Does anyone know if Elizabeth Smith Agency is reliable? My child isnt asked for an interview, is this normal?

Question

Elizabeth Smith has accepted my child for modelling but did not ask for any interview, instead they have asked me to pay up their fee and sign the contract. I find it abit suspicious, but ive heard this agency is one of the best. They gave me a reply saying they stopped doing interviews because most parents failed to turn up for interviews. Im still 2 minded about this agency, any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you have to pay I wouldn't trust them.

Here is a link that might be helpful.

http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/basic...

Answer 2

Hmmmm, there are others that don't charge eg: Kids London, MOT, Bruce and Brown and Urban angels all have good reputations. However, Elisabeth Smith and some of the other child reputable agencies charge eg Scallywags, Alphabetkidz, Norrie Carr . It's quite normal, adult agencies should NEVER charge.

Contact ALBA model information for more info on agencies they recommend. ES are the only child agency that is a member of the British Association of Models. They also turn down 95% of applications. I know of people who were turned down by ES. So well done to your little one s/he is one of very few that are accepted. They have a good rep in the business and have been going for 40 years.

My little one models and ES is often at castings we attend so they get the work. Insist on visiting the premises so you get a feel for the place. Are the phones ringing etc, I'm sure they won't object if you explain how you feel. I would apply to a few agencies before you make your decision. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 3

OK, any modeling agency that wants you to pay them, IS A SCAM!  Why the heck would you pay them?  If they think your child can be a model and they could make money by representing them, than they would make money that way.  The fact that they haven't even interviewed you or your child, should be a big red flag!

My wife fell for this scam with an agency called John Robert Powers.  They are a well known agency too, but it was just a scam.  He went to classes, we paid like over a grand, and nothing ever came of it.  

DO NOT DO IT!

Answer 4

i wouldnt,  

http://www.elisabethsmith.co.uk/Companie...

look legit, but it depends how they operate.....make sure you read and AGREE to the comtract -  if you dont then dont sign -

Answer 5

Don't sign the contract!  Any agency that asks you to sign something/pay/ or make a descision up front is not a good agency to sign with.  I've learned from expeirence.  Hope I helped.

Answer 6

I wouldn't pay anything up front until you have visited and spoken with them first. You need to make sure your child is safe and cared for. Anyone who asks for money AND a signed contract, but doesn't want to see the child, is very dodgy in my opinion. Make it clear that you are WILLING to go and see them and you will not be paying any money until you do. You are not like other parents. This is YOUR child you are placing in their hands.

Answer 7

I had to send in 2 small pics( standard photo )and details of my 2 children ...both where picked by pics and then i had to go along with them to a interview.With Elisabeth Smith's agency and Scallywags, babies (or their parents!) normally receive £18 (gross) for attending an audition lasting up to an hour, while Little Acorns pay £15 per hour. Actual shoots pay around £50 (gross) an hour, and there is normally a two-hour minimum booking that the client will pay you for. Sometimes the job can be over in half an hour (and you'll still get the two-hour fee!) or can finish after three hours, for which you'll be paid appropriately. If the shoot lasts an entire day, then Little Acorns puts the remuneration at £250.For TV work, expect approximately £165 per (five-hour) day with Little Acorns, for children up to five years of age. Scallywags has a minimum daily rate of £170.00, plus a chaperone fee of £70 - that should buy you a nice lunch!Don't forget that many agencies will take a commission fee from your earnings, normally at invoice stage, so you will have to factor that in too. This is usually around 25%.Be sure of what you are paying for. Most reputable agencies will ask you for a consultation or interview to meet you and your child and discuss the ups and downs of modelling. Some agencies charge a nominal fee, around £20, for this. If the agency accepts you onto their books then you will be asked for a fee to cover the cost of appearing in their model book and website. (Elizabeth Smith charges £180 to appear in model book and on the website, Scallywags charge £175 for babies and £275 for children.)ITS NOT A SUN & ROSEY ,,it costsssssssssssss.

Never send money off in post.Face2Face and always proofs of payments.

Answer 8

They've accepted a child they've never even seen? How do they know the child even exists, that you haven't just sent in photos you pulled off the internet?

I don't care if they're allegedly reliable and one of the best around, I wouldn't touch any company that operated like this with a bargepole. Tell them that YOU want to interview THEM. I mean, what's to stop them accepting every child who applies and just raking in the money? They stopped doing interviews because most parents failed to turn up...but they're still offering them contracts, right? And putting their kids in their catalogue next to yours? Why would any company looking for child models use an agency with a policy of having kids on the books whose parents mostly don't turn up for things? If most parents don't turn up for interviews then that should have been a sign that the interview system was working!

Find another agency, one that's selective.

Answer 9

No modelling agency worth it's salt will ask you for money. they make their money from commission off jobs the models go to.

Find somewhere more reliable for your child