www.m0del.co.uk

[na5ima]

Hello All,
I applied for my son to join the modelling agency m0del (the O isn't a letter it's number zero) and he got selected. He his 5 month and 3 weeks.

I know I should of done the research beforehand however I can't find much info on the agency now and to find info is from the website only. Has anyone come across this website. I applied through Facebook.

Let me know
Thanks
Nas

This is a bit dated but names some legit agencies:
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=502879&page=2

"I,ve done a bit of research now and found the real agencies wont accept teenagers unless they are 5ft 7 and usually catalogue work models like next are 5ft 10.
The real agencies seem to be model plan, Boss, Nemesis, and industry people,Real and Nidges.
You only have to send them a normal photo then they give you an interveiw if you,ve got it.
Most are photographic agencies after your money,best to press them for what work they got their models and then check it out.
Its heartbreaking if you get scammed you,ve got to be sharp.
Dont part with any money !.Imagine your little girl getting dolled up,getting her hair done and buying a new outfit and being really excited,transport costs,photo shoot.
And the whole time its just a photographic studio with an actor/acctress giving you all the bul££s££t under the sun.
Hope it helps. "

uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140217102557AAKARkS

"Also don't be afraid to ask an agency who their big clients are. If you want to model for Burberry or Vogue and the agency's biggest clients are Tesco and Argos, then you know it's not the right agency for you. An legitimate agency will have no problem telling you who their biggest clients are - in fact they brag about them. I worry about companies who say they can't tell you or it's confidential - why would they hide the fact they are booking models for the Next catalogue or H&M if that's where they were booking them? "

I asked M0del who their clients were and got an abusive email in response.

Hoorah! That's helpful wheeze65, thanks. Where did your daughter sign to in the end? It's actual success stories we need to hear so that we can point any 'would be' models in the right direction. I am really struggling to find any agency offering free portfolios...Or who will work with our own photos.

She hasn't signed anywhere. Her experience with M0del has so destroyed her confidence that she can't even think about putting herself forward again.

We were the lucky ones, our bank were happy to listen to what happened and combined with good advice which directed me to the relevant Consumer Trading regulations, she got her money back. I only wish her self-confidence was that easy to fix.

Sorry to hear she didn't continue. But, as far as I can see, they're pretty much all of a muchness. Which is why we need success stories as, without these, we can't make informed choices.

Well, I think the whole point of this thread is to warn people about M0del and to advise people to do their research. Without threads like this the people behind M0del, Blackberry, Adora and the photographers that seem to be in cahoots with them, Limitless, NYC, Studio44 etc, will continue to find an easy money source.

Maybe if you could provide me with details of companies who use this agency Blue I will be willing to accept that they are actually a Modelling Agency and not just scamsters.

The only problem with that wheeze is that it then seems to promote the ones you don't name, without quantified substance. What we need are models being promoted successfully with their portfolios paid for by the agency. Then everyone could apply to them. But, as I say, I'm not convinced such agencies exist atm.

There are lots of high profile companies listed Dione. We're applying for jobs through mOdel as we speak. I'll keep you posted...

I have looked on the website and can't see any high profile companies or any companies at all. Who do they say employs their models?

Blue, of course such agencies exist. They ask for a head shot, a full length shot, height and weight. If they think you have enough potential, they will organise a shoot that they pay for. The cost comes out of any earnings through the agency. No reputable agency will ask for money before they have found you work.

And no agency should ever ask you to pay for a portfolio for babies. They change so quickly that there isn't any point in paying a lot of money for a portfolio.

Dione - You would have to be accepted and signed to (no tie in or exclusivity) mOdel to see who they work with and to apply for jobs (as you would with any agency).

I take your point that all agencies have different charging structures, and have already asked on here for details of these so called 'reputable' ones, without success.

As before, it would be useful if successful, working models would share the detail of who they are working with, the level of their success and the costs involved.

Somewhat pessimisitically, and until someone actually takes the time to do that, I can only conclude that it is unfair to assassinate M0del, Blackberry, Adora in this way simply because their charging structure is different. We need to drill down in order to find the cheapest and the best.

You would need to be signed to them to see what jobs they had available. But not to see past campaigns that they have done. It's one ofthe main ways agencies advertise, by showing you their work. It also shows that they aren't scamsters.

Blue, you are signed so what companies have used them that I can't see on the main site?

It looks like they are a photographers' agency as the only people that they get paid work for are the photography studios.

Blue, Blackberry and Adora agencies have been exposed as scam agencies in the past. They were run by the same people who now run M0del. Getting the picture yet?

