From The Gulf Coast To Hollywood

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Actress Michelle DeFraites, shared her Hollywood experiences with aspiring models and actors at the 2011 ProScout New Orleans Invitational held at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, August 20-21. With ProScout's help, DeFraites moved from her hometown of Pass Christian, MS, to the Los Angeles area to pursue an acting career. DeFraites signed with Myrna Lieberman Management and Greene & Associates. Since that time, she has appeared in television commercials, music videos, recorded voice overs and has done photo shoots for national ad campaigns. DeFraites is a Disney Movie Surfer, she has guest-starred on the Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana," co-starred on "Suite Life On Deck," guest-starred in the "One Time" music video by recording artist Justin Bieber, played 'Karissa' in Lifetime's "The Pregnancy Pact" and guest-starred on Fox's "House." Most recently in her role as a Disney Movie Surfer correspondent, DeFraites interviewed the cast of the new film "The Muppets" and is now an honorary 'Muppet' as per Kermit the Frog.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/CG57270)

"Love what you're doing. Keep perspective. Be professional. Be thankful. Keep working hard and never give up." DeFraites thanked ProScout and her family for their support, "because without them I would not be where I am today doing what I love." Angie DeFraites, Michelle's mother, expressed "Before attending ProScout, there was so much about the acting industry we didn't know." Angie thanked ProScout, acting coach Chambers Stevens and manager Myrna Lieberman. "It was good to have someone to talk to. ProScout helped us get into the industry the right way by meeting the right people. Chambers helped us a lot and Myrna is the best kids manager in the business. We could not have come this far without them."

Also in attendance sharing her experiences was Angela Broussard, mother of ProScout discovery Israel Broussard, age 17 from Gulfport, MS. Israel is currently represented by Abrams Artists and managed by MC Talent, both of which discovered him at a ProScout invitational 4 years ago. Israel has starred in "Flipped," "The Chaperone," and "Romantically Challenged." Angela shared her insights from the parent perspective with the crowd. "When you're on set, it's not 'diva time,' it's a job. You go to work. Successful actors develop and grow by trusting the advice and guidance of their management and agency."

Wesley Northey, age 27 from Rogers, AR was the top callback attendee at the ProScout New Orleans event with 15 agencies interested in him.

ProScout is an American model and talent scouting corporation, working independently to organize convention style meetings between aspiring talent and industry leading agencies from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and other cities prominent in the entertainment industry. Agencies such as Ford Models, Abrams Artists, Wilhelmina, Generation, Next, C.E.S.D, N.Y. Models and Avalon Artists frequent ProScout events in search of new talent.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Brian Marcus, President of ProScout Inc.

please contact Eric Ashmont. Tel: 480-424-3667 Email: [email protected].

Website: www.proscout.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProScoutOfficial Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ProScoutInc

Media Contact: Eric Ashmont, ProScout Inc., 480-425-3667, [email protected]

SOURCE ProScout Inc.