This has all the hallmarks of a genuine enquiry.

ellewalker, sorry but you probably won't appreciate that there have been several similar enquiries over the last few months. Advice provided by some members on this topic has led to complaints from the agency in question.

I recommend that you review the FAQ items here: http://www.theatre.asn.au/book_page/agents_and_agencies and draw your own conclusions.

If this is a genuine question my apologies. The juxtaposition of this question with the disappearance of the previous thread seemed very pat to me.
ellewalker, I apologise for my comment.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

I don't think anyone here has enough information to state that you should steer clear OR apply to this particular company. My only advice is that there is more than one agency out there and that you shouldn't be so desperate to sign a contract to not do comparison shopping. Indeed, if you read the FAQ and search the forums for recommendations of agents, I doubt you will be stuck for choices and be able to apply for representation at a range of places. (Whether you land one is an entirely different subject)

Puppets and patterns at
Puppets in Melbourne

The main problem we have here, and one that has a very familiar pattern to it, is that to compound the fact that there are uncertainties about which agency is better for you, asking such a question on a public forum such as this you run the risk of getting responses from people with agendas either for or against said agencies. In other words, you are more likely to get a biased, often contradictory view of the agency.

It is often very hard to wade through the muck to find the pearls.

This much is known - This particular agency is relatively new. It is associated with a previous agency who were unfortunately "shut-down" after an extreme hacking/defamation attack where hackers used their email addresses to post malicious spam across the net. Beyond that, I have no personal experience with them and can therefore not pass judgement.

There is a lot of helpful and constructive tips on Agency hunting provided on this site (re FAQ). Please take the time to read them, then shop around. Ask about services and don't agree to anything until you have given yourself the time to consider all you have learnt.

Do not give your personal contact details out to anyone until you make your final decision, then once you have done, don't stop there. While you may have an agent, you would still be better off if you continue to develop your contacts within the industry. Don't leave all the work up to them. If you hear of something coming up, don't wait for them to call you. Call them and ask them about it. See what they know or can find out for you.

Most agencies will take a cut of your earnings so you are paying them to work for you.

Don't ever think that you are locked into a specific agency either. While it is generally frowned upon to have more than one agent in a similar field, there is nothing wrong with withdrawing your application to take up with another. Happens all the time.

Most of all, best of luck.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

Dear Skeptical,

I actually just had the same experience. I regret to say that I have paid the $199.. but *curses obscenely* did my background work AFTER. I understand that no work is guaranteed.. But I am bloody scared now.
Will you be following through on this?

Do you have any experience, Skeptical?

Cheers!

Trancefreak, my advice is to ignore ALL of the posts moderated as 'rubbish' (put your settings to view posts as 'fair'). Those posts are most likely from trolls: this thread, and some of the others have been frequented by people (rather, 'person') who is just out to cause trouble for the agency involved.

EVERYTHING on EVERY agency thread should be taken with a huge grain of salt, when it comes to client satisfaction comments.

As Tulipa points out below, and many of us have said time and time again: if you're ever even remotely unsure, don't rely on other people's opinions. Go with your gut instinct and choose a different agency to apply to. There ARE many, and instead of asking if a particular agency is good or not, rephrase the question: ask who people would recommend to apply to. Invariably the recommendations will find you a good agency, whereas asking for customer satisfaction reviews will get you trolls.

Goddess Shadow Puppet on sale at
Puppets in Melbourne

Scroll further down... Much further down.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

I need one of those "Doh!" smilies!!

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan.

Tulipa (and others), please do stop replying. These new posts are most likely just people trying to stir the pot and many will not be legitimate comments.

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

Shaynee Lea,

What work is this, exactly?
How long have you been doing this for?

Cheers

I repeat: read the FAQ.

http://www.theatre.asn.au/book_page/agents_and_agencies

I will say that if you are unsure, then it's better to find someone else, no? I mean, you have to trust the people you work with, whether it be an acting agency, or any other employee/employer relationship.

(For the record, I believe this to be a legit poster and a legit question...)

Puppets and patterns at
Puppets in Melbourne

This post removed 14 December 2009 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation.

