Great American Model & Talent Search - scam, right?

[jenrein]

I don't know about this particular company. When DD first started, I took her to Model Search America. While at the event, they told her that she was too short to be a model. She accepted that and we thought it was over.

Oddly, she got a call about a month later from a company local to the Kansas City area. The guy wanted to know if Kendall had signed with anyone. She told him no and he said he was shocked because she was definitely model material. Of course, this really got DD going. She begged me to take her to a meeting at the companies office. Once we got there, a salesman proceeded to lay out the program. For just $1200, they would teach DD how to be a model. After that, they would arrange for a photo shoot and they would represent her. I was leery, but DD wanted it so much. I forked over the $1200.

DD went to classes and she did learn somethings she would not have known had she not attended. She did get some great pictures, but I paid a lot of money for them. Once she finished the program, we heard nothing from them. I started doing research and realized that a company like that is only in it for one thing. They want you to take their class. After that, you are on your own.

I contacted a SAG agent in Kansas City. I sent DD's pictures in and they agreed to a meeting. She was signed with the SAG talent agent.

Eventually, we moved to Florida where DD has several good agents. We pay nothing to them until DD books work. At that point, they get a percentage of the amount earned.

Do I regret taking DD to the Model Search? No. It was enough to light a fire under us. She had been wanting to get involved in acting for a long time and I had dragged my feet. It also taught me that you should do a lot of research before taking on such an effort. Since that time, I've learned a ton about the entertainment. I'm now a member of the board of the Florida Cast and Crew Association and I try to educate others getting into the business. My best advice to anyone getting into the entertainment business is to do your research. There is a ton of information available on the net. Join some actor message boards. Most are very good about answering questions for newbies.

How can you tell who is reputable? In the FL area, do you mind mentioning names of any that you work with?

And what the heck with the first posts posters? I mean really?

 

[xoxoar]

This is not a scam, like some people have explained, it is a agency that helps your child gain exposer. This company has had a great rep since I was a little girl, I am glad my daughter has been given this chance. Even though the fee of $600 was something we could not do at the time, this year is their 25th offical year anniversary, so they had a drawing to enter 25 contestants each in the catagory of $25, $75, and $125 fee, that covers all the regular fee is, photos, coaching, all fees for my daughter are covered for only $75!
In my opionion, this was totally a God thing ! With 5 children, I love the fact that we may be able to start saving for her college future at the age of 6 ! We are a homeschooling family so this makes it all the more possible. If we leave it in God's hands my family and daughter will be blessed by this opportunity. Thanks so much GAMTS ! xoxoar momof5

 

[visitingapril09]

Very strange that the 2 posters defending this company are posting their first post?????????

EXACTLY what I was thinking!

 

[Allison]

EXACTLY what I was thinking!

And now the 3rd who just happened to dig up a thread that is years old.

 

[lyncecelia]

I love how everyone who's "First Post" was supporting this....google works wonders, doesn't it? LOL

Our experience:

My sister was around 2. My parents desperately wanted to get her into show business. So we went to one of these "agencies". We have the head shots and everything.....and that's it. She's still a small-town girl with no print experience or anything 10 years later.

All of these places are scams....and I wouldn't listen to the "1 post wonders" over it.

A lesson we are always taught about the internet: not everything you read is credible

 

[Cinderella94]

This is not a scam, like some people have explained, it is a agency that helps your child gain exposer. This company has had a great rep since I was a little girl, I am glad my daughter has been given this chance. Even though the fee of $600 was something we could not do at the time, this year is their 25th offical year anniversary, so they had a drawing to enter 25 contestants each in the catagory of $25, $75, and $125 fee, that covers all the regular fee is, photos, coaching, all fees for my daughter are covered for only $75!
In my opionion, this was totally a God thing ! With 5 children, I love the fact that we may be able to start saving for her college future at the age of 6 ! We are a homeschooling family so this makes it all the more possible. If we leave it in God's hands my family and daughter will be blessed by this opportunity. Thanks so much GAMTS ! xoxoar momof5

This is your first post and this thread is years old.

Really?

 

[Disney_Ohana]

When I was in HS I remember going to these Talent Search Convention type things. Yes, you have to pay hundreds of dollars. Yes, there are agents there but you can very well (in this day & age) be seen by them by find out their addresses, company email & send snapshots of your children to them yourself.

Recently we've been to open casting calls in which you pay NO money. You can (if you have them) bring head shots. If not, a candid will do. Last casting call for us, the casting director took a few head shots & a short video. Like someone mentioned in a previous post, an agent will take a percentage of your earnings. If you go to a casting call & are not represented by an agent (which is allowed) you keep your earnings for yourself.

If your set on having an agent represent you, find one in your area, do some research to find one that is successful at getting their talent work.

 

[dyoung2010]

I just attended my second meeting with the Great American Model and Talent Search. This is the meeting that you attend the weekend after they tell you that you or your child is worthy of "EXPOSURE". They drove this word and CURRENTCY home during this hour of my life I'll never get back. It's sad but alot of people will fall for this scam. Why do I think it's a scam? Well besides the price of $739.00 that had to be paid either today or tomorrow or the offer would be resinded, and thats just for the space to save for you in Pittsburgh. It doesnt count the $99.00 event pass you have to purchase when you get there and the cost incurred to get there and stay for the TWO days you are required to be there. Listed below are some TV shows that they toughted during their outdated hourly video.

Gilmore Girls **Last episode 2007**
Everyone Hates Chris **Last episode 2008**
Yes Dear **Last episode 2006**
All my children **Last episode Sep of this yr**

TV Commercials ALL WERE ATLEAST 4 YRS old!!!

What does this mean to a person that would lay out over $1000.00 to attend this event in Pittsburgh in the middle of November? It means that the talent scounts and agents in the video (who were obviously reading Q-cards, horribly I might ad) are not coming to Great American Model and Talent Search to find their clients!

If this company were legitamate dont you think that their presentation would be as CURRENT as possible to reflect today and not what's obviously yesterday's news? But for those that say " The Great American Model and Talent Search doesnt promise you anything"...Your absolutly currect they dont. But if you dont smell something wrong after their hour and a half spil then you are going to become one of those poor suckers that we just love to talk about!

 

[tweedlemom]