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Bishop Lyons Entertainment The Sizzle Reel Rip Off Reality. The perfect pitch to take your money. Encino California
I would definitely not recommend Bishop Lyons Entertainment to anyone. Keep your money and time. Hold out for a name brand production company or a talent agent. I personally dealt with them. They quoted me a budget in the six figures. I put up a large sum of money and I got a two minute reel cut from images off the internet. Nothing filmed. It’s something one could basically produce from a smart phone. It was a very expensive joke.
Here are some things to look for when talking with David Lyons or Andrew Bishop. These are from my dealings. Someone else’s situation might be different. Use your own discrepancy:
The business model and pitch to the unsuspecting consumer is reminiscent to the scam where a modeling company tells someone that they have potential and then requires that person to fork out a bunch of money, except this is much more expensive. No reputable producer will require you to pay tens of thousands to them for no more than a five minute “sizzle reel”. If they are experts in the business with many connections as they mention why would they need your money? It’s something to ask them.
The “budget” is nothing more than a number they throw out to you to base the percentage of what they want from you up front. If you really want to “partner” (a term they like to use) with them, insist on putting the funds contributed by both parties into an escrow and draw accordingly. What they aren’t telling you is that this is merely the fee they are going to take from you in order to partner with you, so most likely that will never happen. I asked for the budget numbers after I realized the reel wasn’t filmed as we agreed. To this day I have never been furnished numbers.
They will probably mention that they will be putting in more money than you are; like they did me. It’s a great way to think you are getting value. In fact, they said I had to put up the money quickly in order for them to earmark their funds for my project. Translation: they need to earmark your funds for their bank account.
They will dazzle you with all the reasons why a large budget is needed for a successful outcome. It should never cost huge dollars for a typical five minute sizzle reel. They insinuate that they were investing more money than the creator. Think about that for minute everyone. It’s simply not the case.
If you’re expecting a transparent “partnership” don’t use them. It’s not a partnership if you front everything including their profits.
It’s misleading because they use “budget” and “partner” in order to get your money. It’s a canned presentation that works well on unsuspecting writers. It’s a great business model…for them. Don’t be fooled. They are there to take your money.
I’m sure there are people that love these guys. I’ve never dealt with anyone there other than the two partners. If you fling enough mud against the wall some will stick. I wished I had seen a post like this prior to getting involved with them. I would have been money and time ahead.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Parker
United StatesBishop Lyons Entertainment is FANTASTIC
#7General Comment
Thu, December 16, 2021
After having several opportunities to work with Mr Lyons, I have found Mr Lyons to be extremely professional, and extremely easy to work with. The way this poster wrote his complaint sounds as if this was his first venture into films, and didnt comprehend what he was doing.
I know the rates Lyons charge for doing a sizzle reel. If this guy thinks he can find a better studio at a lower price, then truly.. his village has lost its idiot.
Rip Off report will require BLE to pay a fat fee to remove a post about them that was dishonest. It would be one thing if BLE was a bad company, but to write up a bunch of lies about a company and then they must pay to remove the slandering lies? Not ok.
The only one throwing MUD is the orignal poster. What a jerk!
Korporatekiller
Seattle,Washington,
U.S.A.
Casually browsing found inaccurate
#7Consumer Suggestion
Fri, February 19, 2016
I have done business with David Lyons and Andrew Bishop and my experience has been fine. I can get ahold of the prinicipals when I need and they have been great to respond. My project has taken a long time to put together, but I gave them a pretty messy hard drive with poorly labeled files and difficult to locate sound. They got everything pulled together and we are scheduled for another meeting in the not too distant future.
The previous poster seemed a tad hostile - Neither Mr. Lyons nor Mr. Bishop have been anything less than gentlemen. I would take the previous poster's comments with a grain of salt.
Projects cost money, take time and may deviate from the original concept -but that is how this bussiness is. As for a resultion, I would strongly suggest contacting BLE directly and express any concern - then - work together to find an amicable solution. Again, my project has taken alot longer than anyone originally planned, but they have produced a decent sizzle reel, helped me to rebrand the show concept and I think really improve on what I had originally envisioned.
The old saying goes, "good, fast, cheap - pick two". Really though, BLE is a good group to work with.
I would also encourage anyone serious about this business (as a business not as an art form) to continue pursuing talent agents - or - find an entertainment lawyer. The better chance of getting representation is to find someone in entertainment law that will work work on a fee schedule - then - continue to try to agented. Really good agents are seldom hungry and looking for new clients; they usually are looking for big clients, not new clients.
BLE helps people like me, who are in a gap between known well enough to have the right people look at a project and so unknown that my projects will never see the light of day. It's hard to say that someone not in this industry (yet) should hold a company like this to the same standard as if they were developing an unpublished Stephen King novel into a movie directed by Quentin Tarantino. Small guys need a hand up and some help - I think that is the strong suit with BLE.
For what it is worth, that is my experience with and opinion of Bishop-Lyons Entertainment.
A must read for people looking to get into the business
#7Author of original report
Mon, February 08, 2016
This article should be a template for anyone looking to get into the business. As clearly stated in this article, folks do your due diligence. Anyone can have friends rebut this or write long-winded articles about themselves. It does not change what happened in this situation.
DAVID
Encino,California,
USA
INACCURATE INFORMATION POSTED
#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, February 08, 2016
Sadly, the author of this defamatory post has chosen to slander us with inaccurate and unfounded statements. Fortunately, we know exactly who this anonymous poster is and his accounts of the facts are simply untrue. We have an excellent reputation both personally and as a company, and we are fully prepared to protect our good name should these false statements continue. Moreover, we have worked with many fantastic partnerships and entertainment professionals over the years and above all, we value people and our relationships.
If you did happen upon this post, all we ask is that you look to the enormous amount of good information about us on the web, rather than a rant from someone who is out to cause harm.
Utter Nonsense: the weak attempt to rebut this article
#7Author of original report
Sun, September 27, 2015
I find it interesting a passerby on the internet would waste their time rebutting this article. This person knows nothing of this complaint; so it’s fascinating that one would make assertions to the contrary. This individual’s personal opinion has no gravity on this situation. The rebuttal is almost too weak to respond to.
Tao of Jack
Los Angeles,California,
USA
Utter Nonsense
#7General Comment
Fri, September 25, 2015
I found this while Googling Bishop Lyons for something else. This report is utter nonsense. The guys at Bishop Lyons are stellar professionals. This guy sounds like sour grapes whose project just did not resonate in a highly competitive industry.