Truth Hurts
Chicago,#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, October 15, 2007
I was offered a job once for one of these modeling agencies. I figured I'd have some fun with them as a Private Investigator. I made up a fake name and they hired me to solicit young kids and parents with NO background check! What if I were a pedophile? They do not care. The training you get at the company is basically, GET THAT DOWN PAYMENT! That's what happened to you and I am so sorry to hear that. Another lie they tell you is that they have "connections" to all the major movie studios etc. They do NOT. They are lying. All they do is send a brochure offering their service to big studios, the studio says, "yeah ok, we'll put it in our file" so then this okays the agency to say "we have a connection" Meanwhile at the hollywood office, that packet or brochure went right into the trash can. Jobs they get for a few kids are usually dumb luck or the rare chance the kid's pic got in front of the right person. They'll tell you your child is "perfect" for this and that. Again, you're given a script to memorize as an agent and you have to lie to parents. The agents don't get paid unless you sign up for that usually $600 up front fee which includes usually some crappy photos and a place on their website. They know that every parent thinks their child is special and they fill your head with dreams of hollywood and money, modeling contracts etc. My advice - stay away from these people. Get professional headshots done of your child and if he/she is really something then you can find an agent who will shop the pics around, or you can go directly to some agencies or casting houses. My friend's son has done TV commercials and music videos and they did this on their own with a private agent/manager. Please tell everyone you know what a scam this is.