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Modeling Schools and Scouting Conventions…Scams or Not?
An aspiring model living in a small town far from any major modeling hub is likely to encounter the modeling school ploy. You go for an agency interview, and the director (or sales person, basically) advises you take classes before embarking on your catwalking career. You can’t really blame them; the fact is that there just isn’t enough modeling work in most small cities (or even in some big but non-fashiony ones) for agencies to survive on bookings revenue alone.
This is exactly what happened to me when I had an interview with Barbizon in Rochester, New York, at age 11. They wanted my parents’ 800 bucks before they’d discuss representing me. At the time, that branch of the ubiquitous modeling schools did have a legit agency. There wasn’t much modeling work in Rochester then—there’s probably even less now—but the Barbizon agency got the calls for castings when they happened. Actually, they were the only game in town, and after my eight weeks of pricey classes, I got some bookings.
What I don’t know is what would have happened if we called their bluff, if my parents had said no dice on the $800, just rep her if you think she has potential. If someone looks like a supermodel, this will work. An agency isn’t going to let a star slip out the door and head elsewhere. But sometimes it’s hard to decipher if a school is even associated with an agency. You definitely do not want to plunk down hundreds of dollars, or worse, thousands, at a place that has zero potential to ever get you a modeling job.
So, do your homework. Call around to any companies in your area that might employ models: department stores, any big companies headquartered near you, boutiques that do their own catalogs. Ask if there is an agency/agencies they call when they are looking for models. Check the Better Business Bureau and see if there are complaints about any “agencies” you are considering. Google is a great research tool also.
If you have a complaint, comment about it here. Let’s get a Community Agency Watch going here and on my Facebook page!
As for Model Scouting Conventions, click on the link for a thorough look at the pros and cons of attending one. (Note that Genesis and Model Search America no longer hold scouting conventions, but check out MSA’s database of castings across North America. Also, the First Option Guide is no longer available.) Proscout has been around for decades and has launched some stars.
Remember, you can always submit photos to the big agencies in New York and have your potential assessed at no charge and with no strings attached. Most of them have submission details on their websites. Here are links to a few: Ford, IMG, Wilhelmina, Next.
Just be prepared, competition is fierce at these top agencies. They reject more than 99% of the submissions they receive. But, sometimes they are wrong. They all rejected me at age 17. At 24, after modeling in Europe for several years, I easily found representation in New York.
I don’t have any regrets about that $800 we gave to Barbizon. The skills I learned there weren’t necessarily helpful in the real modeling world, but Barbizon definitely served as a stepping stone to a long and fruitful career.
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Wow . I have an appointment with babazion on saturday i am 12 years old and my mom is taking me. I wanna go put after ready your post im wondering if its worth it…can uou give me some advice. Thank u …maria
Hi Maria, where do you live? Let me know that and I’ll Try to guide you in the right direction. I’m glad you are getting informed. That’s a good first step! All the best, Jill
Hey, I have an interview for Barbizon on Saturday in Manhattan, NYC. I was wondering if you can inform me/give me more advice as soon as possible please.
There are so many agencies in New York where you can submit photos or go to open calls and get feedback on your potential without any strings attached–i.e. salespeople pushing you to take modeling classes (that is how Barbizon makes their money). Sometimes Barbizon makes sense in really small markets where there aren’t other options, but that is not the case in New York, a huge modeling market. Check out these listings and open call times: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/top-modeling-agencies-in-new-york/
https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/new-york-modeling-agency-open-call-times/
https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/tuesday-tip-top-commercial-agents-in-new-york/
Good luck!
This is my email address
Aww man. I’m from Maryland. It’s not much work here, at least not that I know of. It’s so cool because I got accepted into Barbizon at age 11 too but, unfortunately my parents declined because they thought it was just a scam, which I don’t blame them because it did seem like that. It probably wouldn’t have been good anyway because one of my other siblings didn’t get a callback (I think she may have been too old) and that may have caused some sibling rivalry. Anyway, I’m 19 now and I really want to start modeling probably because many people, some who practically beg, want me to model (even though I’m freaking 5’4″ and 133 lbs) so it kind of seems like it’s a part of my destiny (lol sorry if that sounds corny). Modeling seems fun, despite it’s harsh industry. I guess I’m in a rush because I don’t want time to fly and then I’m old looking back on my life on the many things I wish I did. Thanks for your info and help. I love the short story you told about despite your rejection you were able to succeed later anyway, that’s freaking awesome! With all of this said, what’s the first step I should take for getting into the industry? I have no idea where to start.
Hi Shanice,
Thanks for reading; so glad you liked my story
You probably made the right decision re. Barbizon. At 5’4″, you need to look into commercial modeling (not tall enough for fashion modeling). Here is some info on commercial modeling: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/category/commercial-modeling/
Also be sure to sign up for my free newsletter: http://modelingmentor.us5.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=9ac8c2abbe1af96e0b38238cb&id=2742c18b6e
Best of luck!
Jill
Hey I just enrolled my daughter in barbizon they scouted her out of the mall and really.loved her I always felt this would be easy for her because she’s a natural actor and loves dress up and all that she’s 7 all I want to know is if they will for sure give her the exposure to make it
Hi Bryant, I’m so sorry that this question got lost in my inbox! Although I did start out at Barbizon, you have to be careful because it really is not necessary to spend thousands of dollars on modeling classes. You should read this post on my blog: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/tuesday-tip-modeling-schools-and-scouting-conventions-scams-or-not/
Where do you live? If you are in a decent modeling market: NY, L.A., Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco… you can find a legitimate agency to assess if your daughter has potential. Generally child models are quite short for their age (so they can model clothes of younger kids, but have the advantage of maturity on set); adult model are usually tall. In other words, child models don’t usually go on to have careers as adult models, and few make a lot of money. I have many posts on child modeling: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/category/child-models/
All that being said, the Barbizon I attended had the only agency in town and got me my first bookings. A scout from Elite New York also used to come through Barbizon periodically. If you have the money, the classes might be fun for her.
Let me know what has transpired since you last wrote.
Best, Jill