TopModels Agency??

[SeanCon]

Anyone know anything about "TopModels"??

Some lady asked if I was a model when I was waiting for the ferry today, and when I responded no, she gave me her card. She said she was a casting agent, and the card did look legit.

The website is down though, so is this reputable or just some bullshit hustle?

[miss_cr8fate]

i got hit by one of these in the US. it was a total scam. no one really got jobs.. they claim u will get your money back if u are not satisfied... but not right away... maybe when they feel like it? i hope in your case it is legit.. but look for red flags. site down could be a flag.
sarah

[leghk]

A lot of the agencies here offer work, but then you need to pay them for portfolio photos to be taken before they will put you on their books.

I don't see any harm in talking to them, as long as you do a runner as soon as they start asking you to part with any cash, and do not sign anything without getting the contract checked out first.

[skyhook101]

There have been many modelling/acting recruiting agencies of late approaching people in MTR stations and bus stops.The local media has reported most are scams.

Not all are fake but I've heard the ones that ask for money upfront are the ones to watch out for.

[CV666]

It's a scam. They are definitely after your money promising fake modeling opportunity. Beware!

[BadBull]

About 8 years ago, I was approached as well in Causeway Bay. I went to their office to have a look and thought it was legit cos they seemed professional and saw a few tall attractive women (whom I thought were models as well). They took some profile shots and then asked me to pay $$ and guaranteed that I will get back my money in a few months after I do some shoots with them. I did a runner cos no modelling agency will ask you to pay them money. It turned out that a couple years down the line, the police raided the agency as it was a scam and found my records and posted them back to me.
Last year, I got approached again by an agency called "Runway Model", so just for laughs I went to their office and again, they seemed legit with proper websites etc etc. Did the same things including taking profile shots and a video. In 2 days time, they said they found a role for me in a noodle commercial for the mainland that will be filmed in HK. I went back to the agency and this time, they asked me to provide them with a portfolio of photos that should be taken professionally. This I would have to pay myself (maybe HK$2,000ish?!) and they also said that I may have to go to their acting school and pay for the lessons as well. Again, I did a runner and never got a call back from them. There are alot of scams in HK and its best to ask friends who are in this field. Luckily for me, a few of my friends are/were models and they told me what to watch out for. Do your research and if something doesn't seem right, then dont sign anything, and make sure you dont pay them anything...its them that should be paying you!

[dazeddude]

I was approached the same way by Talent100 and went through the whole process as I figured that it would be good to provide the details so that others won't get scammed. When you go into casting, you will bring photos of yourself, you will fill out a form, see the talent director, afterwards you will go into a room where they will film your "audition" which consists of an introduction of yourself and a skit where you pretend the camera is your friend.

When you're done they'll tell you they'll phone you when a job comes up. They'll phone you three times, this varies, see other forums, on three separate nights saying they have sent your photos for jobs. They will then make one last phone call saying they have received good feedback or that they have a job for you, this varies, see other forums, and as a result, they would like you to come back to see the talent director.

Once in the director's office she'll say how great you are, how much work you'll get, etc., this varies, but basically it's all flattery. After about a half hour of this flattery she'll state that you'll need to pay for a portfolio, about $4000 or so, and that the photographer is not affiliated with the company so whatever you pay will not go to the company.

The thing is the photographer will use the agency's office for the photoshoot. Then she'll say that you'll need to pay to have yourself posted on their website which is about $8000, which is how companies find you and how you can apply for jobs. Then she'll say they have a job that is waiting for you.

Once you start questioning the fees she'll say this is the way it is in Hong Kong. Once you she sees signs that you aren't going to pay she'll then ask you to leave. Of course, if you don't show that you can't be taken for a ride then she'll continue her pitch until you pay. Of course there will be some variations, for example, if you already have a portfolio then they'll try to get you on the acting course, etc. If this "agency" does try to scam you it's actually pretty easy for you to see it's a scam.

During the phone calls and the sales pitch by the director it seems like they are reading a script, there is really no sincerity in their voices which is funny since it's supposed to be a talent agency you'd figure their acting would be better than that.

Please remember if you would truly like to enter the entertainment industry in Hong Kong you will either need to know someone who is in the industry already, sign up with a reputable agency like JamCast, or enter the Mr Hong Kong or Miss Hong Kong Contests, which even these days requires that you know someone at TVB. In addition, whenever an agency says you'd make a great model, actor, etc., then why would you have to pay them?

If they really do believe in you then they should be investing money in you not the other way around. If some of you out there have been scammed please don't feel down as they will try to scam everyone even those who have talent and who are of model quality, like the member's wife who is an ex-model. Hope this helps to warn others out there.

[CV666]

I would suggest if someone out there would like to enter the entertainment industry, they can try their luck in TVB by mailing their personal CV to Steven, or enter the TVB artists course, Miss Hong Kong or Mr. Hong Kong pageants.

[jimbo]

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[jimbo]

seems like talent100 are at it again as I got approached at central mtr station on Thursday.
They asked for my details etc and luckily I gave them the number of my secondary mobile which I use to vet people before giving them my main one.

No idea why they chose me either as I'm neither model material nor have any noticeable talent barring being above average height and dressed smartly at the time.
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