Are Modelling Schools A Scam?
By Sarah Stefanson June 30, 2009
Photo: morguefile
Many young men and women who want to become models have a difficult time figuring out where to start. For some, attending a modelling school sounds like a good option to get them into the business. Others think these schools are a waste of time and money. So are modelling schools scams or could they offer valuable training and information to a new model?
Unlike other industries in which a person has to train at a university, tech school or other institution before being able to seek a job, the field of modelling has no such standards for training and experience. There is no degree or certificate you can obtain to prove that you are a model. In fact, some believe that being a good model is not something that can be taught. Joel Wilkenfeld, President of Next Model Management was quoted as saying, “You cannot train to be a model. You either are or aren’t.”
On the other hand, there are many who believe that some training in charm, poise and style could be beneficial to a fledgling model. Supermodel Cindy Crawford believes that modelling schools could be more accurately described as finishing schools. A school might teach you how to walk on the runway, how to apply makeup or how to have better poise. They could offer classes and workshops in a variety of areas, but many experts agree that these same skills could be obtained while working in the industry.
Many young people looking to break into the modelling world do not know that they can directly approach modelling agencies. Many agencies have regular open calls where anyone can walk in off the street and get evaluated by professional agents. An agency does not require a model to have taken any classes or training in modelling. If an agent sees potential in you, they will work to make you the best model you can be.
Once signed to an agency, a model will have the opportunity to develop his or her skills while working. Occasionally, an agency might offer workshops or special courses to their models in the interest of their development, but no reputable agency would require their models to pay for these services themselves. The agency only gets paid if the model books work, so it is in the agency’s best interest to make sure their models have the best skills and talents possible.
Completing a course at a modelling school will not ensure that you become a model and schools have no vested interest in helping you find work once they have your money. They teach a particular class or workshop and then the model is on his or her own when it comes to applying what they’ve learned in the real world.
Modelling schools have a reputation of being scams that try to convince a model and his or her parents that they need to spend lots of money training to become “agency ready.” Many legitimate modelling agencies go to great lengths to differentiate themselves from modelling schools because of this stigma. If this distinction is not clearly advertised, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a school and an agency, especially since many schools eventually become agencies, such as Avante Models, and some agencies start offering classes, as in the case of John Robert Powers. John Casablancas was once a significant figure at Elite modelling agency, so many people assume that his John Casablancas Career Centers are agencies when, in fact, they are schools. It is important to know the current nature of business of any institution before joining it.
Ultimately, the question of whether or not a modelling school is worth going to can be answered by first determining what you expect to get out of it. If you think attending a modelling school will put you on a direct path to becoming a world famous supermodel, you could be sorely disappointed. However, if you believe that taking a few classes will help you increase your confidence and hone your skills, they may be worthwhile. Investing a lot of money into modelling school is almost always unadvisable, but if you have some extra money, taking a course or two can be beneficial.
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Submitted on June 30, 2009 in Model Intelligence.
Sarah is our Western Canadian correspondent. She recently left a long-standing position as editor and writer for TheSoko.com, DriverSense.com & LiveDress.com to focus on book and novel writing. Sarah continues contribute weekly articles to AskMen.ca and Models & Moguls. Sarah thinks she might have been a model if it weren’t for the blessing of Slavic hips and thighs.
Sarah Stefanson has contributed 64 articles to Models & Moguls.
