Forums >
General Industry >
Wilhelmenia Agency Scam
My friend & I attended an open call for a modeling agency that is a part of Wilhelmina-called Harman Agency. My friend & I got a call back from them, saying that they're interested in getting us signed. Now they're asking us to pay $1,800 upfront to get our comp cards done & for the training. I'm always hesitant with agency scams, and I just want to make sure we're not getting scammed. Help! Oct 27 09 08:21 pm Link The ligitimate Agency is called: Wilhelmina and not Wilhelmenia Agencies do not charge for pictures. http://www.wilhelmina.com/ Oct 27 09 08:33 pm Link This isn't from the main agency. It's a scam. Besides, you're 5-3, and "Willy" doesn't sign girls who are 5-3 from someplace in Pennsylvania. Pass on this, and look for real commercial gigs in your area. Oct 27 09 08:39 pm Link Legitimate agencies do sometimes charge models for various things but from the limited info you have provided it does sound like a scam. You should check out www.newmodels.com for info related to agencies and common scams in the modeling industry. Oct 27 09 08:41 pm Link Michael McGowan wrote: you're 100% wrong..they have a petite model division!! Oct 27 09 08:41 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: Wilhelmina licenses their name out to all sorts of semi-legit portfolio mills like the one you encountered. Oct 27 09 08:42 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: No they don't. "Petite divisions" are a lie, legit agencies don't have them. Oct 27 09 08:43 pm Link Adding in, from www.newmodels.com/height.html : As a rule, any agency or management company that advertises that they accept "petite" models is a scam. It's just one more marketing ploy that allows them to expand their potential base of victims. "Petite" fashion modeling is almost non-existent except at the very lowest levels of the industry, which pay very little. Oct 27 09 08:45 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: Really? Click the 'Divisions' tab at the top of their website and show me where there is a petite division. Oct 27 09 08:47 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: Ok, so your portfolio mill agency has a "petite division". Feel better? Good, now read and listen to the advice here. Oct 27 09 08:47 pm Link Oct 27 09 08:48 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: Yes. See the info I posted. Sure, they have those pictures on their website. That's so they can talk young ladies like you out of their money. Oct 27 09 08:49 pm Link I happen to know a girl who is signed with them, she's 5'6 & getting plenty of jobs. Oct 27 09 08:51 pm Link SLE Photography wrote: +1,000,000 Oct 27 09 08:51 pm Link Well, in all fairness- and I know this is as HORRiBLE reference in which I'll NEVER bring up again- But this season's America's Next Top Model is for 5'7'' and under. The winning models of past seasons were signed with either Elite or Ford, but this season (because of the height) the winner cannot receive that contract. But they DO get signed with Wilhelmina because Wilhelmina DOES make that exception. Then again; this is the MAIN Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina affiliates are sketchy. Not all of them, though. I'm with Wilhelmina-Evolution based out of NC and never paid anything. And I've gotten some work as well. But that's because I'm marketed for commercial projects and acting. Like everyone's said. Getting educated is the best weapon you can have against scams. And best of luck :] Oct 27 09 08:51 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: They may actually get some models and actors some gigs. Oct 27 09 08:54 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: She's 5'6". That's the MINIMUM for commercial print. The typical reaction when counseling short aspiring models is that, since they canât be a fashion model, they ought to be a commercial model. Itâs pretty common to hear that âheight doesnât matterâ in commercial print. Oct 27 09 08:55 pm Link Alexandra Dennis wrote: Then why are you asking random people on the internet if it's a scam? Why aren't you asking her how many gigs they get for 5'3" girls? Oct 27 09 08:55 pm Link KarolinaVon wrote: AMT is NOT the real world. NONE of the past season "winners" are working models. This season is 100% a publicity stunt to keep people like the OP watching. Oct 27 09 08:55 pm Link Marc Damon wrote: You hadn't posted when I started typing LOL. Oct 27 09 08:56 pm Link SLE Photography wrote: Lol, like I said. HORRiBLE reference that I'll never bring up again. As I know TV is not the real world. But it is a reference that I feel the OP might have benefitted from knowing. I don't follow the season nor do I know what their winners are doing. I only know what I'm doing. And am wishing the best for the OP and telling her to stay armed with knowledge Oct 27 09 08:57 pm Link Brian Diaz wrote: Because she either doesn't know enough to ask the