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hat could be more flattering? Someone approaches you at the mall

and says, “You could be a model. You’ve got the ‘look’ we’re

after. Here’s my card. Give me a call to set up an appointment.”

People have always said you’re good looking. Now, visions of

glamour, travel and money flash before your eyes.

It’s true that some successful models have been discovered in everyday places

like malls, boutiques, clubs and airports. But the vast majority of would-be

models knock on door after agency door before work comes their way.

It’s All an Act

If and when you make that follow-up appointment, you’ll probably find yourself

in an office filled with lots of other model and actor hopefuls. Then the spiel

starts. What you thought was a job interview with a talent agency turns into a

high-pressure sales pitch for modeling or acting classes, or for “screen tests” or

“photo shoots” that can range in price from several hundred to several thousand

dollars.

If You've Got

The Look... The Look... The Look...

Look Out!

Avoiding Modeling Scams Avoiding Modeling Scams Avoiding Modeling Scams

W
Facts for Consumers

Man, woman, or child — it makes no

difference to bogus model and talent scouts.

Often, these scouts are after one thing — your

money — and will say just about anything to

get it. But what they say isn’t always what they

mean.

Pose-itioning Yourself ourself

To break into the business, you — the talent —

need professional photos. There are two types

of standard photographs — a “head shot” and a

“composite card.”

• The typical marketing tool for an actor,

experienced or not, the head shot usually is

an 8" x 10" black and white photo of the

face, with your resume printed on the back.

• A “comp card,” the typical marketing tool

for the experienced model or the wannabe,

usually features several shots on the same

sheet, showing off the talent in different

attire or settings.

Agencies and schools offer separate and distinct

services. Make sure you know the difference.

• Modeling (or talent) agencies secure employment for experienced models and

actors. Some agents require that you sign

up exclusively with them; others may allow

you to register with them as well as with

other agencies in town.

• Modeling and acting schools claim to

provide instruction — for a fee — in poise,

posture, diction, skin care, make-up application, the proper walk and more. Modeling schools do not necessarily act as agents

or find work for you — after you take their

classes, you may be on your own.

Talent Tips

Steer clear of modeling companies that

require you to use a

specific photographer.

Compare fees and the

work quality of several

photographers.

Be suspicious if a

company requires an

up-front fee to serve as your agent.

What They Say vs. What They Mean

Unscrupulous model and talent scouts have

their acts down pat. Listen carefully to read

between their lines.

• “We’re scouting for people with your

‘look’ to model and act.”

• I need to sign up as many people as

possible. My commission depends on it.

• “Your deposit is totally refundable.”

• Your deposit is refundable only if you

meet very strict refund conditions.

• “You must be specially selected for our

program. Our talent experts will carefully evaluate your chances at success in

the field and will only accept a few

people into our program.”

• We take almost everyone.

• “There’s a guaranteed refund if you are

not accepted into the program.”

• Everyone’s accepted into the program.

Forget the refund.

• “You can’t afford our fees? No problem.

You can work them off with the highpaying jobs we’ll get you.”

• We demand payment, whether or not

you get work.

• “Commissions from our clients are our

major source of income.”

• Our income comes from the fees we

charge you.
Facts for Consumers

Be cautious if the school has a special

referral relationship with a specific

modeling agency. The two could be

splitting your fees, or the agency may

not be suited to your needs.

Avoiding a Model Rip-Of voiding a Model Rip-Off

• Ask yourself, “why me?” Don’t let your

emotions — and the company’s flattery —

take control. Think carefully and critically

about how you were approached:

if it was in a crowded

mall, think how many

others also may have

been approached.

• Avoid high-pressure

sales tactics. Never sign a

document without reading

and understanding it first.

In fact, ask for a blank

copy of the contract

to take home and

review with

someone you

trust. If the

company refuses, walk away.

• Be leery of companies that only accept

payment in cash or by money order. Read it

as a strong signal that the company is more

interested in your money than your career.

• Be wary of claims about high salaries.

Successful models in small markets can

earn $75 to $150 an hour, but the work is

irregular.

• Ask for the names, addresses and phone

numbers of models and actors who have

secured successful work — recently —

based on the company’s training.

• Check out client claims. If an agency says it

has placed models and actors in specific

jobs, contact the companies to verify that

they’ve hired models and actors from the

agency.

• Be skeptical of local companies claiming to

be the “biggest” agency or a “major

player” in the industry, especially if you

live in a smaller city or town.

• Realize that different parts of the country

have different needs. For example, New

York is recognized for fashion modeling;

the Washington/Baltimore area is known for

industrial or training films.

• Ask if the company/school is licensed or

bonded, if that’s required by your state.

Verify this information with the appropriate

authorities, such as your local consumer

protection agency or state Attorney General. Make sure the license is current.

• Ask your local Better Business Bureau,

consumer protection agency and state

Attorney General if there are any unresolved consumer complaints on file about

the company.

• Get everything in writing, including any

promises that have been made orally.

• Keep copies of all important papers, such as

your contract and company literature, in a

safe place.

You’ve Got t ou’ve Got t ou’ve Got the Cutest he Cutest he Cutest

Little Bab Little Baby Face

A special word to parents of

infants and toddlers

Think your child is model material?

Bogus talents scouts do. And they’ll

gladly set up a professional photo

shoot to allegedly help you get modeling and acting jobs for your tyke. Of

course, they don’t tell you that the

market for infant models and actors is

very small. What’s more, because an

infant’s looks change quickly, the

photos become outdated. In truth, few

infants are marketed with professional

photos. Legitimate agents, advertising

agencies, casting directors and producers generally ask for casual snapshots of infants that have been taken

by family members or friends.
Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

May 1999

F C EDERAL RADE OMMISSION T FTC OR HE ONSUMER

1-877-FTC-HELP www.ftc.gov

Facts for Consumers

Where to Complain e to Complain

If you’ve think you’ve been scammed by a

bogus model or talent scout, contact your local

consumer protection agency, state Attorney

General, or Better Business Bureau. They’re in

your local directory assistance.

You also may file a complaint with the Federal

Trade Commission. The FTC works for the

consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and

unfair business practices in the marketplace and

to provide information to help consumers spot,

stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to

get free information on consumer issues, visit

www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTCHELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-

4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing,

identity theft, and other fraud-related

complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure,

online database available to hundreds of civil

and criminal law enforcement agencies in the

U.S. and abroad.