dee740 wrote:
I am about to get signed with exclusive management and I want to know if I really need a big agency to do commercia/print work. I'm looking for print assignments to do some urban work (clothing lines like academiks, enyce, etc) and some catalog work (jcpenney, sears,nordstrom), maybe some parts modeling too. Is my agent enough or do I need to go a different route??

What is the name of agency you are signing with?

dee740 wrote:
I am about to get signed with exclusive management and I want to know if I really need a big agency to do commercia/print work. I'm looking for print assignments to do some urban work (clothing lines like academiks, enyce, etc) and some catalog work (jcpenney, sears,nordstrom), maybe some parts modeling too. Is my agent enough or do I need to go a different route??

Bigger companies with national campaigns go through agencies. So, I would think if you want to get gigs with the aforementioned companies, you would need a good agency.

dee740 wrote:
can you have more than one commercial agent at once?

A.  If you want sound advice from the MM crowd, you should probably tell us the name of the agency/agent.  There's no reason why you wouldn't want to list their name, because if they are legitimate than it will not matter.  If they are a scam, then you have spread awareness.  So either way you go there is no harm in disclosing the name.  And B.  If you sign exclusive, contractually you cannot work with any other agents/agencies, whether commercial or not.  So be very picky about who you sign exclusive with.  It takes some models a few years before they find the right agency.

Dan  Hood  MM/Moderator wrote:
Befor you do anything read this site. Best info on the net http://www.newmodels.com

Thanks for the link. Very helpful

AJ Bella wrote:
I don't think she has to mention the name. I used to mention the name of the agency I was signed with but Atlanta is such a small world that everyone knew somebody who knew someone who knew my agent and he would always find out when I was at castings I have no buisness being at.

This is exactly why I'm not mentioning the name. She has some members that she manages on this site and I would absolutely hate for her to find out I was name dropping in here.

dncphotos wrote:
Sounds like whoever you are speaking of is just a manager. If thats the case, make sure she has references of previous assignments she has gotten for her other models she manages and so forth.

She is just a manager.

dee740 wrote:
I'm looking for print assignments to do some urban work (clothing lines like academiks, enyce, etc) and some catalog work (jcpenney, sears,nordstrom), maybe some parts modeling too. Is my agent enough?. . . .


She is just a manager.

You just answered your own question.

dee740 wrote:
I am about to get signed with exclusive management (to a small agency) and I want to know if I really need a big agency to do commercia/print work. I'm looking for print assignments to do some urban work (clothing lines like academiks, enyce, etc) and some catalog work (jcpenney, sears,nordstrom), maybe some parts modeling too. Is my agent enough or do I need to go a different route??

I would suggest you go a different route. In the first place, legitimate commercial agencies in Atlanta do not use exclusive contracts. That she does is enough to make me suspect. To be honest, it sounds like just one more 'net magager', esp since she represents others from this forum, That she also reps photographers shows that she has no idea of what the industry is like. Reping photographers and models requires two separate sets of contacts and knowledge. That she appears to be drawing her models from a net forum is another strike against her.

I would recommend avoiding that exclusive contract like you would avoid the plague. If you sign a contract like that, no legitimatge agency will touch you with a ten foot pole. BTW, I'm retired from commercial photography in Atlanta, so I do know a bit about it.

ray robinson wrote:
I am about to get signed with exclusive management (to a small agency) and I want to know if I really need a big agency to do commercial/print work. I'm looking for print assignments to do some urban work (clothing lines like Academiks, Enyce, etc) and some catalog work (JC Penney, Sears, Nordstrom), maybe some parts modeling too. Is my agent enough or do I need to go a different route??
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*The size of an agency, to me in my professional opinion, means nothing.
Far too often, models sign on with BIG agencies and get placed on a shelf.

What matters about ANY agency is the actual account/clients they have and if they habitually put models (especially new models) on a shelf.

You should want to sign with an agency that specializes in the "types" of assignments YOU want to do. Why sign with FORD, who may specialize in runway work more than anything, yet you seek print work?


