Is your booker making you broker?
Is your agent' or manager looking out for your best interests or are they systematically stacking the deck against you in a no win game?
There's a right way and a thousand wrong ways to get kids started in the model/talent industry and the first thing you need to do is learn how to avoid the career killing mistakes that most beginners make and one of the biggest mistakes you can make is getting involved with unlicensed agents and managers.
So what is the difference between an agent and a manager and why do model/talent agents AND managers need to have a Talent Agency License to legally represent model and talent?
According to Florida state law: A "person" is committing a felony if he or she engages in the booking of models and/or talent and he or she can not legally charge you a commission no matter what title they go by - associate, agent, manager, employee, etc. - unless they first procure a Florida Talent Agency License.
And if you accept an acting or modeling job through an "agent" or "manager" that does not have a Florida TA License you and the "agent" or "manager" are both breaking the law as it is also illegal to accept a booking from anyone that does not have a Florida TA License.
Florida State Law is very clear on this matter so don't let anyone tell you that just because someone calls themselves a 'manager' they are magically exempt from the law.
Florida, New York and California all have very similar laws - and who do you think is more likely to tell you the truth, the Attorney General of the state of Florida, the Attorney General of the state of New York, the Attorney General of the state of California or some fly by night unlicensed 'agent' or 'manager'?
Advice from a top Florida law firm that specializes in this field: "In order to own, operate, solicit business or otherwise engage in the occupation of a talent agent, a person or entity must first procure a license from Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Please understand the serious nature of filing - or not filing - to be a talent agent in the State of Florida as there is the potential for criminal prosecution and felony level penalties if one does not comply with the Statute." - The Bradley Legal Group.
Florida state law also criminalizes the act of charging money for "registration fees," photo shoots, comp cards, workshops etc. by anyone involved in the booking of models and talent for compensation no matter what title they go by "agent", "manager", etc. And, any agent or manager - license or no license - that tries to sell you photo shoots, comp cards, workshops, etc. also raises serious ethical concerns. Can you say: "Wow, that would be a huge conflict of interests."
Click HERE to see the Florida State Law that makes what is outlined above illegal
Also according to Florida State Law . Statutes 468.401 and 468.403 a "person" can only legally represent herself or himself, a family member or ONE artist (model or talent) at a time without first procuring a Florida Talent Agency license so if you don't see a TA license number on the agent or manager's web site or if you are offered representation by an "agent" or "manager" that is already representing one or more people, ask them for their TA license number.
According to the Florida Office of Film and Entertainment:
The Florida Office of Film and Entertainment advises: If a Florida based "agent" or "manager" can not provide you with a Florida TA license number, report them to the state of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as ONLY licensed and bonded model/talent agencies and managers can legally procure bookings for you in the state of Florida.
You are protected and you will have recourse through the Department of Business Regulation if someone fails to pay you for a job, for example, ONLY if the job was booked through a licensed and bonded agency or manager.
So be especially wary of unlicensed individuals that offer to 'manage' your kids or anyone claiming to be a combination photographer/manager, photographer/agent, modeling school/agency, etc. as it is very likely that their true agenda will be to sell you worthless workshops, classes, training, acting lessons, photo shoots, etc.
Is the 'manager' that is offering to represent you and/or your kids a member of the Talent Managers Association or the National Conference of Personal Managers and do they conduct themselves in accordance with the following guidelines?
• Talent Managers shall generally be compensated on a commission only basis.
• No fee may be charged or collected at the expense of the Artist (talent) by any Talent Manager from any Artist for: A.) Registering or listing the Artist in any publications or registries: or B.) Letter writing: or C.) photographs, film clips, video tapes or other reproductions of the Artist’s likeness or performances: or d. any other charge or fee of a similar nature.
* No member shall engage in any fraudulent or felonious activity.
According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation here are some of the dangers of working with unlicensed model/talent agents and managers:
• Poor qualifications. Unlicensed persons typically do not have the education, insurance and/or qualifications required to qualify to obtain a license.
• Poor quality work. Unlicensed persons typically do poor quality work or do not finish the project.
• Possible criminal background. Unlicensed persons often have criminal backgrounds that may include fraud, theft, violent crime, sexual offenses and substance abuse.
• Likelihood of becoming the victim of a scam. Unlicensed agents or managers will often disappear after taking your money, and the Department cannot discipline an unlicensed person, help get your money back or require the person to finish or improve the work done.
• Limited recourse for broken contracts. When you have a dispute with a licensed agent or manager call the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation which has the authority to discipline them and even revoke their license which gives the licensee more incentive to play fair. This type of action is NOT available against unlicensed agents and managers, however, and quite often the only recourse you will have with them will be an expensive, long drawn out and generally futile civil suit.
Is your agent or manager licensed and bonded to legally book models and talent in the State of Florida? Find out HERE . Report fraudulent and/or unlicensed agents and manages to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation HERE
Models and actors with up to date professional photos and comp cards from a trusted source typically get five to ten times as many bookings as those without. See proof positive that Photos by Moda Bambini Kids Photography in your portfolio and on your comp cards will make a world of difference in the quantity and quality of your bookings HERE
There's a right way and a thousand wrong ways to get kids started in the model/talent industry and the first thing you need to do is learn how to avoid the career killing mistakes that most beginners make and one of the biggest mistakes you can make is getting involved with unlicensed agents and managers.
