Miami Modeling: To Sign Or Not To Sign

Miami Modeling: To Sign Or Not To Sign

Miami Modeling: To Sign Or Not To Sign

When working as a model it is often asked to "sign" with an agency; which basically means you agree to be represented by that company, often exclusively for that state or region. As a Florida based licensed Agent and past talent I want to provide an outlook from an agency's view to better educate upcoming or established talent.

Business is about providing a service and/or product while establishing and maintaining viable working relationships. My first advice for a model is to find out what type of clientele an agency works with before seeking representation. Not every model or talent is appropriate for every agency. The concept of a model especially in fashion is one of beauty and almost being unobtainable. As a model, your commodity is your look as well as your talent (runway, etc).

Let us for a moment switch roles if you will. If you were a client, looking to hire a model to represent your company or product, and researched several agencies in the area. One model you feel best represents your vision and happen to come across their photos on multiple agency websites. Wouldn't you as a business person then try to shop for the best price or negotiate the most cost effective price? In a down economy and highly competitive field with assignments hard to secure, doesn't this as a model seem counter productive? An agency needs the leverage to properly negotiate the terms and rates for that assignment. If a client decides to merely work with another agency for the same model at a lesser rate, it is detrimental not only to the model but the market as a whole.

When it comes to casting, there are several different ways an agent will submit talent for a project. When a Casting Director or client receives multiple submissions from different agencies but showcase the same model, this opens the door for conflict. As an agency owner, why would I want to put all my efforts into a talent that is either never available to take bookings through me or that is potentially hurting my business.

Some markets require an exclusive agreement in order to be represented. Talent may have one agent per market and book assignments on a national or international level. In Florida, a talent is an independent contractor in a right to work state. Although the talent is allowed to seek assignments, an agency may not wish to represent that individual. An agent's objective is to develop, introduce, and manage a talent's efforts. An agency provides protection, proper negotiation, and navigating the talent to their goals. The bottom line is that modeling is still a business with the intent to make money. An agent makes a commission from when a talent secures an assignment, so it would behoove an agency to work with talent that they feel would best fit their clientele. The product (the models) should reflect the agencies vision and provide an aura of specialty and uniqueness. What is unique about a talent that can be found on every port available?

A talent will combat that they will get more opportunity to be with several agencies, I know, I was one. However, my thought process was I would rather work smart and land assignments that are going to be more lucrative and beneficial to my career instead of working lesser assignments and burning bridges along the way. My advice is to determine where you realistically fit into the industry and who will provide the path for you. Work smart, work honest, and communication will help you decide what best fits your needs.

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