I don't that is his business. It only matters how old I look to him in person, which is young.

That woman you mention has other issues with her booking rate that have nothing to do with her age.

That woman you mention has other issues to cause her booking rate that have nothing to do with her age.

You need to watch what you right. You know nothing about me or my booking rate which is higher than your friend's and probably yours to.
If you're going to put 'kid' in your board nickname, don't expect that anyone will consider you an expert on anything. It just screams neophyte.

Whoever mentioned earlier in the thread about the owner of DPM having anger issues, they are spot on. He actually snarled at me at one point when we were discussing matter. It is not a company I would want representing me. I also believe the comment about him being banned from certain CDs.

One thing to watch out for when interviewing with DPM is the location. Its an apartment building in Sherman Oaks, where the owner of DPM also has the usage of the landlord's office (maybe landlord is his real job). You know how you walk into some larger apartment complexes and the first thing you see is the manager's office? That is where I found the DPM people. I asked about that and he was defensive about it and said,'Its a mixed use building.' Gee, that is funny, I did not see a sign that listed offices. I really wonder if I should have even gone in once I got there and realized that it was an apartment complex. Sigh. What a waste of time.

I just terminated my contract with them before the 4 month trial period was up, and I advise against them. Turns out that not only are they not SAG-franchised, but they're also not registered with ATA, contrary to what they will tell you...
In the time I tried working with them, I found more auditions for myself than they found for me. They're sketchy, be cautious...

quote:

Originally posted by Tricialicious:
What do you know about DPM Talent Agency?

They want to meet with me for commercial representation but I don't know anything about them. Can anyone help me?

quote:

Originally posted by ohyeah:
Well, I signed with them at the end of May and they only sent me out on 1 audition for an internet webisode. I ended up submitting myself on Lacasting.com and booked my own short industrail type film..where I got paid. I had to give them 15% and they didn't even help me get the job. I think they are not very good.. considering I have not gotten any decent auditions. I would like to find a different agent, but I signed a contract that said if in 4 months they dont offer me employment (audition) then I am signed for 1 year. So technically they offered me employment by getting me the webisode audition...but that sucks. Should I try to get out of it? Who else has experience with them?

An audition isn't a job offer unless you book the job. You're free to drop the agency if it's within the 4 month time period and there hasn't been an actual job.

Thought I posted a question last night, apparently it didn't post. Anyway they contacted me thru Casting Networks because my agent passed away this summer suddenly and I am looking again. If anyone has anything positive to say here I'd appreciate that too, but so far it doesn't sound so good. However, Daniel Mulheran was an assistant agent at Coast to Coast which is a good agency from a friend and a teacher of mine being repped there. I was with a great agency for 5 yrs. till illness in my family back east kept me traveling back too much. I booked commercials, made part of my living and got my SAG insurance thanks to the agent I had then and then I was dropped and in a week got another agent who had a great rep from where he worked for 8 yrs. before going on his own and then as I said passed away this summer. I got the 2nd agent by using the Talent Scout feature on Casting Networks so it can work, they email out to agents and agents can also browse anytime they want. I am used to 1-4 auditions per week and being to call my agent anytime so I don't know about this agency here we are all talking about, however the guy did work as an assistant agent at a really well thought of agency. I know from also working as a CD assistant myself anyone can have an off day. There is no more real agreement with SAG and agents so with the ATA they can take 15% if they ask for that and if we agree to it when repped by them. Sucks, but the union let the talks with agencies and working things out fall apart several years ago. So again if anyone out there has something positive to say I would appreciate the feed back. Thanks.

My friend Jason is represented by them and he speaks nothing but good things about them. He averages 1-3 auditions per week. I have an interview on Wednesday to meet with DPM and I'm looking forward to it. If they don't sign me, I'll be glad for the interview experience.

As far as the apartment building goes, think about it. The economy is horrible and the Los Angeles area is incredibly expensive. My headshot photographer worked out of his apartment in Santa Monica, but still gave me INCREDIBLE service. I recommend reading "Ask an Agent" by Margaret Emory. She's been an agent for 15 years and has incredible insight to the world of agents.

