It really is simply a Theatrical Version of Seek. It does provide a nice little spot to create a profile (I have one) but not much else.

As far as I am aware, there have not been many BIG PART opportunities come through there. Most production companies will still continue to use Consultants and Agents as opposed to these sites. However, I have seen extra parts being advertised (such as one recently for "Aulstralia") but I advise caution when applying for any of these as there is (as far as I can see) no restriction on who can post ads on the site.

It is really no better or worse than any other Web site of this nature, and certainly a far call from going with a professional agency.

Still, no harm in joining up.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins

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thanks for the heads up bout who posting the auditions. I might as well join $20 for 6 months isn't that bad. And also the higher the chances will when seeking agents and them taking me on, with experience on film/tv then have none

No harm done yeah?

I wouldn't recommend the site (we had a recent small discussion on it; there was mixed reviews). Frankly, there are better sites out there. This one to me looks like (as Labrug hinted at) a simple classifieds ad site, where no one really runs it or oversees the info provided.

There are sites out there that are better - Arts Hub, Aussietheatre.com, Screen Hub, and Quietonset are the best I've seen - and are actually run by people in the arts, who have contacts and actively find info and news. Secondly, most of the sites out there post the same info, because the amount of actually advertised roles is small. I would instead use AT2 for a profile, get an agent, and keep the money for one of the above sites.

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Ive been apart of that website before and I found it very helpful. I found myself an agency through them and there are heaps of agency casting calls. They do have a few auditions for shows on channel 31 if your looking for experience, and also there are heaps of opportunities if your a model. I was apart of starnow for about a year and had heaps of auditions, and gained a lot of experience to add to my resume.

You can look at a list of the Jobs & Casting calls here: http://www.starnow.com.au/Jobs-Auditions/Australia/

My girls have been members for just over six months, so far they have auditioned and had roles in 2 feature films and the older 2 short films also. Although the short films and 1 of the features were for film school students, it has opend up learning experience for them. Gaining experience is what they need.

Also agents are always advertising. my experience has been good so far but my girls are also with AT2 which most agents require.

Hi guys,

Recently on another website I am with, starnow.com, a feature film auditioning in Australia was listed. The film is called "Rebecca". The production company was not listed.

I applied through the website to see what would happen and came back to see that there was a message in my inbox explaining I had been short listed and to send my CV and headshot through to a PO address would be the next step. It is a paid role and you must be willing to travel. It was not that it seemed dodgy but when googling the title etc... found nothing. So not to sure how legit it is. Has anyone heard of "Rebecca" that is auditioning???

Also, My contract that I signed last month with my new agent starts Feb the 1st but they did mention a couple of things they had in the works during the interview and said they may be in touch before feb. When I do contact them in the next couple of days, what questions do I ask without seeming rude and pushy about furture endeavours. Whats the regular lingo with an agent when you haven't heard from them in a while? I don't want to lose touch but I don't want to be unproffessional.

Thanks guys!!!

You mean you were shortlisted for a film that you
a) didn't apply for?
b) didn't send in a resume or headshot for?
c) didn't audition for?

Yeah that sounds like the epitome of dodgy. Although I've not used starnow, I do understand there is the option of having a profile no? Even with a profile, no one legit would hire you without first seeing an application and/or audition.

I would either avoid them (the problem with actors is they always think 'oh no, this opportunity sounds so great, if I don't take it I'll miss out'... instead, you should be thinking 'there is always another role around the corner') or ask them a lot of questions. Questions like
a) can you give me references
b) can you tell me how you are funding this
c) these future endeavours, will you be auditioning for them or just re-using everyone
d) get them to discuss details... keep asking questions until you get enough info to satisfy yourself

Remember, you're as much auditioning them as they are of you

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I'd agree with you Jeff except for one thing: I've read a number of reports from people using that site (and similar ones where there are profiles attached) and people have been cast without officially been auditioned or contacted. These include reports for castings for well-known movies, where the directors/producers would never cast or even shortlist via a website without auditions first. Some of these reports include people turning up to non-existent auditions, being then asked for payment for services (ie. casting agent services, 'premium' accounts on the site, etc.)

This is why I wouldn't recommend a site like Starnow, there's just too much chance of scams; whereas at least a site like Aussietheatre.com and Arts Hub and Quietonset are honed and constantly updated by people in the know, rather than a 'social network' version of a site where the site runs almost unadministered and anyone can post anything.

True, this site is run 'unadministered' in that sense, but at least here we have a committed community to weeding out the crap.

However, I defer to your judgment since you've seen more of the site than I have; but I agree wholeheartedly that the audition/casting notice should be considered with ample amounts of skepticism.

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Yay! Victory at last!

Finally I get to win an argument

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http://www.barkerpendree.nl

Ok. So I haven't read every single one of the comments posted here but I want to add my penny's worth anyway.

