I was introduced to Diamond Productions by a online search engine. After reading over the entire website I was impressed believing they were actually gonna make my dreams come true. So, I signed up to recieve more information. After recieving an email promising me a job opportunity I jumped at the sound of finally becoming an actor, but, there was a one time fee of $125, and after payment I would recieve $50 back up front as a job placement guarantee, and if I wanted my picture to be on they're website for casting directors to select me for upcoming projects where I wouldn't have to audtion. (Guaranteed Job) I would have to pay an extra $25. I declined that offer and, after a couple of days without responding to the job offer where I was in they're words given an job to be in a Orange Juice ad, and a Commercial at a given date. I did what the average person looking to break into the acting world would do, look around and try to find out as much information about the company as possible. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything about them that would jepordize my decision to join forces with them, so, I went for it. I was sent one more email basically begging me to grab the job offer. I gave in and tried to send in the money through paypal (Giving them instant cash) I started to have problems sending the money so I contacted the so called Executive Producer (Christina Aston) whom I was transfering emails back and forth with. She advised me to send the money over night so I could go to the 10am commercial shoot that next day. I tried, and tried over and over again until paypal finally let the money go through.
Ms. Christina Aston was supposed to email me the Commercial shoot location as soon as she recieved the money, I waited until 3am in the morning and still, there was no response. The next morning at around 11:36am I was greeted with a reciept of payment, still, no location. I email Ms. Aston and asked her about the shoot, she promised me yet again that I would have the chance to be in the commercial as soon as she got the information. When the whole time she acted as if she already knew everything I needed to know just to lure me and my money into the lies, and unforutnate web of games. When I asked about the Orange Juice ad, she wasn't able to give me any information about that either. After another email telling me I would appear in an SuperB magazine for the Orange Juice ad I noticed that she had added her Last name to the "Thank you: closing at the bottom of the email. I typed her first and last name in the search box and was surprised to learn that she is an aspiring actress herself. As I strolled up and down her resume I noticed it was as empty as mine. This made me wonder, "If she has connections to casting directors, and Producers" why she hadn't been successful in her career. This threw me back into the first days of thinking where I looked up her company once again. I came to a website (easybackgroundcheck) where others had went through and decided to try her seemingly faithful company out. As I read about the exact same routine I was taken through I almost fell out of my chair. I also learned...
Since DP is uncommon in its fee schedule, not charging commissions, you have wonder why. The only rational explanation is DP thinks or knows it can make more money from charging talent fees instead of getting commissions. What other explanation is there?
There is not enough information available yet to call DP a scam, even though it charges advance fees for registration and classes like many modeling scams, but there is an obvious scheme. The scheme is designed to get talent to pay them before they work and even if they don't work.
The lure is very strong when talent receives a "Booking Confirmation" notice. This makes it appear as if talent has already got a job. Excitement takes over. It appears as if they are so close to working as an actor or model, the hardest part is complete. Now all they have to do is show up or pay a little fee to guarantee a job. The fee seems so trivial in comparison to the mega bucks they could earn; it seems worth it. This has the effect of stringing talent along.
Then they are told about the acting seminar or video. Less than $200? Nothing compared to the big bucks they'll earn from commercials and residuals, right? Not so fast!
The fact that DP does not take commissions could mislead talent into thinking they are getting a deal, i.E., after they work, they keep all the money, nothing gets cut for the agency. If the payout, however, is very small, because the job was very minor, it does not help talent, and it is certainly not a "deal."
After further research I learned that the Superb Magazine she offered to put me in is owned by her. Meaning, she would recieve another profit off of me. After conforting her about my thoughts, and desperate search for answers she thanked me again for my business, and made sure I understood that I would get all that I am ever owned in a timely manner... 5 alomst 6 weeeks later I haven't heard anything from her. Here are some of the letters I sent her... And her replies... Read this!
From Christina!!!
Thank you for submitting your photos!
Booking letter:
Upon review of your photos, you have been selected to appear in one of a series of magazine and television appearances for product lines. Your first position will entail a magazine ad for Orange Juice. The Production date will be scheduled on January 14, to be produced in your state. The pay rate is $50 per hour residuals for each additional request of publication. Full details are enclosed and must be confirmed by January 11
This is actual job placement. No additional audition is required!
BOOKING DETAILS:
Diamond Productions & Assoc. Has reserved a position for you to appear in a magazine ad for Orange Juice. Specific details will be provided upon contractual acceptance. You must be willing to accept and participate in the magazine ad as well as the commercial.
Our production crew will schedule with a photostudio in your area.
Date: 1/14/06
Time: 10:00am
Location: Provided according to your location.
Note: dates and times may be adjusted according to your schedule.
Dress Attire: Business Casual (slacks or dress) Blue, Beige, Black or Rust related.
Children under 13 should dress according to the weather wearing casual/colorful attire.
Pay: $50 per adlayout residuals for each additional request of publication.
Details:
Commercials$25 per commercial spot
Magazine Ad$25 per ad layout
The production is a one-day shoot. The full production will take 3-5 hours. Since several others will be scheduled as well, we are not able to determine the exact length of time your segment of the production will take.
Please Note: The client has the option to use your photo for the adlayout to avoid photoshoot attendance. This pertains only to the magazine ads.
Once you complete your first job, you will begin to receive emails every week for additional job opportunities.
