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The first thing that most people should consider when dealing with a casting agency is if the agency is a member of the screen actors guild/SAG. If a casting agency is not then do not bother because more than likely it is a scam. The second thing that people should know is that a reputable casting agency and or talent agency does not advertise and they do NOT charge people/talent/actors/ (thier potential employers) money because they will earn a percentage (10%) of what the talent makes. Their job is to get jobs for their talent so that they (the agent/agency) can get paid.
Movie work Now is a member of the BBB but they are not a member of the SAG union. Movie work Now makes money by requiring wanna be actors to take $300 head shots/ photo shoots. I had an appointment on Saturday Oct 4th and I was so excited during my interview with Barbara Capra. During the interview she did seem a little rehearsed becuase she kept repeating the same comments especially if I interrupted her with a comment of my own. She almost seemed like a recorded message. Her office had major motion movie production posters on the walls, she was wearing gaudy but dull jewlery that didn't even shine or twinkle at all, and she told me a story about how Moviework now provided two out of work men, who had no acting experience at all (like me), work in print as truk drivers. She then wanted to get started right away and knew of upcoming casting calls that I would be great for because my look was in demand. I was able to sneak out by telling her that I was going to call my husband to ask for the $300 picture shoot fee. This was after I told her that I had forgotten to bring my check book and that my husband was the one with the family credit/debit card. She asked about my husband's features and then told me to bring him in because Disney was looking to cast an inner racial family (and becuase that would be $900 versus $300 for my pictures alone). I have to admit I was disappointed. I had hoped that this place was legitimate especially since they are a member of the BBB. The point of this post is to tell people to do research before entering/trying to enter the Hollywood/acting/modeling/voice-over scene and keep your wits about you. Just becuase you can read and love Jonny Depp/Brad Pitt or any other fine actor doesn't make you the next "it gal/guy"
Take care,
Thankfully, I don't live in Arizona where this woman is as was not a a part of this scam. But the other part is I live in Orange County, so close to LA and there are TONS of scams.
The biggest thing to remember is if it sounds too good to be true and/or your instinct/gut feeling doesn't feel right then tell them no. The INSTANT you say no and the agent responds with "Well, alright but your going to miss out, this opportunity won't be here tomorrow or three days when you change your mind" - that agent has just made the biggest gaffe. That's pretty much like the agent telling you in code "Well, fine you don't want to pay me my $300 scam money, then get out of my office"
Second is if the agent or agency promises you your going to be the next biggest thing in the industry but you need to get professional headshots which are $250-300 and then you need sign up for acting classes $400
Sure you might be the next big star, but no agent or agency will require you. They can recommend and suggest, that's perfectly fine, but it should not be the basis to represent you... EVER.
Agents and agencies need to market you and the legit agents will only take a percentage AFTER you work on your movie. Percentages range from 5-20% with the average or consensus norm being 10-15%.
The likelihood of a legit agent and/or agency wanting to represent you with no or fewer than say 10 film credits is extremely slim. The best thing to do when you have less than 10 film credits is to find a manager. What's the difference between an agent and a manager? Mangers are geared to help you become more marketable by having you attend acting classes with a acting coach and sit with you one on one about how you can better develop you talent to go on more auditions and get more work. Where as agents or agencies don't have the time to help you develop your talents, they feel you are or should already be up to par for what they need.
Managers help you develop your craft. You usually do NOT need a headshot when you first go to a manager, but I'd recommend having them. A manager will probably interview you and try to find out about what line of production you want to work on (i.e. film & TV, theater, etc)
The link below is a helpful guide on what a talent manager does and if it's the right fit for you, while also providing great information on what kind to avoid and the differences between the types of talent managers. For starting out actors, what is a called a "newbie" talent manager is probably your best bet. They are not fly-by-night operations, but don't have the long established connections that a "Established" manager might have. I hesitate to say their in the middle, because frankly I would dare waste my time with a Fly-by-night manager, besides they'll be here one day and tomorrow gone. So let's call the "newbie" manager 1B and the Established manager 1A.
