I see these guys post on Craigslist and on google ads. All you had to do was answer a couple questions and submit a photo (optional), and someone would call you within the next couple of days. The "optional" to submit a photo should have raised a red flag right there, but I just submitted my stuff to see what would happen and went on my merry way.

A couple days later, I got a call from One Source Talent, saying they wanted to meet me. I decided, "why not?" I can always say no. First of all, I had NO idea that when I would get there there would already be 30 or so people waiting in a big room to see someone from One Source Talent. I had nothing else to do Saturday, so I waited in the room... for a rather long time. In the room there were comp cards of One Source's success stories. These Success stories were of people who had the "Ideal Next Top Model Look" and probably would have gotten successful without One Source. Eventually, after probably an hour or so of waiting, they randomly called out people for individual "interviews" and when I went they asked me to come back on Monday with some snapshots. I said "ok. So, I went back on Monday. My appointment was actually for 11 AM, but they said to get there early. I did. Didn't really matter though, as I waited for 30 mins to an hour to even see anyone. While I was waiting, a client was waiting for his month follow up interview. I asked him if they booked him for any major work during his first month. He said nothing and that it was mainly his fault because he was not submitting himself, when OneSource is supposed to submit you. I asked what kind of work did he see on his Onesource site. He mentioned a lot of reality shows and extra work that you can find for free on Craigslist. Finally, this woman asked me into an office, and then asked me a few questions before taking my photo portfolio.

She took my portfolio, walked out, and came back 10 or so minutes later and said "We think you're marketable, and we want to work with you. We even have a casting for you for an independent film on Wednesday." (Funny how I might get a casting right away for an independent film since earlier when they were "interviewing" me I had said I thought it would be interesting to work on an independent film.) Before telling me anything about the supposed casting, other than it was at 4 pm on Wed at their office (also funny), she whips out this sheet of paper that she wants me to sign.

In hindsight, it looked quite unprofessional for a contract, but the most important thing was that in the second or third bullet point down there was a clause stating that I was to pay $395 for a "digital comp card" along with the $29.95 they requested for monthly fees. When I said that they had made no reference to a $395 fee at the Saturday interview, she told me they had, almost in a sort of "yes, they did and you are insane" tone of voice.

When I asked which specific agencies and casting directors does OneSource work with, she was stumped and said, "we work with many, many, many agencies and casting directors." I also asked if there were any success stories of average looking people like myself because all of the success stories on the site and the wall were people who were the ideal model look or a really cute kid. She failed to answer the question and provide examples of average looking people finding success through onesource.

I left with an unsigned contract.

There were several things about this place that bothered me:

1) They asked me to pay this money up front. They said it was for a "digital comp card," which is basically a space on their webpage with a few pictures on it. I could make one myself if I wanted to in perhaps 10 minutes and for far cheaper than $395. That bit doesn't really matter, the part that worried me is that they were asking me to shell out a big sum of money without any guarantees that it would lead to a job. I have yet to hear of a legit company that's in the business of finding clients modeling or acting jobs that doesn't work on commission. Real agencies only get paid when they find you work. One Source Talent said that they're not "a modeling agency," and that "don't work on commission," but if they don't, what motive or ability do they have to find me work?

2) They were saying that they were going to set up this "digital comp card" without me getting professional photos. They also highly recommended that I use their photographer.

3) Everyone who came in for an interview that I saw walk out the door walked out with a folder that seemed to signify they'd been signed with One Source Talent. No matter what they looked like.

4) The place came across as being entirely unprofessional. No one should have to wait for close to an hour for a scheduled appointment. Even the worst doctor I've been to wasn't that bad. And there was no one telling the people waiting that things were going to take longer than we'd initially planned. It's just odd that on this sheet I got for my second "interview" they were saying how important punctuality is, and how you should arrive at least 15 mins prior to your appointment, when they were making us wait an hour to even see someone! It also didn't look like there was a single person working there over 30. There is nothing wrong with workers who are in their 20s, but it's a little strange when you go into a business and it doesn't appear that a single person there has been working for more than a couple years.

I went home and looked on the internet to see if I could find out anything about this company. I found report after report of people spending money for services they didn't get or employees not getting paid for work they did.

My conclusion: there are better (and more effective) ways to get into modeling or acting than through this "agency." I feel lucky that I didn't sign anything and give it to them. I get the idea that many people have, only to find out later that they were ripped off.

Yes, they are a HUGE scam. I went to this same meeting a few years back, and the girl who interviewed me told me all about how becoming successful through One Source Talent put her through NYU blah, blah, blah.

The second I saw the fee I was like "Uh, what exactly is this for?" And she said something like "Its to keep you in our system with the proper marketing tools."

I was like, are you kidding me? Four hundred bucks just for you to upload my picture and stats into your "system?" Peace out.

http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/onesourcetalent.html

I was cleaning out my room and found some paperwork from One Source. In addition to charging over $400 and a monthly $30 fee, they charge ridiculous prices to use their photographer.

$395-2 Looks
$595 4 Looks
$895 6 Looks

I got 6 looks for just $375 from a VERY legit photographer that was mentioned in Judy Kerr's Acting is Everything and featured in the Reproductions book.

SCAM O' RAMA!

The funny thing now EL is your going to see a lot more of them scammers pop up now. It's a desperation now to get money. They've sent me emails once or twice. I try to unscribe and they still manage to get to me. lol !!! I say don't waste that energy on them.

