Updates

It's been over a year since my last post and we are definitely not in the same place anymore, so I thought I ought to update this!  She was signed for a year with the Linicomn Agency, who then merged with Heyman Talent South.  Over the course of the year, she went on around eight auditions for various commercials and small projects.  None of them resulted in jobs, which is fine, sort of expected for her level of inexpertise, and not a problem at all for us.  However, the entire experience made her realize that her heart is not in acting.  I think she wasn't really walking in there with that extra sparkle that made them know she wanted that job with her whole heart.  As time went by, she started to complain and drag her feet, and be more and more nervous and upset about having to go to auditions, and that's really not the goal we were trying to achieve.

We agonized over whether we should withdraw her from the agency representation, because I know that this is probably a one-shot deal for her.  From the very beginning though, we said that God was the boss of this and would prepare her for what she needed, and I know that she learned SO much from the AMTC training and the entire Shine experience.  We made the decision in April to pull her from the Linicomn Agency, and Ms. Danette was super understanding and really sweet about the whole thing.  Gillian had been worried that she'd be mad at her about it.  She's very typical oldest child, take on the responsibility for others, etc.

Right now she's not doing any acting, although middle school starts tomorrow and she'll be in second period theater class.  She's gotten more interested in the technical side and says she wants to learn about lights and sound and the production part of it.  She got to do some of that at our church this summer and had a great time.

I've received some questions lately about my thoughts as a mom regarding the AMTC program, whether it's worth it, and our feedback about the entire thing.

Overall, I have no regrets about any of the choices that we have made as a family over the past two years for her in this area.  Yes, AMTC is expensive, but it brought our family together in a way I never imagined.  The week at Shine was amazing and the friends she made, the prayer connections and vision in action were all so wonderful.  I don't feel like they promised anything that they didn't deliver, and she does know multiple kids from her Shine year who are actively acting, singing, and modeling their way across the country right now.  (I do use the word "friend" liberally here- we haven't stayed in contact with any of these kids past Shine, but it's still really awesome to see them on tv and see their work when their parents post on facebook!)

Here's her friend Abby, who has done quite a few things for CMT.  Her dad and sister Emma are also working- I think Emma is in the latest Casting Crowns music video.

Her friend McKenna has an IMDB page now and has been cast in three movies.

Gillian was #53 all week at Shine, and Julian Silva was #55, so they stood near each other and talked all week.  He's listed on amtcworld.com right now as one of their top 100 success stories- he got cast as Gavroche in Les Mis the week after Shine ended.  The kid has a fantastic voice.

So no, she's not famous because of AMTC, but I believe she could have gone farther if she'd decided she had the drive for it.  She does have lasting confidence, the ability to stand up straight with model posture, and composure beyond her years.  She believes in the power of prayer and has met amazing warriors that she still prays for.  Her grandmother always said she was praying for the timing more than anything, and that she knows without a doubt that the seeds sown during this time will bear amazing fruit.  Just maybe not today.  I feel like God has laid a foundation down for Gillian that is going to do wonderful things for her down the road.

Was it worth it?  Absolutely.