Hey everyone! So I'm obviously new to the site, as well as modeling in general, but I will say one thing: I'm very, very good at doing my research. I've done a couple legit photoshoots and thankfully was able to spot the real from the fake. This one though...I'm not too sure.

I can't remember how I came upon this agency, but I applied to be considered as a model for an agency by the name of "fanfareunlimited." I tried searching them up, but could barely find anything about them.

I received an email from a talent scout named "Mary" who sent me this message:

"As the next step to make you a FanFare Model, we need to collect some additional information from you to further evaluate your fit and suitability for our current and future projects. This includes your contact information, measurements, preferences and any past experience. This will create a unique profile for you in our Talent Management System. Completing this information should take on average 10-15 minutes."

In the email, I was asked to first input a special code to a link provided in the email, then to download a program (a model application form) that requests me to input my measurements, state why I am interested in being a model with their agency, and other specifics such as whether I have scarring and tattoos and what my preferences are. It doesn't seem to be a scam, yet, just the process seems a little odd.

Has anyone heard of this agency, or have any input after viewing their site? I don't want to get wrapped up into anything if it isn't legit.

Every site has to start somewhere. Unless they want your home address SSN and  birthdate  or something...who's going to know.  People could have been asking the same thing about MM when it first started.

Downloading a program to fill out info sounds a bit odd though.

Looks like it's registered out of AZ with no owner info and maybe servers out of Chicago (which doesn't really mean anything).  and the emails for that domain also have a bunch of foreign job listings like flight attendant.

A bunch of the pictures are the same as on websites for some agency in Sacramento...so seems to me they are stolen.  Looks like they swiped all their coding for the web page too.  Didn't even bother to rehost the photos, fanfare's site photos are all on the sacramento website

Then again the page from Sacramento seems to have swiped all their photos from models in S. california.

This is a filched website. The entire site is a old version of the Exalt agency site with the logo and contact information changed. Only the logo, contact information, the link to the boards and the "about" + "Other Jobs" page is different.

http://www.fanfareunlimited.com/about-f … index.html
About FanFare
Founded in 2006, FanFare represents professional models and actors throughout USA, UK, UAE and beyond

Bret, the owner of Exalt has confirmed that he knows nothing about them and was surprised to see it. Exalt is in Sacramento and San Francisco. Their updated site is here:

http://www.exaltagency.com/about-exalt/
About Exalt
Founded in 2009 by agent and former model Bret Cota, Exalt is a fully licensed talent agency (CA License No. TA - 103320)

wow FanFare even stole the images too.



OP I hope you have not install the software without checking if it contain virus/trojant horse.

Thanks you guys, I really appreciate it. I had a feeling there was something funny about this, but now it's confirmed.

Thanks again you all

The entire site, including all the model boards are completely stolen:

This is Elle's old picture from the FanFare site:
(image removed)

This is one of Elle's current Exalt images:
(image removed)

This is a picture done by me for Elle for her LA agency:


Elle is signed in SF & Sacramento by Exalt and in LA with another agency.

* Brent of Exalt agency sent them a cease & desist letter and they hid the site for a short while; then reposted a different stolen site from a larger agency. They were still at it, will see if we can close it down.

wonder how it is the exalt has all those LA models on their old site though... they seem legit now anyway

If you downloaded that program I would investigate how to remove it.  The program could be a trojan/virus that will try to take over your computer or will monitor what you do and transmit important info such as passwords you input back to the programs designer.  NEVER download a program unless you are certain it comes from a trusted source.

Now am wondering what Exalt agency is gona do to FanFare.

Charina  Pinder wrote:
I received an email from a talent scout named "Mary" who sent me this message:

Is this "Mary" on MM?

To be honest, I'm not quite sure. I responded to an ad through craigslist (not all ads on CL are scams guys! I'd know!)

what did anyone find out? I got a e-mail from Mary saying someone refereed me to them. There are so many scams in this industry it's hard to know who is a scam and who is real. The I google searched them to see if they are a scam, and this is the only thing I got, what happened when you spoke to them? asking the girl who originally created this posting.