Scam Model Agency BRisbane

[energa]

a certain agency had a "work guarantee" - DO NOT BELIEVE IT. they keep changing their business name, yet the SAME people run it and work there, and all the times I have been there have not once seen the so called manager take a booking call, yet will take anyone and everyone onto their books... will tell you exactly what you want to hear.

They are there simply to sell their "portfolios" the photographer they "recommend" is ALSO their "casting director". we know other people who have gone through this agency andits the same story..... towards the end of your term after NEVER calling you in for anything, they bring you in for a fake "casting" and they try to get you to do larger prints of your photos. anyway... we refused to do that, and now we are getting the "we cant refund your work guarantee" story oh unless we give them an EXTRA 6 months to find work andTHEN and only then we might get our money back. I would never be associated with a scam company like this for two more minutes, and hey they might change their name yet again!!

weve put in an official complaint to the office of fair trading, but feel you guys should really read between the lines. if it smells like BS it IS bs! dont get sucked in. we lost a grand out of it.

BE WARNED!!!!

[Mum2Bug]

I think if you have a look back you will find quite a few threads on this particular "company/agency"

[energa]

I wish those threads were around before we got sucked in :(

[Mum2Bug]

I am so sorry to hear that you have had to go through this with them. They really are a bunch of self-serving, money hungry mongrels and I hate the fact that every time they are investigated they just close down, and then start up again somewhere else under a new name.:banghead:

[renee27]

I have my 2 children with a brisbane agency and i think it may be the one you are talking about but i'm hoping it's not as i am coming up to the end of the 12months. :fingerscrossed:

have you had any success with the fair trading people?

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/images/misc/progress.gif

[Enixus]

What is the name of the agency????? I haven't signed anything yet. Please let me know

[renee27]

My daughter is nearly at the end of the 12mths since signing up and we have had no work but they said if there was no work we would get the cash back so I am just waiting to see what happens.

[Enixus]

thanks for your reply Renee. I decided not to sign up with the agency. I didn't have a very good feeling when I had my interview. The lady didn't even look at Sofia. I hope you get your money back
:fingerscrossed:

[bhoffice]

Please take care not to mention Agencies by name in the open forum. The agency concerned did not agree with comments made and asked for their details to be removed. Derogatory comments can leave both us and the poster open to legal action, and whilst we appreciate you want to warn other members of what you feel is a 'bad experience', you need to do this in general terms. If members are interested in further information you can PM them with a personal message.

Thankyou

Bub Hub Admin

[BartonBratz]

hi please contact me at kerrilyb@hotmail.com? do they encourage you to do a course at this agency?

[AaliyahAsha]

hi,
i might be with this agency too. can u please pm me the name of the agency?
thanks
raniera2k3@hotmail.com

[Ineedsleep]

I'm about to put in a complaint too. What do you suggest? Maybe we could all do another complaint and send them in together - or maybe we should get on A Current Affair!

Oh and I loved the 3 locations that the photos were to be taken in - outside in the mall sitting on a dirty window! great stuff.

Hope Karma bites them in the backside...

[kccmylife]

My kids are with an Agency in Brisbane, but it doesn't sound like the same one, I hope not anyway.

I have had MANY emails saying that 2 of my children have been "put forward" for jobs, but nothing past that email. The third child has not even been "put forward" for a single job at all.

Can someone please Private Message me with this Agencies name, just so I can be sure it is not the one we are with!

[Ineedsleep]

The agency that I was with offered "free training" the training was fine. Part of the training was then to buy a list of products. you don't have to buy from them though - i did, it cost me about $400. I did not even get a receipt (my prob. I should have asked for one). The products have to be hypo allergenic - mine did not say they were so I bought theirs - theirs didn't either btw! and I would not use them on a child.

[whitsundaysmumma]

:no:Don't count on any help from the Office of Fair Trading. Past experience I have had with them shows they are a toothless tiger, underfunded and understaffed!

