Has anyone or their child ever been to one of his camps?

google is your friend.

Personally I would not let my child within 100 miles of him. Years ago I contacted him and he was rude, "a know it all" and very offensive. More than a decade later, my child has had many successes and I know lots of wonderful people in this business. He is absolutely not one of them!

There is a very enlightening thread about him on the PARF board.

hi bri's mom
i am a student actor who went to one of peter sklars work shops. although he isnt nice to the parents, he is very caring to the kids. the asks them about how they are and his whole focus is to help them succeed, but i didnt feel very welcomed at his workshop. the counselers were kind of mean and very strict about stupid rules.
i will say that he helped my friend through a rough time with her family troubles and brought it immediately to the authorities.
i went and i didnt have fun, but it was a good learning experience for me

thanks
-emily

Hello everyone~!

In response to some of the commentary above, please consult the page entitled THE REAL SCOOP at:

www.petersklarscamfighter.org

You may also copy and paste our file, (link below), with the New York State Better Business Bureau: 27 years, more than 10,000 students and their parents, and a steadfast A rating; a near-unanimous happy student and parent population after more than a quarter of a century:

www.bbb.org/new-york-city/busi...n-ossining-ny-26994/

Finally, you are welcome to visit the Beginnings Workshop's fan page on Facebook to read for yourself a flood of firsthand, real-time feedback from more than a thousand recent students and their parents, (the majority of our Facebook-eligible recent students):

www.facebook.com/beginningsworkshop

Thank you and happy reading.

Peter & Staff

I am a very peaceful person. I don't like the tone that sometimes goes on - on these boards..

This is my experience and my personal opinion only.

Years ago I contacted the referenced person on this thread. I found him to be "a know it all" and very rude. He had no idea I was involved in casting and had an extremely succesful business in the industry.

I was just looking for a safe haven to send my then, young child.

I did not send my child and in later years I met two different sets of parents who had the same reaction.

RE: "Very peaceful person"

We don't like the "tone" here either!

Thousands and thousands of happy students and parents... yet all we find admittedly trolling these silly boards is an anonymous poster who may or may not have had a conversation with Peter many years ago.

Sigh.

Peter & Staff

quote:

Originally posted by PeterSklar56:
Hello everyone~!

In response to some of the commentary above, please consult the page entitled THE REAL SCOOP at:

www.petersklarscamfighter.org

You may also copy and paste our file, (link below), with the New York State Better Business Bureau: 27 years, more than 10,000 students and their parents, and a steadfast A rating; a near-unanimous happy student and parent population after more than a quarter of a century:

www.bbb.org/new-york-city/busi...n-ossining-ny-26994/

Finally, you are welcome to visit the Beginnings Workshop's fan page on Facebook to read for yourself a flood of firsthand, real-time feedback from more than a thousand recent students and their parents, (the majority of our Facebook-eligible recent students):

www.facebook.com/beginningsworkshop

Thank you and happy reading.

Peter & Staff

Dear Mr. Sklar...

May I ask you a question as I did look at the link above, Peter Sklar Scam Fighter?

You pointed out numerous times on your webpage that no legitimate agency or casting director or producer ever needs to spend money advertising in newspapers, radio, etc for talent and then you stated that nor should they need to spend money flying around the country rentingn large banquet rooms at hotels and all the other expenses searching for talent...

May I ask you why not?

Decieving marketing practices we've seen way too much of the talent reps ARE flying around and attaching themselves every weekend to another event or audition where it could very well be attached to an expense (classes, competition, convention) and targeting totally green parents to this biz and these parents and KIDS are trusting that rep as a legitimate talent rep in this industry to guide them in the right direction...

so is this okay? Why is it okay for the parent to spend money for their kids to be seen by these reps?

audition space can be found (and some managers do this) simply by renting out a dance studio very inexpensively and the agencies/agents whomever have expense accounts, so why is this always on the parent's dime?

some of the reps have stated that they are just invited guests to these events but we see it differently. They are representing this industry and attaching themselves to whatever the are, classes, schools, conventions, competitions, don't you think that they should also endorse it and stand behind it as a legit way to break into the business because the parents are looking to them for guidance.

Yes they can walk away and perhaps not sign anything but we all know that sales pitches combined with a newbie parent is dangerous.

any insight that you can further provide?

thank you

quote:

no legitimate agency or casting director or producer ever needs to spend money advertising in newspapers, radio, etc for talent and then you stated that nor should they need to spend money flying around the country rentingn large banquet rooms at hotels and all the other expenses searching for talent...

May I ask you why not?

