Signature Models And Talent ripoff rude unprofessional Phoenix Arizona
My wife and I signed our baby, Ethan, through Signature after my wife did a small amount of research. Their affiliation with SAG and AFTRA lulled us into a false sense of legitimacy. After seeing another bad report (http://w3.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff147731.htm) on them here, I'd like to share the delightful correspondance that ended our relationship with this agency:
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Ms. Hoffman,
I'm curious how a person such as yourself excels in a business relating primarily to people. My wife and I decided modeling would be an interesting avenue to look into for our son. Of course, a parent will always believe their child is the cutest and such, but with the amount of attention we received over his first few months, and encouragement we were given by friends, family and strangers, we decided that we would look into the matter a bit further.
After looking at a few local agencies, my wife decided that your agency's affiliation with SAG would be beneficial. She went to the orientation, paid a minute tithe for this web image, and off we went to wait to see how things would go. After all is said and done, I find your response to be outrageous, and would like to offer you a few points of advice from someone else who has a lot of experience working with people.
First of all, for a few dollars you upload the child's image to a relatively unattractive website. The "weekly" maintenance it receives is preposterous and the fact that you charge anything at all for updated pictures is amusing, since the primary goal of any reputable agency would be to profit via their portion of contracted fees. Having a part-time webmaster in a business where image is a primary aspect of day to day operations seems atrocious. The fact that it took not one or two but three weeks for Ethan's image to appear also stinks of unprofessionalism.
After the initial upload of the picture, parents are basically told, "don't call us, we'll call you," and the only correspondence are random bulletins that are not well written. In fact, a simple spell checking would elevate the level of professionalism greatly. While I don't think either my wife nor I expected any immediate opportunities, some positive feedback and/or professional correspondence would've been nice.
The email my wife initially sent is copied below and I'm curious what you find so unprofessional about it. Neither of us is a star-crazed parent with dreams of our children going into acting. We both work respectable jobs and were hoping for an opportunity for our youngest boy that might allow him to develop additional social skills and possibly put some money away for college of his own accord.
Your, again for lack of a better word, extremely unprofessional and insulting response came as a complete surprise to both of us. I don't see where my wife insulted you personally, however you took it upon yourself to become defensive and insult her. This is utterly unacceptable!
In the end, I can see our family is not a fit for you or your agency. Hopefully we can find another agency that has a warmer and more welcoming environment. Perhaps our lesson learned here is to request a meeting with other parents whose children have been offered contracts and learn about their experiences with the agency.
I've taken it upon myself to copy Ms. Roxanne Chaisson, Executive Director of the Phoenix Chapter of AFTRA as well as Mr. Don Livesay, Executive Director of the Arizona District of SAG. It is my hope that they will not take lightly your insulting attitude. It is further my hope that one of them may be able to recommend a local agency that is willing to work with us and help us to build something for our child.
Most Sincerely Yours,
Jesse
>
> *From:* Terri Hoffmann [mailto:xxxxxxxx]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 18, 2006 6:58 AM
> *To:* xxxxxxxx
> *Cc:* mailbox2@SIGNATUREMODELSANDTALENT.COM
> *Subject:* Fw: Talent Representation?
>
> J....., Well this letter is certainly a nice note to start my day with. After reading your letter, I don't think you are in any position to discuss unprofessional correspondance. I won't even dignify the other issues you discussed.We have a sloid 30 year presence in this business. I will forward your letter to the other SAG agencys (so they are aware of your interest) There is nothing unusual about an infant not getting work(I covered this in orientation) size is always the first criteria for clients.
In Ethan's case, I think that your obvious hostility and negative enrgy will be the deciding factor in his future in this business. I'm sorry for Ethan, as he will never have the opportunity to discover whether this is what HE wants to do or just his mother living thru him. I wouldn't wish you on my esteemed collegues but perhaps you can find a non-SAG agency that will really take you for some tidy fees. This letter officially releases you from your contract . Terri Hoffmann
>
> Terri,
>
> My son, E... W..., has been under contract with Signature Models and Talent for over four months now. I paid the $75 website fee (which is absolutely ridiculous), and the only sort of communication since then has been a barrage of unprofessional emails that don't even apply to me or my son.
>
> So, my question is this: will my son ever be hired for a job, or is this just some scam? I honestly expected more from a SAG/AFTRA franchised business. I know my son has the looks and the personality to be a wonderful model/actor, and if I have to leave Signature to find someone who can utilize his talent, then I will.
>
> Please let me know if I need to begin looking for new talent representation.
>
> Thank You,
Jesse
Tempe, Arizona
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Maricarroll
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Read about Signature from someone that really knows....
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, November 04, 2008
First of all I would also like to say that I am amazed and saddened that I have to write this rebuttal to protect the reputation of one of the best businesses I have ever worked with in Arizona. I have a lot of history with this company so I think that my opinion will be of value to those looking for a great agency in Arizona.
I was fortunate enough to be signed by the elite Arizona agency, Bobbi Ball/Plaza 3, in 1989 when I was 20 years old. I had headshots taken (from a suggested photographer); comp cards purchased, and received optional training. During that time, I had the pleasure of meeting a young and enthusiastic agent by the name of Terri Hoffmann. Shortly after that, Ms. Hoffmann made the agency into what it is today, Signature Models and Talent. In 1991 I won the title of Miss. Arizona USA and competed in the Miss. USA pageant where I was a finalist. I would have never had the confidence or the knowledge to properly represent myself, and my state, in these pageants if it weren't for the experience and optional training I had received from Signature Models and Talent. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Terri Hoffmann and Signature for giving me that experience and training because it truly changed my life. While I was represented by Signature I went out on many, many auditions and received dozens of bookings through which I made a lot of money. It was the perfect part time job and I loved doing it.
