Zanuck, Passon and Pace --

Does anyone have any information about this agency? Are they reputable or do I steer clear?

If you click on the "find" button and search for this agency, you will find much info on this message board.

A little exploration on your own saves alot of time. And alot of questions.

Best.

appreciated.

is this zanuck as in Michael Zanuck and doesn't he have his own agency now? If this is the Michael Zanuck, he makes his clients get headshots of all different sorts with different costumes on with a SPECIFIC photographer and does this same thing with commercial classes and what not. I was interviewed by him just because I figured I wasn't going to sign with him and his bad rep but he was the only agency calling me so I wanted to give it a shot. He wanted to sign me without evening auditioning me. For all he knew I could be the worst actress ever. If you google him I'm sure you'll see the word "SCAM" everywhere. Be careful!

Zanuck, Passon, and Pace does NOT exist! It hasn't existed for years.

Here's the story:

Once upon a time there was a really scammy agency called Zanuck, Passon, and Pace. They were so scammy that industry papers like Backstage West would write about them. Some of the most notorious things that they did were, forcing potential clients into using THEIR photographer, getting 15 literal character shots (ie. Dressing like a cop with gear, etc.), and taking THEIR classes. They were involved in "kick-back" schemes!

The agency split in two, one called Dedicated (Jerry Pace and Melissa Cohen) and the other called the Michael Zanuck Agency. Despite, splitting in hopes of bettering their reputations, both agencies still continued the similar schemes described above.

Also, he's in Agoura Hills. We all know that's REALLY close to LA! NOT!

He also gives out a paper on why his agency doesn't shake hands.

Going with Michael Zanuck is like sleeping with someone you know has STDs but you're horny so what the hell?

As for Dedicated, it still continued with the same shenanigans. Jerry Pace finally got fed up with it and fired Melissa Cohen who went by various identities (Lisa Scarola, Judy Markowitz, etc.). Melissa was the one who continued with these scammy practices.

Dedicated split one into Jerry Pace Agency, which seems to NOT do any of the shenanigans. Melissa Cohen went on her own and created an agency called Moxie Talent Agency, which probably continues such shenanigans.

It continues to boggle my mind as to how agencies such as this, and the other 'terrible newbie exploiters' can continue to exist, let alone profit! Are there really so many undeducated gullible newbies from which these scam artists can make a living? Judging from the posts on this board, and others, these scammers aren't only existing, they're THRIVING! Gosh! If only karma were financial!

Seriously, I pay good money (that'd be much yummier, nutritious and beneficial spent on groceries) paying dues to SAG twice a year. It INFURIATES me to pay my hard-earned money to a guild that sees fit to 'franchise' such a complete and utter scam.

Does anyone have any insight as so how to lodge complaints against agencies so that their 'franchise' is questioned by SAG? When I originally tried to complain about them to SAG, I was told that since I hadn't paid them any money (i.e. prior to signing I went so far as to strain myself greatly by doing a google search, and therefore was fortunate enough to recognize their bs before falling victim to it) I had no damages to present with my complaint and so it was given less priority / weight than other complaints.

If nothing else, it irks me that these schmucks are SAG franchised. What exactly is required for that certification?

Is there really no way to warn people against them other than answering inquiries on message boards like this one?

No offense, GApeachinOC, it's just that these folks take advantage and exploit people and their dreams - and from my experience here in LA, they seem to be the most shameless, egregious and unfortunately profitable, of the lot. I get agitated everytime someone asks about them since, I imagine, for each person that is wise enough to ask about them here there are at least five more (like a close, personal, extremely talented friend of mine) who have been, and continue to be, suckered in by such an elementary/novice/no intelligence/skill/even-remotely-mere-semblance-of-morals-required scam!

Seriously, Zanuck, at the very least, wouldja switch it up a bit at least so as not to insult the intelligence of your myriad victims? If you'd be brave enough to try that I'd delight in sending you your very own box of exam gloves so you can use them to work on your hand-shaking phobia! Seriously, if you're going to scam someone out of a few hundred dollars the least you can do is take some of the money you've stolen to invest in some freakin' Purell!

Infuriated - but not suprised - by Zanuck et al,
bookme

YIKES! STAY AWAY FROM ZANUCK! I don't even want to waste my time writing anything else!

