My daughter was approached on the beach in Cape Cod. Given a talk on how she was just what the Model Agency wanted for their new fresh faces. She was given a business card and an appointment to be interviewed at the business next group casting call. She was suggested to bring her parents to appear like they were reputable.
When we arrived at our appointment there was about 15 other teenagers that appeared to be between the ages of 16 to 19 years old. My daughter was weighted and measured and asked some basic questions.
A video was shown while each teen and their parent was individually interviewed. A man named Ed Fa Razzi gave a talk about what the process involved. A quote of $595.00 was given with no other mention of money that would be needed to get started. A comp card was shown with the model bio and 3 photos in various poses that would be put on the agency's website.
Never at anytime we we told that this would not be the service that we would receive. We had our interview with a Mr. Kevin Caruso and we were told that my daughter would not be runway material but could find other work such as print, promtional, and acting opportunites. They made it seem like she would be chosen only after careful review. At that time a digital snapshot was taken for this review process. Not at anytime were we told that this snapshot would be the one used on the website. She was then pressured to give her $595.00 so she could be put on the computer before the next photo shoot. I did not attend this meeting.
Still thinking that this is when the comp card would be done. When my daughter returns for her second interview and pays her money and told only cash would be excepted is when the bomb is dropped that an addtional 495.00 will be needed to do the profession photo shoot for the comp card.
So at this time my daughter is shown other clients photos from shoots and some were provative and when my daughter relays this info to me is when the phone calls on my part started. I was told that she could bring in other pictures for review and then was told we she did that her photos were very disneylike and would not make her marketable to Marvel's clientel.
I immediately was told that she signed a contract and that its in writing that there are no refunds, and this is true. But they were not fully honest with what you were getting for the money that you are paying and our comfort level about how our daughter would be marketed. After my converstion with Mr. Farazzi he told me that only Mr. Caruso could refund the money. I contacted him and was told that he did not have the authority to refund. It would have to be put to a higher up. After which time I was told that there would be nothing that could be done for us. We were told to visit the website and that was when we saw a horrible picture barely visable and for this we paid all that money.
I wish I had seen your website before we had given them this money. You can imagine my shock when I saw this agency listed and Mr. Fa Razzi's name listed. Now my 18 yr daughter who is going off to college $595.00 poorer of the money she earned this summer, and sadden about what types of people are out there preying upon teenagers. Please pass this along to warn others.
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