Since coming into contact with M0del at the beginning of February, I've been looking quite hard at M0del and through various forums I have been speaking to others that have signed to M0del. Not one person has reported getting any work from them. If someone were to come back and say "yes, I've had work through them" or if they themselves were to name companies I could verify had used models on their books, I'd be the first to stand up and say I was mistaken. I've a feeling it'll be a cold day in hell when I need to do that.

As for the price of the pictures being reasonable, I suggest you look at the website for the photographers used and see what some of their own packages sell for. In my case, Limitless advertise packages with champagne reception, facial treatments, manicure, make-up, hairstyling and 8x12 Hi-Res prints from between £99 and £499. The top package is £250 LESS than my daughter paid for her digital images and she certainly didn't get a champagne reception, facial treatment or manicure! I can't say giving her hair a quick brush was exactly "hair-styling" either. So yes, I'm still calling it a scam.

Dione I have had a quick look at a couple of the agencies wheeze considers to be reputable, namely Real & Nidges (now Boss), but I can't see that they publish who they work with either, perhaps contracts don't allow? Indeed, when I approached Matalan directly to ask, this was their reply - "All of our current models come from a selection of UK based fashion agencies, however due to internal policy reasons I am unable to pass on the agency details to you".

Boss / Nidges have their credits on their site. Matalan will not tell you who they use because they are not a modelling agency, they use modelling agencies who, no doubt, say so on their web pages.

Any reputable agency who want you on their books will tell you the shows/campaigns that they casted.

I think we should bury blue for good! Nobody goes looking for bad feedback, if they supposedly were happy with a service... Nobody continues their relentless rants like 'Blue' has on here. It simply does not happen, unless you have a connection with these scammers.

The one and only reason why victims have paid for these worthless portfolios - is because Blackberry/M0del claimed that unless victims paid for the portfolios - they would NOT be represented. It is illegal to make it a precondition to representation - to have to pay for other services (Portfolios). Those are the regulations by BIS Employment Agency Standards. Agents must give applicants a 30 day cooling off period - before (charging) any charge for photographer. Clearly the AGENT was employing these photographers!

These agencies claimed to have paid for the studio and hair & makeup. They never mention whatsoever, that the applicant has to pay for anything. You only find this out, when it comes to the hard sell, after the photoshoot. The photographers then claim that they have been in touch with the agency and they are willing to give you a contract? Whoopee........

So whether the photos are good, or bad, does not come within the equation. It was just a clever scam to get you to pay for worthless portfolios. We ALL know these agencies do not actually exist. We all know that the photographers are/were in collusion with these none existent agencies.

000000blue Fri 04-Mar-16 22:24:18 Then we get mandymoo1957 Fri 04-Mar-16 22:50:16 just 26 minutes later. Wow!!!! what a coincidence - same day and within 26 minutes - later we get someone supporting good old 'Blue' What a coincidence....

After 20 years in the business, fighting such scams; and 4 years on Equity union Council - who represent models, this is my advice to any budding model:

NO prospective model needs a portfolio. Portfolios are simply not required - to get a model started with an agency/work. Two photo's only are needed - for anyone starting their modelling career. No makeup. A head & shoulders and a full length. Portfolios, as any professional will tell you, should be from work found and by different photographers - with different styles. A portfolio is something that builds up over time. A production line type photo-shoot (often doctored photographs) at exorbitant prices - is totally worthless. And... Not fit for purpose!

It may well take a court case, to prove it. Then scammers beware!

Wrong tree yet again Clive.

I have absolutely no connection with mOdel agency or Blackberry or, indeed, any other agency. I saw your posts before I went for the photo shoot but chose to attend anyway in order to formulate my own opinion rather than be influenced by yours.

As I have expressed in great detail already, I got exactly what I was promised, i.e. a FREE photoshoot and a FREE modelling assessment. Then I was offered some fabulous photos at a very reasonable price. There was no pressure, just practical helpful advice on how to kick start a modelling career.

I felt compelled to post as my experience was 100% positive. Nothing more, nothing less. And I have never heard of mandymoo! Just because mOdel receive yet another positive review doesn't serve to suggest I am in collusion with her. How ludicrous would it be to suggest that you yourself might be in cahoots with anyone who posts negative feedback here?!? Or, indeed, that you might be connected to a competitor...

To the contrary, I would imagine mOdel aren't concerned by this thread in the slightest, let alone following it; satisfied at having delivered exactly what they promised.

I shall therefore refuse to be buried, as much as you would like, and I will continue to speak as I find and not be silenced by you. I am as much entitled to my opinion as you are to yours.

Blue: if you would like to give me your email address, I will send you the emails "Chrissy" at M0del has sent me that very much proves that not only are they watching this thread, and the Facebook group, they are very much bothered by what is being said! The more we warn people about what they are up to, and give advice on how to obtain a refund, the less money they are able to scam off people!

