Since moving out here I have found a number of scams being run and don't want people to be caught up in them. First off California Rent Source(http://carentsource.com/) is a scam. They are similar to West Side Rentals (westsiderentals.com). Both of these companies prey on people looking for housing. Anytime someone asks for a fee in order to access a rental there is a problem.
AB Casting is a very shady company that is running a scam. This turd calling himself Dr.D, Dana Waer or Dan Waer runs a scam involving auditions for film roles. He pushes his credentials very hard and states he has done great things. After talking non stop for about five minutes he quickly asks for a 50 dollar "membership fee." Again when people are asking for money before anything has even happened, especially for an interview or audition red flags should go up. The Los Angeles Better Business Bureau rates this company with an F. After talking with this man I decided to call the Screen Actors Guild and report the suspicious activity. The people at SAG said that asking for a fee is not allowed and to report any incidents of this to them immediately.
Finally, The Landers Group is a company that will trick you into believing they are a great company when they are not. They promote entry-level marketing jobs and state they are in the sports and entertainment sector. In fact they are not really working for the Dodgers but simply passing off crap coupons. They ask you were a suit to the interview to further the illusion that they are worth while. College grads and people looking for a quick job stay away from The Landers Group scam.
9 comments:
thank u i was about to go in to AB Casting to check them out for a $10 seminar. I think I'll avoid them now. Thanks!
Anytime anyone asks for anything... including money.... upfront - without providing a legitimate product (in your hands!!) or service (in writing with actual legal - non-double talk ---writing!!!)....lit is usally a scam - Buyer beware - Caveat emptor!!!
Good luck my UCSB friend!! kenny - Long Beach - now up north....
HEY... thanks for posting this. I got a call from someone JUST yesterday from AB CASTING. The guy on the phone told me that they had my pic/resume "On file" and wanted to meet with me to talk about being one of their "represented" actors. I said "ok, I'd love to hear more about that." The guy gave me the address and I said "So when should I swing by?" he said "Anytime Mon-Sat 10A-9P" I was like "okay?" These guys want to meet with me but don't want to set an appointment? Then I said "Can you tell me again, the name of your office?" He said "AB CASTING... we are a division of blah blah blah..." So now I'm thinking "A CASTING office wants to meet with me about representation?That doesn't make any sense." So of course I googled them... and came across your post..which I appreciate... you will probably save a few people some time and effort...
I dig the concept of your blog... keep it up... I will definitely check in again.
My wife and I were members of AB Casting. We joined them with the concept of having more avenues for us to get work. We were already working with "Central Casting" and "Jeff Olan". We had been a member for about 4 months and had never gotten a call for work - though we were working constantly for the other agencies. We had - up to this point - submitted ourselves for "every" project "A B Casting" had. We decided to call and find out why we had never been called? We were told we had to attend his seminar to "learn the ropes"! Learn the ropes? I've been acting since 1980 - my first film was "Final Exam" in which I played the Killer. My wife worked for Paramount and was in the development and cast is several episodes of "Star Trek Enterprise!" So - we decided to take in one on his seminars. The seminar was more of a "bragging" about me thing because all Mr. Guinan talked about was himself. Any information he put out was common knowledge to anyone who wanted to act and survive in LA. We left with question marks over our heads and asking ourselves "what was that all about?" One thing at this so called seminar that embarrassed me to no end was that this took place above Master Byong Yu's Gym on Lankershim Blvd. Master Yu was the guest speaker. HIS information was great but every time Master Yu would start to say something - Mr. Guinan would interrupt with his own opinion. You could see the frustration on Master Yu's face as he attempted to tune our Mr. Guinan and give his audience "real" information. I don't believe the seminars were ever held there again - though I'm not sure - because we never went back. The only other thing is - my wife and I were finally called to be "featured extras" (whoopie!!) in a "Major Film" being directed by "Damian Chapa!" OK - we had nothing to do so we went. We rode up into the hills of Hollywood looking for this so called "Mansion" where the filming was taking place. What we found was a large RV that housed the crew - makup and wardrobe. A one story house with a fenced back yard and this Mr. Chapa and Mr. Guinan walking around like "King Shi....!"
The entire "Major Film" was being shot on a small hand held video camera! No 35mm Cameras or Redcam...just one guy holding the camera - a couple grips and that was it! They didn't even feed us after a full eight hours and then paid us only fifty bucks for our time! Some "Major Film!" Oh....and they both were trying to get into every woman's pants there too!
My wife and I - since then - have moved on and have sold one of our screenplays called "Omega 1" which is slated to go into production in September. We even get to costar with several major TV and Film actors. You can see more at - www.omega1.tv - if you'd like to view the concept.
Our suggestion is that you stay away from "A B Casting"! If you really want to work - as an extra - featured extra and possibly get more exciting work - go with "Central Casting" - "Extras Management" or "Jeff Olan" - all reputable agencies and you will get work. Anyway - this is our opinion.
I went to ABCasting not even know WHO they were. I just saw and ad on Craigslist for an Open Call for Extras. "Come in anytime between (w/e hours) and we'll interview you!"
I figured I'd go... Went there with my headshot and resume. The guy quickly explained they do extras castings for the following shows (as he pointed to a dry erase board with TV shows on it). Then he showed me the IMDb with their work. He said it was only 50 bucks for photo processing fee and to be with them for a year. I said they could have my headshot instead. (At this point red flags were all over the field). He said it had to be professionally done. I showed it to him. He said it looked great, but had to be digital...I said, "No worries, I'll email you the digital one." Then he said there's still a fee for the yearly w/e thing. I asked, " Ok, how much is that, like, without the photo processing fee, since you know, I'm sending it to you." His response: just 50 bucks.
Walked out and said I'd think about it, but first I had to do some research on their company.
stayyy awayyyy
The problem with AB Casting is Mr. Guinan himself. He is a great talker and does more bragging about himself and his accomplishments than anything else. Recently I called his bluff on several things via an email to his craigslist postings. He emailed me back and called me a "punk" and "how'd you like to step into the ring with me, punk" - and a few other things. If you've seen Mr. Guinan - he is a heavy smoker, drinks a lot (dark bags under eyes) and is heavily over weight. The fact that I have studied the martial arts for over 30 years - train every day - do not smoke or dringk - his challenge is very childish at best.
Because of Mr. Guinan's business practices and claims for casting people - several people that worked for him have quit - realizing that this was not a reputable company to work for! One in particular was Ms. Del Baker - who moved on to another agency. I wish her well on her escape. The best thing you can do is (if you want) is to register with "Central Casting" for extra work. It is tedious to call in and keep calling for a particular gig when they announce it - but it is "real" work and you do get paid industry standard! Another agency is "Jeff Olan" - he works hard for his people and treats them right. As for "Actors Rep" I never - ever got any work from them in the past four years I've been with them - yet I've gotten work on my own and through the agents I just mentioned. It's up to all of you to check these places out yourself! Do your homework!
Interesting post. I've heard about West Side rentals but not the other companies. How do you feel about traditional, verified sources like Rent.com (owned by eBay)?
Thank you. A friend who is a non-native english speaker was about to get scammed by this guy into downloading the apps he sent him to 'help him start his own business'... the app costs 30$ does nothing at all... What a slimball this guy is, trying to target people with a language barrier.
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