A.C.T. ACADEMY OF CINEMA & TV SCAM ALERT!
Once Bitten, Twice Shy...
Well I feel silly. The audition for Meg Sat. was such a SCAM. When I was called last week, I was told she was auditioning for "agents" from The Screen Actor's guild. Turns out that it was a company named A.C.T. Academy for Cinema and T.V.. Yeah Right. We knew right away when we got there.. oh boy what do they want to sell us? I let Meg audition for the experience. Thank God T.K. showed up to support us. We all giggled at the "run way model" Lindy Kwock representing A.C.T., & after doing my home-work, find out her name is linked to quite a few naughty, nudie things. Just who I want my daughter to be represented and recruited by.
Brett Carducci, of Sovereign Talent Group, is the scout she did the Gap commercial for seems to Google Legit. But it bothers me he endorses A.C.T.. Wonder what his cut is??
A.C.T. travels from city to city claiming to see only 2oo kids per city and then out of those 200 only 3-5% of those "truly talented" are picked. Well that's easy because 95% of the people who drag their kids there could never afford their workshops. The parents were like those in the pageant scene from the movie "Little Miss Sunshine." We just sat there glancing around and saying under our breaths. OH MY GOD. And how sad for those kids. It really made me angry.
They been in business only a year. Part of their pitch is with their workshops for Camera training your child will get work & you will get a return on your investment. They cannot make those promises! If this was truly the case, then there should be a clause in their contract that states.. if a period of time goes by that your daughter or son does not receive work then we will reimburse you. There have been Several complaints at the BBB (including now mine) and in various places sites on the Internet. I'll be contacting the Screen Actors Guild to let them know how there name is being tossed around and how I was lured by it.
The Best part, again Tanya. She made Megan laugh and when Megan nailed her cold reading Gap commercial Tanya shouted and clapped in a really TANYA LOUD WAY "A STAR IS BORN!"
Meg is just happy to stick to Community Theatre. My philosophy is you should not have to pay for your true talent. They should be paying you. Do your Homework and have a lawyer go over everything before signing on the dotted line.
Update: SAG has no affiliation what so ever with A.C.T. This is the first call I should have made prior to going to the convention center. I just thought "wow it's at the convention center" and did not think it about twice.
Update: 7-22-08 Interestingly enough I go to www.brettcarducci.com again this morning. This is how I called him direct and today that website is down. Hmm? Wonder if he's feeling more heat from parents. I emailed him a followup today. Let's see if he responds and if he is the real deal. And if he is why would he want to be associated with a debunk company???
Well I feel silly. The audition for Meg Sat. was such a SCAM. When I was called last week, I was told she was auditioning for "agents" from The Screen Actor's guild. Turns out that it was a company named A.C.T. Academy for Cinema and T.V.. Yeah Right. We knew right away when we got there.. oh boy what do they want to sell us? I let Meg audition for the experience. Thank God T.K. showed up to support us. We all giggled at the "run way model" Lindy Kwock representing A.C.T., & after doing my home-work, find out her name is linked to quite a few naughty, nudie things. Just who I want my daughter to be represented and recruited by.
Brett Carducci, of Sovereign Talent Group, is the scout she did the Gap commercial for seems to Google Legit. But it bothers me he endorses A.C.T.. Wonder what his cut is??
A.C.T. travels from city to city claiming to see only 2oo kids per city and then out of those 200 only 3-5% of those "truly talented" are picked. Well that's easy because 95% of the people who drag their kids there could never afford their workshops. The parents were like those in the pageant scene from the movie "Little Miss Sunshine." We just sat there glancing around and saying under our breaths. OH MY GOD. And how sad for those kids. It really made me angry.
They been in business only a year. Part of their pitch is with their workshops for Camera training your child will get work & you will get a return on your investment. They cannot make those promises! If this was truly the case, then there should be a clause in their contract that states.. if a period of time goes by that your daughter or son does not receive work then we will reimburse you. There have been Several complaints at the BBB (including now mine) and in various places sites on the Internet. I'll be contacting the Screen Actors Guild to let them know how there name is being tossed around and how I was lured by it.
The Best part, again Tanya. She made Megan laugh and when Megan nailed her cold reading Gap commercial Tanya shouted and clapped in a really TANYA LOUD WAY "A STAR IS BORN!"
Meg is just happy to stick to Community Theatre. My philosophy is you should not have to pay for your true talent. They should be paying you. Do your Homework and have a lawyer go over everything before signing on the dotted line.
Update: SAG has no affiliation what so ever with A.C.T. This is the first call I should have made prior to going to the convention center. I just thought "wow it's at the convention center" and did not think it about twice.
Update: 7-22-08 Interestingly enough I go to www.brettcarducci.com again this morning. This is how I called him direct and today that website is down. Hmm? Wonder if he's feeling more heat from parents. I emailed him a followup today. Let's see if he responds and if he is the real deal. And if he is why would he want to be associated with a debunk company???
