Warning for those who want to model!
WARNING- >:( >:(
I worked as a talent scout for a little known place called TCT- trans continental talent, which was also called- OTM, Options, E-model, Pro-scouts, and is now the Wihlimena Scouting Network. If you are approched, shut them down, this is not a legitimate opportunity, nor will you have a great shot a real run-way or magazine modeling. ScamScamScamScam- They abuse their scouts, dont pay them, enroll anyone that will pay their big asking fee-
and i hate them.
ask me anything-
Q:Didnt they discover N'Sync?
A:...............------Didnt N'Sync sue those [email protected]#!
grrrrrrrrrrrr. today is not my day. :-X
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
Yeah one of those crews came through a town I was living in, and a couple of the 18-year-olds I worked with went to the 'open call'. They were, of course, chosen to attend the 'invitation only' function in Dallas a few weeks later, for which they had to pay an entrance fee of $300-something dollars, plus hotel and travel costs to get there, only to be herded like cattle with about 1000 other 'invitation only' guests through an assembly-line 'audition' in front of a few 'agents'. The 'agents' voted for a few people who would get 'callbacks' - about 12 of the 1000 invited 'guests' who'd shelled out all that money to be there. And guess what? Not one single young child, female over age 15, or young male model type was chosen for a callback, even though the open call had been for people of 'all ages' from 4 years and up. HA, they just herded in as many as they could to get the big fees, and picked a few 'callbacks' who likely got charged more outrageous fees for 'portfolios' later on. Nothing but a huge RIPOFF.
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
Never pay anyone who approaches you for modeling. Talent scout with card and work number to call back or not.
The only thing alot of models who paid for (and of course doing this because they wanted to for ALL future jobs), was their portfolio, from a REAL photographer.
I have modeled for LOOK modeling agency in the area, and he never charged me a dime. (I was on his website, until i decided i did not like the Harley). Great people.
A talent scout is nothing more than a messenger for the co. Who provides a Valid number of business, and tells you to call and check them out.
NEVER pay anyone to take pictures of you if you want to model. It's how people keep all the "not so legit" companies in business.
I really hate that. Wish more people knew.
Pamela :)
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
Heyy that is so right, 2 years ago , this OCT whatever TCT and Options talent was called E_MODEL and etc, so while i was modeling i was approached by them. They called me one day and hold me o the phone for 40 min (cell phone)ouch the bill was huge lol, and they told me I am going to be speaking with VANESSA WILLIAMS(yeah right). At that time i was excited and I listened to this Vanessa Williams talking about my future and etc . I was soooo naive i cant beleive i bought it. They asked me to pay them 400 $ for some kinda fee and when i said okay, they withdrew the money the same DAY. When I called to find out where my pictures where where the promised photographer was and etc , i enever got a respond. I wanted to sue them but I didnt have any rights in US at that time. So i lost my 400 buks and let it go. But everytme i hear or see them I know what they are all about. Got approuched by them again this year in Aventura Mall, and never ever went to any of those money sucking places.
lke people say, learned on my own experience.
thats good that somebody else is aware of it too:)
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
If a model had to pay to work for me......
I wouldnt have any working for me.
most agencys have lots of girls so they
have to have lots of clients to make it
worth your money to sign up with them.
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
WOW thank god. about 1 month ago i was approached and I went and everything but the thing is I forgot my ID and I look a little younger so they told me to come back the following week but i never made it!!!!Boy am I glad!!!
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
yup that "agency" is bull. the "scouts" are all over new york. one of them gave me her card- they try to trick you bc it has the wilhelmina logo on it, which is legitamite, but their "agency" is NOT affiliated with wilhelmina in any way!!
you should never have to pay to get your pictures done. if you are with a legitamite agency, they will set you up with a photog and arrange to have your test shoots done, and you dont have to pay!!!! the reason they do this is to set you up with a rough portfolio, then ultimately book you jobs, which brings both you and the agency $$$.
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
i did some things with a company called OTM..(on track modeling)...thought i was avoiding a scam...i did pay for pic's(only 300$) and i figured they did get you jobs, i had one job before the pictures were done so i thought, okay i'll pay, get my head shots then model more for them, and possibly other agency's in the aere. Welp, their idea of 'modeling' was handing out cig's as promos for Winston/Camel, while standing in direct sun, and sifting through gobs of BEES...FUN! so, they may not be what you guys are talking about...because i did get paid...i just realized when a mid 50ish, overweight woman said, "oh, yeah they get me lots of jobs, i work all the time!" that right there was a red flag, for unless she was modeling for jenny craig or something of that nature, forget about it! she was no model! ...plus the photos they took made me look like sh*@ !!!
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
yea that wilhelmina scouting/options/tct.....is a scam they have scouted me some many times even like 5 times in one day when hanging out in manhatten they are everywhere....i was lucky enought to have people around me who knew what was going on when they first scouted me to tell me that they were scammers...i think the real wilhelmina models is taking them to court so that they could stop using their name so now i wonder what are the gonna call themselves this time...i heard their scouts get commisin for each person scouted that signs up for their scam
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
As a musician I see the same thing in my world. So called redording companies who will sign anyone who tries out and then tell you are ready for the big time if you pay them money to record a CD or something.
Hey, I need a plumber to fix my toilet, if I can find one who will pay me enough I will let them be part of the wonderful world of Prodfessional Plumbing!
"Plumber Stars of Poushkeepsie" if you pay us a small fee of $500 we will be your plumbing agent. ;)
The first rule of any business is if you are a pro you get paid to do the job, you don't pay someone to let you do the job. ;)
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
xmarx....you so funny man!!!! LOL! great parody...honest! and it is true as well!-- if you are a pro you get paid to do the job, you don't pay someone to let you do the job--
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
I saw this on dateline,they even had an undercover working for dateline pretend she was interested,she paid tons of money and was getting calls for conventions and stuff like winter mentioned,stuff you dont need an agent for,I think they may spell the name a little differently than wilhemena,so thats how they are using the name,but that is one of the biggest moddeling agencys in manhatten(the real one) the agents get big commisions when they sign madels on and are told to go up to anyone,even people they know have no chance in hell modeling,its actually pretty sad,dont ever pay money for things like this,if you get with an agency and do real modeling,the agency will take a percentage,also you can get pics for your portfolio for free but its best to go to a top phtog and pay,also get them updated every 6 months or so.
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
@michelle...wlhelmina models had sign a contract for them to use the name the did'nt know about their scouting/scammi8nmg practices so now wilhelmina models i sueing them for the misuse of their name ...now they have changed their name to web style network...thee have closed their ofice in new york city and now they are trying to get them to close their buffalo office ..there seem to be alot of mess going on with this company cause they are scamming people and the same people they are getting to scam other people /thus their scouts are not getting paid ...which sucks big time ..i hope the all go to jail..but then aain people should'nt be so stupid to think they have got to pay for fame
Re: Warning for those who want to model!
Iam surprised that someone with the reputation,such as whilemena,would let them use thier name,I guess they were being greedy,wanting more money,no look what happened.
Re:Warning for those who want to model!
i read an article about them in cleveland's scene.
Re:Warning for those who want to model!
Yah, I was approached by them too. Luckily I did some research on them over the internet, and found out that they scam people. Just be sure to do some research on any one who scouts you.