Frequently asked questions about Searchlight

1. What is ModelGateway.net?

ModelGateway.net is an online model management agency and a reputable training and development academy that has been designed to provide aspiring, semi professional and professional models with support/options in career development, management and portfolio creation. Our Agency section is free and does not charge our models for any of the services we provides, in addition there is no management charges for work provided by the company in the first year. Our training and development packages are available at a small cost to aspiring models wishing to tap in to the developmental skill sets of the MG Team and as such the company has developed a Fairtrade Ethos that has been designed to ensure that all parties benefit from working together and also provides a perfect working partner for associate businesses and links.

2. What is SearchLight?

Searchlight is a training programme designed to provide safe and secure entry to modelling and with the possibility of gaining a converted position in the PRO20 as well as gaining serious interest from larger agencies. The programme is for 16-18 year old aspiring Female models and it has been designed to work alongside academic responsibilities by providing adequate support for the models involved in the programme.

The focus of Searchlight is the Fashion/Commercial and Editorial markets of modelling and the programme is managed by a same aged team which provides a ‘for us, by us’ mentality. The adult management team oversees the section.

In 2010 the section received its most radical redesign by changing the format to accommodate 15 Models and adopting an elimination system to slim the numbers down to 5 in the final month. The competitive element helped to indentify those who are truly ready for professional selection while developing a professional portfolio of imagery unmatched by any other training providers.

However from 2011 the ethos shifted a final time to create two distinct sections of SearchLight, Year One (concentrating on training and image development) and Year Two (Professional Youth Models available for work and representing MG). These two section run in tandem with one another and Year Two models perform a mentoring role for Year One models, allowing us to ensure that support is available in house as well as providing a link to experienced models.

3. Why is it free?

Why can’t it be free? Both ModelGateway.net (MG) and SearchLight (SL) have been designed to be able to survive without needing to rely on taking money from its models. Money is generated from marketing, sponsorship and advertisement associated with SL and this is bolstered by sales from our competitive Academy and PRO-TOGRAPHY sections which provide first rate services to our customers. This all helps to keep the company running while simultaneously providing development capital.

4. Whats happens in SearchLight?

In Searchlight, the models are taken through a range of shoots, promotional events and training in pose, poise and promotion. Searchlight encourages healthy living ideals and this includes a no smoking policy within the section and guidance on healthy eating, hygiene and styling. The girls will be asked to take part in several photo-shoots to help develop their portfolios and to indentify skills that would essentially benefit final selection to the programme.

5. Do SearchLight: Year One Models get paid?

Searchlight: Year One models do not get paid as the investment made into each model is already considerable and the development provided is considered payment. In the real world, safe paying jobs for models 15-17 are few and far between and Searchlight helps to seriously improve the employability of all the models involved through the training they receive and this is in the hope that if they make it to the last stage of the training (known as ‘Year Two’) then they may be suitable for work and may be able to join the PRO20 section as they reach their 18th birthday.

In addition, models are not available for paid jobs during Year One as this prevents any issues with payments being misinterpreted and also is prohibited by our Safeguarding Policy.

6. What is expected of a SearchLight Model?

Searchlight models are expected to provide commitment to the section and help to promote events and sections of ModelGateway.net. They are required to be in communication with the section leaders at least weekly and will be encouraged to have mobile, email and Facebook contact where applicable.

7. Do we have to sign anything?

The MG2A/MG2B (or variant) Agreement is a contract that means that the model and the Online Portfolio will ultimately look after each other. The contract covers image protection, usage options, terms and conditions and aspects of safety, commitment and support. The contract is an essential part of the service that MG provides, without it there is no formal agreement and it has been designed to be non-committal which means that it only operates to policies that provide fair-trade ethos to both parties.

8. Will my child receive any work while in SearchLight: Year One?

Your child will not receive any work during the training, the reason is that the 16-18 year group is a very difficult one to manage as they are targeted by a range of con agencies and con artists who want to exploit the models financially due to their inexperience, if this were not the case then we would not have to explain any of this information in order to prove our validity.

The aim of Searchlight is to train the models to be able to be aware of these people and work with reputable companies only. If they are successfully selected to join Year Two upon graduation on their 18th birthday or by the July cut off (this is the final date possible), they will either be offered a PRO20 space or they will be released with an established portfolio behind them ready for application to other agencies and with a mature professional attitude.

9. Whats the deal with the different Modelling Sections in MG?

The company has a professional approach to its models and its sections and the company has a distinctive view about the channels that it travels in modelling. Each section has been broken down into specifics and this affects marketing, promotion, styling and accessibility depending on those interested in them. The company is not involved in any section that is considered distasteful or risks bringing the company, its associates or persons involved with it into disrepute. Although sometimes the models may work together across sections, these choices are vetted by the Managing Director to ensure that the request for cross section work is necessary.

