I recently accompanied a good friend of mine to a model search convention.
I have never in my life seen a more ridiculous thing. There were 4,000 aspiring models registered. At least half of them paid the model search to shoot their portfolio at $400 each. Now, I am no mathematician, but that sounds to me like a very large profit to the model search. 400x$2000=$800,000. Call me crazy but this sounds like a great way to get rich fast. Organize a few of these model searches and you too could be America's next millionaire.
The inside of the convention hall sounded more like a pep rally than what it seems to me a model search should sound like. Testimonials from models who were "discovered" by the model search, inspirational 90's music, and scripted cheering - what fun!
Every parent wants their child happy (ok, maybe not every single one) and they will do just about anything to see that their child gets the newest toy and spends their money on the latest whim. Karate classes, Pokemon, and last but not least - modeling classes and pipe-dreams. These aspiring models are fed all sorts of great stories about how they too can be the next supermodel. They are told how they have a great look and with the right photos, they too can be a star.
As the models entered the convention hall their excitement filled the air. Everyone KNEW they had what it took to be the next Kate Moss - after all, the model search website said that they have discovered tons of big stars! Every parent knew that THEIR child would be chosen for an interview by the agencies present - after all, those $400 photos on a pea-soup green backdrop showed their little darling's true potential as a fashion model.
Hours and hours dragged by - agonizingly slow for the waiting parents (and for myself)
Finally it was time for the models to line up and present their two best photos to the agents. You could have filled an aquarium with all the tears shed as model after model walked past the agents and recieved no "call-backs." The announcer announced each model who recieved a call-back. (as more inspirational 90's music played) Of the several thousand models who lined up to show their photos, perhaps 100 recieved call-backs. Of these, I doubt more than 10 will be signed with these agencies.
Was it worth it for these young hopefuls? Is $400 a small price to pay to see if a dream can be realized? Is it a scam if a small fraction of aspiring models actually do get signed by an agency?
Who is to blame for this sham? The organizers? The parent's who encourage the dream? The aspiring models?
This convention was for just one state. Every state has model searches just like this. Tens and quite likely hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by parents every year spending money on poorly shot portfolios, modeling school scams, and traveling to model search conventions like this one.
What these parents fail to realize is that it is free to send photos to an agency. It is free to attend an agency's open call. It is free to call an agency and ask for an appointment.
So many people are willing to pay hundreds for what they could get for free. Why? For the same reason that American's waste money on everything else they don't need. Advertisements, bright shiny promises, the chance of success and fame. Everyone wants to be that model on the magazine cover.
If you happen to be a parent or an aspiring model considering going to one of these model searches or going to a modeling school - save your money. Google "model search scam" and "modeling school scam" and read the words of thousands of angry parents who wished that they had done the same before spending their money on empty promises.
The real industry doesn't work like this.
