Answering a Reader Question #543

Anonymous Wrote:

 HI, my daughter is 14, 5' 9" and a ballet dancer so ver long and lean. We were in Ny over the New year (visiting from Ca) and she was talented spotted twice in 2 days. She has also ben spotted twice in Ca when just 13. The second spotting in NY by a talent scout - we were literally pulled off the street and after much persuasion he persuaded us to go to a very chic office of a well regarded agency. ( I checked them out in the internet back at my hotel) We had 2 meetings with them and left with a contract to sign. On our return to Ca we read it over and gave it to our lawyer. For the most part having read a lot of your blogs it looks fine and in line with industry standards. I now get the notion that it is not a free ride and the investment that the agency makes in my daughter is really a loan that she pays back when she earns. However as a minor we as her parents have to sign it. The one clause that causes me concern is that should she not get any contracts we will be liable to pay back her "loan". So my question is - is this right and this this normal practice with all the large agencies. My worry is that after 3 years ( the length they want to sign her for) she could have run a hefty bill for airfares, food and accommodation ( which they provide) in Ny - running into thousands, and my husband and I will have to pay it back. If you could advise me I would much appreciate it. Clearly we are thrilled and excited and a little bit shell shocked for the offer of a contract but need to understand all the implications.

Hello, Anonymous!

First off, congrats to your daughter for such an amazing opportunity!

Did the agency from NY say that they are willing to cover the travel, food and accommodation costs for your daughter to fly back and forth for castings and go-sees or only for work she actually books? I ask because generally the model is responsible for paying for those expenses when it comes to attending castings and go-sees. If booked for the actual work, then the agency (or rather the client) would cover those costs. So that is something that needs to be clarified because like you said, over a period of 3 years that does all add up.

If they are indeed willing to cover the costs for her to attend castings and go-sees, that isn't altogether unusual for an agency to do within the industry...if anything, it shows that the agency has great confidence in your daughter's potential, which is a huge compliment. But as you've pointed out, it does come with that financial risk in the event that your daughter doesn't book any paying work. However, if an agency in NY sees such potential, I think it would be highly unlikely that she wouldn't book any jobs. Being that agencies command the highest pay rates for its models, securing a handful of such gigs would undoubtedly pay down any invested amount by the agency within a short period of time.

The bottom line: it's a 50/50 deal. Either she'll book no work and you'll be responsible for paying off the loan amount or she will book work and the rest will fall into place. I highly recommend contacting the agency in NY and asking for clarification about which travel situations they would be willing to cover the expenses and which ones you'd be responsible for. I think having that info will make it much easier for you to make a final decision.

If you're still nervous about making such a commitment even after talking to them, I would recommend submitting your daughter's snapshots to the agencies in California. You mentioned that she was already scouted in California before so who's to say it couldn't happen again? Having agency representation in the state where you live would be more cost effective for you and still allow your daughter to pursue a modeling career.

It sounds like she has a bright future in modeling either way and I hope everything works out...best of luck!!!

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