is ATM dodgy?? sounds like it...

fox | 04/02/2008 - 18:40

Does anyone else think its strange that while looking around trying to find info on Australian Talent Management (ATM) i came across another site: www.indiantalentmanagement.com and when i looked at it, it is exactly the same as ATMs site but indian instead. I have had a few problems with them (i have a profile but havent paid any money) such as calls from many people about photo shoots, always costing different amounts etc. It seems dodgy to me, when i asked
"Tomas" directly how much it would all cost he wouldnt tell me and said he would discuss it with me in person at my interview, which was to be in Essendon. I never went. When i came across this indian site it immediatly made me think it must be a scam. what do you all think?

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I think you should the same

Author: Anna Koren (not verified)
Date: 04/02/2008 - 21:59

I think you should the same thread here regarding ATM and then contact Today Tonight.

Please don't start this

Author: Na
Date: 05/02/2008 - 11:15

Please don't start this discussion again. Read the other threads; you'll find enough information there to make up your own mind. As for the Indian site, you'll find that the company that runs ATM also has other branches in other countries, and the above link is most definitely the Indian branch. (See the contact us page: their HQ is in Melbourne, same address as ATM)

Puppets in Melbourne

Sticky Apple Legs

05/02/2008 - 11:58 Kylie Cartwright (not verified) Surely newbies should be

Yes, but every time I do I

Author: Na
Date: 05/02/2008 - 12:18

Yes, but every time I do I get accused of slander. So I'm doing my best not to continue answering them. I don't mind it if we refer people to other threads, or send them to the FAQ to read about agencies. What I do mind is starting a whole new debate/spamming war. There's nothing new to add to the debate, and if people read the other threads they will see why.

Puppets in Melbourne

Sticky Apple Legs

And then Na would have the

Author: Sean B
Date: 06/02/2008 - 06:57

And then Na would have the constant job of placing reminder posts about 'everything' as new people join and things are mentioned all over again.

Na can't do everything!

Sean
____________________________________________________________
Currently working on:
'Locked In' a short play based on a real life experience
For more details visit:
www.freewebs.com/lazycreationsgroup

I could but...

Author: Na
Date: 06/02/2008 - 07:47

Even I'm sick of seeing my posts everywhere!

Puppets in Melbourne

Sticky Apple Legs

05/02/2008 - 12:01 Tracy Grimshaw (not verified) Here's the previous thread

06/02/2008 - 15:03 Walter Plinge Thank you very much for

Things you can do

Author: Labrug
Date: 06/02/2008 - 15:19

You can have your bank block any transactions from a certain individual or business, or even cancel the card and get a new one.

You can raise awareness of anyone you think is shonky to all those you know.

You can raise the issue with the MEAA, yet they will only be able to assist you if you are a member of the union.

You can find another agent, one with a proven reputation.

Finally, you can learn from the experience, as we all have done.

There is plenty you can do. This is just a sample.

Do you have access to the photos? If so good. If not, technically they are of you and if you want them, I would say there is legal right to your having them. I assume you paid for them? If so, then they (I believe) are yours. If not, then you may have to pay them to get them or cut your losses. Find out about your rights.

Have you done any work through them? I am assuming not based upon your posting. If so then you haven't really lost anything at this point, just a little time and effort.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

07/02/2008 - 10:55 Walter Plinge Thank you very much for

Is Underbelly still

Author: Na
Date: 07/02/2008 - 11:03

Is Underbelly still filming?

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Sticky Apple Legs

According to certain agents

Author: Labrug
Date: 07/02/2008 - 11:13

... it's been filming and recruiting for some time...

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

Hm, wouldn't have guessed.

Author: Na
Date: 07/02/2008 - 11:23

Hm, wouldn't have guessed. But then I'm not up on film/TV news.

Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at
Puppets in Melbourne

To Na

Author: fox
Date: 07/02/2008 - 13:21

Oh, I'm so sorry Na for starting a blog that was already posted. Note the sarcasm. If you don't like it don't post on it or read it. I could'nt add to the old blog and i thought there were some things that i wanted to say so i made a new one. GET OVER IT!

I don't care that you

Author: Na
Date: 07/02/2008 - 13:24

I don't care that you started a new blog about it. It needs to be said; but it's been said before. The other thread was closed for a reason.

(For the record, this is why I don't want the threads to keep getting posted. Why is it I'm always the one who gets the blame for pointing out the obvious?)

Mini-monster puppets customised just for you! at
Puppets in Melbourne

07/02/2008 - 13:39 George Smith (not verified) Because you keep crapping

07/02/2008 - 13:39 Sting (not verified) YOU'VE BEEN STUNG (AT

07/02/2008 - 13:40 Lisa Simpson (not verified) Hear, bloody hear. Na is

Personal Experience!!!

Author: Megan Heywood (not verified)
Date: 29/02/2008 - 07:22

Sorry for dredging this topic back up, but i've actually got some expeerience with ATM.
I signed up with them through a job posted on seek.com
I created my profile, and put up a picture. I got a call a few days later, asking me to put up more photos, ten to twenty. I was quite happy to oblige. (Was better idea than other agencies that required money for a professional photoshoot before anything happened)
Iive had one or two calls since I signed up, asking me to get some professional shots done. They'd pay for pretty much all the costs. They just wanted a small "donation" a "token" from me of $160.00 I don't currently have a job of any sort, so coughing up $160 is all but impossible.

I got a call yesterday (again) asking me to do a photoshoot.
The call yesterday said that apparently there are some people interested in hiring me, but they want some more profesional photos because mine are a bit grainy (or something like that).
I mentioned that I don't have a job, so coming up with the money would be really hard. More conversation, then something to the tune of "you should really do it soon cos we have too many people applying that are actually able to pay for the shoot, and we can't keep supporting you if you don't have the money for professional photos"

I told my mum about it last night. She used to work in Consumer Affairs, and said it sounded dogdy. Previous experience with Polkadots, where they had a joining fee etc, and no actual work came of it, may prove true in this case. But hey, what do I know? Apparently I'm very promising in the world of flashing cameras, but apparently it takes upwards of $160 for me to be "available" to that world.

What I find really interesting is that I applied for a few other extras jobs on Seek, and I heard back from them too. They ALL seem to be working with City Homicide, Underbelly, and The Pacific, as well as up to three new full-length movies.
Is it common for a tv series to use more than one agency for extras?

Casting

Author: Labrug
Date: 29/02/2008 - 08:03

>>Is it common for a tv series to use more than one agency for extras?

Usually Production Houses use a casting consultant who contacts their "list" of Casting Agents. So while a small number of agents can provide casting for a single show or film, it is usually not very many. Someone like Jenni Cohen or Annie-Murtagh Monks (Perth Consultants) would know better.

Usually, those casting agents DO NOT ADVERTISE for clientel. They don't need to. In this industry, word of mouth is far more powerful. Local Perth Agents like Frog, Actors Now, Actors Management DO NOT OFTEN ADVERTISE on services such as SEEK. They are spoilt for choice as it is. Some of the smaller reputatble agencies in Perth (for example Krissy Westwood) due occasionally advertise in the local paper.

Now I am signed up with Seek and monitor the "Theatrical" Postings that do come through. I have never seen a high profile agency, immediately recognisable to me, that uses the service. That is not to say that I am an expert. I know the Perth Agencies and a number of other state agencies. I in no way know of all of them. Those Big Casting Ads that do appear, all seem to say pretty much the same thing, which is odd in itself.

An agency that needs to advertise through services like Seek are either in DESPERATE need of clientel or sus. Either way, is it worth the risk.

Please note that what has been stated above is my personal opinion only, based my own individual experiences and knowledge of the industry.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

is ATM dodgy?? sounds like it...

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