FAQ
About Us
What is Nine9?
We are an Entertainment Company who helps models and actors get started and further their careers in the industry. We also help casting directors, directors, production companies and industry professionals find talent for their projects.
How long have you been in business?
Since 2003.
What does Nine9 stand for?
The 99% of models and actors aren’t represented by an agency and we are helping them take over the entertainment industry. Nine9 provides the 99% with the tools, opportunities and support to begin and advance their careers.
What is “The UnAgency?
We are not an agency. We help provide talent opportunities by connecting them with the industry professionals who are looking for models and actors for their projects. We also provide talent with the tools and support they need. Unlike an agency, we do not charge any commissions to talent or casting directors and industry professionals who use our talent. Hence we call ourselves “The UN Agency”.
If you’re not an agency, then what are you?
We are an entertainment and marketing company that provides paid and non-paid opportunities, exposure and knowledge development to aspiring models and actors in the mainstream entertainment industry. We also offer completely free services to casting directors, directors, production companies, agencies and other industry professionals. We allow them to use our office space to hold auditions, set up in-person and self-taped auditions, bookings and unlike casting companies and agencies, they can book our talent at no charge or commission.
Are you guys going to expand to other locations?
Yes, we will be opening new locations in 2018 & 2019.
How is Nine9 different from other online casting companies?
We are not only online, we also have 9 offices around the country. Each office is has a dedicated staff who are willing and able to sit down with any talent and help them go through castings, upload photos, take new measurements, and offer guidance on the industry. Not only do we have a database of public castings our talent can submit themselves to, we also have a Castings Department located in our corporate office that helps casting directors and industry professionals find talent for their projects. We can not only help talent find opportunities in their area but nationwide. We can cross-market our talent to any area they are interested and able to attend bookings in. We also provide free monthly workshops to our talent where we bring in professionals in acting, modeling, health and beauty to increase and build our talent’s training and skills.
Are you a modeling/acting school?
No, Nine9 is a talent listing service.
General
What is Nine9 the UnAgency?
We are a talent service company where our main objective is to aggressively market our talent to appropriate castings and opportunities within the entertainment industry.
What is the difference between Nine9 the UnAgency and an Agency?
Unlike an agency, Nine9 does not take any type of commission or percentage from opportunities booked through the company. Nine9 also provides talent with training through our meet and greet program.
What types of opportunities does Nine9 have?
We work with a wide array of castings directors and clients. A little bit of everything: Print, editorials, ads, commercials, runway, theater, tv, film, extra work.
Can Nine9 guarantee me work in the industry?
No one can guarantee you work in the industry.
Where are you located?
We have 9 office locations nationwide. Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, DC, Houston, Miami, and New York.
Does Nine9 The UnAgency work with pets?
No.
Does everyone just get signed with Nine9?
We work with anyone who has a great attitude and wants to gain exposure through use of the services at Nine9!
Do you take people with disabilities?
We work with anyone who has a great attitude and wants to gain exposure through use of the services at Nine9!
Do you represent voice over talent?
We don’t represent any talent as we are not an agency. However Voice-Over Talent are welcome to join us, if they are also interested in regular modeling/acting gigs. They can include their voiceover links embedded on their digital composite card.
Can I call a talent and get feedback from them?
We do not ask talent to take calls on our behalf from other prospective talent, simply because of our size. We get 50,000 applications every month at Nine9 from nationwide prospective talent. We could not ask a talent of ours to handle the kind of volume that our company produces in interested applicants daily. If you want to see feedback from our current and former talent you are welcome to view the Success Stories section on our website
Can I transfer to another area or office once I’m a talent?
Yes, once you sign up with Nine9, you are in our nationwide network, which means we can submit you out wherever you are located, just let us know so can update your account.
Appointments
No, Does it cost to attend my first appointment?
No. You are only coming in to see if we see potential in signing you.
What do I need to bring with me?
If you have ever gotten professional comp cards or head shots done bring them in. Other than that nothing.
What should I wear?
Business casual is recommended.
How long does an evaluation appointment last?
It will vary person to person. It can be anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour.
What happens after the evaluation?
We will either decide you are a right fit for the company and invite you back for a final one on one call back or ask you to reapply when you are ready and have taken our notes into consideration.
