Heather Jones Model Search 09 - is this for real?

Awhile aback, I posted on Trinidad designer Heather Jones' upcoming Model Search reality show/ project. The bits of information I received up to that point were rather scanty, and although I contacted Ms. Jones directly for some clarity on the project, I have yet to get actual responses to my queries, even though she had agreed to furnish me with an interview.

So when I came upon this bit of info on the Heather Jones Designs (HJD) Model Search Facebook page, I was a bit glad (to get more information,) confused (over the details,) and shocked (at the requirements,) all at the same time. Read for yourself, and see:

Monday June 8th, 2009, Port of Spain, Trinidad: We present to you the 2009 HJD International Model Search from August 1st -October 31st 2009. Three months of high fashion and runway presentation showcasing and highlighting the best talent in Trinidad and Tobago.

This event will also be a launching pad for our new street collection where we present our Fashion and Music Rocks Runway show on the streets on Port of Spain. Registration starts from the 6th of June and continues to the 30th June 2009.

The 1st leg of registration starts June 6th 8:00am-9:00 pm at 55 Luis Street Woodbrook, Port of Spain.
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS The following eligibility requirements and terms must be met in order to apply:
• Participants must be between the ages of seventeen (17) - twenty five (25) years.
• Participants must apply in person and are welcomed to submit one (1) application per season.
• Participants must come dressed in their own clothing without make up. A change of swimwear must be brought.
• There is a registration fee of Five Hundred ($500) dollars due on the day of registration.

After our June 6th Launch Registration, there will be rolling registrations at various locations Nationwide. There will be an Executive Casting Crew doing interviews at venues to be announced. (Location subject to change)

Upon completion of our registration process, we begin our actual competition where there will be a series of model challenges which will be filmed and shown as a Reality Series. There will be a team of Fashion Experts judging, as contestants compete to make it through to the next round.

A text voting system (provided by the one of the major mobile companies) will be implemented so that viewers can vote for their favorite models.
Participants will be judged based on:
1. Challenge Capability
2. Poise (Stance)
3. Effort
4. Conduct
5. Presentation
6. Overall Appearance

One (1) Male and One (1) Female participant will be chosen as the winners. Models will be issued a modeling contract from Heather Jones for one year. They will be featured in all our Print ads, Catwalk / Runaway and will also be accompanying us to all media events and International Runway appearances.

NOTE: The $500TT registration fee is only required for those who the screening team of judges deem eligible for the model search and the reality program. This fee will also assist to cover cost for training, workshops and Model development. Please note these funds are not refundable. Should you have any questions concerning this promotion, Please don't hesitate to make contact with us.

My People... What is this exactly? Is this a Model competition/reality T.V. show, or a money-making scheme? I've produced Radio & TV programs, and I know from firsthand failures and successes, that it's near impossible nowadays to get a project off the ground without financial help from key sponsors and starting funds.

Maybe that's what the HJD folks are missing - a starting fund & moola from sponsors. It's just my speculation, but really, to request that models who are selected to be participants on your show pay $500.00 TTD ( about $100 USD) just screams "scam" to me.

When sponsors are on a project, and the production team has properly planned everything, the production budget covers incidentals like the "training, workshops and Model development" that HJD is saying they need the $500.00 per contestant for. So sad, because I always had the impression that Ms. Jones and her team were a down-to-earth, professional, and business-like group.

In all of my years in Media, Entertainment, Fashion and such, I've ALWAYS known and heard that anytime you have to pay money to get a shot at being a model, it is a scam. I'm not an ANTM acolyte, but Tyra Banks herself has said it on countless occasions - don't pay money to be a model!

This is fishy, folks... Very fishy.

L.M.N. Harris.

P.S., HJD:
Look into a new name for your 'Fashion & Music Rocks' event.

Unless you've somehow teamed up with CBS to do a direct spinoff of their Fashion Rocks, music & fashion event, you're trading off their name, and concept...