Urban Talent review: Agency 30

I went to this agency because they had a scouter come to one of the events that I went to. I’m so glad that I didn’t end up signing the contract. I haven’t felt so pressured to do something in my entire life as I did sitting in that room. I understand it’s a business but it seems like they force a lot of people to pay $2000 that don’t really want to do it or use the services. I said that I probably wouldn’t be able to do it right away and they still wanted me to sign and pay to get my “training” done. They tell you that you a replaceable like you don’t really matter unless you sign the contract right then. I’ve read a lot of stuff and comments online about people being pressured.

I had a great experience with this agency. Its a business just like any other, you must pay to play. Nothing is free in Salt Lake City. These kids are the wrong type of customers for you, Bret. I feel bad that you have to deal with these people on a daily basis. Please switch career, its better for your health in the long run.

Every time your parents paid taxes to get you into schools and educate you in the way America does. They paid for you to have the opportunity to get a job. Every person who has gone to a higher education institution for furthering their career or getting started in one. The education system uses the same fundamentals. Here's the difference. I have done 3 shoots with urban and already earned my investment back. I haven't even done a work shop yet. Now the education industry... I paid 27, 000.00 dollars in loans and another 18, 000.00 dollars in grants. It will take 30 years to pay these off. Granted with a BA you will make in your chosen field roughly 30-55k your first year. If you do not use that to dump right back on your student loans you will be paying for them for the next thirty years and most of it will be interest. Your total paid will be almost 3 times what you took. So that 27, 000.00 dollars now is almost 90, 000 dollars. That is a house here in Idaho. So here is your difference. I am still working in the field and working to improve my skills. I haven't completed my education and do not have to do an internship for free. Yes that is right most places have you do an internship and get paid little to nothing to do them as it is required to get your degree. So, what is everyone complaining about. This like anything else is what you choose to make it. Urban is below industry standard on their agency fee as are their photographers and educators. You get much more than what you pay for and a return on your investment with in the first year. Come on people step up and be accountable. You either are going to do the work or you aren't.

I was going to simply read the comments here and move on. That was until I read a comment by one individual. When I read the comment by Bret Udy, who claims to be the owner of Urban Talent Management, I blew my top! Either Bret Udy has no clue on what is going on in his company or he is simply a liar. To be fair, some of his points I cannot talk on. However, I would like to share my experiences with the Urban Talent Management Agency in Salt Lake City, UT. My comments are all followed by a "-" mark.

1) Urban does not advertise on Careerbuilder or anywhere for that matter,

- Not true. In 2005 Urban Talent ran an ad in the local newspaper. We contacted them though that ad.

2) Urban never tells a prospective model that we have an immediate job,

- Not true. The ad, and subsequently the agent we talked with in person, told us that they were looking for around 15 kids from 2-3 years in age for an ad in Salt Lake City Magazine. The ad was for a local clothing company. We were told if we signed up with Urban this job was guaranteed. Yes, his picture was in the magazine and in that ad.

3) Urban never tells a model that they are perfect,

- I cannot say that those exact words were used. However, we were certainly sold a “song and dance” to sign up our boy up with Urban.

4) Urban does not have a crappy little office with many branches all over. Urban has a beautifully converted warehouse in historic downtown Salt Lake City with ONE additional office in Boise Idaho,

- This I will agree with. Their office is rather nice. Their waiting room has much to be desired in means of overall space. But that lacking, their facility is rather nice. It is in a really crappy area of Salt Lake City though.

5) Urban DOES refer its models to a photographer who is an independent contractor and he definitely makes more than $15 per hour. The photographer we recommend is from New York and has over 20 years of high fashion experience. Photo shoots never take place in the Urban office. All photo shoots take place on location, a location that has been pre-selected by the photographers.