I don’t have any experience in the industry, do I qualify?
Nine9 works with talents who both have no experience and lots of experience in the industry.
What if I don’t live near one of your locations?
I don’t think I have the right measurements to model, do I qualify? Models are definitely marketed out by their body type and their look. There are many types of modeling that do not require a specific body type.
Nine9 contacted me, how did you get my information?
We reach out to individuals who have applied to be evaluated through our website or to a specific casting that we are hosting.
I only want to be in a specific casting, which I applied to. Is the evaluation an audition for that casting?
We are screening out talent for that casting director. If we deem that this is a right fit and that all your marketing materials are in order to be sent out then we will.
I might be 10 minutes late, is that okay?
If you know you will not be able to make it on time, it’s best to reschedule to a day where you can arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Do I have to pay for the pictures you take at the Open Call evaluation?
No, these are part of the evaluation.
Can I bring a sibling or aunt/uncle to watch me at the Open Call?
If you are a minor a parent must be present at the Open Call.
I don’t have anyone to watch my child, can I bring him/her to the appointment?
It would be best if you attended the evaluation alone, space is limited.
Photos
Why do you take measurements and photos during open call?
We use this information to market you. Your measurements are included on your comp card and sometimes clients request talent based on measurements
Do I need professional photography?
Professional photography can help market you. We can work with you. If you are not ready now, you can still book castings without professional photos, but your chances do increase with better pictures.
How important are professional photos if I’m only looking to do acting jobs?
Actors need headshots to represent themselves
Can I use my own photographer?
Sure you can. We would like to know who the photographer is and we would like to see samples of their work.
Do we offer our talent access to a professional photographer?
Yes, we have a professional photographer we can recommend in your local area.
What are the benefits of working with your photographer?
We contract out photographers in all of our markets who shoot high quality photos; they know what we like and shoot what clients are looking for and we provide you to own the rights to the photos.
Becoming a Talent
Do I need to have experience?
No, we work with all levels of experience.
What ages do you work with?
Anyone 3 and up.
What do you have to look like to work with your company?
We work with all types of people, Nine9 is The UnAgency for real people. We won’t reject you based on your looks.
What is the process of becoming a talent?
We first need to meet you for an evaluation, if we are interested you will be invited back for a 2nd final interview with our team. At this time we will interview you and take some snap shots and measurements. If we decide to work with you, we will set you up with our services at Nine9.
Does it cost to attend an evaluation?
No. You are only coming in to see if we see potential in signing you.
What do I need to bring with me?
If you have ever gotten professional comp cards or head shots done bring them in. Other than that nothing.
What should I wear?
Business casual is recommended.
How long does an evaluation appointment last?
It will vary person to person. It can be anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour.
What happens after the evaluation?
We will either decide you are a right fit for the company and invite you back for a final one on one call back or ask you to reapply when you are ready and have taken our notes into consideration.
I don’t have any experience in the industry, do I qualify?
Nine9 works with talents who both have no experience and lots of experience in the industry.
What if I don’t live near one of your locations?
I don’t think I have the right measurements to model, do I qualify? Models are definitely marketed out by their body type and their look. There are many types of modeling that do not require a specific body type.
Nine9 contacted me, how did you get my information?
We reach out to individuals who have applied to be evaluated through our website or to a specific casting that we are hosting.
I only want to be in a specific casting, which I applied to. Is the evaluation an audition for that casting?
We are screening out talent for that casting director. If we deem that this is a right fit and that all your marketing materials are in order to be sent out then we will.
How long does it take to find out if I’m accepted?
We will let know during your 2nd final interview
Do I have to sign a contract?
We do not sign contracts at Nine9.
Is there a deadline for me to enroll after my first appointment?
This will be up to the Office Director in the office you interview in.
What do you mean by finalizing everything on the 2nd interview?
At this meeting we will discuss how we can help you while learning how to market you.
Why is the fee due during the 2nd appointment?
This fee sets up your Nine9 comp card. This is how we help you to gain exposure in the industry.
What is a final interview?
This is the final time we will meet with you. At this appointment we will discuss your skills and how we can help you.
What should I wear to my 3rd appointment?
Whatever you feel comfortable in. We may take more snapshots, so dress in form fitted clothing and no logos on your clothing.
