BECOME A MODEL!

For a long time I've wanted to investigate one of the many scam model agency's in London. On the 13^th of August I had my luck.

FINDING

It all began the day before when I went on the popular site ''Gumtree'. 'Part Time, Evening & Weekend Jobs' section; the first ad that pops into my eyes has a title of:

'PART-TIME FASHION MODELS WANTED FOR BUSY MODELING AGENCY NO EXPERINCE NECESSARY'

There is no need to open the ad itself, as I already know that the one behind this ad will not make me a fashion model. How do I know this? First of all if this agency is as 'busy' as they claim to be, then certainly they don't have time for ordinary people with 'no experience'. Furthermore, as I open the ad, no name of the agency is provided, nor is there a website or a direct way of contact. It is stated that no experience is necessary, no height and age restriction is applied. The agency is pretty much looking for a human with 2 legs and 2 arms. Moving on...

CATCHING THE NAIVE

Something with potential to be legitimate comes to view:

'Photo shoot for BOOTS and TV Commercial'

The author of the ad is announcing a photo shoot for Boots and for a TV commercial. The pay range is £1500 inclusive. Seeking all nationalities and no experience needed. They are looking for 23 'Good Looking' girls aged between 17 to 45, ''slim and curvy'' it is stated that this detail does not matter. Apply with age, nationality, contact number and a picture of your face or body.

Now, once again I'm aware that this is a scam. No name of the organiser is provided. No website. How does one define a 'Good Looking' girl? Anyone who considers working as a model will have some belief in their beauty. The description is again vague. Nevertheless I decide to apply.

Within 6 hours I receive an attractive reply. Agency 'A' are 'very interested in my look' but need to see me personally which will in turn help them to decide whether I am suitable for any modelling or acting jobs. Wait a second. Who said anything about other modelling and acting jobs, the ad wanted 23 girls for a BOOTS photo shoot and TV Commercial. All of a sudden I'm applying to an agency? They encourage me by adding that 'No experience is needed' and they are 'pretty sure' that I can do this job if I'm successful in the interview. Alongside to that I am assured that there is no contract and no registration fees. I am advised to book an appointment ASAP. The agency's location and contact details are provided. Told by 'A' that the dress code is smart/casual, I wear a simple black dress; knowing that I'm not going there to become a model I leave the house the same day.

THE 'PRETTY' TALK

As I enter the dark, lacking light room, I know the future of anyone who enters here is not looking bright. I'm greeted by a female in her late 20's who gives me a basic application form, asking for my body measurements, contact details, address etc. The application is filled within 3 minutes and I wait for another 15 to be called for my interview.

Asked to talk about myself, I begin by telling her that I don't have any previous modelling experience, and tell her of how I once found myself in an agency who wanted £350 for a portfolio. The 'Pretty' talk starts. I am warned about all the scam agency's in London, and I'm made to listen as she compares 'A' to worldwide agencies like 'Storm'. She talks about fashion, and about how great and successful 'A' is.

As I don't have a portfolio, she offers me one with a smile for a 'small' fee of £190. No real agency will ask for a professional portfolio for which you have to pay for. They should use their own photographers to create you a portfolio which will then help them to find castings for you.

But first she wants to take a taster photo shoot of me, for which I have to pay for £10. Never pay for any photos to be taken. Nevertheless as I am doing this for research purposes I pay the £10 and go to the compact waiting room. As I sit on the small sofa I notice how dirty, dusty and full of hair the floors are. What a nice, clean environment to work in!

£10 FOR THE 2 MINUTE PHOTOSHOOT

The taster photo shoot lasts no more than 2 minutes. The photographers communication with me is close to none, and shorty after I start posing a man with no facial expressions comes in, whispers something to the young female photographer and my photo shoot is over.

I wait patiently to be called by the woman who ''interviewed'' me, or should I say whom I listened to for 20 minutes. Anyone interested in working with you will encourage you to speak, will ask questions and will show genuine interest in you. Here, I said no more than two sentences before her lengthy misleading monologue began.

Viewing the pictures with her, she compliments me on a few but says I lack emotion and I need to work on my posture. Regardless of the above, she says I'm photogenic and invites me back to her room. Staying with what she previously said, she wants me to pay for the lowest package photo shoot (£190), which includes 100 photos, with 2 different outfits, with the photo shoot lasting for an hour. (During the interview she said I will have 6 different outfits for the price of £190. Typical deceiving information.)She gives me the price list, which reads that the bronze package is £190, the highest one they offer is £490! The dull faced man enters the room without knocking and passes the phone to the woman whom I was talking to. She talks and laughs on the phone for a few minutes as I sit opposite her in silence. She walks out the room shortly afrerwards leaving me alone behind.Very unprofessional.

LEAVING THE PREMISES

Grabbing the opportunity I look through the pile of application forms on her desk, take out mine, stuff it in my bag and I'm ready to leave. 'Sorry about that, that was one of my models' she says with a smile as she walks back into the room. 'So, what would you like to do then?'. I say 'Thank you for your time, but I need to think about the portfolio'. Her smile turns into a frown, 'But why?' 'You can take the the lowest package' the nagging starts again. Desperate to leave I tell her that I will call her during the week. Again, I am pushed to book the photo shoot for tomorrow, as she claims, that a Music Video Director is coming in the day after tomorrow and she wants me to audition. I tell her I will call her tomorrow, shake her hand and leave.

SAFE AT HOME

After visiting agency 'A' I thought about all the applicants who came in with high hopes and dreams of becoming a worldwide famous model. There must have been at least 30 application forms alongside mine. That's 30 people paying for a test shot. £300 for agency 'A'. I have no doubt that all of those applicants were then offered a portfolio, to which many gullible people agreed to. Imagine those 30 people all paying for the lowest package portfolio. That's £5,700 for agency 'A', in a days work. Indeed, what a great business this is.