FAQs for Models
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Is this an agency? What is this exactly?
UM is not a traditional agency or management, but a platform that caters to models individually. Essentially, we are a scouting agency, but we are also part modeling agency and part mother agency as we receive client bookings for our models and are in contract with a few agencies, respectively. There is no contract that binds our models, therefore anyone who joins the platform remains independent unless placed in an agency.
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What is your mission?
Our mission is to break the norm and bring awareness to the lack of diversity in the modeling industry. We achieve this by representing the under-represented who are evidently models of color and introducing unique faces that go against beauty standards and colorism. We aim to create a space for models to be seen.
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What is the process?
We scout models on social media and the streets. Afterwards, we contact them to schedule a meeting (to confirm their looks in-person if scouted on social media). Then we move forward with shooting their digitals and taking their measurements for our website. If they already have updated digitals, we will use those instead. For those who we cannot meet in person to take their digitals, we will give them guidelines on how to take one on their smart phone or we will assign a contributor in their location to do so (if available).
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Are there any fees to join and do we pay for the digitals?
No, it is completely free without any hidden fees.
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Who can submit?
Only models of color, therefore, anyone who is not white or of European parentage, with the exception of mixed individuals.
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Age requirement?
18+
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Do you respond to everyone who submits?
Due to the overwhelming influx of submissions, we are only able to respond to those who we are interested in. Unfortunately, if you do not hear back from us within 7 days, it means that we are not interested.
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Are there any offered benefits for non-members?
Yes! We post castings on our Instagram story, especially during fashion week. Keep an eye out.
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Is this platform only available to those in the U.S?
No, we are worldwide!
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How do agency placements work?
When an agency is interested in signing a model, the model decides (via contract) how we represent them, either as a mother agency or a scouting agency. Detailed information will be provided in the contract.
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Can clients/agencies contact models directly?
No, model contact information will not be made available to the public. Every booking/agency scouting will be done through us.
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What constitutes as being booked through this platform exactly?
Being contacted via social media or our website in regards to booking our models for jobs. Although our priority is to scout models, not find them jobs, we receive several client requests and are in contact with multiple agencies. Every decision will be made on the model’s terms. We have no say in the decision-making; we only serve as a link to our models.
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So why not just provide model’s contact info to save you all the hassles?
This is the only way we are able to track our progress and level of exposure. We will not truly know how helpful our platform is unless we oversee all bookings and scouting. Also, this is a security measure to ensure that anyone who tries to contact our models is legit and verified. We are however, not responsible for featured models as we do not manage them.
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Do you build models' portfolio?
No, we are a scouting agency, not a modeling agency and so, we do not develop our models. We only scout unique faces and provide a platform for unsigned models. However, when we receive client bookings, that contributes towards the model's portfolio.
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Do you take commissions from bookings?
Yes, we take 20% of all bookings made via our platform and payment agreements must be signed by both parties.
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Are there any contracts?
There are no contracts to be a member, but there are contracts when placed into an agency.
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Will there be collaborative offers?
Yes, there will be creatives (photographers, MUAs, stylists, etc) who will be interested in collaborating with our models. It is up to the model however, to decide on whether to move forward or not.
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What if we get signed after becoming a member?
You will be taken down from the mainboard and moved to the "Now Signed" board. You will be referred to your agency if requested by a client.
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FAQs for Clients
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Rates?
If the client provides a fixed rate, we will inform the models. Otherwise, rates are dependent on hours and type of job and are provided by the model. Every decision is made on the model's terms.
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How do we go about booking models?
First, make a list of models ranked in your level of preference. We do this to provide back up model(s) if the desired model(s) is/are unavailable. Along with this list, email us a PDF which must include the following: mood board, inspiration (style & make-up), location, full creative team and magazines (if submission is considered). This is very important.
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Paid/unpaid opportunity?
Paid or unpaid, we will need all the information above. Again, models make the final decision.
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Can creatives (photographers, MUAs, stylists, etc.) book models on a collaborative basis (no pay)?
Yes! As long as the desired model is interested!
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Can models be contacted directly?
No, every booking is made through us.
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FAQs for Contributors
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What positions are needed?
At the moment, we are looking for photographers, scouts and assistants.
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At what locations?
Worldwide!
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Is this a paid opportunity?
Unfortunately, not currently but we are working on it.
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Can creatives (photographers, MUAs, stylists, etc.) book models on a collaborative basis (no pay)?
Yes! As long as the desired model is interested!
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Can creatives contact models directly?
No, every booking is made through us.