What will I need to bring on my final interview in the instance that I am offered enrollment?
Bring yourself and a BIG smile. If you need your parents or significant other to help you make a final decision, you should bring them.
Why are 3rd appointments considered mandatory?
To follow up to make sure you understand how to use our site and services. This is an important time to catch up with you. We need to make sure you understand how to use our site and services. We will look over your resume and make changes if needed. We will also discuss how we can better market you with professional photos.
Who will help me set up my comp card and profile?
Our staff members- it could be our Office Director or a Talent Specialist on their team
Should I quit my job?
No, we don’t know when or what types of castings you will book.
Is this a contract?
No, you don’t sign a contract. There are no contracts when signing up with Nine9.
I am already with an Agency, is that a problem?
No, we can help supplement the work your agency is providing you. We are not affiliated with any unions.
Can I call the office if I have questions?
Yes, we are available to answer any questions you may have.
The Industry
What is the difference between a casting company and an agency?
A casting company is hired by a production company to cast talent for a project such as a film, commercial, music video, runway show or print ad. They audition and/or book the talent they find best suited for the project. An agency acts as a representative on behalf of a model, actor, or personality). Most agencies represent talent in their local areas only.
How do agencies make money? Is it true that if I sign with a modeling agency I don’t’ have to pay for anything?
Agencies typically charge talent 15-20% commission on any work they book. They also charge casting companies a 10-20% fee in addition to their charge to the talent.
Acting agencies do not upfront any marketing material costs or training for actors. Actor marketing materials include a photographer, makeup artist and hairstylist for headshots (and printing of the headshots). They also do not pay for actors to attend workshops, classes, training, courses or specialty training.
The top high fashion modeling agencies only look for high fashion models a of certain criteria and measurements. While some of the top modeling agencies may help front the costs to develop the model, the model is still responsible for paying the agency back. The agency may set up test shots with one or more of their photographers, makeup and hair stylists to build a model’s book. Models will be in debt to the agency for whatever these costs entail including print costs for model comp cards and portfolio and possibly even living expenses in a model house. Once a model starts booking jobs, the agency will take their 15-20% commission in addition to beginning to recoup their costs the model owes. If a model doesn’t book any jobs, they are still responsible for the debt they incurred to the modeling agency.
Castings and Auditions
What types of opportunities does Nine9 help provide?
We work with a wide array of castings directors and clients. A little bit of everything: Print, editorials, ads, commercials, runway, theater, TV, film, music videos, extra work.
How do you help me get auditions?
There are several ways our talent receive opportunities. Over the past 15 years we have built strong relationships with thousands of casting companies, directors, agencies, producers and other clients. These clients come to us directly looking for talent. They can either request to receive digital package of our talent from our Castings Department or login to our website with their company username and password and browse our database of talent directly. Clients also have the ability to post casting calls on our website for our talent to submit themselves to directly. In addition, our Castings Department staff aggressively seeks out opportunities for our talent and new clients who are looking for models and actors for their projects. The benefit of an industry professional to use our talent over other casting companies and agencies is unlike them, we do not charge any fees or commissions to clients and we offer our office space to them at no charge as well.
How much money can I make?
How much money you make in this industry will vary and may depend on a multitude of factors including but not limited to: Your geographic location, your talent or ability, your look, your flexibility in schedule in order to take gigs, casting directors or agents being interested in you, your perseverance, your willingness to take rejection and keep going, the jobs out there available for your look/ability/location, and also a little bit of luck. Since there are so many factors that go into the success of any individual in this industry we can not give anyone an estimate of how much money they would be making in the entertainment industry.
Will you pay for my travel to a job or casting?
No, we do not provide compensation for travel, nor do we provide transportation.
Castings Professionals
What is your fee to book talent?
We don’t charge any casting director, director, agent or client a fee to use our talent.
If you don’t charge a fee, how do we pay the talent?
You will pay the talent directly.
I’d like to hold an audition, what kind of space does your office have?
Every office has a large presentation room that can accommodate 30-50 people and additional individual offices where castings directors can meet with talent in a more intimate environment.
What is the fee to use your office space for an audition?
Any casting director is free to use our office space at no cost as long as they give our talent the opportunity to audition for whatever the project is.
