ATM - Australian Talent Management

TOTAL SHAM! Steer Clear!!
After submitting a photo of myself through their website the following week I got a call saying I could have a guaranteed job if I payed $250 to have some photos done. I traveled very far for them and had them done by their own photographer and almost two years on I have not heard a word from them!!

(DODGEY AGENCY) making money out of failing peoples dreams.
Dont let this happen to you!

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"But I implore you, let's not start any new discussions, if only because they are bound to be removed for 'libel' (see the blackbox thread if you don't believe me!)."

On seeing what I wrote, and despite always ending up the butt of these threads, I have changed my mind.

What kind of site, or community are we if we don't stick up for the people getting scammed, and let our voices be heard. On the other hand, I wish that having a voice on this site could be backed up with a little more - so that the 'libel' wouldn't be removed so easily. (No offence Grant, more a comment on the general state of law, in which people all over the world are being sued simply for criticising the actions or inactions of companies and individuals)

(On a side note, does anybody actually research a company before agreeing to be represented by them? How does ATM still exist?... Oh yes, because people really don't research these things.)

Puppets and patterns at
Puppets in Melbourne

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@ Na: I've checked out those Blackbox threads, and have reported the agent that works for that company as a spammer, because he is interfering in those threads by asking for any negative feedback about the company to be removed. I find this unfair, especially as I am deciding whether to apply for them or not. It would be good to hear BOTH the pros and cons about this company before I make a decision....

..... Then again, the way this John W. guy is behaving, he's confirming my suspicions already that they're pretty dodgy...

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No need to read the missing comments. By and far, DO NOT SIGN with Blackbox. Can't stress that enough - there are plenty of companies that have good reputations, why even bother checking out one that is so clearly labelled as 'agents to avoid'?

As for the person being a spammer, whilst I disagree with the posts being removed (many of them weren't in any way commenting on the company itself, and yet they were asked to be removed), they are within their rights to threaten lawsuits of slander/libel - whether they'd win is another matter. If they can't take criticism or see that suggestions of improvement are just that, then they are probably doing themselves worse damage.

Puppets and patterns at
Puppets in Melbourne

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Now that is interesting news to me. Im relatively new to the acting field and have been contacted by ATM to get on their books. Yes they did say if I didnt have any PROFESSIONAL head shots they would "be able to help", but said nothing about the price.
The only thing mentioned about $$$ was that they only take 10% of the individuals earnings,,, NOTHING MORE. That looked pretty enticing to me, but again, im new to the game so I was only slightly dubious.

I would expect that any agency worth their weight in celluloid would do a photo shoot FREE. "If" they belived in their clients and knew without doubt they had enough contacts to get their clients the work (at least 1 good paying job), doing a free shoot would pay for itself after the first job. Anything there after would be all proffit for the agent/s and only promp them to get us more work.

Im an amputee, so as far as getting any serious roles are concerned, thats just not gonna happen. If your wondering why not, ask yourself how many real amputees have you ever seen in a lead role?
The fact is, im only ever going to get the "extras" work as a zombie, war casualty, cyborg or something in the background to hide the prosthetic leg, and I have no dellusions about that.
I'm actually hoping I can use that to my advantage and eventually work my way into stunt work. But i'll only go that far if I start seeing some sort of work to begin with.
Just like everyone else here, im dead keen on making some sort of living out of it, but im not about to wait for a train that isnt comming.
My only problem now is finding an agent who is legit and WILL get me in some extras work.
So if your a legit agent reading this and you need a zombie, war casualty, cyborg or that spazzy guy at the bus stop, MESSAGE ME damn it! I have the nub and enthusiazim to do it, now all i need is a place and time to do it.

So I guess I should ask, who should I be contacting?
Are there any agents that deal exclusively with amputee actors/extras?

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in the uk there is an agency called uglys and another called beasties and bovver boys that specialise in people such as amputees people with lots of tats or those with unusual looks or physiognomys.
i have no idea if such a specialist exists in this country. might be worth finding out.

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

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Sheree,

I've just done a quick google search about you and your professional training and background. Several tertiary psychology related qualifications in England and a varied, multi faceted 'life coaching' type professional practice operating in melbourne. I'm not at all questioning your qualifications or professional abilities.

However, this is a theatre site. Your above post loosely alludes to you having some sort of familial connection with agencies and actor casting services and an understanding of the actor process of performing.

It may be to your advantage to re package your advertisement to highlight the service you are offering as being a life coaching, confidence, personal empowerment one, which performers may find useful. Rather than putting yourself forward as someone with the credentials to coach actors to "enhance performing ability". Casting agency name dropping does not seem relevent either to the service you are offering for people to improve their mental abilities and confidence.

Just a thought.

PS, Na, you can be very funny sometimes.

Tulipa.

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A little info suggests that there may be a pattern to NOTM/MBC/Darcy Ryan:

Every time he sets up a business it's registered in QLD. Every time his business fails, he moves to VIC for about a year. Then he returns to QLD. This month he re-registered in QLD.

All information obtained from publically available ABN records.

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