Dear BackstagePass,
I just re-read the thread to which you refer and attempted to reply however, it's been locked. Wonder why.

I suspect my request was somehow unclear. My previous requests were worded as:

I guess I'd like to hear more first hand accounts - and, ideally, not from total newbie posters. As with the Casting Director workshops, it's always 'my friend' or 'a friend's friend' who garnered some traction or success through these endeavors / associations. Truthteller59, does one of your working friends perhaps post here? If so would it be possible for them to post accounts of their positive experiences with MZA?

and:

If any posters can account for their personal satisfaction with his agency(or former agency)'s representation - in all senses of the word, not just the submission alone - I would really appreciate hearing from you, even if via PM.

I reiterate that I am requesting information firsthand, ideally from someone who is proud enough of their work not to hide behind the anonymity of message boards. I've posted my identity, and I am hoping to hear from someone, anyone, who really likes Zanuck as their agent - not their friend, or their friend's friend - an actual honest to God real person who can give us some sort of verifiable account of their success and/or has more than a handful of posts to their record. I feel like this is a very modest request, and for all of the newbie posters and/or third hand accounts of success, it really ought not to be that difficult.

Furthermore, as SAM said, this is a starter agency. If these folks are booking work, why aren't they moving up and on? Especially if they know he's taking kickbacks! If he's making enough that way what incentive does he have to really work FOR them as opposed to just collecting a commission off their sweat?

And, the relevant evidence is the myriad posters who've been offered their "representation" which, for most of them, involved money invested on photos and classes with no return. I see no difference between Zanuck and the Casablancas, Powers and Barbizon's of the world. Do you? If so, please reference your PERSONAL experience - not 'your friend's'

Also, I was just researching your posts and noticed some patterns... Fortunately those results are most accurately worded by a PM I recieved recently:

I found it odd, but not surprising, to find that one Message Board contributor had written numerous posts this morning defending Michael Zanuck. It's especially odd that the person, who calls themselves "BackstagePass", has only posted 18 comments, and that 8 of them were in defense of Zanuck, and says that Zanuck isn't even his agent. Methinks he doth protest too much. (It's even more odd that BackstagePass has "NY" as their location, and that several of their other posts were about defending the rights of non-U.S.-citizens to work in Hollywood.)

Couldn't have said it better myself, but, while I echo their sentiments, I am obliged to respect their anonymity. Regardless, feel free to post other useful information to these boards - until then don't be surprised if readers such as myself find your posts/opinions biased since, as the statistics read, it appears that they are.

Rock on with your bad(ly biased) self!

I too, fell into the Zanuck web of intrigue. I actually went to interview there. Let's just say, if you're worth your weight in gold, don't go near him. He's a has been, his office is in AGOURA HILLS, you won't get near him, only his associate screens for new talent, and that's COMMERCIAL only, unless, of course, you're 20, drop dead gorgeous - then, even with NO resume, they'll scoop you up like a black widow does a fly caught in the web. I wrote them a scathing letter, basically warning them that actors don't need agents anymore, with the advent of technology being what it is now, hell an actor can create his/her own broadband channel and post/produce all he/she can, and that they'd better rethink their approach. Thank god for this website, where actors can give honest feedback to other fellow actors. I can't believe Zanuck is still posting this nonsense. DON'T GO NEAR THEM. ZANUCK isn't even his last name!!! (I know this from a friend who dated him) He changed it to make us think he was an original Zanuck family member.

quote:

Originally posted by Sammax: ZANUCK isn't even his last name!!! (I know this from a friend who dated him) He changed it to make us think he was an original Zanuck family member.

I've heard that said as well.

The big chuckle these days is that most CD's and agents probably have only the dimmest idea what that might mean.

But then there's a sleazy teacher who's said to have changed his name to claim a connection with a great actress who's been dead for decades. Not of great use to him either, is it?

quote:

Originally posted by Sammax:
ZANUCK isn't even his last name!!! (I know this from a friend who dated him) He changed it to make us think he was an original Zanuck family member.

Wow you mean the Zanucks of Fox Studio?

So he adopted a name- and then dirtied it? That just makes it so much worse.

MZA called me today. They said MZ saw my resume online and now they wanted me to submit hardcopy by mail so they could set up a meeting. Okay... sounded kind of redundant to me. I asked if they hadn't seen my hs/res already and the girl was like, oh, are you already signed with us?

So that was the end of that conversation. Maybe I blew a decent opportunity but it felt kinda spammish to me.

quote:

Originally posted by nightrider:
MZA called me today. They said MZ saw my resume online and now they wanted me to submit hardcopy by mail so they could set up a meeting. Okay... sounded kind of redundant to me. I asked if they hadn't seen my hs/res already and the girl was like, oh, are you already signed with us?

So that was the end of that conversation. Maybe I blew a decent opportunity but it felt kinda spammish to me.

NO opportunity blown here! Thanks for exposing how stupid they are!

quote:

Originally posted by nightrider:
MZA called me today.

They called on a Sunday?! That IS an odd agency.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadway2Hollywood:

quote:

Originally posted by nightrider:
MZA called me today.

They called on a Sunday?! That IS an odd agency.

If odd means a VERY desperate one, then yes!