Barbizon Workshop for 11 Year Old

Real agencies NEVER ask for money. They pay for everything (headshots, workshops, etc) and take out commissions. You NEVER have to pay a dime upfront, for reputable agencies. Reputable agencies also don't have to troll 11 year olds.

SCAM.

I Googled "Barbizon workshop scam" on the internet and found a link (lots of them, actually) to this on Mamapedia from a while back. Sounds very similar to what you were told: http://www.mamapedia.com/article/so-barbizon-for-kids-my-...

Barbizon is one of the BIGGEST Rip-off's out there. If the workshop is free, take her and watch them go into action selling and I DO mean SELLING you dreams. Once you go to the workshop, they will tell you how much potential she has but, she will need to take some (expensive) classes and get an (expensive) portfolio. You should NEVER have to pay anything if an agency really want's to work with your child. That goes for modeling and acting. FYI John Robert Powers is the same as Barbizon, another HUGE RIP OFF!!!

I've been approached about my daughters, my sister's been approached about my niece. I said "nope, no thanks, absolutely not interested". My sister wasn't as smart and ended up paying a lot of money for "walking the runway" class, "posing for pictures" class, "how to say a line into a camera" class, head shots, etc. Has my niece booked any *actual* jobs? Of course not. It's a scam. Don't even bother.

There are so many people trying to break into that industry, those real modeling agencies don't need to be hanging out in malls approaching every mother and daughter that walk by.

Omg... No " real" agency contacts you.
Barbizon is looking to sign you up for classes which mean you spend $$$$ and have no promises or guarantees of modeling.

I've modeled " real time" most of my life. It is a job and not always a pretty job. It's ruthless and you have to have a thick skin to be able to accept all of the rejection. Of 10 opportunities... At least 9 will be rejects... It's tough!

If ANY so called agent requests $$ in any way it's a scam. You never , EVER, pay money to anyone for anything to be in the business.

If an agency is interested in someone, they let you know. Most of the time that is by someone like a parent submitting snapshots to the agency. No professional pics.

You do not need a portfolio from day 1. You do not need special classes.

There is SO much more I can add but I'll end on this note... You are being scammed if you are approached by a stranger who is interested in your great career with their help and your $$$.

I still model today and after all of my years... I am still super cautious. Too many scams are out there preying on unsuspecting moms ( especially this time of year).

Best wishes!

I've been approached too, in Target, with all three of my kids. I was so pissed because my youngest totally bought it and couldn't understand why I wouldn't take her to the "audition."
You can take her if you want but they WILL be trying to sell you something, most likely classes or photographs for a professional portfolio. It's a total scam, DON'T buy into it. If your daughter loves performing get her into voice/dance lessons and/or community theater.

Be skeptical and do your research....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2010082114542...

That's how these agencies drum up business. They make everyone think they're model material and then make them pay to learn how to do it. The fact is that most people don't make it in the modeling industry

If they're really interested in her as a model, they would take her on and they would take photos for free. One of the new TV shows like 20/20 did a story on this and how it's a real rip off.

When I was around that age, I took a class at Barbizon and loved it! I never had the desire to get into the business but thoroughly enjoyed the class. I thought it was great for self-esteem. It taught me how to properly care for my skin and nails, how to apply make-up, to have confidence and poise when I speak, correct posture and much more. I also made some great friends and had a lot of fun.

If you want to hear first hand experiences with this company, do a search on ripoffreport.co,. I've always thought it was kind of sketchy.

Scam. Any anyone who preys on the hopes of a child will have a special place on hell.

If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. I wouldn't go for it. People like Barbizon are really good at hyping kids up by telling them they are pretty and promising them all sorts of fabulous things and not following through. Watch out though, because it usually costs YOU money when it shouldn't.

Like I said, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Run, don't walk, away.

omg, are they still around?
it's not necessarily a terrible thing. they teach kids some useful stuff they can carry forward IF they pursue a career in modeling. but the way barbizon slants it (or used to years ago) is to imply that, exactly as happened with you, they can spot talent and boost a career in modeling.
just remember their only angle is to get your money for modeling classes. they won't provide contracts or opportunities.
khairete
S.

Personally I think Barbizon can be good for girls with low self esteem. They teach them how to apply makeup, take care of their skin, how to dress nice etc. It can give girls a good confidence boost. But to tell girls they could have a career in modeling or acting because they are pretty is just mean.

So this woman walking the streets knew that Nickelodeon had a spot for your daughter and she would/could be famous without even knowing your daughters acting abilities?

Barbizon has been around forever. I am just curious, how many actors/actress' have they turned out?

If she is interested in modeling/acting, look into classes at your local community center or children's theatre. My older son does some acting and modeling and has an agent. When we signed with the agent, we had to get head shots- by our choice of photographer, at our choice of cost. The only thing they did was select which shots they thought would show him best for prospective jobs. They did encourage classes, but again said that the practice was the important part and did NOT tell us who to take classes from. We have the option of posting an online profile for a one-time fee of $100 with no update or other charges, paid to a separate company. The only money the agent gets is a percent of jobs booked through them. Period, end of story. My brother-in-law directs commercials and told us the top two agencies in town. He says run, do not walk, away from anyone who charges to get your kids jobs.

From a young child who did the Barbizon thing...i would not suggest it. It is a gimmick and only out to get a parents money. I learned NOTHING from it actually. Just a lot of money for nothing. My friend is a successful model and never will encourage a woman or girl to go that route. As no model pays to become one except to pay a modeling photographer to start her portfolio. Then seek out experienced modeling "agency" to represent your daughter. The only $ spent is on your zed card and portfolio.

Good luck and again, don't do it. Waste of $$$$$

Saying 'No!' isn't good enough - say "Hell no!".
It's a scam and all they really want to do is separate you from your money.
Playing on your daughter's emotions as a marketing ploy that just makes me want to slap them.
Don't fall for it.