Singapore Expats

I have been approached two times now recently at Orchard by people who thinks my son is so cute and if I would not like to get in touch with them for modeling work for him. Well, I tried to look up the company names they were giving and feel a bit suspicous. Still... makes me start thinking. He is two years old and quite a charmer, especially if someone takes the camera out.

Maybe I should give it a try? But are there any reputable companies out there? Where they don't try to make you pay a lot of money for a portfolio and that's the end of the story? And of course, who are interested in a very blond caucasian looking boy.

You would be surprised. I know or have heard of many people who actually got their son/daughter "working" for an agency here. For example my former neighbour's son was selected by SIA to be part of their ads... With the money he earned the whole family had a free trip to Vietnam!

Easy..just obtain a namecard for the person who have approached,am sure it's always good to do a credential checks on these people. Good luck!

So course there are some reliable child modelling agencies out there. But to join, you need to pay some membership fee in order for them build a portfolio for your child and send him for basic modelling class (which is good ...helps build confidence) and than you wait for assignments ..however no agent will guarantee a job.

With each assignment agent will take a certain percentage and the rest is your.

However beware of those so-call "talent scott" for some local magazines, they approach on the street...starts complimenting your kid and sweet talk you into letting your child be on their cover page but does not even compensate you at all...not even for your transportation to which ever shooting locations..worst still when the issue is out you have to buy the magazine yourself because they are too cheap to even offer a copy! Trust me, it actually happen to a dear friend.

Carpe Diem wrote:You would be surprised. I know or have heard of many people who actually got their son/daughter "working" for an agency here. For example my former neighbour's son was selected by SIA to be part of their ads... With the money he earned the whole family had a free trip to Vietnam!

Agree with CD on this. I know a few kids, expats and locals, who were in print ads for various items. Half the people in the SQ safety video are teachers from the American school. It can be a great way to earn a little money, but also grueling, demoralizing work. Check the agency out first, then see if you want to proceed.

I think you were approached not by casting agents rather a sort of 'talent scout'. I use the term loosely.

This is how it usually works if you're approached by an agent- .. you will be informed that they're shooting an ad, they will ask you to come down for a casting ( session ). Feel free to ask what it's about, how much you're being paid etc.

For the so called 'talent scout' however-..usually they will say you have the look or whatever they are looking for. They will ask you to drop by their office. No mention of work.

The most glaring difference is...a casting person looking for talents will not be seen holding a file or folio and standing on Orchard Road. The ones that do are not.

There is a list of talent agencies/production houses in Singapore. It is a pretty huge industry when it comes to number of such agencies but the ones that are usually engaged are relatively few and the same. If you have doubts feel free to drop by my PM box. Will help you to suss them out.

We are new here and my son was approached by the model agency, I-model International and asked to come for the appointment and he paid $100 for non-refundable deposit. Also he was asked to pay $280 to make a portfolio.
Can he trust the agency?

Impact Models are quite popular for their kids appearing in Motherhood magazines.However, I had called and was told that I have to first make a $350 portfolio, but then again .what if we make a portfolio and nothing happens ...

I Model was in the news 2 Sundays ago, in the main section of the Sunday Times. A model had made a complaint that she was approached at Orchard mrt and told she had potential and that she'd make cover pages. Meanwhile she had to spend a few hundred dollars on a portfolio. However it's been a few months and she has not had any offer of a job. All in all. she didn't have a good experience with them.

$280 for portfolio is quite expensive.

Thinking of having professional pictures taken for my little one.
Not for modeling, just for keepsake.
Just wondering what's the usual rates for having simple pictures taken.

http://www.abibik.blogspot.com/

My son got an offer but how much he should get for 4-hour shooting job?
Is there anybody knows the fee for that?

I heard the rate should be around $350-400 for a half day job, although my daughter was offered $180-200 for a 5hr job. A bit of a rip off if you ask me.

It's always safer to approach the established modelling agencies in Singapore, someone who's been around for years..as they have better contacts for jobs, some of the larger names in Singapore are Mannequin, Elite, Phantom and Diva Models.

At least their models make real appearance in TV commercials, magazines rather than just empty talk.

[quote="Carpe Diem"]You would be surprised. I know or have heard of many people who actually got their son/daughter "working" for an agency here. For example my former neighbour's son was selected by SIA to be part of their ads... With the money he earned the whole family had a free trip to Vietnam![/quote]

can i be a model woth them 2?? its so hard to find modeling agency that are real!!

My 2.5 years old daughter was on a cover page of a local magazine after a talent competition win, she was paid for her cover shoot with 3000 pampers and cash, but halfway through the shoot when the novelty wore off she wanted to go home, which was a bit difficult when everything was already set up. I felt like one of those really pushy parent, what started off as a bit of fun ended up as a bit of a chore, when every one recommended I sign her up for impact models I declined it.

Once money starts to exchange hands it takes the fun out of it. If the kid is too young to really understand whats going on and make her own decision, ask yourself is it for you or the kid that you want to do this?