I've had a few meetings with Doug Bennett of the Don Gerler agency. He wants me to get new headshots taken, which I also think I need. However, he wants me to take some "character" type pictures, like in gym clothes, in a business suit, in a dress. Is that normal/beneficial? And has anyone heard anything about that agency in general, good or bad? I'd really appreciate some feedback! Thanks!

I also had several meetings with Doug Bennett and he also wanted me to get new "charactery" headshots. I did a lot of asking around about him and heard only negative things.

He calls lots of actors in, all his meetings are two plus hours and he tells everyone to get new headshots. After the headshots have been taken, he goes back and forth with the actors and doesn't start submitting them until he thinks everything is perfect. I know an actor who has been "represented" by Doug for one year and Doug still hasn't started submitting him. He's still hemming and hawing over the new headshots.

I got a bad taste in my mouth from my meetings with him. Every meeting was over two hours and he was very rude quite often. If he has that much time to waste actors' time, seems like he isn't on the phone with casting directors much.

I too had several two plus hour meetings with Mr Bennett. He tried to work the same headshot stuff with me but tried to push towards these two photgraphers that he swore by(but of course) When I was waiting to meet him a third time a guy came in with a bunch of headshots and walked into his office. I followed just outside the door but well within ear shot. I clearly heard him telling this guy "photographer" "No no just say it was her fault and you need to reshoot some more in this outfit, tell her its like fifty bucks more, if she asks me I'll back you up. So what did you end up charging that Tom guy? Where's my juice?" This followed with laughs from both at which time I went back out and sat. When I went in I was furious but I played it low key, told him that he was wrong about the headshots and asked him instead what he thought of these two coaches I was thinking of studying with(they are both well respected) He said "No, they will make you classroom stars, this guy I know is not well known but he'll get you to the top." What a surprise. Another kickback I am sure. STAY AWAY.

Hi! I also have an audition with them soon. Let me know how yours goes.

I had a meeting with Doug Bennett at the Gerler Agency yesterday, scheduled at 5:30PM. As any good actor would, I got there early to make a good impression. When I arrived, there were several other people also waiting to meet with him. I filled out my paperwork and I waited patiently. ...And waited. ...And waited some more. When it got to be 7:00PM and he STILL hadn't met with me I was so furious I actually walked out. This agent, Doug Bennett, obviously has no regard for anyone else's time, which is not only horribly inconsiderate but also completely unprofessional.

I should have known better, because my co-worker had a similar experience 2 years ago where Doug Bennett kept him waiting for an hour and a half before HE got so fed up he walked out, as well. I thought I’d give the guy the benefit of the doubt, though—maybe he’d changed his ways, right? WRONG!

While I was waiting, four other actors came in to meet with him and were all waiting, as well. I got to talking with them in the waiting area, and found out that it was the third meeting for 3 of them and the FOURTH for the other girl, and he hadn't actually signed ANY of them! ...But he HAD had three of them get new headshots. One guy had actually been talked into shooting 15 looks (no joke), and told me that Doug made him pay to get ALL of the photos retouched before he would decide on the best ones!

I found it so sad to see that there are so many actors who can be so easily manipulated into thinking this person was actually going to help them. The guy with the 15 looks told me, "Well you know, Doug takes more of a personal manager approach rather than just putting you out there." He had been meeting with Doug since January and was convinced that Doug was going to finalize his pictures and finally sign him at this meeting.

It seems to me like the guy is just stringing actors along who just don't know any better, wasting their time over and over again, having them get new headshots done by photographers he recommends, and then he probably never actually signs anyone!

It’s amazing to me that this man’s operation could be SAG Franchised. I absolutely plan to report him to SAG as well as to the Better Business Bureau. Doug Bennett is giving a bad name to agents everywhere and adding sleaze to the whole system. Please don’t be fooled by this guy, and don’t waste your time! We all, as actors, need to be a lot smarter so we don’t get taken advantage of!

I am a current and extremely satisfied actress with Doug Bennett and The Gerler Agency and find it quite interesting that you would have so many negative things to say without so much as meeting the man. I'm not sure how many agents you have worked with in the past, and judging from your post, I'm guessing none or at the least none that were adequate; however, any agent "worth their salt" will ask their clients to get new headshots if their current versions are unacceptable...and from what I've seen most just don't cut it! The Gerler Agency is a theatrical agency which is much different from a commercial agency. If you look at the current trends (which are constantly changing) then you will see that theatrical castings are leaning toward character shots. There is no reason for Doug, or any agent for that matter, to waste their time mailing out your headshots if they aren't viable. And I'm personally offended that you would expect my agent to waste his time doing such!
Personally, I prefer to meet with an agent that has a full workload and is busy rather than an agent that consistently has an empty office. Doug is unique in that he is willing to give newbie's to the business a chance. He even works with some actors that don't have their SAG card yet, of which I can only presume that you are one as your post seems to be from someone lacking experience. I find it amusing that you would cite Doug's personal approach as a flaw:
The guy with the 15 looks told me, "Well you know, Doug takes more of a personal manager approach rather than just putting you out there."
You should be so lucky to find an agent that takes the time to get to know his clients and decide whether or not they can build a successful working relationship. When I first moved out here, I signed with the first SAG franchised agent that I met with after a very short meeting. We never developed a working relationship and I wasn't even sure if he knew who I was when I called in; whereas Doug definitely knows me and treats me as a valued client. We had several meetings before he agreed to represent me and he helped to develop my headshots as well as giving me very thoughtful and accurate advice. I'm sure I will be updating my headshots soon with a different look; if you look at current working (successful) actors and actresses, you will see that their looks are ever evolving. As an actor, you want to be anything but stale!
My advice to you is to do your homework before you print negative comments about agencies, or anyone for that matter. I hope you heed my advice and find future success.
Good luck to all!
Morgan

Morgan-

Interesting your defense commentary on someone consistently thought of on this board (and actors access) in a very negative light is your first...

