I posted this in my online journal today, but thought it beared repeating here.
What is up with all of these overnight "I want to represent goth girl" websites?
They think "wow, what a great idea! I can associate with these beautiful girls and spam them with things that don't matter to them to seem like I'm hard at work for them". Sad but true, many people attempt to ingratiate themselves in this way to seem like more reputable model themelves, or to get pseudo affection from them.
What all these companies do not realize is that they do more harm than good. By having little to no casting standards, unorganized companies and nothing more than a poorly designed site, they flood the internet with wanna be hopefuls. Not only do they present to you "professional models" who are no better than girls with poor self esteem and webcams, but they allow true talent to think they have representation when in fact they only have someone who thinks it's a great idea for the day.
They have NO real idea of what it takes to run a company like Wicked Talent, yet so many try.
I'm all for people helping out alternative models. It's still not a real well supported decision, and the more the better, except when it comes to people who call themselves an "agency" when they are not. How many of these not even registered with a DBA companies know that being an agent takes at least a $10,000 bond much less credentials?
People like this sour the name of legitimate agency by tacking the word on, saying they are representatives and that YOU TOO can be a model.
No wonder so many models think everyone's out to scam them. They are! You do models no justice by falsifying information, presenting yourself as knowledgable, and having no guidelines as to whom you accept.
Competition doesn't bug me, but liars do.
I'm going to post a links list to these "companies" today in the hopes of helping others make more educated decisions. This will somewhat pain me, as I've made friendly with these people, but facts are facts and I've done my homework.
Be warned.
What is up with all of these overnight "I want to represent goth girl" websites?
They think "wow, what a great idea! I can associate with these beautiful girls and spam them with things that don't matter to them to seem like I'm hard at work for them". Sad but true, many people attempt to ingratiate themselves in this way to seem like more reputable model themelves, or to get pseudo affection from them.
What all these companies do not realize is that they do more harm than good. By having little to no casting standards, unorganized companies and nothing more than a poorly designed site, they flood the internet with wanna be hopefuls. Not only do they present to you "professional models" who are no better than girls with poor self esteem and webcams, but they allow true talent to think they have representation when in fact they only have someone who thinks it's a great idea for the day.
They have NO real idea of what it takes to run a company like Wicked Talent, yet so many try.
I'm all for people helping out alternative models. It's still not a real well supported decision, and the more the better, except when it comes to people who call themselves an "agency" when they are not. How many of these not even registered with a DBA companies know that being an agent takes at least a $10,000 bond much less credentials?
People like this sour the name of legitimate agency by tacking the word on, saying they are representatives and that YOU TOO can be a model.
No wonder so many models think everyone's out to scam them. They are! You do models no justice by falsifying information, presenting yourself as knowledgable, and having no guidelines as to whom you accept.
Competition doesn't bug me, but liars do.
I'm going to post a links list to these "companies" today in the hopes of helping others make more educated decisions. This will somewhat pain me, as I've made friendly with these people, but facts are facts and I've done my homework.
Be warned.
posted by:
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Los Angeles
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 10:35 AMwell said...
~ Ryoga
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 10:37 AMthank you - your concern, research, and outspokenness are much appreciated.
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 11:27 AMIt's not just the models that gotta watch out. Photographers, make-up artists, customers too...it's a sad state of affairs when people are more satisfied with the dishonest buck they can make for what amounts to a lot of work that could have been put into being legit and taking care of your people.
After years of playing music, and dealing with the most dishonest people, people who were supposed to be working for me, the thing Is, I have learned to trust my gut. when things don't feel right I back out immediately, no legit opportunity is rushed. you learn to trust yourself and it will all come out fine.
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 1:39 PMPlease understand that before reading this list you are responsible for your own research. I have been modeling for 15 years now, over half of that exclusively in gothic fashion. Though my opinions are made with a well educated mind in this subject, they are just that, opinions. Use this as a way to make a more well informed decision for yourself.
<a href="" title="www.darknessoffear.com/">">www.darknessoffear.com/">
Dark Models Agency</a> First of all, not an agency. It was created to give credability to it's lead model, Lady Angellyca. While a lovely model and deserving of representation, it seems shady to me that you'd go about it this way. The magazine that they publish, Darkness of Fear seems to promote members and only members of Dark Models Agency. Alexa Ratings: 660,862
<a href="Evil" title="www.evilagency.co.uk/">Evil">www.evilagency.co.uk/">Evil Agency</a> Another company claiming to be an agency that is not. The first thing that should tip you off is that they will not hold any liability if you get paid or not. That is why actual agencies have a bond. To be sure you are paid. Alexa Ratings: No Info
<a href="VampeModels</a>" title="www.vampemodels.com/homepage...ls</a>">www.vampemodels.com/homepage...ls</a> Claim they are an agency, but I can find no bond to back that up. They list Zita Gorg as is they have some affiliation with her and that if you need to research any legal claims, to go Wolfram and Hart (the lawfirm in the T.V. show "Angel" copyright Warner Bros.) Also go by <a href="Gothicast</a>" title="www.gothicast.com/">Gothicast</a>">www.gothicast.com/">Gothicast</a> Alexa Ratings: 4,552,760 and 1,185,214
