Explore Modeling - Scams to Avoid!

Scams to Avoid!

Video Transcript:

Cristina talks about the various modeling scams to avoid.

Video Transcription

Cristina: I want to talk about all the scams that are out there for aspiring models, okay, which there are so many, and it is because there are so many girls and guys that want to be told that you have what it takes to be a model. So, people take advantage of that, and aspiring models feel like someone’s telling them, “I look great and I can do this”. And these model hopeful’s do not know any better. So, they pay large amounts of money to these people. And, you know, there is no agency that I know of or that I have ever worked with that charges a fee for representation. There is no agency, I’m going to say it again, that charges a fee for representation. The only fee they get is 20% of the job they book for you- which means they get paid when you get paid. So, there are a lot of so called agencies that say, “Oh, you are so great, and we are going to book you so much work,” but it costs $1200 to get with our modeling agency. Or they say, “It is a registration or initiation fee”. Scam, scam, scam!

Cristina: Just thank them for their time and walk out the door. There is no reason to, you know, create any ruckus. Just thank them for their time and walk out the door and go to another modeling agency. Because, I’m not quite sure if that is illegal, I think it is, but they try to hide it, and they say, “Okay, well come and join our modeling agency.” They are not calling it the initiation fee anymore, because consumers are getting smart, and they are thinking okay you are scam. So, they are saying okay come with our agency, but you need to get modeling pictures, which I already told you is necessary, but you need to get your portfolio modeling pictures here. You have to get your pictures here, in order for us to represent you as a model. That is what you kids should look for. You should not have to use a specific photographer. They can suggest a photographer. Even my agency has a list of photographers, which I told you when you are looking for a photographer; you need to get a referral. So, you can call an agency for a referral, but you see the difference of having to get your pictures here for representation and we would like to represent you. You are going to need pictures…here are four or five photographers that we use, you can go to them, whatever, but this is what you need. See, there is a difference there. With those companies that tell you have to get your portfolio pictures with them, “You have to,” their business is based on pictures, is it based on selling pictures and not of booking jobs for models. So, if they are charging you for pictures and you have to get them there, and then we have this composite card, which we can print for you, which is going to be $600. Well, it doesn’t cost $600 to print a composite card. So, you know, you need to be educated in what they are offering you and what they say, and they should not be taking any money. I have never really written out my modeling agency a check directly to them. The only time I think I have ever written my modeling agency a check, which they usually take out money from the jobs that my modeling agency got me. But the only thing I can ever imagine is maybe for a modeling agency website. If anyone is being pushy, if you go to sit with a modeling agency, and they put a contract in front of you, and they say, “You have to sign this, you have to sign it today, we want this much money”…and they are bugging you and calling you, they are pretty much telling you “I am a scam,” without even saying it. So, if you…I mean there are agencies in New York, everywhere, there are modeling agencies, very reputable modeling agencies all over the world, the country and if they like a model, and they come in with their parents or they come in by themselves, and they are questioning, you know what, I’m not really sure whether I want to sign this contract… A reputable agency would say take this contract home, look it over, show you parents and/or an attorney and when you decide two weeks from now or two months from now we are here…

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Ashley[AJ]Janais 03/25/09 report misuse
thanks for this video
i always get people that tell me i'm pretty and want me to model for them but i never do because i'm not sure if they're legit or not.
now i know what to pay attention to and to look for.thanks:)

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Cristina 03/26/09 - NYC, NY, United States report misuse

Quote: Ashley[AJ]Janais posted on: 03/25/09

thanks for this video
i always get people that tell me i'm pretty and want me to model for them but i never do because i'm not sure if they're legit or not.
now i know what to pay attention to and to look for.thanks:)

Great! Good Luck :)

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ChrissyStar 05/27/09 report misuse
thanx for this! i myself have been a victim of scams. bad bad bad!

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kimmymolinaro 05/28/09 report misuse
This is true. Those Kiosks in the malls and agencies like "Model Team" are all scammers. Read those contracts carefully. Cristina mentioned photos, but there are agencies that charge for "industry classes", "hair and make-up" fees, and "showcase" fees, which include hair and makeup for a bogus runway show, AND tickets for your family to attend. I met with one agency that did this, turns out you would end up spending over 10,000 dollars to possibly never get work through them. They even famously said "you have to spend money to make money".

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Vanessa 06/01/09 - Lithonia, GA, United States report misuse
I have actually paid money to become a part of an agency. It turned out to be legit but now I see that I could have gotten good service from another agency without paying money. However, I do not regret signing up for the agency I am with now.

-Vanessa

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Robert 07/06/09 - Kent, WA, United States report misuse
good stuff

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TANESHA 07/20/09 - PITTSBURGH, PA, United States report misuse
Hi Cristina, thanks for the site! This video is very helpful, however, I'm still left unsure of rather or not the agency is a scam or not. This agency will allow me to use my own photographer, however, they "strongly recommend" theirs. They have a 3 year package that cost $1505.00 which in cludes photos. $750+ dollars is for web exposure (3 pics) on their site! I can post up to 5 professional pics her for free. Does this sound like a scam? Models Inc. formerly Americas Top Model.

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Cristina 07/20/09 - NYC, NY, United States report misuse

Quote: TANESHA posted on: 07/20/09

Hi Cristina, thanks for the site! This video is very helpful, however, I'm still left unsure of rather or not the agency is a scam or not. This agency will allow me to use my own photographer, however, they "strongly recommend" theirs. They have a 3 year package that cost $1505.00 which in cludes photos. $750+ dollars is for web exposure (3 pics) on their site! I can post up to 5 professional pics her for free. Does this sound like a scam? Models Inc. formerly Americas Top Model.

Hi! That is way too much money! You need to find another agency...

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Melanie 08/04/09 - New York, NY, United States report misuse

Quote: Cristina posted on: 07/20/09

Hi! That is way too much money! You need to find another agency...

Entertainment Vibes Media and Allen Mark - NewYork fashion expo same agency -please beware in new york , virgina and D.c.The fees and tickets sells for this scam agency is one that should be reported and watched out for. Please be careful check out the site no real modeling there.

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Melanie 08/04/09 - New York, NY, United States report misuse

Quote: Melanie posted on: 08/04/09

Entertainment vibes SCAM , MODEL MAG , BEWARE !!!

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