Comments
it still was good experience for her. she did great on camera. i called brett carducci's office and let them know how dissapointed i was in the way they lured us in with sag. he's not member of theirs either.
thanks good luck to you too.
we don't really care. she's more into the writing and doing theatre work.
My 6 year old daughter was excited beyond belief when she saw the commercial ON NICKELODEON advertising that she could be on Nick shows like iCarly etc. My wife and I were hesitant to call because it sounded phony right off the bat. I mean, why would they hold auditions in Ohio for shows being filmed in California, makes no sense whatsoever. She begged and begged however so we agreed to call.
My wife called and they scheduled her (my daughter) for an audition on Saturday evening (08/09) at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus, OH. Again, we had an inkling it was a scam but we thought, what the hey, we'll go downtown, go to dinner and make an evening out of it.
We get there, my daughter is thrilled to death but she's only 6, I don't think she even knew why she was there. Hundreds of kids and parents filing into a room, signing pointless waivers and talent descriptions. Smiles and nervous faces filled the room, kind of sad in a way.
Then the show started. I've never been so entertained in my life, what a production. Probably one of the best scams going because the set up is perfect. So this guy with hair spiked about 8 inches above his scalp introduces himself and informs us about the audition process. He's Hollywood, almost too Hollywood. Perfectly tailored suit, cool hairdo and a mainstream gayness that neither offends nor annoys. He's cartoonishly cruel in his explanation of what a good talent is. "We'll tell you if you're too ugly, too fat, too skinny, whether you need braces or whether to remove your braces. Just kidding, we won't tell you all of those things." It was hysterical but my daughter wasn't even paying attention, she didn't care.
He informs us that they'll know within 5 seconds whether our children have that x factor they're looking for. Of the room, only 5% would receive a callback, the other 95% would be disappointed. This way when you receive a callback you really think you're special. "These are jerks but they sure liked me". Yeah right!
Lets get this straight, it's a legitimate audition...an audition for suckers. Trust me, they're sizing up the parents more than they are the kids. They can tell whose got the money and who doesn't. This is why they ask that your child be dressed in "upscale casual". If your daughter walks in with a dirty dress and a side pony trail there isn't much hope of you signing up for even the $1,800 classes.
Brett Carducci was an even bigger joke. He couldn't name one signed talent of his that was a success story. He did inform us that his boss once passed on the young Tom Cruise. This is supposed to make the rejected feel better. Yeah, I feel a lot better about being here know that I know you're boss is an idiot. I don't care who you've passed on, I want to know who you represent.
Doesn't matter. We hayseeds are just supposed to be grateful these guys graced us with their presence. What the hell do we know about the entertainment industry?
Anyhow, my daughter froze up (like I expected) in her two 30 second auditions. I tried to encourage but she had no idea what to do. She kept turning her head to look at herself on the big screen. Again, no clue why she was there but she had a blast anyway, they played all her favorite Disney and Nick show songs. She wrapped it up and we got the heck out of there.
I didn't bother calling back to see if she had received a callback.
In truth, A.C.T. doesn't sell anything they don't offer. So technically it's not a scam. It is overpriced however and from reading some reviews, their classes aren't the most professional.
Just beware folks.
I assure you it is not a scam. People who said it was a scam, i ask you, why?
Is it because you didn't get anywhere?
Reality check people, it's the buisness world and they are not just going to accept a not so good performance, they want the top notch, and you have to work there to get it.
Bottom line, you HAVE to have talent, if u do, it's up to you on how u pitch it.
Enough said.
JRP IS NOT A SCAM! I AM PROOF!!!
My dearest Stephanie:
I mean this with the utmost respect towards you and your family if they read this. I may sound harsh as you continue to read further, but I want you to know I am a former AGENT and Talent Instructor (graduate of JRP, former instructor at John Casablancas Modeling and Career Centers, former scout for Model Talent Management (MTM in Nashville), former model for them as well, former Whilemena Model, former talent scout for Kids Talent Network and now just an artist/photographer raising my four year old daughter Madison Liberty.
The reason JRP IS A SCAM is the approach they use and unethical methods ("bait and switch") to recruit their students. Plain and simple you may have gone in with money in your hand (mothers hand) ready to pay and ready to learn. I believe you actually learned and if you are not a famous celebrity yet I will even give you the benefit of the doubt and say I believe you have had a few jobs. HOWEVER.... there are other agents who do not require you to attend their schools. When they say they are searching for talent (no schooling required) they MEAN it. They really are looking for a certain look and they plan to coach (no charge) to the actor as long as the child (parents if underage) will sign a contract usually EXCLUSIVE and not UNexclusive for whatever commercial it is they want them for.
