Has your child done modeling or acting for an agency?

[Princess Steph]

Tell me what I should know! Met this weekend with the agency and they want to sign my 2 DS's on for acting and modeling. I'm thrilled but weary because I have to pay $700 each for a photo shoot. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[karibritt01]

Is it a reputable agency? I would check them out through Better Business Bureau. Also, I have heard that you should never have to pay up front for photo shoot... but can't remember where I heard that from, so it may not be accurate.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My son did some when he was younger. The agency we went through told me NEVER to pay money up front for anything. They also said little kids didn't need expensive photo shoots because they change so frequently.

All DS 's interviews and jobs came from plain snapshots I took and sent in.

 

[Darsa]

I would definitely be wary of someone asking you for that kind of money up front... it sounds fishy.

 

[golfgal]

A reputable agency would NOT have you pay for the photo shoot.

 

[swanmom]

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No reputable agency would ask for require photos (at $700 !) as a condition of signing. Period. End of Story. My DD has been doing this for more than 10 years (she's 15 now) and has been with several agencies and managers - she has never been asked to do this. Nor have any of the hundreds of kids we've met over the years of doing this who have legitimate agents. Sorry if this disappoints but you'd be far more disappointed if you spent this money and absolutely nothing ever happened for your DS's.

P.S. Even at my DD's level, we've never paid more than $350 for headshots. And that's after five years of earning money doing this work, we decided to splurge and get the best. And the agency never 'required' it - we just decided to update hers as she got older.

P.S.S. If you want to send me a PM with the name of the agency, I'll see what people in the industry know about them.

 

[RadioNate]

My Dd does and you should never pay for photos like that.

We just put together snapshots every 3 months. Our agency does require comp cards starting at around 3 depending on the level of work you are looking for but you can have them made with reasonable photos or snapshots.

I need to end our relationship with our current agency. Any thoughts on that letter? Basic form letter?

 

[claudia]

No reputable agency will ask you for money....RUN!!!
DS was represented by Click and Q....never paid a dime....he did runway for Vivenne Westwood, Armani and Calvin Klein...also did tons of print work.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Absolutely do not pay. If they truly thought they could get your child work, they'd pay for the photos because they know a return was on their way to them.. Find a place to do photos for you at no cost, or if you'd feel better, find a reasonable amount you'd like to pay to have a portfolio ready for her.
$700 is NOT a reasonable amount.

 

[Scurvy]

I would definitely be wary of someone asking you for that kind of money up front... it sounds fishy.

My cousin is into modeling. She says not to trust any group that wants money upfront. You're right to be wary - it seems like a scam to me.

 

[agnes!]

Tell me what I should know! Met this weekend with the agency and they want to sign my 2 DS's on for acting and modeling. I'm thrilled but weary because I have to pay $700 each for a photo shoot. Anyone have any experience with this?

I agree with everyone else. DON'T DO IT.

The so-called 'talent agency' is in all likelihood scamming you and getting a sizeable kickback from the photographer for recommending them.

And $700 each is really expensive, after all that would pay for most of a trip to WDW... Kids looks change so quickly, to keep up you will have to keep getting NEW pics about every 6 months!

Look the agency up on the Internet, check them out with BBB.

'Agencies' like this make me very mad, they take huge amounts of people's money and prey on parents' love for their children. ALL parents think their kids are the cutest and to have someone validate that opinion is what these scammers are relying on.

DON'T DO IT.

agnes!

 

[okeydokey]

It's a scam. Please don't fall for it.

 

[agnes!]

Another thought.... Just how did the "agency" find you and your kids? Did an 'agent' walk up to you at the mall? Modeling schools are notorious for doing this....and shoppers think their kids have just gotten discovered. Well, they *have*...by someone selling modelling classes and overpriced photography sessions.

agnes!

 

[Princess Steph]

The agency came recommended by a family member whose has a friend whose grandson models for them. We looked them up. I just do not know the industry and was wondering if this was typical.

 

[live4christp1]

We went one year when DS was younger to a casting call for children's models. The two guys doing the evaluations spoke to everyone as a group and they even said to everyone there, "don't pay $$$$ for pictures/portfolios/fee, etc." They didn't even want to look at portfolios. They said something to the effect of what everyone else is saying, a reputable agent/agency is not going to try to sale you something to that affect.

 

[Princess Steph]

This $700 covers the agency fees and a photo shoot, 200 comp cards. I get the CD with all proofs. They said it's good for 2 years, after that I don't know what happens.

 

[MsLeFever]

My son is with a local agency in Pittsburgh and as with an agency in eastern PA before that. There was never a charge for photos - we need to provide updated shots every 6 months because kids change so much. An agency gets work/money for you and their money comes from a cut of that - they should never be charging or endorsing a particular (expensive!) photographer.

 

[claudia]

This $700 covers the agency fees and a photo shoot, 200 comp cards. I get the CD with all proofs. They said it's good for 2 years, after that I don't know what happens.

a legitimate agency doesn't have fees upfront. Once signed and working they will take a cut of your earnings (10% or so) to cover their costs....plus there is no way you'll ever need or use 200 cards.

 

[RadioNate]

Yeah, I'm still not on board with this agency.

You can get 200 comp cards for like $150.

Also, I don't know of any mandatory agency fees.

Ours does have a $100 set up fee IF you want your own personal web page developed through them. You do not have to do this. They actually told me not too because it isn't something a child needs. They do this more for voice talent and people who need demos easily accessible online.

DD's card is in their database, which can be accessed online by the casting agents they deal with but she doesn't have her own page with a demo reel and all that.

The $100 is a one time fee that pays for the site set up. The talent then gets access to upload as many demos or photos as they want. They can also alter their data/resume as often as they'd like.

None of this is mandatory. If you already have a personal site, they will just link to that one in the database.

I know you are excited (and I'm sure your kids are too) but that is the hook. They get you so excited about the possibilities that you pay the $$$. I see you are in MA. Are you in Boston? If you are outside a major area, there isn't much work.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Tell me what I should know! Met this weekend with the agency and they want to sign my 2 DS's on for acting and modeling. I'm thrilled but weary because I have to pay $700 each for a photo shoot. Anyone have any experience with this?

My niece & nephew both did commercials & print work. Neither ever paid for photos.
They have had success...paid for all 3 college educations in the family. Each own a house that is rented...they are set for life as far as investments.

I would be very cautious......
(My niece is going to be in Billy Elliott)