[funk]

Ok I have a question I'm not to sure about and thought some people here might be able to help me out.

Ok Model Agencies - How does it work?

For example, there are models like Jakki Degg and numerous others etc etc - They go to a model agency and say sign me up?

Then basically the agency acts like a middle man between the model and say clients like magazines?

So the clients takes a cut from the magazine, and obviously the model gets their bit too?

The agency will be responsible for marketing and promoting their models

These are the good things of an agency - they will do all the tedious things like promoting but then, I've heard by some people they aren't too fond of going through agents or even models saying they do not like agencies.

Why? Because they take a cut -

Is there a need for agencies in an age like this - where there are websites, email addresses etc where people can directly possibly contact models such as J.Degg?

I just find it interesting but have no idea about the answers to these questions so thought it would be interesting to hear from people who know this business or game and how it works

The good and the bad - also as my friend wants to get into modelling and has been approached by some agencies but she wants to complete her university first as she is in her final year.

Any advice / information / tips guys? What is a modelling agency?

[30dayswithruss]

Lets just say that modeling agency is the tried,tested and recommended method. It has been done for ages and everyone knows about it.

The modeling agencies have come to help the models who were finding it tough to do their own marketing and promotion. They would better concentrate on their modelling and looking good instead of running after magazine companies to get accepted as a model.

We cant say that there is really no need for these agencies. There wont be any need for them if all the models start having their own websites and be found in the search engines.

my 2 cents.

[akula]

agents do a lot of tasks, including negotiating contracts

[vishenda]

but be careful cos there are a lot of scams out there, Tyra Banks keep reminding model wannabees about how to know whether or not a model agency/ recruiter is legal. I heard some would even require aspiring models to pay these agencies for them to work on the necessary license,client, etc.

just be careful

[Cameron]

Wow, I know way to much about the Modeling/Acting industry.

How does it work? A model goes to an open casting call(audition) and the agency takes pictures, measures them, weight, height, etc. If they fit the look for thier clients specifics, then they hire the model and put him/her on contract work.

Agencies do work as middlemen. They do in a sense because magazines need their models and so do clothing lines, perfume companies, etc. Agencies go through their massive database of their models and try and find one with the look the magazine/clothing line needs.

Bottom line: Models do need agencies. I have never heard of a model being contacted directly by a magazine or whatever because it is very unprofessional and the agency makes sure you get paid because they get paid. They are your job, you work for them, not the magazine. Its all contracted work.

[youyan001]

I have some jobs fro modeling,If you want to be a modeling,pleace send me a message Email:youyan0002@yhaoo.com.cn

[snowgoose]

Yeah i agree with jmenq on this one.

I have a few friends who model for various magazines and clubs and such and id just say you should check out the agencies that have contacted your friend and do some deep research into them and find out as much as you can about them.

and you should ALWAYS sign a contract if you go with an agency and even though the contracts usually long read it and read it thouroghly, cos if theres something in the small print you dont read or something happens thats not in the contract, then court can be used.

Just a few words of advice for you,

Jake

[RTWgirl]

Originally Posted by snowgoose

Yeah i agree with jmenq on this one.

I have a few friends who model for various magazines and clubs and such and id just say you should check out the agencies that have contacted your friend and do some deep research into them and find out as much as you can about them.

and you should ALWAYS sign a contract if you go with an agency and even though the contracts usually long read it and read it thouroghly, cos if theres something in the small print you dont read or something happens thats not in the contract, then court can be used.

Just a few words of advice for you,

Jake

You should NOT always sign a contract. You can freelance with a few agencies or sign non-exclusive riders but don't always sign a contract with an agency because you'll be limiting yourself. Until you're consistently working thru one agency only there's no point in being exclusive to them.

[ADVERTISE HERE!]

My question to you is this:

If you do not contract with an agency, why the hell are they going to help you?

[snowgoose]

well i personally would never freelance with agencies. i always sign contracts after reading

[RTWgirl]

With or without an exclusivity contract, the agency will help you because you're a potential money earner.

Snowgoose, i'd love to hear why you would never freelance.

I feel it's also smart to freelance with a few agencies to see how you're treated by them. By not freelancing you run the risk of being tied to an agency where you're just a number, or they have 4000000000 people just like you, or they send out the same "top bookers" over and over and never send you out on gosees etc.

I work with (and get paid by) three agencies. My cousin does the same thing w/ two agencies tho he's about to sign exclusively with teh larger one that is getting him constant work.

jmenq i think you mentioned your wife was in the industry as well, I'm sure she will have some insight on this as well.