You can read below on the difference and the pros and cons on the two manager types and find out how to avoid those pesky-nat-like Fly-by-night ones.
http://hwtalent.nfluential.com/images/pdf/ChooseManager_IAEMagazine.pdf
Legit managers, like agents will NEVER ask you pay an upfront fee. Managers take a little more of the cut (15%) after work on a film or TV show, because of the more personalized service, time and effort the devoted to you. Their client list is also smaller than agencies in most cases.
Hope that helps.
Break a leg!
I just left Barb's office and I got the EXACT rehearsed schpiel that this poster is talking about. Amazing. I'm so glad I did not pay for anything. Oh and when I declined the photo's (I told her I don't have 300 bucks right now) she seemed very very annoyed and all of a sudden I felt like I was no longer the "star" I was when she though she could con me into paying lol. Buyer beware!
PEOPLE PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY MONEY. MY NAME IS SASHA MILAN AND THEY SCAMMED ME FOR 700 BUCKS. THEY WILL TELL YOU ANYTHING JUST TO GET YOUR MONEY..PLEASE PLEASE DONT LET ME FOOL YOU LIKE THEY FOOLED ME...THEY SELL DREAMS TO DREAMERS, EMPTY DREAMS AND IN THE PROCESS THEY WILL SCAM YOU TOO
I have to say I had a similar experience. I went to meet her and was told the same thing, pay for headshots and a one time fee to get me submitted to castings... she ignored me and talked only to my father. (I was older than 18 at the time, but wanted him there for his opinion) she said he should get into the business, and my whole family. Only addressing me on only a few occasions, even though it was my interview I was disappointed. I did however before this meeting get cast by Movie works now casting and was in a national commercial spot. So I don't think they are a scam completely. They need to make money too, but they do help you in the business too, at least they did with me, and I didn't pay them a cent.
omg, thank you so much for posting this i gave that [censor] Barbara 150 cuz i didnt have the rest and i planned to give it to her too...now after reading this im defintely going to try to get my money back sorry for u people that got scammed for the full 300...I will never allow myself to go through this again!
I got the same schpiel as the rest of you. Was told I could make lots of money doing voice overs for documentaries because I am educated. She complemented me on my ability to spell, and said that all these ASU freshmen can't spell. The form you fill out just has your name, address, height, weight, shoe size and some check boxes. If you can't spell your name and address, then I guess you would be considered literacy-challenged. I got my hopes up because I have no acting experience, and I really wanted to do serious work like documentaries. She went on a tirade about kicking people out of her office for speaking Spanish, and then I told her my wife was Mexican, so she asked me to invite her too. I skeptically waited for the red flag, and I thought I had seen it. She had two databases, the 150 database and the 350 database. I was right...those were the dollar amounts required to join each database. As I always do, I said I had to discuss the financial side of things with my wife. She asked again for me to bring my wife. My thought driving away is that this agency probably does provide work for SOME people, but if you don't have experience in acting, you won't be one of those getting work. There were at least 10 others waiting for "interviews" before and after me. She didn't ask me one question, so I'd say that's a first for me in my interview experience. It's one heck of a business model. I'm sure they put you in a database, but as one post previously stated, you need someone representing you when you go in. The rehearsed speech goes away and they lay all the cards on the table at that point. I feel bad enough for wasting my gas and my time...don't worry about being punctual if you go because they book interviews 3 or 4 at a time. Like everyone else has said, don't spend your money on these bozos. Spread the word if you do go. The economy is too tough for this kind of thing to be going on.
This Company does nothing to promote you once they make their money from the Head Shot photo shoot. You must buy your own bussiness cards, pay for your own mailings, expenses, etc. You will most likely end up at second rate commercial shoots or as a crash test dummy for an industrial insurance claim shoot.You will be on these limited assignments normally all day for a flat rate of pay normally betwee $50-$300. You are going to end up with about 50 8x10 photos that you will never use. Also the Phoenix Arizona area just DOES NOT have very many opportunities for potential actors. I received only 3 such assignments for the entire 2010 year. If it is not SAG related you just are not going to get quality work in the movie industry...Save your time and money!