So what is the difference between an agent and a manager and why do model/talent agents AND managers need to have a Talent Agency License to legally represent model and talent?
According to Florida state law: A "person" is committing a felony if he or she engages in the booking of models and/or talent and he or she can not legally charge you a commission no matter what title they go by - associate, agent, manager, employee, etc. - unless they first procure a Florida Talent Agency License.
And if you accept an acting or modeling job through an "agent" or "manager" that does not have a Florida TA License you and the "agent" or "manager" are both breaking the law as it is also illegal to accept a booking from anyone that does not have a Florida TA License.
Florida State Law is very clear on this matter so don't let anyone tell you that just because someone calls themselves a 'manager' they are magically exempt from the law.
Florida, New York and California all have very similar laws - and who do you think is more likely to tell you the truth, the Attorney General of the state of Florida, the Attorney General of the state of New York, the Attorney General of the state of California or some fly by night unlicensed 'agent' or 'manager'?
Advice from a top Florida law firm that specializes in this field: "In order to own, operate, solicit business or otherwise engage in the occupation of a talent agent, a person or entity must first procure a license from Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Please understand the serious nature of filing - or not filing - to be a talent agent in the State of Florida as there is the potential for criminal prosecution and felony level penalties if one does not comply with the Statute." - The Bradley Legal Group.
Florida state law also criminalizes the act of charging money for "registration fees," photo shoots, comp cards, workshops etc. by anyone involved in the booking of models and talent for compensation no matter what title they go by "agent", "manager", etc. And, any agent or manager - license or no license - that tries to sell you photo shoots, comp cards, workshops, etc. also raises serious ethical concerns. Can you say: "Wow, that would be a huge conflict of interests."
Click HERE to see the Florida State Law that makes what is outlined above illegal
Also according to Florida State Law . Statutes 468.401 and 468.403 a "person" can only legally represent herself or himself, a family member or ONE artist (model or talent) at a time without first procuring a Florida Talent Agency license so if you don't see a TA license number on the agent or manager's web site or if you are offered representation by an "agent" or "manager" that is already representing one or more people, ask them for their TA license number.
According to the Florida Office of Film and Entertainment:
The Florida Office of Film and Entertainment advises: If a Florida based "agent" or "manager" can not provide you with a Florida TA license number, report them to the state of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as ONLY licensed and bonded model/talent agencies and managers can legally procure bookings for you in the state of Florida.
You are protected and you will have recourse through the Department of Business Regulation if someone fails to pay you for a job, for example, ONLY if the job was booked through a licensed and bonded agency or manager.
So be especially wary of unlicensed individuals that offer to 'manage' your kids or anyone claiming to be a combination photographer/manager, photographer/agent, modeling school/agency, etc. as it is very likely that their true agenda will be to sell you worthless workshops, classes, training, acting lessons, photo shoots, etc.
Is the 'manager' that is offering to represent you and/or your kids a member of the Talent Managers Association or the National Conference of Personal Managers and do they conduct themselves in accordance with the following guidelines?
• Talent Managers shall generally be compensated on a commission only basis.
• No fee may be charged or collected at the expense of the Artist (talent) by any Talent Manager from any Artist for: A.) Registering or listing the Artist in any publications or registries: or B.) Letter writing: or C.) photographs, film clips, video tapes or other reproductions of the Artist’s likeness or performances: or d. any other charge or fee of a similar nature.
* No member shall engage in any fraudulent or felonious activity.
According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation here are some of the dangers of working with unlicensed model/talent agents and managers:
• Poor qualifications. Unlicensed persons typically do not have the education, insurance and/or qualifications required to qualify to obtain a license.
• Poor quality work. Unlicensed persons typically do poor quality work or do not finish the project.
• Possible criminal background. Unlicensed persons often have criminal backgrounds that may include fraud, theft, violent crime, sexual offenses and substance abuse.
• Likelihood of becoming the victim of a scam. Unlicensed agents or managers will often disappear after taking your money, and the Department cannot discipline an unlicensed person, help get your money back or require the person to finish or improve the work done.
• Limited recourse for broken contracts. When you have a dispute with a licensed agent or manager call the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation which has the authority to discipline them and even revoke their license which gives the licensee more incentive to play fair. This type of action is NOT available against unlicensed agents and managers, however, and quite often the only recourse you will have with them will be an expensive, long drawn out and generally futile civil suit.
Is your agent or manager licensed and bonded to legally book models and talent in the State of Florida? Find out HERE . Report fraudulent and/or unlicensed agents and manages to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation HERE
Models and actors with up to date professional photos and comp cards from a trusted source typically get five to ten times as many bookings as those without. See proof positive that Photos by Moda Bambini Kids Photography in your portfolio and on your comp cards will make a world of difference in the quantity and quality of your bookings HERE
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