Please respond to: [email protected]
This job is reserved for first time applicants only. If you have previously accepted a job booking from diamond productions & assoc., you are already on file. You may only accept jobs from the weekly booking list.
Previous commercial and print projects include:
Nickelodeon channel PSA's
Tori Skincare Distribution
Milk
Visa Charge Card
Orange Juice
Fashion Bug Clothing Store
Lifetime Channel PSA's
Exercise and Fitness Articles
Health Watch for Teens
Anti Drug Awareness
Eating Habits for Children
Beauty Clips
Breast Cancer
And Many More
With the approval of our clients, Diamond Productions & Assoc. Has selected you to be cast through our Talent Booking Division, "Commercialcast New York". As a Production company, Diamond Productions & Assoc. Is able to guarantee your participation in projects produced by Diamond Productions & Assoc. As well as affiliates. Your first job is offered as an introductory to our "guarantee" program.
Since we are not an Agency, we will NOT obtain a percentage of your earnings. We do not earn funding from our clients. Our goal is to get you the work to build your career.
Diamond Productions & Assoc. Gives you first hand access to in-house commercials, print advertising, Cable Program Series, Internet Advertising, and Diamond Productions & Assoc. Very own magazine... Click here to view Superb Magazine. "we create work for you". You will have full access to our "Upcoming Auditions" calendar found on our website at www.commercialcast.org to select from ongoing projects involving: Television Series, Soap Operas, Commercials, Film, and Magazine work located in various areas of the United States and abroad. ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE POSITIONS ARE PAID.
OUR GUARANTEE POLICY:
As a Production company, Diamond Productions & Assoc. Eliminates the Agent (middle man) and allows you to work directly with Production Companies and Casting Directors in charge of the selection process. We guarantee job placement to those selected.
NO AGENCY FEES DEDUCTED!
Since we do not receive a percentage of your earnings, there is a one-time "REFERRAL" fee of $125.00 for the Job Guarantee. This guarantees your job placement and future opportunities or your money back.
Receive advance pay
To reassure your participation, we will pay you an advance for your first production appearance. This will appear as a $50 deduction from your referral/guarantee fee leaving your balance due of $75.00.
please note: no additional fees will be required for future bookings.
We require a referral fee for your first job booking as a service fee for our job guarantee.
View additional job opportunities on our website at www.commercialcast.org
This job placement has been reserved for you. If interested, please review and sign the enclosed "JOB PLACEMENT GUARANTEE" form and return with the required fee to Diamond Productions by January 11. Once the Agreement and fee are received, a work permit will be issued and a Representative will contact you to confirm your booking date (s). At that time, our production crew will schedule with a photostudio in your area. Passcodes to the Xfiles Job Postings will be released as well. This will give you access to select for additional job opportunities for a lifetime! Scheduling dates of upcoming jobs can be viewed on the Auditions Calendar of our Website. Payment must be made by cash, money order, credit or debit card online through PayPal.com. No personal checks are accepted. You must mail or email a copy of the letter. THIS IS PROOF OF YOUR JOB BOOKING.
OPTION: You may elect to include your photo (s) on the PHOTO AUDITIONS page of the website for daily photo auditions. If you sign up for the PHOTO AUDITIONS with your job acceptance, you may take advantage of the sign-up bonus rate of $25.00. This amounnt will be added to your Guarantee fee.
From paypal!!!
Dear Trent Whisenton,
This email confirms that you have paid [email protected] $125.00 USD using PayPal.
This credit card transaction will appear on your bill as "PAYPAL *DIAMONDPROD".
From Christina!!!
I'm excited to announce that everything is confirmed for your first job booking. Your job placement will consist of a print ad marketing the health benefits of Orange Juice. This ad will appear in the February issue of Superb Magazine. The client has decided to use your photo and special effects to devise the ad layout. You will NOT need to attend a photoshoot. As indicated in the booking letter, "The client has the option to use your photo for the adlayout to avoid photoshoot attendance." This option applies only to the magazine ads. This form of photo usage is considered as "stock photography". The client has decided to purchase "your" photo for the use of the adlayout. The purchase price is $50 plus residuals of $25 each additional time your ad is requested for publication.
We will keep you posted concerning the commercial shoot. This will be determined by the effectiveness of your magazine ad.
Once the ad is complete, you will receive a copy of the magazine issue. You will be required to sign a release each additional time that it is to be published. We will inform you each time so that you may keep track of your payments. You will receive a check for the amount of appearances over a one week period. This check will be sent by Diamond Productions. The turnover time for check processing is 45 to 60 days of the publication date.
Thanx, Christina, Diamond Productions
As a Calendar Access Member, you will now begin to receive automatic emails of additional job opportunities.
Since we are not an Agency, you will be required to submit and attend auditions on your own.
Your membership includes lifetime access to:
A.in-person Auditions for film, television, commercials and print
B. Access to the X-files Job Postings
C. Access to receive submission info for [email protected]
D. Random emails of last minute auditions
Let us know if there is anything on Diamond Productions Auditions Calendar of interest to you. To view the postings that require the xfiles access please use the following authorization codes to enter this section. It can be found under the "Xfiles" icon on our website.
USERNAME: casting
PASSCODE: access
Be sure to match the dates from the Xfiles job posting to the dates on the Auditions Calendar
From Christina!!!
Thank you for your response.
You will receive all payments due to you as indicated in the signed agreements.
We will keep you posted on upcoming job opportunities.
You will receive a copy of your ad once it is completed.
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