People you need to understand that only 1% of the student from ALL of these schools ever make it to stardom coming from ONE SCHOOL in one city or town. If you are interested in Soap Operas, you need to be in New York. If you are interested in Situational Comedy (sitcoms) you need to be in LA. The only agencies I would trust in LA without doing my homework to see who else might be good are without a doubt hands down Abrams Artist Agency (Sunset Blvd Los Angeles and in NY) or William Morris Agency). You must GOOGLE these so called talent agencies with the keyword "scam" or "rip off" next to the name of the agency you are "googling" to see what pops up. If you cannot figure it out, then call the number they give you in the ad on the radio or newspaper. You must ask for names, addresses and (actual phone numbers not toll free numbers!) of the PHYSCIAL LOCATION of the agency conducting the talent search. It is a very bad sign if the audition is in a hotel or other location (they have to rent these spaces OUT which costs them alot of money). They are willing to spend it because they know they have their "sales team" (posing as aagents) all geared up. Trust me they had a big pep rally the night before in preparation. They have sales quotas they need to fill by the end of that trip. These sales people are trained to "reel you in!" They will be making a LOAD of money off of "potential talent" they will be enrolling at no less than 95 bucks an hour or 2-3k for classes!!!! The could care less about making you a star. Think about it guys. America is not desperate for talent. The talent is desperate for America to NOTICE them!!!
I invite anyone to call me on my desk phone if you have concerns. I may not answer the phone (I work and travel), but I always answer my e-mails and phone messages within 24 hours. Please do not ask me to do your photos or represent you. I am not in the biz anymore. But I know all you need to know as parents or as talent looking for representation. I will do my best to steer you in the right direction. Jenine DiConti 702-448-4680 I do not mind if you google my name like I instructed you to google the agencies. In fact you are stupid not to! I have nothing to hide an dnothing to gain from this. I am just sick of opportunists taking advantage of innocent parents. It is wrong Stephanie and one day you will understand. If you EVER need my help. I especially urge you to call me, The road you are on can be a winding twisted road. All may seem okay now, but ....you never know what is aroudn the corner in this industry. Jenine and Madison www.summerlinphotography.com
[quote name='Stefanie' date='Aug 6 2007, 12:57 PM' post='2127883']
I assure you it is not a scam. People who said it was a scam, i ask you, why?
Is it because you didn't get anywhere?
Reality check people, it's the buisness world and they are not just going to accept a not so good performance, they want the top notch, and you have to work there to get it.
Bottom line, you HAVE to have talent, if u do, it's up to you on how u pitch it.
Enough said.
JRP IS NOT A SCAM! I AM PROOF!!!
[/quote]
This is a classic scam with many incarnations. In the modeling industry, it may be an ad for a job or modeling opportunity (such as a fashion show, magazine layout, or other type of modeling work). The model responds to the ad and is asked to come in for an interview, assessment, etc. Whether the model has experience, photos, composite cards, or not - the company or person offers training, photography services, requires a registration fee, etc. for which they want money. Do not pay anyone for a job! A legitimate agency makes their money by taking a commission (usually around 10-20%) off of the money you earn through them. They do not operate photography studios, require you to use a specific photographer, run training schools and classes, or operate model/talent pay websites. Check the Florida state statutes above for the laws regarding talent/model agencies in Florida.
This explains it all
I know my brother and sister-in-law are paying a couple thousand dollars for this class. Does this sound like anything anyone has heard at ACT?
How did I get here? Googled 877-314-1896 after seeing that godawful ad during American Idol. Because it had no company name attached to it, we knew it was a scam right away. But I saw this little Nickelodeon splash in the lower lefthand corner of the screen *without* the actual Nick ID. Then again, it's much cheaper to advertise on the local cable or satellite provider than it is a national channel, so I'm sure in some markets, it was bought on the channels most likely to appeal to kids.
Clearly the ad was designed to appeal to kids, not parents. So I had to go see who it was.
This "you'd be perfect, you just need our $X-thousand classes to improve your look, your method, get your portfolio together..." scam is very old in the entertainment industry. But there will always be a large number of parents and kids who are taken in by these people because they offer hope to the hopeful.
Here's the thing: a real modeling, acting, or singing agent WILL NOT CHARGE YOU FOR CLASSES. If you have "star quality" they take the agent's commission - not money up front from you. Yes, you might need to do your *own* investing in classes, image, etc - but that's something you will do on your own, not something a bona fide agent will "audition" you for. Either you have it? or you don't. They might tell you to go out and take some classes and come back to see them - but they're not the ones running them.
They're here in Denver CO this weekend... wonder what city gets hit next?
Jenine DiConti
(Bait and Switch Scam below)
PARENTS PLEASE READ!!!!!
This is a classic scam with many incarnations. In the modeling industry, it may be an ad for a job or modeling opportunity (such as a fashion show, magazine layout, or other type of modeling work). The model responds to the ad and is asked to come in for an interview, assessment, etc. Whether the model has experience, photos, composite cards, or not - the company or person offers training, photography services, requires a registration fee, etc. for which they want money. Do not pay anyone for a job! A legitimate agency makes their money by taking a commission (usually around 10-20%) off of the money you earn through them. They do not operate photography studios, require you to use a specific photographer, run training schools and classes, or operate model/talent pay websites. Check the Florida state statutes above for the laws regarding talent/model agencies in Florida.
9/5/08 6:13 PM