Face National Models and Talent
To Whom It May Concern:
I went to a FACE Models meeting earlier this evening.
First there was an initial screening. I was asked back
for a presentation later that evening.
At this presentation they explained themselves, and
what they expect, and what to expect.
They told everyone there that they were only hiring
23 more people.
This is the only part that seems suspicious to me —it
seems you would hire whoever met the criteria you were
looking for. Were they going to hire 60 people total
even if only non-model people showed up?
So everyone there was given a phone number to call back
the next day, and get their verdict.
They did say that anyone contracted would need composite
cards, and therefore a photo shoot with a high-fashion
photographer. This was obviously something that would
cost some money.
They said they will be flying in their own photographers
in May for six days, and that if needed 40 people would
be able to use them. Only 40 because that was all the
time they had.
Otherwise you would need to use the local photographer
(apparently there is only one in my city), or go to Seattle.
Also they said we would need professional hair and make-up
artists for the photo shoot. I understood that this should
be provided in the rate of the shoot, and also we would
need to own the copyright to the photos.
Everything seemed up front and legit to me.
I came home to check out the website. It didn't come
up, so I did a search, and your site was the first one
I looked at. I am glad I did.
I don't necessarily think it is a scam, but I am glad
to know to be a little more cautious.
Anyhow, after a little more work, I found a link to
the website that works. So they do have one. It is the
only thing that made me really skeptical.
Go to: http://www.facemodels.com/
What is it about their website that made you really
skeptical? Please elaborate.
The only thing that made me skeptical was that it didn't
come up with the web address provided.
Once I did a little 'footwork' and found it, I felt
better about it.
I met with them today and signed a non-exclusive contract
with them. In the contract it plainly states there is
no guarantee of work.
They claim, though, that 73% of their models are working,
and those not working turn down jobs.
The whole experience seemed very no-nonsense.
The only angle I can see on this would be to contract
a bunch of people and then try and make money on a photo
shoot. But that does seem unlikely to me at this point.
I will certainly keep you updated as per my experience
and would appreciate any feedback you might have.
You wrote: "The only thing that made me skeptical
was that it didn't come up with the web address provided."
What website address did they provide?
Speaking of their website, did you see any references
on the website to companies with which models got work,
e.g., model's name, stats, resume, company? Or are they
all just pictures?
The difference between a modeling photo and a modeling
portfolio is the portfolio has tear sheets, etc., work
done for companies. A photo which is not a tear sheet
could simply be a model who never got any work.
Companies do look for fresh faces, but they also like
models with experience. Tear sheets are the proof of
experience. If Face National Models and Talent has models
with experience, and they are promoting them online,
why don't they use tear sheets?
Furthermore, since tear sheets bring credibility to
a company in the eyes of aspiring models, because they
are perhaps the strongest evidence they get models print
work, why aren't there any tear sheets?
(I didn't see any; if you see them, please send the
links.)
You made a good observation earlier about the quota
Face National Models and Talent set: "They told
everyone there that they were only hiring 23 more people."
It seems to support earlier complaints and the contention
they are a modeling photography mill.
You would be well advised to continue your research
in three specific areas:
1. Check their rating and complaints at the Better Business
Bureau.
2. Get proof of their success rate claim.
3. Get the name(s) of the photographer(s) they use and their
website address(es), and then determine if they have been published
in magazines (tear sheets), and produce professional quality
work.
If you want to be even more conscientious, find out
what percentage of their models do print work, and what
percentage do promotional work. There can be a huge difference
in earnings. Also get a clear idea of the amount of work
their models get. You want to know the quality and quantity.
The bottom line is it will be helpful so you can determine
your chances of making more money through modeling than
you spend on photos.
The complaints in the past have been Face National Models
and Talent do not respond to complaints. Apparently they
do not have offices outside of their state and office
in Charlotte, North Carolina, listed in the file of the
Better Business Bureau.
If that is the case and you are in Washington (you mentioned
Seattle), all the way over on the other side of the country,
thousands of miles away, how do you feel about being
represented by a company so far away? If they change
their contact numbers, etc., what will you do?
The other complaints were about the quality of the photography.
Find out if they have a guarantee on the quality of the
photography. If they don't but their photographer takes
rushed or poor pictures, you will still have to pay.
|
