Maria Cee wrote:
I searched through threads to see if I could find another post on this, but didn't, so I apologize if this a repeat.

I've googled this agency in Destin, FL and only found one small link calling it a scam so far, but she's offering a free consultation so not sure where the scam comes into play. However, I'm not going to be too happy to drive 9 hours and realize it was all for nothing...

Not familiar with this particular agency, but the business model for most places with "free consultations" is to get you in the door then do the hard sell.   Destin is not known for being a capital of fashion modeling either so my instinct would be to tell you to save your money.   What are your goals for modeling anyway?  If just art and promo work you will not need an agency.   

I'll leave the fashion model advice to the experts here on MM, the agency standard for fashion is quite strict.

Maria Cee wrote:
I searched through threads to see if I could find another post on this, but didn't, so I apologize if this a repeat.

I've googled this agency in Destin, FL and only found one small link calling it a scam so far, but she's offering a free consultation so not sure where the scam comes into play. However, I'm not going to be too happy to drive 9 hours and realize it was all for nothing...

I know nothing of this agency.  They are not in a major fashion centre, but perhaps they do scout for models in their area and have relationships with the agencies in NY, LA and Miami. 

But Hollywood FL is about a 30 minute drive from downtown Miami so why don't you just go to the open calls at local agencies?  At 5'5" and 30 yrs old you will likely want to focus on talent agencies rather than the larger fashion agencies that usually want models closer to 5'9" or taller and 16 to 20 when they sign.

Just my $0.02

FredSugar wrote:
Not familiar with this particular agency, but the business model for most places with "free consultations" is to get you in the door then do the hard sell.   Destin is not known for being a capital of fashion modeling either so my instinct would be to tell you to save your money.   What are your goals for modeling anyway?  If just art and promo work you will not need an agency.   

I'll leave the fashion model advice to the experts here on MM, the agency standard for fashion is quite strict.

Thanks for the input. My gut was telling me this was going to be the case. My goals for modeling are to get into commercial print and tv. I was hoping this place would direct me to the best agencies for my particular look, but I think I'll stick with what ChiMo is recommending. Thanks everyone!

Photographe wrote:
I scouted for Aida at Storm some years ago, as a paid enterprise.

The scout gets paid by the agent.

Ask yourself, do you want to drive 9 hours to hear someone pitch you for a paid service, that has not actually achieved you any results.

Why employ someone, when others do the job on a commission-only basis.

Offer them 25% of any contracts they find you. The rest is pointless.

It sounds more like it is legit than scam, but do you want to legitimately throw your money at someone who needs to pitch the public, to make their income. I question the level of contacts and ability to find models paid work, if they need to take a fee from models. Usually any service charging models this way is pointless and doesn't actually live up to the claims they make about their positioning in the industry.

You're not a law enforcer, your focus should be on whether this is a good business move or not. From the limited glance I took at this issue, I'd say you're better investing your money with genuine industry contacts.

If you visit Model Scout Bennett on Facebook and read what they do, the you would see that they do not charge for anything. If they place you to an agency the agency pays them a commission of what the talent makes. So nothing is out of pocket for the talent. They only make money if the talent works and makes $ as a model/actor. The commission breakdown (that comes from the agencies, NOT THE TALENT) is only 10%… so although you have a basic understanding, it is a over exaggerated with an unfortunate negative connotation.

Guss W wrote:
In Florida, ask for their state talent agency registration number and verify it here:
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID=

I did not find it by a name search.

Useful information here, but the directions to the state web site are outdated:
http://www.filminflorida.com/ela/tma.asp

In the state of florida you need a consultation license to be a "mother agent". It isn't considered a talent agency, because Model Scout Bennett does not book work for their talent, they place them to agencies internationally and then the agencies pay Model Scout Bennett a commission. So nothing is ever out of pocket for the talent. Also, in the state of Florida a person can be a personal manager to a maximum of two talents at once without needing a talent agency license or the state minimum bond.

Maria Cee wrote:
I searched through threads to see if I could find another post on this, but didn't, so I apologize if this a repeat.

I've googled this agency in Destin, FL and only found one small link calling it a scam so far, but she's offering a free consultation so not sure where the scam comes into play. However, I'm not going to be too happy to drive 9 hours and realize it was all for nothing...