<a href="Model" title="www.geocities.com/dark_magi...tml">Model">www.geocities.com/dark_magi...tml">Model Gothic</a> Run by a very good intending person with bad judgement. They sent out a mass email about becomming an agency, but provided me no bond or license number when inquired about such. Have since taken those claims down. Bad mouthed a model when she decided they weren't really aiding her career to call her a "whore" amongst other nasty verbage. I like Jack personally, but I cannot stand behind this. Alexa Ratings: 1,918,457
<a href="Mondo" title="www.mondomodels.com/">Mondo">www.mondomodels.com/">Mondo Models</a> I shall actually think of them as "in between" as it appears they have great intentions of helping out the subculture. There is that tiny detail of the use of the term "agent" which bugs me as I can find no documentation to back this up, but they seem willing to help out new and aspiring models. Looks Colorado specific. Further looks into the FAQ reveal they claim they are not an agency, but the leader of the site still claims he is an agent. Also claim to have originated the concept in 2002. (4 years after Wicked Talent was borne and 7 after Dragon Talent) Alexa rating: 5,112,972
<a href="Nocturnal" title="www.nocturnalmodels.info.se/">Nocturnal">www.nocturnalmodels.info.se/">Nocturnal Models Agency</a> Beautiful site, GORGEOUS models, not an agency. Alexa Ratings: 84,410
The "Good Guys"
<a href="Outcast" title="www.outcasttalent.com/">Outcast">www.outcasttalent.com/">Outcast Talent</a> Though it seems to mostly cater to Florida's extra and background actors, it is what it claims to be. Seems from their site, they have fun attitudes. Alexa Ratings: No Info
<a href="Gothic" title="www.gothicmodels.net/gothicm...">Gothic">www.gothicmodels.net/gothicm...">Gothic Models</a> Seems to be another good resource, showcasing models in a database format. No fees and no promises. Just realized I'm on there. Dont' remember registering but again, seem to be a good resource with good intentions. Alexa Ratings: 757,318
<a href="Naughty" title="www.geocities.com/npindustry/">Naughty">www.geocities.com/npindustry/">Naughty Pleasures</a> is poorly designed, hard to tell how to contact the models, but seems to be built with positive intentions. Alexa Ratings: No Info
<a href="Extreme" title="www.xtreme-beauty.com/">Extreme">www.xtreme-beauty.com/">Extreme Beauty</a> Is a great site. No charge and well oranized. They offer to help build portfolios for only $50 for those in the tri-state area and seem to have their heads together. Not representation or promotion, but a great portfolio hosting site. Alexa Ratings: 1,281,520
<a href="Dark" title="groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkKittens">Dark">groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkKittens">Dark Kittens</a>, <a href="Femme" title="groups.yahoo.com/group/Fat...mes">Femme">groups.yahoo.com/group/Fat...mes">Femme Fatales</a> and <a href="Lethal" title="groups.yahoo.com/group/Let...ns">Lethal">groups.yahoo.com/group/Let...ns">Lethal Vixens</a> All run by Brandon Rimes who has his heart in the right place. Claims to be a modeling promoter who does little more than spotlight models on his sites. Does do it free of charge though and very polite. Gets alittle too personal for my taste, but I figure he's in it for the affection of pretty girls. Harmless and good promotion. Alexa Ratings: No Info
<a href="TY" title="www.tymanagement.com/">TY">www.tymanagement.com/">TY Management</a> Heh, I used to work there. Reason #1 a certain fetish model and I no longer speak. They ask for 20% of what you make through them for getting you gigs and I hear they even let models stay with them. They deal solely with adult and bondage talent. The owner's husband Ron, is about as gross as you can get. He shoots nude models bound to staircases outside the bedroom doors of his children. So, TY thumbs up, Ron Berry thumbs down. Alexa Ratings:1,180,320
<a href="www.retrokitten.com">Retrokitten</a> These guys are A+++. Run by Hamil Goode, he honestly believes in alternative talent. No cost to join, it's a portfolio hosting service that spells it all out in terms you can understand. Alexa Ratings: 323,293 -
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Tue, February 1, 2005 - 5:17 AMJust got to share my annoyance (Donna plz remove post if not appropriate for the forum). This goes for one of the "agencies" based in Europe on the above list. I will not list its the name in public.
I found out from a pro-photographer I'm trying to set up a booking with overseas today that one of these agencies goes around and tells people that they've been trying to sign me up for ages! This is what one of the representatives told this photographer after a few drinks last weekend when he enquired if she knew me since we live in the same city etc. She started raving about that she'd been trying so hard to get me into their agency.
The thing is that I have NO idea who this girl is. I've never recieved any form of communication from this so called agency at all so I was kinda suprised I dare say.
I work with one of their listed photographers at least once a month so I'd say it would be very difficult for them not to get the message through. I've work with another of their photographer on a different occasion (and am still waiting for the cd 6months later). So at least 2 persons have my private no.
This has happened at least twice now that I've been told about and who knows how many times to people I don't know. I find it very unprofessional at the least! making me look like a stuck-up model that don't answer messages, calls etc!? GAH!
It might be childish but it really bugs me. :/
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Tue, February 1, 2005 - 9:02 AMSounds to me like they are just severely unorganized!
You are free to post that they have been untruthful with you, if not unprofessional. I feel that this would be a fine post for you to make. We all have to look out for each other after all right?
-Donna -
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Tue, February 1, 2005 - 10:17 AMthis is all great information that I wouldn't know otherwise.
thanks donna (and modiX).
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Tue, February 1, 2005 - 11:14 AMI can easily imagine a conversation over drinks where the distinction between, "I've been trying to sign _ModiX_ for ages" and "I've been trying to sign models who share similar traits to _ModiX_ for ages" could easily be lost. One might even use the former words to convey the latter expression.
Not necessarily defending them. I have no idea who they are. It's just the first picture that occurred to me after reading your description.
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Re: A warning to hopeful models
Thu, February 3, 2005 - 10:46 AMAddendum to Nocturnal Models:
They have contacted me with information that they are trying to get their license to be a bonded agency.
-Donna
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