- Another lie here. Well, at least the latter half of it is. I have no idea how much their independent contractor gets paid. I have no idea what his/her expense or background is. However, I can tell you we WERE told if we wanted to get our boy into modeling/acting and sign up with Urban we HAD to use their photographer. The photo shoot WAS in their office. In fact, in 2005, they had a backdrop and light all set up in their office for photo shoots. I distinctly remember it being there.

6) Urban's recommended photographer shoots Mon thru Sat, not just Monday and Tuesday.

- Our experience was 10 years ago. I have no comment on this.

7) Urban is a booking agency and will only accept models that can generate positive booking revenue for both talent and agency. It does not accept everyone, quite the contrary. The only revenue stream Urban recognizes is commissions from bookings, that's it. A model will never pay Urban anything unless they book.

- Another big fat lie! We HAD to pay $700.00 to sign up our son to have Urban represent him. Once we signed on the dotted line and had head shots, the photo session for the ad took place rather quickly as I recall. Once that was over though we never heard from an agent at Urban again. It was as if we didn’t exist. Even after making a number of calls to the agency to asking what we could do to get our boy more exposure and jobs we never heard back. It also took months, and an entirely new set of phone calls, for us to get paid for the ONE job they did get for our boy.

8) Urban refers all models to independent contractors for relevant services i.e. photography services. Urban does not have a third party that charges $1200 for anything.

- No third-party ever charged us for anything. That is except for the photographer we WERE required to go through. Urban did charge us $700.00 to sign our boy up for with representation through Urban though. Since then I have talked with a number of people and agencies and have come to find out that no reputable agency will charge you to sign up with them. They all work on commission based off getting their talent work. It seems to me that Urban gets you coming and going.

The reason I know so much about Urban is because I am the owner. The more I read the more I believe that this person is either a) confusing us with another company, or b) is with a "so-called" competitor trying to slander us. We have been in business for 15 years and this is the only complaint I could find. An agency can't stay in business for 15 years with one complaint and be guilty of the business practices alleged in this complaint.

- The more I read the complaint about Urban Talent the more it sounded like my experience with them. Bret, you could only find 1 complaint? Your Google-fu sucks man! I found DOZENS of complaints simply by typing in Urban Talent into Google.

It's disheartening to see a review like this without the name of the complainer. That is always suspicious to me. If what this person is saying is true, then he should have no problem signing his name to this complaint. In my experience, "anonymous" complaints are usually anonymous because the complainer knows he is lying and does not want to be guilty of libel and exposed to legal actions. The good news is that through the discover process we can and will find the identity of any slanderer even if the complainer is anonymous.

- You couldn’t find any more than 1 complaint against Urban on the internet, but you are going to track down this person “though the discover process” (whatever that is) who gave you the bad review and sue them? Right. Well, I will make it easy for you. My information is below.

I encourage the complainer to call me. I'm curious to hear his story. Furthermore I encourage anyone to call me to discuss this complaint. I would love to set the record straight.

I proudly and unabashedly sign my name to this comment.

Bret Udy, Owner
Urban Talent Management
[protected]

- I called your company many times 10 years ago. I cannot imagine that you guys are any better at assisting new talent today as you were then. My comments are truthful and I have no need to slander Urban. All I can say is run from Urban Talent if you are looking for someone to represent you.

- I proudly and unabashedly sign my name to this comment.

- Dennis Lundstrom
Someone who was scammed by Urban Talent Agency in Salt Lake City UT
[protected]

