marcen
09-09-2003, 08:55 PM
Hi girls ,
I just have a quick question for anyone who might be familiar with this...I went to an interview today at a modelling agency (Towne agency) here in Canada and it seemed to go really well. I am only 5'5 so would only be doing petites and catalogue modeling. I am just a bit scared of getting ripped off, as there was another girl there that was about to go on a go see and although she was tall and slim, she wasn't particularly attractive at all and they were raving on about her which makes me wonder if they take everyone who comes in the door. They do not charge a filing fee but they do charge for the comp card (done by an in-house photographer) and that costs (in Canadian dollars) $385 for 2 on a sheet or $950 for a book kind of card. They do not do any sorts of lessons as she said that is learned while working and is a waste of time. So basically I am just confused as I was nervous about going in the first place even though people have told me I should, and then it seemed almost too good to be true even though she told me it would take a lot of work initially and seemed to be very up-front...so any advice or anyone familiar with Towne models? Thanks in advance!
I just have a quick question for anyone who might be familiar with this...I went to an interview today at a modelling agency (Towne agency) here in Canada and it seemed to go really well. I am only 5'5 so would only be doing petites and catalogue modeling. I am just a bit scared of getting ripped off, as there was another girl there that was about to go on a go see and although she was tall and slim, she wasn't particularly attractive at all and they were raving on about her which makes me wonder if they take everyone who comes in the door. They do not charge a filing fee but they do charge for the comp card (done by an in-house photographer) and that costs (in Canadian dollars) $385 for 2 on a sheet or $950 for a book kind of card. They do not do any sorts of lessons as she said that is learned while working and is a waste of time. So basically I am just confused as I was nervous about going in the first place even though people have told me I should, and then it seemed almost too good to be true even though she told me it would take a lot of work initially and seemed to be very up-front...so any advice or anyone familiar with Towne models? Thanks in advance!
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Girlie19
09-09-2003, 09:08 PM
I wouldn't pay them a cent. My uncle got ripped off by a different modeling agency. It was something similar where he had to buy really expensive pics. He did and that was the end of his "career" lol. Sorry. :( Did they tell you why you need those pictures?
Miranda2626
09-09-2003, 09:51 PM
You do not have to feel like you have to sign with the first agency that accepts you, keep looking around there could be better ones out there. And as for the comp cards you will have to have this to get exposure and to start your career, but you could get them taken cheeper somewhere else probably although i am not fimilier will canadian money. Anyway let me know what you do and if it goes okay. I have never heard of the agency because i am from the USA. If u have any more questions feel free to ask and i will try and help you out. good luck!
marcen
09-09-2003, 10:02 PM
ok thanks...I am thinking of just forgeting the whole thing lol. I definitely won't be paying them any money.
wondertwin44
09-10-2003, 01:39 AM
I've read that if they ask for money for ANYTHING up front, then you should forget about it.
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Game over. I had to accept the fact that in life some women are simply better and no amount of shoes or lack of pastry or making of pies will change that. I will never be the woman with the perfect hair who can wear white and not spill on it and chair committees and write thank you notes. And I can't feel bad about that.
Carrie, ~SATC~
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Game over. I had to accept the fact that in life some women are simply better and no amount of shoes or lack of pastry or making of pies will change that. I will never be the woman with the perfect hair who can wear white and not spill on it and chair committees and write thank you notes. And I can't feel bad about that.
Carrie, ~SATC~
plymouth
09-10-2003, 09:23 AM
Real agencies never charge you anything not even for pictures and don't use comp cards. All a real agency needs is a regular polaroid type of picture.
~~NatureLovers~~
09-10-2003, 07:41 PM
DONT DO IT!!! I cant scream that loud enough.
That is a scam, and once paid for, they will tell you that they only took your portfolio for you, and that they are sending them out to top notch agents, and that if someone is interested in YOU they will call and let you know. It never happens, because they never send them out. They are not the agency themselves, they are simply looking for interested participants to volunteer hard earned money to take pics of themselves, and sell it on the pretense that you are being hired as a model by them. Most companies are fly by night, and once they scam a room full of people, they skip town. And some are still around after 10 years because once they take your money, your not likely to go spend the rest if any on an attorney.
Check our Irene Marie modeling, they are in North Miami Beach Florida. I dont know if they are nationwide, she got a few of my friends as well as one of my boys alot of work. Two girls are now top models and on tv commercials for CoverGirl. If not in your area, call them atleast and ask for reputable agencies in your area.
Goodluck, and great idea to come here with your concerns
That is a scam, and once paid for, they will tell you that they only took your portfolio for you, and that they are sending them out to top notch agents, and that if someone is interested in YOU they will call and let you know. It never happens, because they never send them out. They are not the agency themselves, they are simply looking for interested participants to volunteer hard earned money to take pics of themselves, and sell it on the pretense that you are being hired as a model by them. Most companies are fly by night, and once they scam a room full of people, they skip town. And some are still around after 10 years because once they take your money, your not likely to go spend the rest if any on an attorney.
Check our Irene Marie modeling, they are in North Miami Beach Florida. I dont know if they are nationwide, she got a few of my friends as well as one of my boys alot of work. Two girls are now top models and on tv commercials for CoverGirl. If not in your area, call them atleast and ask for reputable agencies in your area.
Goodluck, and great idea to come here with your concerns
nbsxangel
09-11-2003, 06:24 AM
If you have what it takes, the company will go to the end of the earth to invest in you. That is simply the truth. You can prolly start up ur own portfolio by scouring around for photographers that will do just as decent of a job but won't over-charge you. I don't recommend the money up-front deal. Chk out other companies, chances are - you'll find one that will try hard as hell to be YOUR agent. G'luck girlie http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif
strand3d
09-11-2003, 02:56 PM
You really have to be careful with modeling agencies because they will rip you off. Don't pay them anything because there's a good chance this won't go anywhere for you, sadly. There isn't a whole lot of serious modeling work for anyone who isn't at least 5'9" and a size 1. If a modeling company is really interesting in you, they wouldn't make you pay anything. Don't let them rip you off hon.
