My son received an email from Hollywood Auditions which sounded like a legitamite request to call about auditions for movies, television, commercials, entertainment jobs in the area. Since he is looking to get into the entertainment business and has submitted his name on several websites for different opportunities, I had him call to follow up with Hollywood Auditions. He spoke with Mr. Derek Griffiths. Similar to other reports on experiences people have had with this company, the conversation started basic with him giving Derek basic information about himself.
When he started to write down about the $389 fee for the CD rom and a 3 year agreement I began flagging him to end the conversation. When he mentioned to Derek that he was still a High school student and did not have that kind of money and that he would have to speak with his mother first, Derek pointed out that my son was 18 and could make his own decisions. My son continued the discussion and began giving him his debit card number, when I stopped him again. He told Derek that he would have to call him back and Derek became defensive. My son told Derek that he had always heard that when you get and agent or manager you should never have to make any payments up front.
Derek told him it was now or never for him to make his decision. He also proceeded to tell him that they were not a management company but the fee was to put him into a database and that they shared his information with agents and casting directors to help get him work. My son apologized that he misunderstood and that if it was now or never he could not sign up with him. With that Derek told him it was too bad because he would never be successful in the business.
My mistake was not researching this group first, because had I, I would have found several other complaints about the same exact types of conversations and high pressure sales. It was totally unacceptable to feel like they were threatening you and your career if you did not sign with them.
I assume their sales motto is don't hang up till you made the sale or just scare people into signing up with you.
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