VIP Talent Connect Explains How to Recognize a Scam
There are a lot of organizations developed with the aim to take advantage of people who are trying to get started in the entertainment industry, especially modeling. These enterprises prey upon your dreams by betting on your lack of knowledge about the industry. The only way to protect yourself is to know the industry, including the scams that pretend to be a part of it. Recognizing a scam before making a commitment will keep you on the path to success and save you time and thousands of dollars. These organizations to watch out for actually fall into three categories: scams, rip-offs, and just plain poorly run businesses. Falling prey to any one of these businesses could set you back a lifetime on achieving your dreams, so it is of the upmost importance that you can recognize them for what they are.
The scam operations conduct fraudulent and illegal activities—they make guarantees on which they have no intention of delivering, take your money, and then mysteriously vanish while your back is turned. An alarm should go off if anyone ever guarantees you work. Modeling agencies are never absolutely sure what type of job will come in, or what look will be needed. Modeling agencies are not employers; they represent you and try to get work for you– there is no way a legitimate agency can guarantee you work. The best they can do is to give you their track record on placements, but past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
The rip-off organization operates on a scheme based on making vague promises or touting the one or two of their models that actually succeeded. They will work with anyone, whether or not he or she has talent or meets industry requirements—the only requirement is payment. One classic example of a rip-off scheme is modeling agencies that charge up front for their classes that they require you take before they will work with you. This is not a scam because you are getting what you paid for—classes; however, this is a rip-off because it will not really help you, especially if you are getting taught to walk runway and your only 5' 6". If an agency has to charge money at the front end it means the agency probably does not have enough modeling work to be able to survive on commissions.
An additional way these agencies may try to get money upfront is through photo packages. In this scenario they may try to say something like, "We are interested in you, but you need to test shoot with our photographer." A variation on this theme is when the agency provides the photo session at no charge, then charges you a high fee for a "professional" makeup artist, or some other associated fee. You will need photos at some point, but when dealing with a legitimate agency, you have the liberty to go to any photographer of your choice.
Another way to spot an illegitimate operation is if the company is running newspaper classified ads or display ads looking for models, as reputable modeling agencies receive plenty of would-be model inquiries; therefore, they don't need to advertise for models. If a legitimate agency is short of models, they send their own scouts to hand pick new talent in public places.
Poorly run businesses are attempting to conduct a legitimate, helpful business, but just don't have the essential industry knowledge necessary to help people really become successful and ultimately result in wasted time and money. An example of a poorly run modeling agency is one that is located in too small of a market area somewhere in Smalltown, USA. These small town agencies will never be able to get enough work to really start a models career. Sometimes you will come across a photographer who just does not have the skill level to shoot professional modeling portfolios, or you will find a modeling school that should really be called a finishing school offering classes in image enhancement. While these businesses mean well, they are poorly run and ultimately useless, wasting the time and money of many young hopefuls.
If your goal is to become a professional model, all of the scams, rip-offs, and poorly run businesses that promise to get you there are, in fact, barriers to that goal. Watch for the warning signs.
The scam operations conduct fraudulent and illegal activities—they make guarantees on which they have no intention of delivering, take your money, and then mysteriously vanish while your back is turned. An alarm should go off if anyone ever guarantees you work. Modeling agencies are never absolutely sure what type of job will come in, or what look will be needed. Modeling agencies are not employers; they represent you and try to get work for you– there is no way a legitimate agency can guarantee you work. The best they can do is to give you their track record on placements, but past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
The rip-off organization operates on a scheme based on making vague promises or touting the one or two of their models that actually succeeded. They will work with anyone, whether or not he or she has talent or meets industry requirements—the only requirement is payment. One classic example of a rip-off scheme is modeling agencies that charge up front for their classes that they require you take before they will work with you. This is not a scam because you are getting what you paid for—classes; however, this is a rip-off because it will not really help you, especially if you are getting taught to walk runway and your only 5' 6". If an agency has to charge money at the front end it means the agency probably does not have enough modeling work to be able to survive on commissions.
An additional way these agencies may try to get money upfront is through photo packages. In this scenario they may try to say something like, "We are interested in you, but you need to test shoot with our photographer." A variation on this theme is when the agency provides the photo session at no charge, then charges you a high fee for a "professional" makeup artist, or some other associated fee. You will need photos at some point, but when dealing with a legitimate agency, you have the liberty to go to any photographer of your choice.
Another way to spot an illegitimate operation is if the company is running newspaper classified ads or display ads looking for models, as reputable modeling agencies receive plenty of would-be model inquiries; therefore, they don't need to advertise for models. If a legitimate agency is short of models, they send their own scouts to hand pick new talent in public places.
Poorly run businesses are attempting to conduct a legitimate, helpful business, but just don't have the essential industry knowledge necessary to help people really become successful and ultimately result in wasted time and money. An example of a poorly run modeling agency is one that is located in too small of a market area somewhere in Smalltown, USA. These small town agencies will never be able to get enough work to really start a models career. Sometimes you will come across a photographer who just does not have the skill level to shoot professional modeling portfolios, or you will find a modeling school that should really be called a finishing school offering classes in image enhancement. While these businesses mean well, they are poorly run and ultimately useless, wasting the time and money of many young hopefuls.
If your goal is to become a professional model, all of the scams, rip-offs, and poorly run businesses that promise to get you there are, in fact, barriers to that goal. Watch for the warning signs.
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