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Rip Off Agency joining fees? Lets Out them!

Mon, 20 Feb 2012, 10:31 pm
BongoBill15 posts in thread
There are several so called 'agencies' that either require a 'Joining fee' or cloak it when saying they dont charge joining fees with 'portfolio pictures' and it's obvious that it's the only way they make their money. A lot of them advertise in the newspapers trying to acquire talent and on websites saying things like 'easy money in films an tv- earn up to $5000 a day!'. Basically they are just rip off merchants that take advantage of new actors as well as experienced ones.(Most experienced actors probably are aware but some fall prey to it from desperation). There is one in Sydney, (several actually) but one in Bondi to be precise that offers 'casting opportunities' for major 'Hollywood projects' as well as "promotional opportunities for Red carpet events" (i.e. serving drinks at night clubs)...get my drift- They then rope people in on the premise that they are casting for major productions and then try and sell people 'packages'..a 'portfolio, a 'web page', visa help and offers of meeting LA talent scouts for about $4000!..yeah like the hideous wannabe Glamour model on their website got to....you know what I mean. Anyway we all probably know who they are and without slandering anyone I suggest we all work together to combat them. I have purposely not mentioned their names as to avoid getting my post deleted as I think that everyone needs to stand up and avoid these Ars*holes as well as spread the word to save actors from being ripped off. And lets also look at the children's agencies as that is a whole other scam...for the most part- there are some legitimate kids agencies that dont charge a penny to join but how many kids do you actually see in serious TV roles? Is it worth the thousands of $$ these scum charge to 'join'? Lets take a stand and out all of them and stop them. Thank you.

Rip Off agencies

Sat, 3 Mar 2012, 08:43 pm
Hi Jeff, You summed it up very well. Am I or is anyone else allowed to publish the names of 'agencies' that charge joining fees? It wouldn't be defaming them- it would be just stating an actual fact to educate. I called one that advertises regularly in the newspapers this week and put on a severe stutter when I spoke with them. They asked what experience have I had and I said none- guess what, they want to meet with me! Anyway education is the best weapon so please let us know if we can start a list to educate.

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