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MAY
2006
Represent
Yourself
01.
A Large French Fry
02. Agency Booker Responds
03. Agencies Will Always Be In The Game
04. Curiosity Made Me Wonder
05. A Cry For Help
06. Wants To Model
07. Disappointed Model
Hi
everyone! It’s time to rock out with the May 2006 mail bag.
This is the second mail bag for Tampa Bay Modeling (and this will
be the last time that I bring up what number mail bag it is- I promise!),
and since I’m still going over things this will be a short one.
The NEXT mail bag on June 1 will be larger and better, as I will have
more time to put into it.
In recent days, our model scam section came online, and it has caught
the attention of many, many people. Some love it, and some really
hate it. I really don’t understand why some people hate it if
they are not doing anything wrong. If any so-called professional that
does not want us to help the modeling industry, then they are either
paranoid that someone is pointing fingers at them (which is not the
case), or they are probably pulling some sort of scam.
Since time is short, let’s get it started. Before we do, however,
please note that we had some issues in the first week of May that
delayed this mail bag from going up. For a while, it looked as if
it never would, especially since the Tampa Bay Modeling site was suspended
and placed on standby by our technical sponsors from May 8 to 10,
2006. In those two days, we were overwhelmed by complaints regarding
a perception that the site was closing down. See one of the best letters
at the end of this mail bag, and next mail bag will have plenty of
them. Thank you all for your concern and support. As of now, May 10,
2006, our issues have been resolved and the decision was made to support
this site and other modeling resource sites for years to come, regardless
of the costs! I’m glad to still be here, as I love helping models
and the modeling industry. See the post by model Danielle Cooper in
today’s OPINION
section for more.
Now, since I finally got this mail bag up ten days late, I’m
working on the next one, due on Thursday, June 1, 2006. Enjoy!
E-MAIL
OF THE MONTH: A Large French Fry
Hey
how you doing Monica or Ann or what ever .
The French Fry is back.
I can see that everybody in your website want me to write something
to you.
OK if you are in Clearwater beach you are not far from us please stop
by I am sure that you will teach well the "Turns" to our
new models who are not spoiled yet by tampa bay modeling scene.
I agree with you about the TFP, maybe you are photographer or one
of your boyfriends is?
couple things:
#1 the Rules about modeling in Florida are the most stupid laws have
never seen in the world.
This TA # is just the official way to scam the people.
#2 the agencies in Tampa specially one (find which one) collect everybody:
young, teens , mature ,actors.....
certaintly have couple "teams" of models for Fashion shows,
Parties, dinners escort etc...
We saw couple models from them who told us that they are paid better
if they where more "open" to the parties.
#3
in the 90's Paris Elite model:
the boss, a kind of playboy and his staff was very well organised.
Night clubs, dinner with their clients and the new faces(from East
Europe) and cocaine.
the Boss "M" when he wanted a new girl said to one of his
bookers: please send me this one to my appartment.
when the poor girl was in front of him:
do you want to be famous sweetty? you can imagine the rest of the
story.
finaly the police catch him and his team more because they have a
trouble with the Elite Ukraine with escort girls from East Europe
and John Casablancas was full of them.
All these stories to tell you that this business is one of the worsts
business of the planet.
I came to florida to don't see all these BS.... but surprise its the
same here.
# Tyra Banks and the "next top model"
you are top model when you work not when somedy said you will be the
next top model.
This tyra (who don't know walk by the way) sell more herself that
the girls who are not very nice by the way.I think they are there
because they pay the Tyra modeling boots camp only.don't tell me that
on 250 millions of americans you have these models look only.
Or if yes I understand why the Models from East Europe are "Top"!
#the agencies are what they are but if you want the real contracts
with a big client you have to be with them. L Oreal and the others
will don't speak with you.its between friends only!
OK that set for now Stevens.
I will be in Paris for couple weeks I am going to the civilisation
a wild.
- French
Fry (Kiss- of the Dragon)
Nice to hear
from you again, fry guy! I missed you, and I have to say that your
letter is truly entertaining. For those who are new to reading your
letters, they should realize that you’re French (I couldn’t
speak French if my life depended on it) and your English is broken
at times (don’t fault him for the broken English). While the
broken English does make the letter a little funny at first, and I
am not going to fault you for that, you really do make some great
points!
