“From the dawn of mankind, the single idea we have all shared despite race, religion or background, the one vital concept that has endowed us with our humanity, has been the notion of storytelling.”

So what is KTA?

At some moment, all of us, whether as kids or adults, have dreamt we were a famous singer, actor or model, even if just for a fleeting moment.

The Kaback Talent Academy, designed equally for beginner as well as experienced talent, provides modern techniques, advice and most importantly the resources to go from novice to professional in the entertainment industry.  KTA provides a foundation of training rooted in the time-honored traditions of people who have been successful and who desire to give back by offering the next generation of entertainers a roadmap of what works and what doesn’t.

“The Academy” is a FREE service offering instructional video, up-to-the-minute access to real-time castings, as well as downloadable e-books and PDF guides on insider techniques.   KTA covers what both experienced and new models, actors, and musicians need to know to succeed with subjects such as, “How to be signed by an agent or manager” and “How to land your Dream Job” all written by a who’s who of A-list individuals actively involved in the entertainment industry in NY and LA.

Imagine a world without Arts and Entertainment

Any endeavor in life takes experience and knowledge. For the past five years we have interviewed thousands of truly gifted individuals and many of them lacked one key factor- the resources and circle of connections to support their dreams.  We used to say to those individuals, “Why swim with ducks, when you can soar with eagles.”

“Our concept is easy to master—Learn, perfect your ability and build relationships with those who can show you the way.”


At the same time we were saddened to see so many of these people spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars on products and services,  such as photos or classes, from companies all with good intentions, but that unfortunately could not guarantee success or even a shot at a legitimate job.  Thus you got just what you paid for– pictures and basic classes. So we asked, “What do the people with talent, looks and determination really need that’s not some false promise with a price tag to boot?

The Talent Academy was born.

http://www.kabacktalentacademy.com/

Upon finishing college, where I had a brief stint as a Division III baseball player and four-year tenure as a saxophonist, I had every intention of going to law school with the hope of pursuing a career as a sports and entertainment attorney and/or agent.  Consequently, as a 22-year old with approximately $20,000.00 of student loans to repay, I thought long and hard about obtaining a position as a paralegal prior to incurring additional debt as a graduate student.  Additionally, since law school is a sizeable investment, and given the influx of attorneys and firms who have cut back given the economic recession, I wanted to be sure that a career within the legal profession was, in fact, right for me.  Thus, I ultimately decided to search for and eventually obtain a paralegal position prior to my pursuit of a law degree.

On February 22, 2010, I began working for a union-side labor law firm in Center City, Philadelphia, and, over the course of 25 months, became well acquainted with the practical demands of the practice of law.  However, during those 25 months, it became evident that the opportunity had run its course, which led me to pursue an immediate career change.  While searching for new opportunities, I came across an ad on Craig’s List titled “Management Positions for Go-Getters,” the first line of which read as follows: “If you are a people person looking for a career change that provides opportunity, then put your personality and ambition to work with the fastest growing entertainment/fashion company working with international and local clients in the sports, retail, and entertainment industries.”  I was instantly floored.  Therefore, seeing as though the opportunity was too good to pass up, I immediately applied, and, by chance, was granted an interview.  I was invited back the next morning to begin my training, and have since begun writing a new chapter in my life as a model and talent scout with The “It” Factor.

As someone with a strong desire to participate in the sports and entertainment industries, I can honestly say that I could not be happier to be presented with and given such a tremendous opportunity.  Although I am still contemplating going for my law degree and a career as an attorney/agent at some point, I feel as though scouting will benefit me in more ways than one.  I am not only confident that I will succeed as a scout, but I am also interested in rising up through the company’s ranks with the hope of contributing immensely to its music division.  Furthermore, as a drummer in a rock band, whose bandmates, friends, and colleagues possess a sincere interest in getting into the music business, it would be extremely gratifying to work alongside them and the company’s directors with the potential of putting themselves and their respective bands in touch with the right people, with the possibility of getting them discovered.