I think our best hope lies with Today Tonight/Current Affair:yes:

[mrsdlc2007]

Can someone please PM the company's name aswell. My son is in a modelling agency. I dont think it is the same one, but better to be safe than sorry.


Amanda:flowerz:

[Ineedsleep]

i'll pm you now

[shuttermum]

I am a child photographer and have heard this story over and over. Unfortunately there are some real hyenas out there ready and waiting to pounce on a mother's pride and love for her child.
I feel sorry for all of those who have been duped and for those who are looking to go down this path - be very careful. Ask lots of questions and if it doesn't feel right then trust your gut.
Sometimes it is best to go in numbers. If you have some other mums interested in doing it then all go together. See a reputable agency is selective. No matter how lovely your little one is, if they have other children similar in appearance and age to yours, then you wont be accepted. So if one of you gets in and another doesnt, it is legitimate. And don't feel bad if your little tike doesn't get it as its a supply/demand thing. They aren't going to have lots of similar looking kids as that isn't diverse enough for them and not worth their trouble.
HTH.

[floralbloomer3]

Hi

I've just joined the forum so a big hello to everyone! I think I might be able to help with this issue as I used to run the children's section of the largest model agency in Sydney. I have now moved to Brisbane. It appears some of the people giving advice don't know a lot about the industry so I hope my advice is appreciated and I will do my best to be thorough for everyone.

Firstly, parents have to realise that babies aren't well liked in the industry. They are the most dreaded age and clients will do ANYTHING to avoid seeing them in person and will usually just get agencies to email photos initially and they will choose a couple of babies to come in to meet them. If your baby isn't getting called in that doesn't mean the clients aren't seeing them or don't like them, it's just the way it's done now with the age of the internet. I remember years ago parents used to complain ALL THE TIME! about having to take their babies to castings and sit around for hours. The internet has changed that but now parents complain that they don't go to enough castings. Agencies can't win either way.

There are some basic must-dos with babies. Yes, you MUST have professional photos. What a professional photo does is shows what the baby will look like under professional conditions. Any agency sending babies to jobs without professional photos is NOT doing their job properly. Anyone who suggests that babies should use home shots is being unrealistic. Any person who wishes to enter a professional industry needs to be prepared to a professional standard and that is just a fact of life. VERY IMPORTANTLY, if you only want your baby to do television commercials you can just go to a casting agency and NOT a model agency. There is a big difference and for television commercials you only need ONE good professional head-shot. For modelling (which also includes television commercials but also fashion parades and photographic work) you need a proper portfolio with plenty of different looks. Make sure you aren't confusing the two industries. Modelling covers everything whereas casting agencies only cover film and TV work.

HOWEVER!! Agencies should allow you to use professional photos from any fashion photographer. They should NEVER make you use their photographer. If they do then run a mile!! While most agencies have an affiliation with a photographer that is not a reason to make you go through them. If you already have photos from another agency then they should be able to be used without any problems whatsoever. Do not make the mistake of going to the shopping centre photographers to have these shots done. They are not fashion photographs. Find a fashion magazine with baby models in it and that is what the shots should look like, pure and simple. You can easily pay $1000 for a professional fashion portfolio. The top fashion photographers are the best in their field and command big money and it is no different in any other field. If you want the best it costs.

However, sometimes an agency comes along and does something nice. The agency my children are with are giving free photo shoots to all their children aged under 5 to help parents out who can't afford to update their photos. Check your agency's website and if it is the same agency it is under their model news section. Two of my children got photographed for free on Thursday and the photos are wonderful! How wonderful of them to do something so nice! AND the photographer said if I wasn't happy just come back and he'd do them again for free!! Isn't that wonderful!! It's always great to be able to say something nice about an agency as comments on blogs always seem to be critical. Also make sure the photographer you are using has a current blue card. It is against the law in Queensland to photograph children without one. They should be happy to show it to you. If they don't report them to the authorities immediately!!

