quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:
After they wanted to represent me they wanted me to take this workshop. I did not want to so I never heard from them again. You do the math.

If i was an agency and i was signing someone new and they immediately did not want to take my advice I would not waste my time with you either.

It's sad that many actors must fall for their scams even after all the warnings. They keep at their tricks, someone must be fooled by them.

I keep hearing horrible things about this agency but this agency seems to be the one that gets many people into commercials and then TV. It may be few & far between but so isn't any break. I don't even have an agent...I am very leary of these guys but when you look up their clients on the imdb board, you'll see that some of them are familiar faces now & are either still w/ZPP or have moved onto other agencies. So, I'm not sure what to tell anyone.

I wouldn't get new pix done period. I''ve invested enough into this business that I won't do drop another dime. So, if that's the option w/them, walk out the door. Good luck.

After much deliberation I decided to go to my meeting with this agency--now called "Dedicated, Inc." I guess Jerry Pace left ZPP and started this agency on his own. I met with Jerry first. He said my headshot was great and he was quite a lovely person to talk with. Next he had me prepare some commercial copy to read for the female agent in the office next to his--I think her name was Christine. When I was ready she called me into her office, had me slate and begin to read. Then she proceeded to cut me off after only letting me read the first line of copy, and snapped at me that it was a horrible reading. She then proceeded to tell me my headshots were no good and that I had studied with "The Worst Commercial Acting Teacher in Los Angeles," and belittled all of my past experience in the Industry. Then she tossed her assiatant's email address at me and told me to email her in 2 weeks for a review of our meeting. I left Dedicated's office cursing her name, nearly bubbling over with anger. And now, I just got a call that they want to bring me on? I am totally confused. The guy on the phone told me to email some woman and tell her "where I am in the process..." and when I asked him to clarify what he meant by that he had no idea. Man, I can't WAIT to get a response to this email! More to follow...

Oy freaking Vey! Is anyone reputable to start with in this business? Anyone?

Dozen22 my situation with Dedicated was similar to yours. I went against my better judgement and signed with them. What a big mistake! They have not did anything for me and I've been signed for about 3 months. They are so unorganized it's not even funny. I get a email or call every other week asking me "where I am in the process" even though I've done everything they have asked me to do. If anyone gets contacted by them DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.

thanks for everyone's warnings...really scary out there...who to trust???

does anyone have any info on the new michael zanuck agency? i realize that michael must have been a part of the whole zpp stuff i'm hearing about, but does anyone know if mza is any different? any info would be appreciated...similar story - found on LA Casting, sent them my stuff, was called about theatrical representaion...meeting with a catherine? thanks.

yeah, it's BS.

#1: AGOURA HILLS?!?!?! really?!
#2: never asked me about my experience, training, credits, goals, never asked me to read any sides, NOTHING.
#3: the entire time, spoke of training michael likes, and types of photos. couldn't stop talking about photos.

LAME. don't waste your time. i feel sorry for people who do sign with him.

hi LA actor and thanks so much for your response. I am not sure if i would call them corrupt at this point. What seems to be the trend is the Sam Christensen (former Mash CD and well respected)approach to getting work. It's the image work where you have various shots of the kinds of types that you normally would get booked as. And it works! Not all photographers are get it and there are a group who do. It actually would make sense to me that if an actor didn't have the materials the agent felt needed to get the actor work, then they probably dont' want to be bothered.

As far as classes go, when an actor doesn't have substantial TV/Movie/theater credits, then they better at least be studying with people who are the industry's best pick who are highly respected. It's kind of "being in the know" kind of thing. Plus, it helps the agent pitch the actor if they have one of the top coaches.

It's a system that really really works.

FYI, it doesn't matter these days whether the agency is franchised or not with SAG. There are lot's of BIG agencies who are not. They are using GSA contracts.

If you know if any other reasons why I should not consider this agent who offered me a contract, then do let me know :-)

Honestly, I think that maybe the agents were trying to steer your friend in a good direction to break her in or get her to the next level.

thanks so much! and I hope maybe you got something from my response....Back many years ago, I used to be in casting....

This is the worst agency that I have ever had the opportunity to work with...and I sent them an e mail last year telling me not to send any of their clients to me. They will spend your money by making you get 8-10 different looks that nobody needs and the reason is that they don't know where you will fit in the business so they try to get you into every possible scenario rather than sitting with you and actually finding out what you are right for and for the most part you may if you're lucky get a one liner but you will never be taken seriously as an actor.
I was with CED (Now CESD) for 17 years as an actor and I could call them or walk into their office any time and talk with them and if they were busy they would call me back the same day...not this nonsense that they will get back to you in a week by e mail...
They will also thell you that getting 10 different looks and getting them all made into copies is the cost of your career. Basically it's the cost of a bad agent. Do yourselves a favor and get an agent that is willing to work with you and that is well respected...and you won't find either in this office. The second name in the agency is your clue..."Passon as in Pass-On!

quote:

michael hiller

Michael,
i am a former cd with loads of credits both on and off camera. I did take the intro to Sam Christensen's Class and it did blow me away. It was so right on and this is the approach they take. Sam's approach is a little more subtle. The approach is to not dress up in character but suggest it. Maybe they are taking it a bit off the scale. Any serious CD would be offended by an actor in wardrobe for photos. I guess some photographers agree with it and some don't. Thanks for you take on this. Very helpful. FYI. I did have a meeting with Michael at MZA. He did take the time with me to got over the different types I could play, and he nailed it! Honestly he did.

i agree that with any agent, there will be a discussion of photographs, maybe some classes for the right training...

but there is a difference between guidance, and just babbling on about this stuff within 30 seconds of meeting.

i mean, don't you want to know about ME? don't you want to see me...you know...ACT?!?!?

what a scam.

Michael Zanuck just split from Passon / Pace. He is now solo MZA. I just signed with him commercially. His office is great. Olivia is wonderful. I would at least give him a try.

i registered with them and never heard form them again. they would have their secretary respond to me and i found out that was just an old interns name and all the interns used that one name so i never knew who i was actually talking to. anyway, don't waste your time.