I got scammed by Gigi Cossar and Bill Starkov. I went to her office at the NBC building at Universal City on the 20th floor in response to an Ad on Craigslist for print and catalog work. When I got there, she bashed the few good photos I had of myself. She asked me if I had a full time job. She doesn't work with models without one because they get desperate. Then she wanted me to meet Bill Starkov. Told me he was a casting director, then later an art director. He examined me like an art piece, said he loved my look. Showed me a zed card-a nice one. Said I was prettier than the model in the picture in person and if I had good pictures like her, I would get immediate gigs. He tried sending me to San Diego same day. Said one of his clients needed a hair model and I would be perfect for it. He quoted $2500 to get me started with a photoshoot with his photographer (Mindas photography). I asked if his "company" would give me an advance and take the fees out of the gigs that I get through it. He said that was done before but now it's against company policy. Then, he said he'll give it to me for $2200. I told him I'll think about it. He said he'll try to be there at the photoshoot and gave me his cell phone number. Then Gigi walked me back to her office and asked me what Bill thought of me. Told me she worked with supermodels in Europe. She was looking for a few models under her for her exclusive clientele... Said her company is not an agency. They are different from an agency in that they work with clients directly without the middlemen. I can go on and on about the bullshit they pulled on me.
So at the end, the photoshoot took place in a log cabin looking-like studio. No stylist. Make up artist left after one application. I never heard or saw Bill Starkov after that first meet.
The photos were useless and unprofessional-- quoted by 4 other legit agencies I took these to.
For what Mindas is charging $200 right now, Gigi and Bill are ripping the shit out of green models.
You are personally delivering these proofs and photos back-and-to from Gigi in Universal city to Mindas in Sherman Oaks. (at least 3 times) Then you get the zeds a month later.
She will "act" trustworthy and pull your leg with "call me, there are so-and-so projects coming up..."
Never happens. Once you get your photos, "ok, so sign up on LAcasting. bye"
Currently, I am looking for other models who've been deceived like me to build a case against her.
They need to shut down and be banned from this industry.
Why file a report here? Ripoff Report is a permanent record! Other complaint sites copy our content then remove reports for money.