So there's the positive one you're looking for kimpatch :-)

I just got home from my "meeting" with DPA and I really feel the need to post this and warn other actors ESPECIALLY young women.

I got a phone call from Chris the assistant which was very odd because I'd never submitted to or heard of this agency. We made an appointment time and he said that if I could get there early to look at sides that'd be great.

I had heard some sketchy things about DPM but decided to go anyway because Chris seemed really nice on the phone.

So, I get there for my appointment and it is in an APARTMENT BUILDING LOBBY (sketchy). I had to ring the manager's office to get buzzed in. The first thing Chris says to me is, "You're late," even though it was exactly my appointment time.

I fill out the info sheet and look over the Staples commercial side for a few minutes. Chris calls me in to the office and I meet the agent (who doesn't bother to introduce himself as I shook his hand and sat down). The first thing the agent says to me in an extremely angry tone is, "You are 20 minutes late!!!"

I look over at the assistant, Chris, to help me out because obviously there has been some sort of mix-up but Chris just smiles and says nothing. I tell the agent what my appointment time was and he bellows, "Well, it's a well-known fact actors are supposed to be there 15 minutes early!!!" and when I tried to make light of the situation he screamed, "Don't sit there and wink at me!!!"

At this point, I was feeling so UNCOMFORTABLE in this office. Honestly, I didn't feel totally safe as a young woman. It was awful. The assistant, Chris, is a young guy and I was so surprised that he just sat there and watched this man scream at me.

Finally I just said, "I'm sorry but if this is your attitude I don't think this going to work," and I got up and walked out and tried to warn the other girl in the hallway.

Honestly, the whole vibe of the place was SKETCHY and I couldn't believe it really happened. I thought at first I was being punk'd.

My advice to actors who get unsolicited calls from this agency is to STAY AWAY. You DO NOT want this man representing you and I absolutely believe the people who say this agent has been blacklisted by casting directors. If you do want to take this meeting just to see for yourself, I highly recommend you get there an hour early to ensure the agent doesn't scream at you but honestly you'd be wasting your time.

I'm sorry that you had this experience. In the acting business or any kind of business, early is on time, on time is late, and late is unheard of. Daniel (the agent) is very business-like and obviously subscribes to that. I'm surprised that he would get as angry as you described.

My first commercial agent was with DPM. They are a top 40 commercial agency in L.A. I thank them for helping me get my Taft-Hartley. Daniel has a positive relationship with casting directors and does frequently send out people for auditions. The only reason I left was because I later got asked by a top 25 agency.

With regards to Daniel, I've always thought of him as very professional in the way he runs things. I've never seen or heard him be as nasty as you described (I used to call him a lot too, especially during the hours he states he's very busy).

As for you being a young woman, I don't think you have to worry about him or Christopher.

I'm sorry, Eldorado, but I CANNOT agree with you that it is "business-like" to be emotionally abusive to actors especially under the auspices of a professional meeting. It's not the question of whether or not I was "late," it's that it is totally inappropriate to speak to another human being in that way.

I'm sorry but DPM is a "top 40 commercial agency" according to WHAT?

DPM aren't even registered with ATA (Association of Talent Agents) or franchised with the unions, as I just found out. Super sketchy!

I used to think that ANY agent was better than NO agent, but DPM definitely proved me wrong. That's my two cents.

I'm apalled that Daniel would speak to you that way. I've never experienced that and nor have any of my colleagues who had either met with him or are with his agency.

Based on talking to some of the top LA casting directors, they've said good things about DPM. Also, they're listed in the info4actors.com Top Agency guide.

Yes, they are state licensed. There are a few good agencies that are neither ATA or SAG Franchised. Sag Franchised doesn't have the clout that it did before 2002. Hell, there are plenty of SAG franchised agencies far worse like Dedicated and Michael Zanuck.