It has come to my attention there is a college audition coach who is currently contacting select parents with an offer to get their child seen by 12 casting directors/agents for a one time fee of $550. The Casting Society of America forbids its members from participating in such schemes. No legitimate agent or casting director will charge you to be seen. They can charge you to participate in a class or a workshop, but that is all. Be VERY cautious of anyone who offers you this type of “opportunity.” This is nothing but a money making scheme for the coach and it is unethical and wrong.
Sounds a bit like what goes on in the wanna-be modeling industry.
I have also heard that some places (maybe including some schools) charge a fee for participation in showcases. I always thought that was a bit odd, but assumed those fees help defray costs of the event (rehearsal and performance venue rental, accompanists, travel, lodging, etc.) rather than being used for luring/compensating industry attendees, true?
I don’t know about luring, but Actors Access and Stagelighter both charge actors for industry access. Actors Access fees are particularly high. They have a $100 membership and charge $75 plus dollars for every upload and video, but it might have gone up since I was last aware. They also charge on the agent/casting side. Well respected casting directors have been doing pay-for workshops for years. And many coaches use them in master classes. As do colleges. It’s pretty well known that it is one of the best and for some the only way to get CDs to know you. The CSA has come down on this recently. It is unfortunate that this is the world of the show biz we live these days. Our kids need to be prepared for this reality. Maybe someone will come up with a better way!
Talent Agents and Casting Directors are two completely different things. Your agent is constrained by union rules that protect you from excessive commissions etc. Your agent works for you. A Casting Director works for your potential employer (a producer, theater company, advertising agency, etc.) and should be a member of CSA, constrained by their rules. The only way that abuses of these relationships are prevented is if actors REFUSE to participate in “education and workshop” systems that violate the union and/or CSA guidelines. Do not pay to play.
BREAKING NEWS:
The Board of Directors of the Casting Society of America has just released a statement regarding workshops. This is the single strongest statement yet from the organization charged with representing the ethical standards in the casting profession.
Dear CSA Members,
This awards season, the Casting Society of America has been elevated to a new level of visibility in the industry. Anyone in attendance at last night’s NY or LA Artios Awards ceremonies would certainly agree. Together, we have made tremendous progress toward securing for Casting the level of awareness and respect our craft deserves. Favorable and in-depth reports in the New York Times and several major entertainment trades have spotlighted the fine work of our members this week. Our collective future is brighter than ever.
At the same time, we regret to report that we have become aware of a number of instances of what we believe to be questionable business practices perpetrated by Casting professionals involving casting workshops. For the avoidance of doubt, please take a moment to re-familiarize yourself and those under your management with the L.A. City Attorney’s published guidelines for workshops, which CSA helped develop in 2002, and helped update in 2010. No CSA member should work outside these lines, EVER. The CSA will take seriously any reports of improper behavior by members. Ignorance of these guidelines is not a valid excuse.
If you have any questions, or become aware of any information that you think is detrimental to the reputation of the Casting profession, please feel welcome to be in touch with a CSA board member immediately. Together, we can ensure the brightest possible future for our beloved industry.
Your CSA Board
RULES for CASTING DIRECTORS and CASTING ASSOCIATES
PARTICIPATING at WORKSHOPS where ACTORS PAY
WORKSHOPS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IT IS PERMISSABLE FOR CASTING DIRECTORS / CASTING ASSOCIATES TO RECEIVE A STIPEND FOR TEACHING SUCH WORKSHOPS IF THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES ARE ADHERED TO:
- The Casting Director/Casting Associate (and Casting Assistant) (CD/CA) may not use workshops for the purpose of auditions, "pre-reads" or suggestions of future employment. The workshop may not be structured so that the majority of actor-participants are given the opportunity to perform a scene, and provided only simple redirect or feedback. The workshop shall be a real teaching experience and not resemble an audition.
