This audition was advertised on TV. I called the number, and then was given an appointment for an interview and audition for my daughter on Saturday evening. Of course she was excited and hopeful about being in television. However, when we got there it was not actually an appointment. Kids were lined up around the building and everyone went in at the same time. They gave a very good presentation which included the importance of commitment from the parents and children. The brochures were very professional with endorsements from various celebrities.
However, the actual process was very strange. Fill out paperwork, quickly introduce yourself, take a slip of paper with a time slot to call them on Monday, take a piece of paper for lines to read, get on the stage, say the lines, head for the door. Not even a goodbye; just see yourself to the door.
The paper with the time slot was to call back on Monday morning and find out if you were being invited for a callback. I would like to mention here that Saturday evening the child received positive comments from the staff regarding her looks and potential which built her hopes up of being able to perform.
We were informed to be prepared to come back at the drop of a hat on Monday for a follow-up interview! That was a little strange considering people do have prior commitments to rearrange yet no allowance was to be made for that. I was to be prepared to write a check anywhere from $1,950 - $7,900 on Monday.
Today, Monday, it got even stranger. If I had been in front of them I may have uncontrollably resorted to violence. I called at the designated time, was asked my child's name and told that Kathy would return my call. A few hours later Kathy somebody calls me and breathlessly tells me that she was on the way to a meeting. She asked me what I intended to do. I asked her what she meant. She asked did I have an agent for my daughter. I said no. She asked does she have experience, I said that she had been in a few plays and entertainment performances. She then wanted to know why I had not gotten her an agent yet. NOW REMEMBER, I've not said anything to you regarding my daughter being asked to come back for the second interview. Wasn't I calling her for her to tell me if we were to come back? Was that not what Kathy was supposed to be returning my call for?
Reality is that I was being interrogated as to my intentions and lack of commitment for not having gotten an agent between Saturday night and Monday morning. Excuse me, but I did not know that I was supposed to hire an agent before I didn't even know if this company was interested in her. Kathy proceeded to tell me that if I don't have an agent my daughter is not serious about performing.
I eventually got a word in edgewise to ask if my daughter was on the call back list. After all wasn't that originally the purpose of the phone call. Kathy hatefully informed me that if my daughter had experience and I didn't already have an agent then we were not committed. She was not going to waste her time pulling the file to see whether she had a call back or not. I told her that I was having a hard time hearing her and asked could she call me at another number. She said "no"; just call her when I could talk.
I actually immediately called her back from the caller ID and got a man named Jason. I then tried the number again and this time left a message that I was returning her call. Kathy immediately called back and said that when I hung up she had pulled the file and my daughter was not on the call back list for A.C.T. She stated that considering my daughter already has experience that possibly Jimmy would be interested in working with her. I am to hear from him by Thursday if that be the case.
End to a long story is this. I never acted like my daughter did not need lessons or that she was experienced. The performances that she has been involved with were written on the paperwork that she filled out. Possibly we were screened by the information that we gave and considering that we had been a little bit involved with acting they thought we would not be an easy target for their scam.
This was one of the most unprofessional and rudest situations that I've ever seen. If they were to call now I don't trust them and I would suggest that you be careful and watch your wallet closely!!! We were caused unneccessary dissapointment and ACT wasted our time.
0 comments