Modelling agency warning (First Step Modelling / Distinctive Model Advice)

Computersaysno

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I cannot believe these {Text removed by MSE Investigator} are still going on.

I know of someone that did this for their daughter.

How can people believe lines such as a casting director is flying over from America and is interested in using their daughter.

Then said appointment is cancelled because his flight was delayed.

Perhaps children should have lessons in school {Text removed by MSE Investigator} as so many people seem to fall for them.

Sadly in most cases the 'signs {Text removed by MSE Investigator}' are all there in plain sight, but a lot [most???/al???l] of the people 'choose' to ignore them.

Call it 'self-delusion', call it 'a pushy parent', call it 'I wanna be a celebrity', call it 'a look in the mirror would tell you you're not going to be a model', call it 'my kid is special', call it 'you can be anything you want to be, if you want it enough'.......these are the main reasons people fall for this {Text removed by MSE Investigator}.


BTW this isn't meant as slagging off the victims, more explaining why it's still going on.

jackielim

Computersaysno wrote: »

Sadly in most cases the 'signs {Text removed by MSE Investigator}' are all there in plain sight, but a lot [most???/al???l] of the people 'choose' to ignore them.

Call it 'self-delusion', call it 'a pushy parent', call it 'I wanna be a celebrity', call it 'a look in the mirror would tell you you're not going to be a model', call it 'my kid is special', call it 'you can be anything you want to be, if you want it enough'.......these are the main reasons people fall for this {Text removed by MSE Investigator}.


BTW this isn't meant as slagging off the victims, more explaining why it's still going on.

Okay, I will give you my perspective to add to your list.

I fell for {Text removed by MSE Investigator} because:
(a) I felt very inexperienced in the modelling industry and I thought I needed to learn and listen to those with more experience than me. I thought FSM was a real agency, and I believed them when they told me about what I needed to do to apply for the job.
(b) I generally believed that people are honest and reliable, and that they would not make false claims or promises. I thought trustpilot's reviews were real and the web sites were genuine.
(c) I didn't want agencies to think that I wasn't committed when I was very committed to work hard to pursue the path and make the necessary investments.

So clearly, I was wrong and it has been a traumatising experience.

Not just with what FSM did and their threats, but also with how it's very difficult to get support and help from my Bank (Lloyds Bank who didn't believe me despite me showing the evidence of suspicious activities) and inability to sue FSM to get justice.

All I can do is spread the word out, report to the police about their activities and complain to the right places to get some investigation going.

Regardless, I am grateful for the help and advice I received here to progress what needs to be done. Thanks everyone for your input.

sheramber

jackielim wrote: »

Another update on my correspondence with FSM.

Previously, in response to their e-mail about my negative reviews, I invited them to make their own comments on MSE and TrustPilot.

Today they responded to say that I have to reveal my real name on all my reviews, before they will engage with the public.

This is very strange to me - does anyone has any ideas why they have made such a request? I have used my initials for TrustPilot, and have used a pseudonym for MSE.

How can they respond to your claims without knowing who you are?

How can they refute your claims without being able check your records?

hollydays

jackielim wrote: »

Okay, I will give you my perspective to add to your list.

I fell {Text removed by MSE Investigator} because:
(a) I felt very inexperienced in the modelling industry and I thought I needed to learn and listen to those with more experience than me. I thought FSM was a real agency, and I believed them when they told me about what I needed to do to apply for the job.
(b) I generally believed that people are honest and reliable, and that they would not make false claims or promises. I thought trustpilot's reviews were real and the web sites were genuine.
(c) I didn't want agencies to think that I wasn't committed when I was very committed to work hard to pursue the path and make the necessary investments.

So clearly, I was wrong and it has been a traumatising experience.

Not just with what FSM did and their threats, but also with how it's very difficult to get support and help from my Bank (Lloyds Bank who didn't believe me despite me showing the evidence of suspicious activities) and inability to sue FSM to get justice.

All I can do is spread the word out, report to the police about their activities and complain to the right places to get some investigation going.

Regardless, I am grateful for the help and advice I received here to progress what needs to be done. Thanks everyone for your input.

To believe that everyone is honest and genuine is bizarre.
You are not cut out for the world of modelling.
It's very exploitative

People at this agency were salesmen on commission.
The big brother contestant who is mentioned in the links bought up a string of failing photography businesses and turned them into money making machines.
Do you really think they cared about you .
You are just a paycheck to them.

Cornucopia

sheramber wrote: »

How can they respond to your claims without knowing who you are?

It depends on the nature of the claims.

How can they refute your claims without being able check your records?

It depends on the nature of the claims.

For example, we've already established that the company does not appear to be properly identifying itself. If true, that in itself is indicative of negligence or subterfuge. The Company could refute that claim by indicating where the required information can found, and the OP could then consider suing them.

Pollycat

hollydays wrote: »

To believe that everyone is honest and genuine is bizarre.

I'd say it is more accurate to say 'naive' rather than bizarre.

hollydays

Yes perhaps , I was struggling to find the right word there.
I do empathise with the position the op has found themselves in.

Pollycat

hollydays wrote: »

Yes perhaps , I was struggling to find the right word there.
I do empathise with the position the op has found themselves in.

Me too.

sheramber

They will not be registered at Companies House if they are not a registered company.

They could be a partnership or a sole trader, neither of these would be registered at Companies House.

[

All these are personal complaints that can only be dealt with with a name to check the information.

Cornucopia

sheramber wrote: »

They will not be registered at Companies House if they are not a registered company.

They could be a partnership or a sole trader, neither of these would be registered at Companies House.

All UK traders MUST identify themselves accurately on various articles of business documentation and advertising to customers - that includes websites.

Typically, businesses identify themselves on their websites either at the foot of the home page, or within an "About" or "Contact" page, but this company does not do that.

Like I said, they could refute the allegation that they are breaking the law on the transparency of their identity by showing us where the required info is. Coincidentally, that's what the OP needs to begin a money claim case.

With hindsight and some background knowledge, I can spot a number of warning signs about their website. Again, they could ask MSE for a right of reply to these issues, and do not need to know who I am to address them:-

1. The only identifying info I can find is this, from the Ts & Cs: "First Step Modelling is a website operated by South-West Studios. Registered in England and Wales. Our registered office is 26 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL". The only "South-West Studios" on Companies House was dissolved in 2012, and the phrase "Registered in England & Wales" ought to be accompanied by a company or charity number.

2. The map on the Contact Page has no location shown for either First Step Modelling or South-West Studios. Strange, no? There is a clue that 28 Old Brompton Road is shown as "Mailboxes Etc.". 26 OBR relates to offices above a Health Food shop.

3. The application form has a tick box confirmation that "I understand First Step Modelling is not an agency". Okay, so what is it? I haven't been able to find a definitive answer to that on the site, which again, is strange.

4. Within the section "Who we are", the first sub-section is titled "THE ROLE OF A MODEL AGENCY", which can only be intended to confuse people as to the role of FSM.

5. There are various typos in the text of the website, some of them quite prominent. (For example, the second headline on the Male Modelling page says this: "Want to become a male modelling !, register with us today"[sic]).

OTOH, their copyright notice is invalid...