My experience. I went to Urban yesterday. It was a different experience in some respects and the same in others. I am an older man with a little acting experience that is almost 30 years aged. I was with an agency in Colorado, but have been to other agencies for reads as I would not sign an exclusive unless I was certain there were bookings tied to that exclusive. At my cold read I attempted to load the read with some common errors to test the agent and agency. The agent picked up on all of them, and called me on a couple I did not realize I made. This was a good point.
But he spent the majority of his time bloating his experience, work, and bookings. From a "why would I work for these guys" perspective, you want to know they are both working and getting people work. On the other hand, if I am potentially their talent, shouldn't the majority of the conversation be about me, my experience, and my aspirations for the career? Bad point.
Plus the guy gabbed pretty much nonstop, and when I did say something it was glossed over, and he continued with his spiel, I could not have felt any less important. Bad point.
This is where I think they fell down fairly hard, and where I believe they, as well as most other agencies stumble. A measurable portion of their revenues comes from sign ups and referrals. My cold read (regardless of intent) was horrible at best, and dismissive at worst. In spite of this fact, I was told that they wanted to represent me, but I would first need to go to PAW (Professional Actors Workshop) for 10 weeks and $950. On top of that, if I want to be represented by them there would be a one time $250 lifetime representation fee.
Maybe everyone does this now, but my previous agent was paid when I booked work, and when she got the check for the gig. Not up front and without any guarantees: that way the risk was shared. II I was crap as an actor, I would not book and neither of us would ever see a dime, and my representation would dry up. If I were worth my salt we would both make money.

I think I'll start an agency. I'll charge everyone $200 and it won't matter if they work or not, as long as I get the $200. And I'll send them to PAW for the kickback. OK, that's satire, but you get where I am going. If I don't have to assure anything other than representation, what is the risk. If I sign everyone who walks through the door, then that's $200 times x. If I sign 40 people a month, then I'm making $96, 000 a year just for the signing. The kickbacks from PAW would be like stock options. And with the broken clock rule, eventually I will get people work, even if it's accidental.

Please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that Urban is a bad or less than legit agency. But I am saying that asking $250 on nothing more than a promise of representation is a little risqué. If I were an agent, I would want to have some assurance that my time would not go to waste, and that those people I represented actually possessed potential. A single cold read will not always ferret that out. I would want them in a mock set environment and putting them through the paces.

In closing - when I got there it seemed as if they were just opening. A guy comes out, turns on lobby music, and then heads to the back room. A couple minutes later there was some kind of chant that was going on, followed by a group recital of what I would call a rote memorized dialogue. This might be a morning ritual and how they kick off the business day, but it caught me off guard to say the least. The two young ladies that came in after me were stunning, and there for modeling jobs. I hope they had some knowledge of the world and were not lead down the primrose path by the new ring inserted into their noses.

I also had a very negative experience with Urban Talent. I live in Boise ID and searched online for talent agencies. I have experience in independent film as well as modeling with professional pictures and excellent references. After being contacted by the agency I went to a casting call where they were clever enough to separate us by talking to certain individuals in the hallway of their sparse and shabby "office, " then they informed the rest of us that we were the ones they really wanted to represent, gave us contracts to sign, and set up appointments for "one on ones." I went back the next day and saw several of the same people there, including some of whom Kellie said they would not be able to find work for. After waiting around and reading a scene Kellie had me and an older woman go to her desk for the "one on one" which was obviously one person over the one on one claim. I assumed that she would want to take a picture or look at the pictures that I brought with me as they asked me the day before to bring in a head shot, but she had no interest in even seeing what experience I had. Instead she immediately began discussing the training classes and photo shoot that would cost $1, 800. This was after assuring us the day before that they did not charge for anything and they didn't make money until we made money. I have watched a lot of modeling shows that warn about scams and how you should never give them money up front, so I told Kellie that I would be unable to pay and that I already had my own photos and did not feel as though I needed the training. As soon as she realized she couldn't get money out of me and the older lady she immediately dismissed us and dropped the nice person act. It is simply not professional to speak about potential models/actors to others and how they are not what the agency is looking for, only to have them back the next day to try and get money from them. It is also unnecessary for those of you who disagree with the complaint to be rude and disrespectful to those who feel the company is not as legitimate as they claim. I have a feeling that the positive comments come from people who work for Urban, as it is entirely true that legitimate companies will not ask you for money, will not guarantee work, and will not agree to sign people that they know they will not be able to book. They are taking advantage of people who are not familiar with talent agencies and who are desperate to fulfill their dreams. Shame on Urban Talent.

