Model Management Inc. Is posting a lot of ads on the New York page of Craigslist. They are holding what they call "closed auditions" for models who reply to the Craigslist ads, which tend to vary (some request child models, others "lifestyle" models, etc.). The closed auditions seem to take place on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
I attended one on a Thursday evening. The New York office of MMI is on a high floor at Penn Plaza and it's a nicely appointed space. Yet on my two visits, was empty of all by one employee. The "closed audition" was virtually a cattle call, with a line of 50 aspiring models that were an even mix of male and female fashion and a few older "lifestyle" candidates. The line moved slowly and ended in a small office kitchen area with a few tall tables and stools.
The representative for MMI was named Jesse, an aspiring model who has recently begun working for MMI's "New Faces" division. He explained that MMI is presently expanding its operations into Manhattan. At our first meeting, he took a few of my photos to show to whom he called "the director", and handed me a reference sheet with a number on it. He told me to call the next day after the director reviewed my photos. I did, and was told by a representative that they want to sign me to the agency, and that I should return to sign a contract. I returned as directed, carrying more photos and an outline of my previous experience modeling and some TV work.
When I returned, I met again with Jesse in an office that looked new. Jesse explained that the agency wanted to sign me to a standard modeling contract of 20% commission, yet he didn't have any contract. He seemed reluctant to look at my book of photos and explained that I needed 12 images on a disc, again for the "director's" use. He mentioned the name of a photographer they recommend. I told him that I was concerned about agencies seeking clients merely to refer them to photographers for photos, and he immediately said that was not the case. He said I was welcome to send in my own photos, but that they should look like the samples on the MMI website.
Several small things concern me about my first experiences with MMI. The office seems mysteriously empty and generic, as though borrowed from another business. MMI also claims to have experience casting film and TV, yet is not listed with S.A.G. And do not seem to have what S.A.G. Terms "signatory status". Their claims of casting films like "Zoolander" and several blue chip television ad campaigns may be legitimate ones, but the MMI representatives that I have dealt with in the past three weeks have been quite evasive. The "office" where I had my second meeting had several film advertisements that printed on a very cheap injet color printer and seemed placed quickly into inexpensive black picture frames, giving the impression of a temporary or hastily assembled office. There seemed to be a credit card processing machine on the office desk. Why? MMI lists New York as its "World Headquarters", yet their representative, Jesse, implied that they were just beginning to operate out of New York.
I sincerely hope that I am wrong, but Model Management, Inc. Seems to be one of these holographic enterprises. I am scratching the surface, yet there seems to be nothing underneath.
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