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Newbie
posted
Okay, so I dropped by to meet with "Mystique Model And Talent Management," and I'm really quite unsure if they are legitimate.

Here is the face book page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/...MENT/128510060500474

I found them while researching if there were any agencies in my area (NH) at all, because I didn't think there were. They claim they have cast many Hollywood films in the New England area. I didn't find any complaints with the BBB at all, but I did come across a red flag right away. In the contract they were asking for about $200 up front. From what I've researched, any "agency" that asks for up front is not legit at all, and to stay away from them.

So I left today without signing any paper work at all.

Another Page: http://newenglandfilm.com/node/19464

BBB: http://www.bbb.org/concord/bus...n-nashua-nh-92011196

Thanks for reading,

Austin
 
Posts: 3 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: December 04, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Robert DeNiro
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Yep, NEVER sign with an agency that asks YOU to pay THEM. That's not how legitimate agencies work.
 
Posts: 506 | Location: New York | Registered: December 29, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Newbie
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Yeah, as soon as I read it I thought to myself, "uhhhh I don't think so" Another thing that I thought was very odd was that they had a line for "SSN" on the contract. The woman said that they would need it for later..something something."

I've honestly never seen an agency contract, So I don't know if that's normal at all, but it seemed really peculiar. Why would they need that? It it just like all the paper work you fill out for a new job sorta thing?

Thanks for helping me out!
 
Posts: 3 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: December 04, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Robert DeNiro
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If you're signing a contract with the agency, then yes, they do need your Social Security number because payments often go through the agent first, so they need to document it.
 
Posts: 506 | Location: New York | Registered: December 29, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Newbie
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also, i was advised once to check with the local SAG office for a list of legit agencies in the area. I consider it too risky to deal with an agency not on that list, and i imagine this place is not on that list.
 
Posts: 11 | Location: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: June 27, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Kevin Bacon
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I see you are in New Hampshire. The Wes Anderson film filmed there last year. Can you figure out who was cast locally and which agencies they were with. That would be a very good lead to legitimate local agencies.
 
Posts: 46 | Location: LA | Registered: July 09, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Sean Penn
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Check out www.IMBb.com to see if an agency is listed. You can get a list of the agency clients there too.

Either way, you were right to walk away NO legit agency will ask for $$ up front. You get a job, they get commission (usually 10%) that's how it works.

Just another quick note, if you go to an agent and they want you to take new head-shots and want you to use a specific photographer...walk away from that too. It's a kick-back scheme.


Take care,
Hope
 
Posts: 65 | Location: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: March 19, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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