Global One, Ltd

Unlike the other top name agencies in the area, Global One requires you to use their photographer if you need headshots done. This was a bit upsetting because I had a photographer in mind who does all of my dance photos and they sort of turned their nose up at the idea of me getting my headshots done through him. I chose to do the $ 300 package for two looks and that did not include the extra $ 100 for prints (which also had to be done through their photography studio, not on your own). The headshots came out just fine, but there was a minor detail on one of them that bothered me (a blur on my neck that seemed to blend my jaw and neckline). So I brought it up to the photographer to see if he could fix it or if maybe I could choose another photo (I had no say in the photos they chose initially). Unfortunately the whole thing turned into an argument where he felt like I was insulting or attacking him. All I wanted was to be satisfied with the headshots that I would be using for all my submissions. By the end of our emails, he basically told me to «end this relationship with Global One now before it gets ugly.» In the end, he told me he would try to fix it. So I waited and waited to see if he made any progress. When my prints came in, I found that they just chose an entirely different photo. It was a lovely one, but now I had two commercial shots instead of one commercial and one theatrical like I should have had. It began with this incident in which I noticed a severe lack of communication. And when I tried to ask questions and be proactive about getting things resolved, the vibe I received back was that I was bothering them.
Another pricey thing that is, not required, but heavily encouraged, is their Worldwide Star Search annual showcase. After hearing about the potential of meeting great industry contacts, I decided to do this. The showcase cost $ 1200 with a $ 35 credit card fee and that did not include airplaine travel or hotel. The showcase itself was a little sad for the price that they market it at. Yes it was held in a lovely hotel, but trying to perform my dance routine on a 16 by 30 foot T-​shaped makeshift stage (the kind they usually set up at the Puyallup county fair) was nearly impossible. If they are going to include dance in their showcase, they really need to have an appropriate stage. I also felt sympathy for the singers performing because the sound operators kept getting the music wrong for several contestants and on top of that, they had the microphones on echo, which was a huge distraction to the audience and the singers themselves who were trying to hear their soundtracks. I also forgot to mention that they waited to tell me that I was required to be in an exclusive contract until AFTER I paid for the showcase. I ended up on the lists of several agents and casting directors who wanted to speak with me further after the event. So I told Global One all the details when I returned home from the showcase, only to be told by the CEO that most of the agents are LA-​based and cant really do anything for you when you live up here in Seattle. I’m sitting there thinking, «then why would you encourage your Seattle clients to do these showcases if the benefits of meeting people in the industry are only for those who live in LA?» She then proceeded to tell me, «I think you could smile more and do a lot better next time. Why don’t you do our casting director workshop. Then join us for another showcase in June and then stay in LA afterward so that we can match you up with industry professionals.» Does that really sound like the most financially sound plan? To spend $ 700 on their casting director workshop, another $ 1200 on a showcase, and then stay in LA afterward with no job, no place to live, and only their word that they’re going to get me in contact with the right people?
The final straw with this company for me was the catty reaction that I witnessed to a facebook post. Some woman from some acting studio or management company from another state shared a post claiming that Global One was a scam and that actors should not reply to their email inquiries. What Global One’s clients and employees did next was unspeakable. They basically went to her business’s facebook page and blew it up with a bunch of bad reviews that included cold-​hearted, personal insults in order to «get back at her.» Maybe if Global One didn’t operate under Christian values, this would not have phased me so much. But the pure childish approach they took to resolve this issue instead of talking about it like adults really irked me. All of these little things added up finally led me to resign from my contract with Global One.

