The Blackwell Files

I don't remember where I found Blackwell Files but I guess it was meant to be :) The application process is painless. At first when asked in for the general casting, I was hesitant. With some research and high rated Yelp reviews, I decided to give it a chance. If I don't get chosen, that's fine. That was my mentality coming in to the game since I'm a Plain Jane by looks and at heart. Don't get me wrong though, alot of hidden talents with this seemingly ordinary package ;) The general casting was a short 15 minute shoot. Fill out some forms, report your measurements, jot down a little about yourself, and the ladies simply shoot your face and any looks you have in mind. They do ask you to submit any photos of yourself you think represent you more wholesomely. I paid about a $10 fee at the sketchy lot around the corner, but to get my pics taken free of charge was worth it. A week later, I was contacted for a shoot for a project with a pretty famous corp. I met other Blackwell talent and some were tenured, some were new like me, and some had cool stories about their "go see"s. The talent I worked with were all friendly and had a full time job aside from our current gig. I didn't get to see my pictures from the general casting, but I did see a little headshot of myself that was with the MUAs and stylists. It was a fun, eye opening experience. Blackwell Files really preaches their mission, and that is to use real people as pro talent.

Absolutely the most professional agency I have had the pleasure to work with. The communication from Blackwell concerning jobs is always excellent. Every job I have booked has been with a top clients for professional, well paid projects. I have been so happy working with you ladies! Thank you for all you do!

The staff is ok, but one in particular is actually abrupt and rude. The pay they negotiate for the models/talent is below market rate and the contracts for use of your images are too open ended (e.g., all media in perpetuity...). The rude one acts like you should be grateful but don't fall for that. Thankfully since I have other avenues to get booked for jobs, I know what the rates should be. Sooo, I suggest that IF you register at The Blackwell Files that you make sure to sign up with multiple casting agencies and find yourself a talent agency, too. Verify that your talent agency is okay with you not signing on exclusively. However, if a talent agency is able to get you a lot of work for sure, then it makes sense to sign exclusive.

This agency is the absolute truth! My family has worked with them for several years! I think we were the early one!! Great company!

I never got booked with them once in the 3 years I have been in Blackwell Files database. I went in twice to register with the second time to update photos, but they never called me once to even audition. I know they find work for some people, but it is a long shot for most as this is not a place for everyone I guess. And I'm a professional actress and model in the Bay Area for many years.

You are not even allow to submit your own photos, they take photos of you and you can't even use them for your own portfolio. So I can't tell if the photos they took of me are even decent(I recall closing my eyes half of the shots).

When you walk in for the call time, nobody is there to greet you. I had to assume to fill out a form and wait for someone to recognize me. Their staff is many, but nobody is there to monitor the people coming in to register and take photos. I have yet to see how effective The Blackwell Files company is for finding work and being a productive team in general.

Incredibly professional agency.
Great at communicating. They get a lot of very interesting projects.
Everyone I've interacted with are pleasant and professional.
Very transparent in communicating the way the talent gets paid.
No complaints whatsoever.
Blackwell files, please keep up the good work!
You guys are awesome.

How else can you get paid $1400 for sipping cappuccinos for a few hours? I kid you not, Blackwell files are amazing connectors and make it easy to pair you with ad agencies with huge production budgets. They take a few (free) pictures of you, put you in their database and call you when an ad agency decides you'd be a good look for their next spot. The best part is you don't even have to look like a model. when you go into their office you'll sit between a hipster and a guy with a starched shirt and a suit. They had me run around in a chicken suit for my last gig.

I've had some great experiences and met some creative people with the Blackwell files - thanks guys!

Blackwell Files is casting for 'real people' models. They do not take models who are signed to other modeling contracts- they want real people who want to model occasionally.
I have worked 2 gigs for them and they are professional and pay well. The office is gorgeous and everyone there has been easy to work with. Their website describes what they do- send photos to be considered!

So when I was much MUCH younger, I did the whole modeling thing and it turned out to not be a very realistic aspiration for me. I gave it up completely, graduated college, and entered the workforce and never thought about it again. An acquaintance who was signed to Ford Models actually advised I look up Blackwell. I guess he wasn't getting much work from Ford, dropped it and ended up getting flown to Utah for a big software campaign thanks to Blackwell almost instantly. So I sent in my pics on a whim, came into the studio for a very brief photo session (I think the entire paperwork/photo process took less than 30 minutes. I went on a my lunch break and didn't miss any time off work!), figuring it couldn't hurt.

Long story short, they ended up booking me on a campaign for a well-known computer company (well-known being an understatement). I took 5 days off work and was whisked away to the amazing Telluride, CO, for one of the most memorable experiences of my life thus far. Note: I work full time and am also in grad school part time and at 30 years old, the idea of me modeling is almost laughable--but that's the thing about Blackwell. They're not looking for 6'0" 105-lb female career models. They want real people. People who have diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, of all ages and body types.

It's a great opportunity to make [very good] money and travel and meet amazing people (I made some good friends on that campaign!), while not having to quit your day job. Plus everyone at the studio is friendly and accommodating and wonderful.

I have to say, these folks are remarkable.

Seven years ago, I was walking down Sutter when two women jumped out of a doorway and asked if they could take my picture. I thought, "Right, they want me to buy a portfolio." But no, they took a couple of pictures, no strings attached, and some weeks later, I was invited to go on a shoot at Filoli for the Gap and paid $600 plus a nice lunch for about 4 enjoyable hours of "work."

I don't think they're jumping out of doorways any longer, but I've gotten a call every 6 to 12 months for shoots that are usually one day and pay something near $1000. I've been a gent with his grand-daughter, a savvy techie and an international banker, in everything from a two-page spread in Wired to the annual report of a large multi-national corporation.

Susette Blackwell and her crew are really a delight to work with. They ask you about availability, give you all the info you need to be "professional," and are about as pleasant a team to work with as any I've found.

And now you don't have to be discovered: go to the website and you'll be walked through it. Who knows? You might be able to chuck that daytime job!