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BBunnell Regular user Utah 116 Posts |
I had an expetience today that I would like to share. It has happened before, and because of this I would like to caution everyone to be aware of legitimate auditions vs (for lack of a better term) scams.
A few days ago I responded to an add on the radio advertising auditions for actors, models, singers and dancers. I called the number and got the information. The audition was for a chance to perform in a "showcase" in Hollywood. When the lady was finished with her "pitch", I asked if there was any cost. She asked what I meant. I stated that on other occations, I responded to such adds only to find out that eventhough they liked me and could use me and get me gigs and other auditions for tv, etc... I needed to come up with a certain amount of money for a photo shoot and other fees. She told me there was no cost to audition. I told her I was interested, and she said she "had an opening at 10am". I said ok. My son was interested and she said to bring him along. When we got to the hotel, there were a lot of people there in line. Well, after the filling out of the application, we all went into a room where the presentation began. If we passed this audition and got a call back, we were guarenteed a spot at this "showcase" in Hollywood. The cost was over $4,000.00. Programs were presented for us to rais the money. The catch was that the call backs were the next day and that a down payment of over $800.00 would be due at that time. "THE NEXT DAY"! Right, like I have an extra $1,600 bucks lying around do buy me a spot in a show. After more presentation, it was obvious that the money was for our training at her school, photos etc... The only guarantee we had was tp perform at his "showcase" where there would be music producers, movie talent scouts etc... I all looked realle good. I feel that this company was not totally honest with me up front. I specifically asked about photos and other coasts after the audition. Please be careful when considering an audition. The majority of auditions I have done have been legit. Meaning, if I passed the audition, I was in the production or hired for the magic show. No money for a photo shoot or what have you. By the way, in every so called audition that asked for money, none of my photos were good enough. They had to be re done by their photographer because they were the best. I'm not saying that there are not agents or talent agencies that are legit. There are. My niece for example had an agent who got her on varioous TV shows, movies etc... He was up front, open and honest. No "luring" her in and then asking for money. She did no need to take classes or have special training. So, I say be careful. Ask questions. Ask if you can talk with some of the people they have placed in movies, adds etc... Play it safe, play it smart. |
zaubern Veteran user Seattle, Wa 335 Posts |
Generally places holding auditions require you to take classes (typically through them) before you go on to fame. Generally at quite a cost. I have seen this a lot and it seems pretty common, I am not that surprised.
Zaubern
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
This is why I have learned to become my OWN agent through the use of successful marketing skills. Who knows my act and my show better then me? Who can sell my act and my show better then me? Being my own agent has been the best thing I ever did for myself.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
You called the "audition" a "scam" because of "lack of a better word." You are right, there is no better word. It is an out and out scam and one of the oldest in show business. If you would have plunked down the money for the show case I wouldn't be surprised if ABC Talent went out of business the next day but in a week you saw the same ad for XYZ talent. I have 6 agents, two theatrical/commerical (acting) and four variety (magic) and I've never paid one of them a dime out of my own pocket. They make money when they get me a job (their cut). There are numorus posts on agents here at the Café. If you are interested in other's experiences run a search for them in Tricky Business.
Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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BBunnell Regular user Utah 116 Posts |
I believe a legit agent can be helpful, as in the case with my neice. I also do my own booking and also rely on "word of mouth". Cheaper and still works.
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TricksDaniel Loyal user Pensacola,FL 248 Posts |
I too have seen these scam companies coming through town and have had a friend that got sucked in. To make a long story short he spent $6,000 before he found out that the company was no longer in business. I have been an actor for two years and a magician every since I was 5. I warned my friend about this. He told me that I was jealous because I had only been in 3 independent films and 2 major productions and I wasn't going to stop his dream. I tried to explain to him about all the other things I have done like print work and modeling, but oh no he said he was going to make it big. I have had an agent for over a year and I tried explaining everything to him. I told him he didn't need to spend any money on classes or on head shots through their photographer. You can have head shots done through any photographer and it should never matter who you use unless they down right stink. Needless to say he called me about a week after the incident and had the nerve to ask me why I didn't warn him. Duh! The only advice I can give as far as acting is if you can you can if you can't you can't. The same goes for magic. If you find a true agent that is what they will tell you. I guess some people fall for anything when they have the spotlight supposedly going to be shining on them.
Owner DC_ILLUSIONS
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AragorntheMagician Veteran user Metro-Atlanta 304 Posts |
In HotLanta we have a radio personality that deals with Financial Issues. This is on his "Hot List". Practically anything that is done in a "Ballroom" setting is a SCAM. This includes "Talent Searches", "Model Searches", Poetry Searches", whatever type of search you want! From the reports I've seen anything that asks for money up front is a SCAM!! And I have yet to meet anyone who has gone to one of these things who was told they weren't a winner. They're all winners, they all have talent...we just need a little seed money to get you going...yeah, right!
As Klye says, "Do it yourself!" You can you know. Everything you need to know to be sucessful is available on this forum. It just takes the gumption to do it. And some things will fail..just try new things!!! My $1.25 worth, Aragorn the Magician aka: Used to be BOB
aka: I used to be BOB (It's Cellini's fault)
"All Right, Who's Volunteering to be Turned into a Frog???" www.aragornthemagician.com |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
That is exactly right. I can safely say right now that anyone right here can and has the ability to be as successful as they want to be by being their own agent.
The problem is that people are often just too lazy to actually go out there and take action and make it happen for themselves. Anyone can be successful. This site is a great start but I also love to go to thedean.net. It is a wonderful source for anyone serious enough to learn how to market their magic business. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
If, and I do mean IF you seek an agent- of the legitamite variety, and they tell you you need some acting or stage work, then get to your local community college, theatre, or other acting/stage/theatre group and get it. At most you will pay for the tuition at the local JC, or CC and get some units in the process! $50-12- per class is a far cry form $6K, and hey, they usually have a photography class, get one of those students to work the head shots for you!
support your local arts communities!
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
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