I just signed my daughter adn am wondering if we should keep going. I said I couldn't afford the photographer right now and they said when you can then. My daughter would love it even if it wasn't for her career a famous photographer dressing her up and doing a photo shoot. For now they have $40 for 10 prints for portfolio photos. They took digitals that day of my daughter to show a client. We met the owner within 30 minutes of being there and have agreed to only $75.00 payments because I can't afford it and applying job money to the balance. The owner showed her some moves and walked for her and they made sure this was something my daughter would enjoy and like. I did hear them saying to someone else that another person just needed to be kept busy as they are unmarketable. However would you rather be told that your not pretty enough or humored for a bit.

This company is full of BS... They try and make you pay over a 1000 dollars... Ha just for a portfolio? Really? Ha! And they are so unprofessional... How the hell did they get the A+ from BBB... They need to work on their costumer service it's poor, and races.. Don't sign up with them.. U should never pay a dime if they really want you to work for them..

I was approached by an Urban Talent scout and was told that I was "gorgeous" and that the booking agents would "love me". I thought what do I have to lose and went ahead and scheduled an interview with a booking agent. Little did I know that they would ask me to give them $750.00 for modeling classes and $1, 000.00 for photographs. During the whole interview I felt like I was talking to a salesperson. It seemed like the agent was reading off a speech to me and for some reason they did not seem genuine. Since this agency has been around for many years, I do believe they are a "legitimate" agency, but I have a sinking suspicion that only a small percentage of the models actually get work. After reading advice from professional models and other people in the business, I think I will be safe and keep my $1, 750.00. : )

I think Utah Consumer Protection would be most concerned with the representations made about how many models Urban represents, how many actually receive paying jobs, versus how many are signed up by Style Inc. for training.

From what I witnessed, Urban probably finds regular, steady work for about 5-10% of the models that have to pay the high fees for training. Guess what, the training is often provided by Tina Bullen, one of the owners of Urban Talent.

If you have been the victim of false representations by Urban Talent or Style Inc., you will get almost immediate satisfaction by filing a complaint with Utah Consumer Protection:

http://consumerprotection.utah.gov/complaints/manual.html

Next:

https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started

Then:

You should leave an honest and accurate review with Google Maps, Yelp, Facebook, Pissed Consumer, and any other review sites you can find.

If you are reading this, you might feel like you have no power to get your money back from this company, but if you go through consumer protection, and then file complaints and write reviews, you can see results pretty quickly.

Anyone wanting to see how effective consumer protection is, read this:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=960&sid=17135658

If Urban or Style Inc represented that they have more models working than they have, if they mentioned clients that they do not have contracts with, or if they led you to believe that you would get work if you took their training classes, then you should mention these things in your complaints and reviews.

After you have filed your complaints, written your reviews, you should do one more thing.

Email reporters: niyamba@ksl.com jlee@ksl.com iteam@ksl.com

If you complete these steps and have success, please share your story here so others will know how to combat anything they may have experienced as well.

I AM A MODEL WITH URBAN AND I HAVE HAD AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!

1- I invested in the classes and they were very beneficial. Which has paid off in not only in the confidence I now have to go out to auditions etc. But I have also worked a good amount of times, which has resulted into a great side income. I can't help but laugh that above comments have said "If an agency wants you they will pay... HMMM last time I checked... URBAN IS UTAH BASED and they don't have clients such as Vogue to front their costs and do your homework... Big agencies that can do that such as NY agencies will front the costs but you have a set amount of time to make that money back, and if you don't you are left with no representation and a big fat bill... Not to mention... Check out their Website... They have some great Talent... So why would they waste their TIME... ENERGY... AND MONEY on Anyone that would come in with an attitude like that... Last time I checked... Anything you want to become good at and make money in... YOU NEED TO PAY TO LEARN IT!

