Agents

I`m just starting out in the film industry as an actor & just need a little bit of advice. I don`t realy know anyone thats been in the industry for sometime to lead me in the right direction. This is why I joined this site with the hope that I can get all the advice I need. About 3 months ago I joined an acting agent, they asked me for a fee of just under $200 for a photoshoot. They told me that the sooner I pay online & go for the photoshoot, the quicker they will be able to promote me for work. They told me that this was just a one off payment so that the photos would go on thier website. So I payed the money & they sent me to a modeling studio to get a photoshoot done. The agent also told me that I would be sure to get a copy of the photos. I rang the agent after a few weeks & they still didn`t have the photos. So then I rang the modeling studio myself & they said to me that they sent the photos to the agent & would find out why the hold up. I asked the photo studio if they could send me a copy of the photos they took as I needed some good head & body shots to help me find work for myself also & as I payed for them. The photo studio told me they couldn`t give me a copy as the acting agent wanted to go through them first. The very next day after contacting the studio the agent called me to say they had the photos & they would be on the site in a few days. That was about 4 weeks ago now & as it has been Christmas I haven`t been able to reach anyone from the agent yet. Should I wait longer as I know it takes sometime to edit photos & it was Christmas? Also about 2 weeks ago I saw a casting call for a major feat. film which is in production. After sending an E-mail with my CV & such, I got a phone call saying that in order to audition for this, I had to go through another agent. I went for an interview & they said that I have landed myself a part in the film & that I just have to register with them first. I told this agent that I was with another agent & had already payed out money with them. The agent said to me "That in this industry if you are serious about acting as a career (which I am)you have to pay abit of money up front". So I payed just under another $200 for registration to their website, so now i`m under 2 agents & so far I haven`t had work from any of them. What I want to know is, am I doing the right thing? Also in order to get a part in each film, why do I have to join & pay a fee to each agent the film company go`s with? or miss out on a part in that film. I hope someone can give me some good advice on these things.