Hi all,

I’m new at this so please keep that in mind if the questions I’m about to ask seem rather naïve or just downright stupid.

I’ve been unemployed for a while and I haven’t been able to get a job– I even signed up for four employment agencies and they either didn't contact me and those that did had me running in circles.

So I saw an advert on craigslist with actorsreps.com and I figured that I might as well give it a go.

Here’s my dilemma, I’m not at all experienced in this field, I’ve never done work as an extra before, I’ve never been in a commercial and I have never acted before.

Also, I suffer from mild dyslexia and I know that I cannot do a “cold reading” without stumbling multiple times with the text unless I absolutely know the text and even then I’m not 100% sure when it comes to actual reading. According to the craigslist ad, “You MUST come in for an interview to be considered” but the actorsreps website says, “You must audition at one of our offices before filling out an application.” Is it an interview or an audition?
Also...should I mention the dyslexia or not?

I actually did a search for “actors reps” on this forum before posting this and some people here seem to feel that it is an okay place but others seem to feel it is a scam. I saw an article on the AssociatedContent website that listed nycasting and actorsreps as reputable and well-known companies. Can anyone with some current or previous Actors Reps experience offer me some advice?

I don’t have a headshot – would I need one if I were looking for work as an extra? Can I just take a photo of myself in black and white and use that as a headshot?

I’m sorry if these seem like a lot of questions but I’m new at this and a little scared.

actors reps do non union extra work, it pays 40 - 75 dollars a day.

you dont need a headshot. they just call you.

they DO run this scam where they get you to use their own expensive photog, and it is very expensive for no reason. they share the profit.

and their interview is a joke, you read a paragraph so they know you speak english. That's it.

quote:

Originally posted by Worthlesss:
actors reps do non union extra work, it pays 40 - 75 dollars a day.

you dont need a headshot. they just call you.

they DO run this scam where they get you to use their own expensive photog, and it is very expensive for no reason. they share the profit.

Thank you - I appreciate the response! I'm new at this and more worried than calm about it. After being unemployed for a while - I felt that maybe I should take a different road and that's when I came across the ad in craigslist (one of those - maybe God is trying to tell me something moments).

So how do I avoid the expensive photo session with their own photographer? Can I simply say "no" and still use their services? I'm unemployed at the present and I don't have $200.00 on a photo - heck, I don't even have $40.00 I could spend on a photo.

Thanks.

I'm new here as well. I have a friend who basically makes a living off of doing extra work. He's not apart of SAG and sayts he saves alot of money this way. I don't even think he has headshots or anything. He gets lucky when he calls into the office to see if they have any work available or they will call him.

Vic, there aren't any really stupid questions in life. I'm actually going over to this office for an interview/audition tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. They WILL NOT force me to use their photographer for new headshots. The ones I have are just fine. Oh, and about the dyslexia...you are not the first actor who they will have seen who has it. Just do your best & be up front with them.

quote:

Originally posted by raggedyannedoll317:
Vic, there aren't any really stupid questions in life. I'm actually going over to this office for an interview/audition tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. They WILL NOT force me to use their photographer for new headshots. The ones I have are just fine. Oh, and about the dyslexia...you are not the first actor who they will have seen who has it. Just do your best & be up front with them.

Thanks for the response - Good Luck tomorrow and Please let me know how your experience is (with them).

I've worked for Actors Reps on a number of occasions. My experience has been positive.

The bit about the paragraph is accurate. It seems that they really only want to see if you can speak comfortably. If you are dyslexic and have some compensating strategies (such as having someone read it to you so you can memorize it), ask if you can do that. Some of the people there can seem a little abrupt or gruff, but they really are OK. They are in a competitive business and everyone is hustling to make a living. Ask for Jen or Britt at the front desk.

They will probably start you off with audience work on cable gameshows. I did a bit of this for them and got some featured extra work on Law and Order SVU in return. Even made it into the opening shot on last year's finale.

Payment takes a while sometimes, but I've always been paid for the work I have done in the time frame that I've been promised. No hassles, no nonsense. Ask whem you will be paid and mark your calendar.

I don't know about the photography "scam," but I have heard them recommend people to a particular photographer. (I wish that people would refrain from slandering companies on these boards unless they are willing to offer concrete proof that there is scam going on.)

As always, be polite, say "hi" to everyone and mean it, and watch out for yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by bigleemarvinfan:
I've worked for Actors Reps on a number of occasions. My experience has been positive.

The bit about the paragraph is accurate. It seems that they really only want to see if you can speak comfortably. If you are dyslexic and have some compensating strategies (such as having someone read it to you so you can memorize it), ask if you can do that. Some of the people there can seem a little abrupt or gruff, but they really are OK. They are in a competitive business and everyone is hustling to make a living. Ask for Jen or Britt at the front desk.

They will probably start you off with audience work on cable gameshows. I did a bit of this for them and got some featured extra work on Law and Order SVU in return. Even made it into the opening shot on last year's finale.

Payment takes a while sometimes, but I've always been paid for the work I have done in the time frame that I've been promised. No hassles, no nonsense. Ask whem you will be paid and mark your calendar.

I don't know about the photography "scam," but I have heard them recommend people to a particular photographer. (I wish that people would refrain from slandering companies on these boards unless they are willing to offer concrete proof that there is scam going on.)

As always, be polite, say "hi" to everyone and mean it, and watch out for yourself.

Thank you for letting me know. I'm a little more at ease about the whole thing.

I have NEVER acted before and that makes me a bit nervous but I don't have any dreams of becoming a star either. I figure acting or doing some work as an extra will slowly boost my self-confidence and allow me to make a little money until I actually find a full-time (paying) job. I've been looking for work (regular 9-5) for the past two years and I've tried every route imaginable (four employment agencies have my info) and I thought to myself, "what if i'm just destined to do something else" and acting was the farthest from my mind (actually...porn was the farthest but I've opted to try my hand at acting).

quote:

Originally posted by raggedyannedoll317:
Vic, there aren't any really stupid questions in life. I'm actually going over to this office for an interview/audition tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. They WILL NOT force me to use their photographer for new headshots. The ones I have are just fine. Oh, and about the dyslexia...you are not the first actor who they will have seen who has it. Just do your best & be up front with them.

How did it go with them - hope it went well!

I'm still a bit nervous about the whole thing.

Hey I am also shakey about it. I got in and they made it seem like I was one of a few people. I was told to get headshots for 270. When I told the guy (at actors reps) that I didn't have enough he told me to tell the photographer's assistant (or whoever answered the phone) that I am from actors reps and they would knock off 50 bucks I haven't called back. Cause 220 is still a lot for me. But i figured even IF actors reps is a scam, I am going to need headshots anyway so might as well get it now. and i am not sure if its 270 with or without hair and make up but yeah. hope i helped for something.

OH and agents usually suggest a photographer for you no matter what agency you go to. That's not because it's a scam but because they probably send most of their talents there and the photographers know what the agents want to see in the pictures. so yes if they go YOU MUST GO to the photographers it's more than likely its a scam, but if they say you don't necessarily have to then it's not really a 100% scam.