Ann or Monica? There is no Ann here, and although my real name may
or may not be Monica, it’s not that. On here, though, the name
Monica Stevens is correct.
First off, the Clearwater Beach thing. Yes, we are both in Clearwater.
I’ll see about making time to drop in for a visit, but I cannot
promise anything. Here’s the deal- I promise that I will call
first if I decide to do so, especially since I’ve never been
to your studio and I would need directions. Then again, I might just
thank you for the offer right now and politely decline (it’s
not that I don’t want to be nice to you, it’s just that
there are stories of another photographer who tries to make nice with
those who criticize him in order to learn more about them in an effort
to neutralize them in the modeling industry. I’m not saying
that you would do that, but I’d rather play it safe right now.
We can converse here every month).
Ok, on to the TFP (Time For Prints- Also known as TFCD or Time For
CD. This is supposedly a exchange of work between a model and a photographer
at no charge with the intention of mutually building portfolios. In
reality, it is mainly the realm of amateurs and those with unprofessional
motives. Please do not confuse TFP with professional collaborations).
While we are friends with several reputable photographers in the Tampa
Bay area, none work here on the site currently. Our opinions about
TFP are not from a photographers viewpoint, but rather a models. At
first glance, getting free pictures may seem like a sweet deal for
us models, but we all know that you truly get what you pay for. Most
TFP offers are too good to be true, and are offered by perverts with
cameras or aspiring photographers who can do no more for our careers
than they can do for theirs. If you read between the lines, they are
working for free and only for free. How professional can their work
be? I can understand the argument that they are practicing and building
a portfolio, BUT it is also a well-known fact that those who practice
mistakes only perfect mistakes- It is far better to study books on
photography, practice what is explained, collaborate with more experienced
photographers (without stealing from them), and pay professional models
to build a photography portfolio (While it may cost a model less than
$1,000.00 to build a portfolio from a couple of photographers that
can showcase the number of looks that they have, it is estimated that
before a photographer is good enough to make a living as a professional
photographer that they may invest between $6,000.00 and $15,000.00
to obtain beginning equipment and build their book- I’m glad
that I’m a model, and it makes spending a few hundred on a professional
modeling portfolio much easier to accept graciously with this in mind!).
It makes more professional sense to seek out a professional photographer
who is good enough, experienced enough, and professional enough to
get paid fair rates for the work that they do! Pictures for a modeling
portfolio are a career investment, and it’s better to save time,
work with professionals who can give us professional pictures, and
avoid unnecessary risks. This is why we do not like TFP.
Ok, the TA# (Talent Agency License issued through the Florida Department
of Business and Professional Regulation). We all know that model and
talent agencies have a high potential for unethical conduct and conflicts
of interests (i.e. we have the jobs so you play by our rules if you
wish to book work through us). Because of the high scam potential,
the state of Florida regulates them. TA# licenses are a good thing,
and go a long way to keep this often sleazy industry in check. If
you look at the requirements, they are very strict. For example, it
is a felony to operate a model and talent agency without a TA# license.
Now, I think that I understand why you think having a TA# is stupid.
Are you still planning to start your own agency? I recently read a
post on a modeling site where you were looking for bookers for a new
Tampa Bay model and talent agency. If you get a TA#, that’s
great, but did you know that you won’t be able to make money
doing model portfolios as a photographer if you are running an agency?
Read more about the terms of maintaining a TA# license HERE.
Alright. Now on to sleazy agency practices and escorts. Are you sure
that this is going on in Tampa Bay with the agencies here? Wow. I
am represented by several of the best model and talent agencies in
Tampa Bay, and I not only book lots of work but have never been required
to go to any parties. Love them or hate them, I have never had an
unprofessional experience with any booker or owner of any of the agencies
who represent me. Maybe I am just lucky, or maybe I was smart enough
to do my homework and figure out which agencies were reputable before
going to them and allowing them to represent me. Yes, the modeling
industry can be very sleazy and very dangerous if you choose to take
shortcuts and remain ignorant. So can any industry. Ultimately, you
will get out of modeling what you put into it. Smart models who work
hard at their careers will find scams and questionable situations
rare at the most. This said, I remain baffled at what agencies you
are referring to, but I can guess about a few of them that I know
are scams.
