Hello , I've been headhunted - ho hum , by these guys , but I'm not quite sure of them . Can you simply be with them as a proper agent and not expected to fork out for their in-house projects like portfolios , blah blah ; do they actually get you work!? (stunned face) could repliers PM me please , I'd be really grateful . Thanks , Alisa
Yes, got the message, too and went straight to the net to research, expecting to find exactly what I found. Been around a bit too long to fall for all that juggins.
Yup - I concur - was just short of giving them my three digit code on the back of the card when I saw the reviews. Man - for all my years in the industry that was close. As my Dad has always said - nothing in life is free. And it is weird they came after me. When I questioned them on their reviews, she said she wouldn't be working there if she didn't think they were a good company - maybe - but perhaps she is also blinded.
Enough people are saying it already, but to add this for new starters in the industry: in general guys, if someone fishes for you in this industry, it is generally best to avoid them like bubonic plague in my opinion.
Especially those companies and websites that have anything to do with "fame" or "discovery" in the title. It's marketed at people who can be exploited and you will be offered nothing but opportunities to spend money needlessly, and will probably be persuaded to do extra work at best. For what it's worth, as someone who has also worked as an agent and in casting, stick to mainstream agencies and places like CCP, Castweb etc to source work yourself outside of your agent's endeavours, or in tandem with them. Please be very sceptical at all times! Best of luck x
Thanks Simon - so true - even despite my sage years in the biz, I was caught at a weak moment having not drummed up much work as of late and almost got suckered AGAIN Last time when I was 16!
I spoke to them today and no-one asked me for any money at all. The guy I spoke to was full of energy and really made me want to try them. He said I could go with them on a trial for 6-8 weeks and see how I feel. We pay 10% on any work they get us which is pretty standard. The only thing he asked me to do was contact spotlight and add them to my profile. Apparently you can have 4 agents on Spotlight. I told my agent about it and he thinks their behaviour is odd head hunting actors, but I am tempted to add them and see what they do. Has anyone actually tried them as an agent on here? They have a lot of peopl by the looks of things. Xx
Nichola...NOOOOOOO!!! Please, No...listen to your agent.
Re - read my post and especially their text justifying themselves and you will see the veiled threats. No agent should talk to an artiste like that.
Best wishes, xx
Nichola, they will ask you at some point to come to Cardiff for their workshop that costs £55 for the weekend. So if that is all you spend plus a day of your life then maybe a curious experience. For me I would have had the cost of going to Cardiff and a hotel plus time. And what would they tell me I don't already know? But if you do it let us know what you think then there will be another perspective.
I contacted Equity yesterday and they have said they have no bad reports about them. They asked if they had asked me for money, which they haven't. I have also contacted Spotlight to check them out too and I am waiting for the results of that.
If my agent is ok with it then I am happy to Guinea pig this, but only if my agent is happy to go with this cause atm I am not too sure on that.
I would love to hear from someone who has had work from them too, but then if they are happy with them they are not likely to be reading this post. Only if there is a problem or alarm bells ring do we generally search for forums.
Hope you are all having a good week and thanks for your warnings. I'm 100 per cent on guard and optimistic to new doors possibly opening. :) Xxx
Nichola - I do not understand how you can have multiple agents (unless there is one for voiceovers, one for commercials etc). What if they both submit you for the same job and you get it. Whom do you pay the commission, both? I BET your existing agent is not going to be happy.
If there was one bad report of an agent, I'd be doing due diligence to see if it had merit. This company have TONS of reports of scam behaviour. They are clearly not legit. Why you would want to be associated with a company with this type of industry rep is beyond me. Of course, everyone has their own choice, but when 50 voices are saying something, it tends to have validity.
I was going to trial this, but you may all be happy to know that I will not upset my agent.
I am interested if you spoke to them or if you have been a client of theirs though?
I find this all fascinating really though don't you? We hate being ignored when we contact an agent and yet we don't like being approached pro actively by an agency.
Just to clarify, no-one asked for any money from me. They offered me a trial to see how it goes. They were very positive and said my Spotlight was good and up to date so I didn't need to do anything and they knew a lot about the business. I've been performing a very long time and I am not as green as you think. I just saw this as having an extras agent really.
I had them checked by Equity and Spotlight. Nothing came up that was dodgy.
I have never spoken to, dealt with or had any dealing with this company of any kind. Nor would I. Like I said, it's anyone's prerogative to do what they want. However, when SO many warning signs are pointed one way, why would I even entertain the notion of dealing with that company? I am AMAZED Spotlight and Equity told you they had no bad reports about them, they've been told by lots of people, on a daily basis about them.
We don't like being approached by agents, because decent agents don't do that. Companies like this spam messages out to every actor they can find, and take as many people on as possible. I do not want to be represented by a company like that, as it doesn't exactly make me feel they value me and want to represent ME, as opposed to anyone that signs up. Yes, it's a judgement, but I'm happy making it. They are NOT an extras agency, they are acting agency.
Like I said, my view is opinion only. I have no facts, no proof. Go to Facebook groups to see how many people have been contacted, and asked for money. If that was true even for one person, I don't want to be connected to that company in any way. But if you want to, I hope they're not what most people think they are, and it all works out well for you.
Equity and Spotlight have had enquiries similar to mine, but had nothing of complaint logged on them and just warned not to give any money. I wasn't asked for money and if I had been I would have run a mile, even in 6 months time. Yes there were enquiries asking about this company, the same as on here, but there is only one in this forum who actually went to meet them and possibly two of us that spoke to them in person. My conversation was positive and believe me I ask questions. Thats my situation. I heard the warnings loud and clear. I came to this forum for help and to enquire and to have a discussion. We discussed and as I said before I am not taking it any further for my agent and because it didn't settle in my own gut, but I would love to take it further, just to investigate and get facts so if anyone fancies doing a documentary on this and becoming an actors watchdog then contact me cause this is right up my street.
Have a great weekend. :) X
You must login as a candidate to participate in the forum.
Please note:Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of The Mandy Network, nor have they been vetted by The Mandy Network staff.
If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.
