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02/10/2004 02:44:05 PM · #1 |
| My 16 year old daughter was "prospected" at the mall this weekend by a model development firm. She is quite attractive and aside from my screaming at her not to talk to anyone, (she was with a group of her friends)she is very excited. I've checked out the companies website and the BBB (some minor violations) She, her father and I, have an appointment tomorrow. This is not one of the big name modeling agencies (we live near NYC) and their interest was not solicited..My question is, does anyone have any experience with sort of thing. I figured this group would know more than anyone. One final note, my daughter has shot TV commercials for our business on local cable station since she was six years old, and was also, pulled out of line at Disney World to do a training video, (she was was paid with disney dollars) ;-) Thanks in advance for the input. |
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02/10/2004 02:47:43 PM · #2 |
| It sounds ok... just as long as there is some adult supervision (that you trust) |
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02/10/2004 02:56:18 PM · #3 |
and as long as you don't have to pay! And if they ask for a portfolio, run screaming - no legit modelling agency picks prospects off the street and THEN tells them they need a $2000 book to actually work for them.
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02/10/2004 03:04:40 PM · #4 |
| I know.. How could they dare, when I have such great talent! LOL! kidding of course |
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02/10/2004 03:21:21 PM · #5 |
I worked for a Photo Studio/Modeling agent a few years ago....Like Goldberry said if they tell you that you need a portfolio with Head shot and other shots.....It will cost you lot of money and you may never get anywhere with it. But they still make money from your new portfolio...Just be careful
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02/10/2004 03:32:42 PM · #6 |
Sounds great, however don't pay a cent. For example, they might want to charge a few hundred bucks to build a portfolio, etc. If they see real potential in your daughter, they'll pay the bill, and collect agent fees down the road.
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02/10/2004 03:54:28 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by bjallen:
My 16 year old daughter was "prospected" at the mall this weekend by a model development firm. She is quite attractive and aside from my screaming at her not to talk to anyone, (she was with a group of her friends)she is very excited. I've checked out the companies website and the BBB (some minor violations) She, her father and I, have an appointment tomorrow. This is not one of the big name modeling agencies (we live near NYC) and their interest was not solicited..My question is, does anyone have any experience with sort of thing. I figured this group would know more than anyone. One final note, my daughter has shot TV commercials for our business on local cable station since she was six years old, and was also, pulled out of line at Disney World to do a training video, (she was was paid with disney dollars) ;-) Thanks in advance for the input. |
As you long as you aren't talking about Wilhelmina Scouting Network, you should be ok.
Any place that wants to charge $250-1000 to put your daughter's pic on a website and make sure they get their money for doing so - that's the 'scam'. :) (I was a Wilhelmina SN rep for about 10 seconds.)
M |
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02/10/2004 04:00:29 PM · #8 |
It's a pretty common 'scam' to bilk the young women and /or their parents out of money to "develop a portfolio" of way overpriced headshots etc. Then nothing ever comes of it. Don't pay a dime.
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02/10/2004 04:18:54 PM · #9 |
I had an experience like this when I was in Jr. High (many years ago). My parents also checked the BBB and there were no complaints. We did end up paying money for runway, makeup, photos... at the time we didn't know any better. They had been at this location for quite a while and around for a few months after we signed with them , then "poof", vanished into thin air ... Never did get our money back, had some proof sheets from the photos but that was about it. It was a major lesson learned!! DON'T PAY THEM A DIME!!!
As someone stated earlier, if they see good potential in your daughter, they will foot the bill and recoup later when she's been working. Best of luck to her and you, just be careful with young girls, as you know there are some "not so nice" people out there. :) |
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02/10/2004 04:37:08 PM · #10 |
I just had a local boy who has a nice build and good presentation but he was approached at the mall and after some deliberation with his parents they agreed to "work with" the company. Now the company got $600 that they didn't really have to go tossing around to get portraits done and he's "under contract" so that no one else can use him for at least 2 years and its at the company's discretion as to whether they renew his contract. Now I can't even shoot him for free which I would have gladly done before and just shared the headshots with him.
