This message deleted on 11 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason alleged defamation.
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Now this is so obviously a plant.
Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au
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.
Sigh... and this is why it pisses me off that trolls come and destroy genuine queries and genuine responses. People do the right thing by asking questions before signing legal contracts, and then the business/people involved have a conniption.
I agree with Grant; just read the FAQ. Plenty there enough to find a legit agent.
Puppets and patterns at Puppets in Melbourne
soooo does that mean i should stay away from this agency?
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)
I guess that is the problem.. there are so many to choose from, and who doesn't want work?!
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 WatkinsSN ProfilePhotographer
This is why it's important to comparison shop. Don't forget, NONE of them can guarantee you work (especially dodgy ones!). They can only guarantee to try their hardest to find you some.
Ok, i think haha, i feel just as confused. I'm sure i'll work it out
Seriously, everything you need to know is in the FAQ; if you have more specific questions then please come back and post them. It's hard to give advice without knowing specifically what you want to know.
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.
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
Why not join the Union? The MEAA will give you a list of agents.
They will also take up the cudgels if you fall foul of the dodgy ones. The MEAA fees are also 100% tax claimable
Look after yourself and your career.
MEAA doesn't actually make recommendations on agents though do they? I think they just have a list, but make no statements about the legitimacy/dodginess of a company (though presumably if they've taken one to task over something they may not list them).
Yes na,
You are right, however agents are listed subject to adherence and signing to the MEAA guidelines, which rules out most of the dodgy ones. Such as those who charge fees to sign you on etc.
Hmmm, did not know that, thanks Alan.
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...)
This post removed 14 December 2009 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation.
It appears we have the same anon. commentator from the previous (and now gone) thread posting again.
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.
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).
Had my wires crossed. Sorry Na, you are correct in reference to the previous stuff.
That's ok. With all that's been going on of late, it's easy to get confused
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"?
Yeah, Cindy, Yvette (not the Real Yvette), Gracie, Jonas and Fred are all having a conversation between themselves (themself?). Seems we have a troll at work.
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.
One piece of advice I'd give to anyone seriously considering getting an agent is to look at their website and see who they represent. You may find you know one or more of the actors and can ask them how they find it. Also if an agency has some big names you recognise from local professional theatre or television, you can probably assume they're legit.
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!
That's quite true- but one would suppose that by checking the FAQ.... you know the rest...
;-P
Don'tpay for a photo shoot with an agency. Don't pay to be put on an agencies books.
Pick your agent in accordance with what you want to do.
Agencies/agents will all have different reutations and contacts.
Do a bit of research, find out what sort of actors are with these agencies.
Do you want to do TV, Film, Theatre, Musical Theatre, work internationally...?
The only thing you need to pay for is some decent headshots (get some coloured shots too... some casting directors arerequesting them now) nd Showcast, that's useful...
Good Luck. x
I also came to this site hoping to find some information as I have been quoted $199 for a portfolio from the Agency in question. This site appears to be the ONLY site offering information (if one can call a bunch of deleted posts 'information'). I have been over and over the company's ORIGINAL website and have found that half the links are not working. I did speak with the talent manager and was asked to come into the studios in brisbane and have a photo shoot done. I am however a little worried about handing over the $199 BEFORE having the shoot done.
I am not looking to start a debate leading to possible defamation- or even open a new thread on the topic- I am simply looking to hear other's experiences before I start the ball rolling.
I'm only interested in hearing from people who HAVE ACTUALLY DEALT with this agency - and only the experiences at that. I'd actually like a legitimate reply that wont be deleted please!!
Thanking all in advance!
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.
Thanks for your advice. I am new to this industry much like ellewalker so I'm appreciative of any advice I'm given. I read all of the suggested pages with much interest. I see its illegal to charge upfront fees in some places, thankfully in QLD I've not seen this. I am from south australia, where pretty much every site I joined had fees for registration!!
a friend has joined up with a site recently (i dont know if im allowed to name it but i'll delete this post if it causes any trouble 'starsnow.com.au) and they charge a membership fee to APPLY for casting calls (?!!) seems a bit silly.
I understand that there is a fine line when it comes to making references to a specific agency, however when us newbies sign up to agents its nice to get a bit of background info first. Still hoping for some
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.
Just in regards to:
"I am from south australia, where pretty much every site I joined had fees for registration!! "
It should be made clear that websites, like Arts Hub, Starnow, etc. ARE NOT AGENCIES. They are simply places to advertise jobs, much like Seek, etc. It is very legitimate to charge a fee for registering on these sites, and in fact there are many which are extremely useful and run by non-dodgy people and are not scams at all.
The reason why they charge fees is because running a website, and having people spend their time scouting for information and auditions, is quite expensive. Many of these sites are also run by artists, in the industry, so paying a fee is also paying for an artist to have food in their mouths.
Websites are an entirely different issue than agencies, and if you believe signing up for one of these websites means you just sit back and let them look for work for you, then you're wrong. An agent will go out and promote you to casting directors: a website will not. (Again, they're more like Seek or Careerone in this respect)
Thank you for your clarifications, Na and Labrug. I stand corrected. I have a lot to learn.
We all do. The learning never ends. Best of luck.
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.
It must be the week they're calling Rebecca H's... Very suspect.
Just got a call from these guys. WOW!
Do they have a website? Who's on their books?
According to the Business Registration details, they are relatively new.
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?
With advice like this, you should register.
This message removed 8/2/2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation
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.
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.
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".
Same call today to a friend of mine about the $199 photoshoot, they asked if she had any friends that wanted to be an extra too... My friend rang me saying would I do it with her.. rang the company back asking if we could provide our own profes photos and the woman seemed happy for us to take our own ... that's my two cents
teach me to comment without reading all the previous comments. It's not Wolf, It's an Alaskan Malamute.
This thread added by me to the FAQ. Thank you a certain somebody for removing all the above posts for 'slander'.
A certain somebody managed to miss a few of the posts that weren't glowing with praise. Surprising.
www.meltheco.org.au
This post removed 18 February 2010 at the request of Darcy Ryan for reason: alleged defamation.
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.
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).
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.
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*
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.
Jeff WatkinsSN ProfilePhotographerCommunity 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
Don't bite. It is another Anon Multi-poster.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!
Dear all
I am taking the extraordinary step of locking this particular thread from further comments.
I don't accept the claims made alleging defamation but it is a policy of this site to act to address such complaints by removing specific material that is the subject of the complaint - indicating the source and nature of the complaint. I'd be pleased to continue discussion of this policy on another thread if people are so inclined.
Please bear in mind the site's conditions of use, in particular where responsibility lies for messages posted on the site and the requirement to respect this space and each other before resuming any similar or related discussion.
Regards Grant
All members are invited to attend.
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