Negative. Network trace identifies posts as being from different servers in different states. Mind you the Internet company is the same. Additionally, I would doubt that someone like Ms Sully would post here. Then again, you never know.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

Ah, maybe I'm getting my IP addresses mixed up from the last thread, but at least two of the posts here are from the same person.

I suspect there is something fishy (to which you and I are more privy).

Goddess Shadow Puppet on sale at
Puppets in Melbourne

Had my wires crossed. Sorry Na, you are correct in reference to the previous stuff.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

That's ok. With all that's been going on of late, it's easy to get confused

Goddess Shadow Puppet on sale at
Puppets in Melbourne

If you can't read between the lines of what everyone has been saying, it's as simple as: steer clear!

Funniest thing I've read all year. Grant, I always knew your eyes were a little too close together....or should I call you "Godfather"?

Truth be told, no-one can really say for sure as the company is very new. There are links to a previous company through the owner of which a lot has been said both positive and negative, which could be simply libelous nonsense, or concrete fact. Very hard to tell on the internet.

One really needs to shop around and investigate a number of agencies. Find out which one suits you best and be aware of your rights no-matter who you are talking to.

This is advice that I would give anyone looking into getting an agent. Personal opinions are just that, personal. One person's nightmare can be another person's dream. They are often tainted with a certain amount of bias (we are all guilty of that) and therefore you really need to research a number of agents and make your own decision.

Check out the FAQs for some tips on Agent Hunting.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

And that worked so well for the people who trusted Bernie Madoff. After all, if those big name people trust someone, that someone can't be wrong can they?

Besides, it's not like anyone can lie and simply say they worked with so-and-so, even if they haven't!

Goddess Shadow Puppet on sale at
Puppets in Melbourne

That's quite true- but one would suppose that by checking the FAQ.... you know the rest...

;-P

In some countries, it is illiegal for a talent agency to charge up-front fees.

You really need to read this... http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/labrug/fees_why_not_to_pay_them

And then read this... http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/labrug/finding_an_agent

And then anything here... http://www.theatre.asn.au/book_page/agents_and_agencies

This will tell you everything you need to know.

Making direct references to a specific agency can be treading a very fine line.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

Must clarify that Agents and Sites are not the same thing. I am registered with Star Now myself, but must clarify that it is not the same as a service of an Agency. Far from it.

An agent is a person or company that is "hired" by yourself to research job ops for you. Their payment comes from taking a commission from what you earn as a result of their efforts.

Casting Sites are very different as they do not hunt for you. They provide a service where you can register to recieve emails on casting options. The castings can come from anywhere and anyone - casting consutants, student bodies, am theatre, and even con artists. You sign up to these and pay the fees at your own risk.

So technically, a casting site is not an agent and therefor not subject to the same laws.

Additionally, true professional work (such as Home and Away, full feature films, etc) will not advertise on these sites (nor anywhere else) except in extreme circumstances. They will use a casting consultant who will then use casting agents. If you want the big jobs, re-read the FAQs I posted above and think about getting an Agent.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

We all do. The learning never ends. Best of luck.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

In SA most of the agencies will charge you an admin fee on joining up. This is not a joining fee as such. In some cases it pays for the assessment they carry out to place you and your level of ability.
I can in Adelaide recommend as honest SA Casting and Actors Inc, I only fail to mention any others as these are the two agencies I have worked with.
Both of these agencies also offer training courses.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan.

It must be the week they're calling Rebecca H's...
Very suspect.

According to the Business Registration details, they are relatively new.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason alleged defamation.

Eliot, can you clarify what you mean? I am not sure what we are meant to take away from TF's experience. Why is it the most valuable on the subject?

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan.

With advice like this, you should register.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer

I applaud your efforts, but sense that you are flying very close to the sun named Libel, Slander and Defamation. Please go back and look at previous threads, and this one, and note how quickly and how many posts get removed for one of the above reasons.

I have tried many many times to advise people to use basic common business sense, and even for my mild (and sometimes even defense of the companies in question) commentary, they have been removed. I have also been on the receiving end of a particularly annoying offline attempt of harassment because of my comments here, so I advise you to tread carefully.

If you'd like to make comments, I recommend you keep them general and not refer to one particular company's business tactics. (Even then, assume everything you type on these threads will be removed, whether it says anything 'controversial' or not)

If you think no one but us watches these threads, you'd be extremely extremely wrong.