Like any career change or business opportunity, there is obviously some risk and uncertainty involved.  On the other hand, there is also an enormous upside.  Regardless, I am a firm believer in destiny, which is a belief that my grandfather instilled in me many years ago.  As the owner of a successful fire protection company, which he founded, built, and operated from the ground up with no prior business experience, his company flourished for 40 years right up until his passing in 2008.  Although he had an opportunity to tryout for the Philadelphia Phillies, and potentially pursue a career as a professional baseball player, he truly believed that it was not meant to be, which could very well be the case for me with regard to my future in the legal profession.  He also saw an opportunity to make something of himself while providing for his family, and thus took a chance and seized said opportunity.  As his oldest grandchild, I have the fullest of intentions to proudly follow in his footsteps, and therefore seize this opportunity that has been bestowed upon me to the best of my ability.

I know there is a reason as to why things happened the way that they did; only time will tell.

Alycia Kaback! How are you? Just wanted to catch up a little with ya. Over the past year I have been lucky to have worked on three different National TV shows, Burn Notice, The Glades, and Bones and I got a principal role for one episode of a new show on FOX called THE FINDER. I’m only in one scene and it got killed but I got to work with MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN and GEOFF STULTS, and I got my SAG eligibility from it as well!

I’ve made some connections with great people and am currently writing as well. I still keep in touch with Marthe Reynolds and on occasion, Valerie Smaldone. Really looking forward to getting more into voice over and getting some coaching from Valerie too. Hope all is well!!

Alycia Kaback loves hearing success stories from VIP Talent Connect.  Read about another Alycia Kaback Success Story.

Here is Jessica’s story: Austin, Texas native Jessica Polsky grew up with her sights set on Broadway, and began her triple-threat training while still in diapers. After a childhood steeped in stage and studying, Jessica graduated from the University of Arizona’s prestigious Performing Arts Department on full scholarship, magna cum laude. A semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy during her four years of college allowed her to add a degree in Italian on to her credentials, and she graduated with a BA in Italian, as well, also magna cum laude.

Her subsequent move to New York to begin her professional career was met with almost instant success as Jessica was booked solid for music videos, commercials, short films, and of course: musicals. She spent almost 4 consecutive years touring between one show and another, most notably: West Side Story, Sophisticated Ladies and Grease. During these first years Jessica also spent a fair amount of time “on the other side of the table” assisting some of the business’s most well-known directors and choreographers, and even directing some, herself.

After all this touring she also worked consistently on NYC-based projects, taking part in the much talked about stage version of the film Jeffrey at Lincoln Center with Bryan Batt, an off-Broadway revival of Pirates of Penzance, and much more. Then came the call from the major TV network in Italy: they had caught wind that there was a young American actress around, fluent in Italian and with the right “look” for the Italian market, and they offered her the starring role on the hot, new prime-time sitcom, Camera Cafè. Jessica accepted this offer and the rest, as they say, is history… Camera Cafè was an explosive hit, like nothing Italian television had seen for years, and created a fanatical following that can only be compared to that of Friends, Seinfeld, or Grey’s Anatomy. Jessica’s character, which they left named “Jessica”, was one of the lead elements of the cast for the first 3 seasons of this sitcom set among the disgruntled employees of a corporate office.

The show’s stellar popularity took Jessica right along with it: the first season she won the Italian Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress of the Television Season, and has been one of the most in-demand, young, A-list celebrities in the country ever since. The critics and viewing public love her rare mix of beauty and sexiness, but without ever taking herself too seriously. She is lauded for her charm, true comic timing and humor, and that she can be a bombshell while still a little bit goofy, and a whole lot talented. Her many years of formal acting training mean she also brings a rare versatility to her body of work and potential and has a range spanning from slapstick to Shakespearian drama. She has moved on and up within the industry in Italy and has starred, as either live host or lead actress, in a steady stream of highly visible and successful projects dedicated to her. Some of those are: Festivalbar, an annual televised concert series on prime-time network TV for which Jessica was the backstage correspondent, interviewing huge-name international music stars; “Sputnik”, a new SNL-inspired sketch comedy show of which Jessica was the host and star; “Robbie Williams Live in Berlin”, a primetime special on the world-famous pop star that Jessica hosted, including an exclusive interview with Williams, which she conducted.  Most recently she has been busy filming Piloti (“Pilots”): an original sitcom which takes place in an airplane based on the daily lives and adventures of the crew, and Jessica stars in it as the adorable but bumbling stewardess: “Josephine”.  Piloti is now on the air daily (RAI network TV) for its third consecutive, hit, primetime network season. All this is in addition to her presence in uncountable network dramas, mini-series, films, and much more.