One thing to remember, those agencies have books upon books upon books of attractive young models. The chances that they will place your daughter or even that they will spend much time trying to place her in an ad is pretty slim. Do not pay them for anything. Get some headshots done; work TFP if you have to or want to but then find an agent that isn't out soliciting models at the mall. Definitely check out OneModelPlace.com (OMP). It is the most reputable site online for modeling and even if you choose to not signup or buy a membership your daughter can still post pics for free (Bronze account) and she could get contracts off that site. I've already gotten some paying photography jobs just from people finding my portfolio on OMP.
Message edited by author 2004-02-10 16:38:01.
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02/10/2004 06:12:43 PM · #11 |
| Wow! Thanks everyone for the great advice. I have a feeling they really are after our wallets, but, I'm curious, and my daughter is jazzed up..The good thing is she is very level headed, and won't be to terribly disappointed if it's a 'scam'. Again, I appreciate all the input. |
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02/10/2004 06:22:45 PM · #12 |
I'm gonna regret admitting this later... but I've done some modelling myself, and got started in a very similar fashion that your daughter seems to be. The key thing to pay attention too is the questions whoever conuducts the interview asks. If they seem like pertinent questions that test your daughters confidence and so on, then your ok. If they begin by taking measurements or anything of that sort then book it. Another thing, they should never ask for money up front or right away at all. Any agency that is truly interested in your daughter will give your daughter a chance doing something first. I did a trial at a runway show here where I live, and we went from there!
All in all, use your common sense, if something seems a little strange, out of place, or it all seems to be moving too fast and costing too much take a step back and look closer!
If you have any other direct questions feel free to PM me, I can also talk to my acting agent (who deals with models as well) about anything I don't understand. He just so happens to be my high school drama teacher who works on the side as an agent, so he's a trustworthy source!
Lee
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02/11/2004 12:13:27 AM · #13 |
Yeah, i'm probaly regret mentioning this later too...I am a working model in kansas city and St louis. (I just moved to LA). The main sign to look for is that nearly all legit agencies won't force you to pay ANY money up front. I got started with some poloroids and used the money from my first job to get my book/comp card done. The comon sense rule always applies... If it's something you think she might want to do... check out the other legit agencies in the area. Most major markets have a list of good agencies and they liberally hand them out at open calls.
If you have any questions you think i might be able to answer, feel free to drop me an e-mail.
Message edited by author 2004-02-11 00:15:01.
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02/11/2004 11:55:34 AM · #14 |
I do simulation modelling as a career. Several years ago I posted a resume on the internet and received numerous e-mails asking me to be a model scout. Being curious, I looked into it anyway. It was a double edged 'scam'....
First they wanted me to pay for 'training and materials' so that they would consider me as one of their scouts.
Then I was to find models and charge them for developing a portfolio and for having their pictures on their website. For which I got a commision.
So, as mentioned before, if they ask you for any money, run. |
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02/11/2004 02:04:19 PM · #15 |
Make sure you advise your daughter about these scams too ... re: if they request money up front, otherwise they'll build up your daughter and make you look like the bad guy if you decide to walk away.
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02/11/2004 03:39:12 PM · #16 |
why have I not been "prospected" yet?????
grrrrrrrrr............ |
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02/13/2004 11:12:56 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by glimpses:
why have I not been "prospected" yet?????
grrrrrrrrr............ |
Send me $1000 (or 530 pounds) and a .jpg of you (maximum size 10k) and I'll post it on my website for a week.
Disclamer: There is no guarentee of future modelling work. |
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02/13/2004 02:30:05 PM · #18 |
Ha. I used to be a model scout for one of these companies. It's a total 'scam'. I made a nice amount of money very quickly by telling groups of stupid guys at the mall to go to the "auditions" because there were going to be hot girls there. I told them that it was very selective and there was no chance they would get picked and that most of the girls wouldn't be picked either and they would be upset and down in the city and they could go out for drinks with them after and commiserate. Of course, the guys got picked and were so excited they paid! I only chose people who looked like they could use the experience and who had a lot of money to burn. Don't fall for it!
PS. Tell me what the name of the company is. I wonder if it's the one I worked for. Did they start by asking her if she was signed and then trying to guess her measurements? It's all rehearsed...
I love 'scam' artists. I think they are hilarious. I always show up to talk to them even if I know it is a 'scam' because it's so interesting! |
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