America’s Next Top Model? I agree that the show has become somewhat
of a running joke. The first season, however, was actually cool and
it really did have useful information in each episode. The last few
seasons, though, have become sensationalistic, with soap opera-like
melodrama, and I don’t watch it anymore. I hear through the
grape vine that upcoming online modeling magazine and resource site
Advanced Model will cover the show starting with the 2007 season.
In regards to the models on the show representing the best that America
has to offer, I have to agree. Most of them are not the best, and
I am guessing that they are cast for dramatic purposes to add to potential
conflict between the participants. Ooooh, Lesbian skinhead model versus
Bible thumping wife model? Who the F cares? Teach viewers useful information
about the modeling industry or risk becoming a professional joke.
I know some American models who could give those Euro girls a run
for their careers, too.
In my opinion, Tyra Banks walks very well, too. I saw a brief snippet
of an episode of America’s Next Top Model while channel surfing
a few weeks back, and she performed a turn in front of her charges
that made me envious. I wish they I could turn as well as she could,
and this is coming from a model who is very experienced with runway!
That’s why she is a Supermodel, too, I suppose.
Now, on to your final point, which you made pretty well. You stated
that models would need agencies to book the big contracts. Well, at
this point in time, you’re absolutely right. We never stated
nor implied that agencies are useless in the career of the professional
model. In small markets like Tampa Bay with fewer jobs, a freelance
model working independently will give any local agency a run for their
money. In a major market such as New York, there are two reasons that
a model would choose to work with agencies. First, there are far more
jobs, and a model wouldn’t have the time to handle bookings
on their own. It would make sense to delegate the workload through
agency bookers. Secondly, for now at least, that’s how it’s
done there. Businesses are used to obtaining models through agencies,
and budget their projects for it. It will take years before they change
to booking more models independently.
This said, if a model has the look that an art director is looking
for, is professional, and works hard, there is no reason why the model
cannot book without an agency involved regardless of the market. It
just may be harder to do in larger markets. The “between friends
only” is never absolute, and if you think that businesses are
loyal to agencies then you have another thing coming. If they like
the model they are going to book them, regardless of which agency
is not involved.
I really liked your letter, French Fry. Please write back so we can
post your latest letter in the next mail bag. By the way, I am going
over you older E-Mails, and may post them into one of the subject-organized
mail bag archives (although they do refer to Independent Modeling
an awful lot).
~ Model Monica Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
Agency
Booker Responds
The
response that I got from you, Monica, was totally uncalled for. Since
I do not know who you are, I cannot say if your claims of booking
work through our agency is accurate, but I can assure you that no
model is worth representing with your snotty attitude, and if I find
out who you are, we will no longer represent you regardless of how
much work you are booking and how much money that you make for us.
There is no model making enough money for us to justify the attitude
that you are showing.
Show yourself, silly girl. I will show you the door and pray that
other agencies represent you so they can deal with your unprofessional
attitude.
- Jay
Hi Jay,
I doubt that you will show any model the door. Tampa Bay model and
talent agencies are hurting for money these days, and they often put
up with just about anything when a model makes them money.
Models need to know that most agencies will not follow through on
the threats that you voice or even make those threats, for that matter.
Like it or not, model agencies are no longer the only way to book
work, and to attempt to exert the leverage that you are attempting
on such a slippery slope may cause you to fall on your ass. Could
it be that you don’t like models who think for themselves?
~ Model Monica Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
Agencies
Will Always Be In The Game
Hi Tampa
Bay Modeling. I think that model agencies will always be a part of
the career of a professional model. To do away with them completely
is simply not possible, and to say that you can have a successful
modeling career without being represented by an agency is very misleading
and may hurt the models that you claim to be trying to help.
This is more than my opinion. It is a fact. Just ask supermodels like
Roshumba!
Your site is full of misleading information, too. I will recommend
that models read it so they can see the mistakes that you all make
and learn from them.
-Natalie
Howdie Natalie,
I am going to guess that you are a fan of her book “an idiots
guide to becoming a model”. I would have to say that the supermodel
knows the demographic of who her book is marketed to quite well, and
since you aren’t exactly realizing the potential of what a modeling
career can be, I’m going to assume that you fit into that demographic.
I don’t agree with some of the things that are published in
that book as well as other “Modeling” books out there.
