Does anyone know and have an opinion about 1st talent acting agency? Are they a serious agency? I applied to join them and was invited for an audition but I can't figure out if it's a serious place or not. Thanks for the advice!
I was approached by them about three or four years ago. I went to my audition and they ushered me into a studio for 'headshots' as mine weren't 'good enough'. After the audition and photography session, they told me I had to pay about £65 for the photographs. I was really stupid, and really wanted the photos believing that they would be better than what I had, so I paid up. The images were absolutely dreadful- the worst headshots I've seen- and then I was offered a ridiculous contract with stupid commission rates etc. I didn't sign the contract and realised I'd already been scammed. Why would they get me any work when they already had my money? Don't fall for it.
As I have previously said it's up to you if you decide to pay for the head shots , the agency is totally legit , not sure quite how many people they have on there book but I know that any queries are answered asap and my quarterly breakdown shows I have been put forward for some seriously good roles . Can't say that I have been seen much but that's probably down to my inexperience not my agent . Give them a chance !
Kate
I've been with 1st Talent for almost a year now and I couldn't be happier. They have guided me and helped me to start a career. I booked my first Speaking role for a BBC Tv Series with them and my first commercial for a big brand (and a great buyout) was booked thanks to the guys at 1st Talent. I auditioned for the best casting directors in the business like Jina Jay (and got the part), Kate Dowd and Toby Whale. 1st Talent was always there when I needed advice.
For the people out there that are throwing numbers like they’re playing Tombola, here are some numbers for you: 1st Talent has about a hundred actors on their books, someone mentioned 1000?! Those are probably the pints he drunk before writing the review for 1st Talent. There are 5 agents working at the office which is 1 agent for every 20 actors. If you think you deserve an agent looking only after you then you’ll need to become Tom Cruise first. Oh and to put things into perspective: the agency ‘Troika’ ( Michael Fassbender, Matt Smith, Tom Felton) has around 300 people on their books.
Beware? On what basis do the people here say beware? Would be nice to hear some sort of argument, but so far nobody has one! The head of the year of some drama school warned the students against 1st Talent on what basis? Scam agents don’t ‘try’ to come to Showcases!
Headshots: The 65 £ for headshots was actually a 59£ fee (when I auditioned) and it was an optional service to get you started in case you didn't have headshots, or wanted fresh ones. It WAS OPTIONAL, and the price was stated before the session unlike someone on this thread has written. You could argue that you didn’t like the photographer’s style, but that’s a different topic.
Anyway they don't offer this service anymore.
Finally, thank God 1st Talent holds an audition, without it, actors like me that had few independent and unknown credits would have had a very hard time to find a legit agent and the fact that they take actors based on their audition performance shows how legit they are. Only scam agencies take everyone!
So please guys, do talk if you know the facts, don't throw the word 'scam' around like there's no tomorrow to create some drama; if you tend to ‘assume’ things know that there is a possibility you might be wrong with your assumptions, therefore not only misleading genuinely interested actors but also and most importantly, putting hard working folks wrongly under a bad light.
If you have any questions about my experience with 1st Talent you can PM me.
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