If I ever wanted to make a ton of money and do it preying on other's hopes and aspirations, I'd start a modeling "managment" service. Notice I didn't say "agency".
Nework Models and Talent Managment in Scottsdale, Arizona, did just that. You answer a want ad in the newspaper for "Male models, no experience needed." Cool, you tell yourself, no experience needed means they'll probably train you and before you know it, you're the next Kevin Peake... WRONG!
I showed up for my appointment all GQ'd out with a tight muscle shirt and a dash of cologne. The office wasn't what I expected. It's small and cramped and the waiting room chairs we're extremely uncomfortable. Various awards are hanging on the wall as well as models they represent.
My first meeting was with a gentleman who was the "new faces coordinator who looks over a pic you bring in. Me being an aspiring model, I had nicer pics than usual; more professional. "You have amazing potential" he tells me, and we set up an appointment with another woman who gives the final go ahead to sign new models.
Well, of course, I'm told I have amazing potential and I'm signed. They make sure I know that there is a lot of competition in the Phoenix market and a contract with them is an honor. All they ask is a yearly fee of $70. Since I already had professional pics taken, they reduced my fee substantially for the mandatory photo shoot which was to take place later that week.
About two days after I signed I got a call from the Main dude of the company (I forgot how he referred to himself) who wanted to invite me to a "very special audition" where only a select few of the signed individuals would attend. This was the "creme of the crop", I remember how he said it exactly. And he couldn't really get into it on the phone, but if I was selected, I would get to go to New York.
My gosh, this is really it, I told myself. NEW YORK!
When I arrived at the "audition" there were about fourteen people there. It was strange because these people didn't look like models. I mean, two or three of the bunch looked really good, but the rest were just average. This is the "creme of the crop"?
The big dude's name was Patrick. An arrogant, tall, effeminate man who said he stopped modeling cause he developed scarlet fever which scarred his face.
It was a presentation to go to a huge model convention in New York City where top model scouts would be.network Internaitonal offered the best training around for this event and our chances of being scouted were huge. The event would take place at the Waldorf-Astoria. We watched a stupid video with testimonials and a general rundown of the event.
Then, we all took turns being filmed walking a stupid makeshift runway in their crappy studio and had to read from a commercial side. Then, one by one, we were taken into Patrick's office and given the terms of the convention. Then we were told he needed a night to review the video tapes and only a few of the fourteen would be invited to New York.
My suspicions high, but dreams prevailing, I put $100 down the next night when I was told I was chosen. The rest would be financed. Through the course of four months, I would finance $4,800. My mom and dad thought I was nuts but I really wanted to go and nobody could stop me.
The $4,800 included this.
~ A trip to Rocky Point for an exclusive photo shoot. (Phoenix is only a couple of hours from here)
~Weekly Sunday training in the areas you may need it most.
~ Round Trip Plane Tickets to New York City and Hotel accomidations at the Waldorf-Astoria.
~ A personal trainer if you neded it.
This last one is kind of funny, why would you even be signed with the Network if you weren't of physical ideals to management?
Do the math yourself, does this "field trip" to New York city accumulate $4,800? I didn't think so, some might disagree, and some will.
Well, I was stopped. I just realized after a while that you didn't need to spend $4,500 to be a model. The Network supposedly would find you auditions around town when something came up that was right for you, but I never got a call. All they called me for were auditions for reality shows which you can find out about anywhere, not like Network International had any "special" connections.
This wasn't the end. I got a call from a woman who only referred to herself as "Tomi". She claimed to be a talent scout for Wilhemina. Anyone who knows anything about modeling knows that Wilhemina is huge.
So I went to meet with her, excited that maybe something was to come out of this Talent Managment Agency which I had grown quite a suspicion for. All she had to tell me was that my chances of being picked up by Whilhemina were greater if I went to the convention. Excited again, I thought about dropping out of school to get a job to afford the trip, this lady seemed to know what she was talking about.
Once again I thought against it and said to heck with Network International. All I lost was $175 but it was better than $4,500. They had called a few times over the following months telling me they had auditions for me, but they gave me reasons why I couldn't go to the booking.
Perhaps some others have had a successful booking with Network, but for the vast majority, I think the company is a money pit.
0 comments