Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/11/2010

Question
Hi kitty,
This is not a question, really, but a thank you.

kontak Models and talent called us last Tuesday and had wanted to meet with us and our daughter.  They got our info from a "Talent" scout located at an annual Toronto CHIN picnic.  A rep was there on site collecting info asking kids to sign up for TV and commercial work.  It did not display who the agency was, not that I can remember.

Anyway, we went to the interview, they advised that it will cost $650 cdn plus tax to complete the photo work for 30 comp cards.  
i advsied taht we have a family member who is a photographer in which they specialize in comp cards.  We perfer to use them,  They insisted that they can only use their photographer and that they also have to pay for the makeup and hair specialist for hte day.

He insisted that I sign up.  I did not sign anything as when asking questions, I noticed that he was mildly stressed everytime I asked a question.  I like doing that....

Anyway,halfway through mid conversation he called in his assistant to tell her to book our daughter in a L'oreal hair convention thing.  he went on to assure that even though we have not paid as yet he wanted us to go to this very important convention.

he then went back into the interview and would not give us any paper work unless we gave him money.
i advsed that I will not sign anything, so he gave us the contract unsigned and asked for $50 as a dep.  Stating that if we did not want to go through with it, he would give it back.

long and short of the story, in googling their name, I have found many articles and many questions you have answered for others in our same situation.  

I would like to personally thank you for being there to answer questions of others.  Becuase of what I hvae read, I will do more research via Canada's ACTRA website and try to start my daughters modeling/acting career via ACTRA.

The most we may have lost was time and $50.
Keep up the great work!
OJ

Answer
Well done!  You've done a great job and your daughter should be proud of you.  Knowledge is power, and the Internet can provide what you need to know to keep your family safe in these times.  I am part of a group of people via All Experts who want nothing more than to hear a success story like yours.  Thank you so much for letting me know, and I wish you and your daughter a safe and secure future - free of any scams or setbacks.

:)
~Kitty