|
Review content:
Okay, as a one time client of Stanley Kaplan, I shall certify that the following information is 100% valid, so anyone interested in their services can make an educated decision. First, let's dissolve the rumor that Stanley Kaplan is a scam. They're not! As an actor and a New Yorker, I've rubbed shoulders with all kinds of crooks. They're easy to spot, as they all have a common goal: Getting yor money up front! These types are what I politely dub, the craigslists predators. You submit, they call you for an ""interview"" and show you headshot samples. Run! Kaplan charges fees like any other legitimate agency with a 10% back end deal. Another positive about Kaplan is that no talent need sign a binding contract. You're free to walk if you don't care for their services. Some of the negatives blogs have truth in them. The office is a mess. When you walk in through the door, it's not like walking into ""Miller Gold"" from Entourage. It's a small office plastered with headshots everywhere, but keep in mind, the company is fairly new and still growing, Many very successful people have told me how they started their businesses in their basements. Secondly, the jobs are non-union, despite the ""AEA, SAG,AFTRA Affiliation"" that's advertised on their business cards, and many of the jobs are petty extra jobs, with minimal wages. Many times you can walk in the office, and Stanley will ask you if you want to make an easy 20 bucks sitting in the audience of a court show. If you have nothing better to do, why not? Most of the audience are tourists who don't get paid at all. However, the wages for film projects are not necessarily the fault of the agency. The productions are usually independent and they hire Kaplan to supply them with extras. Those companies are not under any union contracts, which means the money, while low, is tax free. In the beginning, I booked good and bad jobs with Kaplan. I have had credited roles through Kaplan. I've also had horrible experiences. One day, I was bored and called up my manager and asked him if any work was available and he said, ""I can give you a background job tomorrow, but I don't think you're gonna want this."" To my dismay, I took the job the next day and was fed horrible food by a nasty caterer, who threatened me and banned me from the table for the entire 10 hour shoot. I was too hot and tired to fight and I had no union rights, but whose fault was it for accepting the job in the first place? I've also had easy jobs where I was paid to have brunch at the Boat House in Central Park. Two or three hours and a free meal. It was easy and I had nothing else to do. The draw back however, is that the money can take a very long time to be disbursed. The reason behind that is the production companies get billed by Kaplan and are often unable to pay the bills on time and sometimes, they even go bankrupt. Trials and tribulations of non-union independent work. To Kaplan's credit, one time I was paid 6 months later and my manager said, ""Keep my commission,"" but I paid him anyway. In closing, I hope this helps any aspiring artists who are reading this. Regardless of my opinion or anyone elses's, be sure to judge carefully each and every time you submit yourself to anyone anywhere. It's your career
Pros: NOT a scam
Cons: Agency is really only for amateurs
|