Overall, Here's what it comes down too!
The potential model/actor is told they are making final selections of girls within your range and need to meet with you and your parents no later than the cut-off date. All seems professional up to the point of your family entering the room with the admissions director and there she asks pointed questions to the potential client of why they want to be a model/actor? Do you have the drive and commitment? Parents, do you stand behind your child's decision and will you support her in this endeavor? All of which, the director is playing on the emotions of the teenager/child and building their hopes that this agency wants them.
The director listed above "AMY" even went so far as to cry on cue when she mentioned that the teenager had such great supporting parents and she just does not see that in her line of work. (generally not true, as most teenagers don't carry the amount of money the agency is looking for and since the teenager is under age, then it takes a parent to sign the commitment contract. If the parent was not supportive, the teenager would not be there either).
The initial meeting mentions they are making their final selection and the director knows there were only three slots available and they have just filled two of them and believe your teenager has what it takes to fill the third. But we must hurry with the process as there are other directors reviewing potential clients and may sign them up in the last slot if we don't act now. Once this is thrown out there and the teenager realizes that he/she is being considered, excitement draws the interest further and the director then lays out the requirements of 24 classes and within this, they will learn make-up, hair, acting techniques, runway, interviewing, etc... All for the price of $1,899, plus an additional $199 for the make-up kit and book.By the way, that's not all! There will even be additional photo shoots that may cost you more money in the development of your portfolio as the photo shoots they arrange may not be of the quality used in a portfolio taken during the classes.
Have I laid it out for you in terms that says this is a SCAM and you really need to RUN from this and other companies of the like??? If not, throw away your money. Luckily for me, my parents are wise to these tactics and there is even a Florida Statute identifying these mandates are against the law.
Here is the Statute: Title XXXII, Chapter 468, Part 410 (Talent Agencies)
468.410 Prohibition against registration fees; referral.—
(1) A talent agency may not charge a registration fee.
(2) No talent agency shall, as a condition to registering or obtaining employment for any applicant or artist, require the applicant or artist to subscribe to, purchase, or attend any publication, postcard service, advertisement, resume service, photography service, school, acting school, workshop, acting workshop, or video or audiotapes.
(3) A talent agency shall give each applicant a copy of a contract which lists the services to be provided and the fees to be charged. The contract shall state that the talent agency is regulated by the department and shall list the address and telephone number of the department.
History.—ss. 10,15, ch. 86-292; s. 2, ch. 90-202; s. 63, ch. 91-137; s. 13, ch. 91-156; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 27, ch. 94-119.
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