You should just email them digitals and see if they are even interested in you. They only make a small commission from the agencies that they work for, so if they don't feel you will work and make money then they will not waste their time. They represent great talent all over the world, so they aren't going to rip-off someone and jeopardize their livelihood and reputation. [email protected]

Mortonovich wrote:
Looks like a place that will offer to develop your book and shop it to agencies. For a fee, of course.

Test with some GOOD, SOLID photographers yourself and go the agencies on your own.

ZERO FEE! They only make money if the talent works, and the agencies pay the commission, not the talent. When you ASSUME… you make an ASS of U and ME!

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:
ZERO FEE! They only make money if the talent works, and the agencies pay the commission, not the talent. When you ASSUME… you make an ASS of U and ME!

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:

ZERO FEE! They only make money if the talent works, and the agencies pay the commission, not the talent. When you ASSUME… you make an ASS of U and ME!

QFM.  Its my understanding that agencies, agents, scouts and managers aren't allowed on MM.   Has that rule changed?

Terry Scott Reed wrote:
Aren't "they" in fact "you?" I don't understand the third person usage here and in your previous posts...

Family run business for the past 30 years. But no, I am a traveling fashion photographer… but my family, "They", deserve clarification… don't you agree?

sweetcheekscouture wrote:
Why would anyone other than a fashion model working in multiple marketsneed a motheragency? And  a photographer mother agency not even located in a major market? At best op should be looking at local talent agencies and shopping a headshot and some lifestyle type images on a comp card.

I'm sorry, but… what? I can't be sure of what you're asking, but I'll try to answer.

I am a traveling internationally published fashion photographer. And my family owns a mother agency business based in Destin, Florida. Employees travel all over the world for their talent. As far as lifestyle images and comp cards… it is an agencies responsibility to provide comp cards, and I only shoot "lifestyle" images when directed by an agency for the talents needs or for a direct client. Between ATL, MIA, NYC, and LA I stay very busy, as a photographer. Model Scout Bennett is very busy in its own respect. The success of their talent speaks for its self.

Tony Lawrence wrote:

QFM.  Its my understanding that agencies, agents, scouts and managers aren't allowed on MM.   Has that rule changed?

I don't know, but it hardly matters… since I am a professional fashion photographer.

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:

I'm sorry, but… what? I can't be sure of what you're asking, but I'll try to answer.

I am a traveling internationally published fashion photographer. And my family owns a mother agency business based in Destin, Florida. Employees travel all over the world for their talent. As far as lifestyle images and comp cards… it is an agencies responsibility to provide comp cards, and I only shoot "lifestyle" images when directed by an agency for the talents needs or for a direct client. Between ATL, MIA, NYC, and LA I stay very busy, as a photographer. Model Scout Bennett is very busy in its own respect. The success of their talent speaks for its self.

I understand the industry -- She doesn't need a mother agency. She is not going to be a fashion model. She is pretty but she doesn't have the stats.

Any reputable agency would tell her that.

She can shop herself to the agencies herself.

I can give her a list of agencies in Miami for free.

I agree, however… for her stats I would recommend Atlanta above Miami.

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:
I understand the industry -- She doesn't need a mother agency. She is not going to be a fashion model. She is pretty but she doesn't have the stats.

Any reputable agency would tell her that.

She can shop herself to the agencies herself.

I can give her a list of agencies in Miami for free.

I agree, however… for her stats I would recommend Atlanta above Miami.

__________________________________________________

Atlanta has less work than Miami. Is she going to move there or are they going to fly her in?

Bottom line is she doesn't need to be scouted -- she can submit herself. Of course with the appropriate images -- is that were you come in?

Does Bennett refer models to you to shoot?  It's nice to keep things all in the family.

sweetcheekscouture wrote:

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:
I understand the industry -- She doesn't need a mother agency. She is not going to be a fashion model. She is pretty but she doesn't have the stats.

Any reputable agency would tell her that.

She can shop herself to the agencies herself.

I can give her a list of agencies in Miami for free.

I agree, however… for her stats I would recommend Atlanta above Miami.

__________________________________________________

Atlanta has less work than Miami. Is she going to move there or are they going to fly her in?

Bottom line is she doesn't need to be scouted -- she can submit herself. Of course with the appropriate images -- is that were you come in?

Does Bennett refer models to you to shoot?  It's nice to keep things all in the family.

Once again, I work directly for the client or the agency:)
… Miami is NOT the right market for someone interested in commercial print or acting career, especially this time of the year. Atlanta is however, booking television and major motion pictures currently. I know this because… Yes, my family's business is responsible for multiple careers, and I'm kept fully aware of what markets are most successful at the moment. Miami would be great for the correct "season"… or as a hobby, rather than a full-time career.