- The CD/CA may not retain a student/actor’s headshot, résumé, business card, reel, DVD, other electronic media, other promotional material, or any links thereto. • All such promotional material may be provided for use during the workshop only and must be returned to the student/actor at the conclusion of that day’s workshop. (For workshops conducted online, the CD/CA may not retain a copy and must delete it from his/her computer’s hard drive.) • At the beginning of the workshop, the CD/CA shall read the following disclaimer to the class - exactly as written: “This workshop is a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. As such, when this class is over, I will not be taking home, nor be given access to your headshot, resume or any of your other promotional materials.” • The CD/CA may not participate in any workshop which provides, or advertises that it will provide the CD/CA with a student/actor’s headshot, resume, profile etc. (other than for use during the workshop only) • The CD/CA may not participate in any workshop which provides, or advertises that it will provide the CD/CA at any time with an electronic link or other access to the student/actor’s headshot, resume, profile etc. • The workshop may provide a worksheet with thumbnail photos of the actors and space on the worksheet to make comments, but is not required. The worksheet may not have any contact information other than the name (Note: No sooner than 24 hours after the workshop is completed, the CD/CA may request the workshop provide the contact information (name, phone number, e-mail, agent/manager) of a student/actor on an individual basis. However, this may not include a headshot, resume, profile or other promotional information.
Also, the CD/CA and workshop may not publicize this to the class at any time.
- The CD/CA must inquire whether the workshop has a bond posted with the State Labor Commissioner as required by Labor Code section 1703.3(a), and may not participate unless it does.
- The CD/CA may not use sides or materials from any show the CD/CA is currently casting or hired to cast, except if the roles being read are already cast.
- The CD/CA must provide the workshop and the students with a specific lesson plan and the CD/CA must retain the lesson plan on file. The CD/CA should demand the workshop prominently display the lesson plan in its advertisements, including but not limited to internet websites, email, Facebook pages, Twitter, etc.
- The CD/CA may not permit the use of the name, project information or likeness in any manner of a current production she/he is casting without first obtaining written permission from that production.
- The Casting Director who teaches at a workshop must have one or more of the following qualifications: • Member in good standing of the Casting Society of America; or • Eighteen (18) months of experience as a Casting Director;
The Casting Associate who teaches at a workshop must have one or more of the following qualifications:
• Member in good standing of the Casting Society of America; or
• Eighteen (18) months of experience as a Casting Associate consisting of active participation in auditioning and presenting actors to producers and directors.
• Additionally, the Casting Associate must have written permission from a CD that they have worked for within the last eighteen (18) months to teach a workshop and the workshop facilitator must keep this on file.
The Casting Assistant who teaches at a workshop must have the same qualifications as a Casting Associate, and must also have written permission from a CD that they have worked for within the last eighteen (18) months to teach a workshop. The workshop facilitator must keep this on file.
- Prior to the workshop, the participating CD/CA must access the workshop’s website (or Facebook/Twitter etc. if there is no website) and use all reasonable efforts to determine how the workshop is promoting that event. The CD/CA may not participate in any workshop whose advertisements/representations are deceptive or otherwise violate the following guidelines: • The workshop’s advertisements must conspicuously disclose the following: (For websites and similar electronic advertisements, this disclosure must appear on the home page):
“This workshop is a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the workshop is over, the casting director/casting associate/casting director (whichever is applicable) teaching this workshop will not be taking home nor be given access to your headshot, resume or any other of your promotional materials”
• The workshop’s advertisements may not state or imply that attendees have had success in gaining auditions, interviews or employment as a result of meeting a casting director through a workshop, nor that any CD or CA has a preference for hiring attendees at a particular workshop.
• The workshop’s advertisements may not state or imply that the CD/CA is using the workshop to audition actors, using phrases such as “currently” casting, for example. It may otherwise list the CD/CA credits, including current projects.
• The workshop’s advertisements may not use the name of a current production without written permission from the CD (who must have written permission from the production company)
• The workshop’s advertisement may not be misleading about the credentials of the CD/CA participant
- The CD/CA who participates in paid workshops is strongly encouraged to also participate in workshops that do not charge actors a fee. Contact the CSA, SAG., AFTRA and the SAG Foundation offices for more details.
Clearly, this will change the CD worksop model. At least for the CSA members
Thank you for sharing @vocal1046. Very enlightening. Can you tell us the release date of these guidelines?