VegasGirl
09-11-2003, 07:30 PM
I am a professional model in Vegas, it's what I do for a living. You DO need comp (zed) cards so the agencies have something to use to represent you to clients. No agency here would accept "polaroids". BUT you should be able to hire your own photographer and get your cards printed by whomever you choose to use. I paid $350 for 1000 double sided, color zed cards. The agencies should take a standard 20% of whatever money they get for you from the client, but that is it. No upfront fees or anything. They get paid if and when you get paid. But you DO need the cards, that is a definite fact. But the agency shouldn't tell you who is going to do your photos/cards, and their prices sound outrageous. Mine have a headshot on the front and five smaller shots on the back.
marcen
09-11-2003, 09:26 PM
Thanks girls!
Well they do take a 20% cut and today they said I could use any photographer I wanted but that they reserve the right to not accept them on second submission if I do not use their own. It sounds kind of like a photo mill scam so I don't think I should do it. Maybe I will ask for more references including some from the companies that supposedly hire from them.
Well they do take a 20% cut and today they said I could use any photographer I wanted but that they reserve the right to not accept them on second submission if I do not use their own. It sounds kind of like a photo mill scam so I don't think I should do it. Maybe I will ask for more references including some from the companies that supposedly hire from them.
roni624
09-12-2003, 02:02 PM
Julia....I did the whole modeling thing for 8-9yrs. I attended modeling school which the photo shoot and portfolio were included in the tution expenses. You do have to check around to see if the agency is reputable. Those photos are very important. The more shots the better chance you have of getting the "job". There are some shotty agencies out there. You just have to be careful. I paid about $1300 for the school and another 800 on accesories and clothing for this school. After I completed the courses it paid off. I did many shows. I prefered runway than commercial/photo modeling. I quit doing it because I felt like I couldn't be me. I started doing it at 14yrs and I never got to play with my friends of go to event with them because I was always traveling. Take your time and really look into other agencies and see which one you feel more comfortable with.-Roni
marcen
09-12-2003, 03:46 PM
Thanks to all...I decided not to do it.
I am starting to think that there isn't much work out there for someone my height anyway (5'5). I am fit, well-proportioned (I have bigger breasts but they suit my figure), and I have good skin,teeth, hair and bone structure, but I am shorter. Hmmm...maybe I could have another photographer do a comp for me and go to an agency in a bigger city.
I am starting to think that there isn't much work out there for someone my height anyway (5'5). I am fit, well-proportioned (I have bigger breasts but they suit my figure), and I have good skin,teeth, hair and bone structure, but I am shorter. Hmmm...maybe I could have another photographer do a comp for me and go to an agency in a bigger city.
VegasGirl
09-15-2003, 05:03 PM
Height really only matters in runway. I am 5'10" but I don't do runway because I am too uncoordinated. HAHA! Do you have a big city that does a lot of conventions? The convention market is a great one, you don't have to be tall, just pretty and very personable. Vegas has a huge convention market and I do a ton of them. I also do a lot of promotions, liquor promotions are great if you're over 21. You don't have to be tall to do conventions and promotions, I work with a lot of models who are only 5'5"-5'7". Just be sure you register with accredited agencies and don't get scammed. Good luck to you! :)
unbroken
09-15-2003, 08:13 PM
I used to do a lot of modeling and plan on searching out an agency so trust me with what I am going to say... No agency charges you anything, not even for any pictures. The best agencies in the world will even say this on their websites (check out Ford, Wilhelmina, and Boss models). You are a bit on the short side and while most don't have "petite" sections some do (I'm fairly sure Wilhelmina does but don't quote me on it). Kate Moss is 5'7" and a supermodel so height doesn't matter but you have to look tall. If they accepted a girl that wasnt very attractive then they probably are just a big scam. Modeling agencies get hundreds of pictures from women wanting to do modeling but as you know not many of them go anywhere. It's a tought buisness. Whatever you do just get away from this company. Also do not attend any "modeling conventions" or anything like "Model search america". So many women want to model so that's why they are easily scammed. Another thing is if you aren't a size 4 at least then you'll have problems. Clothes only come in one size on a shoot and if you don't fit into them then you'll have trouble finding work. For now I recommend you do some TFP shoots with good (not amateur) photographers who can help you build a portfolio for basically nothing (just the price of gas lol). I got my portfolio done for free and it was all very professional since I worked with only professional or semi-pro photographers. I stress again, no amateurs. I wish you luck in such a tough buisness.
I also wanted to say MODELING SCHOOL IS NOT NEEDED. I cannot stress that enough. You can even ask any reputable agency themselves. It's a waste of money. And I forgot to mention that a compcard an agency will do them for free. If they want to market you then they pay for everything. If they have faith in that you'll make money then in the beginning they charge you zip. I suggest if you want to do serious fashion and runway (not porn styled stuff) that you move to NYC or England.
[This message has been edited by unbroken (edited 09-15-2003).]
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 09-15-2003).]
I also wanted to say MODELING SCHOOL IS NOT NEEDED. I cannot stress that enough. You can even ask any reputable agency themselves. It's a waste of money. And I forgot to mention that a compcard an agency will do them for free. If they want to market you then they pay for everything. If they have faith in that you'll make money then in the beginning they charge you zip. I suggest if you want to do serious fashion and runway (not porn styled stuff) that you move to NYC or England.
[This message has been edited by unbroken (edited 09-15-2003).]
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 09-15-2003).]