child model agencys (merged)

hankc35

I've been a portrait photographer since 1993 and I know every trick in the book when it comes to scaming parents out of money for photographs (never done it! I just know how its done), because thats all it is generally is, its a way to sell photographs just under the fallacy of some sort of model contract, basically IMHO cute kids are a dime a dozen (yeah I know yours is special so is mine) and the harsh reality is unless you live in London your kids not going to be a model. The worst types of scammers are the ones who turn up in Hotels, they are just portrait photographers. The ONLY way to do it is to send a couple of snap shots to the reputable agencies, they will send you an email back, but be prepared to be dissapointed, and if you dont live in London you have no chance.

Mirtos

DO NOT PAY OUT ANY MONEY FOR A MODELLING OR ACTING AGENCY. I work in the performing arts business and NO reputable agency will charge you upfront for taking you on. Full stop. Most good agencies will even cover the cost of the photos if they really think you / your child will get work, as then they'll get the standard 10% commission. Check out the Contacts directory published by Spotlight(available from amazon) - it has listings of all the agents etc.. Also, the agents and personal managers association will be able to advise on who's trustworthy. Seriously, I do this for a living, don't pay out money upfront!

Scarlett1

Mirtos wrote:

DO NOT PAY OUT ANY MONEY FOR A MODELLING OR ACTING AGENCY. i work in the preforming arts business and NO reputable agancy will charge you for taking you on. Full stop.

thats not entirely true, some agencies charge a low fee, others charge a high fee, no matter what there will be a charge somewhere or other along the line.

Scarlett1

hankc35 wrote:

I've been a portrait photographer since 1993 and I know every trick in the book when it comes to scaming parents out of money for photographs (never done it! I just know how its done), because thats all it is generally is, its a way to sell photographs just under the fallacy of some sort of model contract, basically IMHO cute kids are a dime a dozen (yeah I know yours is special so is mine) and the harsh reality is unless you live in London your kids not going to be a model. The worst types of scammers are the ones who turn up in Hotels, they are just portrait photographers. The ONLY way to do it is to send a couple of snap shots to the reputable agencies, they will send you an email back, but be prepared to be dissapointed, and if you dont live in London you have no chance.

sorry dont agree, we dont live in London and my daughter got work, there are other people on this board who dont live in london either and their kids got work aswell

its the photographs that cost a large fee not the agencies, although some do charge a fee for registration.

Mirtos

Scarlett1 wrote:

thats not entirely true, some agencies charge a low fee, others charge a high fee, no matter what there will be a charge somewhere or other along the line.

Of course. Agencies are a business after all, but a GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY one will be willing to take their cut from commission rather than upfront. If an agent asks for an upfront fee then that implies they are not confident about finding you/your child work from which to earn commission. Thus, if they can't get you work, why are you signing to them and wasting your money?

Scarlett1

Mirtos wrote:

Of course. Agencies are a business after all, but a GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY one will be willing to take their cut from commission rather than upfront. If an agent asks for an upfront fee then that implies they are not confident about finding you/your child work from which to earn commission. Thus, if they can't get you work, why are you signing to them and wasting your money?

I think all agencies should just take commission rather than charge a fee, I think the problem is some agencies take too many children on their books, so many kids, not enough work.

There are a couple of agencies that only have a few hundred children on their books, these agencies are well known and dont ask for an upfront fee, the ones that do charge the fee's are the one's that have 1,000 plus children on their books.

A lot of it is greed with a few agencies, if only they were a bit more honest with parents whether their child really does have the look, and how many jobs they really have running at the moment, not what will be coming up in the future.

owey

bonvonnie wrote:

my 2year 5month old boy is with http://www.eka-agency.com/ and they are based in Warrington, and are the main Agecny for the North West and the Midlands.

My boy joned when he was 1 year old, and the COmpnay has just got bigger in time.

I would not touch this agency, as we had our son in it for two years. We got 3 casting the first year a week before Chirstmas in Manchester City Centre with 2 days notice, I think we were asked because someone must of cancelled. Anyway he never got anywere, they also send out forms to fill in but never chase them up if they don't receive them. If they do ring me up when his contract runs out soon, I will be telling them the same. Save your money and spend it on your children.

hankc35

Scarlett1 wrote:

sorry dont agree, we dont live in London and my daughter got work, there are other people on this board who dont live in london either and their kids got work aswell

its the photographs that cost a large fee not the agencies, although some do charge a fee for registration.

I expect there are bits and pieces regionaly, but I was refering to top end stuff.

sticher

Mirtos, do you know if Spotlight charge to put your photos in? I ask because my son is on the books of an acting agency, who are quite expensive. You have to pay for your photos and for them to be put in Spotlight. Then if you get work they take a commission. i knew all the stuff about not paying upfront, but it seemed quite reasonable to have to pay to put the photos in Spotlight.

My son has only had two jobs in as many years. One was unpaid! - agency said it would just be good experience! The other was for Casualty - fantastic experience for both my son and myself - and brilliant pay.

sticher

Owey, many of the castings my son has been on have been less that 1 days notice. Apparently the casting directors are the cause of that, not the agency (that's what sons agency tells us anyway!)