Now, I would love to continue to chat away with you… Perhaps we can meet in Sept when I'm in West Palm Beach next. Feel free to message me to schedule:)

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:

sweetcheekscouture wrote:

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:
I understand the industry -- She doesn't need a mother agency. She is not going to be a fashion model. She is pretty but she doesn't have the stats.

Any reputable agency would tell her that.

She can shop herself to the agencies herself.

I can give her a list of agencies in Miami for free.

I agree, however… for her stats I would recommend Atlanta above Miami.

__________________________________________________

Atlanta has less work than Miami. Is she going to move there or are they going to fly her in?

Bottom line is she doesn't need to be scouted -- she can submit herself. Of course with the appropriate images -- is that were you come in?

Does Bennett refer models to you to shoot?  It's nice to keep things all in the family.

Once again, I work directly for the client or the agency:)
… Miami is NOT the right market for someone interested in commercial print or acting career, especially this time of the year. Atlanta is however, booking television and major motion pictures currently. I know this because… Yes, my family's business is responsible for multiple careers, and I'm kept fully aware of what markets are most successful at the moment. Miami would be great for the correct "season"… or as a hobby, rather than a full-time career.

Now, I would love to continue to chat away with you… Perhaps we can meet in Sept when I'm in West Palm Beach next. Feel free to message me to schedule:)

Lol
Atlanta is more of a secondary market than Miami.

And regardless, she could submit to the agencies is Atlanta herself as well.

She doesn't need a mother agency.

http://www.newmodels.com/momagency.html

John Fisher wrote:

Alexa Marie, placed with MCsquared (Miami)

Without getting into the whole Miami/Atlanta thing, let's just say for a moment that I was a legitimate scout working with the agencies placing models. And let's say they paid me a commission to do this (anything is possible, right?).

So, which agencies pay commissions to scouts for model placement? It turns out that in my imaginary experience that only a few agencies pay for placement, and that all of these agencies ("all" is a big word so maybe we could say virtually all the ones on planet earth) are editorial fashion agencies. Almost (smaller word!) all the models the agencies will pay commissions to a scout for placement are very young (14-19), very tall (5'9+), very thin, and very beautiful (really, they are, the world is not full of these people which is why they command a commission).


Jessica Bleier, originally with Irene Marie, currently and for many years now with Front Model Management, Miami.

On a rare occasion a scout (in my imaginary world) might have a relationship with a more experienced model who works regularly which would allow the scout to place the model with a new agency. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it is an unusual situation, even in my imaginary world! Under these circumstances the "scout" can demand a commission for placement, and the agency would normally be happy to pay because from their stand point the model is found money!

So, without being unkind let's review your situation. Okay, well, it would seem likely the people in Atlanta are frankly running some kind of shell game and you would be better off ignoring them.

John
--
John Fisher
900 West Avenue, Suite 633
Miami Beach, Florida 330139
(305) 534-9322
http://www.johnfisher.com

Jessica is now with Click Model Management of New York and Atlanta and very successful… I am dear friends with Joey Grill the owner of the agency:) As far as, MC2 Miami MSB currently represents multiple models with them… and yes, MC2 model management pays their commissions to mother agents quarterly. Perhaps it would be best for everyone to contact the agencies and ask if MSB is a reputable placement company. They will, without a doubt, give you an honest answer:)

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:

Jessica is now with Click Model Management of New York and Atlanta and very successful… I am dear friends with Joey Grill the owner of the agency:) As far as, MC2 Miami MSB currently represents multiple models with them… and yes, MC2 model management pays their commissions to mother agents quarterly. Perhaps it would be best for everyone to contact the agencies and ask if MSB is a reputable placement company. They will, without a doubt, give you an honest answer:)

Lol

So are you saying you have to have a mother agency to be represented with MC2?

A-M-P wrote:
Never heard of them.

http://modelscoutbennett.blogspot.com/2 … et-us.html


check the comments

Bennett Pro Photo wrote:
ZERO FEE! They only make money if the talent works, and the agencies pay the commission, not the talent. When you ASSUME… you make an ASS of U and ME!

Tony Lawrence wrote:
QFM.  Its my understanding that agencies, agents, scouts and managers aren't allowed on MM.   Has that rule changed?

It appears that rule hasn't changed.