Expert: Kitty Kavey - 8/21/2008

Question
I have an extremely beautiful child, who loves to get his picture taken. I have absolutely no experience in this field and do not know where to start as far as modeling/acting goes. I recently emailed two agencies which are located in the Seattle, Washington (as we live an hour north of). I received a phone call from John Robert Powers stating that they had mock interviews/ auditions the same evening which is preparing for some big-wig coming up from LA. So we decided to go, and did get a call back however with the call back came the speel about coaching classes, portfolios, etc...and how much potential my son has. The catch is that in order to pursue the audition we have to agree to commit to paying for some of their coaching classes.

I informed her that we could not make that kind of commitment on a moments notice. She later called back and stated that they would be willing to pay for half of the coaching classes. She was really eager to get us to commit to it immediately.

My main question is, is whether this is common or if it seems like a gimmick to get us to purchase their classes, etc. Also is this an agency that you have heard of and are they credible?


Answer
That is a school, not an agency - or at least not the part that contacted you.  It looks like Washington does not license model/talent agencies, so be careful that you are contacting an agency (and not a school, model marketing company, convention, etc.)on behalf of your son.  

If the business asks you to pay registration fees, supplies training/classes, photography and/or printing services, they may have little motivation to also make their money by acting as a legitimate agency.

An agency should be earning their money by booking work for the talent/models they represent, for which they take a commission (usually 10-20%) off of the money the talent earns through them.

Depending on the age of your son, you may be required to supply an agency with professional materials, such as an actor's headshot & resume, or a modeling composite card - although if he is very young much of the time a couple of good clear snapshots will suffice.

I do recommend that those interested in acting try to take at least an auditioning class or acting class in the type of acting they are most interested in, as an actor's resume does list their training.

No training/schooling is necessary or required for modeling, and most types of models do not use a resume.

Check the following agencies in the Seattle area.  They are listed on the Screen Actor's Guild list of franchised agencies, and should be quite good.

Hopefully one of them will be right for your son.
Good luck to you both,
~Kitty
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Colleen Bell Modeling & Talent Agency
 14205 SE 36TH ST., #100, BELLEVUE, WA 98006
 425-649-1111
 Type: Full Service (All Ages)
http://www.colleenbellagency.net

Dramatic Artists Agency, Inc.
 5400 CARILLON POINT #141, KIRKLAND, WA 98033
 425-827-4147
 Type: Full Service (All Ages)
http://www.dramaticartists.com

Premier Talent NW, LLC
 3901 205TH PLACE SW, LYNNWOOD, WA 98036
 206-999-7936
 Type: Full Service (All Ages)
http://www.premiertalentnw.com