International Modeling and Talent
Association (IMTA)
To Whom It May Concern:
I am 16. I was recruited in March 2002 at the mall by
a scouting company called OTG.
Someone approached me in the mall and flattered me,
said that I have good height, I'm in propper proportion,
I have nice skin, high cheek bones, etc., and gave me
a card for a meeting.
After rescheduling, I went to the meeting, where I was
asked to come back for a personal 45-minute interview
the following week.
I went back the following week. They measured me and
said I qualified for print, promotional, and teen acting.
They required a $625 payment for a digital comp card
on their site.
Reluctantly my parents agreed, after hearing empty,
money-hungry promises from the director of the company.
From then on I was required to pay $20 a month to remain
on the site.
The site was supposed to "promote" me to modeling
agencies all over the world.
So far, after five months of payment, I have received
five emails of auditions for liquor advertisements (even
though OTG is well aware of the fact that I am a minor).
Two of those five emails were repeated information about
an "L.A. superstar search." May I ask in what
way is that of assistance to me?
Then another one was a free trip to Cancun. Again I
ask how is my $725 being used?
After weeks of useless garbage that wasn't getting me
anywhere, I received a flyer in the mail for an audition
to attend a convention with IMTA, International Modeling
and Talent Association, in conjunction with Barbizon
Montaclair.
What I would like to know is if this is another piece
of useless garbage, or if I should take the opportunity.
Looking at the fact that your website exists for issues
of this type, I hope that you can help clarify some of
this nonsense. Because at this point neither my parents
nor I have any patience for this "talent/modeling" industry
any more.
A.B.
A.,
OTG has the most extreme comp card website prices. IMTA
has the most extreme convention prices. Barbizon may
have the most extreme prices for their charm school.
Barbizon, as far as I know, charges more than $1,000.
OTG charges at least $595 before the $20 monthly tax.
IMTA charges at least $5,000.
This is just to get in the door or on the website. They
take the money even if the aspiring model gets no work.
They get this money upfront.
Neither OTG nor IMTA state their success rate. We don't
know what percentage of models are signed by agencies
after being in their showcase.
One published news report by Fox news said OTG could
not provide proof their members were getting signed by
agencies.
Neither OTG nor IMTA have a money-back guarantee. Once
they are paid they will keep your money, even you are
not signed, and get no paying work.
Those who sign up with both OTG and IMTA are subject
to highly questionable scouting and a huge conflict of
interest.
News reports suggest OTG signs up anyone who will pay
a fee, which means their "scouting" is not
scouting but recruiting. Recruiters are paid by the number
of people they recruit.
The "scouts" don't have or don't have to have
industry experience, and they don't work as bookers at
modeling or talent agencies, so they don't know what
look clients want.
The people who go to IMTA were not screened by photo
by top agents before they paid $5,000.
Try to avoid getting involved with modeling businesses
which are not paid only by commissions. Otherwise you
are taking all the financial risks.
OTG and IMTA are the most expensive. Shop around! Find
what is free or cheap. Like an open call at a reputable
modeling agency.
It is extremely easy to understand why Barbizon, OTG,
and IMTA would be associated with each other! They all
get money up front and lots of it. They have all figured
out how to get the most money from aspiring models even
if they fail to get them work.
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