Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"Even though Trans Continental Talent says it now offers a 72-hour refund policy, the Orlando Better Business Bureau says the new company has the same unsatisfactory record as the old one because of "a pattern of complaints concerning misrepresentation in recruiting practices and misrepresentation of the modeling agencies who use their services."... after the second day of shooting, Doberman decided to fight back. He says he made copies of the Better Business Bureau report on TCT and took them to a TCT open call in Atlanta. "I walked straight up to the front of the room and start passing them out to people and I made an announcement," he said. "This is scam! Leave as fast as you can!"¹

1. "Trans Continental Talent: An I-Team Investigation," Fox News-Atlanta, Nov. 14, 2002.

Child Modeling Scams

"Carole Kozminski didn't seriously think of modeling as an option for her girls before the scout for Trans Continental Talent approached her. But the offer peaked her curiosity. So she took her four-year-old daughter Carly to the first session. There were two gentlemen taking digital pictures; they shot head shots and full body shots. The first meeting still didn't answer all her questions, so she went back at our request, this time with a camera rolling."¹

http://www.cbs58.com/cbsdata.cgi?_dhweb=form&_lt23r=home&kv=headlinenews.headlinenew_id=2312

Hidden Cameras Expose Talent Agency Scam

"Hidden cameras exposed the conniving side of the catwalk inside Transcontinental Talent's Ferndale office, Ruth Spencer reported. Local 4's undercover producer and dozens of other model-wannabes attended a model open call after being selected by a TCT talent scout....Ruth to the Rescue put TCT's recruiting practices to the test. The undercover producer filled out a TCT scout application online. Within hours, he received a letter from the TCT telling him that he would be a tremendous asset to the company. He has never scouted or worked in the entertainment business, but that doesn't bother TCT, the station reported. A Local 4 photographer and a volunteer also signed on, and received the same letter.... Ruth also signed up her 10-year-old dog, Lochie Spencer, who also received the same e-mail."¹

1. "Hidden Cameras Expose Talent Agency Scam," Ruth to the Rescue, NBC WDIV-Detroit, Nov. 15, 2002.

The Model Scam

"Former talent scouts looking for models claim they weren't selling a dream, they claim they we're hired to sell a scam! Thomas Edward Seymour is a former talent scout for Options and says that "open calls" are a trip to fantasy land. “I would call it fraud. But you could call it a scam or a rip off," said Seymour, “the reason that they are open is their dishonesty. That's the only way they can function." “They train you how to be deceptive," said Keith Walkley, another former Options Talent scout."¹

Lou's Next Move

"Pearlman's oddest move came in early September, when Trans Continental purchased the controversial model-scouting firm, Options Talent Inc. That company has gone by three names in two years: Studio 58, eModel and Options Talent. The first was a test company of sorts, while the second and third shared virtually the same staff. Each incarnation carried with it scores of unhappy clients who felt they were ripped off, and bad blood from other talent agencies that thought Studio 58/eModel/Options Talent preyed on model and actor wannabes who don't know how the industry works. Today, Options Talent is called Trans Continental Talent. Aside from the name change, it's largely the same company it ever was..."¹

'American Idol' It Isn't

"The organizer of a nationwide talent competition has denied allegations that it misled winners with promises of “more than $100,000 in contracts” as models, actors or singers. State consumer authorities issued a warning Monday against Fashion Rock, which they said charges contestants thousands of dollars but fails to deliver on its promises."¹

Pearlman To Launch Local Version Of American Idol

"Pearlman has also recently created Trans Continental Talent, after merging with Options Talent Group. "Our business is about making dreams come true," Trans Continental's Mark Tolner said. The company runs a Web site out of an Orlando building. The site showcases more than 72,000 models, actors and musicians. Agencies and magazines use the site to find the exact type of talent they're looking for. Trans Continental finds people by hosting casting calls at various places, including cruise ships and privately owned franchises around the world. The opportunity to put photographs on the site isn't limited only to models. Anyone can do it for a one-time-only charge of $595 and then a monthly maintenance fee of $19.95. "All we're doing is offering a portal, no guarantee on our end," Pearlman said. "We don't collect any agency's fee or commission." "For talent, (it's a) tremendous opportunity to literally thousands of potential users of services," Tolner said. Pearlman said to prove the site works, he's going to choose one person from it and make them a star."¹

1. "Pearlman To Launch Local Version Of American Idol," WESH-2, Sept. 13, 2002.

Beware of fly-by-night talent scouts

"The 10-year-old girl heard about the Starz National Models and Talent.... led by Jeff Helms, president of Starz National, a Boca Raton company, who talked about all the well-known agencies and companies for which Starz provided models. Helms said these companies, including L.L. Bean .... (An L.L. Bean spokesperson could not recall dealing with Starz.)... an audition held in Portland by Face National Models and Talent of Charlotte, N.C., and when she was selected for signing, she decided to have photographs taken by the company’s photographer for $500. “It was like a big cattle call.” Neither Options Talent nor Face was able to provide any local success stories or answer questions about complaints to Casco Bay Weekly. Unsuccessful in locating a representative from Starz, CBW discovered that a Florida Better Business Bureau found the agency’s Boca Raton phone number to be non-working."¹

1. Lael Morgan, "Beware of fly-by-night talent scouts," Casco Bay Weekly, Sept. 5, 2002.

(Starz National Models and Talent, Face National Models and Talent, Options Talent)

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