Life isn't that simple" folks, as going to a "modeling agency" and putting your face in front of a camera, taking a few pictures, and walla . . . . you're suddenly a STAR. Sorry people, it just doesn't work that way.
It occasionally does happen, but it's far and few between. (like James Dean for instance) I fell for it myself about 35 years ago when I was a good looking young man, and it's the oldest scam in the business. At that time I put out $80.00 out of my own pocket for head shots, which is like $500 today. Someone I know is falling for this crap right now with "MovieWork Casting Now" and I know they will be taken to the cleaners financially. They are telling my friend that they have gigs for him with GoDaddy.com and he is their #1 pic for the shoots for this commercial. AND, that it will be released within a few weeks. First of all, I watch TV a LOT. And to the best of my knowledge GoDaddy usually put's out one (1) TV commercial a year, and it's usually on the Super Bowl. Am I wrong? Just let me know if I am. Therefore, MovieWork Casting is a CON ARTIST / SCAMMING COMPANY that is simply after your money !
These scamming modeling agencies work on your EGO. Which is your weakest point. DON'T FALL FOR IT ! Get a "real j o b " You're better off.
We ALL like to hear someone pay us a compliment and tell us that we're good looking and should be in the modeling business, an actor etc. But your odds' are incredibly against you. I HATE these scam artists that take advantage of young people's ego and their parents ego, who believe that their kid should be in modeling or acting, all while the scamming agency is sucking ton's of money out of them until their bank account is dry. I've seen many stories on 60 Minutes and 20/20 on this bull ### SCAM. Just remember to Google search the modeling agency before you do anything with them ! 99% of the time they are scam artists !
It's like the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".
I went there today. Met Barbara, she gave me the speech for 20mins she was very sweet after her speech she brought out a fee sheet, to make a long story short she was upset with me when I asked her questions about the fees. I said why do I have to pay for this service, is this the same like the internet talent agencies. She called me negative and her whole demeanor changed. She said she is not fake like the internet casting companies etc I felt bad so I apologized and explained that I didn't mean it that way. I have been gullible in the past so I told her I will think about it. Glad I did not give her money for membership.
I had an interview scheduled for today. The office is about an hour away from me and after reading this post I do not think I will be making this trip. I feel like they should do 1 of 2 things. Either A. advertise as an agency that will help you land jobs for a fee be straight up and business will pick up. or B. If ou trule feel someone is marketable then invest in them and return reep a profit. If I am looking for work and do not have a job them why would I want to pay $300 for something that is not for sure. If you feel I will get the part help me and let me pay you when I get paid. Take a fee like a true agent/manager.
I have to say, I am amazed that this company is still in business. These complaints go back 4 years and "Barbara" is mentioned that far back. Well guess what, she is STILL there! I saw the website and thought being an extra on something would be cool so I filled out the online application. I got a call back the next day and set up an interview for next Tuesday (today is Friday) with Barbara. Now that I know I will be asked for money upfront, I will not be keeping this appointment. I am unemployed and don't have $300. Whether they are legit or not, I can't part with the little money I have left. Guess it's back to looking for an 8-5 job.
7/9/2012 Just wanted to update as of today that Barbara Capra is still saying and selling the same thing. BEWARE. Do not waste your time. I should have known better when we arrived on time for our appt, and we waited an hour and a half before she met with us. She told the same schpiel that everyone here has sited.
OMG who wants to take this place to channel 12 news? I do, I lost $500 in 2004 and everything I have read is still the same with Barbara and the Vice. I'm on this for refunds. Who is with me? I'll check back on Friday. Lets get these scam artists out of our town.
It's absolutely unbelieveable that they are still in business and still scamming people. Maybe there should be protestors outside of their office...with signs that make interviewees aware. What a shame that this type of business "lack of ethic" still exists and nothing has been done about it. Thank you for all of the postings...I'm glad I conducted research before actually going to the appt. I guess I will be having THEM wait for an hour and a half !?! ;-) READ ALL OF THESE POSTINGS...BEWARE! SCAMMERS!
