Ok this is my first time posting.
I am represented by MZA Michael Zanuck for theatrical only and audition and luckily book alot. I am with origin for commercials who is easily one of the best commercial agencies out there. I audition at least 3 to 5 times a week.

I am telling you the truth when I moved here 4 years ago from NYC I met with Zanuck and I had great pics and a good resume of all NY shows co star and guest star and he never told me to get new pics.
He never told me to go to acting classes.
He never did any of the stuff you guys say on here.
I think what happens is people move here not ready and are non union or sag with hardly any credits and have no training.
Michael must have a meeting with them and say you need new pics you must get some training figuring if he gets the right shots he can throw something up against the wall and see if it sticks. He probably did get a kickback from the photographers oh well if the actors came to la ready with credits and training with the right headshots that couldn't happen or at least it shouldn't happen.
By the way I was with Venture IAB with Todd Justice 2 years ago who is a great theatrical agent and as soon as he left Venture he went to be a manager at Marshak Zachary and alot of us working guys moved to new agencies or back to our old ones sicne he could only bring like 20 clients and the management was going for much younger looking clients 18-early 20's .
I called up Michael and he took me right back at MZA within 2 days of going back I auditioned for my name is earl and booked it and michael laughed and said sorry I took so long to get you an audition. I am very happy and just shot a Nice Guest Star on without a trace as well as My name is Earl and a couple films.
The reason I am posting is because I see all the bad posts about Michael and I just haven't seen it from him he has never ever done it to me.
I also read here that casting directors like Michael Zanuck alot and that seems to be true because I am a New Yorker and don't pull any punches and I have asked over 20 different CD's out here and they all say they love Michael and he always sends the right actors all the time for the job.
I just had to say my peace and I am sorry that Michael has such a bad rep hopefully at the new agency since leaving Melissa and Jerry at dedicated it looks like things are going great for him.

Sorry so long.
"Just my 2 Cents"

Jimmy D

you must be Michael Zanuck.

about a ton or so people did get the type of experience they spoke of.

Hi Michael!

Of course if you're not, the kickback schemes are NOT rumors. They are fact. Michael obviously doesn't do it to everyone. If he did, he'd get shut down right away. He doesn't push certain photographers and classes on people like you because he needs people like you to back him up and say that he's never made you use his photographer or his classes.

Origin? I've never heard of them. They're NOT up there with KSR, Commercial Talent, CESD, Diverse or Abrams.

Jimmy D? really?

I believe you are quite wrong about MZA. My research shows them to be pretty good, according to numerous sources I have quoted here:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...=494107252#494107252

quote:

Originally posted by BackstagePass:
I believe you are quite wrong about MZA. My research shows them to be pretty good, according to numerous sources I have quoted here:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...=494107252#494107252

Rack off, shill.

Another intelligent factual reply there full of evidence for this apparent witch hunt.

BackstagePass,

I got this in a PM - I'd like to take the credit for the research but I can't. Regardless, please address these observations as they echo my own suspicions:

I found it odd, but not surprising, to find that one Message Board contributor had written numerous posts this morning defending Michael Zanuck. It's especially odd that the person, who calls themselves "BackstagePass", has only posted 18 comments, and that 8 of them were in defense of Zanuck, and says that Zanuck isn't even his agent. Methinks he doth protest too much. (It's even more odd that BackstagePass has "NY" as their location, and that several of their other posts were about defending the rights of non-U.S.-citizens to work in Hollywood.)

Thanks, Michael!

So I don't really know much about this agent. But yesterday I was looking through some stuff on imdb. I came across this lady with quite a few credits. She had a long list of credits and some on big,well known movies/shows. Now Obviously she wasn't in these movies as a principle because I have never heard of her. If you clicked on her "more detailed resume" she has these movies, etc. and as her role it says "supporting". It really just looks like a bunch of extra work. In her pictures section, a lot of them are her with random people. Others look like snapshots. The whole profile just looked a bit weird and unprofessional. Then I looked at her representation and it was Michael Zanuck. I remembered people talking about it...just thought I'd share

quote:

Originally posted by BackstagePass:
Another intelligent factual reply there full of evidence for this apparent witch hunt.

Blah blah BLAH. God, it gets so TIRESOME.

I am SO tired of shills who think everyone is gullible enough to believe them.

Look. An actor who's not represented by a particular agent, but has merely heard a few good things about them in passing from a friend or two, would NOT come on a message board and post 8 messages in defense of that agent. Maybe ONE post saying "A friend of mine is with that agency and seems to like it," but not 8 posts in a row INSISTING the agency is good. Why on earth would you so passionately defend an agent you supposedly have had no personal experience with? It's ridiculous.

