Absolutely @toowonderful It’s moving towards becoming all about who can pay for access instead of who create art.
I think the pay-to-play aspect of the industry is particularly problematic for females, who suffer from a glut of talent and a dearth of roles.
I can’t see that the industry has any real need for this service. Agents have no trouble finding plenty of talent, and they already know where to find pre-screened candidates for representation (working in certain theatres, attending certain schools, etc.).
My biggest concern is that these programs really target kids who aren’t finding success through traditional channels and/or those who would have found representation without spending extra money. I congratulate the coaches involved for thinking up new revenue streams, but hope no one goes into debt to buy these “services”.
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.
that concerns me too. can anyone speak to that? Maybe I need to create another thread
When this topic first arose on CC, I chose to let it ride thinking it would play itself out as so many of these kinds of posts tend to do. I first have to state, that while I think the discussion about “pay to play” and the validity of college coaches in this process should continue, I would be more comfortable with the discussion if it was occurring in a setting where everyone was using their real names & occupation (if they are working in the field) and one where people speak directly with full disclosure. In this type of forum these type discussions can be especially dangerous because real people and real businesses can be irreparably damaged. Real change cannot be fostered properly in an environment that allows people full anonymity and no accountability for the words spoken.
In the spirit of transparency, I want to state up front that I have been working in this industry for several years helping parents and students navigate the college audition process. I own a performing arts studio in Alpharetta, GA. Our teachers have been coaching kids for over 15 years and each of us truly enjoy helping others achieve their dreams. Our studio is a technique based studio that is set up in a way that allows all services to be purchased a la carte with no requirement or pressure for anyone to use any particular coach or take any particular set of classes or number of private hours. None of us are rich, nor do are we in this business to get rich. All of us are educators who also have kids who have either auditioned for a college theatre program or graduated from a college theatre program. I also want to state that one of the coaches being referenced in this thread works with all our students who are enrolled in our daytime conservatory as well as a few of the kids in our evening program.
This morning I picked up the phone and talked directly to Dave Clemmons about this thread. During this conversation he gave me permission to use his name and let people know that no matter what is in print and in spite of information that has been passed along he is NOT involved with “The Draft”. “The Draft” is the name that was given to this concept. This was an idea that was just recently presented to Dave and while he discussed this idea with another coach, he ultimately decided to not be a part of it. For those who do not know Dave Clemmons, he has been involved in many facets of this business and is known throughout this business as “one of the good guys”. He got into this part of the business because wanted to use his vast knowledge to help the next generation and does not coach students simply to make more money. His resume speaks for itself.
While I do not have any knowledge of who BeenThereB4 or Bendigo68 are, I do think they both have an inside track and both seem to be motivated by the best of intentions. I also understand the frustration of this process, both as a person working in the field and as a parent who walked through this process last year. I will have to say it was honestly one of the craziest experiences of my “parenting” life. I quickly found that even though I had working knowledge of the process, I actually needed someone who could help keep me on track as well as someone I could complain to, cry to, and help think through different situations that came up, etc… It was for all of those reason I turned to Dave. For our family he was like anchor in the storm.
The reality is that the biggest part of this process that is out of our hands. If you think about it, there is nothing that freaks parents out more than being in a situation that involves your kid’s future where you have absolutely no control over the outcome. I think that is why issues such as this topic elicit so much emotion. It would be good for everyone to take a step back, breathe and remember there is not one decision, not one perfect plan, and not one perfect coach that will get us the desired result.
Again, I think there are many things in this field that would be good for us to discuss…I would love it if we could have open dialogue with the colleges, coaches and parents and make this process a bit easier for everyone to navigate. Unfortunately, without that dialogue, parents will continue with the lack of full knowledge and understanding, leaving the process full of mystery and confusion which, in the end, only leads to frustration and fear.
For those of you who are worried because you don’t have the money for a “coach”, know that there are many, many people around who will help you out. Don’t let the fear of not being able to do enough for your child, paralyze you from taking action. I. for one, have always been more than happy to help out via private message and there are lots of parents here that have “been there done that” who are more than willing to help. I want to help keep this board a place where parents, college reps and coaches can come together in a positive way…at the moment its the only place we really have to work together!!
I am brand new to this forum. I joined in part due to this thread. @BeenThereB4 seems to have joined specifically to “alert” people to this idea. I have to say I am a bit shocked that there is a quick jump to slam these coaches without giving them a chance to defend themselves or this idea. I’m not trying to blast BeenThereB4 and I know it might seem that way. However, it seems there might be some sour grapes involved especially when there are a few agencies that are “recommended” in this post.
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t heard of this concept and I will admit at first I thought it was a bit strange. However, there is no guarantee of representation. And, digital media and auditions are absolutely where this industry, and probably most industry’s, are moving towards.
The exact details of this idea obviously are not completely flushed out, if it even happens. However, if it doesn’t happen now I’m thinking it will happen soon.
Any website that is created to help market any business, individual, etc. cost money to make…especially if it’s one that has video uploads, links, etc.
basically taking a few students you are awar of and are impressed by to try to help them have every chance possible to be seen by a select group of “scouts” doesn’t seem so off-based. The people putting the opportunity together are not getting a percentage of any deal that might be signed as a result so why is charging a fee to put together a user/friendly, quality clip or pictures (should they need help) be a bad thing? And, if the students have the ability to put together their own submittable media then they aren’t chsrged…or, possibly chsrged a small maintenance fee?
The scouts live in the digital age and, I’m guessing, a lot of these people might want something like this to make it easier for them. The colleges that offer Showcases for their students don’t guarantee a signing either… I would think the concept might only help everyone in the long run…, and I’m also thinking these first pioneers to create this won’t be the last.
Again, I’m not saying anyone’s ideas/feelings are unjustified…but in this case it seemed that an idea being tossed around without complete details announced was trashed without actually having ever happened… And the people being implicated as the authors of this idea were being slammed for something that, to date, has not happened.
I appreciate this forum very much and have often read the questions and feedback which I feel is constructive, positive and helpful. This just seemed like a way to try to injure one or two coaches who, from what I’ve seen, have done a good job helping students, parents and even schools navigate through the audition process.
No coach, the ones being put down in this thread, and the ones being suggested in this thread, have ever (that I have been aware of) made a promise to any client that they will be accepted into any school or be signed after school if their services are used.
Just trying to be fair to all involved.
The digital age is changing MANY old business models throughout the Arts. We have a teensy bit of experience with the low-level modeling industry and it is understood that the aspiring models must pay to have their photos/resumes on the agency’s website with no guarantee of getting hired. Just curious, but I’m thinking the business model being discussed on this thread would be mainly (entirely??) for actors who do not yet have representation??