After I reviewed their contrat and realized they are selling membership which will get me discount for acting class, photo... and will get me in showcase meeting with agents. I have to pay a lots of membership fee upfront and pay discounted fee for all other things--acting costs$240, photshoot costs $75 (only 50 prints) modeling class $160, Singing class $160....Is that worthy to do this ? or I should go get my own photo and send it out to agents myself ? Has anyone had experience with them? Any result?
2007-11-18 19:48:19 · 5 answers · asked by Learning 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
MAJOR SCAM! Do not do it! They preyed on my son in the Toys R Us on Saturday. Then yesterday we got a call saying he was one of the 15% (which he didn't even do well). So we went to the presentation. It was like a timeshare presentation. Absolutely horrible, and the guys are like used car salespeople. There should be something against such a scam as this. They are expensive, and they don't even place people. They just give you all the information all packaged up. On top of the fees (which the lowest was $1435 or something like that on up to 4495 thereabouts), they ask for additional fees for all the workshops and celebrity events. It's a waste of time. Luckily we talked about it and then walked out. Everyone else purchased it, and they rang a bell every time someone paid the money. They are hard sales people. That's all.
My friend said if you have to pay, then it's a scam. Real talent scouts will see talent and then you get paid. Not the other way around. Interestingly, they sign up a lot of people during their sales talks, but no one from the bay area is a featured actor/actress in the major films. Does that tell you something?
2007-11-21 16:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by halegirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of them before, but my scam alarm went off loudly when I read the words "showcase meeting with agents".
You don't know if they're real agents unless you get a real appointment to see them in their real offices, and can verify their real accreditiations aheads of time. This sounds like those massive events John Casablancas puts on, where kids pay hundreds of dollars to "perform in front of agents". Someone always "wins" (gets taken on by an "agent"), and nobody ever becomes a star. They probably never even get work.
Other problems are the upfront fee, the amount of which you didn't disclose, and the various "lessons", some of which are totally uneceesary (modeling lessons are a joke).
You do realize you can get singing and acting lessons without these people, right? And good photography is expensive. The $75 is the only thing that sounds really cheap. But the photographer is probably horrible.
It *is* important to have a good headshot for acting, but not until you're ready to audition or seek representation, and you may not be there yet.
All in all, I'd say this place doesn't sound like a good deal.
2007-11-18 23:57:32 · answer #2 · answered by helene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of them but only from someone else asking like you. Like Helene, I'm extremely wary of any place who offers what they do, promises what they do and charges what they do and especially makes you sign a contract... I stand my ground that I think it's a scam. The employees, owner, or someone with that company contacted me last time I posted against them and got upset with me but ANY company who charges money upfront while actually promosing to cast you in something is fishy at best.
To do things right, you go to a reputable place for classes with instructors that have a real resume in the business. Acting studios do not sell photos. I've never been to one that makes you package so many things together. It's completely your prerogative to do so and $75 is a real bargain for photos (especially with 50 prints) but if the photos are terrible nothing is a bargain. You do NOT need a modeling class. Complete waste of time and money.
I don't get the membership thing either. I think they're just trying to get as much cash as they can. These types of businesses are popping up everywhere are preying on the dreams of kids and parents. It's so sad.
If you think they will deliver what they're promising then it's completely up to you whether or not to do it but I would NEVER sign a contract that promises them more money. $240 for classes... how many classes and who's teaching them?
Really, I would look elsewhere. What about a theatre in the area? Look up theatres. acting studios, anywhere else and ask them what acting classes they have, who's teaching them, and what their professional credientials are.
2007-11-19 04:24:38 · answer #3 · answered by Marianne D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just by what you described it sounds like one of those bullshit scam shops that promises exposure to acting and delivers nothing. they will try and upsell you to all sorts of portfolio crap and you'll get virtually nothing in return. my best advise would be to contact the screen actors guild (SAG) and get some guidance.
2007-11-18 19:54:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
SCAM SCAM SCAM
2007-11-19 10:04:58 · answer #5 · answered by Chanel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