Tracy Whiteside Photography

t’s important to understand exactly what you are paying for, and to be certain you are getting a fair price.  Make sure anything you hand over your hard earned money for is worth the cost.  Obviously this is not a concern with large, well-established and reputable agencies such as Ford Modeling Agency, Elite Modeling Agency and William Morris Agency; however, most models and actors don’t start there. 

Don't pay a huge sum of money to have your photo(s) posted on some obscure website with the expectation of being “discovered.”  It won’t happen no matter what the ads or salespeople for the site tell you. Talent agencies and casting directors don’t have the time to be surfing the net looking for the next big thing.  You have to go to them.  Because your competition IS.  You MUST have a web page, but make sure you are getting a fair price. 

Don’t pay for overpriced photos.  Really research the photographers in your area to find out what kind of work they do, as well as to determine if their pricing competitive.

Don’t pay for a model portfolio shoot.  A portfolio is built over time with different photographers. Actors don't need a portfolio.

Never believe promises of stardom, no matter how tempting.  You can’t buy success.  If someone promises you a job if you take classes or pay for a portfolio, run!  There are no guarantees in this business.  Only the client can make the hiring decision.

Don’t pay to have someone look at your photos to tell you if you have potential.  Legitimate modeling agencies will look at your photos for free. Talent agencies never charge you to audition.

Don't pay to attend a model search, talent search or singing audition.  America's Next Top Model and American Idol never charge a fee.

Modeling and talent conventions are usually very expensive, and I have yet to meet anyone that got anything out of it other than the experience.  Talent agencies are paid to be there, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  No one does anything for free.  Legitimate agents do attend some of these events.  By contract with the convention owners, they agree to “call-back” a specified number of actors and models for a second audition. Those that don't make the final cut (most people) are encouraged to come back again next year, "You were so close!".  Hmmm...more money!

Even though a valid talent scout may be seriously interested in you, the agency will expect you to relocate to their area of business (New York, Los Angeles, etc.) with NO guarantee of getting work. The model or talent agency will not pay to relocate you.  Anyway, you can submit your photos for free to any model or talent agency anywhere.  You can also attend modeling agency open calls for free.  Legitimate talent agencies and modeling agencies never charge to see you.

So if you have $5,000-$10,000 to spend, you can have a good time, build your confidence and improve your audition skills.  Or you could spend that money on trip to New York and Los Angeles to make the rounds at the agencies that have open calls.  There will be plenty of money left over for acting classes, modeling clasees, photos and comp cards.

As a former owner, I DO support the idea of modeling schools and acting schools.  If it’s the right school, you can learn about the performing arts business, how to apply makeup, how to audition, how to do a cold read, how to walk the runway and much more.  Most importantly, models and actors gain so much confidence. All of these things will help you in the future no matter what your career choice.  And modeling and acting school is usually far less expensive than attending a convention.  

Attending a performing arts school for models and actors is not a requirement, but over the years I rarely had anyone who didn’t love it and benefit from it.  However, you must be realistic:  A school will not make you a superstar, no matter what they tell you.  Only you can do that!

Schools vary significantly, even within the same chain. Some have a model agency or talent agency to help you get work after you complete the training, some don’t, and some say they do but really don’t.  Check out claims of the agency’s success.  Ask for student and graduate referrals.  Find out about the background of the instructors.  Are they former students or professionals?

Shop around since prices vary as do services. Audit a class (sit in for free). Make sure the model and actors are learning something worthwhile rather than spending an hour meditating. Don’t be pressured.  Make an informed decision. 

No longer just about beauty, pageants are fun and exciting.  They can also be costly, political and full of stage mothers. Having trained many pageant contestants, I can tell you that the requirements are vastly different from the real world of modeling and acting.  Today’s models anbd actors are natural. On the pageant circuit, kids wear makeup and gowns, the runway walk is different and the entire experience is plastic and phony.  It hasn’t changed much since the 60’s. 

If pageants are your thing, have a great time.  You can gain confidence and poise, and learn to interact with people.  But be sure to remember that most of the techniques needed to compete successfully in pageants do not translate into today's modeling and acting.

Don’t pay money to work with any modeling agency, talent manager or photographer, even if they promise you a job. These people can’t make anyone hire you.

Don’t pay to sign a contract.  If you are offered a contract by a talent or modeling agency, ask to take it home to review it.  If the agency will not allow you to do this, be very suspicious. And signing a contract is free!

Most states require modeling agencies and talent agencies to be licensed.  The agency’s license is usually displayed in the lobby.  If you don’t see it, call the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs to check it out.  Talent managers do not require licenses.

Always check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the agency is reputable before signing anything. Go to www.bbb.com.  Also check out the agency with the State Attorney General by logging on to www.naag.org. Call the Federal Trade Commission 202-326-3650 before making a commitment.  Obviously, this is not necessary if the agency is Ford Modeling Agency, Elite Modeling Agency or similar  well-known talent agency.

Be very careful of ads in the local paper or on the Internet.  They may not be actual jobs, but are sometimes scams or something worse. There are some legitimate websites that list modeling jobs and acting jobs.  Use your common sense.

Also beware of any ads stating "models and actors needed--no experience necessary!"  Rarely will a legitimate agency advertise for new talent.  This includes most model searches. Get all the information possible and check it out before wasting your time. If you call and can't get a real person or a straight answer about the audition, forget about it.

Never pay to audition. You cannot buy fame or success in the performing arts.

Don’t pay money to get a modeling or acting job.  If they want money from YOU, it’s NOT a job. There are scams that claim the aspiring model can get a modeling job, but they need to pay for the clothing samples.  Are they serious?

Use caution and your common sense. 

If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS! 

WANT TO AVOID SCAMS? 

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