Hello,
I've been researching CD workshop and workshop companies. I've noticed some have membership fees and elaborate audition processes, while others don't. Would anyone be so kind as to provide some information regarding their experiences? For example, CDs to definitely see, ones to avoid, whether or not the membership fees are worth it, and if anyone ever actually doesn't make it through the audition process. All info will be greatly appreciated. I've already done a search and read through the posts, but the majority of them are for the NYC area and I'm in Hollywood.
Thanks,
bookme

Edited to add P.S.: If you'd prefer to PM me to maintain confidentiality I'd understand, and to repay you all for the great advice I've read here I will consolidate all responses, sanitize them for anonymity and post back so other readers can reference this thread if they start to workshop.

Probably the three most reputable places to go for Casting Director workshops are:

-Reelpros

-Casting Network (that place by the Studio City Samuel French)

-TVI

They all require auditions which they should. I think it's dishonest when one allows someone with just money and is unfit to seriously audition in front of the CD.

Thanks, Eldorado, and I completely agree with respect to the audition. One thing I was curious about, though, was whether or not anyone who auditions is ever denied.

I recently attended one audition, and out of over a dozen actors there ahead of me, all came out having been accepted. I also asked some of them if they'd seen anyone not be accepted while they were there waiting, and none of them had.

If the audition is intended to keep a certain standard of performance then it should stand to reason that some would be denied. If not, it doesn't weed out anyone and just seems to be for show.

Any other info?

Thanks,
bookme

I don't think these places are all that stringent... or are really that resposible for being so. Even TVI isn't really trying to turn people away. I talked to a guy in the NYC office about a class that was supposed to be audition only, and after seeing I wasn't so green and learning I'd have to come all the way from Philly for the audition, he said just forward my headshot and res and that would be fine (I didn't take the class by the way).

The Network NYC has an approach I like. You audition, but it's not to perpetrate some illusion of exclusivity (and believe me, it IS an illusion). They see your work and look at your headshot/res, and then try to steer you towards seminars and classes that are in your lane. One girl on this board totally raved about them and got me interested. She said after a year of coming up empty handed somewhere else, she tried them. The guy told her straight up not to bother with a Gersh agent at that point in her career, but DID point her towards some more suitable matches. Within three seminars, she had success. That, to me, is a much more valuable service.

TVI has been considerably more expensive than others in NYC in the past. Possibly that has changed now but do your homework and shop price. Many of the casting directors teach at more than one location. In the past you could transfer a TVI membership between NY and LA but you still need to shop price in the first place.

I've done a few CD workshops around LA, and none has ever charged a membership fee. You just pay for the events you choose to go to; usually around $45/night. I like the fact that many places require auditions; I think it maintains a level of professionalism, if not exclusivity. So far, my favorite workshop company is Act Now because I like that they offer workshops that last 3-4 weeks, rather than only 1 night. You really feel like you're forming a relationship with the casting director, rather than just meeting them once. As far as WHICH casting directors to see--well, that totally depends on you: your type, your level of experience, what type of work you are looking to get. You can focus on CD's who mostly do features, or indies, or commercials, or network shows... Check the websites of workshop companies that you are researching to see who they have coming in soon. Then look those CD's up on IMDb and see what types of projects they cast. One more thing: you can easily try one workshop with one company and if you don't like the way it's run, move on to another. You're not locked in.

I know that TVI does not denie everyone. But the 'career consultant' wouldn't allow actors to register for a class whom he/she thinks the actor is not ready yet. (Not in Lonni Delane's case. Lonni is experienced Actor! )

For example, someone with no acting experience and any training will not be able to sign up for class with Mark Teschner or Marisa Ross.

But yeah, they are considered very expensive compare to other places... (But they have reduced their class price recently)

They have these 1 day 'workshop' sessions that I think, anyone can sign up....

As far as New York area, I do agree that The NetworkNYC is more approachable, and friendly... Plus they have been putting together combination classes and seminars that offer actors a more dymatic learning curve.

I'm going to list the LA-based CD Workshop Companies that I know here. Everyone feel free to check them out and provide feedbacks:

The Actor's Network (require membership)
Actor Site (require membership)
Reel Pros
Act Now Network
Casting Network
Talent To Go (require membership)
TVI Studios (Optional membership)
AIA Studios
Actors Collective
Actor's Creative Workshop

Warning re TVI STUDIOS - even though the teachers and classes may be great, please read...

I want to bring to your attention an unsound business practice at TVI Studio.

Many students who are studying the 8 week program pay $3345.

Then, when they are given their schedule
(which differs greatly from the sample schedule on TVI website - http://www.tvistudios.com/shor...hp?action=schedule),

the cost of the course only comes to $2325, i.e. they are mostly given all the track classes (at $275 each for 4 weeks) and then a basic acting class ($175) & a scene study class ($325 for 8 weeks).

I have the experience of buying a car sight unseen, needing to sign a contract before I even see the car, then coming to the car yard to pick it up and seeing the same cars for sale at $1,000 less.

Many students are too scared to even discuss this with TVI. I have discussed this with TVI and taken them to court as they choose to continue this business practice. If you a student in a similar situation, please email or post.

I originally recommended TVI. I retract that statement. They're ridiculously overpriced. When you got that yearly membership, you used to be able to attend the casting director workshops for free. Now they're charging money on top of that. NOT COOL! Also, they have anyone you wouldn't meet at cheaper places like Reelpros or network studios.

Also, AIA is the Dolph Lundgren version of TVI.

You guys are killing me...if you're BREATHING, you are welcome in any CD workshop. Give me a break.

Knowngangmember,

Believe it or not, I actually did find someone not accepted by one of these companies. It's a shame because, truth be told, he's quite talented so must've had an off day or something. Regardless, he felt his rejection, and the subsequent referral, by them, to several classes was a sign of a scam so never followed through.

I was just hoping to find out, aside from the brag / message boards used to sell these companies, how many of my fellow actors have actually gained traction via their investment in these workshops, and, of those, with which CDs / agents have they been called to meet with. If we know that then perhaps we can more easily discern which guests are actually worth the investment and are truly interested in it as a venue through which to meet new talent, and which are just making the rounds in the workshop circuit for the (from what I've been told, rather measily) stipend.

Thanks,
bookme

PS I am so disheartened by the TVI experiences recounted in these responses. What was the outcome of the court case? Also, prior to filing, what was their justification / response? Sounds like their practices are beyond wrong, and border on evil and exploitive. I hope you got your money back, kaz5.

I am always looking for a way to get in front of CD's and I've been to a lot of different workshop places. I've recently discovered The Industry Alliance. They're fairly new, but they're really lovely people. It's run by two actors and they're prices are some of the cheapest in town. Check them out at www.theindustryalliance.com.
I personally have been called in several times by meeting casting people there.