Blue must on something. Oh despite all the bad experiences of a huge amount of victims he thought it worthwhile to pay for a worthless portfolio? We get scammed and he says that's OK... That's exactly the type of rubbish given by the scam photographers.... Keep wailing away blue boy. Wake me up when the case gets to court and me daughter gets her money back!

Despite the fact that I personally got exactly what I was promised at the photographer's studio, and have no issue with that aspect whatseover, I am more than happy to keep the group updated as to what happens next.

I.e. I shall apply for jobs through mOdel (and to work with other agencies) with and without my purchased portfolio and let you know what transpires. And, perhaps more interestingly, what the other agencies have to offer, and at what price, as I think it's important to give mOdel the benefit of the doubt until we have other ACTUAL experiences to compare them to.

As before, it would be great if someone was prepared to say "I had a bad experience when I signed with mOdel but a great 'no cost' experience when I signed with XYZ and have secured modelling work with ABC through them".

What a star you are Blue...! I am sure you will get what you deserve in the end... Lets continue this charade shall we. So which firm of photographers did you go to and how much did they charge you? What the other agencies have to offer? Who are these mythical 'other agencies'. No legitimate agency is interested in makeover portfolios.

Any fool can dab on loads of eye shadow. Agents want makeup free photos. These tricksters know nothing about the modelling industry. They fool the public with inflated prices for worthless photography.

There are loads of budding photographers out there, who will not charge you a penny - For some good photographs, to add to their portfolio, as a photographer. The place to find such professionals, is www.modelmayhem.com and look at their forums. They cover the USA & UK... It will also give you a chance to look at the competition and help decide - if you really do have that something... :)

Clive - You know I got my photos from Studio94. You know I rated them. You know I was happy with the photos and the cost. You know I'm now applying for jobs through mOdel, but that I'm not tied into them.

So I'm free to approach other agencies and see what the deal is with them, i.e. do they actually expect me to have a portfolio, do they actually provide me with a 'free' portfolio, is the cost of that then deducted from any modelling work they find for me and, the million dollar question, do they actually find me any work??? If so, what is their fee/commission percentage?

Imo all this is relative to drilling down to find who is offering the best OVERALL deal to any potential would-be models so that they can be directed straight to them.

As before, would anyone who has had 'free' success with other agencies please, please, please name names so that no-one else is then fleeced as you suggest here.

After reading these posts for several days now and finding a lot of them by a couple of people laughable I feel the need to comment.

I took my daughter for a photoshoot to beehive studios in Manchester, limitless photography. I attended the photoshoot after applying for my daughter to become a model through Facebook, I now know this was a very silly thing to do. I attended the shoot with her and was told she was beautiful and would have no problem receiving work. Myself and my husband were taken into a small room where a young man proceeded to tell us that our daughter would have no problems with obtaining work and because all the pictures were fantastic he would do us a special price for the pics, £500.

We were told that everybody who wishes to become a model needs a portfolio in order to apply for jobs and if we didn't buy the pictures we wouldn't be able to sign for m0del as they needed the pictures for my daughters profile.

Making us feel like we had no choice we bought the pictures.

I returned home and started to look at other agencies as I knew I didnt just have to be represented by them. I spoke to several agencies who told me I didn't need a portfolio as my daughter is a baby and as babies change so much it was a waste of money. So as you can imagine I started to feel that m0del had told me lies.

I continued to dig and more dirt came to light about this so called agency m0del. I spoke to another agency who were very helpful and told me the pics I had been sold were poor, they had poor lighting and were out of focus, and had no head shots which is a big requirement when applying for work.

I have applied for jobs through m0del and surprise surprise no go as it seems all the jobs on their website are make believe. I have made numerous phone calls and sent numerous emails all of which have been ignored, letters have been sent recorded delivery, still no response from either party, photography studio or m0del agency.

I uploaded images that I had taken myself on my phone to an agency, I'm not willing to name names, my daughter has successfully attended a casting for Morrisons clothing range. This agency asked for no money upfront, no portfolio no nothing, all they ask is we attended the casting and out of her earnings they would take 20%.

I have signed my daughter to different agencies, none of which have asked for any money for photographs or portfolios. One agency took photographs and told me for £25 I can have all the pictures but I'm under no obligation to purchase them. So as I'm sure you can appreciate asking £500 for a cd with photos on was completely ripping us off.

I am still fighting for my rights as I was mis-sold a product by m0del and I have built up a very strong case against them and there sham agency.

Thanks Woods28 - but not understanding why you won't name names of the 'free' agencies you rate so that other would-be models can apply straight to them?