Expert: Peter Messaline - 4/14/2010

Question
I have 2 girls that have done some modelling, Fashion shows, Hair shows, and have gone to IMTA with our Agency in Canada. While at the IMTA convention we have gotten some call backs, One of the Agencies is From Nashville and we have gone and had a Video done  and more head shots.This agency has not put any pressure on us but would like to be our agent or manager...
This agency in Nashville seems to be smaller than the one we have now that has found us some very small jobs,, like the Hair shows...Is it better to stay with athe bigger agency? or go to one that seems smaller but is in the U.S.A.
We have also just got a call back from the IMTA to go see the MMG management Group. They want to see the girls again to see if they want to manage them...
I understand that we can only have 1 Manager?
but can have more than 1 agency if you don't have a manager?
not sure what would be our best way to go..
If we sign with 1 are we stuck with only them and loose the other?
The girls really liked the Agent in Nashville, but also like the one we have in T.O.
not sure what we should do or where we should go. Help.....

Answer
I'm afraid I have to rain on your parade and say that there is no advantage in your girls going to an agency in Nashville. Your girls don't have US working papers, and nowadays it's quite possible to be turned back  at the border even if you do have the work visas. No legitimate agency is going to represent two children who would have to pay $500, with you along as chaperon, to come to an audition, even if it were in New York. American cities have young kid models by the busload.

And also read this discussion of IMTA:
http://tinyurl.com/yyr63ds

And look at general industry information at
www.amisontario.com

and here is general child performer advice:
http://tinyurl.com/y8256cd

From what I see of MMG's website, they do not seem to be an operation I'd want to go to. Look at the girls they have chosen to decorate their pages! And no credit on the model!!

If you think of their modelling as a sort of Little League for girls, then you'll gladly spend time, and perhaps a little money, on something they enjoy. Let them do shows here, just don't think it's going to lead on to anything bigger. Watch the agency costs here, and don't waste your money on IMTA conventions again.

I hope the pages I've shown you will be helpful. I think you'll find canadian actor.com an interesting discussion group, and a source of a lot of information about kids in the business.