I was scouted by Numa at Model & Talent Search Canada 2 years ago and agreed to updated headshot with them. I paid but had to hound them for the photo by email and phone as I was not local. Finally received the headshot, and signed a 2 year contract of which I never received a copy.
They have ignored repeated requests for comp cards (required for jobs as I am commercial - not fashion - model and acting talent) over the past 2 years. They also claimed to have never received a digital tape of a monologue for my portfolio although it was sent by Expresspost.
They have never sent me on any calls despite the fact that I have found casting calls and volunteer work on my own. The latest and last incident concerns a photoshoot from over 1 year ago. I paid only after requesting an invoice from them (paid by cheque 1 week after the shoot) and although I did receive a digital CD with photos on it a few months after payment I had to send a nasty email to get them to send it. They never did send the "three looks" photos as also stated on the invoice. Normally with an agency, these looks go through the usual Photoshopping like light "skinblur", teeth lightened, etc. so they can be professionally presented as in a magazine/catalogue.
Despite repeated emails and long distance phone calls that were never returned Maxwell Bracey still refuses to send them. I even sent a CD I had made of the three best looks with a request that they be printed professionally as my first headshot was. When I arrived in person he lied by saying it was never received at the office even though I had sent it by Priority Post with a signature required and confirmed with a tracking number.
I had to travel to his office and had my cancelled cheque, their sent invoice, and showed him the relevant emails on my email account and firmly asked for the goods I had paid for (without profanity or yelling). He was caught in a lie and became belligerent, insulting my intelligence and suggesting that I was threatening his baby. He had his wife phone the police, refused to close my email window and grabbed me by the arm and took me out of the office, then locked the door.
I waited for the police in the parking lot as he refused to return the original photo CD I had also brought with me. When the very pleasant officer arrived he was able to get my CD back and told me I had grounds to start a civil case if I wished.
Some things to note if you choose to work with this agency:
The front desk was manned by a young girl in a white thigh length T-Shirt and a pair of thong panties. Professional???
A friend of mine who models professionally never received her photo CD or comp cards from the same shoot (although paid for) probably because she did not keep every scrap of paper, email, or send by Priority Post with signature proof required. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! They also charged her for pictures on their website which she refused to pay as she was not even asked for permission.
Staff turnover rate is astounding...
Right now their jobs available are "fashion shows" set up at local nightclubs supposedly for charity.
Maxwell's sister (a model) is no longer working under his agency but with another agency in Asia.
Jane doe
Western Canada
Canada
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