To accept model and talent agencies as the only legitimate way of
booking work as a model is the same as handicapping a career. I like
it when models like you accept limitations and let an agency run their
career. It leaves more jobs for models like me to book and enables
me to enjoy the advantages that I have over models who are only agency
represented. Think what you want. I work with agencies when it suits
me and book work on my own, too. I will always book more work than
models like you because I put more into my career and think for myself
as a model.
Bookers are like a career bottleneck. All of the jobs funnel through
them and most will only refer their favorite models or models who
may or may not fit what the art directors are looking for. Agency
models seldom see all of the potential jobs, and, despite the term
“booker”, the agency does not actually book the model
into the job. They refer the model to a potential job and it is still
up to the model to book the job at the go see. Is the booker going
to the go see with you to hold your hand and sell you to the art director?
OF COURSE NOT! Why not eliminate the middle man altogether when it
suits you? Don’t let them insult your intelligence by telling
you that you cannot run your own career. You can. Thousands of models
do everyday, and it just pisses off those bookers when they end up
competing with freelance models for the same jobs. Besides, why do
you want to solely depend on the bookers who also represent your competition
(other models) for jobs? Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest
there? Oh, I forgot- according to top professional models like you,
an agency can do no wrong. Wake up and quit being so naive.
Better yet, don’t listen to me. Believe what you want to. I’m
going to love snaking the jobs from models like you and the bookers
who may or may not let you know about them.
Going back to the original subject of those so-called modeling books
and their famous, agency ass-kissing Supermodel authors, could it
be that a better modeling book that addresses both old school agency-based
modeling and freelance modeling is in the works? I hear that one of
my modeling expert friends here in Tampa Bay is currently writing
one. I’ll be the first to buy it, simply because I know that
it works from experience.
~ Model Monica
Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
Curiosity
Made Me Wonder
***This
is a private message, and it cannot be reproduced or published without
the author's written consent****
(NOTE: We wanted to answer
this photographers original E-Mail, but he had this silly privacy
notice in it. We took the liberty of changing his name and rewriting
his E-Mail with the points that he was making and his questions in
it so we could answer. Tampa Bay Modeling only answers E-Mails in
our public mail bag. If the author does not like our version of the
E-Mail that he took the time to write and send us, he is welcome to
E-Mail us permission to publish his confidential letter, and we will
be happy to replace our version with the original and update Monica's
answer as well. As it is, our attorney would not let us publish the
original.)
I have
been looking at your site. I have been looking at it very, very closely.
I have a number of questions to ask the industry professionals that
are behind this modeling web site.
Are your models paid for their work on your site? Are the photographers
paid? Do you have releases so you can use the pictures? If you pay,
how are the rates determined? Do you let the photographers know how
popular your site is so you can pay them accordingly? I am guessing
that this is your photographers work, and that the models are not
paid. I am just wondering, as many others probably are, too.
I would like you to sign the attached form after reading this E-Mail.
I would like a list of your references as well as a signed statement
regarding your professional experiences and the means that you will
use to make money from models and other industry people who use your
site.
The modeling industry has good and bad people in it. I have seen both
sides in my career, and have been the victim of scams myself. I learn
from my mistakes, however, and am a little wiser from my experience
every time.
I have been disrespected by a model who, in my opinion, is unprofessional.
She questioned me and threw your site in my face like I was guilty
of something. She treated me like a criminal. She never checked my
references and never met with me, and does not plan to. She has some
warped ideas about how the industry works, and it's not hard to figure
out where she learned those ideas.
I have been a professional photographer for many years, and I will
no longer consider working with her. When models think that I am an
idiot for no reason, I find it both demeaning and insulting. The model
questioned my professionalism while ignoring her professional obligations.
If you must help models, please teach them to be professional and
to act like human beings. It does not reflect well on the model when
they attempt to meet industry professionals and they are paranoid
to the extent that they think that photographers and industry professionals
are out to get them. I am not happy about having a model insult me
and run.
I would like to talk to you about this modeling web site if you get
the chance. The information on the site is out of whack. It lacks
balance. Also, the photography that you have on the site is horrible.
You would think that your photography would at least be as good as
these scams that you slam.
-Cain
Hi Cain,
It is obvious from the tone of your E-Mail that you are pissed off.