DO NOT PAY FOR A MODEL COURSE FOR A BABY!! They are too young to understand anything so it is a waste of time. Parents are the ones who need to be trained as YOU are one of the major reasons why your child will get booked. YOU need to be trained in make-up, hair etc. so YOU can make your child look their best. You can tell a good agency as they will give parents this training for free as it is very basic.

One lady mentioned having to buy products. That is ridiculous for a baby. Obviously the baby will need professional make-up but nothing more than a foundation (to cover spots, if any) and powder (to get rid of shine). Anything else is ridiculous except for maybe a few hair products. Usually a baby can just use their mother's (presuming the mother has professional make-up and not cheap stuff and presuming the skin tone is the same). I MUST STRESS that any baby turning up for a job without professional make-up is unprofessional. It is a must, make sure you have it and it is expensive. Foundations can cost up to $100 and powders easily $70. Make sure you have the right brushes as well and don't forget a change-scarf which is used to stop make-up getting on the clothes at fashion parades.

Here are some pointers to avoid getting ripped off -

1. Ask the agency do they have any problem with you using a FASHION photographer who is a friend of your's. If they don't that is good, if they do then run a mile.

2. Does the agency offer any training to the parents to help them with their children? If it's free that is good. If they offer no training or they charge you for it then that is bad.

3. Besides basic make-up and hair products and a change-scarf is there any other products required? If no that is good, if yes that is bad.

Those three questions alone should sort the bad from the good. Reading comments from people on blogs sometimes is very misleading as a LOT of parents get angry when their child doesn't get work and then will say anything to make themselves feel better. Parents should remember that just because their child doesn't get a job doesn't mean they aren't beautiful. Like any professional industry it is very competitive.

My children have been modelling since they were babies. We joined with an agency who offered us a work guarantee in Brisbane. Two of my children got plenty of work. One got nothing and the funniest thing was she got more work than the other two did when I lived in Sydney. The agency happily refunded my money a couple of weeks ago. I got talking to the booker who told me they no longer offer work guarantees as mothers would ring up wanting their money back after being with the agency for only a matter of weeks so they stopped doing it. Unfortunately the bad ones spoil it for the good ones most of the time.

I hope this helps all the mothers out there. I don't know about you all but my most treasured possessions are these beautiful photos I have had taken over the years of my children and if my house burnt down they would be the first thing I'd grab.

If you are having problems with your agency I would most definitely put your complaint in writing and good agencies will be reasonable if you are. Give it a try!!

I think it's a wonderful industry but be careful and don't take it too seriously. Best of luck to all the mums out there.

Amanda xx

[Lukeandmattsmum]

Hi i think i may be with the same agency. Although i joined my son up when they were running under a different name. I had $500 worth of photo's done, which ended only gettiing me proof sheets of them and i then had to buy the prints that i wanted at an extra charge. I had to attend the model course, ( what a load of garbage that was), and i also had to buy all of these products.

What have i gotten for it. NOTHING

i got a phone call about 8 months after having all of this done, to see one of their clients who was interested in my sons looks. It ended up being their photographer. Heard nothing back after meeting them.

Have just recently had a phone call 3 years after DS photo's, so he looks totally different. Again a client is interested in his looks. I think this is cr@p and that they just realised they haven't seem him in a while and were going to try to con us to get more photo's done.

They also guarantee that you will get work within a year of joining or they will refund you the cost of your photo's. SURPRISE SURPRISE this didn't happen.

I have just given up and have learnt my lesson.

If anyones wants anymore info on them, feel free to pm me.

