- Report: #346325
Complaint Review: Model Management Inc - New York New York
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Model Management Inc
5 Penn Plaza, 23rd Floor New York, 10017 New York, U.S.A.
Phone:
646-378-2085
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Model Management Inc All that glitters is not really a talent agent. New York New York
Model Management Inc. is posting a lot of ads on the New York page of Craigslist. They are holding what they call "closed auditions" for models who reply to the Craigslist ads, which tend to vary (some request child models, others "lifestyle" models, etc.). The closed auditions seem to take place on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
I attended one on a Thursday evening. The New York office of MMI is on a high floor at Penn Plaza and it's a nicely appointed space. Yet on my two visits, was empty of all by one employee. The "closed audition" was virtually a cattle call, with a line of 50+ aspiring models that were an even mix of male and female fashion and a few older "lifestyle" candidates. The line moved slowly and ended in a small office kitchen area with a few tall tables and stools.
The representative for MMI was named Jesse, an aspiring model who has recently begun working for MMI's "New Faces" division. He explained that MMI is presently expanding its operations into Manhattan. At our first meeting, he took a few of my photos to show to whom he called "the director", and handed me a reference sheet with a number on it. He told me to call the next day after the director reviewed my photos. I did, and was told by a representative that they want to sign me to the agency, and that I should return to sign a contract. I returned as directed, carrying more photos and an outline of my previous experience modeling and some TV work.
When I returned, I met again with Jesse in an office that looked new. Jesse explained that the agency wanted to sign me to a standard modeling contract of 20% commission, yet he didn't have any contract. He seemed reluctant to look at my book of photos and explained that I needed 12 images on a disc, again for the "director's" use. He mentioned the name of a photographer they recommend. I told him that I was concerned about agencies seeking clients merely to refer them to photographers for photos, and he immediately said that was not the case. He said I was welcome to send in my own photos, but that they should look like the samples on the MMI website.
Several small things concern me about my first experiences with MMI. The office seems mysteriously empty and generic, as though borrowed from another business. MMI also claims to have experience casting film and TV, yet is not listed with S.A.G. and do not seem to have what S.A.G. terms "signatory status". Their claims of casting films like "Zoolander" and several blue chip television ad campaigns may be legitimate ones, but the MMI representatives that I have dealt with in the past three weeks have been quite evasive. The "office" where I had my second meeting had several film advertisements that printed on a very cheap injet color printer and seemed placed quickly into inexpensive black picture frames, giving the impression of a temporary or hastily assembled office. There seemed to be a credit card processing machine on the office desk. Why? MMI lists New York as its "World Headquarters", yet their representative, Jesse, implied that they were just beginning to operate out of New York.
I sincerely hope that I am wrong, but Model Management, Inc. seems to be one of these holographic enterprises. I am scratching the surface, yet there seems to be nothing underneath.
BulldogNYC
New York, New York
U.S.A.
I attended one on a Thursday evening. The New York office of MMI is on a high floor at Penn Plaza and it's a nicely appointed space. Yet on my two visits, was empty of all by one employee. The "closed audition" was virtually a cattle call, with a line of 50+ aspiring models that were an even mix of male and female fashion and a few older "lifestyle" candidates. The line moved slowly and ended in a small office kitchen area with a few tall tables and stools.
The representative for MMI was named Jesse, an aspiring model who has recently begun working for MMI's "New Faces" division. He explained that MMI is presently expanding its operations into Manhattan. At our first meeting, he took a few of my photos to show to whom he called "the director", and handed me a reference sheet with a number on it. He told me to call the next day after the director reviewed my photos. I did, and was told by a representative that they want to sign me to the agency, and that I should return to sign a contract. I returned as directed, carrying more photos and an outline of my previous experience modeling and some TV work.
When I returned, I met again with Jesse in an office that looked new. Jesse explained that the agency wanted to sign me to a standard modeling contract of 20% commission, yet he didn't have any contract. He seemed reluctant to look at my book of photos and explained that I needed 12 images on a disc, again for the "director's" use. He mentioned the name of a photographer they recommend. I told him that I was concerned about agencies seeking clients merely to refer them to photographers for photos, and he immediately said that was not the case. He said I was welcome to send in my own photos, but that they should look like the samples on the MMI website.
