Dynasty Models and Talent - Review Letters

To Whom It May Concern:

Do you know anything about Dynasty Models and Talent in Boston? I have an interview with them this Saturday.

All I did was e-mail the company a few pix, and they said they would like to meet and interview me.

Thanks,

M.C.

Hi M.C.,

Modeling Scams has received no complaints about Dynasty Models and Talent in Boston.

Their website shows they have been in the business for more than 15 years. They have an impressive client list with many names, and a number of big names.

Pepsi, Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Sony, Toyota, etc.

There also seems to be good range in types of modeling (fashion, commercial, print, video) and a good age range (babies, kids, teens, adults).

The headline page shows they are getting people work.

These are all good signs.

The website only offers a "sampling" of the adult models which are represented by Dynasty Models and Talent, but overall it looks legitimate, and worth an interview.

Regards,

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a Mom looking to promote her seven-month-old baby.

I took her to an open call at the Dynasty Agency, Inc. (www.dynastymodels.com) in Boston.

They said that "accepted models" need to pay $150 to be included in the Agency Book.

While the paperwork stresses that this fee is optional, models who choose not to pay the so-called marketing fee will be kept on file for 30 days, at the end of which the model will be dropped from the file.

This sounds like a scam to me. Any advice? 

Thank you very much,

K.A. in New Hampshire

K.,

The Glam Scam, half of which is a legal reference manual for modeling and talent agencies, gives the following information for the state of Massachusetts:

Massachusetts has laws which specifically apply to theatrical agents, booking agents, personal agents, modeling agencies, and actor's managers.

 

Any person who is a theatrical agent must obtain a license from the Public Safety Commission.

 

Agencies which employ models must obtain a license from the Department of Labor.

 

Agents must provide talent with detailed and specific employment contracts.

 

An agent's commission cannot result in talent receiving less than state or Federal minimum wage.

 

Agents cannot require talent to buy subscriptions or contribute to advertising.

 

Agencies cannot charge advance registration fees.

So it looks as if Dynasty knows the law that you cannot require models pay for advertising (the purpose of the Agency Book), so they make it optional, but, as you already noticed, the way they set it up, it amounts to the same thing.

Even if what they do is not illegal, you will have to decide if what they do is unethical.

Did you call any other agencies which have baby models? Did they also want upfront fees?

It is always good to shop around in this industry until you find the price is right or there is no conflict of interest or you feel comfortable.

Good luck!

To Whom It May Concern:

I just wanted to let people know that Dynasty is very reputable. They represent a very well-known clientele.

My daughter has been with them for quite a while. She has never paid to be in a book, and they even used her photos from another photographer, thus not charging us a dime.

They are always sending her on calls and casting calls. They are great people to deal with as well. They only sign people they believe are marketable for the clients and market they are in, and make no promises to anyone.

They don't believe in conventions or going to school.

If you want to be involved in community theatre, etc.,  that is great, but they do not promote any of the other "scam" stuff. They are honest and wonderful people to deal with.

L.B.

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