I met with Empire/Marisa in early 2011. She sat down with me and talked to me for about an hour and she seemed really nice and down-to-earth. Then she told me about the entertainment business and how she was willing to help me find work.
Now, I'm not going to tell you don't go to this agency/school but I am going to tell you my personal experience with Empire and you can decide for yourself if you want to gamble with this company. First, Marisa told me that I would need to get a portfolio and then strongly suggested that I use her photographer. She said that Empire's photographers are more skilled in getting the picture and look that the entertainment industry wants to see.
Fine. Her photographer was $800.00 for 100 shots (might be off on the number of shots) with 3 different looks. Marisa then strongly emphasized that hair, make-up, and clothes are provided for the shoot for FREE! Sounded great, but I told her I wanted to think about it. She told me that a scout was in town and that my look was exactly what they were looking for but they would only be in town for a few days so she wanted my decision in 2 days.
Unfortunately, I decided to go through with it. After I paid for the photographer, it took her weeks to contact me (which was odd since Marisa was in such a rush to get me going). I was very dissapointed with the photoshoot b/c I had to buy make-up and new clothes and could not afford to get my hair done after Marisa said all of this would be provided. As for the pictures, some of them turned out nice but for the most part they were a waste of $800.00 $900.00 if you include make-up and clothes.
Then it took Empire's "Amazing" photographer about 8 weeks to send me my portfolio but what's been the most dissapointing is that as we get ready to approach 2012 now, I never heard another word from Empire/Marisa again. And I don't think it's that my look is not what the entertainment industry wants. Funny side note, while I was working with Empire I was also working with another talent agency whose portfolio was $600.00 with 300 shots and 5 different looks everything provided and I was recently contacted by a scout from that agency!
So my advice would be to look at different agencies before you drop major cash because you want to make sure you don't get ripped off (which I was) and actually get work. Good Luck!
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