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Agency wants me to pay for "classes".......
I was contacted by "Model Talent Management Agency" that supposedly is an extension of Elite. They hire "local market models" for runway shows at local malls and all sorts of print work. I have no idea how they came to know about me. I went in for an interview with them and asked them how they got my number and how they knew that I was a model. They said that I filled out a card at a booth they had set up at a shopping area in Nashville. THIS IS B.S. BECAUSE I NEVER SHOP THERE AND I WOULD REMEMBER FILLING OUT A CARD FOR AN AGENCY! Anyway, I walked and talked for them, they "loved" me. Then they showed me a list of their local clients, which was quite impressive. Next, they told me that I needed to attend one of the two "modeling classes" that they teach. One is for print, but the other is what I was told I "lacked experience" in which is geared toward speaking/acting for commercials and makeup application. They said they couldn't hire me on just extensive print experience alone: I need to know how to audition for commercials. So the dumb class is just over 1,000 dollars. They said if I take the class I am automatically under contract with them for 1 year and that they will find me work for the duration of the class. It sounded good, except I'm not about to spend 1,000 on a class to teach me how to apply eyeshadow. Towards the end of interview, it seemed like the lady was just trying to sell me on the class instead of being interested in selling me to potential clients. Any thoughts or advice will be greatly appreciated! Nov 07 06 12:22 am Link They lied to you - they are not connected to Elite Model Management. John P.S. Quoting your profile "NOTE: A friend will accompany me to EVERY shoot, PERIOD. Please do not be offended by this, as this is for my safety. I believe that a true professional will not question this statement." Well now that you've eliminated the possibility of any real professional wanting to work with you (not because they're offended, but because your statement is ignorant and demanding) - maybe it's just as well to go pay for some 'modeling' classes. Nov 07 06 12:24 am Link They did lie to you about Elite, dont pay for their classes... its not worth it, yea granted you will learn some things, but it isnt anything you cant learn out here... I went through and completed John Casablancas and ye ai learned stuff, never really taught me anything very valuable... expensive and worth basically nothing to me... but yea... you shouldnt do it... not worth it... Nov 07 06 12:27 am Link Not much to think about. You might, however, have some fun and tell them you will agree to a non-exclusive one year deal and that they can take the grand out of the gigs that they get you during that time, at no more than 50 bucks a gig. You can then chuckle when they gag and get stupid about the suggestion. Great American Model & Talent Search John Robert Powers Etc. Etc. They just keep fleecing the hopeful and the innocent. Nov 07 06 12:30 am Link Julia Most so called modeling agencies rarely get wannabe models work and just take your money. There are some that will get work for models and also very hard to get into them. However, this doesn't mean you should never spend money to further your career. Any good career takes investment in time and money. Here is a better a suggestion for you: 1-If you are a newbie model it is wise not to word your profile the way you have it. You sound very demanding and insist you will only see a photographer if you are paid. An analogy is would a wannabe engineer or doctor(someone who wants to go to engineering or med school but never did)be sane in demanding being paid for doing that kind of work? Of course not. Modeling is not nearly as hard but it does take some skill and experience on pro sessions which leads to 2. (I did notice you say you have 5 years of modeling experience but is that pro experience or just hobbyiest. And if you do have good pro experience why would even go to one of those BS modeling school places for an interview) 2-Find the best pro photographers who have paying clients/assignments regularly that you may fit that they may need you for someday(do some research dont just sit at your computer and wait for sketchy cos to email you) in your area or consider even driving to where there at AND ACTUALLY OFFER TO PAY THEM FOR THEIR TIME AND PHOTOS. 3-When you make the appts with a few of these pros explain that you are new and could they help you with your posing expressions during the photosessions. 