2- Their Photographer is Amazing... If you want proof... GO LOOK AT THEIR WEBSITE... Then if you want even more proof... GO LOOK AT ANY OTHER AGENCIES WEB IN UTAH... He is more than worth the money if you are wanting to make money. Modeling is all about your look... So obviously THE BETTER THE PHOTOS (PHOTOGRAPHER)... THE BETTER THE OPPORTUNITY!

3- Urban has been around for 16 years plus... Obviously they are doing something right, because if they are as bad as people are making them out to be (Above statements)... They would without a doubt be out of business 10 plus years ago... It sounds like the only people who are pissed are people who wanted to not hold to their end of the contract. AKA THEY DIDNT WANT TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES THEY SIGNED AND SAID THEY WOULD!

I have had an amazing experience with Urban. They are all great people and have only the best intentions to have you learn the skill and get you out to make some great extra cash. HINTS WHY THEY ARE THE NUMBER 1 BOOKING AGENCY IN UTAH!

BEST THING I CAN SAY IS... WHEN IN DOUBT... GO CHECK THEM OUT FOR YOURSELF!

Wow, I'm so glad to find this and not feel like I'm the only one that got screwed over by this so called agency. After paying them the $500 that to this day I don't know what that went towards...their "beautiful" warehouse perhaps? IDK...they continued to take money out of my bank account, in total $200 more than they were supposed to. I emailed them back and forth for a couple of MONTHS but they didn't want to budge. I had all my receipts and my bank statements as records of their transactions so I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and that's when they FINALLY agreed to give me my money back in full if I would withdraw my complaint. You would think that if a business made a mistake and had to give a refund that they would be humble about it but these people are so arrogant that I was treated with nothing but a condescending, rude, and completely unprofessional attitude the entire time I struggled to get my money back. A total wast of time and money.

Hey Bret you have said that urban talent is a really deal but over 9 people have said no! You have been a no show.

Can someone explain to me how one would get a FREE legit education about modeling? how is modeling any different from any other degree or field of knowledge. No one just offers a FREE education no matter who you are or where your from. Can someone explain this to me?

Fact: 750.00 for modeling class
250.00 to upload pictures to their website
1, 000.00 for portfolio pictures
Don't know if it's a scam or not but they did try to charge me these fees.

Makooyman is an idiot. He obviously is not aware of what a real agency does. Yes you might have to become educated in order to model, but you do not need to pay! So maybe you should pick up a broom and go sweep up the garbage around Urban Talent's office.

Just got done with my second interview and this woman by the name of "Charnae" told me that that "they" think I have a great look and that "they" like my measurements. Who are these people they talk to? In my previous interview which was the day before this post, I had told her that I will be working on my portfolio the following week and that I already found a professional photographer that was much cheaper than their so called "Photographer who can provide a great look". In the second interview she kept pushing for me to invest in their photographer and kept emphasizing he has this great look and has good style. For the people out there who are new to this, do not listen to them let along go to Urban Talent unless you are willing to pay a large sum of money to sit on a website like an old book on a shelf. This is a Scam that is smartly set up and I feel bad for the models who are on their website that gave money to a model. If an agency likes you and is interested in you, THEY WILL PAY FOR YOU TO MODEL, not the other way around. When has there ever been a time where someone PAYS TO GET A JOB?

This Charnae woman also made it clear that they have a partner called "Sky Inc". Who the heck is Sky Inc? Why isn't this Sky Inc on their website? She also showed me this half inch booklet that is supposedly part of the 12 hour class that costs $750! I go to Boise State and a class at that rate goes a whole semester long! Not 12 hours! And she said I would learn about poses and how to stand. I mean come on... If you can't stand on two legs and look at a camera then pursue another career. Also she said it teaches you what not to do... Well if it teaches me that then give me a brochure or the tiny booklet and let me read it so that I can inform myself without having to pay $750. This agency says they only get 15% of what you make which is probably why they ask for money before you can even get a booking. This is a laugh! They're not an agency! They're scam artists with this nice looking website.

