Eurokids / Euroteens Model Agency?

harryharp

Just wondered if anyone has had any experience of this model agency (they are based in the North West)? http://www.eka-agency.com Apparently their teen models and actors are used for photographic work for catalogues such as Ben Sherman, JJB Sports, Reebok, Littlewoods, and TV productions such as Corrie, Waterloo Road, Blue Murder and Emmerdale.

My 15-year old son wants to earn some pocket money, so I applied to this agency online in the hope that he might get some work for catalogue modelling, etc. Just got a reply from them today, with a very complimentary first paragraph, quote:

'Thank you for sending in the photographs of ...... What a great looking lad! I am writing with the great news that his casting has been successful! ...... has a fantastic, teen presence; with his gorgeous dark hair and cool looks with his guitar, his photogenic expression and commercial looks are, sure to impress our clients! He obviously enjoys posing for the camera, which we love and I feel that with his cheeky smile he has a lot of potential to be a popular choice with the Stylists that book the models and actors with us and I am looking forward to him joining the agency.'

What I want to know, is this just a load of flannel or what??! ie. is this the sort of flattery they give to everyone who applies, or are they genuinely impressed with my son's good looks?!

They then go on to say that the next step is the go for a 1 hour photographic session with an option to buy the disc of photos taken if you want to, for £35 + VAT. They then charge £99 + VAT up front, for their representation fee- ie. the cost 'to appear in the publications, including catalogues, CV's, Model cards etc.' to their clients for a period of 2 years. If they get you work, they take 'a basic commission equivalent to 2 hours work at photographic rate from your initial earnings, and 25% thereafter'.

Can anyone tell me if this is reasonable or not? Has anyone used this agency, or know if they are reputable?

Unstoppable_2

The simple answer to this is DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. Check out other modelling agencies and find out what their fees are. Non of them do it for nothing.

I'm with you on the flannel thing though. Having been a HGV driver mostly working for agencies for the past decade and a half, agencies are heads above everyone else for piling it on. Every employee is their best employee when the agency is talking to them.

applecharlotte

Approx 13 years ago i had dealings with them. I had the same kind if flannel from them "GORGEOUS LITTLE GIRL...Blonde hair blue eyes just what our clients are looking for....looks like she has bags of personality etc etc.. I went into it with my eyes open and thought nothing ventured nothing gained. They wanted to take her on their books and we would only have to pay for the photo's if we wanted them, no fee for putting her on their books. We did want the photo's - they were good and not very expensive, but once we received the photo's we never heard anything else. I wasn't surprised so i never chased it up. A friend of mine also had the same experience with them.

floss2

Eurokids has been running for about 20+ years, based near Warrington. They have quite a few very well-known accounts, and I guess that if your child is what they are looking for (like any other modelling agency) if you are prepared to do the running around, they will be able to get work.

Re the first paragraph of their reply, they aren't really going to say "he looks just like every other teenager we have on our books" are they? And they may be being honest, and he may meet their search requirements.

I would give them a go - the company are quite well established and as long as you go in with your (and your son's) eyes open, asking about any work permits required / tax (he needs to complete a P46 so he gets his full tax allowance against any earnings)/ insurance etc, you've got nothing to lose.

Scarlett1

Have a look at this site for information.

http://www.albamodelinformation.com/

Might be worth checking out other agencies in your area, I don't know where abouts you are but Urban Angels might be near you, they have just opened up their North division, their South division is well known.

http://www.urbanangelsagency.com/?page_id=135&location=north

mazza1985

harryharp wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone has had any experience of this model agency (they are based in the North West)? http://www.eka-agency.com Apparently their teen models and actors are used for photographic work for catalogues such as Ben Sherman, JJB Sports, Reebok, Littlewoods, and TV productions such as Corrie, Waterloo Road, Blue Murder and Emmerdale.

My 15-year old son wants to earn some pocket money, so I applied to this agency online in the hope that he might get some work for catalogue modelling, etc. Just got a reply from them today, with a very complimentary first paragraph, quote:

'Thank you for sending in the photographs of ...... What a great looking lad! I am writing with the great news that his casting has been successful! ...... has a fantastic, teen presence; with his gorgeous dark hair and cool looks with his guitar, his photogenic expression and commercial looks are, sure to impress our clients! He obviously enjoys posing for the camera, which we love and I feel that with his cheeky smile he has a lot of potential to be a popular choice with the Stylists that book the models and actors with us and I am looking forward to him joining the agency.'

What I want to know, is this just a load of flannel or what??! ie. is this the sort of flattery they give to everyone who applies, or are they genuinely impressed with my son's good looks?!

They then go on to say that the next step is the go for a 1 hour photographic session with an option to buy the disc of photos taken if you want to, for £35 + VAT. They then charge £99 + VAT up front, for their representation fee- ie. the cost 'to appear in the publications, including catalogues, CV's, Model cards etc.' to their clients for a period of 2 years. If they get you work, they take 'a basic commission equivalent to 2 hours work at photographic rate from your initial earnings, and 25% thereafter'.

Can anyone tell me if this is reasonable or not? Has anyone used this agency, or know if they are reputable?

DO NOT PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT

DO NOT PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT (repeated in case you missed the first time)

I have been a professional model in the past, I have completed over 300 shoots and been on TV numerous times. I have NEVER had to pay up front! Real Agents take 30 - 40%, maybe even 50% btw, 25% is rather low!

DO NOT PAY FOR ANYTHING UP FRONT, NO JOING FEES, NO FEES FOR CD'S OR PRINTS, NO INTRODUCTORY FEES. IF YOUR CHILD HAS THE LOOK THEY NEED THEY WILL BE BENDING OVER BACKWARDS TO PLEASE YOU.

DO NOT PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT

(if you are serious about this and would like some guidance mail me)