Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/28/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
hi,
i sent in my cover letter and pics to an agency, they called me back the next day and we scheduled an interview for the following week. i just got back from it. the lady was super nice told me that  i was cute and kinda a girl next door look. I'm 15, 5'4, 100lbs, blonde hair, amber eyes, my measurments are 32b, 23, 34. she said since i have NO experience what so ever that i need to get instructed so she said it would be $1625 for 15 weeks of classes (class once a week) she wants me to atleast pay half up front.

i know that everyone say never pay up front but i also know that this agency was DEFIINETLY booking people...
so i'm asking your opinion!
also do most agency never ask for money to train you? and is it usual to pay for your own comp card? (taking pictures and make-up inclueded in that)

THANKYOU so much!
    --elise

Answer -
It is illegal in most states for an agency to require you take classes, nor do models use resumes - so training is not something most of them do.  Perhaps the company you met with was a management company, although they are not allowed to book models.  

People say not to pay money up front because
1. It can be against the law
and
2. If you were to pay a company $1625 for classes, they might be less inclined to work the same amount to earn a $100 or less on the jobs you book through them.  It's called a conflict of interest.

It's also why a modeling agency is not supposed to run a photo studio or printing business, or tell you that you can only shoot with a certain photographer.  They'd make more money from doing than they would from booking you as a model, unless they decide to take a huge percentage from your wages. (It's usually 10-20%)

As to your last question: yes, you are usually required to get your own comp card together.  Your agent may want to choose the photos you use, but again, in most states they are not allowed to suggest even which photographer they like, much less which one you should use.

Check with your state's licensing bureau to make sure the company you are interested in is licensed in good standing as a modeling agency, and also to find out exactly what the laws are regarding multiple businesses together (such as a school/classes and an agency.)
Good luck to you,
~Kitty

hey kitty,
thank you SO much for your advice! i already didn't have the best feeling about it so you kind of concluded my decision.. i did look them up on th ebetter business bureau and they hadn't a single complaint in the last 3 years... so thats atleast good about them. but they don't sign a contract at ALL..so it would be a huge risk to give them that money with no promise down on paper...so thank you!

but real quick.. the lady told me that an agency doesn't ever take new faces without training them (for money) she said if i had walked in with training, comp card, portfolio she would have put me on there agency for no cost.. but since i have NO expience i need training... Do other angency pit a new face with NO expeirence on for free and teach you things you need to know absoulty free?

Answer
The lady who told you that is incorrect, and uninformed if she believes what she is telling you.  You're 5'4, so until and unless you grow to the minimum height for a fashion model, you will not be doing that.  Commercial print models do not have height, age or size requirements.  I can't imagine what would be taught for that.  

Acting is different.  Talent agents do want to see that you've had some training, as you go on auditions.  It's less about what you look like, and more about what you can do in front of the camera.  Auditioning in itself is something you should at least take a class in, as there is specific lingo they use, and you want to be as comfortable as possible in the room.  

But as far as modeling goes, unless you'll be doing runway, and you need to learn a runway walk, the rest is not something that a model needs to take classes for.  If you look around at advertisements, you'll see babies and tiny children in print ads (try picking up a copy of Family Circle or Parenting magazine) - I would be curious to learn what the lady you mention thinks they went to a class for, and you can't get a newer face than that!

If I were you, I'd use the screen actor's guild list of agencies (www.sag.org, under Resources, Agent Information) those marked FS (full services) are those who represent commercial print models in addition to actors.  You'll have to check to make sure their modeling division represents younger people (as some agencies are adults over 18 only) but those agencies follow the Screen Actors Guild union rules as well as state rules for talent agencies.  It's generally a good way to find a reputable commercial print agency, and the list is searchable by location in the US.  
Good luck to you,
~Kitty