**Regarding "commercial/print" ... everything you do photo-wise is "commercial print". Flyers for clubs, calendars, editorial, print ads, hair mags, catalog, etc.
Refer to what you want in its specific "actual" term. If advertisements for products (Pepsi, Academiks, Mc Donald's, etc) are what you mean then use the correct term "print ads" or "print advertisements".

To do print ads you would want to get with an agency that handles those types of work ... regardless of big or small. You as a model should LEARN the field of print work and how it comes together so that when you speak to so-called agents who claim to deal with these bookings, you'll know INSTANTLY as you speak to them if they are legit or bogus.

Most models who want to do print ads are unaware that MOST ads are NOT put together by the company which makes that product/service. Most companies pay an advertising agency to handle this. Therefore you compcard would go to that ad agency ... NOT the company such as Mc Donald's or BellSouth. These BIGS companies usually go pay a MAJOR advertising agency to put those ads together. And MOST ad agencies DO NOT work with freelance models. They mostly work with models that are represented by a modeling agency.

***As for doing print ads & catalog work  ... as with any assignment you as a model WANT to do; you MUST analyze the REALISTIC types of assignments you are suited for. Otherwise you would be seeking harder bookings for you to realistically get.

EX: If you are an excellent singer ... for gospel ... you feel that you WANT to get a record deal as a country singer. Will that REALISTICALLY happen? Probably not.
Go for what you know. Do what you are suited for. You'll get more bookings and you earn more Benjamins $$$$$$.

As for taking another route, I am not aware of the agency you are considering.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you get a good vibe when you speak to them?
2. When you contact them does it take them a while to get back to you?
3. Are their business hours good for you?
4. Have they shown interest in you as a new model by educating you to certain things about this business of modeling?
5. Do they want money? If so how much & what for?
6. Does it "feel" as if they know what they are talking about or do they talk in circles?
Do they have ANY complaint listed with the Better Business Bureau in their city? Membership means NOTHING! Complaints are what you find out about.
7. How long is this contract you are to sign?

Food for thought. All will be well. 

As I stated a little earlier, she is really a manager that owns a company that reps a variety of different types in the business. She reps photogs, plus sizes, women, men and children, actors, and writers.
Initially, I got a good vibe from her because she's very nice. But I just want to make sure that she's business savvy also.


As for the length of the contract it is intially two years.
She isn' t asking for money, but she is asking 25% comission (which seems to be uncommon).
I think she may be familiar with the business, but plus size and urban  arenas  seem to be a little different than  runway/editorial work. I want someone experienced in  plus size/urban specifically.
She also arranged a photoshoot,(which i took) at no cost to me, ever.

ray robinson wrote:
**Regarding "commercial/print" ... everything you do photo-wise is "commercial print". Flyers for clubs, calendars, editorial, print ads, hair mags, catalog, etc.
Refer to what you want in its specific "actual" term. If advertisements for products (Pepsi, Academiks, Mc Donald's, etc) are what you mean then use the correct term "print ads" or "print advertisements".

If you are going to lecture people on terminology, you at least ought to get it right.  "Commercial print" has a very distinct meaning in the modeling community, and much of what you include in "commercial print" doesn't belong there.

Editorial is not "commercial print".  Catalog is not "commercial print" (it is "fashion print", which is a distinct discipline).  "Hair mags" is not well enough defined to determine what it is; it could be "editorial" or "fashion print"; on occasion a photo in a hair magazine could also be commercial print.

Print ads for products such as Pepsi or McDonalds are in fact referred to properly as "commercial print work" in the professional modeling community.

dee740 wrote:
As for the length of the contract it is intially two years.
She isn' t asking for money, but she is asking 25% comission (which seems to be uncommon).

As I noted above, no legitimate Atlanta commecial modeling agency uses exclusive contracts.

The commission rate for Atlanta commercial modeling agencies is 20% of the model's fee not 25%.

dee740 wrote:
Initially, I got a good vibe from her because she's very nice. But I just want to make sure that she's business savvy also.

