Hi All,

I am interested in some feedback on Generation vs Product. I know Product charges for submissions and both charge for being on the website, but I would like to know if anyone has been with both and their experience and preference. We are with one now and considering a move to the other.

I havent been at this very long but I have noticed that Product kids get alot of work I have thought about switching my DD to them but I did not know they charge for submissions!?

Product charges for a model submission to Product on line. It makes it very easy to submit to be considered to become a Product model.
Not submissions for jobs. No one would pay for submissions for jobs, I believe that would be illegal.

Yes, Product fee is very nominal (I believe it is still $10) and one always has the option of submitting for free via snail mail.

I know some people complain about the submission fee, but to me it is silly. You can still sumbit for free. CTMOM1, what are your thoughts about Ford closing, and what it means for being with different agencies?

We were once with Product and now are with Generation. I am nothing but happy with Patti and her team. Generation does not charge for submitting pictures. IMO, no agency should charge. It is part of their job as agents.

A few other things -- when we were with them, Product charged a "messenger fee" that was taken out of paychecks. I believe Ford does (did?) that but Generation does not. Also, Generation charges a one-time fee for the web site ($200) where as Product, I believe, charges yearly plus a fee to add/change pictures. Those numbers really add up, especially the web site fees.

Patti and Gretchen are great, they keep my kids busy and they are always in touch. If they feel a picture just isn't working, they tell me and we work together to get a better picture that will get more work. I am very happy with the communication.

I am sure some will disagree, but to each his own. I am very happy with Generation and if you are with them and thinking about switching, I urge you to think twice, if that is the direction you are going in. Best of luck!

generation is great for kids that book. The same kids book over and over. Product and FFT send all their kids out there. BTW the biz is changing there are fewer modeling jobs every year and more and more kids,therefore you wait on lines up to 2 hours long on many go-sees. The writing is on the wall, Ford youth division is out because there is not enough money to be made in the youth market. Willy is closed to most kids. The small youth modeling companies have no jobs to send kids out on. It is a reality of the economy and changing times, this is the digital age. Good luck but just be aware it is not easy to book a modeling job with hundreds competing for few spots and be aware just because you are with an agency, you may rarely get sent out.

My 6 six year old twins have been with Generation for two years. Generation is an excellent agency for print modeling. My girls have had multiple auditions and can be seen in major advertising across the nation. We had a relative who even spotted my daughter in Singapore!

At most major photoshoots, Generation children dominate the roster.

I am very happy we selected Generation out of the multiple agencies who offered representation to them. I believe their success with print work is attributed to Generation.

If all you are interested in is print, either agency is good. Make a decision based on your personal connection to the agents and discuss how they will market your child.

I think it is silly to say that the agency makes a decision to only market some kids. The same kids book a lot of jobs because they are good models. The agency wants to make money and will send the kids on go-sees that fit the breakdown.If your child is not getting go-sees, there is a reason. Maybe you have not updated pictures, maybe they are out of size, maybe your kid (or you) is a pain. That's just the way it is. The agency will work hard, but you have to do your part by always being prepared--good pictures, good grooming for your kid, being on time, etc. You can't blame the agency just because other kids are getting more work. They would not have signed your kid if they didn't think they were marketable.

Most parents get sick of print after a year or two and seek on-camera opportunities(trust me, you will). In that area, Generation is superior.David Doan, the legit agent, was the casting director at Nickelodeon for years and has solid connections in the industry. He has experience negotiating contracts from both sides.

One more thing. it is distasteful that an agency would charge $10 just to look at your kids' picture. That's their job!!! I have a hard time believing that it takes more than a minute to view each child. $10 a minute? I want that job.

I suggest you apply to both ( if you are not with th already)
And if you get called in , decide for yourself after the interview. Even though my kids are not with either one, i know few parents from both agencies: some are not happy, some are happy and some are extremely happy!
It really depends are how much your kid books and gets sent out. Sometimes agents favor kids, or the know they will book and those get sent out more... Or that's how it seems, since I know several kids from the agencies , and certain kids get sent out more than others.
However anytime my kids are working or have a casting most of the time we see Generation kids are on the sign up sheet. I know way more Generation kids than Product kids for sure!! However Product is just one step below of Gen kids at jobs and gosess.
As long as you have a feeling that generation (patti) likes you and your child, you probably going to be very happy. you have to meet both and decide for yourself.

I was told that only certain Generation kids can get put on the website. Is that true? What about Product?

quote:

Originally posted by mommyesq:
I was told that only certain Generation kids can get put on the website. Is that true? What about Product?

I am not sure, but I believe that there is a fee for being on the website at Generation.

i believe there is $200 fee for Gen website,dont know fees for Product, but every single legit modeling agency has a fee to put kids on the website. its optional in all agencies, but recommended, since you can be viewed by clients by viewing the roster of kids for that particular agency, im sure everyone wants their kid to be there to be seen. however if you dont want to pay the fee agents would still submit your child's photos to the appropriate jobs/clients.

My 7 year old has been with Generation for about 15 months or so and has booked approx. once a month and we never paid for (and are not on) the website, nor have we ever been encouraged to pay for professional photos. So it is possible for kids to do this modeling thing without a lot of out-of-pocket.

And Generation has been wonderful to work with, in our experience.

Absolutely true that only certain kids make it on the generation website. A few thoughts are that there are about 150 kids on the generation website and there is no way to know how many kids think they are with generation but are not on the website. The generation website keeps photos of kids forever and I imagine they want to have kids that book on the site so that they can include photos from print jobs. Remember many of these kids are not active and some photos are 4 or 5 years old. Yes generation works hard and kids that book will be favored it's a business after all. Product is doing very well and perhaps is equal to generation.