Hidden Faces, West1Promotions, Regardez - Joined these agencies?

User Deleted
This profile has been archived

A researcher doing some work for the BBC - wants to hear from anybody – that has paid an up front fee to them.

He can be contacted by e-mail:

anactor@beeb.net

Leave a contact telephone number...

Regards,

Clive


  • 17 years ago
  • 5,895
  • 54
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Hey! This is all very interesting and helpful. I am only starting out in my career but I was always told never to pay upfront fees to an agency. They get your money when they find you work. Is it resonable for them to ask for a website fee? I applied to an agency which had an open book recently expecting an audition or to inform them when I was in something they could see but they immediately accepted me and asked for £70 website fee at which point I stopped the contact. First of all the fact they didnt even see me and wanted me straight away was fishy (despite my immense talent!!)then the money made it worse so I know I made the right choice here. But in the future will I be expected to pay a reputable company?

Elyse xx


  • 17 years ago
  • 21
Private User
This profile is private

Hi Elyse :)

No you should NEVER give them any money. A reputable company wouldn't ask for a fee.

x


  • 17 years ago
  • 22

Daily Mirror, Thursday, October 12, 2006 Page 23

Penman & Sommerlad

INVESTIGATE

FACES SLAPPED

ONE of our old enemies, dodgy casting agency Hidden Faces, has got a well-deserved slap.

We warned last year how the agency, which is run by Erik Chandler, lied to entice showbiz hopefuls into paying upfront fees to get on its books.

Now the Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a string of complaints. The watchdog ruled that Hidden Faces couldn't prove a boast that the
BBC is a client
It failed to show that it was "one of the UK's leading casting agencies".
It could not justify the claim that "leading casting directors and production companies view our artists constantly".

Clive Hurst of acting union Equity is demanding that upfront fees are banned. "Performers, the public, parents and children must be protected from these scams," he said.


  • 17 years ago
  • 23

Hi slightly off topic but re Mirage Studios
I clicked on your link but it goes to a an advert web page for pills??
Rob


  • 17 years ago
  • 24

Hi Rob

Thanks for letting us know about our website link which is appreciated, we have just checked this out & yes you are right it goes straight to a pill company, we let the domain name go quite a while ago & forgot to update our records, we are currently developing a new website to combine all our businesses under one roof now that we have branched out into producing film & video productions.

Regards

Paul
Mirage Promotions


  • 17 years ago
  • 25
Drew MacIver
Actor

Elyse, some "reputable" companies DO charge a website fee, or even a casting book fee.
Case in point: I went to an open audition for an agency. they accepted me. had 1 job in the first year. then they asked for a fee, ( to appear in thier casting book), i told them i could not/would not pay, no problem they said, i would just be left out of the book, after that i averaged 3 paid jobs a month, strange or what?
the point i am trying to make is.. they only told me about this fee after a year, it was not compulsory, and if anything refusing to pay it has improved my career, lol. this company is what i would class as a reputable company and i have had a long and happy relationship with them.
So not every company that charges a fee is Dis-Reputable, just some, and be careful how you phrase it.

what you have to consider is how much are they asking for? do you think it is justified? and reasonable? and what are they specifically asking for it for?

Drew


  • 17 years ago
  • 26
Lee Ravitz
Actor

Elyse, to state the obvious...

Drew's tale is an exception that proves a rule. Drew seems to be saying that a) he knew that the company he was getting involved with was reputable b) he went to an actual audition with them, met them and they offered him a deal in person c) although he didn't get much work from them in the first year, he got some, and so knew they were actually working hard on his behalf d) they *only then* asked him if he'd be prepared to contribute further money for a new service they were introducing to their clients and e) he was allowed to turn the offer down, with no threat hanging over him that he would have to be thrown off the books.

In other words, a fairly honourable business transaction (in the same way that most of us are prepared to pay Spotlight and Equity some money in order to get them to promote/support us)...

But I would NEVER take further something like the situation you've described - an agency who didn't even ask to see you in person to assess what you're like, who then immediately asked for money in order to obtain their services...that's precisely the type of up - front fee rip off that's designed to make the agnecy get all the benefits, and promises the actor nothing.

Basically, all representation is a bit of a lottery...even a brilliant agent can't necessarily get you work all the time (it's a competetive industry, and you have to hope their pulling power makes the difference on your behalf...). But, frankly, agents worth their salt may even be prepared to waive commissions on lo paying gigs, because they don't feel the money at stake is substantial enough. In other words, they'll benefit your earnings. Any agnecy who are asking you for money up - front are, in essence, taking money from you and promising nothing in return. Eeven a theatre company that charged a joining fee when you become part of a cast (and I don't agree with that principle, either) at least doesn't deny you the possibility of being in the play you've paid to be in!

And good on you, Clive. Keep taking these sharks down!


  • 17 years ago
  • 27
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Many thanks Lee!