I went into the second interview not expecting anything to happen but I had a gut feeling that I would have to pay money. I read all the complaints about this agency before my second interview and thought that they were not true but I have definitely been proven wrong. Also I was supposed to meet with Brett Udy on my first interview but I was told that he was "running errands" said Charnae. She then said I would meet Brett the following day. Well he was a no show. So where is this guy? Why would she tell me he would see me and then he doesnt show up? So unprofessional. Bretty Udy, come out from behind your computer and show yourself! I read your post about how legit Urban talent is... that post had me for a day but its actually probably written by one of the girls that work in your 2 person office in a hidden building in Boise. Urban Talent, I want you to know that you've scammed enough people and you thought you could get me but I'm too smart for your garbage. Good luck with you future model prospects... if you get any. I won't let you scam other people. There are plenty more agencies out there who actually fully promote people that they are interested in.

To all of you who read this, pursue an agency that will pay for you to model or even do freelance work. Do not waste your time with this Wolf.

Written by a person who does his research and won't be scammed by imbeciles like Urban "Garbage" Talent.

I'm a MUA who has worked on sets and with photographers for several years. I know the industry and how it all works and I am so happy to read these posts about Urban Talent because 1.I'm sick of hearing the the stories of how they scam young models. 2. Because after working in the industry I have to be careful about what I say esp on a set. So I'm happy to speak up here. You never pay an agency to be signed. You won't get work unless you have experience and a portfolio that reflects that. A good rep will tell you that. It takes practice and experience. Every person who works on a set goes through the process of developing their skills even and esp the model. Photographers, MUA's, Hairstylists, Art Directors, Assistants, etc... everyone that makes up a team on a professional shoot got started doing 'for trade' work. Some of the best photographers I have worked with will and still do trade shoots because it is a great way to grow, experiment and explore, but more importantly you don't have a client breathing down your neck. Time is money in the industry. Any legit agency will tell that.

To: JustAsking121

I signed with Urban about 3 1/2 months ago with no prior experience and I didn't know what to expect. Since I didn't have experience, I signed up for an additional workshop to learn necessary skills. This is what has cost me money but I did benefit greatly from it. I loved the workshops, they were very informative and a great confidence builder. The girls taking the workshop were sweet and fun. The instructors were very knowledgable. They have been great to work with. I just paid off my workshop and will be arranging for my photo shoot soon. I am excited for this! Even though I haven't done my photo shoot yet, I have already completed a live product promotion for a big company. Once I build my portfolio, I anticipate obtaining more work. As they explained to me, this is a business partnership between us. I need to put in as much effort as they do representing me. So yes, this is a legitimate company but I'll let you decide for yourself. I apologize for any comments in my earlier post that may have been missinterpreted. I have more experience with the company now and do not regret signing with Urban.

I would like to speak to Bret's post:

1) Urban does not advertise on Careerbuilder or anywhere for that matter.

-This is completely untrue. I am a professional, working, agency signed model. When I'm home in Boise I supplement my work by looking for local castings and bookings. I responded to a post on CRAIGSLIST.com that was written to look like an actual job. A rep from Urban called me numerous times and left messages saying they had received my photos via craigslist. So Bret, you're a total liar.

2) Urban never tells a prospective model that we have an immediate job.

-Another total lie. The posting on craigslist was written to look like a fitness model casting. So, another total lie.

3) Urban never tells a model that they are perfect

-Really? When I met with their agent, she told me my measurements were, and I quote, "Perfect."

4) Urban does not have a crappy little office with many branches all over. Urban has a beautifully converted warehouse in historic downtown Salt Lake City with ONE additional office in Boise Idaho,

-I'll give them this one. Their downtown Boise office is pretty cool-- but they're paying for it with money they're charging from the people they "represent."