I don't know anything about this guy, but it sounds to me like he's warning AGAINST those notorious ACT/JRP/IPOP things. He's saying that legitimate talent agents don't need to advertise in the newspaper or radio or fly around the country to open casting calls held in hotels...therefore, if you SEE an ad saying "Come to a big open casting call at a hotel where you can audition for a big-name talent agent!", stay away because it's likely a scam. Pretty much what we've all been saying.

quote:

Originally posted by TMR:

quote:

no legitimate agency or casting director or producer ever needs to spend money advertising in newspapers, radio, etc for talent and then you stated that nor should they need to spend money flying around the country rentingn large banquet rooms at hotels and all the other expenses searching for talent...

May I ask you why not?

I don't know anything about this guy, but it sounds to me like he's warning AGAINST those notorious ACT/JRP/IPOP things. He's saying that legitimate talent agents don't need to advertise in the newspaper or radio or fly around the country to open casting calls held in hotels...therefore, if you SEE an ad saying "Come to a big open casting call at a hotel where you can meet talent agents!", stay away because it's likely a scam. Pretty much what we've all been saying.

Yes I think you're right and it's right on target if Mr. Sklar is advising such.

Thing is...they are all doing it and making a bundle or a nice little salary on the side and there is no excuse why, if they truly wanted to, because a lot of these events/auditions are held right here in the tri-state area, rent an audition hall, dance studio, whatever, if they DID want to scout once or twice year for new faces, their dime, their expense account (we all know these studios are not expensive if they rented it out with other talent reps) so they can see the kids up front and in person, aside from looking at the headshots, instead of not caring if these parents are spending thousands of dollars just to come and meet them when they can certainly do this to avoid those costs.

So are we do consider those reps who DO travel the country (and now we see cruise ships too apparently) and attend whatever it is that ultimately cost the parent a whole lot of money..not legit?

I'm real upset with the ones that even add to their website that they are just invited guests and do not necessarily endorse the event they are attending. That's wrong, in my book!

Mr. Sklar, can you advise parents what to do when they are faced, green as can be do the industry after hearing an enticing ad on the radio or TV with supposedly a "legit" agent with high pressured sales reps who may advise them this is a chance of a lifetime and if they don't sign the contract right then and now, some other child will take their place.

how do they get around high pressured sales and what should they be careful with, with the contracts.

You have some good advice..hope you don't mind me picking your brain a bit further.

thank you

To Janet et al,

Good questions. Here is perhaps an explanation that makes sense.

Firstly, with the current unfortunate erosion of SAG's influence over the major talent agencies, it is true that there are now a growing number of otherwise legitimate NY and L.A. agents, and quite a few casting people, who are accepting fees and honorariums for appearing with this or that supposed talent search, all over the country.

The point is that they don't NEED to do so; it is an understatement to say that they have a huge, steady source of qualified talent in their own backyards.

Why do they do it?

It may safely be assumed that they are NOT truly present for the purpose of seeking talent, but rather are simply performing a service for a fee.

This should even more obvious when these supposed talent searches take place far from the major casting centers. As I said on the scamfighter site: "You can't get the jobs if you can't make it to the auditions."

In other words, even if you are spotted at one of these searches, and someone is genuinely interested in you or your child, the best you will ever hear is: "Look me up after you've moved to NY/L.A."

Not to mention that whatever you have paid to be seen by this or that talent rep or casting person is something you wouldn’t have to occur if you met these people in a more legitimate and traditional manner- through living in NY or L.A., mailing out headshots/resumes, appearing in showcases, networking, etc.

The huge fees you may be charged by supposed talent searches should be viewed as the price one pays for seeking a short-cut. Moral of the story? In the final analysis, there are no short-cuts.

I hope this has helped.

Peter Sklar

quote:

Originally posted by PeterSklar56:
To Janet et al,

Good questions. Here is perhaps an explanation that makes sense.

Firstly, with the current unfortunate erosion of SAG's influence over the major talent agencies, it is true that there are now a growing number of otherwise legitimate NY and L.A. agents, and quite a few casting people, who are accepting fees and honorariums for appearing with this or that supposed talent search, all over the country.

The point is that they don't NEED to do so; it is an understatement to say that they have a huge, steady source of qualified talent in their own backyards.

Why do they do it?

It may safely be assumed that they are NOT truly present for the purpose of seeking talent, but rather are simply performing a service for a fee.

This should even more obvious when these supposed talent searches take place far from the major casting centers. As I said on the scamfighter site: "You can't get the jobs if you can't make it to the auditions."

In other words, even if you are spotted at one of these searches, and someone is genuinely interested in you or your child, the best you will ever hear is: "Look me up after you've moved to NY/L.A."

Not to mention that whatever you have paid to be seen by this or that talent rep or casting person is something you wouldn’t have to occur if you met these people in a more legitimate and traditional manner- through living in NY or L.A., mailing out headshots/resumes, appearing in showcases, networking, etc.

The huge fees you may be charged by supposed talent searches should be viewed as the price one pays for seeking a short-cut. Moral of the story? In the final analysis, there are no short-cuts.

I hope this has helped.

