David Chiu

Tonight I received an email from an acting class friend. She had forwarded me a link about a Microsoft commercial print “go-see” (modeling audition) that is happening early next week. What is even more interesting is that the link she gave me was to an online service called “Actor’s Access” which is being run by Showfax and Breakdown Services. I had actually never heard of this service before so I was curious. Usually I’m a little wary of online casting but since this is being run by two very well known reputable companies (you would be familiar with them if you were an actor in LA) I took a closer look. The basic service is free and it allows actors to enter all their personal information, along with their headshot and resume, into their database. Once your information is in the database you can “shop” for auditions by searching through their listings. Once you find audtitions that are suitable for you, you can then electronically submit your resume and photo to the appropriate casting office for the project.

The site is actually pretty well done. I had no problems uploading my photo (jpg) and entering my information. Actor’s Access also has a verification system to make sure the information you enter is correct. They call your agent(s) to see if you are really represented by them. I am pretty impressed.

So this will be the fourth online casting system I have tried. A couple years ago I signed up with castnet.com but Hollywood was just starting to enter the digital age. Now both of my agents actually use online casting services to submit me. First I was told to sign-up at NowCasting.com, but now my agencies use LA Casting.com.

On the flip side, a friend of mine told me he was approached in Beverly Hills by a “modeling scout” who was interested in signing him. This “agent” said he represented M Models International and wanted my friend to stop by his office. So that’s what he did. While my friend was in this guys office, the agent started bragging about how much money and women he had and that my friend could have all this too.

At this point of the story red lights started flashing in me head and I told my friend to use extreme caution when dealing with these shady “Hollywood” types. A lot of these so-called modeling agencies are out to scam money from as many people as possible. Some of these businesses operate by creating partnerships with hairstylists, stylists, photographers, etc, etc then tell their “modeling scouts” to go out and recruit naive people to sign with the agency. Once you have signed with the agency they then tell you that you need to visit a stylist, hairdresser, photographer, etc, etc, all whom they have connections with and all who give them kickbacks. So it doesn’t matter if you ever book a job with them ’cause they will start making money off of you from the start.

The modeling world can be vary shady even when dealing with legitimate companies. I told my friend that if he is really interested in commercial modeling, he needs to go to a well known agency and stay away from the hype of all those shady Hollywood “players”.