[jnjsmum]

Hi there
Can someone please PM me the names of the Agencies they are/are not happy with. I am currently with an Agency in Sydney and am moving to QLD. Our Agent said there Brisbane office does not get much work. Any ideas or recommendations???? Thanks

[modelmum]

I think Amanda (Floralbloomers) has no idea what she's talking about or she is trying to suck you guys to the agency she's now working for.
Spend a $1000 for professional photos to enrol your child into an agency is ridiculous as most of the agencies offer professional pictures taken included in the annual fee. Besides, children with make-up, if you don't mind me saying, look like mini hookers. Don't listen to her.... :ecomcity::barf::thumbsdown::no::shame:

[Kachow]

I Have PM you

[Zush]

Could someone please PM me the agency details? I don't think I'm associated with that company but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry...

[gailbates]

can anyone tell if bratz modelling agency in brisbane is any good email me at ramatinkabell@hotmail.com or other good modeling agency in brisbane

[PurpleHaze]

:confused: Could someone please pm me with the agency name, I hope it's not the one we are currently looking at:fingerscrossed:

[jnjsmum]

Hi there
Can someone please email me the names of the Agencies they are/are not happy with. I am currently with an Agency in Sydney and am moving to QLD. Our Agent said there Brisbane office does not get much work. Any ideas or recommendations???? Thanks janelleatwork@hotmail.com

[Mrs AJC]

Not a good idea to post your email address on here as anyone can see your details, that is unless of course you are from the agency in question trying to get people to badmouth you so you can threaten legal action.

[Alicia1308]

I am looking into getting my son into modeling as well and have been looking at agencies in Brisbane because there are no good ones where I am on the Gold Coast. Can someone please tell me which agency this is???!!! :confused:

[mumof2sofar]

Hi

I am also looking at putting my son with a modeling agency in brisbane, i have been contacted by Bettina and Bratz, has anyone had any good experiences with these agencies ?? Bettina seem to get only bad reviews.
Any help is greatly appreciated i dont want to get ripped off

Natalie

[jnjsmum]

Hi Natalie
My son is with Brats they have been great. Happy for you to disscuss with me privately, send me an email if u can.
Thanks

[mixi_mama]

Hi Everyone :)
Ill be honest - I really appreciate Amanda's feedback. My daughter has been modelling since she was 6 months old and I will be honest with you now... her previous agency told me straight to my face "Because she is under the age of 3, dont hold your breath for her to get auditions and interviews... our clients very rarely like to see the children face to face".
I ended up removing Teina from her agency over a year and a half ago and since then I have met people here and there who have introduced me to the ways of working with this business. Allot of Amanda's info was told to me by various people through the child modelling industry and as sad as it is to trully say this to some of the mothers who apparently are "in denial about how it really works" some of those things are dead true. And in relation to the makeup situation... Ive had Teina go to castings/auditions where they have wanted that... its just a matter of you as the parent saying "No, I do not feel comfortable with my child wearing makeup"... simple as that. My daughter is no longer in an agency and I do everything in relation to auditions etc myself for her. Things must be going pretty well as she is continually having jobs (a total of 14 in the last year alone) and has just been successfull with the Spring Pumpkin Patch Catelogue... and that means I will have to fly back home to NZ to take her there for it but thats a choice im willing to make. Its really on personal preference... but anyone really looking to find an agency in Brisbane... find the name of the agency... just for your kids sake... they dont need to be doing something they like for people like that

[JenL]

Hi there
Can someone please email me the names of the Agencies they are/are not happy with. I am currently with an Agency in Sydney and am moving to QLD. Our Agent said there Brisbane office does not get much work. Any ideas or recommendations???? Thanks janelleatwork@hotmail.com

Can someone PM me too :)

[SoMc]

How do you find the auditions?

[jbreen84]

My son was with Brats. never once were we asked if we could provide our own photos, and he was only submitted to 1 job. never an audition. When I asked about how the "marketing" was going for him, they just kept saying that they would submit him to any job fitting his profile. I got very unhappy with it, and asked for part of my $500 fee back, which was flatly denied. I'm going to Today Tonight about this scam, and have contact details of one of the reporters there. Let me know if you want to join in on the interview.