I was looking to break into the acting business when I came across an advertisement in the help wanted section of the Asbury Park Press calling all actors and models to get work in the field and make decent money at it. Figuring I'd call and learn more about it, they wouldn't give out any real information over the phone and just wanted to make an appointment for me to come in. Seeing as this was the only way to find out what they were about I did and went in a few days later.
There are two gentlemen that own it named Jim and John and there is usually a young girl working as their secretary on duty. They'll have you fill out a questionnaire asking the usual personal questions and also if you'd be interested in modeling work (even though they never get any) as well even if you're an actor. Then Jim, the heavyset man will call you in and have you do a reading. But the thing is, no matter how well you do it's only okay and you need acting lessons. Not just any acting lessons but their acting lessons of course. If you don't they won't be able to submit you for principal work (which by the way they don't do anyway). Later on you'll find out from others that even the best actors get told this and is a standard line. These two are scam artists and are just out to milk people not actually help them progress their career.
Jim will then ask if you have already gotten your head shots taken and if so that he sees them. Unsurprisingly they are never good enough (and this was confirmed with many people as well as they won't accept any taken by even the best photographers). He will then say you need to get Universal Talent head shots and will show examples of what they look like. However these head shots cost $495 for only 100 of them and add on an extra $100 if you sign up for the class (plus tax). I asked for more time to think about it but the key to their whole swindle is to pressure you into making quick decisions right on the spot. He will sometimes even call John over to double team you and through pressure making the customer think they need to do it. You can almost tell right off the back that the whole thing is an act and that it seems very well rehearsed.
If you do decide to get your pictures taken they lead you next door where there's a photo store that does them. You pick out the one you like best out of the proofs and then come back in 2 weeks to receive the final copies. However you don't even get all 100 as the agency takes half of them (50) to keep on file. Most of these head shots are terrible anyway and have Universal Talent written on all of them along with their phone number. So they're pretty much useless to wherever you send them out too.
Now they can actually get you a background role as an extra here and there but they are very low paying and few and far in between. Usually they're for something really trivial as an audience member or such. Even with their initial high fees they charge a whopping 20% commission on everything you earn which is very high for an alleged agency such as this.
As if the whole fraud of duping aspiring show business entertainers out of their hard earned bucks with the first part isn't bad enoughthey constantly tell you that you need new head shots and that they're running low every time you step into their office. This goes for even if you just started there. When asked how much new head shots will cost thinking you'll get a discount, the only reply you'll receive is $495 for another 100, in which they'll retain half of them for their file again. If you say no, then they'll tell you about the new class that's about to start up and how you need to take it. This not only goes for just when you come in but they'll call you about every week or so asking if you're running out of head shots or if you're interested in registering for the class, it's like you can't escape.
Basically when it comes down to it, they make their money on selling purposeless classes that anyone can be teaching and the highest priced head shots you will ever come across that are just about worthless. There are no refunds and they make you sign the agreement on the spot. Unfortunately you will never make your money back with them. You will always wind up spending far more (usually a highly disproportionate amount) then you can ever possibly earn.
If you do go on a job for them and meet others that they represent all you'll hear are complaints about how they got jerked around too and lost a lot of money and are also in the process of finding a real agent. You'll also eventually come to notice that they've never represented an actor/model for any decent length of time and it's obvious why as all the head shots of clients they represent hung in the office are all relatively new. It's amazing how many people are falling for thisso don't be one of them. They have to be making a fortune off of peoples' naivete. They'll tell you they are a licensed talent agency, however they are not a licensed talent agencyat least not in the way the legitimate ones are.
They're office is also extremely seedy, in fact you won't even see a computer throughout any of it, which goes to show you how professional they are. Jim and John are simply looking to make the fast buck by selling people dreams and having it end there. They might suck you in by mentioning famous names and having movie posters hung up throughout but in the end everyone that has worked with them or shelled out any money has highly regretted it. So be extremely forewarned!!!
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