Comments on: Have you been scammed?

By: El G. Nie

El G. Nie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:40:24 +0000

Hunter, We all will still love to hear about your experience w/the photoshoot. hope everything works out.

By: El G. Nie

El G. Nie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:32:33 +0000

It’s great that you and your daughter have enjoyed this experience. I really hope that she does get a 1 yr contract. These events are real confidence boosters for some but reality checks for others. In my parents case, they were not completely thrilled with the experience of shelling out the $ for my baby photoshoot even though I have the comps to prove that I had the experience. My lil brother was 3 1/2 when he sang on different occasions in front of large groups at different churches but they didn’t have to pay for that experience.
(Just to Note:Regardless of how many employees a company has does not give them credibility.
Check out also: http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/the-american-mall-model-search-c285152.html
Like I said before in my post, legit agencies pay for you & you pay back from your pay once you get the job. But if anyone wants to pay to have a fun experience that’s up to them.)
I just share our experience and am always happy to hear the experience from others, whether good or bad. May your daughter’s life purpose be fulfilled and may she continue delighting others through her voice and God given talents & abilities! Thanks for sharing.

By: Jose

Jose — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:14:21 +0000

I had my daughter in this at del amo mall in torrance the talent and fashion show was on 1/9/10 and i did pay $150.00 for photoshoot prior to that, and I think it was a great experience for my daughter, she walked the runway and performed singing on stage in front of about 250 people and she rocked!!!! she can sing good and is only 7. the excitement leading to the show it created for my daughter and my family was worth that and then some. This company had at least 10 employees organizing the show, so anyone who thinks this is a scam needs help!!!! I have 7 employees in my own business and if there is no money coming in there is no employees. $150.00 for pictures and the experience for my daughter is peanuts for what we got in return. Anything else will be a bonus, we are waiting to see if she gets a 1 year contract, if she does great!!! its already been a win win situation, and believe me I am not affiliated with this company. I had never even heard of them until a few weeks ago and I appreciate what they do.

a proud father

By: Hunter

Hunter — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:59:20 +0000

Y’all are lucky, I paid the $150 up front! Oh well, hope the photo’s turn out well & it’ll be fun. I guess it’s just one of those live&learn experiences, eh?

By: El G. Nie

El G. Nie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:02:03 +0000

I don’t think you can after having done the photoshoot and getting the photo cd because it’s what you paid for. I don’t know if anybody has tried to get their $ back or has been successful at it. I would love to hear from anyone who has though so maybe it can help others out.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:58:22 +0000

Yea same here..I auditioned && made it..I was really exited but wen they asked “Are you paying cash or credit?” I was like payments? Nahh..Im good && i left..The guy was pretty convincing her tried to lower it to 30$ as i was walkninq away but still..i felt like it was a scam && its true real agencies shouldn’t have you pay anything until your first paycheck..cause if that’s the point id rather get a fotoshoot from my cousin..hes professional..&& way cheaper(:

By: happy face

happy face — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:42:51 +0000

how would u go about getting ur money back?

By: kenzierin

kenzierin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:45:16 +0000

i auditioned yesterday.
and i have a photoshoot today, but i decided im not going to go, nor am i going to pay that money.
i have talent, i have been told so since i was a litle girl, not to sound judemental, but some of the people that made it, were NOT cut out for this type of carreer. i agree completely.

By: El G. Nie

El G. Nie — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:07:40 +0000

Your comment is very interesting pertaining to my post. It makes me question your affiliation (if any) to the above industry. Though I may be a teen and not “too bright” to adults’ standards, I can see something is not right here. First of all, I write on MY personal experiences and research. I didn’t say anything about pic copyrights so how do you know this? (Note: You do get to keep your photos and a “model’s release” form to market your photos.)
As for the word “scam”, it pertains to any act which deceives anyone in regard to money, confidence tricks, etc. If a person doesn’t know the laws under which they are covered, they can and will be “scammed”. No one has to “force” anyone to buy anything in order for something to be a scam.
It is not as simple as “you can purchase the photos or not” as you claim. Unless one already owns a portfolio with headshots, you MUST take the photoshoot with one of their “freelance photographers” or you cannot continue with them.
There are other sites which discuss this issue in more detail. The site below is one to check out:
http://www.modelingscams.org/upfrontfees.html

http://www.modelingscams.org/modelscouts.html

May anyone who wishes to pursue modeling and acting, pursue their dreams.
Just don’t belittle my actual experiences, thoughts, and feelings; for in doing so, one shows themselves to be not so “smart” after all.

By: Smart Shopper

Smart Shopper — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:39:48 +0000

What scam? They said that you could purchase photos. That price is pretty competitive and they are copyright free. Go use the photos to get a modeling job at an agency. I see no scam here…you can purchase the photos or not…nobody is forcing him to buy anything. If your a good actor or model you would already have a paying job and be represented by an agency. So good luck and hope you get a big role or job.