5) Urban DOES refer its models to a photographer who is an independent contractor and he definitely makes more than $15 per hour. The photographer we recommend is from New York and has over 20 years of high fashion experience. Photo shoots never take place in the Urban office. All photo shoots take place on location, a location that has been pre-selected by the photographers.

-Shady. My (legitimate) agency has never required me to shoot with any one photographer in particular. And how can it not be a conflict of interest that he's contracted through them?

6) Urban's recommended photographer shoots Mon thru Sat, not just Monday and Tuesday.

-For $1, 200 he ought to shoot holidays, weekends, and in the middle of the frigging night if you want him to. $1, 200?!?!? I have NEVER paid this much for a shoot. Most REPUTABLE photographers are just as eager to build their portfolio as the models, so they will do it on a TF (Trade for photos) basis. Essentially, you both do it for free because you both benefit. The last TWO photographers I've shot with paid ME, because they wanted to work with me.

7) Urban is a booking agency and will only accept models that can generate positive booking revenue for both talent and agency. It does not accept everyone, quite the contrary. The only revenue stream Urban recognizes is commissions from bookings, that's it. A model will never pay Urban anything unless they book.

-That's interesting, seeing as their agent gave me an exact breakdown of how much I would need to pay Urban to get my photos uploaded on its website (before I could START working.) So Bret, you're lying again. I told her I could upload my photos to their site in 30 seconds for free. She just stared at me. (I also work in internet marketing, so I know how to do this and how much it should cost.)

8) Urban refers all models to independent contractors for relevant services i.e. photography services. Urban does not have a third party that charges $1200 for anything.

-Right, you just contract them out and get a cut. Sweet deal.

Bottom line is... I went into Urban months ago and met with their agent. After she told me my measurements were "perfect" and that they wanted to sign me. Then she gave me a breakdown of exactly how much money I needed to give them to "sign."

I told her I was already signed and already had professional photos (and professional tear sheets). She couldn't get me out of the office fast enough. The phone calls I've been receiving after submitting photos to a FAKE casting through Craigslist, will probably be ending soon... as I just told the girl on the phone who invited me in for an audition, that I'd already been in. Further, I mentioned I was confused by the "casting" and even more confused by the structure of their "agency." She said she'd talk to an agent and get back to me.

Piinkicc21 - Do you have any updates on your experiences so far? I was recently approached by these guys, and I'm trying to figure out if they're legitimate or not. Now that you've been doing this for an additional month, have you had any chance to do any work for them? How was the photo shoot? Was this just a scam, or are you actually getting any work from them?

Thanks!

Ha, Urban just barely contacted me online saying I would be perfect for a job. I thought it sounded scammy the second I read it so I was researching and found this little complaint.

This agency sounds just like Wilhelmina UTG. While i'm sure they represent real, professional models, from my experience they are taking advantage of those of us trying to get started. I took the classes and they were pretty informational, but when it came time for my "photoshoot", I was stuck with a makeup artist who had no clue what she was doing, the photographer gave me no direction, she took literally 3 months to get photos back to me, and I hated all of them. Plus, they were trying to make ME pay THEM a fee so they would sign me to the agency and put my portfolio on their website. It should have been the other way around :)

Now that I got away from all that crap, I've had probably ten photoshoots where PHOTOGRAPHERS have contacted ME, I didn't pay one cent, some of them have paid me, most bring snacks and good MUA's, the pictures are rockin, and they got the photos back to me within a couple weeks. I definitely agree with makooyman!