Peter Sklar

Peter, thank you for responding and I do agree, seeing one of these conventions from the inside and talking to parents that no one honestly understood that that were not going to be going to auditions in that small town hundreds and thousands a miles away from NY or LA - so the "look me up when you get to NY or LA" pretty much sums it up. I got blank looks from parents when I asked if they were ready if and when a talent rep tapped their child on the shoulder with that "callback"...hate that word lately.

You've provided information for parents that is important, have to give you credit for being outspoken with the facts because we do see the same talent reps over and over attend whatever the hot talent search is for the weekend or around the country and the same testimonials..loved the talent here, can't wait to come back again!

The few success stories will never amount to the money these parents have put out, never and none are truly even prepared..it was more like a fun day filled with excitement to meet so and so who discovered so and so and you can be like so and so if you have what it takes.

One thing, however and perhaps your staff member posted this because it didn't sound like it was coming from you, specifically..

Quoting from post above..
"Thousands and thousands of happy students and parents... yet all we find admittedly trolling these silly boards is an anonymous poster who may or may not have had a conversation with Peter many years ago"

Sigh.
Peter & Staff


I have to disagree about the boards being silly, especially Backstage and a few others with parents and others who have seen the industry inside out, been there, done that, made those mistakes and although we ALL are trying to raise the red flags about deceiving marketing practices, we'll call it for now, they continue and with the industry reps that should know that spending thousands of dollars to jumpstart a career is wrong and those, as well, you may only have room for a handfull of new clients on their roster compared to the thousands who attend the well.."whatever" they are helping entice the kids too and get them all excited.

So acting forums are a very important part of the acting community where experiences can be shared and a more attention to a specific issue can be given. It's helped many parents and adult actors as well who didn't understand and already got in knee deep into a situation.

I do understand from your perspective that words about you or your camp, workshops negatively spoken without someone really experiencing them is bothersome. (sorry, I did try and read over your websites..I got dizzier than being on a merry-go-round..just too much info at once!)

Using all of these resources, consumer websites, BBB, ASKING their manager/agent about a certain workshop, event, I think is all very important and hopefully first-hand knowledge too from others who have been there and experienced it.

Again, thank you for your reply.

Peter raises some good points and I particularly love this

quote:

The huge fees you may be charged by supposed talent searches should be viewed as the price one pays for seeking a short-cut. Moral of the story? In the final analysis, there are no short-cuts.

I do take issue with calling these boards silly though. Using Backstage or any other board as your only resource is silly, but using it as one of many resources isn't.

I have learned so much about the business by being part of this board--from spotting a talent scam, the difference between an agent and a manager, what to expect an audition, and on and on. I have found other resources, I have made friends (real, not just virtual) and have become far more knowedgable than i ever would have on my own.

Mr. Sklar,

You bill yourself as America's Leading Authority on Child Performers. Quite a title.

I appreciate your effort at battling scams, really I do. But I have a few questions about your site:

1. I don't understand something. Do you not recruit for your camp at dance schools? You yourself are traveling around "speaking" and "auditioning", using schools that charge money for a skill, are you not? After you speak, you might offer the opportunity to pay for your camp, right? You are traveling, and selling something.

What is the difference between that, and those who visit John Robert Powers or any of the acting schools?
Maybe I am comparing apples and oranges here?
Are you just saying that it is OK to travel around selling something, as long as you are not a casting director or producer? Or just that parents should know that the person is selling something at the outset?

I think you are trying to say on your site, what we all would say...don't believe the "open call" ads. Right?

2. You acknowlege in a post above that SAG has lost its hold on the agencies so maybe you know this, but you make a point on your site to say an agency needs to be SAG franchised. This simply is not true anymore. Most of the big agencies are NOT SAG franchised any more. It is also not true that non-union agencies cannot offer auditions on union jobs (they certainly can). Perhaps you would consider ammending that to say SAG franchised or a member of the ATA.

3. Like the other posters here, I disagree with your statements about internet message boards. Your comments sound outdated, and seem to come from someone who has been criticized publicly. It strikes me as throwing the baby out with the bathwater, even though I do understand your feelings.

Internet message boards are a very very valuable tool. They shine light on bad situations and allow people who have experienced something to jointly discuss it (not just read a static document). Prior to the message boards, scams could easily re-invent themselves just by traveling around to new locations and recruiting new clients that couldn't talk to the old clients. Doesn't happen so much today. I'm really thankful for that.

Maybe a more level-headed message would be this: Internet message boards must be taken with a grain of salt, just like any other media. They are communities, and for the most part are NOT anonymous--regular members of the community know who is who. They also know who to listen to. There are message boards that include top agents, managers and parents whose kids are working on Broadway, tv and film. There ARE good places, but parents need to learn to discern the posters from one another. and they need to find their appropriate community (aka message board).

Telling parents not to connect with other parents is a nice way to say, "listen to MY authority" though, isn't it?

Thoughts?

A