Additionally, Jessica is a favorite of the press and of all corners of the industry. She can be seen constantly featured in cameos on every genre of TV project, as a special guest on talk shows, in magazines, on the radio, on the red carpet, in large-scale celebrity endorsement ad campaigns, and as a participant in promotional and charity events. She has recently moved her operational base back to NYC and is busy carefully expanding the same success she has established internationally to her presence in the American market.

Jessica Polsky is at VIP Talent Connect today with Alycia Kaback to help other young people who want to follow this exciting career path. Read more on young models and actors who get started with Alycia Kaback.

What is your position at VIP Talent Connect and The IT Factor?

I am the Vice President of Talent Services.  I train the scouts, as well as help everyone in the office with their daily duties and make sure everything is set for open calls.  I also make sure the office is ready at the beginning of each day for appointments.

How long have you been working here?

A week and 4 days.  I started as a model and after attending the event in September, I decided to come down here for a day job, and Alycia Kaback hired me.  I started as talent, then moved to scout, then scout instructor.  I really enjoyed scouting and I had a blast doing it.  I scouted a ton of people and the people I scouted have had a ton of success themselves.  

My advice to new scouts would be to work hard and to leave the sense of entitlement at the door.

What do you like about working here?

I like the people and the possibility of meeting someone famous any day and the networking opportunities that are provided. 

What are your thoughts on company and what it does?

I love the company and the way that it helps people achieve their dreams in the entertainment business. 

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met so far?

It would definitely be Alycia Kaback because of how personable she is and that she is literally a people person.  She doesn’t think she is too big or too important to talk to anybody and she gives everyone respect.  She is very real and keeps it 100% by treating you how you treat her. 

Who do you hope to one day meet?

Adam Sandler and Spike Lee, since they are my heroes.  I saw comedies growing up and that is how I became interested in comedy.  Adam Sandler, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy inspired me to pursue comedy and my ultimate goal would be to become a paid comedian.  Right now, I’m in the practice stages and perform 3 times a week.

What do you like to do outside of working? 

I like to spend time with my family, perform comedy and poetry, and write.  I also like modeling, acting, and the movies.  I would love to be in Spike Lee’s next motion picture if I could.

What do you think of the VIP Talent Connect Summits and what they offer to people?

I think it is a life changing experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity.  For anyone who has any interest in the entertainment business, this is something you will never be able to get on your own and it’s something that only Alycia Kaback can provide.  It could change your career.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

I like Alicia Keys, Nas, and Erykah Badu.

Do you have any actors that you like?

I like Denzel Washington, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler because they all give great performances every time they perform.

Do you have a motto you live by?

Go for it.  You never fail if you don’t try and you never succeed if you don’t try.  I would rather do something I love and get paid nothing than get paid everything and be miserable.

Who is your inspiration and why? 

I aspire to be a great entertainer like Adam Sandler, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy.

What do you hope to take away from working here?

I want to come away with more knowledge of the industry, more connections and more experience.

Chelsea Krost recently released her first book, “NINETEEN: A Reflection of My Teenage Experience in an Extraordinary Life. What I Have Learned and What I Have To Share.” Chelsea describes the book as a combination “memoir/self-help/humor/insider’s guide for teens and young women” which she hopes will inspire the reader to know that with persistence, hard work and belief in yourself anyone can accomplish great things!

In March 2008, just after her seventeenth birthday, Chelsea became the youngest AM radio host when her show, Teen Talk Live with Chelsea Krost debuted on WBZT establishing the tagline, “Our voice. Our opinions. Our time to talk.” Chelsea invites a rotating panel of young adults who discuss their questions and views, along with guest celebrities and experts who offer their perspectives, expertise and answers for the thousands of listeners who access her show every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on www.teentalklive.net.

Chelsea is Kotex’s ‘Millennial Spokesperson,’ making media appearances including guest spots on The Tyra Banks Show and Teen Kids News.

Chelsea is currently working on a television pilot, “Positively Ernie” featuring Ernie Anastos, the Emmy Award-winning New York City Fox News anchor. Chelsea resides in New York City and attends Marymount College, where she juggles the role as a Broadcast Journalism major and bi-coastal television personality.