Robert Amatruda and Associates
To Whom It May Concern:
I just went to an interview with the photographer of
Robert Amatruda and Associates. His name is Shaun Alexander
and you can get more information on Zoomonme.com. He
seems like a respectable photographer and, unlike many
others, I am willing to go to LA to go to the photo shoot.
The whole shoot including portfolios, photoshoot, makeup,
ZED cards, and everything will be about $2,600.
Now I am willing to pay for it as long as I am going
to be receiving what I am paying for. I know that I may
not get many if any jobs from Robert Amatruda and Associates,
but I believe that if they give me my portfolio, and
I am satisfied with it, then I can go off on my own and
pick out my own agent.
Now they are asking for the money upfront. And from
reading your scam letters, it may not be wise.
What I am asking is if I should tell him to fill out
a contract stating that on the day we arrive he will
be there and do the shots and within a month, he will
have provided me with what I am paying for, make him
sign and get a witness so just in case this is a scam,
I will at least get what I paid for back? I do think
he is a respectable man, but I just want to take all
precautions.
Any thoughts to add?
Thanks,
S.M.
P.S: PLEASE write me back by November 3, 2002 around
12 PM (MT), because I am calling him back about my decision
then.
S.,
Was "November 3" a typo? Your email was received
on November 4.
You said: "I am willing to pay for it as long as
I am going to be receiving what I am paying for. I know
that I may not get many if any jobs from Robert Amatruda
and Associates, but I believe that if they give me my
portfolio, and I am satisfied with it, then I can go
off on my own and pick out my own agent."
You may be overlooking an important point. Comp cards
usually have the name/address of the agency which is
representing the model. This is not a sticker like an
address label you can peel off; it is printed on the
card with the photos. Therefore you cannot just find
another agent, as you suggested: you would have to get
the cards reprinted.
A few days ago, the parent of an aspiring model wrote,
saying they paid for many expensive comp cards, which
included the name of the agency representing their daughter,
but they were all wasted, because the agency suddenly
shut down. They cannot use them. They said they were "left
with a massive amount of comp cards on which were printed "ICE" which
we couldn't use." (ICE was the agency name.)
But you said you would pay not only for comp cards but
also for a portfolio. What exactly did you have in mind?
Comp cards and a portfolio are not same thing. You do
need comp cards starting out, but you do not need a portfolio.
The best portfolio is a collection of examples of work
you have already done, like tear sheets, and maybe some
other photos, showing what you could do, but the biggest
issue here is what type of modeling you anticipate. If
it is not high fashion, you might be able to start with
comp cards. The portfolio should match the modeling jobs
you anticipate to be convincing.
Another point is if an agency is going to set you up
with a portfolio, they will choose not only the right
photographer, but also the type of look for you based
on their knowledge of what will be most marketable for
you and the look that is "in."
Agencies can be very particular about this, and the
look that is in can and does change, so you cannot assume
this is a minor point. If they feel your portfolio is
not marketable, they will toss it out, and you would
have to pay again. Therefore you want to get it right
the first time.
Now you didn't say where you live. You said you are
prepared to fly to LA, and you mentioned you are in a
MT time zone. Where exactly did you plan to get work?
LA or where you live? Are you moving to LA? If you are
not, then how are you going to model?
If you are prepared to fly into LA for a photo shoot,
are you also prepared to fly into LA any time and every
time you want to get work as a model? For every casting
call and go see? If casting directors know you don't
live in LA, do you really expect them to ask you to visit?
As a new model, or an aspiring model, you really need
to be within driving distance of the place where you
model. The exception is already established and successful
models who can and do fly anywhere, often, but the models
have a resume, and the clients know what they are getting,
and they typically pay for the airfare.
Cindy Crawford used to travel a lot, but when she started,
she had to drive to work. She had to drive to Chicago
all the time to model there when she was a teenager until
she moved to Chicago after graduating from high school.
Are you within driving distance of where you could work
as a model?
You are talking about a very expensive proposition.
The total price of the photoshoot, including all the
extra stuff, is very expensive. It is probably 2-3x more
than what you should pay. Then you add the cost of the
airfare round trip and what are you looking at? More
than $3,000?
If you go through with this you are taking a huge financial
risk which is apparently compounded significantly because
you don't (if you don't) live anywhere near where you
could get work.
Any time a modeling agency wants their models to pay
more than $1,000 for comp cards or portfolios when they
are new models starting out, the payment should not be
due until the model gets work, taken from the first paycheck.
This is how it works at top agencies in New York, for
example. The new models do not have to take huge financial
risks. They do not have to pay extreme upfront fees.
They may pay a lot for photography and photos, or even
more than most, but they don't take any risk, so they
cannot get scammed.
Since in your case you would have to pay about $3,000
in upfront fees, and it sounds as if you are new to the
modeling world, are you convinced you know what you are
doing?
Your idea of getting a contract specially designed to
protect your interests is probably not going to protect
you. It would probably not work or be advisable unless
you had a lawyer to review it, but that would cost you
even more money, and they may not even agree to it.
Of the photographer you said: "He seems like a
respectable photographer." Based on what? I don't
think the photographer is the main issue here. More importantly
what do you know about Robert Amatruda?
A background check showed he has an extensive background
and relationship with the John Casablancas modeling schools.
A JC website said Amatruda is: "a former owner of
JC Centers in Connecticut," and he still goes to
them.
You really should read the letters
on John Casablancas modeling schools and
learn more about modeling
schools in general. Find out why one talent
manager said modeling schools are complete scams.
Then you will start to understand where Robert Amatruda
is coming from, and why he is into extremely high
upfront fees for aspiring models, for photos or schools,
even when they don't get work.
Robert
Amatruda and Associates Letters Index
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