Great American Model and Talent
Search
(Aquarian Associates)
To Whom It May Concern:
I was hoping that maybe you had heard of Aquarian
Associates, Inc., also known as the Great
American Model and Talent Search.
We already paid $440 to attend a convention in Los Angeles,
California, at the Sheridan Hotel. It will cost
us another $800-900 to fly us out there and pay
hotel expenses.
What advice or info could you give me?
Thanks so much,
H.G.
The mailing address is:
GREAT AMERICAN MODEL & TALENT SEARCH
394 Rodi Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
The website address is:
http://www.aquarianassociates.com/
The BBB record said:
- Information supplied by the company indicates they
advertise a modeling & talent search called an
open call. At the open call there is a brief interview
and an on camera evaluation. Those of school age, or
older are also provided a script to read. Infants and
small children are just filmed.
-
- Participants in the Open Call who are deemed by industry
professionals as having potential are sent an acknowledgment
letter inviting them back for a meeting reviewing the
company's offer to participate in their annual Event
held in Los Angeles, California, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
-
- Participants are divided into age group and display
their talents to what the company calls industry professionals.
To participate in the Event consumers are required
to pay a non-refundable registration fee. All expenses
to and from the Event are at the participant's expense.
-
- Consumers are advised that Aquarian Associates and
Great American Model & Talent Search do not offer
employment nor do they provide representation or agent
services.
Although the BBB said: "This company has a satisfactory
record with the Bureau," it may not have a satisfactory
success rate, and it probably does not have a satisfactory
screening process.
Their website said:
- The Great American Model & Talent Search is a
division of AQUARIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. The company was
founded in 1969 and the search was established in 1986.
We have provided men, women, teens and children exposure
to talent agents, casting directors, producers, personal
managers, photographers and clients resulting in numerous
opportunities in the model and talent industry.
Numerous opportunities? What about successes? Why don't
they tell you their success rate? Opportunities is not
the issue; the issue is successes. Is it just me or does
that not sound vague and flaky?
There was no disclaimer, either in the BBB record (like
MSA and NYC Fame), or on their website, saying their
success rate. The website itself only showed about 10
pictures, none of which are named, none of which are
claimed as successes. They look like stock photos. They
are not tear sheets. This is all very unconvincing.
You should know the success rates of modeling conventions
are typically very low. Which is most likely why the
organizers do not tell you. The failure rate is probably
90% at most conventions. For this reason, they obviously
need outside help. Professional help.
The BBB record said they have "industry professionals" who
think certain people have potential. But if their success
rate is as low as other conventions (and there is no
reason to believe it is any better, since they don't
tell you it is higher), these "industry professionals" are
incompetent.
Find out if Great American Model and Talent
Search screens prospective models using qualified
and competent industry professionals, i.e. the agents
who are going to attend the convention. The pictures
should be sent to the agents for review and screening
before you pay. Then you attend the convention based
on unbiased opinion.
You could ask for cold hard data with regards to success
rates. The questions are very simple. Ask them how many
people attended their last convention. Ask them how many
people who attended the last convention were signed with
a reputable agency. Then ask for names (model/agency).
If they had a low success rate, or if they don't give
you a straight answer, or if they don't have that information,
you will be better able to figure out whether or not
you should cut your losses ($440), instead of paying
more ($800-900), and risking losing about $1,500.
Please note you don't need a search or a convention
to get discovered. You can visit local agencies free,
or send pictures to reputable agencies.
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