4-If you do 2-3 of these pro sessions, get nice pics and learn while doing it may cost you about half of the thousand, youll make some great contacts for pro work. When you pay a pro, have a good attitude, show up on time and take direction well(and dont always beg for TFCD even though they may offer insist on paying it shows you value their time) he/she tends to keep you in mind for future paid assignments. Then when you have some experience, good photos and connections under your belt you can think about charging for your time. Nov 07 06 12:42 am Link John Allan wrote: If you google Model Talent Management it tells you that they are a division of Elite. Nov 07 06 12:44 am Link Julia B wrote: They simply are not. Call Elite Atlanta and ask. Pure BS. Nov 07 06 12:51 am Link I have been modeling for five years. NO TFP/NO "TEST" SHOOTING I am currently NOT accepting offers for NUDE work. Please email me for my rates. NOTE: A friend will accompany me to EVERY shoot, PERIOD. Please do not be offended by this, as this is for my safety. I believe that a true professional will not question this statement. Thank you, Julia That is bad.... You deff need an agency. I can guarantee that you will not get any paid gigs from this site. It is a great networking tool for TFP/CD Nov 07 06 12:56 am Link sdphotoforum wrote: Agreed, TFP/CD can be great for networking and building your portfolio, but I'd suggest rewording your portfolio because it comes off a bit...sharp. The people I work with are based first on personality, then look and experience. Nov 07 06 01:02 am Link Tuck your wallet and RUN! And take the advice that the other models and photographers have already provided. Good luck! Nov 07 06 01:10 am Link Actually, I just went to a paid shoot last Thursday! Granted, it was my first one from MM, and I had an awesome TFCD last month! I appreciate your opinions. I will definitely reword my profile after hearing them! It does sound demanding....I can't believe I didn't notice before....I suppose I didn't put much thought into the impression that I am making. Thanks alot, guys! Nov 07 06 01:10 am Link I just remembered something... John Casablancas also told me they were associated with Elite...haha... and they really dont find bery many models work... rediculous i must say for paying all the money... o well though... live and learn!!  Nov 07 06 01:14 am Link quoted... by SDPhoto "I can guarantee that you will not get any paid gigs from this site. It is a great networking tool for TFP/CD" thats actually not true, i have gotten some paid shoots and I have one coming up... Nov 07 06 01:15 am Link Chantelle Gascoigne wrote: Thats awesome Nov 07 06 01:16 am Link John Allan wrote: Thank you....I have to contact them tomorrow. It's not right for MTM to mention their affiliation with them 10 plus times during my interview! I wonder if Elite even cares???? Nov 07 06 01:17 am Link MTM is John Casablancas...plain and simple. MTM is JC's "agency" name. They still say they are with Elite, because at one time, John Casablancas used to work with the agency...that was years ago, though....before they started suckering aspiring models/actors into taking their classes. If anyone tries to tell you that you need to pay them fees in order to be signed on to their agency, then they are not truly an agency. Real agencies do ask that you take classes sometimes, but they usually will take the fees out of your gigs or something. Also, their classes NEVER cost as much as you were told to pay...they may run around a couple hundred dollars, but not a thousand. Nov 07 06 04:39 am Link Julia B wrote: I love how they chose a name so generic you would never be able to find any information about them online. Nov 07 06 09:21 pm Link It's a scam. Nice profile, very inviting by the way. I'd suggest charm school would be money well spent. Sad to say I'm one of those who doesn't pay a model to keep her clothes on. Paul Nov 08 06 12:35 am Link Merlinpix wrote: I'm one of those who doesn't shoot with so-called photographers who lack skill and bought a camera so they can see girls naked. Go to a strip club where you can pay a girl to get naked......that is not the purpose of a model. Nov 14 06 07:46 pm Link Julia B wrote: People say a lot of things to get you to give them money. Julia B wrote: What in the world makes you think they are? The fact that they said so? If you said you were a division of Elite and wrote in on your website, would that make it true? Julia B wrote: I thought you didn't do TFP/CD? Nov 14 06 07:58 pm Link If an "agency" wants you to pay to take a class, they aren't a real agency. Period. Tell them to take a hike. Nov 14 06 09:36 pm Link Jay Bowman wrote: Julia B wrote: People say a lot of things to get you to give them money. Julia B wrote: What in the world makes you think they are? The fact that they said so? If you said you were a division of Elite and wrote in on your website, would that make it true? Actually, I never said I thought they were. I asked if they were. You should read more thoroughly before responding. When you use a search engine and type in ModeltalentManagement and Elite, there are several sites that say Elite is a "mother" company to MTM. Please dont insult my intelligence, as I have a degree, graduated first in my class, and I have what counts as a genius IQ. You imply that you are more intelligent than me, but I doubt it. THANKS! Nov 14 06 11:25 pm Link You know, The young lady just asked a few questions about MTM; this has NOTHING to do with her profile or how she feels about TFP/TFCD...F*ck! One of the major reasons people are scared to ask questions on the forums is because somehow, they always end up getting bullied and on the defense... cut this shit out. Answer to your question: As previously and correctly stated, MTM is the "agency" division of John Cassablancas (Often, they are even in the same office.). the agency is used as another means to drive business through the school and, I hate to say