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Numa Life Management Group - Numa Models & Talent - Numa Group Pushes their own photo shoots and modelling or talent courses, does not deliver contracted photos after payment, insulting, abusive Calgary Alberta
I was scouted by Numa at Model & Talent Search Canada 2 years ago and agreed to updated headshot with them. I paid but had to hound them for the photo by email and phone as I was not local. Finally received the headshot, and signed a 2 year contract of which I never received a copy.
They have ignored repeated requests for comp cards (required for jobs as I am commercial - not fashion - model and acting talent) over the past 2 years. They also claimed to have never received a digital tape of a monologue for my portfolio although it was sent by Expresspost.
They have never sent me on any calls despite the fact that I have found casting calls and volunteer work on my own. The latest and last incident concerns a photoshoot from over 1 year ago. I paid only after requesting an invoice from them (paid by cheque 1 week after the shoot) and although I did receive a digital CD with photos on it a few months after payment I had to send a nasty email to get them to send it. They never did send the "three looks" photos as also stated on the invoice. Normally with an agency, these looks go through the usual Photoshopping like light "skinblur", teeth lightened, etc. so they can be professionally presented as in a magazine/catalogue.
Despite repeated emails and long distance phone calls that were never returned Maxwell Bracey still refuses to send them. I even sent a CD I had made of the three best looks with a request that they be printed professionally as my first headshot was. When I arrived in person he lied by saying it was never received at the office even though I had sent it by Priority Post with a signature required and confirmed with a tracking number.
I had to travel to his office and had my cancelled cheque, their sent invoice, and showed him the relevant emails on my email account and firmly asked for the goods I had paid for (without profanity or yelling). He was caught in a lie and became belligerent, insulting my intelligence and suggesting that I was threatening his baby. He had his wife phone the police, refused to close my email window and grabbed me by the arm and took me out of the office, then locked the door.
I waited for the police in the parking lot as he refused to return the original photo CD I had also brought with me. When the very pleasant officer arrived he was able to get my CD back and told me I had grounds to start a civil case if I wished.
Some things to note if you choose to work with this agency:
The front desk was manned by a young girl in a white thigh length T-Shirt and a pair of thong panties. Professional???
A friend of mine who models professionally never received her photo CD or comp cards from the same shoot (although paid for) probably because she did not keep every scrap of paper, email, or send by Priority Post with signature proof required. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! They also charged her for pictures on their website which she refused to pay as she was not even asked for permission.
Staff turnover rate is astounding...
Right now their jobs available are "fashion shows" set up at local nightclubs supposedly for charity.
Maxwell's sister (a model) is no longer working under his agency but with another agency in Asia.
Jane doe
Western Canada
Canada
4 Updates & Rebuttals
noname
CanadaNuma is okay...
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, June 23, 2012
I've been with the Vancouver office for less than a year, and they just started fall of 2011. They are very very slow on getting you set up as a model, but they occasionally find you some quality work. I would say it's because they are still too new and their system is not quite built up yet.
Our agency director is a really nice guy, and he seems like a reasonable, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful person. i really wish they could be better at finding us gigs - most of them are non-paid and local fashion shows. they do seems to get better with time though.
i would say if you are a model with potential and want immediate work and you've got other offers, don't use numa. however, if ur more paid-back and only want to model part-time or as a hobby, they are good for that.
skindeep
Calgary,Alberta,
Canada
Numa's pretty good
#5UPDATE Employee
Tue, August 30, 2011
Haha, I don't know what you're talking about but Maxwell is very professional in what he does. He always pays on time and you can always set up meetings with him if you have any questions or concerns. If he was as bad as you claim he is, he wouldn't be able to sustain his agency in Calgary, let alone franchise. I've been a Numa model for 3 months now and I'm quite pleased. I just got a shoot with a small clothing line, nothing big, but its getting me somewhere. Happy modeling. Peace!
Cookiebeauty
Calgary,Alberta,
Canada
Interesting...
#5UPDATE Employee
Wed, August 24, 2011
I was also scouted by Numa. Got my shoots for my portfolio and worked with a few clients. Maybe I'm just lucky. I get everything on time, paid on time, and overall had a very pleasant experience. I don't know about back then but Twyla (Maxwell's sister) currently works in the office almost every time I go there. She's like the sweetest person you'll ever meet. As for Maxwell, he's very intellectual. He always has something interesting to say. Haha, I can listen to him for hours. So I don't know about you. But I'm Numa for life. =)
Joe
Calgary,Alberta,
Canada
Out of Control
#5UPDATE Employee
Sun, August 02, 2009
Hi everyone, I'm the young girl (21 years old) supposedly was wearing a white thigh length T-Shirt and a pair of thong panties (not quite) First and foremost people reading this need to understand we were dealing with a lady that was so irrational we had to call the police. Secondly, I dress very stylish and professional as we are family friendly company - I have never been assaulted as I have been by this lady (Liana Yates ) My boss Maxwell was to cool with her, let her get in his face, get on his computer and prove a point. There were five people in the agency that witnessed what happened (I will suggest they all file a rebuttal) She could not find the information she said she had that would prove her point. Its funny she named my boss but then signed her name as Jane doe??? hmmm Sounds suspicious to me.
Our agency is more than fair in hearing grievances but this person had no respect for the agency or herself. When I grow up I hope to be nothing like her.
I hope this clears the air a bit. I'm sure our other staff will want to throw in some thoughts. The internet is a crazy tool - use it wisely :)