I got a call back from the Neal Hamil Agency based in Houston, Texas to come in for an open call.
Naturally, I am very excited but I also want to check them out as much as possible before driving 4 hours (i live in the Dallas area) for an open call.
They are a legit agency and just looking at the models on there website they have some faces that i recognize...Crystle Stewart Miss USA 2008, Stephanie Guerrero Miss Texas USA, and numerous models that I have seen in big name magazines.
on the down side, they have a myspace page...im not sure how many legit agencies have one, but when i googled them and there myspace page came up, it through me for a loop..
soo...if you know anything about them...good or bad, please feel free to share that info with me.
Richard Tallent wrote: They are a licensed talent agency in Texas.
They have represented some names you will recognize.
But, they are in Houston, Texas.
There is NO fashion or commercial work here to speak of.
So, they make most of their money by selling "modeling classes," etc. to aspiring models, not by commissions for models actually HIRED through them.
Ask them this: how many girls do they "represent" locally, and how much paid work (in dollars) did they cast locally in the last month.
Hint: they won't tell you.
They don't want to pay you. They want you to pay them.
Richard is right on target - you should check your local agencies in Dallas (there are some top notch ones there). Plus, Dallas has more work than Houston does
thank you soo much for the information.
I did read on the webpage that they are affiliated with the mayo-hill centre for modeling...which "teaches you how to be a model" and that made me very skeptical!
thanks again for the info!
"Affliated" in this case means that one is downstairs, the other is upstairs (literally). You enter the agency, they tell you that you are BORN 2 B A MODEL but that you aren't "client-ready," but that they "recommend" said modeling school.
Or, they will tell you that you are free to go practice and shoot with photographers yourself to build up a "client-ready" portfolio. Why would they say that? Under state law, they can't require you to take their classes as a prerequisite for representation. But even being represented doesn't mean squat around here. And if you don't choose their school, guess who decides whether your portfolio is "strong enough" when you return?
Richard Tallent wrote: They are a licensed talent agency in Texas.
They have represented some names you will recognize.
But, they are in Houston, Texas.
There is NO fashion or commercial work here to speak of.
So, they make most of their money by selling "modeling classes," etc. to aspiring models, not by commissions for models actually HIRED through them.
Ask them this: how many girls do they "represent" locally, and how much paid work (in dollars) did they cast locally in the last month.
Hint: they won't tell you.
They don't want to pay you. They want you to pay them.
Exactly what he said.
in addition, my own thoughts.
Many of their models are actually signed Dallas models, who signed with their agency, just to be repped in that market, if there is any work.
Many of the models who actually worked in Houston moved to Dallas, because there is more work there.
Have you tried all the reputable agencies in Dallas?
Kim Dawson, Campbell, Page Parkes (also has a school, ugh), The Clutts Agency
If you've tried them, try again. Go back with no photos, or awesome commercial photos.
You look like you have a bookable look, though you don't show any real smiling shots. I don't think going to a smaller, barely existant market is the answer for you.
1. If you have the "Look," "They," are looking for, nobody will care whether you went to Modeling School, or not. If they have to, they will teach you on the job.
2. If you don't have the look, figure, attitude, free time to go on "Look, See's," whatever. All the schools in the world won't matter one bit.
Many of their models are actually signed Dallas models, who signed with their agency, just to be repped in that market, if there is any work.
Many of the models who actually worked in Houston moved to Dallas, because there is more work there.
Have you tried all the reputable agencies in Dallas?
Kim Dawson, Campbell, Page Parkes (also has a school, ugh), The Clutts Agency
If you've tried them, try again. Go back with no photos, or awesome commercial photos.
You look like you have a bookable look, though you don't show any real smiling shots. I don't think going to a smaller, barely existant market is the answer for you.
Thanks for the GREAT advice.
I have tried Campbell and Kim Dawson, but that was before I had a real portfolio, I will try again before driving all the way to Houston.
oh yea, I just noticed that you're right, Im gonna add some smiling photos too
Thanks for the GREAT advice.
I have tried Campbell and Kim Dawson, but that was before I had a real portfolio, I will try again before driving all the way to Houston.
oh yea, I just noticed that you're right, Im gonna add some smiling photos too
Check out their new faces, that's what they want to see, if you bring photos.