You have a right to be, providing you are not doing anything wrong
and the model did not bother to check your references. This is not
what we teach models on this site. We do not teach them to crucify
photographers in mindless witchhunts which are based on perceptions
and not facts. We do teach models to CLARIFY and VERIFY, and there
is nothing wrong with that providing the model does not abuse the
rights of others and does not go overboard. Balance, as you so eloquently
put it, is the key with any profession.
If a model took the information on this site and blew it out of proportion,
we apologize. We don't think that this happened, however. We find
in the industry arbitration cases that we often do that there is more
than one side to a story, and most accounts of unprofessional conduct
and alledged scams are a result of poor communication or someone dropping
the ball, with no genuine ill will intended. What we beleive happened,
from the limited information that you provided, is that a model either
tried to get your references during an initial phone call or tried
to get you to sign a photographer reference ASA form (the latter,
of course, is not likely if the model has not met you in person).
There is nothing wrong or unprofessional with a model who checks references
and asks questions. We have found that some photographers get mad
when models try to do this, and then resort to calling them unprofessional.
Tell us, do threats against models who ask questions and think for
themselves help the industry? What do you hate more: Models who question
photographers, or photographers who compete with you and get business
by lying to their model clients? As you can see, we level out the
market by making it harder for model scam photographers to operate,
minimalizing the competition that the real professional photographers
have. If you are not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to
worry about. It's just like the scams that try to attack our credibility
because we are hurting their business; When they accuse us of being
a model scam, they fail to realize that the scam fighting tools that
are hurting them so much would also hurt us
if we were a scam of any kind. Because we are not doing anything wrong,
we have nothing to worry about from people being educated about model
scams and having tools that make it hard for scams to operate. It
would be kind of hard for a scam to bust scams, and it would be, as
the old saying goes, like throwing stones inside a glass house.
If someone gets mad at us and then tries to attack our credibility,
we have to apply the above logic to the process, and then really start
to wonder what the motivation of the attacker is. What do you suppose
that models think in response to negative reactions? Do you think
that this makes it easier to convince them to book any services that
you have, or do you take the choice away from them with your actions
and make up their mind for them? I bet those photographers have competitors
that love them because they drive business to them. You also need
to realize that you never really know who it is that you are dealing
with. Say the wrong thing to a model with good connections, and you
could lose a lot of business in the near future.
What the photographers who get mad have to realize when a model presents
a reference ASA to them to sign is that a lot of their competitors,
photographers who are up-front with models and have nothing to hide,
sign the agreements because they are not doing anything wrong. When
models usually use the photographer reference ASA, they are shopping
around for a portfolio photographer. If they are going to take out
the time to check references, the photographer needs to stop thinking
negatively and not be insulted. They need to realize that the model
has expressed an interest in booking their services, and it should
be taken as a good sign. Checking references only paves the way to
you closing a sale, and does not imply that you are a criminal, nor
is the model accusing you of anything. You should respect their initiative.
It's professional to take precautions. Would you want to work with
a model who lied to you? How do you know that they lied to you unless
you follow up with their claims?
Now, on to your questions. Yes, all models on the site have signed
releases that allow this site to use their pictures. No, most of them
are not paid, and it's more of a professional exchange. It's the same
with the photographers; both models and photographers get free advertisement
with the use of their images on this site. At the present time this
is a free resource site. Everything is volunteer orientated. As you
can see, most of the model pictures on the site have little to do
with the content on that particular page other than to show off a
picture.
Presently, our site gets more traffic than most modeling resource
sites. I'd say that our voice is pretty loud, and a great deal of
models, as you experienced, are out there using our tools. There are
portfolio networking sites that get a lot more traffic than we do
because the members use it to network and market themselves to other
members. That is all relative, however, because many of those members
truly have the wrong idea about the modeling industry, and the portfolio
networking site facilitates that mentality and ignorance in general
because they have no real content and the members have no guidance.
They learn from the questionable, biased opinions of other members,
and don't learn a thing from the site itself. Although their web traffic
numbers are impressive, it is actually misleading because the site
itself is not that effective. What is better: a hotel, or a library?
Tampa Bay Modeling is more effective than these sites, and it's due
to our content. The traffic that we get is relevant traffic, and is
mainly made up of professionals who use this site to learn about the
industry.
