Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Pederson.
Hi Nikki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was an area director with the Miss Texas USA pageant for several years and met a couple of LA reps along the way who felt I had a great eye for selecting “winners”. They encouraged me to begin scouting for a larger market. That’s when Nikki Pederson Talent was born in 1999. In the early years, my team and I scouted both actors and models, but today we work only with actors. We put together a team of young hopefuls – those who think they want to be actors. I say “think” because many people don’t know how difficult it is to make it in this industry. The only reference some have is what they see on tv and tabloids…it’s not all red carpet and glamour – it’s REALLY, REALLY hard work.
We spend ten months in extensive workshops preparing them for the LA market. In our workshops, they not only study the art of acting, they also learn the BUSINESS of acting. Our parents are welcome to attend any and all workshops because they play such a vital role in the careers of their kids. And then each June, we take them to LA and present them to agents and managers, hoping to get them signed. We host a private showcase – meaning it’s not open to anyone but NPT actors and the reps who are invited to attend. We are exclusive and very protective. Our record is extremely high with signings. This past June, we took 28 actors and 26 were signed to LA reps. The reps are always impressed with the knowledge our actors (and their parents) have regarding what’s expected of them.
I’m old school when it comes to training. I EXPECT you to show up prepared and to do the work. It weeds out those individuals who realize that maybe they don’t want to pursue this business after all.
We’re tough – but years later, we have many success stories.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you own your own business, there are lots of struggles – I’ve always been solution-oriented so we just push through to a solution. I would say the greatest struggle for our clients – besides the dedicated work it takes – is ignoring the negativity that comes from their “friends” who know NOTHING about the industry and yet have opinions regarding it. I laugh when we have another success story and those same negative nellies jump on the bandwagon, reminding us that they’re “friends” with that successful person. Lol
Admittedly, it makes me a bit angry when I hear false stories regarding my company told by someone I’ve never met and by someone who’s never crossed the threshold of my studio.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of the QUALITY of my NPT clients. They are great human beings. I’m also proud of the dedication they have to their craft, the friendships and connections they’ve built through our program, and if a client decides that pursuing acting is no longer for them – that’s ok…I KNOW we’ve impacted their lives for the better. So much of what we instill can be applied to any aspect of their lives and future.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Take it one step at a time. This is not a sprint to the top. It’s a marathon. A few years later, you look back and see how far you’ve come. If you want “it” to happen overnight – you have faulty thinking.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikkipederson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkipedersontalent
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiPedersonTalent
Image Credits
Nikki’s headshot – photo credit to Chris Evans Photography