Think JCPenneys, Dillards, cute outdoor editorial in Lucky magazine, type stuff.
Stephanie Vaneice wrote: on the down side, they have a myspace page...im not sure how many legit agencies have one, but when i googled them and there myspace page came up, it through me for a loop..
Stephanie Vaneice wrote: thank you soo much for the information.
I did read on the webpage that they are affiliated with the mayo-hill centre for modeling...which "teaches you how to be a model" and that made me very skeptical!
thanks again for the info!
John Edward wrote: I may get shot for saying this... But!
1. If you have the "Look," "They," are looking for, nobody will care whether you went to Modeling School, or not. If they have to, they will teach you on the job.
2. If you don't have the look, figure, attitude, free time to go on "Look, See's," whatever. All the schools in the world won't matter one bit.
That's just the way it is.
The first comment I heard on this Blog that makes sense ; )
What matters is the fact that they are a small agency, who operates a modeling school.
And there is next to no work in their market.
Don't listen to these people who DON'T know what they are talking about. To have an Agent is a BLESSING. They all do the EXACT same thing. Their is no such thing as a great Agency. It's all about thier budget and what kind of Talent they work with. Thier is A B and C list Agents. But please remember that the MAGIC is NOT with the Agency. It is with YOU !
Either you have what it takes upon an Open call Audition or you don't. Its real simple. If you DON'T have what it takes >> Get training.
No one in the real world will hire you anywhere with no experience. Agents are hungry for new talent but they have Bills just like you, so they arn't gonna waste thier Professional energy on someone who deosn;t even want to spend thier money to make thierself more valuable to the market place.
Truth be told we are living in a generation were young people make up to many excuses. Just DO IT and win !!
Duncan Project wrote: Every Professional Modeling Agency has a Myspace and Twitter.
ERRR... What was the point of bumping this old thread?
BTW not every agency has a myspace or twitter. That has no effect on their legitimacy. I'd be much more concerned if they have a license or not and what type of work, if any, they get for their models.
And another thing. If you don't have what it takes, you don't have what it takes. Training for the most part is not a good investment because training can not change genetics.
FEEL FREE TO REPLY ANYONE!
IN NEED OF IMPORTANT ADVICE:
I went to my interview with Jennifer and she gave me all this information and asked numerous questions. After that discussion, she offered me a spot in their modeling classes, but there was a catch. The classes are not free. They are a bit over $1,000, but payments can be made over time. She told me I do not have to go through with them and I can stop at any time.
I want to take the classes because she was right in saying that I did need help. I have never modeled before. Plus I don't want to waste a professionals time. My friend has a success story from them. She models for numerous people. I'm confused.
I have until next week to give a final answer. Please help!
K I C K H A M
Posts: 12,956
Los Angeles, California, US
Britteney Walton wrote: FEEL FREE TO REPLY ANYONE!
IN NEED OF IMPORTANT ADVICE:
I went to my interview with Jennifer and she gave me all this information and asked numerous questions. After that discussion, she offered me a spot in their modeling classes, but there was a catch. The classes are not free. They are a bit over $1,000, but payments can be made over time. She told me I do not have to go through with them and I can stop at any time.
I want to take the classes because she was right in saying that I did need help. I have never modeled before. Plus I don't want to waste a professionals time. My friend has a success story from them. She models for numerous people. I'm confused.
I have until next week to give a final answer. Please help!
When you bump an old thread, it does wonders if you actually read it first.
If you want to invest $1,000 in modeling, it's better spent on building a book.
Britteney Walton wrote: FEEL FREE TO REPLY ANYONE!
IN NEED OF IMPORTANT ADVICE:
I went to my interview with Jennifer and she gave me all this information and asked numerous questions. After that discussion, she offered me a spot in their modeling classes, but there was a catch. The classes are not free. They are a bit over $1,000, but payments can be made over time. She told me I do not have to go through with them and I can stop at any time.
I want to take the classes because she was right in saying that I did need help. I have never modeled before. Plus I don't want to waste a professionals time. My friend has a success story from them. She models for numerous people. I'm confused.
I have until next week to give a final answer. Please help!
Anything you need to learn about modeling you will learn via photographers that do test shoots for agencies, or via in-house training by your mother agency.
Any school that is offering to "teach you" to become a model is looking at the $$$ signs on your forehead.
| 
| 
| edu