While my daughter & I were walking around a mall, a woman came up to us, asked if I were my daughter's Mother.... I said yes. And she said she was a Talent Scout from L.A., and that my daughter has a good look.... and handed me an 'invitation only' invitation, to attend a Barbizon Hollywood complimentary modeling & acting workshop" this weekend. Tomorrow actually. At a reputable hotel in our city.
I know. It is 'free' now, for tomorrow.
BUT, if/when my daughter is then told "well you need to take lessons... to learn how to walk/talk on camera..." then sure, there will probably be, fees.
Anyway, lots of negative complaints about Barbizon it seems.
But how about the Barbizon Hollywood, office?
It seems, each Barbizon is/may be independently owned?
For this one, per my daughter, the invitation has a website as:
www.barbizon.tv
Anyway, just wanting to know, if anyone had their kids attend Barbizon.... and what were your experiences with it????
We did not approach her, she approached us.
After that, we stood away in a place she could not see us... and watched her. She was, by herself and scoping out the mall... apparently looking for other possible candidates. She did not seem suspicious.
Her name was "Jamie" and her phone number on the invitation is: ###-###-####.
An L.A. number.
Just looking for feedback... my daughter is excited. Sure. She is 8.
But again, I am looking for feedback/or experience good or bad, with Barbizon and if they are legit.
THANKS!
We are not going.
I let my daughter decide for herself.... after I explained to her that I had researched it online and explained to her what a 'scam' is. Or possibly is. I explained it in just a neutral way. Not to influence her.... I wanted to see how her thought process, processed this.
But I also told her, we COULD go there still if she wanted to, and just check it out... and the minute they ask for money or we don't trust them... we will leave. So that, she learns on her own too, with me there.
She told me she will think about it.
In the end, she told me she didn't want to go.
She arrived at the decision herself.
She learned something.
So here's what will happen:
She'll get all excited and dressed up, go to this "event" and find out that it's basically a sales pitch for "modelling lessons."
They'll want about $2,000 to get her runway perfect.
It's a complete crock. Don't bother.
Barbizon has been stealing money from hapless fools since I was a teen. They want your money, nothing more.
Sorry
My gut reaction is anyone scoping out the mall for talent is just playing a numbers game. She hands that invitation to dozens & dozens of Moms. People show up to the "invitation only" event. Some of those people can be talked into spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on portfolio pictures and THAT'S how they make money. It's an old game, I wouldn't play it. Honestly, there's a permanent booth set up at my local mall and the person in the booth approaches just about every Mom/daughter team. My daughter is beautiful to me, but might be considered average looking to others. Not what I'd call model material in any way shape or form. We have been "approached" every time we pass that booth.
I went to Barbizon school but I searched for them & not for the typical reason like modeling. My friend told me about it & I thought I really could use some help. It was a long time ago so I don't remember how many weeks I went but it was $25 a week. I took the class to learn how to 'look' like a girl. I didn't have any female role models growing up & I was a big time tome boy, which is no big deal until you need to look like a girl & don't know how too. I am 5'1, at the time I was 89 pounds. I landed a great job & all the woman were so 'put together'. I had no idea how to put make up on or do my hair or other things girls learn growing up with a mom or woman in their lives. So my instructor took me under her wing & taught me so much which ended up giving me so much confidence. I don't regret it for a minute.
I just wanted to tell you my story to have a different perspective about this place. They knew why I was there and I was never asked to buy a portfolio or make any other purchases.
They are just looking for pretty girls to pay for their workshops. This first one will be free but it's only to entice you to purchase the fun week long training. My friend did it when we were teens. I came on "invite a friend day" and spent the entire day there with her and her workshop. It was really stupid. An hour on how to wear make-up, hour on runway walking, exercise, lunch etc. Did not teach me anything nor her. She did the whole shebang and never was a model anywhere.
Run don't walk away from Barbizon.
Yep, someone approached my three kids and I...in TARGET of all places!
My older kids could smell the scam a mile away, but I had to explain it to my (sweet, sensitive) 11 year old :(
My nephew did some legitimate modeling (we live outside San Francisco) and I can tell you: it is real work, you don't call them, they call you. And you MUST live in/near a major city to get any paying jobs, basically NYC or LA.
Don't put ANY money into photos/portfolio, if your child has the "look" she will be hired regardless.
Sorry, but most of these people are NOT legit :(
NO, don't do it. A reputable agency will not ask you to take their classes, have their photographer take your pics which means you pay $$$ If you pay to take the classes, so be it... she'll just learn some poise but don't expect her to be the next super model. Those places prey on people.
You NEVER EVER pay money. I have modeled most of my life. It can be very rewarding but it is also very hard. You have to take rejection well. Lots of waiting around, lost time that you might prefer to be doing elsewhere.
My daughter also models. She was "spotted" at the mall and given rave reviews, blah blah. Ended up.. they wanted her to participate in a show which was going to be about $1000 out of my pocket. Fortunately, I knew that game because I've been in the business long enough.
Reputable agencies don't require professional shots from day 1. A snapshot of full length ( your shots, not pro) and a close up face smiling. Just submit them to a good agency. Dallas area is Kim Dawson, Campbell just to name 2.
a true talent agency should never ask you for money.
what do we teach our kids: do not accept candy/gifts from strangers.
Practice what you preach, Mom! If you & your child are truly interested in modeling, then please have a portfolio made & contact an agency on your own! Peace.
Yes, this could be a scam. But you won't know unless you go. I would look at going as an adventure and go unless I had poor sales resistance. Go, stay as long as you're having fun, and leave if they ask for money.
S.H. great way to handle this. It was a teachable moment.
How random! One of my students (4th grade) wrote about this happening to her over the summer - exact same scenario, mall, said they liked her look, etc. We're out in WA. They passed on the invite, but if it's happening all over the US, who knows? Maybe they're truly needing kids for commercials and such? I have no idea, but I just thought that was kinda funny.