Ok, almost done. I looked up your photography site and was hoping
that I could find something wrong with it. Well, I was dissapointed,
because it's actually very good. You are a good photographer, and
models would be lucky to shoot with you from what I have learned about
you. With this said, however, I disagree with your assessment with
the photography on this site. Presently, three photographers contribute
images to this web site, and they all are as good as you are. The
only difference that I see is that the work on this site is more commercial,
and you shoot a lot of fashion. Now, in regards to ever working with
you, I have something to say.
I know that you were mad when you E-Mailed us. That's fine. You need
to realize, though, that the people who work on this site are models,
and the people who use this site are models. You are attacking your
target market. Does that make sense? Could you imagine a car salesman
going up to a customer who is shopping for a car get mad because another
customer taught them about cars and how to shop for the car ? Could
you imagine the salesman telling the customer that he does not want
him to buy a car from them because they are not being a good customer?
I'd imagine that the dealership would not be in business long, and
the salesman would not have a job.
God help the people who tell models that Tampa Bay Modeling is a model
scam when they may not realize that those models are using this site
for their careers and it is working for them. The models, knowing
the truth, will lose respect for them. This is only one danger, though.
The other danger is that such comments are bad for business.
Good photography won't do you any good if your customers form a bad
opinion about you. Alienate your customers, and your claims that scam
fighting efforts are hurting your industry and making you lose business
will be a self-fulfilling prophesy.
School is now out. Have a nice day.
~ Model Monica
Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
A
Cry For Help
Greetings,
I have been contacted by someone that claims to be a model, and has
sent many photos, and now asking for money. I would like to find out
who this model is that I may determine if this is who I am in contact
with.
She says her name is Janet, but I believe this pic was downloaded
from the net. This person has sent me 2 money orders to cash and wire
money the money to them in Nigeria. I contacted the FBI and also the
US Secret Service, and they said they could not help, as it is not
in this country. I found your site looking to contact (omitted), whose
name appears in the photo.
Can you help me to solve this? I believe it to be a scam.
Thanks, Andy
Hi Andy,
Trust your instincts. What does she need money for? She is in Nigeria?
Now, most of us who have been on the Internet the past ten years know
about Nigerian scams. They work on the greed of the victim. A few
people have been duped into this scam, where the person says that
they have money and need the help of an American with a bank account
(you) to get the money out of the country, and they promise you a
lot of the money in return for your help; there are a lot of different
forms of this, too. Once they get the routing number for your bank
and your account number, the wire transfer is then made, of course,
but not what you expect- It is OUT of your account to some African
bank account which is almost impossible to track down.
A few people who have fallen for this were also tricked into flying
to Nigeria to get their money, and ended up kidnapped and either killed
or, if they are a girl, are sold into the sex trade. With the AIDS
epidemic in Africa, prostitutes who don't have HIV are in demand.
For more about Nigerian scams, which is not in the normal scope of
this web site, go HERE.
Now, I've never heard of a modeling scam being combined with a Nigerian
scam, but in this crazy world it was only a matter of time. Nothing
suprises me anymore. We even stress on Tampa Bay Modeling that new
kinds of scams might emerge which are combinations of existing ones.
This is why it is important to realize that scams use deceptive tactics
and well as familiarize yourself with their ACTIVITY
PATTERNS so you can recognize the behavior for what it is and
associate it with being a scam.
It is obvious that you have already figured out this one for yourself.
You know what to do. Forward the E-Mails that you have received to
the FTC so they can study it, and walk away while you still can.
We do not know who the photographer that you have mentioned is, and
if this "model" is e-mailing you from Nigeria, you won't
be able to figure out who "she" is, either.
Good luck.
"Emotion
blunts the blade of good judgement." - Monica Stevens, an
independent model.
~ Model Monica
Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
Wants
To Model
Hello,
my name is Melissa but a lot of people call me Missy. I would love
to become a model. Im 13 years old, I have long dirty blonde hair
with blonde streaks, about 5'3 or more, blue eyes, 105 or a little
more lbs, I have braces right now but I get them off in like a month
or 2, Im kind of athletic, I did cheerleading a little bit when i
was a little younger and I might get back in to cheerleading, I also
did basketball last year when I was in 7th grade, (Im in 8th grade
now.) I live in pasco county florida, and moving next summer to brooksville.
If you will please e mail me back and tell me if your interseted in
me becomng a model.