You wrote that you find it interesting that so many people have negative things to say without meeting the man, when in fact most of the responses above yours all have had several meetings with him.

I had several meetings with him before I became SAG, and he gave me the heebie jeebies. No other agency that I've met with has required these crazy 2 hr + group meetings, 15 looks, etc. After the second meeting, I was so turned off that I didn't go to the third. It says something that so many people have so much to say just about one person from an agency; you won't find many other topics on individual agents on this or other actor forums. I know he "intentionally turns off" actors, but to me, that seems very off. Calling in multiple people a week, trying to discourage and offend them, and if they are desperate enough to keep coming- sign them? I mean, that just seems like it is a kind of screwed up way of doing business.

If you are, in fact, signed with him- best of luck to you. Try not to take the commentary personally if he IS in fact, working well for you- getting you lots of good auditions; his goal is to turn off people, and apparently, he has succeeded. Just be careful. No agent is better than a crooked one.

Morgan-
Or should I say Doug? Or friend of Doug? You are full of s**t with your ridiculous assessment of Mr. Scam Artist/Bennett.

We found self submitted testimonies from Mr. B on the Showfax website discussion board that were outright hilarious where the Actor X said "I've been in four major films since signing with Doug", "Doug made me into the star I am today" of course they signed it with initials only. Mr. B is a true snake oil salesman. Ask ANY casting director that has been around more than 2 years and if they are candid with you you will get the accurate low down on this creature.
Good luck "Morgan". I am sure "your agent" will help fulfill your potential.

Yeah I know who this “Kevin Bacon” guy is – Guess what? He still doesn’t have an agent, no SAG card, he's not auditioning for real jobs and meeting casting directors – he is sitting at home writing blogs about an agency that didn’t sign him. You guys were lucky enough to get called in with no card and no real credits and you expect real agents to kiss your ass – why don’t you see if CAA, ICM or William Morris will meet with you? You think they are gonna stop their office for you when they are busy? I’ve had to wait just as long for casting directors – welcome to Hollywood – if you don’t wanna wait – just leave. Everything I have ever heard about this agency has been positive. And newsflash - pretty much any agent is gonna make you get new headshots! Duh!

Sotikbusta-

How interseting that this is your first post, just like MorganS. Yeah you've heard positive things about this guy my a**. Doug Bennett not Don Gerler. This is probably Mr. B again trying to write his own press clippings.

What a dope you are. "I know this Kevin Bacon guy" That line right there tips me off that this is in fact Mr. B posing as an innocent bystander. I have an agent, manager, SAG card and 3 new credits(2 guest stars)since my waste of time meetings with Mr. B. Yeah an agent or manager will sometimes as for new headshots, but they normally are not getting direct kick backs and requesting you go to just one photographer. Mr. B = waste of time and energy.

Ha! This is too funny. I wonder if Mr. Bennett will sign in with a new name to defend himself. The first post for the new name, of course. Too funny.

I would be more amused by your accusations that I'm Doug, if they weren't so baseless. The reason for my original post being my first is that I don't generally waste my time blogging, posting, etc. on backstage west or any other message boards. However, I recently suggested to a friend that she interview with Doug and The Gerler Agency and was told negative comments were being posted on this site. As a client, I felt that it was my obligation to set the record straight! Do you honestly believe Doug would be around for this many years if he were running a scam? How could that office possibly survive off of a couple of measly dollars from headshot scams?
Are you just insecure with yourself, unhappy with your failure or do you have some sort of medical/mental/emotional issues that you would take the time to concoct ridiculous (and defamatory) allegations about this agency and Doug Bennett in particular? Why would you purposely spend your time writing negative comments about people (especially false and baseless comments)? Please seek positivity and happiness in your life and I guarantee things will get better for you!
Good Luck!
Morgan

I posted to this response initially to be helpful to others so that they will not fall prey to this predator. How could he stay in business you say? Don't be so nieve Doug er.. I mean"Morgan"
Don Gerler has been around for a while, Doug has not. Don is either turning a blind eye to your tactics or simply doesn't know. One could stay in business for years with fresh, unknowing hopefuls arriving daily. You (Mr. B)treat your selection process like a cattle call. You look for the desperate or easily manipulated.

I am staying positive - by exposing a scumbag such as Mr. B. My happiness is alerting my fellow actors to not waste their time. I am sure you will sprout up with a new screen name and call yourself Ethel or Renee and droan on and on about how wonderful Mr. B is but just stop it already. Do you dress up in your mothers clothes too, Norman? STAY AWAY FROM THE BENNETT MOTEL

Thank you so much everyone for posting about this guy. I had a meeting with him that I needed to reschedule, and he told me to check the website to see what was going to be covered in the meeting and I didn't get the site name down so I did a search, only to find this! He seemed sarcastic on the phone, and now I'm so glad I didn't go to that meeting. Thank you so much, and I especially enjoyed your banter, patientone! Awesome! YAY I love it when things work out perfectly!

Sorry to Morgan and Sotikbusta but I have to side with everyone else. I too was stupid enough to go back for THREE meetings with Doug all of which were at least 2 hours(5 minutes of which were semi benneficial). I was even dumb enough to go meet with John Sarno who Doug told me I HAD to take classes with.

My assesment of Doug is this (and I came up with this sitting on his couch during the second hour of my third meeting), Doug wants so badly to be a big Hollywood player that he repeatedly over books himself meeting unassuming actors just to make himself feel like a Hollywood power house.

Patientone said it best, STAY AWAY!!!