Best of luck...you DESERVE BETTER!

quote:

Originally posted by Secret Agent Man:

There really IS not much more left to say on this topic, is there? SO true.....

SAG emailed out the following today, and while it won't completely eliminate scams such as these, it's at least a step in the right direction:



***CORRECTED EMAIL ADDRESS FOR GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ***


Please Support California Assembly Bill 1319 (Krekorian D – Burbank)

Screen Actors Guild is writing to ask you to support California Assembly Bill 1319 (Krekorian D – Burbank). AB 1319 more strictly regulates abusive and misleading practices by talent counseling services, talent listing services and talent training services, many of which demand advance fees from performers. As we know, the promise to secure employment is too often empty and the fees for the purported service can be astounding. Many of these practices are targeted towards young people who dream of a career in the entertainment industry, and who are particularly vulnerable to pressure tactics and scams.

SAG has worked closely with the LA City Attorney’s office, AFTRA, the Better Business Bureau, WGA, the Association of Talent Agents and State Legislators to create language that will protect not only our members, but all performers in California.

AB 1319 prohibits advance fee talent services from charging money upfront and then attempting to procure employment for their clients. This bill also breaks down permissible advance fee services into three sub-categories and enacts stricter rules for all of them, including the posting of a $50,000 bond with the State and the use of unambiguous and clear contracts. The three categories are:
1. Talent listing services (e.g. calling services)
2. Talent counseling services (this category excludes managers. e.g. schools that teach you how to audition)
3. Talent training services—e.g.—schools, classes

AB 1319 includes provisions to regulate internet activities of various businesses; previous advance fee legislation only covered print. This bill inserts language into performer contracts that states that the services cannot procure employment for the performer, as that function is limited to licensed talent agents.

It is imperative that we pass this important piece of legislation in California to protect all performers in this State, especially the children who are most often the target of these companies. Please take a moment and send the letter below to Governor Schwarzenegger expressing your support for AB 1319 which will create a more logical framework within which these advance fee agencies can do business.
Please email or fax your support of the bill to Governor Schwarzenegger:

Fax: (916) 558-3160

Email: http://www.gov.ca.gov/interact#email

Sample email/fax:

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

As a proud member of Screen Actors Guild, I am writing to urge you to sign AB 1319, a bill that will limit the operations of advance fee talent services.

Advance fee talent service businesses often create harmful circumstances for actors. The promise to secure employment is too often empty and the fees for the purported service can be astounding. While substantial gains were made with the passage of the Advance Fee Talent Law of 2005, there are still many areas that are being exploited by loopholes and grey areas and AB 1319 is an important step in strengthening protection for performers, particularly young performers.

We applaud your commitment to stopping these scams and tightening the advance fee law to stop the perpetration of these harmful schemes.

Thank you for your support of professional actors.

________________________________________________

If you agree, please join me in supporting this effort.

Does no one do research before asking questions? Is this not the 40th person asking info about these losers?

STAY AWAY FROM "MELISSA COHEN" AKA LISA SCAROLA AT ALL COSTS!!! She is toxic, dysfunctional and a professional scam artist. She changes names as often as she changes careers, and for good reason. She is pure evil personified. One of THE MOST disturbed people on the planet.

quote:

Originally posted by StreetSmart:
STAY AWAY FROM "MELISSA COHEN" AKA LISA SCAROLA AT ALL COSTS!!! She is toxic, dysfunctional and a professional scam artist. She changes names as often as she changes careers, and for good reason. She is pure evil personified. One of THE MOST disturbed people on the planet.

Does anyone know what happened to her? Jerry Pace finally got the sense to fire her earlier this year.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by StreetSmart:
STAY AWAY FROM "MELISSA COHEN" AKA LISA SCAROLA AT ALL COSTS!!! She is toxic, dysfunctional and a professional scam artist. She changes names as often as she changes careers, and for good reason. She is pure evil personified. One of THE MOST disturbed people on the planet.

Does anyone know what happened to her? Jerry Pace finally got the sense to fire her earlier this year.

Apparently she runs an agency(as her "Lisa Scarola" persona) called DTA in Studio City. A lot of clients that don't work much.

Haha! Apparently she kept the Dedicated name. Who the hell is letting her rep them?