Fynns' Models

JennySchuma

The modelling agency I work for is Fynns Models, based in London.

I'm 19 and fairly new to modelling.

Earlier this year, I was offered a non-exclusive contract with Fynns' Models. The agreement was that their commision was 10% on all jobs they found me, but I was free to sign with other agencies and find my own work. I thought based on that it was legit, so I went ahead and signed wth them.

I spent from June to August doing work for them. In total, I did 9 paid catalogue shoots for them. And as agreed, I paid them 10% of everythng I earned from these jobs.

Then towards the end of August, I received an email from my POC (a woman called Jenny) at Fynns, saying that they are going to put up their commission to 20%.

Has anyone had any experiences with model agencies putting up their commision, and what did they do about it?

Jenny

paddedjohn

Personnally i would forget about them and move on and not let this experience eat you up. Sounds like you are better off without them.

marybelle01

You aren't an employee, you are a worker, so you can't be unfairly dismissed. You were under no obligation take work they offered, they were under no obligation to find work to offer you, and you were not paid wages - in fact YOU paid THEM an "introduction fee" for providing work. So actually, if anything, they worked for you and not the other way around! But even if you had been an employee, you need two years employment to make a claim of unfair dismissal.

If they wish to increase the charges that they make for introducing their client (you) to work, then that is up to them, and it is then up to you to decide whether you agree or not. If you do not agree then you terminate the relationship. Since you did not, they have - but they could just as easily have simply not bothered to find you any work.

maninthestreet

Too late now, but what did the contract state concerning any changes to the rate of commission?

JennySchuma

maninthestreet wrote: »

Too late now, but what did the contract state concerning any changes to the rate of commission?

It said 10% but it says it is an introductory rate of commision. So presumably they must be able to change it at will?

I'll try to search for the contract and take a closer look.

But is there really nothing I can do?

marybelle01

Any contract can be varied - it doesn't matter whether it says it can or not. If both parties agree to a variation then that's ok. If they don't, well it then decides on what the contract says. Even without this new information (if you knew it said that this was an introductory rate, didn't you ask what the rate would be after this period?) though, it is pretty simple. The contract didn't bind them to provide you with work, it didn't bind you to work for them. So your choice was 10% of nothing or 20% of something. Nine assignments in three months seems pretty good to me compared to some of the "modelling agencies" around, because I've heard countless stories of the "give us £500/ £1000/ £2000 for your portfolio and we'll put you on our books" variety where young people hand over money and never see any work.

Uncertain

JennySchuma wrote: »

But is there really nothing I can do?

Probably not I'm afraid.

Without seeing the contract wording it is impossible to be 100% certain. The real problem is that rather than "sack" you they could simply not find you any work.

Unless (and it is MOST unlikely) there is some guarantee of providing work or you have paid some fee for their services (have you) then there is little you can do.

You could make a subject access request to get details of the "complaint" but I'm not sure where that gets you.

Sorry.

marybelle01

A quick google has also turned up the interesting fact that "standard commission" charged by modelling agencies ranges between 25% and 37%.

Uncertain

marybelle01 wrote: »

A quick google has also turned up the interesting fact that "standard commission" charged by modelling agencies ranges between 25% and 37%.

Yes, doesn't surprise me.

I've little experience with model agencies but 10% would be very cheap in most other fields.

Although there are dodgy agencies around most are perfectly reputable.

Pthree

It may be worth giving these people a call

http://www.modeladvice.info/MA-Awareness

A bit late for this contract but could be of use for the future.

Pthree

JennySchuma

Uncertain wrote: »

Probably not I'm afraid.

Without seeing the contract wording it is impossible to be 100% certain. The real problem is that rather than "sack" you they could simply not find you any work.

Unless (and it is MOST unlikely) there is some guarantee of providing work or you have paid some fee for their services (have you) then there is little you can do.

Well, I didn't pay any upfront fee.
(I'm well aware of all the horror stories!)

I was paid for all the work that I did, and they got their 10% of all the work they found me.

In total, I was hired for 9 photoshoots over the short period i was signed to them. So they had no difficulty in finding me work.

Maybe I complained too much when they wanted to increase their commission to 20%, hence they decided to end the contract.