Complaint Review: Gary's Playground

 I have been intrested in sending my daughter to The Playground to help improve her acting and strengthen her confidence. I don't understand how you can pass judgment on a company without actually using their services. It sounds like you didn't actually take a class or two to see for yourself what these guys are all about. They do offer a refund if after 2 classes you change your mind. Its never a good idea to trust websites that promote gossip so i don't take google ssearches as the source to find out truth.

Also, I'm sure we've all have at one time or another made poor decisions in our past that would be unfair to be judge by forever because someone posted it on the Internet. the Internet can sometimes be another form of gossip magazine that lures readers with false information. I appreciate your opinion, but you have not actually been mistreated or mislead by The Playground and their staff to pass judgement. I will deffinantly be back after my daughter takes a couple classes to update those who want to hear from experience.

Approached in Target or at a kiosk in the mall?

SCAM! SCAM!

There is no such job description as a "talent scout" of any kind in Hollywood. Rather these are front men and mostly women of acting school scams and rip-offs. The first rule of thumb is to understand that in this industry is that more expensive doesn't equate to better. If someone could 'buy' success everyone would be a star. Sometimes the most expensive services actually provide the least benefit. These scams committed against children and their families are very common as they prey on our love and pride for our children. That is one consistent across all scams - they all say everything a parent would ever want to hear about how great, talented, beautiful, "star in the making" their child is. That is closely followed by playing on the guilt for a parent who might not be "allowing their child to follow their dreams".

So how does a parent spot a scam? 

One step is to really listen to your instincts. What seems too good to be true usually is. RESEARCH. Researching every company you are going to work with is of paramount importance.

Use Google and check the names of the businesses as well as the names of the people you meet and put the word scam after it. Ask other parents.

Look for common red flags. Some red flags of a scam or rip-off include: Being approached in a mall, family store or other public place Name dropping such from shows LIKE The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana or the use of Disney and Nickelodeon logos (call the studio and let them know your experience with the scam school and how much they charge)

Promising work or access to talent agents through "show cases" or "agent auditions" Using several different names for their business on the internet to confuse people and load up the search engines so all the bad reviews won't show up first. (luckily it can't be done) Putting pressure or time limits on the offer such as "we only bring back 10-20% of the kids we see, not everyone makes it", "we can only hold the spot for 3 days", etc. You can cancel if you don't like it.

 Long term contracts that must be paid for in advance. Legitimate acting classes are offered for 6 weeks or less at a time, with professional level group acting classes costing around $45 per class. Anything longer, or costing more is a red flag.

Exceedingly nice sales people.Predators have to be nice. If they weren't, they wouldn't get their prey.

"But some people say it is OK...." Of course every story has 2 sides, and you may find a former client 'vouching' for a business because they *felt* successful or they had fun. Most of the the "great" reviews are posted and written on the company on their own "moderated" website review sites. And they remove any bad reviews.

Getting an agent can be accomplished for under $100 via picture submissions. Really. Just get a list of agents that handle children and send them a photo. That simple. Of course you will be told that having these expensive classes will almost guarantee a top agent.

This company and it's owners are operating a classic acting scam. We were contacted also on the streets while out with my kids by a lady who works for them and told us we had an "adorable" child and she would be perfect to TV. She gave us the address and told us to attend the audition. Well, we attend this thing and sure enough we get called back by a man saying that they want my kid. Then comes the money part. Oh yea, $5000 for classes! Can you imagine? We laughed in his face. I have been around long enough to know that this is a total scam. However, because my child wanted to do this I did some checking. Now I know its a scam! I contacted many agents that handle teens and they all said the same thing. "Gary Spatz and the Playground are bad news" He has been involved with several acting scams over the past few years with a guy named Eric Ropttman. ( look his name up too) Most could not believe the cost. They informed me that no acting class on earth is worth what Gary is charging. One Agent even told my that they get so many complaints from parents that have gone to this that they are now putting together a group complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs. I have also talked to a man at Disney (where Gary worked many, many years ago and he told me that Gary is not anyone that he would put his kids with!

Here is the bottom line with this:

No real company has to resort to luring parents with children to come to some bogus audition or tryout. This is all a scam to sell you classes. No one that works in this business takes this place seriously and most have nothing good to say. Gary Spatz was once many years ago a legitimate guy. But, he started scamming kids and now has a honorable reputation. They do have a few successes stories. But, think about. If they sign hundreds of kids of course a few will get lucky. What about all the rest who have nothing but parents paying off credit cards from this.

Just wanted to post my experience and what I have found out about this company. Also, if you look up Gary Spatz and Eric Rottman you can see they have a long history of running scams in Los Angeles and elseware.