Hello, some advice please. An agent, Independent Creative Management Ltd, contacted me yesterday to ask if I'm seeking representation, which I am. A quick Google search revealed that this company has been active only since the beginning of October, and it looks like it's the second agency the agent has opened, the first one apparently being dissolved.
Before I reply, would like to know if any other actors have been approached by this agency and what your experience has been please, simply because I know it's rare for agents to contact actors directly.
It sounds like a scam. Unfortunately, these independent agencies disguise as real talent agencies take advantage of us hard working, ambitious, and hungry actors. Always check their verification on the website like you did.
Always also check the Agents IMDB pro if you have access or a friend does. That way you can see the clients and who they rep and if they are actually booking work and reputable. Good Luck. It will all fall in to place.
Why did they contact you? Have they seen you in something & they were impressed, they think you can earn them money (and they have a ‘you’ shaped hole on their books)?
Search them (as you have) on https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk then cross reference any directors with any other businesses they’re involved with. Search the agency/director(s) names in any FB groups you’re in. Check in ‘advisory’ FB groups (two are ‘The Hall of Shame - Rogue Casting Agencies’ and ‘The Watchlist - film Industry companies or persons to watch out for!!’ - but there are others). Search names on Spotlight, Mandy, Backstage, StarNow, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram... etc, etc - wherever you can. On their website see if you recognise any actor’s names from your ‘network’. Search some of those names in the above places. PM any actors you come across and ask them about their experiences with the agency. Co-ops will probably ask for money upfront. That’s usual as you are becoming 'part of the business'. Good-intentioned ‘sounds like a scam’ (etc) answers to this type of question are probably best taken with a grain of salt, without specifics. Sometimes agencies do/can ask for money upfront. It doesn’t -necessarily- mean they’re a ‘scam’, but it does mean they’re to be avoided (for moral - if not legal - reasons). There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there however, and will be as long as there are desperate actors looking for a ‘break’ (so pretty much forever). ‘Due diligence’ always! :)
Hi Angela,
I was also contacted by them but like you couldn’t find much about them and realised it was a generic email so l did not proceed with further correspondence.
However I will say I have been contacted via Mandy by a handful of reputable agencies, mainly when they are looking for something specific, so its not unheard of.
Good luck in your search for representation :)
Thanks Mark for your very detailed reply and excellent advice, and Ama for sharing your experience.
I checked the original message sent by the agent and discovered it has changed! It was a generic message signed by the director, but is now more like a listing with company info. Didn't know a sent message could be altered.
They do now have a website with half a dozen client photos, so perhaps I'm doing them a disservice, but I will respectfully keep my distance.
I got an email from this agent too recently. I spoke to the lady who manages it. She seems okay to me. Plus I got a second opinion from a friend whom I know about the agency.
Hey guys, I hope you're all well!
I am represented by Independent Creative Management and I just wanted to assure you all that it's legit and a great agency to work with.
I have only positive things to say about my agent, they work really hard, we have an open communication and I never feel like an afterthought (my main issue with previous agencies I worked with)
I recommend it 100%
Hi there! I have been represented by Independent for the last year or so. Through them I have worked in several adverts and I’ve also been in an itv documentary and most recently a feature film. They are fairly new but the lead agent who reps me has worked for Simon and Howe and United.
Hello! I’ve been represented by Independent Creative Management for the majority of 2022, and wanted to reassure you that it’s a legitimate agency that is a member of Equity.
I’ve been put up for both ITV and Netflix auditions in the past 6 months, and have had a great experience being represented by Kat.
Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion! :)
Hello, been represented by Independent Creative Management since early Jan if this year, Kat is completely legitimate and a member of equity.I’ve had numerous auditions since then including feature films and was down to the final role in a lead ITV show. Kat fought for me the whole time and I’m now working on Hamlet at the Southwark Playhouse. Hope that helps!
I’m also represented by Independent Creative Management. I’ve been with them for 8 months and have so many high profile castings and auditions that I would never have got without them. My agent works so hard and I couldn’t be happier. I hope to continue working with ICM for a long time to come as I can see a great future for them.
Hi Angela
I have been with Independent Creative Management a little over 6 months now and am very happy. Kat is a great agent who is now working to expand her client list. Hope this helps.
https://www.independentcreativemanagement.com/
Maryam
1 year ago
20
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