Last post by Libby A. in topic More PhotosTopics: 2760Posts: 29225 |
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 ID: 228669 Posts: 87 | Date: 2008-01-30 19:50 Modeling scams many times start with bogus model scouts. Model scouts, after
all, are usually the first people aspiring models meet, for example, in a mall,
on the street, or at an event.
Instead of the aspiring models going to an agency, the agency in effect comes to
them through a model scout. Instead of waiting passively for the potential
models to find the agency, the scouts actively seek out models in public
places.
The model scouts form the bridge between the modeling company and the potential
model. Potential models can meet the scouts before they have even heard of the
company.
If you can discern bogus model scouts from real model scouts, you can avoid many
modeling scams. But if you cannot tell the difference, you will start down the
path which leads you into a trap and becoming a modeling scam victim.
The first thing that needs to be understood is in the modeling industry there
are no official standards, no regulated teachings, no certified teachers, and no
licenses required to be model scouts. There is no model scout college, school,
or class under the administration of an official industry organization.
Therefore there is no industry standard. Because there is no industry standard
to train, and no examination to pass, no license to be given, and no
organization to monitor the practices of model scouts to ensure they act
ethically and abide by industry rules, you never know just what a person means
when they tell you, "I am a model scout."
You have no idea what training, if any, they received. You don't know who
trained them if they did receive training. You don't know the teacher's
qualifications. You don't know if they have any experience scouting. You don't
know if they have had any success scouting. You don't know if they have worked
for a modeling agency. And you probably don't know how they are paid.
But all of these issues are significant in determining whether a so-called
"model scout" is legitimate, or whether that "scout" is just the front end or
the "face" of a modeling scam.
Do not assume complete strangers who call themselves model scouts are
legitimate. If they appear as if they could be legitimate, do not give personal
information, ask for a business card. A business card does not prove someone is
a model scout, but it is a stepping stone to getting answers to basic
information.
The first thing to do is verify the "scout" is in fact a representative of the
firm for which they claim to work. There are bogus model scouts who falsely
claim to represent top agencies. This has happened before. When these agencies
are called, they deny it, and say they have never heard of them before.
If the agency does in fact have a model scout by the name on the business card,
find out from the agency the scout's background. This will give you a clue to
whether or not the agency is legitimate.
Besides modeling agencies, there are other modeling companies, also called model
scouting companies, or even scouting agencies, which have model scouts. These
model scouts, however, are really just salesmen and saleswomen.
They are selling modeling photos, modeling classes, modeling conventions, model
advertising, online comp cards, a product or service with upfront fees, or they
are the lure to the people who actually do the direct selling, either in person,
or through telemarketing.
Legitimate model scouts are paid after the model gets work: bogus model scouts
are paid before the model gets work. Legitimate model scouts are paid only if
the model works: bogus model scouts are paid even if the model does not get work
or even if the model does not get representation. Legitimate model scouts scout
for models: bogus model scouts troll for recruits.
Modeling scams, as noted earlier, start many times with bogus model scouts, and
the deception by these people can start when they mislead the consumer through
using a deceptive job title: "model scout."
Using the term "scout" is an inaccurate and misleading representation.
"Salesman" or "saleswoman" is more accurate. Salespeople are paid by commission.
So are many of these so-called "model scouts." They are paid x dollars for every
person they get to sign up.
For example, there is an internet model advertising company which pays its
salespeople (called model scouts) a $20 commission for every person they sign
up; and there is a model convention which pays its salespeople (called model
scouts) $250 for everyone they recruit.
As long as these salesmen and women can convince you they are model scouts and
not salespeople, you will be under the impression you are being "selected" and
become vulnerable to flattery.
Anyone who complements you can flatter you, but there is clear potential for a
significantly greater impact when the flattery comes from people representing
themselves as industry professionals. Using the job title "model scout" is like
a representation of an industry professional.
In other words, when a salesperson leads someone to believe they are scouts or
qualified to scout, it gives the impression they do not speak to many people,
but they only single out those whom they feel, based on industry experience,
possess rare qualities which will make them marketable as models.
Just using the title "model scout" implies not only industry experience but also
industry expertise. However, many or most of these sales people posing as model
scouts have neither the industry experience nor the industry expertise to work
as model scouts.
In the final analysis, model scouts who are not working for modeling agencies
should be avoided. They are in it to sell you something, they have an agenda, or
there is a conflict of interest.
The opinion of the salespeople regarding your potential as a model is biased. It
is not based on their relationships with clients after working as bookers and
knowing what types of models the clients wanted in the past, and the current
look they want now; instead, it is based on your ability to pay for the products
or services they can sell you.
Success Rate
While it may be very difficult to find out the qualifications of someone acting
as a model scout, it is not very difficult to find out if they are qualified,
based on their success rate, a clear reflection of their incompetence.
The success rate is not the number of people who were recruited; it is the
number of people who became models and the earnings of the models.
Some of the most unqualified model scouts are those men and women who scout for
modeling conventions.
An aspiring model reported the so-called "model scouts" who selected people for
a modeling convention failed miserably, because the model agents who attended
the event rejected almost everyone the "scouts" thought were potential models.
Out of 600 there were only 10 call backs.
Even using the lowest standard of call backs, instead of signing with an agency,
or getting work through an agency, that represents a 1.7% success rate -- or a
98.3% failure rate!
Such an extremely high failure rate is proof the so-called "model scouts" are
unqualified or unfit to be scouting for models.
This is why it is important for aspiring models to know the success rate of
model scouts. It could be the only way of knowing if they know what they are
talking about when they suggest you could be a model, or you are "model
material." Are they model scout material?
Professional Opinion
Accepting the claims of a so-called model scout is like accepting their
professional opinion. How professional is their opinion? Is it professional
enough for you to pay for it? Would you hire that person, as a consultant, for
example, to give you their professional opinion about your potential as a
model?
When you stop to think about it, that is exactly what you are doing when you pay
for a product or service after being scouted.
With the model scout working for the modeling convention mentioned earlier, who
is paid $250 for every "potential model" who signs up, that $250 comes out of
the potential model's wallet.
So that $250 you give to the model organizers, who then give to the model scout,
you could just as easily give directly to the scout, and the rest of the
convention cost give directly to people running the convention.
Therefore it is the same as hiring a model scout or model consultant for $250. A
model scout is essentially a model consultant.
Imagine you wanted to know if you had potential as a model. So you hire a model
consultant. The consultant will give you their professional opinion and for the
model evaluation you only have to pay $250.
First you would want to know if they are qualified. Would you pay them $250 if
their failure rate was 99%?
The bottom line with many "model scouts" who are paid by commission on the
number of recruits is incompetence or a conflict of interest or both
incompetence and a conflict of interest. Either can lead you to waste your money
and get scammed; both almost certainly will.
Before you pay for their overhyped product or service, ask yourself:
"Someone who is almost a complete failure in their work is advising me to spend
hundreds of dollars. Should I pay them for their advice? Should I follow through
with their advice and pay for their recommended product or service?"http://www.onemodelessencelimited.com |
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