While I wasn't ripped off by this company, I was given the old bait and switch. Their ad says free. They offer movie-extra work and say that it's fun and a good way to make some extra money.
So I emailed my info. They called and said to "come in TODAY, we are casting NOW!" I couldn't come in that day, but I made an appointment for the next day.
Upon arrival I was ushered into Barbara's office where she took one look at me and said "We could just sign you up for extra work, but with your LOOK, I think that we can do a lot better than that." She said I had that "Familiar Face" that is very much in demand. Then she went into a sales pitch of all that they could do for me, how much money I could make, etc. She said that all of the major movie studios from California are building in Arizona to avoid the actor's unions. And since, lucky for me, I'm not in any union, she could see a lot of opportunity on the horizon for me!
About 3 minutes in, I could smell a scam. So I sat and nodded and smiled. Thinking, how soon till I get hit with the "you will only have to invest % to get your new career started."
Which she did! For Just $300, They could begin immediately! It is "important to get your portfolio created ASAP since we are casting for LEAD SPEAKING ROLES now!"
I said that I wasn't prepared to spend $300 right now. She immediately asked if I had a credit card. Then said that "George Clooney started out just like this! This is an AMAZING opportunity for you and I would hate to see you miss out. With your unique look (remember I had a "familiar face" in the beginning, now I am unique!) I'm very excited to get going."
I passed again as I stood up. She then said that "there's A LOT of money to be made and it would be a shame for me to not pursue this." I said I was only interested in fun extra work, like the ad said. She said, "that would be such a waste for you. But I'll put you down for that. I'll be here tomorrow if you think it over and change your mind."
I would say I was dissapointed, but I didn't really expect any less. This company is advertising heavily in the newspapers locally. ANY job search on line brings up their ad, regardless of the TYPE of work one is searching for. It seems that they are taking advantage of desperate out-of-work people by offering them this pie-in-the-sky chance to hit it big as an actor or model. Just about everyone secretly dreams of getting discovered and becoming the next big thing.
I was not ripped off, other than my gas and time, but I could have been. I don't know any more than that about this company. My advice is buyer beware. I guess if you have $300 to throw around, what-the-heck, it's probably fun. It's an opportunity to dream, to live a fantasy, if only for a little while. Though I'd STILL say it would be better INVESTED in some kind of acting or auditioning classes/workshops.
If you DO NOT have the $300 just laying around, I'd advise passing on this one.
I'm sure as the numbers of visitors to Movie Work Now grows, and as time passes, as people realize that that $300 photo shoot did nothing for them, we will see some more posts here.
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