You will all be pleased to hear that 'performers', Equity members - turned up/out at at the Saturday Leeds hotel venue for 'Rondevous' or should I say Rhondevous or was it Rondervous - appreciation 'get together'...

Rondevous were so happy, they decided to leave the venue Saturday lunch-time; and did not turn up for the Sunday gig...

Evidently, such was the overwhelming 'support' on the Saturday; they felt the 'show' must not go on...

Equity members certainly know how to show their appreciation! Well done to those who took the time to show up...

Regards,

Clive


  • 17 years ago
  • 28
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

You will be interested to hear that Rondevous, were kicked out of their Hilton hotel venue in Aberdeen yesterday and today, they were kicked out of the hotel they then transferred to, which was the Thistle hotel...

Not only that, there was a big article in the Aberdeen Post this morning warning parents and their children about this scam...

It is quite shocking the lengths this agency will go to to procure these up-front fees from childrens parents. One of the mums at this venue rang me today saying how upset her 8 year old daughter was when she heard what this agency is doing...

It is many little girls dream - to be a model. Children should not be targeted by these hard sell tactics; we have to protect them.

All the best,

Clive


  • 17 years ago
  • 29

"Children should not be targeted by these hard sell tactics; we have to protect them"

Surely, everybody would agree with this statement. And surely, this is the job of their parents to do that.


  • 17 years ago
  • 30
Lee Ravitz
Actor

I figure Pierre's right, but surely, part of the scam these companies run is that they assume the people who are likely to be applying to them will have very little knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry. In other words, alarm bells don't ring for them, as they do for you and I, when they hear that this company is offering great opportunities to make their child etc. a star.

Now whether a) children as young as eight should be actively seeking stardom and b) their plight should overly concern us as adult profesisonals are more open questions. But as Clive's 'remit' is presumably to protect all brands of performer if he can, and to more generally weigh in against any companies seen to be exploiting performers at whatever level, I guess it's fair for him to inform us of the continuing fight against these kinds of things.


  • 17 years ago
  • 31
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

I am so glad you agree Pierre...

As to parents, what do they know about our industry?

The DTI are responsible for the conduct of employment agencies, not parents.

But the DTI have never taken such a prosecution, click on this link to read the DTI Ministers apology on this issue:
http://www.anactor.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/DTIlet5may06.pdf

Click on this link to listen to the question put to the DTI Minister in May, in Parliament:

http://anactor.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/parliament4May06.wav

THere is no protection whatsoever for those seeking employment in our industry/profession. No other sector is open to such widespread abuses; because it is illegal in all other sectors...

Remember, the DTI did actually agree to ban all up-front fees click on Hansard 2003:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmstand/deleg2/st031215/31215s01.htm

**;~))


  • 17 years ago
  • 32

Of course it's a good thing to inform. But I'm a great believer in taking responsability in what we do.
Parents not knowing the industry? Well they should freaking learn about it before sending their kids to do something they have no freaking idea about shouldn't they?!? Not really hard with Google and all is it?
As for kids looking for stardom or rather, parents wanting their kids to become famous so they could have a bit or stardust falling on them and make a bit of dosh on the way, it's not the case for all kids wanting to act (I've worked with kids who really enjoyed it) but you have a point, Lee.
Thing is, I don't believe any self-professed Zorro will prevent people who are desperate from getting scammed.
Every day I see casting calls being posted here and on other websites, where people offer a pittance for gigs. Nothing to do with upfont fees, except it's still people trying to rip off actors. What can we do about it? Take responsability and tell them to f off, that's what! If you accept pittance or pay someone who promises the moon you need to pay for the lesson, and you'll pay until you stop behaving like a moron.
Hope I've not offended anyone but if I did, well, tough shit!


  • 17 years ago
  • 33
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

THE SUNDAY POST Aberdeen October 22, 2006 Page 8

Equity warning to wannabe actors

By Iain Harrison

A PROMOTIONS firm that claims to find jobs for budding models and TV extras is casting its net in Scotland this weekend. But actors' union Equity has urged wannabe artistes and performers to steer clear.

The company in question, Southampton-based Rondevous, held interviews in Aberdeen yesterday and is due back today. It says it will place the most promising hopefuls on the books of professional casting agencies. To do this it charges between £140 and £180 -- but provides no guarantee of finding them work.

Martin Brown of Equity slammed the firm's tactics, claiming the practice of charging would¬be stars up-front fees is illegal.
"Firms such as Rondevous feed on society's seemingly unquenchable desire to get into the public eye," he said. "Unless they can guarantee a job it's my view that it's against the law for agencies to charge aspiring actors a registration fee.

"Our members have picketed previous auditions held by Rondevous because we don't want to see the public being misled.

"The brutal truth is the only way actors will make it on to stage or screen is through hard work and talent."

Rondevous appears to get round the up-front fee legislation by claiming to be a promotions firm rather than an agency.

