Hi guys. My friend has been recently scouted in London by this online agency, zebra management. Does any1 know anything about their legitimacy?

Legitimate agencies do their best to turn away models. They don't aggressively approach every average person on the street to recruit them as models and sell them pictures. Agencies make model from client bookings, not site registration and picture packages.

Unless your friend is 5' 11", 13 years old, and was approached in a mall in Brazil, it has a high likehood of being some kind of scam or portfolio mill/modeling school scheme.

http://community.livejournal.com/off_hi … 07333.html

Anyone can be a model if they have enough money. And their is an agency for every would-be model with enough money.

I was stopped one morning on my way to work by one of Zebra's representative, got suckered into the photo session and never heard from them again.

At least I have my photos, however they overcharged for the service.

From the front page of their website:

"Zebra uses internet technology to bridge and unite aspiring models, actors, actresses or simply attractive individuals interested in casual TV and film extra work with a whole host of industry professionals keen to recruit a broad range of people for a broad range of projects."

Meaning, it's a website.  And there are people on it.

"Zebra offer members an up to date listing of all jobs and casting online. Remember to check the site regularly as jobs are taken quickly."

Meaning, it's less an agency and more a website like MM.

Funny thing is, I phoned them yesterday and it seemed like I was talking to the cleaner. I was put on hold for 11 minutes before hanging up.

Stay away. Look at their website to see how pathetic they are.

I wouldnt trust them either, i have like 20 friends who have all been scouted by them and they all live within a mile radius of each other. Surely a good agency isnt so easy to get into?

Having never worked with Zebra personally, I couldn't say anything concrete. However, what I do know is....

....There are two Zebra Model Managements in the UK (I don't know if they have exactly the same name but they are remarkably similar). The one in Sunderland seems to be fairly small and new but very respectable with a decent enough amount of work.

However, as your friend was scouted in London, I presume you are talking about the one in London. They appear to be more interested in their portfolio service than they are in their agency. I'm yet to hear of anybody getting work from them (although, like I said, I haven't had any personal experience so I could be wrong) and most of the things I hear about them are negative.

I am investigating this agency, see my website http://www.anactor.net and http://thezebracollection.blogspot.com

Contact me if you want to help put a stop to these scams. I will also help to try and get refunds...

Best,

Clive

Haha, I got "scouted" by this same "agency" today... for a supposed casting for a clothing advertisement. I said "I model already, I'm not really interested"... her response was "so are you signed with another agency?", to which I replied "I'm 5 foot 1, what do YOU think?". Jeez, people must be seriously dumb to fall for this.

Unless the casting was for a children's clothing ad and I just missed out on a big opportunity