I continued my representation with Signature through the year 2000. After the birth of my daughter, I decided to focus on Motherhood, but I kept in contact with Terri on a personal level over the next several years. In 2006 my daughter, Hope, expressed an interest in acting and I gave Terri a call. After viewing photos of her, she asked me to bring her in for an audition and she signed her. As expected, Terri asked us to get headshots and SUGGESTED a photographer familiar with her expectations, Still N Motion photography. The cost then was $280 and we walked away with a disc of 100 great photos and 4 different looks. (Because my daughter hasn't changed much in appearance over the last 3 year, we STILL use those photos for auditionsand they are hanging on the walls in our house) We then paid $40 for headshot composite cards to take on auditions and for Signature to submit to prospective clients. We were asked to pay for a small fee that goes to a web-site designer so that clients may view photos and resumes online. My daughter did take OPTIONAL training from a workshop that is offered through Terri with Tom Logan. He is well known in the industry for being an Actor and a Director and I feel very lucky that Terri enlists his expertise. (Check him out on IMDB.COM) From that training, Hope had a blast in his class and received the skills NEEDED to be competitive in the Arizona market. She received bookings for commercials and scored a speaking role in the Universal Blockbuster, The Kingdom, starring Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner. With the guidance of Terri Hoffmann, we decided to get our feet wet in the LA market. For a year Hope was represented by an upstanding LA agency where we were also expected to provide recent photos (that met their expectations), 8X10 headshots for auditions (comp cards), and resumes and it was highly encouraged to attend training seminars to be competitive in the market. Sound similar?
Signature Models & Talent is a legitimate SAG/AFTRA Agency. They ask for the same fees that other SAG/AFTRA agencies ask for. It seems a common misconception of late that a person should be able to walk into an agency, be signed, and not expect any out of pocket money because of so many other illegitimate agencies out there. They are THE choice for anyone looking for a reputable agency to represent you or your child. While you shouldn't be required to pay up front for representation or large amounts for mandatory training, as with any business there are tools that need to be purchased (headshots, comp cards, web-site fees, etc.) It isn't easy to get an audition with OR to be signed by Signature. They keep a cap on the amount of talent they have at one time. So, consider yourself lucky if you are chosen.
Terri is a strong business woman and I don't suspect that she ever would be too polite about being interrogated and insulted. Nor thrilled about your slanderous remarks. It's not Terri's job to make you feel warm and fuzzy, it's her job to get the client's and the business. I trust Terri Hoffman and have learned what she expects of those that she represents and their parents. She expects that if you are lucky enough to be signed, you already have OR get the training necessary so that she is not made a fool of in front of her clients and you represent her agency well. She expects that you trust her, because she is the one that runs the show has the experience and pounds the pavement for the jobs that make you money. She expects that you have the proper tools that you will need to get the job and make a professional impression. She expects that if you commit to an audition, and/or a booking, that you keep that commitment, and God help you if you are late!! This is the type of person that you want working for you as your agent. This is why clients come back to Signature over and over again and those she represents reap the rewards. Remember, the clients are the one that pick the photos of the models/actors that they would like to audition. If your child isn't going out on auditions, it isn't Terri's fault. This business is not for the weak of heart. Taking rejection well is very important.
Those that hung in there with me through this long letter, I hope I have given you some insight on this agency and that it will help you make a decision having received an opinion from someone that truly knows this agency and this business well. Thanks!!
Maricarroll
Laura G
Scottsdale,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Signature Models and Talent is a HIGHLY reputable agency!
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, October 28, 2008
Wow! I am so shocked to hear what you have witten about Signature Models and Talent and about Terri Hofman!! I contacted both SAG and Aftra prior to auditioning my two children with Signature. I was so very impressed how the people I spoke with knew the Agency without having to look it up, and also how they spoke so highly of the company and of Terri, herself.
I was allowed to choose the photographer I wanted for my children, although it was suggested that I may want to go with their particular favorite. We did, and were so pleased. The photos were great and very inexpensive-- Terri told them exactly what she wanted captured in each photo. She is, after all, the professional, and knows what the top people are looking for! There were NO (none) fees or charges.
It sounds as if your child did not get work fast enough, and you might be upset by that?! Please don't take your feelings out on such a GREAT company, and wonderful Agent. It's unfair- Terri is so passionate about her work and she really cares about all of her talent. We need to be realistic in this profession- very few are going to have instant huge success.
I have been so very impressed with Signature Models and Talent. All the parents with whom I've spoken have NOT been asked for any money up front! My children have been sent out on numerous movie, commercial and printwork auditions! Signature does NOT get paid unless the talent is booked. Period. Bottom Line.
Laura G.
Jesse
Tempe,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Response to above...
#4Author of original report
Thu, October 19, 2006
This morning I received Ms. Hoffman's response to the above email chain. It was as follows:
Original Message
Subject: Re: Talent Representation? (Signature Models and Talent, Phoenix, AZ)
From: "Terri Hoffmann"
Date: Thu, October 19, 2006 7:29 am
To: "Xepherys"
I too have forwarde your letter to both unions and all SAG franchised agencys in town.I strongly sugget you folks get a life.