Bizzy Kidz - good or bad?

BecCohen

My daughter is with BK, and has been for a few years. I have now got to the point where I am going to start blog etc about it....persuading people NOT to do it!
I was a sucker...paid the money etc. People say there is 'not extra costs' beyond that....that is rubbish...yes you dont pay BK...but there are the 6mthly GPletters costing about £20-30+ each time, regular photo upgrade costs, parking and CC/travel, meal costs at auditions/castings etc etc. Plus there is alot the parents have to do... eg.regular measurements etc...(which is understandable but it's a !!!! to do when you have 1000 other uncompleted things on your list of TTD.) Thats every month too (or more often if yr child grows "even a cm!")
I see agencies who charge are like estate agents!...they do NOTHING but the only way they can make money is by charging alot of money!
And in terms of getting work....if you actively scour your emails every 5mins, and run around getting the right sort of photos together etc, childs personal specs etc....basically put in a request to be selected!.....and be able and free to race into the middle of london midweek (pay the CC etc!) the very next day....then it could work for you, as they do seem to have lots of work (but not all is suitable...ie "we want an asian boy aged 8 who speaks french and is between 4ft and 4ft 5" sort of thing).
Bascially...you as the parent need to make a this your fulltime job, to actually get any work. But by doing so you are using your child as a tool.

YOu WILL fork out alot of money over the years, and for what?? ..my advice...dont bother with it!! esp the likes of BK and other charging Ag'ies. Spend the time and money on getting them music lessons or something!

vernessa_g

My sons been with bizzykidz for 2 years and had quite a few nice jobs although only one tv job. I researched all the agencies i could at the beginning and found lots of advice but called mothercare in the end and they recommended them so took that as evidence enough really. He does have quiet times and i get peed off but its not the agencys fault its the same with all agencys. My friends with scallywags and paid more to join and not heard a thing. I think its just luck of the draw really but you will have to pay (ive had my money back and some). Seems like becohen is just annoyed she didnt get any work but thats the clients fault not the agency. Im happy where i am

jonbroth

seems from that recent post that all charge. are they all scams? i used to do extras work at uni which was great. sat around for a lot of the time so could study, fed lunch (filled my pockets) and occasionally got to see myself on the fast show Nice if anyone knows any decent agencies please email me jon at brothermailer.co.uk

many thanks.

pinkshoes

Any GOOD agency would NEVER charge any fee - they'd just take a percentage of the earnings for each job.

The whole point of an agency is that they know what they're doing, know what they're looking for, so when they spot the right child, then they know they're going to get work, and thus no fee is payable.

By saying they're interesting after just seeing a photo would set alarm bells ringing. Any good agency would want to meet and interview the child, as personality is a big part of it.

By asking for a fee, an agency is just showing they aren't very competent, and are very much relying on luck whether a child gets work or not, hence some kids do, and some kids don't.(I'd imagine most don't...)

Trixiebel

Child agencies are allowed to charge joining fees although a totally legit agency who genuinely believes they will have work for your child, will not charge you upfront. The whole point is that your child is of value to them as the child will make them money. I believe, like many other child agencies out there, this one is a genuine business who have lots of work which they give to a core team of children. They run lots of workshops and photo sessions which are all additional revenue streams for them. Another revenue stream for them is to take on every child who applies and charge a fee. These children are either not so marketable or live too far out of london and the agency know they are uikely to get much if any work for them. In order for the agency to seem blameless in this, they put up a stack if barriers and obstacles for the parents so they can blame the parents instead. Photo updates are understandable, they need these to market the child but they change the benchmark on you...one minute snapshots are fine for under 5's, the next minute they must be on white background. Licensing documents/GP letter is another excuse as they know many GP's will not sign these. Fact is, the child doesn't need the licensing until they have been offered a job (I was a child actor/model myself). Various other updates and condition they set out and change at their whim, are all further delaying and obstructing tactics that they use to avoid being responsible for not getting work for your child. This agency send out emails when they are stuck, asking if anyone has or knows of a child of a certain age and description and they are happy to put them forward to a casting whether registered with them or not! So why all the fake rules? Oh and the ranty, rule filled stressy emails that the director sends out, are a joke.
Seriously peeps, avoid!
If you want your child to attend workshops, classes and have photo sessions, you can pay for these anywhere. If you live in london and want them to get work too, do these with this agency and maybe they will get work. If you're just looking for some credible modelling or acting work, join a family agency who do not charge joining fees. You'll find they will only take you on if they really see potential. Hope this info is helpful.

From an ex child and adult model/performer and now agency director.

Trixiebel

PS: They are not very pleasant to deal with if you challenge them and they get really nasty about anyone slagging them off in forums and say that if they find any of their parents doing it, they will strike their child from their books

neice

Stumbled upon this thread and just had to reply.
I have two girls in the industry who are both now nearly 19 and studying at a top Performing Arts college, both have had a lot of work and been accepted by many agencies. Bizzy Kidz are one of the good guys out there - some people do not realise that a professional portfolio costs a fortune, and trust me a lot of agencies have attempted to charge just that, so BK's fees for photographs are in fact extremely reasonable. You get nothing for nothing in this world.
Most sour comments are from those parents of children who have had no work. This is not up to the agency, it is up to the casting director. In this industry as we know, nine times out of ten, the answer will be a no! It's a tough industry!! My daughter has been submitted hundreds of times for jobs, so it is not for the want of BK trying! If lucky the casting director will see you, and if extremely lucky you will get the job!! BK are friendly, honest and helpful, make no promises and do their best. They are after all running a business, and it is in their interest to secure work for their clients.

Tropez

It's amazing how many people "stumble upon" threads that are several years old and feel they just have to reply.

fluffnutter

Tropez wrote: »

It's amazing how many people "stumble upon" threads that are several years old and feel they just have to reply.

Newbies who can't spell you mean? Spamtastic!

magandauk

My LO has just been provisionally accepted. I got a bit of excited but then the fees made me think not only twice! Also they claim to have so many clients yet, there are so many mixed reviews all over the internet. I called up couple of them (the obvious ones you can associate with babies & kids) none of them are using BizzyKidz! Not in 2013.
So to me it looks like another scam! I will not be going with them and I think I saved myself a lot of money here!

My advise ... instead of asking on forums, call couple of companies and ask who they are working with. This way you know the company is legit and your kid might actually get some work. Also, most companies will give you contact details for the agencies.