Do not be scammed by Stone Model and Talent/Ohio Model and Talent (whatever they have changed their name to now). My daughter attended Barbizon/Stone Model and Talent back in 2006 when it was based at the Cleveland office. I should have never waited this long to speak out against this company, but I would like others to beware of them and don't fall for any of their tactics.
Everything is about money, money, money, and when they get your money they are done with you. I signed my daughter up for modeling classes through at the time was Barbizon. I paid Susan Scott and Diane Runser a few thousand dollars for my daughters classes that were taught by people that had no idea about the world of modeling. They of course, pretended to experienced in the field. After my daughter graduated from Barbizon, she was then qualified to audition for IMTA (International Modeling and Talent Agency) to go to New York or California and be seen by all the top agencies. Of course, I think everyone that audition was chosen by Susan Scott and her posse to attend IMTA. Well, IMTA comes at a high price tag, 6000.00. This included for one person to go to IMTA and if parents want to go it's another 1000.00 or more for them. This price would also include classes, comp cards, and of course the trip. The comp cards were horrible and done by an amateur photographer that I could have done better myself. All of my daughter's pictures were horrible. The sunlight in her eyes, goofy hairstyles, etc. Susan Scott also offered additional acting classes by the best in the industry. So, I signed my daughter up for that which cost me additional money. I should have known when I seen the guy pulling in the office parking lot in a 1980 piece of crap. Professional acting coach? Yeah right! Well, I had no choice at that time because I had already paid for the class.
During IMTA, it's obvious that 99.9 percent of those people will never be models or actors. The last day they have what they call "call backs" Susan announces who "called you back" and you are suppose to use the last day to go visit those agencies that are supposedly interested in you. My daughter had approximately 20 "call backs" so we decided to spend the day meeting with those agencies. All the agencies were set up by tables in a big room. Half the people were not even at their tables, people were already gone, and people that had "called you back" had no idea even who you were and whether they had called you back or not. It was obvious they were getting paid to be there and were in complete misery pretending to be interested in all these people.
After returning home, we were to make an appointment with Susan Scott so that she could follow up on who we were interested in signing with. My appointment consisted of her dozing off during our appointment and after we returned home from our appointment, she never got in touch with us. I made numerous calls and then she proceeded to turn us over to another employee in the office who pretended he would help follow up on the calls.
No one ever followed up after we got back from IMTA. It's obvious that once they get your money they want nothing more to do with you. I spent over 8000.00 if not more between Barbizon and Stone and got nothing. I have since learned they moved offices and are continuing to rip people off. Susan Scott, Susan Arch, whatever she goes by should be ashamed of herself.
The only thing I got from the 8000.00 that was spent was a week in New York, nothing more which is a high price tag for a vacation.
I have since found a reputable modeling agency for my daughter and one that does not get paid unless she's gets paid. A reputable modeling agency will not charge you for services up front, if they do run fast! Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.
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