At
D2 Models, we do not offer classes, we do not charge for profiles or "upgrades" on our agency website, and we do
not take a "cut" from
our photography or printing partners. We make our money solely from booking
our talent: 20% commission for print and event work, 10% for film/television/video.
We are paid by our clients within 15-30 days and your payment goes out
to you 5-10 business days after that.
Our goal is not just
to scout and to book talent, but also to inform and to develop them
throughout
the various stages of their career. We
do not believe that a background in "the industry" is enough
to qualify someone to run or own an agency that will actually "work" for
most models (or even themselves) over time. Unfortunately, with most
model agencies, models are considered to be either "in" or "out" at
any given time, and as they progress in their careers, the duration of
the "out" period tends to grow until that's all there is. This
short-sighted view makes most agencies focus on bookings at the expense
of long-term talent development and business growth. We are a people-oriented
agency that plans for the short, medium, AND long-term success of our
talent and our business. In the end, we believe in having a solid foundation
of sound and honorable business practices and principles. We consider
our industry knowledge, skills, and experience to be a given.
D2 Models has 3 primary divisions:
- Commercial Print (Male/Female/Kids/Teens/Seniors)
- Non-Union Commercial (Male/Female/Kids/Teens/Seniors)
- Event/Spokesmodel (Male/Female)
And 4 secondary divisions:
- Runway/Fashion (Male/Female/Teens)
- Editorial Print (Male/Female/Teens)
- Parts (Hands/Feet/Body)
- Plus Size (Female)
If you already have
EXCLUSIVE representation in any of the above areas, we are open to
discussing
with you the options for representation in
any of our other divisions. If you have only NON-exclusive representation,
we are glad to work with you as an additional resource for developing
your career and finding work. A large number of our clients are looking
for actors and "real people" for print, commercial, and event
work, so we are scouting for models of all ages and 'looks'. We have
many union members who are represented by us solely for print and event
work.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Now
at this point we're assuming that you have also looked
through our website and you now have a number of questions
spinning around in your head. If you do — perfect! We're off
to a good start, because we don't expect that anyone will understand
at a glance
who
we are or
how we operate. So here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
1.
Are you an agency or a management company?
2. Would I have to be exclusive with your agency?
3. How do you get your work?
4. Do you charge for classes or website portfolio upgrades? Do you take
a cut from your photographers or printers?
5. How many agents and bookers do you have per model?
6. Are you SAG Franchised or members of ATA?
7. But I'm a member of SAG, AFTRA, or AEA. How can I work with you?
8. How much hands-on help can I realistically expect from your agency?
9. In what ways does your agency help its models?
10. So when does all of this help begin?
1. Are you an agency or a management company?
We are a licensed agency in the State of California. Our primary areas
of focus are print, event, and non-union commercial work.
2. Would I have to be exclusive with your
agency?
No. At this time we are not offering exclusive contracts to models in
any of our divisions. All contracts will be non-exclusive, allowing you
to work with other agencies. However, we will only offer these contracts
once we have met or you have booked an assignment through us.
3. How do you get your work?
The majority of our business comes from clients booking through us directly.
Because of our current client list, we are only beginning to receive breakdowns
from casting directors via various professional breakdown services. We
have a large number of casting directors, photographers, and producers
who work with us directly, including those from other U.S. and international
markets coming to LA for productions.
4 . Do you charge for classes or website
portfolio upgrades? Do you take a cut from your photographers or printers?
No legitimate agency that is making its money by booking models needs
to do any of these. We don't do them, therefore…
5. How many agents and bookers do you have
per model?
Each model has four bookers and two agents working just for them. Kind
of like those Verizon commercials. Just kidding. That would be nice though.
There are two of us full time, two part time, and we bring in extra help
for administrative work as needed. Pat likes peanut butter, I like chocolate.
This system works for us and it works for our models. We're small but
growing fast, and we have a technology and business infrastructure that
allows us to handle more work while maintaining quality control and customer
support.
6. Are you SAG Franchised or members of
ATA?
We are not and have no plans to become SAG franchised. Back in the day,
being SAG Franchised was a necessity in order to be taken seriously. Those
days are now behind us, however, and many agencies large (ICM, CAA, AEF)
and small (lil' ole D2) choose not to be franchised by the union.
Those larger agencies chose to become ATA members instead. Therefore,
contrary to a somewhat popular misconception, being SAG Franchised is
a professional choice, not an industry imperative. As for us, while joining
ATA is something that is very helpful for talent agencies focused primarily
on theatrical and commercial work, we are a modeling agency first and
foremost, so we do not currently have a pressing need to join ATA.
7. But I'm a member of SAG, AFTRA, or AEA.
How can I work with you?
Being represented by us for print or event work would not be a conflict
with your membership in any of these unions.
8. How much hands-on help can I realistically
expect from your agency?
That depends partly on how ready we are for you, but also partly on how
ready you are for us. Getting onto our website, getting your professional
shots done (we need at least six), and getting your hardcopies (ZED/composite
cards and headshots) will allow us to do what we need to help you. We
provide guidance in getting any or all of these taken care of. So feel
free to ask, or we will simply offer to help without being asked :-)
9. In what ways does your agency help its
models?
Let's cover the basics first and not pretend that we have some magic new
formula for getting the job done. First and foremost, like any agency
we are here to:
- Help to develop
your portfolio, both online and offline with expert guidance.
- Market you to
our clients and submit you to casting breakdowns.
- Handle any negotiations,
confirmation paperwork, invoicing, and payments on your behalf.
We don't mind the
busy work.
Most agencies fulfill these first three functions. We take a couple of
extra steps:
- Fill in any gaps
in your industry knowledge, skills, or experience so you are more confident
and mentally prepared for each casting, interview, call back, or assignment.
- Introduce you
to a few basic ideas to help improve your chances of getting booked.
For starters, despite many misguided notions to the contrary, being
grounded, personable, and professional goes a lot farther than arrogance
and attitude.
We also do something
more:
- Treat you with
respect and understand that, while our agency has a way that we need
things to be done for us to work together effectively, ultimately we
work for YOU.
10.
So when does all of this help begin?
See above about being ready. Once you are accepted as a member of our
team, get you into our system, and you have uploaded your images, we will
choose the pictures we want to display in your online portfolio and help
you to select images for your hardcopy materials. If you need more pictures,
we will refer you to photographers that we recommend or put you on a list
of people interested in testing with a photographer in exchange for prints.
From that point forward, each step will be decided on an individual basis.
We hope that the above FAQs answered most, if not all, of your questions
but feel free to email us with
any others.
We look forward to working with you!
ONLINE
APPLICATION
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