This came from the thread which was 5 years(!)...thought it was quite good so I copied and pasted (again)...
By RingaRingRoses
Hi everyone,
New to this board, but been reading for a while.
I though I would add a few things about the various agencies, I hope its of use, please excuse the long post.
My son did modelling when he was a baby so he went to a few castings and did a couple of jobs. I wanted him to get back into it, for the obvious reasons, but being a bit more clued up I decided to do research into the different agencies. So speaking from personal experience, speaking to friends etc and what I have read, this is what I have to say.
A few points to consider, when reading this.
I contacted various leading companies that tend to use children for assignments frequently such as Mothercare, M&S, Pampers etc to see what agents they use. I have marked these with an *.
Although most agents do probably manage to send children to castings, the number of children they have on the books do have an effect on who they send and how often the send children, Some of the top agents, who charge over £100 are able to get work, but because the number of children on the book, the odds of your child getting work or frequent work is less, for obvious mathematical reasons. I reckon they have their favourites and that?s that. Look at how many children they have in the age range of your child.
*Elisabeth Smith well established - so you do see their kids at castings. Want over hundred pounds for representation per year, plus photos. But they have quite a few kids on their books, as there is a financial benefit for them to do so. No negative feedback from parents with children on their books. One parent told me his child was being sent on regular work, and included a few trips further a field. Over 500 Kids on website.
www.elisabethsmith.co.uk
Rascals
Want a ridiculous amount of money for registration & photos, over £200, which includes photography. Have lots of kids on books, but I have seen children at castings. One parent told me that she received no work with them and is now with another agent. Over 500 kids on website.
www.rascals.co.uk/2005/index.htm
*Urban angels. Newly established, but v.successful, few children on books and minimal cost for parent involved. I have spoken to the owner, she is v.nice and I personal believe her company ethos is brilliant, the children I have seen at castings, all get regular work and they keep the parents well informed. See website.
www.urbanangelsagency.com/gettingyourwings.asp#
**Bruce & Brown. top end of industry, get lots of work, and were mentioned along with Kids London by companies who use kids for advertising. Not sure what costs are involved, but no upfront costs, I think minimal costs. Limited number of kids on books, so I guess their kids gets regular work. Not sure, just a guess, but probably do more high end fashion/work.
www.bruceandbrown.com/Join.aspx
**Kids London. V. similar comments to Bruce & Brown. High end work, not sure of number of kids on books, but I would guess very few as no costs or v.minimal costs involved. Spoke to owner v.nice lady.
www.kidslondonltd.com/
*Truly Scrumptious. High costs over £200 including photography, costs are less if child is under 2, over £100 pounds. Not sure of number of kids, but my son has got work with them. Sent him to 4 castings, and got the job for 3 of those. So either my son is highly talented (that?s what I love to think) or their just good a picking the right child for the job.
www.trulyscrumptious.co.uk/
Alphabet Kids
I think newish, a few people I know have joined, seemed organised, website looks good. Owner is very nice lady, at the photoshot for the model book; she was really good with the kids. Don?t know about frequency of work, did send some of my friends young babies to 1-2 castings, recently.
www.alphabetkidz.co.uk/
Cheeky Kids
V.V.new, so very few kids, only £15 to join. Run by sisters, who are very nice, so I have been reliable told.
www.cheekykidz.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=20
*MOT
Good agency, don?t have loads of kids with similar look & age. Which means more work for those who are suitable. No or minimal costs involved. Over 400 kids on website.
www.motjunior.com/index.html
*Scallywags
High costs £170 plus, but includes photos and cd of photos for yourself to keep. Seen children at casting, my son was with them when he was 6 months old, he was sent on several castings, but didn?t get any of the jobs. They have lots of kids on books, so I presume internal competition is high. They have over 900 kids on website
www.scallywags.co.uk/site/faqs.asp?vip=z121y122QFE69
Models Direct
Lets not even go there.
BizzyKids
Well, I?m just not sure. The probably do get work for their kids, but I don?t think they are that selective. And after reading quite a few forums, as parents are the best sources of reliable information. I?m more dubious. There seems to be quite a few suspicious posts from mothers claiming to be signed up with them and getting work immediately. And some not so suspicious as they are clearly from the head booker Debi Clark. I did sign up to them been with them for a couple of months, but no work as yet, this is before doing more extensive research in the chat forums. Not sure if it was worth it, but I remain optimistic. Its not for me to say they don?t get work for their kids, but I am suspicious about their methods of recruiting. They have over 700 kids on website.
www.bizzykidz.com/
Here is a list of others, but I have no comment on.
www.plain-jane.co.uk/
www.elliottbrownagency.co.uk/
www.inspired-models.com/
www.jabberwockyagency.com/outside/home.html
www.kidsplusagency.co.uk/index.php
www.kidzltd.co.uk/index.html
www.sandrareynolds.co.uk/recruitmentchildren.asp
www.hobsons-international.com/trial/Kids/IndexKidsV3.asp
www.norriecarr.com/children/default.htm
www.allsortsagency.com/
www.bmamodels.com/
www.childsplaymodels.co.uk/Contact.html
www.expressions-uk.com/
216.26.162.88/mp/
www.millenniumkidz.co.uk/default.htm
www.powerchildmodels.co.uk/
www.tuesdayschildagency.co.uk/
Do be wary of paying high costs, be it registration, website representation, model book or photos, but at the same time, the ones I have commented on that have high costs of over £100 do get children work. It just depends on if your child is right for casting/job. This industry is a mind field, and I just wanted to pass on what I have managed to learn. Although my son has NOT done tones of work like some parents children I have met. The little experience has taught me some bits. The most important thing is that the children enjoy it.