Does anyone know "Quick Model Management"?

Does anyone know anything about the "CA model and talent management inc."? Good or bad?! thanks?

• Answer:

  They've been around for 10 years, some of them under a slightly different name. Several years ago, they were targeted by an individual who was sending free cases of poisoned bottled water to model & talent agencies. They charge a hefty annual fee ($825), which includes photos, promotion (including online), and administration. Plus 20% commission on your earnings (industry standard for print work, but 5% more than industry standard for film & TV). While it is true that it requires significantly more work to promote new talent, the annual fee is very high. This fee includes "no charge" photography "worth $450". If it's included in your fee, it's not "no charge". A legitimate agency makes its money on commission from your earnings. If it does charge an upfront fee, that fee will be small. Like any agency, they can't guarantee work; they can only guarantee to try to get you auditions. They have an "audition guarantee": If you go an entire year without getting a single audition, they'll give you another year free of charge. But if you didn't get called for a single audition that first year, it's not worth their while to keep you on their books anyway, since you're uncastable. Also, they advertise on Craigslist and Kijiji, which is highly suspect, because legit agencies do not advertise at all, especially not on sites like that. Also, a legit agency will specialize in either modelling or talent, and sometimes even further (e.g. voice talent). This agency doesn't specialize, except in new talent...which is more likely to pay the huge upfront fee. Finally, the agency is on ACTRA's list of agencies to which it will not forward performers' cheques. This suggests that there have been problems with performers being paid promptly by the agency. If you're interested in working as an extra (background performer), there are agencies that specialize in that. They generally charge a fee to add you to their books, but the fee is small. Just be aware that "extra" work never leads to anything better than a possible "special business extra" role (like "woman who faints", or "usher who tears main character's ticket"), and the pay is minimal. Also, extras are at the very bottom of the pecking order on-set. Theatre Ontario has "The Agents Book" ($15 + tax), listing legitimate agencies, and giving lots of advice on how to approach them, plus very useful information on the business of being a model or performer. Canadian Actor Online is also a very useful resource, well worth the small annual fee to access the website. I've posted the link to their page on how to spot a questionable agency. The big upfront fee is at the top of the list.