One thing I’ve always thought is that Agents and Casting Directors may look at people differently if they have paid for access as compared to people they seek out. But I can imagine that if you’re not one of the latter you might take a shot at the former.
The CSA Guidelines letter above (#4) was issued just after the Artios awards in January. It is a re-statement and an indication of a plan to heighten enforcement of CSA rules for its members that have been in place since 2010 (#5). The rules apply nationwide and in California there is also supporting legislation. Still, the last line of defense is the actor himself. Unethical and often illegal “workshops” will die off if actors do not participate.
Who is the target group for the event the OP describes? Is it for high school seniors? Seems rather early for that? Or for college seniors (wouldn’t many already have a college showcase event?) Don’t agents already have a chance to see college seniors?
From my understanding it is for former clients who are currently enrolled in college.
Thank you. So, it is a private coach basically putting on a showcase for agents for college students who pay to do it. That seems unusual. But I used to think it also seemed unusual for a private coach to hold college admissions auditions in a “unified” style event and that college program faculty would attend it. But that happens too. I guess I should no longer be surprised.
Yes and no. In this case, it is my understanding that the coach has been telling the clients that they will end up getting representation from this opportunity. That is where the real problem is. Paying to take a workshop is fine because it is understood that it is just a workshop and you will not be signed just for paying money. In educational settings, it is the school paying the agent/casting director for a masterclass. Again, there is no promise or even suggestion that you will get signed from this opportunity. Agents in NYC cannot charge performers to be seen. The way that this coach is running things, they are basically collecting videos and acting as a middleman who charges $550 a person to send these videos out with the “promise” that something will come of it. The coach is selling something that is free and isn’t hers to sell. Furthermore, this person supposedly worked in casting in L.A. and should know better.
The whole “coaching” thing is starting bother me because I feel like some of these people are becoming rather greedy and are offering coaching that is subpar for an extraordinary cost. Some of the advice and coaching I have seen from this particular person is poor at best. In fact, everytime I see that person’s name on a resume I know what to expect from their monologue before they even walk in the door. I’m always right and it is always not what we are looking for. And I know that others on the other side of the table feel the same way. I think the best firms are those where there are multiple coaches working with the kids, which enables them to get multiple opinions and multiple ideas to play with. If it feels like a coach is always coming up with something new to pay for, you should be cautious.
I’m glad you posted this, even though it’s worrisome. Part of my job at school is helping students (and their parents) who are starting this process. It’s important for me to be able to steer them toward coaches who are completely ethical–and to alert them to things to be wary of in the future.
Yes, thank you, BeenThereB4, your advice is valuable for those going through the admissions process, as well as for those who are already in college and thinking to the future. No student or young actor should feel the need to be participating in this type of event. This is a good example of caveat emptor.
MTCA and ArtsBridge are the best in my opinion.
This has been a fascinating read. And fun as it is to join in the witch-hunt, I let my cooler head prevail. I now present to you the facts straight from the horses’ mouths (plural intentional), as it were. And before you scoff, let me suggest you won’t be disappointed. I was quite surprised to find the facts to be just as intriguing as the hearsay in these posts.
Through my network I was able to track down the coaches (yes, there are TWO) in question, and access the printed materials for this program. I am not taking sides here, but as they say, “There are two sides to every story”. And I wanted to hear the other side.
The TWO coaches who birthed this concept are both very successful, highly regarded, with many years of coaching experience and a swarm of fans who give them glowing reviews here on CC. They also had years of experience as industry professionals before building their coaching businesses.
Their concept (and it is just a idea at this point, it isn’t real, folks) is to continue their coaching and support services to their students by “creating an online talent platform that connects performers with industry professionals”.
It may surprise you to know that COACHES exist at EVERY level of this profession and there are many working actors well into their careers who still go to acting and voice coaches before key auditions or to broaden or hone their skills. It is absolutely the norm to continue paying for coaching beyond your college audition season.
Anyway, back to this idea: The talent would consists of current and former private students of these two coaches who are selectively invited, and industry professionals who are also selected by invitation. The talent would have a private webpage of digital content (hs/r, video) and Industry pros agree to review each talent’s content. This is the guarantee. There is nothing that states a promise of representation. NOTHING.