I too had an appointment with them for my daughter, that was a couple years ago. I was charged 300 dollars for "pro" headshots, they weren't. The whole photo session was a joke and this is when I realized the photographer wasn't professional at all. After reading all the info here I realized they had not asked for more money after the photo shoot for prints, I guess it's a new strategy to make more money off people.
My daughter was in the database for a year, absolutly not one call, offer or casting of anything. I never heard from anyone after we had signed up. I didn't renew for a second year.
There wasn't any complaints online at the time, I'm thinking 5 years ago. Today I saw their ad on CL and wanted to see what they looked like today. At the time they were located on Indian School off the 51. It seems they moved to a new location. In difficult times, people try to find work anywhere and it's unfortunate that movieworknow exploits them. I don't know where all the people on their website testimony page come from, they should publish their last names and make them available for questioning. I am also convinced that the positive comments here are planted by staff.
My husband and I just visited their office, talked to Barbara, and went through the same old, tired routine. She blah blah blahed about us being African-American, how we were so rare in Phx, talked to us for about an hour about plantation stuff, and other what-nots...then BAM asked us for money. I would never pay a single red cent to a company that claims that I am in "high demand", but refuses to give me an opportunity to let my acting pay for itself. Stay away from this company...I will post this on their FB page, too. They are beyond ridiculous and they need to be stopped.
Last post on here was in 2010 and in another complaint spot about this same company started in 2008 and it appears they are STILL getting pretty bad reviews and comments today in 2012! I went there a couple years ago just to give it a shot to maybe earn a couple extra bucks and to just have fun with whatever work came my way.Unfortunately, I did fall for their $300 head shot scam! Afterwards I was getting emails about possible extras work and other shoots and I agreed to do most them that they had sent me and I didn't and haven't gotten a single call back about any of them to this day! I mean, I agreed to do probably 10 or more shoots and not a single call back to even be standing in the background somewhere. My advice, do not go with this company. The main old ### lady that almost everyone speaks to is an actress in her own right. Everything she will tell you and talk to you about is rehearsed and she has been doing this for many years now so she is very good at scamming people! It all sounds great when you are talking to her but her main objective is to get you to purchase a $300 head shot from them. I paid $300 and only got one single head shot print and not a single call to job offers they had sent me! As stated above... DON'T DO IT! If you are serious, get a real agent with a solid portfolio that you can research and confirm is legit!
I just looked them up through the BBB today and they are NOT accredited by them and they have approximately seven complaints so far. They have an A- rating because they have resolved those seven complaints in less than a week each. Makes you wonder if everyone here floods the BBB and files complaints that perhaps they will pay people back or even better... be forced to close their doors before they scam more money from hundreds if not thousands of hopefuls a year. They don't deserve that A rating whatsoever! So... everyone... take a few minutes to visit the Better Business Bureau website and start the filing! Just an idea for everyone! :)
They are at it again on Craigslist
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/tfr/3761576635.html
Hopefully, thanks to this site, more than a few people will save themselves $300
Barbara Capra is still getting away with this scam, there has to be a class action suite mounting against her scams.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/tfr/4127127640.html
movieworknow.com is a scam be warned people.
They post the images attached in the Craigslist post and they are old images, some are not even from Movienetwork now.
We need to get together people, and get his place closed, and put Barbara in Prison where she belongs.
I had a opportunity to work with them with my 5year old little girl doing a photo shoot. They never asked me for money when it came to my kids. But my daughter do this photo shoot so they do note 30/90 days wait for a pay check I was working with Agent named Annie. 30 days went by asked when my daughter was going to be payed, she mention once not yet banner health hadn't released any fund for that project. 40 days went by then she said yes checks been mailed out more then a few times she mentioned it through email vetoed address too. Never saw a check in the mail. So I called her after 90 days said what's going on she said money hasn't been released yet, lol ok but I have a paper trail you said it was Annie said no it hasn't will let you, were still waiting.