Several small things concern me about my first experiences with MMI. The office seems mysteriously empty and generic, as though borrowed from another business. MMI also claims to have experience casting film and TV, yet is not listed with S.A.G. and do not seem to have what S.A.G. terms "signatory status". Their claims of casting films like "Zoolander" and several blue chip television ad campaigns may be legitimate ones, but the MMI representatives that I have dealt with in the past three weeks have been quite evasive. The "office" where I had my second meeting had several film advertisements that printed on a very cheap injet color printer and seemed placed quickly into inexpensive black picture frames, giving the impression of a temporary or hastily assembled office. There seemed to be a credit card processing machine on the office desk. Why? MMI lists New York as its "World Headquarters", yet their representative, Jesse, implied that they were just beginning to operate out of New York.
I sincerely hope that I am wrong, but Model Management, Inc. seems to be one of these holographic enterprises. I am scratching the surface, yet there seems to be nothing underneath.
BulldogNYC
New York, New York
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Afroagogo
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
Ignore the rebuttal that claims MM is reputable
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, January 15, 2009
I also got an e-mail suggesting that I go to their office @ Penn Plaza...I had a bad experience with their branch on Long Island a year or two ago - they are complete rip offs and should not be trusted. They will just refer you to a photographer and ask for about $400-$500 upfront for pictures, but you will never get work from them. They prey on people wanting to break into the business, and take your money with no guarantees. Stay away!
Bryan8675309
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
BEWARE: Model Management INC
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sat, January 03, 2009
The rebuttal you see on this page is an automatic response for anyone having a problem with this company. I've seen it 3 times now. Everything they say is incorrect. I live in LA and have worked with and been contacted by major and legitimate agencies. They will not ask you for money, they will not charge you a monthly fee and they will not make you pay for photographers. My Ex is a known stylist in LA and she has worked with them all. She says the same thing and also knows of this company. They "Hired" her to work for them but never actually got her work, just used her name. Gotta love it. They post fake ads for jobs on Craigslist and then contact you for the "Closed Audition" I always see people getting sucked into. They sent me an email today about one such ad and I called up, after doing research on them, and asked why I was called in to them for representation when I never submitted for this and how did they receive my info. The guy in the New Faces division had no idea and said that they had made a mistake. I asked a few real questions and I could tell he was uneasy. Anyways, stay away from them and NEVER NEVER NEVER pay money up front. BTW, the head of the company is a joke. Go on Youtube and search for Diva Boy and see what comes up. That's who would be representing you. Nuff Said! Take care and I would love to see what kind of response I get from them.
1kristen
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
Model Management Inc. - Very Positive Experience
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, November 22, 2008
I have worked as a model for years, and I can say with great confidence that the author of the previous post may have had great intentions but is greatly misinformed about MMI and probably about most agencies. Any agency, and I mean ANY, whether it be Wilhemina, Elite, or Ford, charges you a yearly or monthly admin fee for their costs. Costs such as Fedex, Messenger Fees, etc. Any costs related to marketing a model are always billed back to the model with very rare exception. Check it out for yourself. Also, in my experience most agencies require you to pay up front for a photography fee before you shoot and it is always from an approved list of their photographers. No agency will let you go and shoot with someone you choose on your own that they have not approved in terms of style, work ethic, etc. This is very standard. If you were asked to pay $800 for photography and the printing of your cards, I am not sure what your complaint is really about. As a model, this is not expensive, or out of the ordinary, again check it out for yourself. Call Elite or Ford and find out how much it cost to shoot with one of their photographers and to produce a set of comp cards. I think you will be surprised at what they tell you might be higher than MMI's fee. To be honest, I think that $800 is a small price to pay when you consider how many years you can use the photos for marketing yourself. And your complaint of no guarantee, what agency in the world is going to GUARANTEE you work? If you can find one, let me know. No one would ever make a claim to guarantee anyone anything in this industry because beyond marketing you to clients for jobs and giving you professional advice on how to improve, it is beyond their control. Regarding their office space, I spoke with someone that had an audition there that is a working actress that was looking for extra work and she thought it was a very nice office. This is the digital age, not every company has sprawling offices taking up 3 floors anymore. It is just not cost effective or necessary. If you wanted to go to Elite or Ford, then why didn't you go there instead? Just because a company has a more modest office space than they do does not mean that they will not work diligently for you night and day to help you become successful. To be honest, I think you through no fault of your own really are lacking in industry experience and wrote your post without doing a lot of research. Have you called 5 or 6 top agencies to research all of the fees and other issues you are complaining about? I would urge you to do so. As far as I can see, Model Management Inc. is a very reputable company. Out of curiosity, I called regarding who they book with, and they said that they would be happy to put me or anyone else in touch with the contacts for clients their agents have booked with. Folks, please do your research and let the facts speak for themselves.
