leading to mediocre or zero results, which quickly or, worse, over time hurt your chances of success. We learn straight from our VIPs what their top talent does and teach it to you!

Today, "virtual" is the name of the entertainment industry game. VIPs love it, as evidenced by the massive shift to self-submissions, auditions, and callbacks. It isn't going away. Why? Virtual auditions and callbacks enable reps and casting directors to see more qualified performers more efficiently and cost-effectively. This is where Shine shines! We teach you how to win NOW.

The cold truth you may not know about Talent Agencies (that most don't want to admit)...

They DON'T have time to teach you most of what you need to know to succeed. They're busier than ever. And someone else would LOVE to take your spot if you don't figure out what it takes to keep them impressed.

The agency doesn't lose much if you give up. But you do!