Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/10/2008

Question
Can you advise me on Talent Management companies?  N.c.K Talent Management did the typical shopping mall approach with my daughter and several days later did a 20 minute taped interview.  A day later we were told our 13 year old daughter was one of the 12 children picked.  The catch was they want about $1600 to put her through an Image Life Program with the "Academy" and I have one day to decide.  Is it normal for a talent agency or model search company to ask for money?  They also take 20% for any work they book her with.

Answer
Charm schools, or modeling schools and training centers are pretty much allowed to teach and charge what they wish for their courses and classes.

Depending on where you are located, model/talent agencies may need to be licensed and are regulated by the state.  Some states do not regulate agencies - but an agency should not be operating another business such as a school, a photography studio or printing company.

While no training or experience is required or necessary for modeling, (nor do most types of models use resumes) aspiring actors do list training on their resume - and if your daughter wants to go into acting at least a basic course in the type of acting and/or auditioning she is looking to do would be helpful.

My suggestion is, if your daughter is only interested in modeling, avoid the schools, conventions and marketing services, and go to a legitimate agent.  There should be no up-front fees - an agent should only earn a commission (usually 10-20%) off of the money your daughter earns through them working as a model.

There is a list of talent/model agencies in the US on the Screen Actors Guild website (www.sag.org, under Member Services, Find an Agent).  Those agencies not only have to comply with any state/local laws/regulations, but also guild rules as well - and can be some of the best agencies around for both acting, and (commercial print) modeling.

Many of the agencies listed on the SAG website will indicate if they are full service (that they represent models as well as actors) and whether they represent all ages - although you can use your favorite search engine to see if agencies you are interested in have a website.  Many do, and usually agency criteria, what types of talent/models they represent and submission instructions for new faces is included on the agency website.

Good luck to you and your daughter,
~Kitty