First of all, I'm 5'11" and a size 2 and just so everyone knows, modeling has always been somewhat of an interest for me, I just never knew how to get into it.
I was stopped in the Colorado Mills mall by a girl about my age, 5'8", and gorgeous who then asked if I'd ever done any modeling before. She gave me a card and took my phone number, and the next day I received a call from Access World Talent.
I met with a woman who told me all about what they had to offer. Which is basically an online portfolio where agencies and scouts and so on could find me. Also, according to her, they would send my portfolio to companies in need of models. They didn't give me time to go home and think about it, either I signed right then or I'd lose the chance. So I did it. They charged me $150 that day for the online port and then it would be $25 a month to keep it up. She took me into the hallway to take some quick snapshots so that I could have some for the website. They were terrible. They then gave me a model ID number so that I could log into the site.
I was with them for about three months before I was finally losing my patience. And then I started looking at all the other girls on the site ( which is about 200+ girls). Most were very short, average looking, and occasionally chubby girls. I found that odd. Along with all of the casting calls posted up that were from 2007. Not one of them was recent. Just when I was about to throw in the towel, they call me to come in for an audition. Finally, I was seeing something happen. There were about thirty other girls trying out for this as well. The audition was for a runway show and I managed to get it. It wasn't paid, but it gave me opportunities to meet modeling agencies. After meeting with and signing with an agency, I found out about a website called ModelMayhem.com. This website is an online portfolio that is free unless you want special features, you can pay to get the "Premium". But I have an online portfolio and I don't pay, and I already think it's been more helpful than AWT. Since signing up for MM, I have received many offers for paid shoots and free shoots, (some of which I didn't trust, so I didn't pursure, but either way I was able see that something was happening) and I've already begun building a better portfolio. The only reason that AWT is approved by BBB is because they might get you work, so they aren't considered a scam. I don't think they ever sent out my portfolio though. If you think you can become a model, find an agency and meet with them. If they think you have potential, you probably do. Don't waste your time paying to be with AWT. To be a model, the only thing you should have to pay for is your first portfolio pictures but honestly, if you have the look you shouldn't even have to pay for that. DON'T waste your time with Access World Talent.
P.S. If you want an idea of how many people are signed go to accessworldtalent.com, scroll down and click on book models. It takes a minute to load but it has all of the models pictured alphabetically. There are so many and most are very average. They'll sign anyone, no matter if you have any potential or not. And notice that they don't organize at all. It should be categorized by men, women, petite, plus and child. But nope, just alphabetically. As if an agency or company is interested in finding someone by a certain name. What is the $150 for exactly? AWT is pointless company.
Good examples:
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=1027
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=824
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=4732
http://www.accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=3425
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=2897
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=812
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=1791
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=3345
http://accessworldtalent.com/design.php?menu=models_actors&compId=1955