Additionally, whilst I agree with some of your conclusions in previous posts, in regards to your last one, I do believe you have gone beyond what can be proven, and made a headlong leap into assumptions as to their claims of work. Without corroborating evidence, there is no reason to accuse them of lying. Even if it is incredulous to people with an idea of how the industry really works. There is a line between checking out what they say on their site and being wary, and calling them out-and-out liars. Tread very very carefully.

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason alleged defamation.

I think that your statements about the recent productions can be misleading (that is, some people may believe you imply something which you do not/may not be implying). Again, these threads are always contentious and it's better to be as direct as possible, and not leave room for other people to jump up and down screaming "you're accusing them/us of such and such" (trust me, that happens even when we make statements of support towards agencies).

I'm simply pointing out that that is a way in which your comments may be interpreted, even if you didn't intend it as such.

"But maybe if just one or two see it before it bites the dust and it prompts them to really do their homework before handing anyone any money, then it's achieved something."

I agree, which is why I post. Sadly, this is also why it's the 'song that never ends'. I am perfectly happy for those out there (and you know who you are and what you've done) to get their just desserts.

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan.

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason alleged defamation.

You point out one good thing that should be constantly hammered home: there's no such thing as a 'big break'. What it really is is lots of really small roles and lots of hard work/schmoozing to end up in a role that makes people sit up and notice. The only way to do that is if you actually have the talent to pull off characters in the first place, and that means experience and training.

Someone on Yahoo Answers put it best: "Overnight success takes 10 years".

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason alleged defamation.

A certain somebody managed to miss a few of the posts that weren't glowing with praise. Surprising.

www.meltheco.org.au

It comes with the territory if you make a comment about an agency on this site. After a while, I just shrug and move on. I also tend to make personal copies of relevant threads that I suspect will be removed, just in case someone actually does have the balls to create a lawsuit out of it.

So far though, all handwringing done by the people in question suggest they will never bother.

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

This post removed 22 February at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation

This post removed 22 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation

Yes, but on advice from lawyers, the site admin sticks to the concept of "better safe than sorry" and removes anything if requested to. If he or ITA ever actually get sued, it would tie up a huge amount of money and time, even if they are on the right side of the law; on the other hand, removing the posts, even if defamatory, wastes about 10 minutes of the admin's time.

Even though I disagree with the policy, I support the site admin and ITA wholeheartedly in avoiding lawsuits and going bankrupt because of said lawsuits, over what amounts to a few comments that will no doubtedly appear and disappear again in 6 months time (see the FAQ on previous discussions about agents).

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

Try reading our FAQ on agents. Further to that, stop applying for jobs on Seek - only the dodgy ones advertise. Good agents have too many applicants and don't go looking for actors.

Maybe you should have joined the union too.

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

Their site has been updated 'considerably' (ie. the home page now has all that fee stuff on it, it used to be just the 'about' stuff on the home page, which has now been moved. Nothing else seems to have changed much except for design/layout, certainly not content).

From what I read, it sounds less like an agency and more like a subscription/classifieds service. They post ads, you reply. It sounds less legit to me than a service like Arts Hub, etc, since it's clear that AH and other sites are classifieds sites and not agencies. They (MBC) seem to muddy the waters by not actually saying what they do and how they do it - or at least not from my very quick skim over their 'fees' section. (Evidently brevity doesn't seem to be an obvious trait to some web designers)

Interesting that I hadn't noticed that on the 'about' section, it was very personal, with phrasing such as "I've been slandered over the years". *cough cough*

Your source for handmade shadow puppets at
Puppets in Melbourne

This post removed 25 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation

Just to point out that all registered members can moderate Topics and Comments, just not many do. If more Registered users actually used the Voting and Moderation tools, much of this sort of thing would not happen.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer
Community Spirit

Hi Jeff

For people such as myself (I am not totally up-to-date on how to maximise my use of this website) would you be so kind as to explain how one can "moderate Topics and Comments".

Thank you, in anticipation.

Cheers for now. Penny

There is info in the FAQ - http://www.theatre.asn.au/book_page/voting

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer
Community Spirit

This post removed 22 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation

Don't bite. It is another Anon Multi-poster.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
Photographer
Community Spirit

This post removed 22 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!