I'm not sure about that "photos" thing. So, I have no comment there. It would be something new if they were.
That post above kinda distorts what they are slightly.
They don't want you to travel to different places. They are a model convention. Not one of the better ones, neither. They only want you to travel to one place. They travel from city to town recruiting models to one of their seasonal conventions.
I know quite alot about Model Search America. Also sister events are NY Model & Talent Search and Manhattan Model Search.
All are run by Dwight Agnor and his company MSA (Model Search America, Inc.)
If you've heard of IMTA, it's similar but doesn't get as expensive but have a worse track record.
If you read my post in the thread
Proscouts under "Watchlist" (I'm the last post), you'll see my thoughts about model searches. The only thing about MSA though is....they have developed a bad representation for not holding their promises of "refunding money (which they clear say they will do...yet, many people including myself when I was much younger never received a refund on.) Or making promises on things that they can't control. I.e. agents from certain top agencies would show up. And only smaller market agents show up. Some people have had good experiences getting discovered through MSA. VERY few, as with any Convention. Dwight has a very well-trained presentation with tons of video from all of his events that he shows you at the initial
free orientation...and he's a great salesman. I always say this: "Man, I'd love to own an ad agency and have him as my main account executive. lol.
But, seriously...MSA is one of the companies I can not endorse at this time.
"Are they a scam?" Too much legal red tape to say yes. And, on paper (aside from numerous complaints and law suits) they are operating legitimately. That is why they've been able to stay in business for well over a decade. Maybe going on two.
Prices vary as well. 11 years ago, I signed up to MSA for $390. Today, I've heard prices ranging from the original $400 to as much as $1500 or more...depending on the market you are in. In other words, the more desperate they think you'll be.
I don't care for scouting events/conventions. And under only limited circumstances do I endorse the need for one. But, if you are insistent on going to one (or if you’re one of the rare few who need to go), MSA isn't that choice.
Read this thread
http://jobs.mymodeltalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=2565 and get my thoughts on model conventions.
Then read
http://newmodels.com/searches.html.
In situations like MSA, you don't have just the one question:
Is it worth the money?
You have two (or more...)
1. Is it worth the money.
2. Are these guys a legitimate convention or are they walking the line of rip-offs?
While you guys are at it:
Read these (if you haven't before)
http://newmodels.com/height.html -
Stats: If you don't fit these, you very likely wasting your money going to a convention.
http://newmodels.com/myths.html -
Myths: So you can get a more general idea of what scams are and can start learning for yourself what is legit and what isn't.
Anytime I refer to Newmodels.com, I always tell you. This isn't showing you how the industry works. The industry is far too complex (and simple) for website to cover it all. It's an
introduction for aspiring talent to
help get you started on the right path.
Angelus
http://myspace.com/wrekkastow
MMT Police/ Moderator
12-10-2006, 06:12 PM
Not Much. 
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