10. Will the SearchLight Models gain a professional contract when they turn eighteen.

Assuming that the Model has made it to Year Two, upon their 18th birthday (or the July cutoff, which ever is sooner) each model is told whether or not they will be offered a PRO20 contract or if they are being released from the company. Searchlight models are prohibited from joining other agencies after release for a period of 28 days in order to ensure that all guidelines are followed.

11. Will the commitment to SearchLight affect education?

The Searchlight programme has been designed to operate evenings and weekends and has a commitment rate of around 2 calendar days per month. These days will be for portfolio creation and development, promotional activities (which are supervised) and team meetings. The actual impact on the models academic and social lives is dramatically reduced compared to other commitments such as sporting activities, working and social events in an attempt to prevent the pursuit of modelling from being a restrictive hindrance.

Its always nice of people to care how we can benefit but it is quite simple really. The company survives from its ability to market and advertise its associate products and companies direct to a 14-35 age group across the span of ModelGateway.net as well as being able to offer professional image capture and training and development options to the general public and a very reasonable cost.

This allows the company to survive and develop which is something that we are constantly looking to do. A majority of our staff are committing to the company via training and volunteering contributions and this helps to reduce outgoing costs.

13. Why do you not provide a SearchLight section for Under sixteens?

Searchlight is called so because it is designed to seek out the future of the Fashion/Commercial and Editorial world by finding models at an age where they can be sure for themselves that this is something that they want to do. The reason why we do not offer a younger age group the opportunity to model is because it may be the desire of the parent rather than the desire of the child and this is something that conflicts with our ethos. Ideally, after the 2 years worth of training the model will be able to enter the professional world of modelling and whether with us or with another agency, we will be responsible for their development that will help to continue our tremendous reputation for developing talent professionally and appropriately.

Recently we have expanded our training and development packages to include models ages 13 and above but this is based on a same age grouping or where parents/guardians have indicated that they are comfortable with the model receiving training while in our care. This is explained alongside the fact that we do not provide an agency representation option for under 16's although we do recruit from 15 at our casting calls to give us a look at who is coming up for Year One eligibility.

14. What if we don't want to sign anything?

In the event that a model or their guardian doesn’t agree to the contract then the offer of representation will be rescinded and the two parties will separate amicably. We know that the commitment to develop may be too much for some people and the chances are that if we spotted you now, you may be spotted later by another agency anyway, we just cant vouch for their work ethic.

15. What happens regarding travelling to shoots?

Whenever travel is required between venues or if a shoot is setup at a location the model will be notified of the location and they will be responsible for their own travel arrangements but this is with the awareness of both parents and their section leaders. Treating the models like young adults is part of the progression needed toward the responsibilities of adult life and the world of modelling is a professional and adult working environment so we feel that travelling is a small part of their development.

16. Does my child need to attend all promotional events?

It is essential that your child attends all promotional events but we understand that this is not always possible. In cases where more than 7 days notice has been given and your child cannot make it, we are able to accommodate as long as more than 3 days notice has been given of a non attendance by the model.

17. Why does my child have to model for free?

As mentioned previously, it’s not free as we consider the time and effort provided to your child as more than enough compensation for their time. We do not receive any funding for their training from any other persons or training organisations and to be honest it is unlikely that any other agency would pay for promotional work that promotes their own brand while simultaneously developing the skill set and widening the opportunities of said model.

18. Will doing this guarantee a career in modelling?

We can never guarantee that every person who models will be able to make a successful financial career out of it, in fact the opposite is more likely in the modelling world. We choose to offer a safe and secure path into the world of modelling and help to improve the chances of each of our models becoming successfully recognised and employed by others.

19. What happens if a model breaks an agreement?

The terms and conditions formulate the agreement by which the two parties are bound. In each case of a violation, the management team will review the situation and make a judgement regarding the appropriate remuneration for said violation. In the case of Searchlight, this does not include any financial costing to the model unless property damage has occurred, this would be at the parents expense and may involve the Police where the damage is either considered criminal or to property.

20. What do parents have to do?

The primary involvement as parents is to continue to support your child’s development and commend them when they do well. No one is seeking to replace or remove your role while involved with ModelGateway.net and it is common for parents to offer to help support the programme by helping to promote upcoming Casting Calls and attend Fashion Shows etc. On several occasions parents have provided invaluable help behind the scenes of our shows!

21. What happens if we disapprove of the imagery?

We strive ourselves to create imagery of a tasteful and appropriate nature. If your child is captured in a way that you feel is not appropriate then we will review the image and in most cases the image will be suspended from use. This has never happened in all of the time that MG has been running but it is something that we have prepared for in case a freak occurrence arises. In the event that a review has been made and it is decided that the objection is unwarranted, we will make the final decision with the support of your view being the paramount decision making choice.

We hope that this guide will help support your involvement with ModelGateway.net and we look forward to sharing the positive experiences with all in the future!!!

The MG Team.