Most people who make a living from taking advantage of others will present themselves in ways that will set you at ease.  I'm not saying that she's trying to take advantage of you, per se, but listen to the things you've stated yourself:

dee740 wrote:
She isn' t asking for money, but she is asking 25% comission (which seems to be uncommon).

dee740 wrote:
...she is really a manager that owns a company that reps a variety of different types in the business.  She reps photogs, plus sizes, women, men and children, actors, and writers.

dee740 wrote:
I want someone experienced in  plus size/urban specifically.

dee740 wrote:
As for the length of the contract it is intially two years.

Now, tell me where you benefit in all of this?  It doesn't sound like you do.  In your position, it's not a deal I would sign...

ray robinson wrote:
I agree.


Ray

Definitely agree with Ray..

dee740 wrote:
I got a good vibe from her because she's very nice.

Means nothing in this industry. There is talent that is making major pay but HATE their mangers. And vice versa.

dee740 wrote:
As for the length of the contract it is initially two years.
She isn' t asking for money, but she is asking 25% commission (which seems to be uncommon).

Although, it is rightfully legal for a manger to assume a 5% to 40% commission.
It is NOT practical for a talent to give up anything more than 20%. And IN ATLANTA, no manager or agency will request more than 20%. And, with most managers in Atlanta (who really get more work from their actors, athletes and alternative artists than from managers because agencies deal with models) So, again, you're NOT her primary focus...so why would you sign an exclusive contract.

And, NO ONE in the Atlanta market signs away a 2 year contract...and no one signs an exclusive contract out here either.

dee740 wrote:
She also arranged a photoshoot,(which i took) at no cost to me, ever.

Wow! Just caught this.

Atlanta is the land of TFP/CD, so this wasn't really a major feet. You can do this yourself if you search.

JustineDanielle wrote:
Since we are on this topic, anybody know about Highlite Agency, based out of Scranton, Pennsylvania?

* Justine * Danielle *

Please excuse this momentary HighJacking

Ever visited Scranton, Justine?
Try here http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/highlite.html

NewBoldPhoto wrote:

Please excuse this momentary HighJacking

Ever visited Scranton, Justine?
Try here http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/highlite.html

Me and my sister had gone to a meet, and luckily, we didn't have to pay for our pictures. They said we can use what was already in our portfolios...

But I don't know?

Justine

MysticMajesty wrote:
This is a great question. I have wondered this very thing myself!

So to answer the general question, then... does big agency = big jobs... the answer is established qualty agencies obtain the lions share of the major assignments. The reason is two-fold: estabished reputations grant them ready access and a large client base; and they generally have the established talent. For new faces, it is not a sin to sign with a smaller agency (NOTE i said agency -- yes they call themselves management companies so they can get a bigger commission but they are licensed agencies as well... not managers!) but only if that agency is not a start up with unestablished bookers and no major (or at least established minor) talent. They would also have to jump through some hoops to convince me (were I you) that they are committed to my career, and the term should not exceed a year, or if longer there would have to be an escape clause. Also, one has to have a realistic understanding of their current 'marketability'. If you've been turned down by the agencies you desire, then obviously the smaller agencies have more appeal. Finally, being a new face in a huge agency with hundreds of new faces may get you a solid number of general castings, but will not get you the kind of attention it takes to truly break new talent.

In short the answer is... it depends... LOL... well THAT was helpful!

Steven Bigler wrote:
Your post is lame... as well your "I'm not going to name names" crap.

In reality... YES to have a BIG career... YES you need to have a major legit agent.

But fear not... you probably will never need to worry about it.

Have  we met before?  Did I reject you? Seems like you have a personal problem. You act as if I personally attacked you or something.

Steven Bigler wrote:
If so easily stirred or offended... might I suggest waiting tables or perhaps Home Depot as a career option....

you  sound so disturbed I don't need to take any suggestions from you. Misery Loves Company and you're not taking me with you. Just go to bed. I'm not gonna let you hijack my thread with your foolishness.