OTM (On Track Modeling) aka
AMG (Alpha Model Group)
To Whom It May Concern:
I am very, VERY glad to have found your site before
I was able to give any money to this "agency" who
identified themselves as "OTM" (On Track Models).
They stated they had offices in Charlotte, as well as
a couple of other cities.
First of all, let me tell you a little something about
myself. I am a 20-year-old model and currently represented
by a reputable modeling agency.
I attended this OTM thing in Minnesota, along with my
cousin, who's just getting started into modeling. I am
also looking to broaden my modeling horizons, so if I
liked what I found, I thought, sure, I'd love to add
another agency to the list to represent me.
The first discrepancy I noticed was the radio ads. "DON'T
BRING YOUR MONEY! WE JUST WANT YOU!" and their over-willingness
to reiterate a thousand times: "WE ARE NOT A SCAM." "We
don't want your money," the chipper man with a southern
accent clammored.
In the initial hour-long informative meeting, they went
through the basic know-how of the modeling industry,
i.e. what types of models there are, etc.
They also pointed out other such modeling "scams" —like
schools, et cetera.
This was obviously designed to gain a rapport with the
audience —to make them feel as if this was the
Real Deal, as opposed to all those evil SCAMS out there.
On the way out, they did "mini interviews," at
which they'd decide who makes the initial "cut."
You'd then call the next day at the alotted time, and
they'd tell you whether you "made it" or not.
Well, I did, and I came the next night.
There were about 20 people in the room. Then, we were
primed. We were told we were the "chosen" ones,
based on what they believed our marketability was.
Here comes the "money" part they said to "leave
at home" in their initial ads.
The sca* is in their so-called professional "photographer." Basically,
they put you under, extremely, EXTREMELY high pressure
to use THEIRS, for only what?
About 700 dollars. For this, they said, you'd get 3-4
looks, a makeup artist, and a photographer whom they
bragged up to epic proportions.
The second option wasn't brought up until I asked the
question myself: "Do you HAVE to use their photographer?"
The woman seemed miffed.
You can find your own, but there are some pretty hefty
guidelines they employ. The photographer HAS to be a
licensed "professional" fashion photographer.
This of course was said after extreme (and I mean extreme)
discouragement of finding your "own" photographer.
"I can tell you," the man said, "you
will not find ANY better deal with a professional photographer."
Then they threw out estimates —2,000- and 3,000-dollar
figures, so the $700 would sound cheap by comparison.
It was simple. We were asked if we were going with their
photographer or not. Those who did had a prompt polaroid
taken and were asked to stay. They were told they could
begin finding them work "right away." These
were done deals, they didn't even have to worry about
this workshop deadline.
(The "workshop" is something we're all supposed
to be called back to meet for in a month in which they
teach us how to 'model.' This, they said, was free.)
And those who went with their "own" photographer
got a big "O.P." [Own Photographer] scribbled
upon their folder. Then we were asked to leave.
"I can tell you what we do with these," this
woman said, holding a pile of "O.P's." She
threw them on the ground. "Only TWELVE percent of
people who say they're going with their OWN photographer
return."
(Well, I wonder why.)
She was making it seem as, if, suddenly, because of
the simple fact that we wished to use our own, we weren't "serious" about
modeling.
That isn't even the best part. You are to bring the "copyrights" (if
you go with your own photographer) to the pictures —which
means a great deal of slides.
Apparently, if they're not exactly what they're looking
for, if they're not "high fashion" enough,
if they're not on par professionally with their "chosen" photographer,
guess what —you're not admitted to the workshop.
Buh-bye, they tell you, come back next year.
Their whole spiel was to make us, the beginning model,
think, "These are PROFESSIONALS here!" They're
not just gonna send "crap" (their word) comp
cards to THEIR clients. Oh no, only the best.
One more note: the lady who said she'd "scrutinize" our
slides? She listed no other credibility other than that
she's "been in the industry for years" and "can
tell crap when she sees it."
Oh, they don't like "crap" now, do they?
I'd be willing to doubt she has any photography experience
whatsoever.
On a side note, if you presented her with photos from
four different photographers, two "professional" high
fashion and two portrait photographers, I highly doubt
she'd be able to tell which was which.
I myself have been scammed before and am sick of people
being ripped off.
Another tip off of its lack of credibility: they became
extremely defensive when a few people in the crowd began
suggesting it was a scam.
"If you don't think I'm a hundred percent, there's
the door," the guy said boisterously.
I was about one of four who decided to not go with their
photographer, whose work, I might add, looked like a
terribly overhyped amateur was behind it.
The chick was very rude to us, too, but only to those
of us who didn't intend to give them a damn penny.
There were other discrepancies, but I know this letter
is getting quite lengthy. If I can convince one person
out there not to do this, the time I spent writing it
will be of value.
Here's a tip to starters: you get your own reputable
photographer, you get some good headshots, and you mail
them out to agencies who are in good standing, who will
respond (and NOT ask for your money) if they like what
they see.
Thank you,
I had contacted you some time ago about OTM. I was just
writing to say you can sure as hell put my letter up
now.
I had let you know about their whole "process," and
after finding out I wasn't going to give them $700+ to
go with their rinky dink photographer, they didn't even
contact me again, which ruins their credibility completely,
in my eyes.
I was going to bring my cousin who wants to break into
modeling with me that night, and now I'm glad I didn't.
All they are is a waste of time.
|