Just to add to the table - before I knew ANYTHING about acting and modeling, I filled something out for OneSource just cause it seemed interesting... I got called in (2 days as well), but luckily I had enough common sense to realize it's a scam. Now that I looked into acting and know quite a bit about it, this seems like a scam in even more ways...

One Source Talent is soooooo fake!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who posted this. I found the same add on craigslist.. but since I apply to so many thing throughout the week I really didn't know who I was talking. I was suppose to go in for an appointment tonight at 7pm which is odd... but what got me was that the girl who called to confirm said that I would be getting a poloroid picture taken for their data base, I have had a real agent before, all though he was crap he was still real, and you don't go in any kind of data base, that is what you need your headshots and zed cards for... so I got online and did some fishing and surpise surpise I found a page full of scams, but check it out.. to all my fellow actors and models, I know a super great photographer who has great rates, he charges $150 for two or three looks, don't know how much for actual headshots to be made, but if you would like his info just email me let me know you are looking for a photographer and I will forward his information, best shoot I ever had... lifeofavirgo@hotmail.com thx!

LOL Too funny, the lady that called me sounded real ghetto and unprofessional. She was super fast to ram an appointment down my throat. I'm so glad I google'd the company and found this page. Thanks everyone!!!

Yay message board! Yay google!!
Love to see it helping people...

Oh my Goodness they just called me today and I asked them if they will charge me money. They said Absolutely not. I had a feeling they seemed like a scam over the phone when they didn't even know my name, which I thought it was strange since they contacted me.

Thank you guys/girls soooo much!!!!! I was seriously going to go to my appt on Saturday and read this stuff!!!! I appreciate it that yall did this!!! :-) It helps alot!!! Yea anyone else who reads this dont go to them!! They were telling me the EXACTLY same thing over the phone!!

I was with them when I first moved out here. I was anxious and a little bit naive. Scratch that, a lot naive. I wasted a lot of my had earned money on these jerks, and they basically just blow a lot of smoke up people's ass. They make you use their photographer who sucked, and it was such a waste of time and money. DO NOT even go into a meeting with them! They're ridiculous.

You know its funny to see all these ignorant people who say that this company is a scam just because they ask for money for providing a service, so if you went to the doctor for an appointment and they tried to charge you for their time when it was over you would call them a scammer and go bash them on the net? what a joke, and i'm sorry but anyone who is serious about acting or modeling knows that comp cards and portfolios are a requirement for the industry. You all are just a bunch of broke wanna be actors and models that never really have a chance in the industry and your taking it out on the one company that may give some scrub like you a chance to be an extra in some shitty movie that you don't deserve to be in to begin with.

quote:

Originally posted by HaZaRdOuZ:
You know its funny to see all these ignorant people who say that this company is a scam just because they ask for money for providing a service, so if you went to the doctor for an appointment and they tried to charge you for their time when it was over you would call them a scammer and go bash them on the net? what a joke, and i'm sorry but anyone who is serious about acting or modeling knows that comp cards and portfolios are a requirement for the industry. You all are just a bunch of broke wanna be actors and models that never really have a chance in the industry and your taking it out on the one company that may give some scrub like you a chance to be an extra in some shitty movie that you don't deserve to be in to begin with.

What a dumb analogy!

YOU are clearly ignorant about this business!

First off, anyone in this industry who claims to act like an agent and asks for advanced fees of $500 with a $40/month recurring fee is a HUGE SCAM! NO serious casting directors work with One Source! Agents cost NOTHING upfront!

Yes, headshots are important for acting and comp cards are important but the fact that they push a certain photographer is a huge RED FLAG as well. It is illegal for someone to push a certain photographer. A list is okay, but NOT ONE, especially one who has gotten nothing but complaints.

actually i work directly with this business and they don't push any one photographer, actually you can hire your own and bring in your own portfolio for them to use so whoever said you had to use their photographer is an idiot, and they never claimed to be an agent, actually they directly say they are not an agent, they are a casting company which is why they charge a fee. so how about you get your facts straight then come back here and spew some more ill tempered nonsense.

Just wanted to add that since the first post on this thread, California has passed a new law that would directly regulate One Source Talent and the other businesses like them.

The new law prohibits any representation from charging an upfront fee (no matter whether they call themselves an agent, a 'casting company", or Mickey Mouse).

Other businesses are also regulated...talent training services, talent listing services, etc. They must have certain language in their contracts, give refunds, post a $50K bond (so if they rip you off, you can get your money back), etc. Basically, anyone who charges you money up front is now going to have to advertise honestly and jump through some major hoops.

And since we are talking about how the industry REALLY works, lets note that this new law was sponsored by a unique partnership of all the major players in the industry---all the studios, SAG, AFTRA, etc. Along with the BBB and a boatload of law enforcement.
THOSE are the people who know how the industry REALLY works. And they are sick of dealing with the scammers.

This law was meant to give a clear message of how the industry REALLY works--and it doesn't involve upfront fees to actors.

I wonder if One Source has complied with the new law. Gee, ya think?

For more about the new law, also known as AB1319, you can check the SAG website:
http://www.sag.org/ab-1319

A
P.S. Edited to add: The first poster above talked about OneSource submitting for them. Please note that whether or not a business CALLS themselves an agency, in CA it is illegal for anyone outside of a licensed talent agent to procure work. So if they are claiming to submit for you, they better have a talent agency license and they are regulated by the Talent Agency Act. It's not what they call themselves, it is what they are actually doing that counts. You can't just say you are "not an agency" or "we're just a manager". And thanks to the new law, that has been clarified.