Modeling Scams

OTM (On Track Modeling) aka AMG (Alpha Model Group)

To Whom It May Concern:

I am responding to Letter #20 by a person who just signed with OTM along with a friend.

You asked if you should still attend the shoot. My opinion is no —even if you do demand the name of the photographer.

I am not a naive person, and I tried to be very cautious about OTM. But at the time I didn't realize what was going on.

You see, I, too, attended their open call. The OTM raved about how I was absolutely what they were looking for, and personally told me I would be working a lot. And people standing around me were like: "Wow! You're lucky: he really liked you!"

Like many other girls who decide to pursue modeling, I have been approached several times by strangers asking if I am a model, or they know someone who can get me into the industry, or claiming to be photographers.

I had never pursued modeling until I attended the OTM open call with my boyfriend. I asked for examples of what the comp cards would look like, but they were NOTHING like what showed up in the mail!

So now I'm stuck with these useless cards, too embarrassed to even send anywhere. By the way, F.I., are you aware after all the money you spend, OTM keeps half of your cards, and gives you the other half to distribute to other agencies?

Another thing is when you go to view your slides, they offer you a modeling agency book —a list of agencies to which you can send your comp cards. Of course this is not for free!

Then they offer you a portfolio...

Can anyone tell me WHY on earth would I need a very, very expensive portfolio as a new model starting out!?

Portfolios are supposed to contain pictures of actual work that the model has done. The way I see it there is or never will be actual legitimate modeling work as long as you are affiliated with OTM.

And like others who wrote I have not heard from OTM since, except for this SPAM/advertisement via email. This is the actual letter:

Congratulations! We are very excited to extend to you the opportunity to attend the International Talent Management Model & Talent Invitational in Chicago at the historic Palmer House Hilton downtown Chicago.

 

As a part of our ongoing commitment to help you in furthering your career in this industry, On Track Modeling has teamed with the industry's leader in scouting and placement, International Talent Management (ITM).

 

International Talent Management is known for its high success rate in developing and placing models just like you all over the country and even internationally. ITM is a very selective organization, and through a submission recently made to ITM, we have received the lists of invited models to attend the upcoming event.

 

Miguel - Elite, NY
"It's great to be one of the first to see the best. I.T. was a very well constructed convention."

 

Philip - IMG, NY
"ITM has been great energy, great group of people, and amazing talent."

 

Scarlett - Calliope Talent, L.A.
"As always, this convention has been wonderful. A lot of great talent. ITM has done a great job."

 

Amy Garbo - Click, Worldwide
"The pool of talent is really strong. I had a great time and looking forward to the next invitational."

 

Scott Trost - First Look Talent, L.A.
"If you do one thing with your career, you should come to ITM. I.T. is a great experience. I.T. gives you a great opportunity to see what kind of potential you have."

 

Jeannine Doerfler - Click, Atlanta
"I've already signed three new models from I.T. ...and that was just from one event!"

 

This is just a sampling of statements made by agents that attended our last Invitational in Atlanta. The success of our last event has been overwhelming. The International Talent Management Model & Talent Invitational offers the chance for you to attend a unique event that is planned to offer to the participating models and actors the most exposure and education available in the industry today.

 

The Invitational consists of three days packed full of workshops, seminars and educational presentations. During this time, you will be placed in front of up to 40-45 of the world's top model and talent agencies who will be traveling in from New York, Miami, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Europe, and Asia.

 

These agents are coming to the event to find new and experienced models and actors to sign with their agencies. The ITM Invitationals have jumpstarted the careers of many models and actors by holding events of this nature.

 

Normally an event of this caliber ranges in cost from $1500 to $2000. International Talent Management's standard rate to attend is $600, but On Track Modeling has decided to partially sponsor the selected participants due to your current status! Your tuition will be only $300 for the full three-day event in front of the leading agencies from around the world.

 

**That's a 50% discounted rate!**

And not to mention it is held at the magnificent Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

 

We are very excited to be able to offer this to you, and highly recommend that you make arrangements to attend.

 

The Chicago 2002 Model & Talent Invitational will be held November 22nd - 24th at the Palmer House Hilton. This event is by invitation only; therefore you must contact International Talent Management immediately if you wish to attend.

 

Register by Friday November 1st to guarantee your spot at this exciting event.

 

See why I.T. can make IT happen for you! Click www.itmsearch.com for info on upcoming events or www.itmsearch.com/iteventform.html to register online for the November 2002 Model & Talent Invitational.

 

In order to insure proper instructions and rapid registration for our chosen participants, we have designated a representative to handle registration for the event. A representative will be available at 704-688-2102 ext. 5126 between the hours of 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM.

 

If it is necessary for you to leave a message, please remember to leave all applicable contact numbers so that we may return your call promptly.

 

ITM strives for excellence and hope that you agree this invitation is an excellent opportunity. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago.

 

International Talent Management

I am skeptical because during the open calls an OTM rep went on and on about how conventions were in his words "cattle calls," but this letter seems to be describing such an event.

Do you have some advice for me, too?

Thanks for writing.

You wrote: "I am skeptical because during the open calls an OTM rep went on and on about how conventions were in his words "cattle calls," but this letter seems to be describing such an event."

I had read the same thing about OTM, that they dissed modeling conventions. The author of Letter#5 said: "I was driving down the road and, on the biggest teenage radio station in town, OTM's commercial came on. The ad said: "Are you tired of those modeling conventions?"

Perhaps OTM is not as tired of those modeling conventions as people are led to believe.

I also think you are absolutely right about the photography pricing and portfolio. The pricing of photos by OTM is inconsistent with their abilities. They do events. They are not a fashion modeling agency. They also make money off the photos. Agencies are not supposed to do that.

In some states it is illegal to require photos for representation and in any case it is a conflict of interest raising serious ethical questions.

Reputable agencies which are involved in photography make sure models are not charged for photos until after they work, thereby protecting the models from being ripped off and protecting them from looking like modeling photography scam artists.

OTM does not do this. They do not delay the payment for photos until after the models work. Therefore the models are not protected. There is in fact no protection from them being ripped off.

OTM is based in Charlotte, N.C. Contact the Attorney General in North Carolina and file a complaint if you feel you are the victim of a modeling scam. The Attorney General has already sued a modeling agency which was running a modeling photography scam. See the complaints and news story about Model Select International.

There is a pattern of complaints against OTM on this website similar to the pattern of complaints against Model Select International, but the BBB has not figured out what is going on, or they do not record a pattern of complaints against OTM by consumers. So my point is do not complain to the BBB, complain to the Attorney General. Or if you complain to the BBB, do not only complain to the BBB, also or first complain to the AG.

The AG of NC knows what modeling photography scams look like. He even made comments about them published in the news. If the allegations made by aspiring models against OTM are true, and the AG of NC makes the same conclusion as you guys, why do you think the he will not prosecute OTM the same way he did MSI?

What it is with North Carolina?! There are so many complaints about "modeling agencies" in North Carolina. It's pathetic. There is another company which has the same business model as OTM and into high-price photos. Check out the practices of and complaints against FACE.

Where the hell is the Attorney General of North Carolina?

It's about time the legislators of North Carolina created a new law in NC to match the tough modeling agency laws of New York State, Texas, and Florida. Right now there is no law in NC to protect aspiring models who are repeatedly gouged and abandoned.