Face National Models and Talent
To Whom It May Concern:
I've recently been "selected" for representation
by Face National Models and Talent agency.
Their agency has given me their contract, but I haven't
signed it yet.
I don't have to pay anything (no classes, books, etc.).
The only thing I have to do is get a composite card.
They said it needs to be high fashion photography. I
could find my own professional high fashion photographer
but they recommend their own.
They are picky on what my comp card should look like,
and they said if they don't like it, they will ask me
to get it done again.
I have to get it done by the end of the month —and
I don't know what to do. Should I sign their contract?
They are having a workshop, but it's free. The home
of the agency is in North Carolina —and I live
in San Diego.
What should I do? The Better Business Bureau rates this
company unsatisfactory due to complaints not being fixed
by time requested.
Is this "Face" company for real?
Please help me.
It sounds like you've already almost figured it out.
There are several red flags:
* The company has an unsatisfactory rating at the BBB.
* You are in California and they are thousands of miles
away in North Carolina.
* You are in California and they are thousands of miles
away in North Carolina and the
BBB says they don't answer complaints (in good time).
* They want a lot of money for pictures, strongly recommend
their photographer, and they have a way to get you to
use their photographer —even if you get another
photographer to take the pictures. (They can always say "they're
not good enough.")
Any one of those flags would be enough to totally avoid
Face National Models and Talent. But together it is too
much, and there are more
complaints already received about the company,
and a warning
from a state authority.
Fashion modeling requires high quality and relatively
expensive photos starting out. However, going by their
website, it does not look as if Face National Models
and Talent gets models print or high fashion work, only
promotional modeling. Promotional modeling does not pay
nearly as much —and for promotional modeling a
snapshot can be enough.
Don't sign the contract whatever you do. Find a local
modeling agency. San Diego is a large city... there must
be something closer to home which has a good BBB rating,
does not focus on one photographer, will not force you
to spend $1,000 on pictures, does not have many recorded
complaints posted online, and deals with complaints in
a timely manner.
If you are still not convinced, and really want to investigate
further, ask Face National to provide the references
for several fashion modeling jobs they got models in
San Diego in the last year. Then call those references
and confirm.
It may also be worth asking your local agencies what
they think of the company, as the good ones will recognize
scams.
Probably the most important thing is Face
National Models and Talent is nowhere near you.
It is too easy for them to take your money and then
you could never hear from them again.
You can't fly to their office (too expensive), and they
could change their phone number, or simply hang up on
you. Right?
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