And unlike Actors Access, Breakdown Services, Voice Bank, Casting Networks, Now Casting and the myriad of what seems to be an endless stream of online talent platforms, the talent participation for this is at no charge. Indeed, it is possible to be invited to be a part of this program and NOT PAY A DIME. Shocking! And industry participation is also at no charge. Shocking! And, unlike, say, Stagelighter, talent does not pay the professionals directly for their review. Shocking!
There is a phase two planned, which is to develop a searchable elite talent database. Imagine, if you will, match.com with only the most eligible mates/aka premium talent. Because, it seems that professionals don’t really use all those other online databases that house every wannabe actor in the universe. This would be where the good stuff is.
But, wait, what about that $550 scam? Well, this is where is gets really interesting. According to the initial materials, that fee is actually the coaching fee paid to the two coaches – ONLY if the invited actor wants their help. $275 for each coach. One coach provides monologue material and monologue coaching for the video content, and the other coach provides song repertoire and accompaniment and song coaching. And both coaches oversee the video production and guidelines for shooting and uploading the entire digital content on each talent’s page. Seems reasonable to me. But again, a savvy performer with all their ducks in a row could do it all on their own for free. And the coaches are sure some kids will do just that. And some kids may only need help in one area. Regardless, once you’re invited, you’re in.
As I said, I don’t have a horse in this race and am not interested in posting a point of view, but I do have to say learning this side of the story makes me think this could actually be a great idea. Which is NOT the impression I got from the OP.
But don’t hold your breath. If this thing does become real, (and AGAIN, it’s isn’t real yet), it won’t be any time soon. I am told that the coaches, project managers and web developers have yet to meet with the governing bodies that rule over the CSA, NATR and other entities involved. Yes, they plan to do this. And they already have high level involvement from some major players in this area. Indeed, I was given the distinct impression that these coaches are good guys and are not interested in breaking any rules. The seem to be honest advocates for their students and looking to coach not just for college audition season but the “emerging” artist phase during that transition from college to early career – isn’t that an awesome idea?
And P.S. on another note: Can anyone explain how, on Stagelighter, college professors and department heads can get away with having students paying them directly to review their audition video and then audition for that same representative for a spot in their program? Can you say conflict of interest and unethical? Also, Stagelighter requires that actors pay agents and casting directors directly to review their audition materials. That is a direct breach of the CSA rules. I do have a point of view about that. And that concerns me.
Meanwhile, go check out backstage.com and take a look at the MYRIAD of “showcases” in the audition listings that are really pay-to-play schemes that agents may never attend.
Finally – I think it is naive for us to think online showcases aren’t the wave of the future. Just like technology has changed college auditions (think Acceptd), it is already changing showcasing and professional auditions. Many schools are looking at these type of showcase options (Creating showcase websites and private video links), and agents with limited time are hoping to widen their nets and maximize their options. But “curating” those online showcases is the key – and coaches like these two (as well as acting teachers across the country who are already doing this on smaller scales) are the ones tapped into really talented students from a variety of colleges, workshops, summer program and professional sources. In the end, I think they can and will be great advocates for emerging talent – especially for kids who may attend schools that don’t do traditional showcases, or only showcase a select few kids (i.e. a large program). Or for kids who leave school early and don’t return for a traditional senior showcase season.
So let’s wait and see what this final product really is. But to summarize: 1) two coaches involved, not one. 2) no promise of representation. 3) possible to participate AT NO COST – you only pay for coaching if you want/need. 4) developers already working with CSA and other entities to follow the rules. 5) no product now or anytime in the immediate future.
But you have to be “invited” into this “elite” database- meaning you would have HAD to pay that coach at some point… (since I don’t imagine the coaches would invite students they haven’t worked with) that still rings a concern bell for me. Frankly, it seems to me that coaches are trying to set themselves up as industry gatekeepers as well as college gatekeepers…
Well I guess there seem to be a lot of horses mouths. Because since my OP I’ve heard even more negative sides of this whole situation from people in the biz as well. I guess time will tell. And BTW - I think this whole industry is dangerously on the verge of becoming a pay-to-play business where you spend more money getting in than most can reasonably expect to make in the first five years.