Legitimate modeling agency that has a school?

December 23, 2015 9:27 PM

A modeling agency here also has a modeling school. How do I know if it's legit when my sister has a friend who gets work with the agency yet I hear not to pay for schooling?

I was given information to a modeling agency here for my son. I thought I would submit his information and see what they say. Just to say I tried it. We got put in for an open call and was told about modeling school which is another thing this company does. Initially I was into the idea - he's nearly five, brand new and I assumed there was a lot to learn. Then I thought this isn't what should happen if he were to be signed to an agency. You don't pay for modeling school with no word on a contract. Right? At the end of the classes they have an agency review but I have no further information on that.

On top of that, I have other concerns. Even though he has expressed interest in the whole thing, I'm considering skipping out for a while until he's older. Neither of us is super set on it. (Me mostly because I'm not too sure of it).

So, am I thinking right in skipping it? A friend of my sister is with this agency, does get work and she's on their site. One of the models that I've seen doing a runway show showed up as we were leaving Saturday. She doesn't have a well known name but to say they have work seems to be at least a little true. I'm just not sure on this modeling school bit and if it leads to anything with the agency. My thoughts are that it doesn't.

I have been researching and seeing that it isn't good to pay for classes while some say because they have an agency, it's fine. I've seen two bad reviews and a bunch of good ones. Their BBB rating is good (but so is Page Parks and that was a scam I saw) so I'm not putting much stock in that. I guess I just need more opinions on whether to walk from this.

I'm going to have my sister chat with her friend to know more of her experience and whether she went through this school or not. I'm also planning to message the agency again on whether the school really leads to anything.

Any advice is welcome.

posted by grablife365 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (4 answers total)

It must be a common enough lure that the FTC has a page about deceptive modeling "opportunities":

Modeling and talent agencies get work for experienced models and actors. Some agents require that you sign up exclusively with them, while others allow you to also register with other agencies in town. Either way, legitimate agencies don’t charge you an up-front fee to serve as your agent. They get paid when you get paid.

Modeling agencies aren’t the same as modeling and acting schools. These schools claim to provide instruction — for a fee — in poise, posture, diction, skin care, make-up application, the proper walk, and more. But after you take their classes, you may be on your own, despite their promises that attending modeling school will ensure you make it as a model.

...

What about the casting calls you hear about on the radio, looking for the next child star? While they may be real in that one or two kids in the country are “discovered,” the agencies holding the calls often use them as a way to get parents to enroll their kids in expensive acting classes.

My guess would be that the cost of their modeling classes would far outweigh proceeds from any work that would result from it, assuming there'd even be any.

They don't have to be consciously trying to scam you for it to not be worth it and it's easy to come up with a situation that sounds likely. Let's say they have a class of 10 kids, each paying $500, or $1000, or whatever. A hefty sum, good profit. And after class they manage to get a couple of the students a few gigs that pay $70-$100. It wasn't worth it financially to any of the students, not even the ones who got some work out of it, but the people working there would be entirely truthful in saying that they have work for students of their classes.

So yeah, I think you should skip it and if your kid likes the idea of classes find some youth drama classes or something else that's intrinsically enjoyable instead of a plastic carrot hanging over a pit of Monopoly money.
posted by foxfirefey at 1:02 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

There is nothing a five year old will get out of a modeling class. When we lived in NYC one of my son's classmates occasionally did photo shoots and as far as I could tell for that age group they basically go play in a room and someone periodically asks if they'd like to try on some clothes and take some pictures.

Go to the open call and see if he has fun.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:25 AM on December 24, 2015 [4 favorites]

In my limited knowledge of that world, children's modeling and acting is rampant with scams. Moreover, the amount of time and money it will cost you to get the basics done (headshots, drive him to appointments) far exceeds any money you will make. The kids chosen for work are often based on their ability to sit still for a lengthy period of time. Further, if one doesn't live in NYC or LA or perhaps Orlando, one is fairly limited in opportunities.
If you do decide to pursue this, go in with your eyes open and set a firm limit as to how much discretionary income you have to put towards this hobby.
posted by k8t at 7:32 AM on December 24, 2015 [2 favorites]

It's really simple. All modeling agencies want to place models for work. If they believe that your child has talent and will work, they will offer you a contract and they will teach him what he needs to know.

If a school is more interested in selling lessons, then the conversation will revolve around How to pay for tuition.

Follow the money, that is where your answer lies.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:09 AM on December 24, 2015