it, does it pretty successfully. I must be honest: There is one in Milwaukee and, I have never booked talent from them nor do I know of any shooter that has... Unfortunately, their roster is usually sub-par. The Elite connection: John Cassablancas (the man) was one of the original founders of Elite Model Management (In Chicago) which is still a highly respected agency today. The problem is, he started this school thing, franchised it and made a ton more money than through legit modeling/agency means... the connection is still their (Probably because he still owns stock) but it is VERY thin. Anyway, keep your money... Use it for shoots or comp cards... etc. You will learn more at one real commercial shoot than you ever will by taking their classes. Hope this helps! T. Nov 15 06 10:24 am Link LOL what exactly does an agency teach in "modeling class"? Runway walking?? That takes all of 10 minutes to learn. Posing?? That's each photographer's job to guide you for their shot. Rule #1: Anyone that asks a model for money isn't an agent. Agents are supposed to sell YOU to clients, and give YOU money. They make their profit by the commissions they get from selling you. Nov 15 06 04:54 pm Link Well... Elite isn't an agency anymore, technically. All the big shops are now "model management" companies. It's a legal distingction, agents can only take 10% of your earnings, managers can take as much as you'll let them. Yes it's a scam. If you want to see that Elite rep that visits every 6 months, spend $300 and fly to Atlanta for an open call. Nov 15 06 05:00 pm Link Let me guess...John Robert Powers/JRP? Or guys in suits? They're all over TN lately... pushing their scam. And the photographer is ho-hum I bet. Save your bucks and hire a good photographer to work with. Julia B wrote: Nov 15 06 05:36 pm Link Maybe she doesn't do TFP with YOU? Jay Bowman wrote: Julia B wrote: People say a lot of things to get you to give them money. Julia B wrote: What in the world makes you think they are? The fact that they said so? If you said you were a division of Elite and wrote in on your website, would that make it true? Nov 15 06 05:37 pm Link Julia B wrote: But that is the purpose of a model. And be careful what you say. While you may have meant to direct your comment at Merlinpix, several talented photographers who either have clients who pay or themselves pay models to shoot with and without clothes may be turned off by your comment. Also, you're nude in two pictures on your profile. I know it's your choice, but kinda sends the wrong signal. Nov 15 06 05:56 pm Link T H Taylor wrote: THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION AND THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP ABOUT THE ASSHOLES ON HERE! Nov 15 06 09:16 pm Link Michael Newbern wrote: TRUE. I don't know about that particular photographer, but I do know there are some posers on here......posers with two objectives...to see naked girls on MM and to pretend to know how to capture images to get girls naked in person. Nov 15 06 09:32 pm Link John Allan wrote: She would benefit by reading a 100 or 200 pages of the escort thread. Nov 16 06 11:52 am Link John Allan wrote: Than I guess I am not a professional John cause I allow people to bring friends with them. I encourage it. Nov 16 06 11:54 am Link Merlinpix wrote: Julia B wrote: Yup. Diva. Nov 16 06 11:55 am Link Jay Bowman wrote: Julia B wrote: Yeah, Jay, she's a genius! Nov 16 06 12:00 pm Link Chantelle Gascoigne wrote: I remember seeing something on TV about how they were "disgusted" that these girls were being promised jobs with Elite. Nov 16 06 12:06 pm Link T H Taylor wrote: White Knight alert!! Julia B wrote: Norman Vincent Peale approach .... "...THE ASSHOLES ON HERE!" Nov 16 06 12:06 pm Link BeccaAnnPhotoGal wrote: Isn't there a JC school AND agency? I thought there was an actual agency that is seperate from the schools Nov 16 06 12:07 pm Link Michael Newbern wrote: A lot of sending the wrong signals going on here... Julia B wrote: It's a scary world out there! Posers and perverts! Oh MY! It's not a dangereous world if you do your due diligence. Julia B wrote: I think people read your post. It's not like it was that long or complicated. They just aren't responding the way you wanted them to. Julia B wrote: Never came to a conclusion about whether or not having nude images in your port seems contridictory to your no nudes policy. I guess one could argue that either way. But it is clear that it conveys an inconsistent message. Nov 16 06 12:13 pm Link Curt Burgess wrote: What the hell is a "wronkled sheet image"? I always bring an escort because I had a shoot in 2003 where I narrowly escaped this creep and I was by myself. Then, one went bad in 2004 and I had someone with me! That guy was really wacko and creepy and barely escaped having his ass kicked. So, like it or not, the escort stays unless the photographer will agree to shoot up at J. Welborn's where I know I am safe "by myself". Yes, I have been shooting with Welborn for five years and six years otherwise.....I'm not a new model. Nov 21 06 01:11 am Link Curt Burgess wrote: Jay Bowman wrote: Yeah, Jay, she's a genius! Nope, 138......so almost! Nov 21 06 01:13 am Link |
I'm in contract negotiations with a few people and some girls off of here 
