FFM

The benefits of nonexclusive modeling contracts As stated above nonexclusive contact allows models more freedom.  It allows them to work with other modeling agencies, talent agencies, and freelance model all they want on their own with no connection to the agency they have the non-exclusive contract with.  For some experience models, this may actually be a benefit.  There is certainly nothing wrong with it and often times, for the modeling agency, it is how they prefer to guide their modeling career.  Also many modeling suggest this  sort of "trial-period" under which both the talent and the modeling agency may evaluate one another's relationship together.

Why would I want to sign exclusive with a modeling agency?Modeling agencies who intends to invest a great deal of time and money in you will want to ensure that their investment is protected.  Many times models ask me why should they pay for a photo shoot or comp cards. They don’t realize that since they are nonexclusive that they may take the tools I gave them and used them with every other modeling, acting or any other talent agency in the world. This is all business, after all, even when the model agent and the model/talent are the dearest of friends.  Bills must usually be paid and overhead costs met.  A modeling agency, quite honestly, has a hard time making ends meet if they are not working hard all day long, every day, seven days a week.  The payoff, of course, is when you find and develop (or sign) a major star.  At that point, for instance, a 10% commission off a model or acting job or client contract that pays in the hundreds or millions of dollars can make an agency very comfortable financially.  Then again, in smaller markets outside L.A. or N.Y., this is not always very likely.  If a modeling agency is legitimate, they must really have to enjoy what they do because it certainly is often not that rewarding when it's time to go do the banking.

In a "non-exclusive" contract, a model/talent is under less guidance and the modeling agency may submit them for modeling jobs, but generally is not breaking a major sweat to push them with a huge investment of time or resources.  Just so this does not sound so bad, however, let me say that this does not imply the modeling agency does not work hard for that modeling, acting or talent. a good modeling agency will treat everyone equal and present all potential talent to their clients, regardless of contract type agreement.

In an "exclusive" contract, the modeling agency has more control over decisions for the model and in the meeting of specific objectives.  Wherein a non-exclusive deal the talent may be submitting for the same projects, or may have another modeling agent doing this as well, in an exclusive agreement the modeling agent has the upper hand and can better pitch you to the client because there is no confusion of possible multiple submission.  If you have two model agents submitting for the same thing for you, it can not only become confused... but it can often time cost you the potential job, audition, go-see, consideration, or interview.

Which contract then is of more value to the model or the actor?This may depend upon the modeling, the market, and the value they place (and trust) in their model agent(s).  EXCLUSIVE is, of course, more powerful and should be the objective (in each geographic area of coverage) of all professional models and acting talent.  If you sign non-exclusive, work hard to prove yourself so that the agent desires to capture more control and invest more time, effort, and financial costs into the furthering of your career.Many exclusive contracts bind you in for certain duration... often times a year or up to three.  To some modeling agencies, this is good... though if a model/talent wants to leave for whatever reason, there really is no value in holding them back based on the contract.  So many models and actors have suffered by discovering that their agency has lost their interest, and yet they are bound contractually and cannot migrate to another agent. Fleming Fashion Modeling and some other agencies as well, opt to use a "30-days-no-fault-out" type clause in their contract.  This allows a model/talent to leave the modeling agency, with no questions asked, for any reason with the provision of a written 30-day notice.  The 30-days, of course, allows the modeling agency to stop submitting and/or to continue for that month on any project they already have the model/talent in consideration for.

In conclusion.......... A model must decide what best for him/her but i hope i shed a little light for you