I was interviewed by an agent today who wants to sign me, and she seems very much legit. She was very honest, insisted I wait on getting new head shots, and explained her side of the business to us. However, she said I should take her workshop, which is a 4 week, 4 session class for about $250. I know they aren't supposed to ask you for money, but she seems very legit. This was optional of course, but she really wanted me to do it. This is my first time with a real agent and I want to do it right, any input on this OR OTHER things I should pay attention to?
Posts: 83 | Location: ARIZONA | Registered: February 17, 2008
We made the mistake of taking classes (which were very expensive) with someone who was associated with a management company. It really was a conflict of interest and felt like "if you don't take my classes, you won't go out on auditions."
Why do you say she is a "real agent?"
Posts: 259 | Location: NJ/NY | Registered: December 22, 2006
I've been through a few scams, and this woman was first off, NORMAL, and second, she wasn't kissing my butt. She was critical of my performance and told me exactly what was wrong. She didn't have any sign-up fees, just this optional workshop which I thought was different. I'm just not sure though, if someone could please look at her site I would greatly appreciate it. It is http://www.MaddoxAgency.com .
Posts: 83 | Location: ARIZONA | Registered: February 17, 2008
Arrg, I still don't know. The agency is nominated on this "best of greater phoenix" website and she looks so legit, can someone please take a look at her website? I posted the link in my last message. I really do want an honest opinion, and I appreciate the responses, I just want to be 100% sure because it is so hard to find an agent in my area.
Posts: 83 | Location: ARIZONA | Registered: February 17, 2008
Will she ONLY sign you if you take her class? If that is the case I'd stay away. I did look at her website and it didn't tell me much. Find out if her clients are working and for whom. That matters more than what the websitge looks like. I know it's hard in a small market, but you still have to be careful. Good luck.
Posts: 434 | Location: nyc | Registered: January 02, 2008
I agree with not blond, if signing on is tied in with taking the course, I would run. If not, I would sign on but not take the class just yet and give her a chance to prove herself.
You can look on the SAG website to see if that agency is affiliated with SAG. That is usually a good sign. I would check that as well.
Posts: 87 | Location: Pittsburgh | Registered: October 07, 2007
Well, I have no life, so I took a few minutes to look into it. The website looks very professional. The talent you can see, if those are, indeed, actual talent represented by the agency, have very good, professional pictures. You have to call the agency to get access to view their talent, which to me is a sign of legitimacy. It says that they represent both union and non-union talent; I did not see that they are listed with either SAG or AFTRA, but perhaps they may still submit talent for union jobs without having a union franchise. I'm not sure how that works.
Under the Babies link you'll find the following:
quote:
Deborah Maddox Agency currently maintains a "Baby Book." There are no up-front fees to have your child in our Baby Book. We take a 10% to 20% commission, when your child lands a job.
If you are interested in placing your child in our book, please send the following, via US Postal Service. Please follow the directions carefully.
Please send: 5 (Five) current snapshots of your child. On the back of each photo put the child's name, date of birth and the date the photo was taken. On a separate piece of paper, include the following:
* Child's Name * Date of Birth * Height and Weight * Clothing Size * Parent's Name * Address * All Contact Phone Numbers and Email Address
Send updated photos every five months. ALL submissions are non-returnable
*You will only hear from an agency representative when a client has expressed interest in your child. Thank you
Assuming, aside from the baby book, that the same applies to adults, those rates are standard: 10% for union work, 20% for print, and somewhere in the middle for non-union work, I surmise.
Nothing comes up when you search them on easybackgroundcheck.com, ripoffreport.com, or when you Google "maddox agency" together with "scam."
Provided that the workshop is optional, as you stated, I conclude it's legit. Also, see what your options are. Is freelancing an possibility?
Posts: 265 | Location: NYC area | Registered: September 24, 2006
Originally posted by Iceman: I say stay away. They ask for money, just walk away.
If there is a better single answer to your dilemma than this one watermellon seed, I have yet to hear it. Paying an agent even one penny for any reason before they actually book you anything is walking the thin line between LEGITIMATE and full out SCAM.
Agency representation (be they union or not) and acting classes are two distinct and separate entities. You'd be wise to keep them that way.
Do you know anyone represented by this agency? There's nothing like firsthand experience from a trusted source to go by.
On second thought, if you have ANY qualms (about anything, and not just this agency), just stay away. If you're at all worried, maybe your instinct is telling you something. Instinct kicks in for a reason.
Posts: 265 | Location: NYC area | Registered: September 24, 2006
I would venture to guess that, once you take the classes, she would then tell you you're ready for headshots. OH! And let's not forget about being on her site for "X" amount per year.
I'm not all that familiar with the West Coast, but is there actually a market in Scottsdale AZ and in New Mexico??????
Posts: 297 | Location: NYC | Registered: July 13, 2005
Originally posted by Iceman: I say stay away. They ask for money, just walk away.
If there is a better single answer to your dilemma than this one watermellon seed, I have yet to hear it. Paying an agent even one penny for any reason before they actually book you anything is walking the thin line between LEGITIMATE and full out SCAM.
Agency representation (be they union or not) and acting classes are two distinct and separate entities. You'd be wise to keep them that way.
when my 11 yr old son was 4 or 5 we had a meeting with a mng co named New talent management group, they were intrested but said if he didnt take thier 'how to go on an aud class' they wouldnt sign him so we decided not to sign with them. Heres the dilema, they are considered a good mng co from what ive heard they signed ashley tisdale when she was 3 and she still is with them so whos to say this agency you are looking at is not legit? Although it does usually raise a red flag when you are asked to spend any kind of $$$$ for class or pics thru the agency or co. Have you looked on the bbb.org? Or do you know anyone that is with this agency?
Posts: 343 | Location: new jersey | Registered: January 26, 2008
My first instinct is to avoid her. But since you're in a smaller market, I know the details of protocol can differ and perhaps she isn't intentionally breaking any rules. If she isn't requiring you to take the workshop, it's possible she is just naive. I had a manager--once early on--who tried to get me to do various workshops but when I said I didn't want to/couldn't afford to she was fine with it. She even paid for me to do one with a CD she really wanted me to meet. So the main thing is to be sure it isn't required for representation.
If you want to sign with her, which it sound like you do, you absolutely should contact your state officals and check to be sure she is licensed! Here is a link to the AZ attorney general's office. Check out the article--it says complaints about service providers and businesses such as TALENT AGENTS are plentiful in your state. That gives me--and should give you--pause. Contact the department and ask what kind of license agents in AZ need to practice, and check whether the Maddox Agency has such a license. If not, walk away--fast. http://www.azag.gov/message.html