Sincerly,
Missy
Hi Missy,
It's not if we are interested in you modeling, the question is how
interested are you? Get with your parents and let them know this is
what you want. Start by reading the articles and information on modeling
resource sites like ours with your parents. At 5' 3'' you won't be
doing runway, but you're still growing and you could do print work
and catalog modeling, which pays well.
Keep your parents involved and listen to them. There are a lot of
scams out there that they need to be aware of. Have them read THIS,
and let us know if you need any help or have any questions.
~ Model Monica Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
Disappointed
Model
Hey
Tampa Bay Girls:
I've been an avid visitor to your site for a while now and it looked
like you were finally on your way until I saw the notice that updates
had been suspended. What happened?? The site was finally beginning
to shape up. I admire what you girls are trying to do and as a model
myself I know that this is an industry that has more than its share
of inadequacies with plenty of room for reform. But you girls must
continue to move forward and these long interruptions of no service
to the site often without any explanation is beginning to make the
site look as unprofessional as the industry. I am also wondering what
is going on at Independent Modeling. After a big build-up of preparing
the site visitors for major updates and and selling us on the theme
of being a reliable resource for models they have been dead in the
water for months. With scarcely any updates and no explanation. I
am just about to take them of my list of favorites as they seem to
be just taking up space. It is a shame to see this happening to the
sites as they have so much potential. If there is any thing we visitors
can do to help. Let us know!
Best regards,
Stacy
Hello Stacy,
It’s not over yet. Sadly, it just looked that way. The lack
of updates is exactly what all of this is about. We’ve been
in meetings the past three days regarding Tampa Bay Modeling and the
allocation of resources needed to keep the site updated like it should
be (the increase in updates the past few weeks were, in fact, a last-ditch
effort to avoid suspension). The same has been going on over at Independent
Modeling/ Acting/ Performer/ TALON with their staff.
The bottom line is this - All of our sites own exclusive intellectual
properties and ideas that have been proven to work. Our bills are
paid (and from the original agreement with the advertising agency,
it’s really hard to drop the ball on them being paid through
until 2008). With the overhead and hosting taken care of, the only
catch is the time that it takes for updates. We have way too much
content going on and only a small group of people actually updating
the files, which creates a bottleneck of sorts.
This is why the sites were placed on standby by the ad agency (EOS
MediaArts). We all had to sit down and figure out where we are going
with this and exactly what resources we needed to follow through.
Concerned people like you have been writing voicing their concerns
for the past few days, and we’ve been getting other complaints
about the sites possibly closing. Frankly, it surprised both us and
the staff over at IM.
We models here at Tampa Bay Modeling have been highly unhappy with
the site going on standby. Other than that, we were really on a roll
up until the suspension. We all agree, though, that going forward
we need to balance the negativity with some positive solutions. It’s
just that the modeling industry is quite screwed up, and most of the
groundwork that we’ve been posting on the site reflects that.
It seems like most of the site is negative right now, and the solutions
that will balance the overall content and circumvent the perception
of overall industry-bashing are coming.
We expect to hammer out some sort of revised agreement with the advertising
agency this week. Once done, it will guarantee continued support from
our technical sponsors and we can continue what we have started. Maybe
then I can complete my May Mail Bag, which was almost done when the
hammer came down on Monday, May 8.
One thing is for certain. It’s not so easy to walk away from
all this. Many, many professionals want us to continue on.
Thank you so much for your letter!
P.S. Regrading Independent Modeling, there are other interests at
work that almost guarantee that the site and its sisters will see
regular updates when this is resolved. They haven’t given up
by a long shot, and once this is all sorted out you may find that
you can keep them at the top of your favorites. It seems that the
absence of other sites like ours cannot be ignored, either. There
is simply nothing else out there like what we have been doing.
Well, that’s
it for the May Mail Bag. The original hot topic for the June Mail
Bag was supposed to be about model scams, but we received so many
letters is support of us during the two days that our site was suspended,
we will be publishing more in the next mail bag. I am so thankful
that so many professionals use this site and find it to be good for
their careers!
See the hot topic for the June mail bag below, and E-Mail us.
~ Model Monica Stevens,
Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
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C/O
Monica Stevens, Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor
THIS
MAIL BAG IS SUBJECT TO EDITING AND CONTENT CHANGE AT ANY TIME AND
WITHOUT WARNING.
UPDATED
07/11/07
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Copyright 2006 Tampa Bay Modeling. All rights reserved.