AmidimA
United States of America#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, February 13, 2013
If you really were going to file a Class Action, I'd be more than happy to testify to the things I saw and the business practices attributed to the stage in North Carolina. I was an employee for a year, starting when the company was "The American Mall Model Search" and into when they became "Audition America". I saw many many things in the year I worked for them, and would love to help in any way possible make a dent in this fraudulent business.
I was let go because I failed to make enough sales. I would be severely reprimanded each day when I failed to "sign someone" (make them pay their initial $50 or $100). It was like the lottery, rich people refused to play and the poorest people were the ones to try and make an investment to better themselves. You have no idea how gut renching it is to try and weedle money out of single moms and people on unemployment, but they were the ones who usually payed the most. The company took advantage of foreigners too, my boss loved them because they didn't know really what was going on and were too ignorant to know the company wasn't going to make them super-star famous over night.
I can give first hand testimony to a lot of things that happened during the year I worked there. I met my now-current girlfriend while working there as well, and she was an employee for a few months too. She'd love to help too were a class action filed.
Ana
Delray Beach,#3Consumer Comment
Sat, May 02, 2009
Well, I am glad we have all of this technology to do research. I feel bad for people whose dreams have been used by this model scout agency. I went to the mall with my 3 year old daughter. She is cute but she has not quite developed stage talent yet. They announced at the end of the show that we both had passed and were ready to move on to the next step....a talent show. It was then when I was asked to take the photos. When you are 30 or more, you have a different perspective about this things. I think she is too small and needs to be a kid and enjoy life and its simple things and so I decided not to sign her up for photos. On the other hand, I have always pursuit a movie extra opportunity and I thought....why not. Yes, you have to pay for the pictures. I came back for the photoshoot a week after. I arrived 10 minutes prior. Two teenagers aproached the stage and asked one of the interns what is it that they needed to do to sign up. I was shocked when I heard the intern say that all they had to do is buy a portfolio for 150.00 dollars and then sign up for a talent show. They both went: "150??? - why?. The internt explained to them that this was the cost of a professional portfolio because sometimes auditions happen in LA, NY or other cities and this will serve to help their faces get out without having to pay for travel expenses each time (what a sharp answer). This meant that there wasnt really any contest going on, anyone can voluntarily "register" for 150.00dollars (which I have now found out it is illegal under Florida Statutes). That is when my mind started to wonder. Then, I noticed the girls helping on stage looked alike......they also looked like the coordinator of this whole thing. The photographer.....looked like their mom. At this point, all I am thinking is.....how nice, they get to work together. What a great way for parents to encourage their kids to work in their own family owned business. I received the one year contract in the mail a couple weeks ago. I had it checked with an entertainment attorney since I have never worked in this industry before. I have decided to look for a legitimate agency that finds you the jobs and represents you well for less commission. Companies like this are very smart, I can imagine how much money they are making....the concept is not bad, but is very less human. No wonder they scout in small towns, were people are still naive right?. Always, always do your research. Get feedback, references and check if talent agencies are bbb.org accredited. These people will never get caught unfortunately (unless Oprah takes action) because they know how to play their cards right. You will always loose your time, your money and more importantly your dreams. Become street smart, don't let them fool you !. If you know you have talent, show them you are the one in control. Good luck to everyone in pursuit of a modeling career.
Educated Mom
N. Lauderdale,#4Consumer Suggestion
Mon, January 05, 2009
I returned from the mall....Coral Square Mall in Coral Springs FL, with the worst taste in my mouth with this so called "Modeling Production" company. Not only should you not have to pay money up front for anything, the woman who greeted us had a very nasty response when I started questioning fees, etc. Needless to say, I did not go through with the registration, but watched as child after child was put on display to only be "approved" to fork over the $150.00. Yes, every parent wants to believe that their child is the one.....who would'nt, but research before you go. I googled Modeling Productions and it does seem that they are under investigation for fraud.....comsumer beware.
Nicole Ann Tankers
Knoxville,#5Consumer Suggestion
Mon, October 13, 2008
i actually knew ashley berens here in knoxville when she received the contract on oprah. i don't know much about model productions but i do know about ashley. i got to watch that girls life change forever! she was just a girl in high school until they came to knoxville center mall about 6 years ago, found her in their model search thing and brought her to meet with oprah. you need to get your facts straight. she was 15 when she received a contract. she modeled for 4-5 years in new york, miami, overseas in germany and has the portfolio to prove it. she got to travel the world and with their help she really made something of herself. plus her beautiful daughter is only 1 year old. ashley is 20 now. so cleary she didnt start her family at 15. my guess is you're either terrible at calculating the months it takes to have a baby... or your some angry pretty boy whos vomitting useless and most importantly FALSE information in attempt to make yourself feel important. MODEL PRODUCTIONS IS THE BEST THING TO COME TO KNOXVILLE TN IN YEARS. they help kids like ashleys dreams come true everyday and i hope they come back soon. by the way, "top director with model productions" is a bit of a stretch. under your picture on the staff page it said you were just a trainee. -Nicole
Sweet Angel White
Newnan,#6Consumer Suggestion
Thu, October 02, 2008
As a mother of Model Productions New Face contract winners, I feel the need, to share our experience with this company. We are very impressed with the company, its people, its products, its price and its promise. Our children fully enjoyed their experiences with showing their talents in front of the agents and they speak often about how special Lance made them feel at the photo shoot. The company promises that any person with energy and enthusiasm, who puts effort into showing their God-Given talents, is eligible for a one year modeling and acting contract with their company. They become part of the Mall Fashion Board. As I recall back to the time when my children got their contracts, there were many adults and children who did not win the competition and were visibly upset. My children did as they were supposed to and EARNED the contracts. They have gone on to have parts in an ABC series (October Road), a television commercial (Rooms to Go), catalogs (Highlights Magazine and a clothing ad for a commissary), have done mall fashion shows and have modeled as live mannequins in shop windows. We have only been with the company for one year and have gained much experience. Their confidence levels have skyrocketed. Since the company increases the contract by three months for every job they actually do, our contracts continue to be extended. Wow, and we only paid the Search fee of $150.00. I pay that much for many of their extracurricular activities. Justin, an ex employee of Model Productions, has obviously been deeply affected by our economy. His rage toward this Christian-based company appears to be directly related to his missing a paycheck by 24 hours. I personally would like to offer Justin advice in a loving manner. Dear, it is time that you create some savings and get set for the hard road ahead of you. From your letter, it appears that the misdirection of anger has caused you to use your loquacious semantics to slander a company who has proven to deliver what it promises. Your FACTS are ridden with malice, hatefulness, and defamation. Although you state that you offer advice. I do not see how your misguided anger on the website is advice at all. You sound like a young, very inexperienced kid who lacks business savvy. I am surprised with all of the information that you offer, you fail to include your last name. This is somewhat like a child who leaves anonymous, negative comments about people on bathroom walls for others to view and make judgments about them, as if they are fact. The company is probably better off without people like you. Choose your words carefully and remember that what you put in writing is what sticks with you forever (especially on the World Wide Web). I can only hope that Model Productions never releases what you have written about their company to any of your future employers. If I were your employer, I would never keep you on because you tend to regurgitate company information when angered.