Clive Hurst, a member of Equity's governing council, has fought a nine-year campaign against firms that go down this route. He claims Rondevous is "the latest in a long line of unscrupulous companies to try to dupe the public" in this way. He said, "The likes of Rondevous charge up to £180 to place would-be actors, models and extras with a casting agency. But in most cases they don't find them any work and they say they're under no obligation to do so. I believe they're taking money under false pretences."

The DTI is due to launch a consultation on the issue later this year. A spokesman said, "As well as providing advice to individuals on the risks of these practices, the DTI is considering changes to legislation to address them, but without affecting legitimate publications that provide a useful service."

Last month, the Advertising Standards Authority was called in to investigate Rondevous after complaints about its adverts.

Misleading
The ads claimed the firm was "one of the UK's leading management companies for modelling, fashion, catwalk, catalogue, film, TV, stage acting, dance and promotional work".
An ASA spokesman said, "We contacted the advertiser who agreed to amend the ad by removing the claims.

"Another ad for Rondevous prompted a complaint to the ASA that it was misleading because there was no mention that an agent's fee would be charged to successful applicants. As a result the firm agreed to add 'agency fee applies' to its advert."

However, in the ad Rondevous took out in the local press in Aberdeen last week, this declaration was not included.
Rondevous director Mark Vella denied any wrongdoing. He said, "We've been in business for 12 years and we work under DTI rules and regulations.

"We're not a casting agency, we're a promotions company. You get nothing for nothing in this world."

Last night, however, it emerged that the firm's planned auditions at Aberdeen's Hilton Hotel were moved to another venue in the city, seemingly at short notice.

A sign inside the Hilton advised people who had come to audition that the hotel had cancelled their booking with Rondevous. They were instead advised to call a Trading Standards number at Aberdeen City Council.

The re-arranged auditions took place at Thistle Caledonian Hotel, with around 100 hopefuls turning out.


  • 17 years ago
  • 34

Just realised how appalling my English was in my previous post, apologies and hopefully it still made sense to most!

"The DTI are responsible for the conduct of employment agencies, not parents."
Yes but parents are - or should - be responsible for their kids and where they send them.

What makes anyone believe they were somehow invested to go on a mission to protect others against themselves I have no idea.
No one can legiferate to protect ignorants, morons, desperate people and those with a psychological condition making them want to 'be a star' against themselves. Whatever law you come up with they'll still dive for the scams faster than you can say 'be a star and become rich for only few quid".

Bottom line is, if the fishes don't bite the bait the fishermen retire.


  • 17 years ago
  • 35
Private User
This profile is private

"Parents not knowing the industry? Well they should freaking learn about it before sending their kids to do something they have no freaking idea about shouldn't they?!? Not really hard with Google and all is it?"

Bravo I think that says it all.


  • 17 years ago
  • 36
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Well...

I think one must understand that not everyone can afford a computer, never mind get to grips with the Internet...

Yes, everyone in the 'Green Room' is on the Internet; and yes I do find it a 'doddle' getting to grips with software and the Internet; but it would be wrong for me to think that everyone else is 'puter' literate...

If yut yourself in the 'shoes' of others you will get a totally different stance on this issue...

I do take the trouble to listen to everyone, who has something new to say, whether I agree with them or not..

Yes, I do also listen to those who have been scammed; I therefore know the 'what and why' - they fell for such scams. It is not the open and shut case as some may think. Life is not always that simple...

Thousands of applicants have paid an up-front fee where they will get little or no work. There must be some very concise safeguards in place, since quite clearly the DTI have no credibility in taking any positive action against - bogus agencies.

Just look at the latest case involving 'Hidden Faces' and the third set of ASA (five) complaints upheld... Yet the DTI do nothing!

I had a meeting on Monday with the Shadow DTI Minister (Conservaive) Mark Prisk MP, at the House of Commons. We spent 50 minutes, which is a long time, discussing this up-front issue.

Mark Prisk has now written to the DTI Government Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, you can read his letter by clicking on: http://www.anactor.net

**);~)


  • 17 years ago
  • 37
Private User
This profile is private

Well, if it meant the well being of my child I woud make the effort to do to an internet cafe and get help to find out.

But everyone is different I suppose.


  • 17 years ago
  • 38
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Also,

These agencies keep miss-spelling their names or do not show their names in their adverts or give a bogus website name; or change their names...

Nothing is what it appears...

As to going into an Internet Cafe, its a bit like me looking under the bonnet of my car...

I used to know what was there, I knew what a carburettor was etc...

But now...

I could not tell you what anything under the bonnet is; and I used to service my own car...

Anybody who has not seen a computer before would not find it that easy to surf the Internet; what is Google???

Is it a funny walk...

We all take it for granted that everyone knows...

**;~))


  • 17 years ago
  • 39
Private User
This profile is private

That is why I said they can ask some one to help.

Any hoo I'm off home. bye


  • 17 years ago
  • 40
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.