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MONEY

Business Spotlight: Prodigy Talent Training

Wayne T. Price
FLORIDA TODAY
Jonathan McFadden, owner of Prodigy Talent Training, Rockledge, teaches a class of up-and-coming performers and artists.

Business Spotlight: Prodigy Talent Training

Address: 634 Barnes Blvd, Suite 202, Rockledge,

Owner: Jonathan McFadden

Phone: 321-693-8438

Web address: ProdigyTalentTraining.com; facebook.com/ProdigyTalentTraining

E-mail: Jonathan@ProdigyTalentTraining.com

Describe your business: At Prodigy Talent Training, we remove the “Catch 22” that keeps so many great actors unemployed, “you can’t get work without experience, but you can’t get experience without work.” Not only do students learn the foundations of on-camera acting, they also learn what it’s like to work on a fast-paced film set. From time to time, we book our talent on paid entertainment jobs for client companies who contact us to provide talent for their commercials or projects. We have also developed an online curriculum, using face-to-face web conferencing software, connecting entertainment professionals from all over with actors looking for professional coaching. Prodigy Talent Training has become the “go to” company for talent of all ages who are looking for professional entertainment training on the Space Coast and beyond.

What’s your business background? Prodigy Talent Training founder and chief executive officer, Jonathan McFadden, is an actor, producer, and educator who has been working professionally in film, television, and theater since he was a child. Prior to opening PTT, Jonathan lived and worked in New York and Los Angeles where his credits have included various roles in many entertainment genres. He is the winner of a Telly Award for his on camera hosting work and has been on the creative team for a handful of theme park entertainment projects for Disney and Universal.

As a working actor now living in Central Florida, Jonathan believes in giving back to the community by volunteering a portion of his time to assist local schools’ drama departments. He and Prodigy Talent Training, along with its network of industry experts, coaches, agents, managers, casting directors, actors, models, photographers, and producers share a common goal-- to help promising and dedicated talent find success and fulfillment in this fast-paced business. Since opening Prodigy Talent Training, Jonathan has secured entertainment and talent contracts with various organizations such as Brevard County Public Schools, The City of Cocoa, Eastern Florida State College, and Merritt Island Christian School.

Jonathan McFadden, owner of Prodigy Talent Training in Rockledge (right) with Cecil Garner.. Garner, a former mortgage loan officer who boasts an uncanny resemblance to British actor Andrew Lincoln, star of AMC’s “Walking Dead.”

What is your business philosophy? Our mission is to provide the most professional training, networking, and guidance for creative talent in the film and television industry. Utilizing technology, coaching and professional resources to develop the talent’s marketability and exposure to the professionals looking to hire them is our goal.

What has been your biggest challenge in running your business? The biggest challenge I face is balancing my own acting career while running Prodigy Talent Training. It’s like having 2 (or more) full-time jobs. While it’s challenging, I also think it’s a benefit to the students. After all, actors want to learn from people who are actually out there working in the industry. We’re bringing real-world skills and experience directly into the classroom and studio. It’s a wonderful challenge if you ask me!

What has been your proudest, or most memorable, moment in running your business? They happen frequently. Each time a student tells me that they booked a job or got signed by an agent— when they send me smiling photos of themselves on set, and I can see in their eyes that they know they’re one step closer to their dream— those are my proudest moments, indeed.

What is your advice for people wanting to start and run their own business? Make sure that you have a burning passion for the industry and the work. They say that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. That’s not been my experience. I love what I do, but that’s why I work so hard at it. If you open a business that you’re truly passionate about, all the hard work will be worth it.

Have a suggestion for the Business Spotlight section? Contact Wayne T. Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.