Anyone ever hear of Exxcel Modeling and Talent Agency? (New York: crimes, live in)

[njsocks]

Just curious..They have no complaints against them at BBB..But curious as my daughter may get into some print shoots. Thanks!

[jjbradleynyc]

Never heard of them. I'd be sure they are reputable and never pay up front for anything. Sounds scam-ish to me already...lol...the name is not comforting in and of itself.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by njsocks

Just curious..They have no complaints against them at BBB..But curious as my daughter may get into some print shoots. Thanks!

If your daughter has true modelling potential, she will not have to pay for test prints. Look up the major modelling agencies (Ford, Elite, Wilhelmina are some that come to mind, but I am an old-timer in that field so there may be more now) and either SEND them several regular photographs of your daughter plus her vital statistics (height, weight, shoe size, etc.) OR find out which days they have open call for talent and bring your daughter there in person to interview. If she is accepted as a client, the agency will arrange for all the portfolio pictures she could ever need or want and it will cost your daughter nothing at all. Good luck!

PS: A lot of the smaller "modelling agencies" make much more money selling photographs to potential models than they make getting people modelling jobs.

[njsocks]

Originally Posted by I_Love_LI_but

If your daughter has true modelling potential, she will not have to pay for test prints. Look up the major modelling agencies (Ford, Elite, Wilhelmina are some that come to mind, but I am an old-timer in that field so there may be more now) and either SEND them several regular photographs of your daughter plus her vital statistics (height, weight, shoe size, etc.) OR find out which days they have open call for talent and bring your daughter there in person to interview. If she is accepted as a client, the agency will arrange for all the portfolio pictures she could ever need or want and it will cost your daughter nothing at all. Good luck!

PS: A lot of the smaller "modelling agencies" make much more money selling photographs to potential models than they make getting people modelling jobs.

thank you! I was referred by another agency we worked with (in Las Vegas called Kid Talent)..These people contacted another agency that my daughter 's portfolio of web pics was in). I called them and they told me to come to an open casting call (she is almost 4)and to bring a few pictures *a head shot and full length shot)and they would keep one of the pictures..They get 10 percent commission from whoever is interested in her.

This is their website. Exxcel Model & Talent We are going out to Manhattan over the weekend to see them. You don't pay anything for them..and what I was told is no money should ever be given to any of these agencies.

I will let you know how it goes! thanks for your input to the both of you!

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by njsocks

thank you! I was referred by another agency we worked with (in Las Vegas called Kid Talent)..These people contacted another agency that my daughter 's portfolio of web pics was in). I called them and they told me to come to an open casting call (she is almost 4)and to bring a few pictures *a head shot and full length shot)and they would keep one of the pictures..They get 10 percent commission from whoever is interested in her.

This is their website. Exxcel Model & Talent We are going out to Manhattan over the weekend to see them. You don't pay anything for them..and what I was told is no money should ever be given to any of these agencies.

I will let you know how it goes! thanks for your input to the both of you!

If they offer to introduce you to a photographer who will shoot a portfolio for your daughter at a "great price" ... RUN!!!!!!

[Dark of the Moon]

Be sure to check out Easy Background Check. Although Exxcel isn't listed (and, yeah, the name itself sounds "shady"), there is a listing for Posh Entertainment Group (which may -- or may NOT) be the same entity as the "Posh Models" listed at the bottom of Exxcel's main page.

There's also a listing for Ikon Model Management which, again, may or may NOT be the same as Ikon Talent on Exxcel's webpage.

As long as you go in with your eyes open and are careful, there's no reason not to take a meeting with them. However, as others have said:

if they:

• ask for any (ANY) money up front
• insist on new pictures taken only (ONLY) by their photographer
• recommend any (ANY) classes offered only (ONLY) by their own teachers

Just walk out and don't look back.

Best of luck to you!

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by njsocks

thank you! I was referred by another agency we worked with (in Las Vegas called Kid Talent)..These people contacted another agency that my daughter 's portfolio of web pics was in). I called them and they told me to come to an open casting call (she is almost 4)and to bring a few pictures *a head shot and full length shot)and they would keep one of the pictures..They get 10 percent commission from whoever is interested in her.