Basically, classes aren't a bad idea, but I advise finding your own photographer to help with portfolio shoots. It's pretty easy to find photogs willing to do test shoots or just trade on like modelmayhem.com

Hi everyone, , im 16 years old. i just BARLEY signed with urban about 3 weeks ago. I am so confused as to what is real and what is fake in the modeling industry. My mom knows Tina Bullen.. the owner of urban. Bret, i think she is your ex wife or something?. Well anyways, my mom trusts Tina. But me on the other hand i am still trying to decide if im getting screwed or not. When i first met with Holly, their new face coordinater, she told me i was adorable and said if she didnt think i was "marketable" she wouldnt have even brought me back to her office. but right off the bat, without them looking at my body or ANYTHING, she was asking if i would like to sign contracts with them. she broke down the fee, she says for my portfolio because i have never done any modeling or anything before in my life. we understood the portfolio thing and that ya it makes sense for it to cost money for that. they want 2, 000$ from my family for the portfolio.. i would rather not even do the modeling thing and let my dreams be waitsted then my hard working mom, pay 2000 dollars and get screwed over. I told my mom that but then she talked me into doing it. she said if we dont take the chance then we will never know if they are true or not.. so we've made two payments of 375$ so far. and they are putting me through workshops every wednesday at 5:30pm to 9pm. the workshops are seeming pretty legit. just yesterday was my second workshop and they had this guy from los angelos in there teaching us some acting things. so that we know a little bit about it if we would like to do it. once again it seemed pretty legit. But, seeing some of the girls in my workshop make me wonder if i am going to get screwed over or not.. they are not that pretty. some of them are but a few are just.. not so beautiful, in my eyes. it makes me wonder how the hell they even got signed?. You all are talking about urban from points of view different than mine.. i am actually signed with them and just thought you all would like to hear how i am precieving this whole ordeal to be. I really hope this all works out for myself and i hope that Bret, and Tina, are legit and not screwing me on this.. my family cannot take anymore money loss and im hoping to get something out of this..

You know, Bret, I really don't get the impression you would go to the trouble to use any sort of process to discover the true identity when you don't even take the time to research the complainer for two minutes before posting a response. The original instigator of this thread posts the exact same message several times and merely changes the number at the end of the name so that if any empty threat is made to "discover" their true identity they will "discover" that each name has only posted once.

There is NOTHING you have said in your post that is true with the *possible* exception of your name. I have been to Urban with my two daughters. You set up their appointments, you scheduled a return visit and what you promised was an audition of sorts. We returned with prepared monologues, you never gave them a chance to read and spent an HOUR trying to sell us classes for SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS! We, as parents, had to be the bad guys by telling them they couldn't do it.

And you are NOT in downtown Salt Lake City, for god's sake you're in a pathetic little suburb tucked away behind a Wendy's in a confusing little intersection. F**k you for what you do to unsuspecting people, and f**k you for making my girls feel like that!

You are an idiot. You think that everything is free? I agree with ma about his statement, and my office needs to be cleaned.

Training coaches are paid, you do not become a professional without school or training. The information that you have posted is incorrect., second find my a reputable photographer that will do a free portfolio. Either you are just not model material or just under educated in the industry. I would recommend becoming a janitor, there the supplies are free.

This is a legitimate claim. April 23, 2010 I was approached at Borders at the Mall in Boise, ID. I have had a lot of modeling experience, runway, commercial, etc. and I agreed to be contacted by an agent. After making an appointment I went to their downtown office. It was small but it looked relatively legit. I slated and walked for the two gals working and then they said they wanted to offer me a contract only after I go to get my portfolio updated at a cost to me of $950.

Now, to have an updated portfolio is important, BUT if an agency REALLY wants you to work for them then and if they are a legit agency then THEY should pay for your portfolio pictures. ALL major agencies will pay for their models portfolio pictures PERIOD. You are representing them and they need to invest in you to make a profit.

Remember guys and gals you SHOULD NOT pay a cent to be a model. Asking you to pay for your portfolio is like having you work an at office job and they make you buy your own computer, printer, etc. Be aware, be cautious and remember do not pay a cent.

So, wtf - do you just keep adding number to the end of your name and verbally bash every Utah agency you can find on this website? Obviously you just don't know the word "NO" if you keep getting used and abused that much. Nobody makes you sign, nobody makes you pay $$. Look beyond the blonde, my friend! The power of the brain...learn it, love it.