Expert: Kitty Kavey - 9/3/2009

Question
Hi Kitty,
         My son is 15 years old and would like to get involved in modeling. We live in Las Vegas, Nv and I was wondering if you knew of any reputable agencies here in town. We attended a meeting held at one of the hotels here in town put on by ProScout recruiting people to attend an event where supposedly they have agents from all over the world for you to be able to expose yourself in a professional manner. They charge a fee of almost $800.00 . This has me very nervous about whether ProScout is a legitimate business and if this is a customary way of doing business in this industry. I would prefer to find a reputable business here in town to try to get his foot in the door but am unsure if one exists here in town. Thank you for your time and willingness to help people like me that are clueless as to how to help their children pursue their dreams.                Lisa


Answer
I would not recommend going to a modeling convention or recruiting event for a couple of reasons.  Number one being that to submit your information (or in this case your son's# to any modeling or talent agency is free.  You can purchase #or get from the library or online# a modeling or talent agency directory for far less than the $$ asked for by conventions such as ProScout.

Secondly, many potential models and parents don't take into account that when meeting modeling agency representatives from all over the world, there is a chance that one of those reps may be interested in the new face.  If that rep is from an agency in Paris, for example, that generally means the new face needs to go to Paris.  If you help your son submit his information to Las Vegas and perhaps Los Angeles area agencies, he may travel for a shoot, but his agency and modeling auditions #usually called go-sees) will be local or more easily accessible to you.

Model marketing and promotion services like ProScout are allowed to charge whatever they like for their services.  As far as I'm aware they are legit companies.  They just don't make it really clear that you can submit your information to any of the agencies who send a rep to their conventions - through the mail, visit the agency during an open call in person, and some now even accept submissions through their websites.  Of course if money is no object, and the new face is willing and able to travel and live anywhere in the world, then this might be a convenient way to have them meet reps from agencies around the globe, in one place and time.

For fashion modeling I suggest that your son looks into the Los Angeles area.  For commercial print and particularly tradeshow/promotional modeling there are a few agencies in Las Vegas that might be good:

J Baskow & Associates: http://www.baskow.com
Best Agency: http://www.best-agencies.com
Lenz Agency: http://www.lenztalent.com
eNVy Models & Talent Agency: http://www.envymodeltalent.com

Good luck to you and your son,
~Kitty