I found explore tallent while searching online for casting agencies. I filled in the information about myself (a profile) on the site, and then was asked for credit card information. I decided it was a scam and did not fill it out. I went to several sites that day. It was several weeks ago, and I just got a call (message left on my voicemail) 2 days ago. I called back, because I could barely understand the person who left the message, and didn't know which agency was calling me back. I asked to speak with her "Carolyn Jones", and was transfered several times, never speaking with her. I spoke with a "Michael" for about a minute, and was then sent to "Jason" The reason these names are in quotes, is I firmly believe these are not the real names of any of these persons, who claimed to be casting directors, and senior casting directors. It sounded like a call center for telemarketing.
I was told that a job was found for me in a role of a young woman named "Jenny" I was told that I would get 100 business cards, my own web page, etc. They named FOX, Disney, and other well known companies, as companies I would find work with. Was asked what experience I had, and I told them. Was told that jobs include comercials, tv, movies, etc. I was asked how interested I was, and how comfortable I am working in front of a camera, and thousands of people.
I had to have been on the phone with "Jason" for over half an hour, needing him to repeat things multiple times because his accent was so thick, it was hard for me to understand him. He said I would get e-mails with casting calls. I asked him who the sender would show up as in the e-mails, so that I would not delete the e-mails by mistake. He could not answer the question definitively, and instead gave me the run around. Then he finally got around to what he called a (small application fee) I asked him what small was, and he said it depende on how long I wanted my membership to be. He threw around amounts such as $120.00 and I told him that I had been warned many years ago that a real agency does not charge money up front, and if they do that they are not legitimate. He asked me to name the agency, and I did not. That other agency got me work, and all I paid for was the film they took my headshot with (afterwards!) When I explained this to him he threw around ideas like me paying for 70 now, and the rest after my 1st job. I told him I would have to get that 1st job before I pay anything, and that I would have to do some research and think about it before I decide to pay money, and that I would call back.
I feel grateful to the casting agency I worked with 10 years ago, for having informed me about this type of scam, and for the ONE job they ever did find for me, because at least I got to experience it. They protected me from shelling out money for this scam. They took a year to find me that job, so I guess what I am saying is that real agencies take time, false ones promise immediate work. Needless to say I will not be calling them back...
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