Are we talking about www.starnow.com.au ? Because this IS an administered site which is kept very up-to-date. I once sent an email asking to work for them and they replied immediately stating that they were based in Wellington NZ.
I have been a member of the site for one year and have just renewed my membership again. Why?
I'm based in Melbourne, VIC so, yes maybe there is more going on here than in WA. I wouldn't know. Would I do know is that if you have multi-skills like I do (singing, acting, modelling) I have found the site very usefull and have regular work/experience from it. What is usefull is that once you join and check the website every week, they show you which ads are new so you don't waste your time looking over old ads that you have seen before. Also I like the fact that you can narrow down your work search using all the categories, again avoiding unnecessary time looking up ads which are for younger talent or in another state.
One other thing which is rather weird is that if you are the wrong age for an ad it will say that you cannot apply but then all I do is go into my profile and change my date of birth to fit the ad and then it allows me to apply. hee hee.
All-in-all I would recommend this site but only if you have more to offer in the skills range and not just one thing.
all the best
cheers
Nick Barker-Pendree (actor/singer/model)
Melbourne

hey to all
thanks for applying for the position on STARNOW for one of our up coming film we have added you on our shortlist now the next step is we need to see an CV and photos to be posted into our office our head of production depertment will make its decision if you go to the next step for an personal casting appointment.

you can post your details into the following address PO BOX (content removerd for professionalism) Australia

IMPORTANT NOTE the character that you are applying that might need to do Full nudity the casting requirement has been update with starnow since the ad was posted i did notfied starnow about it but they left this impoortant requirement sorry about this to all eairly applications listing since then has been corrected hopew you all still interested because it a great movie an we are having a few names actors in the file as well.

for any reason you did not get the part in the film the company will keep your details on file for other up coming production we do have 4 other productions that we are starting to cast soon for good luck we will chat soon

thanks

again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what was recently posted.... Very iffy until I logged onto www.concorde-films.com... have a look and tell me your thoughts. I have recently won an agent (or did they win me hehe). I gues thats a good starting point of a relationship, mentioning this.

Annoying thought the fee is 15% and the first 6mnths I believe is non-exclusive (haven't sined yet, that is just around the corner though).

Anyway, your thoughts are appreciated.

Cheers

Few thoughts... this is by no means a condemnation of them or the ad, just off the top of my head based on a few seconds of reading (will edit if new info comes to light).

Never trust a company that doesn't even list their own contact info on their own website. Come on - only a contact form?

The fact that full nudity is added, 'last minute' sounds highly suspect to me. This, if you were working for a professional (and here I mean in terms of ethics) company, would be the first thing you would post in your ad, since it's all about being completely upfront with what the actors will be required to do.

Three, their domain name is owned by a 'Concorde Films', based in California. The PO box listed (this is public info, anyone can obtain it if they do a DNS check) is P O Box 99800. I'm guessing that will match the info you were provided. [EDIT: That PO box might not be correct; it could be the web host company's PO box. I've left the info anyway, to compare]

They list a whole bunch of references on their site: get google to search every reference before even considering the legitimacy of the company. They state they have branches around the world; yet list no physical address on their site for any branch.

A quick google for "concorde-films" only brought up random references for various movies in production and various people's bio's. There are also variations in the name that pop up, so it's hard to know what's related and what's not. It could be this is a legit company; could be someone's posing as the legit company; could be it's not legit at all.

You'd think that such a large company would list their CEO; only there's no mention of who it is or what their references are. Googling a number of the names of their productions comes up with nothing, and they don't list the titles of these 'top TV shows' that they're working on.

Their affiliate model company (CHC) links to a dead site. A DNS check reveals the site to be owned by an Aussie consulting practice which has a name that is suspiciously like a lawyers firm. Silver Star on googling could be a Canadian awards festival, as that was one of the results, but Silver Star International doesn't come up with something specific. Tri-star, is of course, real
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TriStar_Pictures

The pictures on the site are generic, so they give no clues as to whether or not the thing is real...

Either way; tread carefully, do a lot of research, and ask them a lot (a lot) of questions. Half of figuring out who's dodgy and who isn't is about gut reaction: if it's too good to be true it probably is, and if they sound even slightly off, then don't worry. There's always another role around the corner.

Also, if you now have an agent, there's no reason for you not to call them up and ask them to do a background check on Concorde and/or the ad. If it's a legit company with 'branches around the world', then there's no reason to think that the agent won't have either heard of them before, or have access to contacts who have.

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thanks for all your help na. My next step is to write my agent an email and I will be in touch and let you know.

oh and... the PO BOX is different. It is a NSW PO BOX?????

No worries; as for the PO box, feel free to ignore. It could be the US PO box, it could be one that is owned by the web hosting company (some info as to contact details of who owns the domain name referred to the web hosting company. This is normal, as some people don't want their info so publicly listed and instead use their web host's info to mask it. That says nothing about the company itself; I've used a similar service for my site)

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