We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelli & Erica Turner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelli & Erica below.
Kelli & Erica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Not having to do it on your own in a very confusing business!!! My ‘aha’ moment happened in a Starbucks as I helped a friend navigate her questions about getting into tv, film and printwork. Whether seeking a new career path or just a hobby, I realized there were so many people like her who didn’t know how to start or even that they needed to know who to trust.
I saw the need to bridge the gap for sound advice from someone who has already experienced the learning curve, made the connections, and knew the way around the business.
Thus, Turner Talent was born: the successful program developed to launch new careers, furthers individual goals, and guides people around pitfalls and points them in the right direction.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As a Mother-Daughter team, with many years of experience in the talent industry we created Turner Talent to help people of ALL ages (yes, babies to ’80s) interested in modeling and acting to start off on the right foot, while avoiding the GLAM SCAMS and reaching their full potential SAFELY and PROFESSIONALLY.
We believe anyone can enjoy this industry without wasting gobs of money and time. That’s why we created a way for you to do this without wasting either.
I started out in the talent industry when I was just 15, working as a model and actress. Then I learned the production side of the camera, the ‘behind-the-scenes that makes all the magic happen.
Over the years, I found myself sharing my knowledge and experience with many people interested in modeling and acting, for themselves and/or their children.
KELLI:
My ‘aha’ moment happened in a Starbucks as I helped a friend navigate her questions about getting into tv, film and printwork. Whether seeking a new career path or just a hobby, I realized there were so many people like her who didn’t know how to start or even that they needed to know who to trust.
I saw the need to bridge the gap for sound advice from someone who has already experienced the learning curve, made the connections, and knew the way around the business.
Thus, Turner Talent was born: the successful program developed to launch new careers, furthers individual goals, and guides people around pitfalls and points them in the right direction.
Growing up, I remember in between all the life events (sports, school, family & friends) that I was also being driven to countless modeling gigs, like Disney to shoot a commercial with one of my favorite actors at the time! And that was just one of the epic opportunities I had.
ERICA:
I was lucky to be able to jump right into the modeling world with my very own ‘How To’ guide. But not everyone has that…as I got older and moved to NYC (a talent industry mecca) that started to become very apparent.
That’s when I decided to change directions with my career and jump onboard with Turner Talent full time and help take it to the next level.
Joining my mother to create an easier, less scary way for others to enjoy what this industry has to offer as I was able to!
Starting your own business is never a smooth road however because we are so passionate about helping others with what Turner Talent has to offer, it is all worth it! We worked very hard to take it to the next level and
are thrilled to have expanded from our small town to nationwide in our mission to keep people safe from scams in the talent industry.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Initiated a committee with Film Florida and WIFT/Women in Film/TV to educate against what Kelli coined, “Glam Scams” because in the early years as her coaching began, she realized a lot of people were coming to her for help after spending time and lots of money in the wrong directions. Florida-based talent development team Turner Talent, led by mother and daughter duo Kelli and Erica Turner, has made a name for itself by educating aspiring actors and models about the truth of the industry. Their Casting-Coaching-Connections program equips young talent and their parents with the skills needed to succeed in the industry, including knowing how to spot and avoid falling victim to “glam scams.”
“Unfortunately, these businesses that have become known as ‘glam scams’ aren’t actually illegal, but their dishonesty tends to prey on the dreams of children and their parents,” Kelli says. “Even though what they are doing is wrong and wastes parents’ money, glam scams are allowed to continue to exist in a gray area. The only way to prevent glam scams from victimizing more families is through increasing awareness and education about them.”
Ultimately, many of these glam scams come down to making money. “Although there are some valid costs to get your foot in the door — such as headshots or training with an industry professional — always make sure that they come from a reputable, credible source,” Erica explains. “Our goal at Turner Talent is to help save prospective talent time and money by guiding them safely every step of the way.”
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
We have watched so many of our “newbies” flourish and now work as a model or actor in their ‘dream job’! The hard work of creating a business that was filling a gap between I want to become a talent but don’t know where to start has proven to be a missing link for so many! We even have our experienced talent resource our services to guide and connect them further. It is awesome to be able to reach new faces from all over the country and make a difference in their path!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://turnertalent.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnertalent/ OR @turnertalent
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurnerTalentFL/ OR @turnertalentFL
- Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3NfXjWC
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/turnertalentfl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxV4KBnKW8G2k3013_kf7w
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@turnertalent321 Info@turnertalent.com
Image Credits
@agostini.studio