Under Investigation: The inside story of the Florida Attorney General’s investigation of Wilhelmina Scouting Network, the largest model and talent scam in America.

ISBN-0968713335 Paperback 512 pages $29.95

Modeling Agency News

Unions Up Scam Ante

"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed an anti-scam bill that may protect actors from talent representatives who charge up-front fees for services such as acting classes and photographs. Schwarzenegger last week signed the bill, SB1687, amending the California Advance Talent Service Act. The Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the AFL-CIO through the California Labor Federation all supported the bill, authored by state Sen. Kevin Murray. Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and the Better Business Bureau also backed the bill."

Roger Armbrust, "Unions Up Scam Ante," Back Stage, Sept. 7, 2004.

http://www.backstage.com/backstage/news/content_id=1000625073 [Sept. 26, 2004].

(Bill SB1687, California Advance-Fee Talent Service Law)

Scam Preys On Would-Be Actors, Models

"Authorities say there is a man who bilked hopeful Los Angeles residents with that type of scam, and they warn he may now be working in a town near you. Christopher Valentino claimed those who wanted to become actors or models needed a guy like him. He was videotaped pretending to be a big Hollywood talent agent by undercover investigators for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. In the videotape, Valentino said the first thing the client had to do was get new photos--often called "head shots"--for which the client would have to pay about $400. But the real service he claimed to offer was connecting his clients with all the Hollywood big shots he allegedly knew."¹

1. "Scam Preys On Would-Be Actors, Models," KSBW-TV, Sept. 24, 2004.

http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/3759947/detail.html [Sept. 26, 2004].

(Christopher Valentino)

Model Behavior: Don't Get Scammed by Modeling Agencies

"Legitimate modeling agencies say there is little work for children."¹

"Flaugher paid $500 for a photo shoot, $250 for portfolio prints, $300 for the pictures to be placed in a fashion book, a $400 trip to Chicago and $600 for acting classes."²

"Through the years we have seen so many of these quote modeling agencies coming into the Indianapolis area, and they're making money off the pictures. That's what they do."³

"Legitimate agencies are honest about the fact that children get very little work. They're the ones that don't charge up-front fees, nor do they charge fees that run into the thousands of dollars for photos or fashion book publication or trips to other agencies."⁴

1. Karen Hensel, "Model Behavior: Don't Get Scammed by Modeling Agencies," I-Team 8 Investigative Report, WISHTV [Indianapolis], n.d.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2237052 [Sept. 9, 2004].

(Super Models International in Carmel, Indiana, Child Modeling Scams)

Not always a pretty business

"The audition for prospective models, advertised heavily on the radio, featured a Los Angeles casting director. Although it's unclear if anyone landed a job from the outing, they all heard a sales pitch for training. "It's just like swim class. If you want to be a great swimmer, you have to have a great coach and get into the pool," the visiting talent scout told the crowd. "Whether here at John Robert Powers or somewhere else, it's important to get trained." That is how many of Minnesota's aspiring models and actors find out that they're not at an agency that may help find them work, but rather at a school to train them. That training usually costs thousands of dollars."¹

"George Caceres is the president and owner of the John Robert Powers school in Bloomington, which opened in 2001 and offers training programs that range from $2,000 to $8,000 for a lifetime membership."²

"Sometimes it can be good, but a lot of times you pay a lot of money and you don't get anywhere," she said. "One of her sisters was in it for a year--she did the classes and never got anything. "I would do anything -- anything that she wants to try. Of course you think your kid is smart, beautiful and talented. But everybody thinks that about their kid, too." Later, Jamilah learned that she made the call-back list for classes at John Robert Powers, which would cost nearly $2,000 for 20 weeks. Her mother decided that it wouldn't be worth it if the school couldn't guarantee that Jamilah would get an acting job by the end of her training. For now, the 12-year-old plans to keep trying out for parts at a children's theater company and perhaps audition again at a John Robert Powers event in the future. Her goal is not to qualify for classes at the school, but to land an acting job through the auditions."³

"What's so interesting is all that business has gone from this market, and what's risen in its place are training centers," Wehman said. "There's no place for them. They cannot train you. Yes, they can give you tips. But for thousands of dollars?"⁴

1. Allie Shah, "Not always a pretty business," Star Tribune [Minneapolis], Aug. 2, 2004.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.

http://nc.startribune.com/stories/462/4905973.html [Aug. 29, 2004]

(John Robert Powers, John Casablancas)

Illegal Modeling Operation

"This is a sad story. We went out to Germantown, Maryland, to talk to a 17 year old high school student whose faith in business has been shattered. And so have her dreams of becoming a model. And she’s not alone. Several young women have complained to us about a modeling agency and the man behind it. Story: His name is James W. Stephens. And one young woman has a warning about him. Stephanie Milord:"don’t trust him with your money because he will give you nothing back." Stephanie Milord has reason to be bitter. She paid 500 dollars up front for photos. But Stephanie Milord: &Quotand there there was nothing." she found the company on the internet. Dynasty Productions Incorporated. Operating out of Rockville. And we’ve had several complaints. And Jenna Lucket think[s] they’ve been taken too. Taken by a company that’s been operating illegally. When the courts confronted the owner on that and fined him 1 thousand dollars. He just shut down. But he opened again. Here in Bethesda under American Models Inc. "Hi are you James Stephens I'm Ross McLaughlin from 7 On Your Side. We're here about your modeling business."¹

1. "Illegal Modeling Operation," On Your Side, ABC 7 News, Jan. 21, 2004.

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0104/120474.html

(James W. Stephens, James Stephens, Dynasty Productions Inc., American Models Inc.)