IT was learning experience.
I was cleaning out my old archived emails from 7~8 years ago and saw old emails from Global One Ltd. I decided to checkout how they are doing and seem like nothing has been changed.
Saw their advertisement for «new face search» and decided to take my kid to the office, since my kid is «sooooo handsome! :D» Walked into office, they «Liked» my kid’s look and was willing to give «contract» for two years.
We paid around $ 5000 for «portfolio» and attend couple «Talent Search» event they held at the hotel (I think it was Wiltshire Hotel back then) across from their Wiltshire office.
Lot of aspiring «actor, actress, singers, models» were at the event. There were «agents» from different media industries were there to «recruit» all these young talents.
Since I was working, my wife dragged out kid from school about… 5 times to casting events with few hundred other kids.
Fortunately, this fiasco happened almost a decade ago when my kid was in elementary school, and both my kid and ourselves learned about not so glorious side of the entertainment industry.
Unlike my kid’s high school friends who dreaming of becoming next K-​pop star and wasting their time trying to break into the industry instead breaking open SAT books.
It was waste of $ 5000, but learned valuable lesson.
By the way, with $ 5000 I could have purchased around 1500 shares of APPLE stock at $ 3.50 decade ago, and made killing, instead wasting money on chance more riskier and slimmer return than stock investment. :D
But I guess that is life. :)

I wish I could give this place no stars! I can’t believe they’re still business. I was scammed by them almost 7 years ago! I was young and eager to get a foot in the door. My mom speaking only Korean, was pulled into the scam as well.
I ended up signing a contract and wasn’t told how much I was signing to pay till after. I refused to pay and they sent my info to the bill collectors!
This place will get you no where!!! Unless you want to pay a whole ton of money.
Their services are not a scam but the money that they are charging is and how they are approaching it!
They should not pick photographers, nor should they make you pay for some showcase.
A REAL AGENCY DOES NOT TAKE YOUR MONEY UNLESS YOU GET PAID FIRST!
This is not an agency. They may be just a means to get you an agent, but there are tons of ways to find agents without this pathetic place.
After this horrid experience, I learned my lesson.
I have had more than 4 agents and am currently signed with one right now! I’ve had done national and global work– commercials, touring with Shakira, plays, and print ads.
I am way better off than if I had gone through with this. I have 2 other friends who had the same problem.
So please!!! Warning all future clients. Don’t fall into it! … Unless you’re truly desperate and have money…
Agents are supposed to serve you and be kind to you. Don’t waste your time with rude people!

In response to someone else’s complaint, I also had the same problem and more. I was also attacked by K.S. Kims when asking about the legitimacy of the agency. Hey, any new talent would do their research so we won’t be scam. Kunsoo (K.S.) said ‘I won’t put up being insulted by you questioning our legitimacy.’ This got me to worry more; why would I work when these people when they are so rude when only I am innocently trying to look out for myself? They wanted me to fly out there to LA within a month (why the rush!?) I am glad I am not with them. K.S. also said to me that when I fly out to LA, he gets to choose the photographer. Really? Real agencies recommend photographers and do not force you to go to a particular one. And he says I lack basic knowledge of the industry, which I believe it is the other way around. At least I know how not to get scam and Global One doesn’t know how to be a legit agency. He claims $ 1200 is the norm in LA for headshots even though it sounds expensive. I got photos from Brad Buckman, a great Hollywood photographer plus retouching and headshot printing for all way less than that (This photographer was through my own research)! It is not about sour grapes of which he claims I was not happy for not being represented, I am truly glad I am not represent by a Korean profitable money hungry scam that could care less about my career! Even Asians can’t get along! Lets hope karma will get to them of being bankrupted!

When I asked if they were a true modeling agency I was attacked for questioning them. «Kim», if that’s her real name, was «insulted» by my question and nastily belittled me for not knowing what a great place they are. After reading other Unilocal reviews, I realized I hit too close to home and they didn’t like being found out so quickly. They are nothing more than a money sucking scam. Run!

Be prepared to pay a lot of money. There is a lot of pressure into buying their photos and sign up before you have the time to think about it. $ 1200 for composite cards and portfolio for the in house photographer. You also need to sign up with worldwide star search, their own webpage in order to get more exposure, which cost an additional monthly fee. The acting class is put on by the receptionist, again for additional fee. The talent managers are hired by the company as interns, and are inexperienced in talent management. This place sounds like a talent agency claiming to be a «talent management company» to avoid the Talent agency laws. They are not licensed with the state.
Global One is not SAG franchised, nor are they listed under Talent Agents Assocation, or Talent Managers Assocation. Buyer beware.
Please make sure to ask about a business license to see if they are legit and operating within state regulations for talent management agencies.

Nice group of people.