Emerald City Model & Talent

Thanks ECM&T, Pros: I give this company 5 stars more

First of all - I?m pretty sure all the ?good? reviews that are written on here are from folks who either work at Emerald City Talent or their family members and friends. If I could give them NO stars I would!!! This place is a TOTAL sham. I found the agency on the internet and called to make an appointment for my 3 year old daughter. A young lady from their office called me right back to set up an interview/appointment. Amazingly enough ? they were available the NEXT DAY. They told me to bring a couple changes of clothes for my daughter so that they could take a few photos. When we arrived there was no one there to greet us. There was a man on the phone (we found out later it was ?Johnny? one of the shameful owners) and he paid no attention to us for about 10 minutes. Once he finally acknowledged us he put us in a room, asked a few questions, put a book of VERY old ads in front of us with another binder of bank checks. He explained that these were checks from recent jobs. I must admit I was highly suspicious at that time. Who actually shows you their income checks? At that point he left so that me and my husband could talk about it. His brother came in next (the tag team approach) and talks about a photo shoot and how it will cost about $350. He talk about how rare red heads are and how companies are always looking for kids. We should have left after one look at the so called dressing room ? it was basically a stinky closet with a curtain. Long story short ? the pictures ended up costing closer to $800! and when they arrived in the mail they weren?t even the ones we ordered! They LOST over ? the pictures they took. And then instead of calling us to tell us they needed to re-shoot them they just randomly picked photos from the 40 they had left!!!! I should have immediately submitted a Visa dispute. These guys are so unprofessional. If I lived closer I would stand in front of their office EVERY DAY and warn unsuspecting victims. They have NO intention of getting you work! Cons: Very unprofessional/no intention to provide service promised more

I recently came into Emerald City for an interview thinking it was going to be just like every other money hungry agency. But once we started the interview I realized that I had to get into it. They helped me in every way you can imagine. It's only been a short period of time and I already have jobs lined up and I am having a great time working with them. The first shoot that we had, I was helped to know what it is that I needed to have on my comp. card and on my resume. I highly, highly recommend that you come in for an interview. This place is AMAZING! Pros: Great agency Cons: N/A more

I have been in the business for quite some time now, and worked with a few different agencies. This one is by far THE BEST. They are EXTREMELY professional, EXTREMELY helpful, and to top it off, you don't have to sign with them so I can still work my freelance print modeling on the side. I have never come across an agency that I thought was better. Pros: Best modeling and talent agency in WA Cons: There are none more

I had a friend who, 16 years ago, started working with Johnny Easa Hrab and would get a gig once or twice a year - fun stuff - but bottom of the barrel. They kept in touch with her, visa versa. Sounded fun - so I went in to talk to Johnny Hrab [is that pronounced ""rob""?] If you go in [but DON'T] John'll tell you about his days on the set with Stallone, he has a 3"" binder you HAVE to look through of old checks that have come in for their agency; then Johnny and the ""other"" guy [who happens to be his brother! for gawd's sake]...tag team you ... You've got 'the look'; someone with your same profile who used to be very busy with them is now on to Hollywood [whatever]; You're unique ha! I ignored ALL the red flags and didn't bolt for the door... in fact, Johnny talked me out of $900 and later I was kicking myself for falling for all their false flattery...it's embarrasing! Shabby digs, a HUGE tv in their lobby, no class, their make-up mirror set-up is a Barbie doll replica...MAYBE they had it going on at one point - but ..now? ... they are totally sad-sack. To their credit tho' ..they DID separate me from my money. Pros: Learn the Art of Scam - THAT'S their talent Cons: I did better w.Craigslist than w. ""Johnny"" more

I have been with ECMT for 20 years and I have only good things to report regarding this agency. Pros: They treat you like a real person and not just a number Cons: n/a more

I saw an ad for ECM&T last summer and thought I would ""just check it out"". They called all anxious to meet a woman in my age group. They asked me to bring several different pictures of myself showing different styles. Then they asked me to bring different outfits, dressy, casual, office attire, etc. so that they could take a few photos. OK, so far. I arrive at this 'strip mall' on time and am told to have a seat and someone would be with me shortly. Half an hour later a woman takes me into an office where she starts her spiel. Of course the walls are covered with 'talent' pictures as well as very old photos of celebrities autographed to the owner, a burned up Sly Stallone look alike. Then the owner comes in, gives me his pitch about how perfect I am because they have so few women in my age group (over 60) and how they can get me work. After a quick glance at my pictures, he asks me to go to the dressing room and change into one of my outfits. I should have left after one look at the so called dressing room - more like a closet with a curtain. On the table was a used hairbrush, some cheap hairspray, dirty rug. I step out in front of a white background that I don't think has been cleaned in years. Everywhere I looked was worn and cheap. He takes maybe 30 pictures in different outfits and I was kept waiting between each shoot. Then I t was told to come back in a week to go over my pictures. That's when I find out that without buying the poorly taken pictures I won't be put in their system. Then they tell me I'll have the opportunity to take ""acting lessons"" and other opportunites to learn. I found out these will all cost extra money. Long story short, yes I paid and YES I was stupid. I've called them several times and they were rude and said they don't control what the casting directors want. In other words, we have your money now leave us alone. I'm so embarrassed for getting into this. I've kissed my money goodbye. Pros: Very good con artists Cons: Very good con artists more

I just worked for Emerald City Model and Talent agency this past Sunday and made $500 for a shoot promoting a very well acclaimed foundation here in Seattle. They do get work for their talent and they have been in business for over 20 years, which is longer than most agencies in this area. That alone speaks volumes in my world. more

To whom it may concern, Pros: TALENT SUBMISSIONS ARE QUICK AND MEET JOB CRITERIA Cons: N/A more

I have been with Emerald City Model and Talent Agency for 12 years and have been very happy with their representation! I have worked dozens of jobs such as, Indie film, TV commercials, print, training videos for Boeing & Microsoft to name just a few. Recently I worked for 2 days with a principal part for the Tulalip Casino T.V. commercial and earned $1,100. Not only was it a blast it was excellent exposure. I just had an audition for ""Clearwater Spas"". Pros: 2 THUMBS UP - Great representation Cons: Really, not any on their part. more

I found this agency on the internet and filled out an online application. Someone from their office called to set up an interview/appointment with me. They were very unprofessional on the phone but I set one up anyway. When I got there, no one greated me. There was a man who was outside of the office and watched me go in. Found out about 20 minutes later that this was Johnny the owner of the agency when he finally came back in to greet me. He had some other man come in to do an ""interview"" with me. This man just talked and talked and talked. When he left, Johnny came back in to talk about joining his agency. He wanted to sign me up right then as I had the ""look"" that would get me lots of jobs. I said I was interested. That was intell he told me that they had to do a photo shoot and it was going to cost me $650. I decided to do it anyway. He took a total of 40 pictures, non of which was good on a paper background in a hall that was torn and dirty. He then told me it would be a week before he could get my comp. card made and started getting me work. I have called him back several times to see if they had anything for me, and when he answers, he is always rude. If a femail answers, she doesn't know anything and tells me that they will get a msg. to him. He never calls me back. I would not go there if I were you. I fell for the scam and got burned. Don't let it happen to you. Cons: Very unprofessional. Huge Scam. more

I went in for an interview, at Emerald City Modeling and Talent, and from the receptionist, to the interviewer, to the photographer, I found it a very professional experience. Pros: Professional Cons: N/A more