Lexington girl going Hollywood: Savannah Eaton, 11, selected for LA talent tour
LEXINGTON — Last year, one of Savannah Eaton's teachers at Eastern Elementary School told her not to forget her when she became famous.
She might be well on her way. After shooting a pilot for Emperium Studios last summer in Columbus, the 11-year-old Lexington girl is headed to Los Angeles next week for a talent tour for modeling and acting.
Savannah was one of 20 out of 500 entrants selected for the talent tour. She will spend time doing workshops with Disney directors, culminating with auditioning for about a dozen producers.
Savannah is represented by Model and Talent Management, based in Columbus.
She is up for either modeling or acting.
"I feel like I'd like to do more acting," Savannah said. "You can always stick some emotions into what you're doing."
The pilot series she appears in is called "A Boy Named Bug." Bug is an 8-year-old computer hacker.
"I'm actually a bully in it," she said of the production, which is available on YouTube.
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Savannah's grandmother suggested she try modeling.
"My mom used to model when she was younger," said Thalia Hoak, Savannah's mother, of the sixth grader. "Savannah is tall for her age."
While Savannah enjoys walking on a runway, she says modeling is not that easy.
"You have 10 different types of walks that you need to memorize," she said.
For the talent tour, Savannah has spent two or three hours on Saturdays in Zoom meetings.
She has selected a dramatic monologue for her audition.
Savannah's management company scheduled two photo shoots for her. Hoak was not pleased with the first one.
"She looked way older than 11," her mother said of her daughter's makeup.
Hoak will be pressed into duty to handle Savannah's hair and makeup for the talent tour.
Savannah has plenty of other interests besides acting and modeling. She plays both indoor and outdoor soccer and is considering volleyball.
She also loves animals. Her family has three dogs and two cats.
In addition, Savannah plays snare drum in the school band. She used to play the viola.
In fact, she has a concert on Wednesday before she and Hoak head to Los Angeles the next day.
Savannah said she enjoys school.
"It's actually really fun when you think about it," she said, adding math is her favorite subject.
Hoak is on board with emphasizing school.
"I'm all for summer (acting/modeling) jobs," she said, "but while modeling and being famous would be awesome, education is No. 1."
Eastern principal Michael Grist said Savannah is a pleasure to have in school.
"She always seems to have a smile on her face and is very polite," Grist said. "Savannah is the type of student who is eager to do the right thing and will offer ideas that are beneficial to others."
Both mother and daughter are keeping their hopes realistic for the talent tour.
"I don't have high expectations for Los Angeles," Hoak said. "Hardly anybody gets picked right away."
Savannah added, "If I don't get picked, there will be other opportunities to do this."
The preteen said if she could appear in any genre, she would choose horror.
Los Angeles could be an opportunity for TV or movies, or it could simply be a learning experience for Savannah.
"I support her in everything that she does," Hoak said. "She's a big kid with a big heart."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Lexington girl one of select few chosen for talent tour