And if your friends are repped by MZA and love it, why aren't THEY posting here?

I love that you all think I'm involved with MZA somehow. This just reaffirms to be how wrong some people here get things. I am not... but then I would say that wouldn't I? Ahahah. How can I possibly defend myself when you people are determined not to take anyone defending them as honest?? I am not the first to defend them here, and won't be the last - yet everyone gets shot down when they do.

My reasons for doing so are as I said, and particularly as I am a very loyal friend, and even more because one of my absolute pet hates which frustrates and infuriates me more than anything, is people talking rubbish on Internet forums, based on no actual evidence. I am almost tempted to offer a $1000 reward for anyone that can actually show a single shred of actual evidence of anything at all wrong with MZA. I don't mean 'he asked me to wash my hands' or 'he said my photos weren't good' or 'I had one audition through him' or 'he is based out of central LA' or 'he used to be with a bad agency although he isn't any more' (surely that's a good thing!), I mean something actually bad that no other agent, big or small, would ever do. I see ZERO evidence like this, just a witch hunt and name-calling.

Again, conveniently, instead of actually giving a single credible shred of evidence of how MZA are doing a single thing wrong, here and now in Nov 2009, people are attacking me for making - shock horror - 8 message board posts! The nearest evidence I have read here, is that someone had some supporting roles and photos that looked like snapshots (!) and that they were with MZA. What on earth does that mean to anyone?! The quality of someone's camera is directly linked to how reputable their acting agent is?! At least she had booked a lot of supporting roles as the other poster said... through MZA. Where's the scam in that? 100s of agents don't even achieve that for their actors. It sounds like another vote of support for MZA. Google is your friend - you'll find many other actors getting good work through MZA. I found one who is a regular feature on Desperate Housewives and proudly lists MZA as their agent on their website. Another's wikipedia page says what a staunch supporter they are of MZA - they worked for a long time on General Hospital in a leading role. This is what I call "EVIDENCE".

And I also don't understand why one poster feels it's weird that I have other posts defending non-US citizens rights to work in the USA, when I am in NY. Is that really the limit of the intelligence here that leads to this witch hunt? Hello! I live in NY and AM a non-citizen. Non-citizens can be legal residents you know, even in NY! I am originally from Sydney. Not so ridiculous now huh? More ridiculous would be Michael Zanuck himself posting as I have, about being a non-citizen living in NY. AFAIK he is based in LA and isn't here on a visa from Sydney! I really don't get your point, sorry. I am genuine, you are confused, particularly about MZA.

I will continue to defend when I see as subject that involves and affects a close friend of mine's career, and which is clearly a witch hunt with no actual relevant reason behind it.

As for why they don't post here, surely you don't think every busy working actor is a member of Internet forums like this? They're too busy out there booking jobs, and yes... they're with MZA.

This is one side of the argument, and it is genuine. If you want to discuss further, send me a PM with your number and I'll try to give you a call although I am in Brisbane now with the time difference. It'll soon become obvious to you that I am 100% unconnected to MZA.

Like I said, I just hate speculation, hearsay and tittle-tattle. But carry on if you must.

Ok, I really hate chiming in on these kinds of threads, because it's useless, but I'm gonna try and throw a bit of logical evidence in, then BackstagePass can make another reason why it's stupid, but beforehand, I'm posting a random internet meme picture.

MZA is awesome? Here are the top 10 clients from MZA (based on Star Meter, which I know isn't worth much). This isn't to say anything based on their talent, strictly the amount of work they've been getting:

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm3063759/
Fairly busy the last 2 years, mostly video shorts or uncredited parts.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0446485/
One video in 2009. Nothing since 1994.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0039149/
A short, and a video in 2009. Previous was 06. A few episodes here and there.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0115663/
Movie in 2005. Appearance as self in 2008.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0960770/
Two stunts, 2 episodes, and 1 uncredited actress in film since 07.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0599719/
Two episodes, a short, and two roles since 07.
(Did land a great stint on Enterprise though; although I don't know who represented him then.)

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0517638/
Somewhat busy, mostly in videos. Also repped at a modeling agency.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm2869655/
4 episodes in 09, nothing since 2002.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm1507447/
A few things in recent years; small or uncredited parts.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm1273864/
This one's been fairly busy.

The list goes on with a whole lot of uncredited, or video shorts, or hasn't worked in a while type stuff. And that's all fine and dandy. Like I said, if the actors are happy with the representation they are receiving, more power to them.