This is their website. Exxcel Model & Talent We are going out to Manhattan over the weekend to see them. You don't pay anything for them..and what I was told is no money should ever be given to any of these agencies.

I will let you know how it goes! thanks for your input to the both of you!

Here is my analysis of their website:

One thing I don't like is how they do not have names, bios and pictures of their management team. That is a red flag because often the same people keep opening up "modelling agencies" and get shut down for fraudulent practices, only to arise like a phoenix from the ashes with a new agency name.

I went to the "casting room" section to see the talent they had available. I looked at all the female talent available in NYC.

First of all, many of the poses were almost identical as if the same photographer was taking the same pics over and over again but of different people. That is a red flag and this is just the main pic of each person. If you look at the "photos" link for each person, you will again see very similar poses and often the same exact backgrounds for several of the models. Once again, probably a staff photographer of the agency.

As for the talent themselves, just by looking at the pics I can say many if not most of them DO NOT HAVE THE LOOK FOR MODELLING AT ALL. Some of them could use serious cosmetic surgery (nose jobs, etc.). Some of them looked "unphotogenic" and I don't know if that was because of bad pics or because they are simply that, unphotogenic. Unphotogenic people can't be models since all models do is get photographed. That may sound unkind, but this is a business where if one measurement is off by a millimeter, it could affect a person's chances.

My money is on this, you will go there and they will fawn all over your kid and then they will want you to pay to be on their website, because after all, how can they get you modelling jobs if you are not on their website. As for photographers and videographers to shoot the content that will be put on their website, they will have one or more people that they "highly recommend."

For more info on scams, read:

Model Scams and Frauds, Fraudulent Modeling Scam Agencies and Bogus Talent Scouts Who Search Out Child Actors for Casting Director Conventions

I checked wikipedia for the top agencies today and here they are:

Large agencies:

Elite Model Management - New York City (formerly Paris, France)
Ford Models - New York City
IMG Models - New York City
Models 1 Agency - London
Storm Model Agency - London
VNY Management - New York City
Wilhelmina Models - New York City

Some of the most prominant boutique (smaller) agencies in the world are:

B1 Model Management - New York City
Bananas - Paris
Click Model Management - New York City
Irene Marie Models - Miami
New York Models - New York City
Red Model Management - New York City
Trump Model Management - New York City
WS2M Model Management - Paris
Women - Paris

Find out which of these in our local area represent children and take your child to them. It can be a heartbreaking business and it is better to find out from the true experts whether your child has what it takes. Even if a big agency cannot take your child on, they will at least give you a good assessment of her chances and perhaps recommend another legitimate agency for her. Good luck and keep us posted!

[njsocks]

I_LOVE- you are the bomb!! wow, you are a wealth of information!!!
I found this about them on BBB.
http://search.buffalo.bbb.org/codbrep.html?ID=66002313... corporate office is out of Buffalo...

I will definitely RUN if they ask me for a penny. Believe me!!! I read where if anyone is interested you pay nothing!!
He told me to come with a head shot of her, full length, and bring her too! obviously... Of course, my husband will be with me too..I will not go alone to NY .....We live in NJ..........
I don't have a great feeling about this place to begin with.....I saw the child's pictures on there and some of them...well,..you know! and the women and men,yes!, I noticed that too about needing nose jobs!!
You are right. I may have to take her directly to Ford or Elite or whomever deals with kids...and go for the straighforth honest answer from there.
I will definitely let you know asap after I get back!! We are going on Sunday to meet with Susan, the owner....................hmm.....

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by njsocks

Of course, my husband will be with me too..I will not go alone to NY .....We live in NJ..........

If you get your child into modelling, you will have to get used to going to NYC alone with her (unless your husband doesn't have business obligations and can go all the time). If you have other kids and drive in, they may be treated to doing their homework by flashlight in the car while waiting for their sibling to finish!

Being the parent of an in-demand child model is a full-time job. Some parents hire a trusted person to take the child on jobs and for auditions (or "go sees" as they say in the business).

[njsocks]

True, and yes, my husband has business obligations so I will do the driving!.
I will soon see what happens at the meeting Sunday!! Should be interesting......My daughter could be a total sweetie or a total biotch..She will scare them away or they will hopefully like her! (She has a twin brother too !)>>>>