right questions (which is obviously why she's here) or because she knows the answer is a big fat ZERO and just doesn't want to give up the dream. Oct 27 09 08:58 pm Link SLE Photography wrote: Ghostbusters crossing the streams! Oct 27 09 09:01 pm Link 5'3" is too short for modeling agencies. Perhaps if you're truly exceptional a talent agency who deals in print might bring you on, should you have no other marketable talents (such as acting, voice acting, or singing), but really, at 5'3", your options are limited unless you're open to doing nudes and/or fetish work. And those options don't include being signed with a modeling agency. Read the info SLE posted. Let's note that I'm 5'3". Let's also note that this season of ANTM had one 5'3" model on the show, and she has been eliminated. Oct 27 09 09:02 pm Link Did you notice the web site name is modelingpa? If they where a part of the real agency they would be under the agencies name.... Oct 27 09 09:03 pm Link Did you know some Borders serves Starbucks coffee, uses Starbucks logo, and looks just like a Starbucks but is not owned or operated by Starbucks? Oct 27 09 09:09 pm Link I'll give them this much: The "affiliate" is listed on the "Willy" main site. Then again, Wilhelmena has sold its soul for the past decade to get more income. (Anybody remember the debacle with Lou what's his nam?) But $1,800 for a beginner portfolio is a waste of money. In Ohio, agencies that do crap like that are put out of business by the state attorney general. One, Z Agency, was finally closed because it was a portfolio mill. The folks folded the agency rather than pay all the fines they would have faced. Sure, people have to pay for pictures. But this situation is pretty much a money grab. Oct 27 09 09:12 pm Link Uhm... I was agency scouted and trained at 13. And cut loose when I didn't grow more than 5'5. Partially due to genetic, partial due to illness. But I am agency-perfect in my measurements, can walk like no one's business and had everything else they wanted- but I was TOO SHORT for even their teen commercial work. Height matters. You are not commercial material, although you may be able to get small-time local commercial work. THAT is your best bet, and I'm sorry, but you WILL have to do it freelance and on your own, or go into acting/talent. Oct 27 09 09:17 pm Link Do yourself a favour and take the advice you're being given here. It's a scam. Plain and simple. Oct 27 09 09:18 pm Link it was worth saying twice, apparently. Oct 27 09 09:19 pm Link best bet is to free-lance it, ive made some good money in the past year doing modeling myself, promoting myself. try some local agencies/talent agencies, thats the best bet! Oct 27 09 09:29 pm Link Wilhelmina has a legit PA office in Harrisburg only. *Edit* HAHA..just seen your from Hrsbrg...I have never heard of them charging such an expensive package option...are you sure it wasnt for a contracted out photographer & not thru the agency directly?...even though you went to the open call? Every agency has their fee's...it just depends on how, where, & when they are taking it. Try NY at their main office. Oct 27 09 10:57 pm Link beware of agencies using the wilhelmina name, check references and any resources you can a wilhelmina-named agency recently scammed portland with a big money scheme and ran when the cops got involved Oct 27 09 11:13 pm Link Looks like you have thrown yourself to the wolves on this one. Height does matter. The taller you are the better it looks in print. Clothing designers look for girls who are tall with long legs because, it flatters the clothes better. For me, im only 5'5" and I am petite myself. Im older too...I found my niche in nude modeling (which is not for everyone)and I am loving it! Good luck with everything... Tasha Oct 27 09 11:28 pm Link SLE Photography wrote: I am sure you are correct, and I know nothing about the modeling world, but... Oct 28 09 08:00 am Link Photography by BE wrote: In a word... $money$ Oct 28 09 09:05 am Link Marc Damon wrote: I can understand, but once again.. wouldn't that eventually reflect on their reputation and credibility? If some of the people who have a "license" are shady, and in the eyes of models they represent a legit operation, sooner or later would that not tarnish their name? Oct 28 09 09:08 am Link SLE Photography wrote: WOW is anyone watching the new season of America's Next Top Model. Short Season. And yes, they do have a division for short models under 5'7"..hence the point of the show and them working with that agency. Oct 28 09 09:16 am Link Ivy88 wrote: I am still confused as to why Wilhelmina, would have a scam agency linked from their own web site and clal them an "affiliate". Ok, money you say, but it just makes no sense unless they are so hard up that they must resort to those tactics. Oct 28 09 09:20 am Link OP.. why not call the "mother agency" and ask them what you want to know? /end thread. Oct 28 09 09:26 am Link |