Sure, MZA -can- get some work. Not tons, but some. Enough to keep some people legitimately defending him. Hopefully he gives up trying to get more clients for the time being and just works on making the clients he has more amazing and marketable. Get them work and build up a list of actors with awesome resumes, THEN try to convince people how legit you are.

But it doesn't matter. Far too many people I've met have had either bad experiences with kick-back type stuff, or never getting sent out (and then switching agencies and using the same shots that were "unusable" to MZA but getting work); there's too many bad stories. And this comes from people who are much more trustworthy than random forum visitors with only a few posts who -strangely- only seem to post on subjects defending an organization they don't even have any connection with.

So, in closing, maybe MZA is legit to a few, but too many people feel (and know) he is not. If you enjoy his agency so much, awesome BackstagePass. But his visible and known reputation should speak more about him than relying on random people on the internet making sure the people of the Backstage Forums know about the conspiracy of hate against anything related to Michael Zanuck, past or present.

To both your overzealous protection of him due to your hate of "speculation, hearsay and tittle-tattle", and to our desire (myself included) to comment/debate/argue with random possible shills and strangers on the interwebs, I leave you with this:



And also this, for good measure.



Good day. *tips hat*

In the interest of gently walking us back toward sanity, a few reminders:

1) This is a discussion board. What we say here is of little actual impact on the world. A "witch hunt" is usually aimed at professionally or socially destroying someone. During the Salem Witch trials, women were killed. During the Black List, people lost their livelihoods. This is just a discussion on a message board. We're just talking. Michael Zanuck's life will not be affected either way, so let's relax.

2) With the exception of Jackie, Jim, me and maybe a few others, posters on this board have chosen to remain anonymous. Skepticism is a natural byproduct of anonymity. If we don't know who you are, we don't know where you're coming from or whether we can trust what you say.

3) As with many groups, people who've been involved for a longer time tend to be more trusted more than those who haven't. Suspicion of newcomers happens in neighborhoods, churches, organizations and offices, and all the more so on line, where the oldtimers can't see the newcomer's face or know his name.

4) In the universe, this discussion is small.

quote:

Originally posted by actorpat:
Ok, I really hate chiming in on these kinds of threads, because it's useless, but I'm gonna try and throw a bit of logical evidence in, then BackstagePass can make another reason why it's stupid, but beforehand, I'm posting a random internet meme picture.

MZA is awesome? Here are the top 10 clients from MZA (based on Star Meter, which I know isn't worth much). This isn't to say anything based on their talent, strictly the amount of work they've been getting:

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm3063759/
Fairly busy the last 2 years, mostly video shorts or uncredited parts.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0446485/
One video in 2009. Nothing since 1994.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0039149/
A short, and a video in 2009. Previous was 06. A few episodes here and there.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0115663/
Movie in 2005. Appearance as self in 2008.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0960770/
Two stunts, 2 episodes, and 1 uncredited actress in film since 07.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0599719/
Two episodes, a short, and two roles since 07.
(Did land a great stint on Enterprise though; although I don't know who represented him then.)

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm0517638/
Somewhat busy, mostly in videos. Also repped at a modeling agency.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm2869655/
4 episodes in 09, nothing since 2002.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm1507447/
A few things in recent years; small or uncredited parts.

http://www.pro.imdb.com/name/nm1273864/
This one's been fairly busy.

The list goes on with a whole lot of uncredited, or video shorts, or hasn't worked in a while type stuff. And that's all fine and dandy. Like I said, if the actors are happy with the representation they are receiving, more power to them.

Sure, MZA -can- get some work. Not tons, but some. Enough to keep some people legitimately defending him. Hopefully he gives up trying to get more clients for the time being and just works on making the clients he has more amazing and marketable. Get them work and build up a list of actors with awesome resumes, THEN try to convince people how legit you are.

But it doesn't matter. Far too many people I've met have had either bad experiences with kick-back type stuff, or never getting sent out (and then switching agencies and using the same shots that were "unusable" to MZA but getting work); there's too many bad stories. And this comes from people who are much more trustworthy than random forum visitors with only a few posts who -strangely- only seem to post on subjects defending an organization they don't even have any connection with.

So, in closing, maybe MZA is legit to a few, but too many people feel (and know) he is not. If you enjoy his agency so much, awesome BackstagePass. But his visible and known reputation should speak more about him than relying on random people on the internet making sure the people of the Backstage Forums know about the conspiracy of hate against anything related to Michael Zanuck, past or present.

To both your overzealous protection of him due to your hate of "speculation, hearsay and tittle-tattle", and to our desire (myself included) to comment/debate/argue with random possible shills and strangers on the interwebs, I leave you with this:



And also this, for good measure.



Good day. *tips hat*

LULZ!!!