Here's the initial post (SLIGHTLY doctored to fit in frame):
Not much information, but it doesn't exclude plus-size models, so I send a response:
They didn't say what they wanted, so I didn't include my reel or any pictures. I figured if they weren't interested, they wouldn't bother, and if they were, they'd ask for more information.
A couple of hours later, I got the following response:
Now, I thought this was great! He didn't mention anything about a fee, so naturally, I assumed this might be free. I called the number, left a message, got a call back immediately, and wrote down the following information:
I did think it was a bit odd that he was asking me to come in the back door, but anyway, I went and called that number when I got there. It was a refreshing walk and there were some cute things to take pictures of (which I'll post later as Loki has the phone right now).
When I got there and was directed to the right office, there were two clients already in there, a man and a woman, plus David. David seemed a bit distracted, or maybe just multi-focused, as he was explaining how the gig worked to the woman.
Essentially, we'd be expected to pay $250 up front, then $10 for subsequent modelling classes, to be part of the agency. Please note that none of this was mentioned in the Craigslist ad or the email that followed. I called him out on it not being mentioned in the ad, and he said that he wasn't allowed to. That's all well and good, but why not mention it in the followup email? Why waste our time?
Throughout the whole encounter, he was also condescending. He told us "most people don't understand what copyright means, so I'm telling you right now" and "A lot of people think this is a scam, but it isn't, and they don't understand that things cost money. I'm not asking you to pay for our building, just for these modelling classes, and X-amount of expenses are already paid up, so you just need to give $250 today if you're interested." Oh and, "I often ask people if they're here as a job-searcher or a SERIOUS actor. I only want SERIOUS actors."
The woman asked if there was any way she could just pay from her first paycheck, and he explained that that's against Oregon law. Again, he should have mentioned the cost up front instead of having us go all the way there. He also insulted her, asking her if she's a g*psy (which, please note, is a racial slur that I'm uncomfortable using even in censored form, but I want you guys to know what I'm talking about) and saying "Because that's how they bargain." She didn't seem to take offense to it at the time, but when he answered his phone while she was talking, she looked much more affronted.
Also, on our way out (she said "Thank you for your time" and stood up; us other two followed her lead), I laughed aloud and said, "I just hitchhiked here from San Jose; I've got maybe 3 cents in my pocket right now." David took that opportunity to be insulting, again, and said, "Wow, I shouldn't let people from California audition. Maybe I should have asked over the phone how much you had in your pocket."
Scam, guys. Scam scam scammity scam. Because even if he couldn't share that information through Craigslist, there's no reason he couldn't share it through the followup email or over the phone.
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