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Model Placement Center Greg Costa Disney Audition Scam Safety Harbor, Florida
I received a call today requesting that I audition for a Disney Movie this week. As a working actor, this wasn't entirely unusual to me, so I called back and said I'd audition. Upon receiving the email detailing the companies address and information, I immediately searched for scams related to the company, as anyone aspiring to become a professional actor should do. The truth is that most of the 'too good to be true' auditions from out of the blue are just that.
So upon google searching the Model Placement Center, I found many posts (a couple of which were on this site) detailing the company's scam. Luckily I never went to the audition, but I did send them a rather wordy email. In response I received the following:
"Alex,
Your young and you know nothing about this industry, You will never be anything in this in this industry with an attitude like yours. This company manages the biggest names in the industry to bad you think you have any pertinent information on MPC, you don't. Your 16 grow up and stop assuming you have all the answers. You up for an Emmy I don't think so!!! I have talent that are. LMAO your Pathetic. So I will put your name on the do not work list good luck in whats left of your career. Head Director Greg Costa
--
Model Placement Center"
That is literally a direct quote, the guy can't even differentiate between 'your' and 'you're', or 'to and 'too' and he has the audacity to put "Your lack of knowledge and professionalism?" as the email's subject...
It also turns out, the movie they were 'auditioning' me for (Frenemies) has already been cast, and will be produced a year before they mentioned in the email.
It's unfortunate that I'm on the critically acclaimed and world renown Greg Costa's (who?) "do not work list." I'm hoping my real agent won't drop me, and my theatre engagements won't be cancelled, but I just thought everybody should see that this is what the company is/represents. This is who you will pay your thousands of hard earned dollars to. Get a real agent, no you don't need classes, a professional photographer will be well reviewed online upon a simple google search. Save your money, and best of luck to everybody trying to make it in this industry.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Taylor
Alabama,USA
Hypocritical Words?
#9General Comment
Mon, July 20, 2015
For starters, if you really don't care about the "unfound complaints" then why would you bother even coming here and replying to one. That automatically shows that you do care. Secondly, I've also noticed that you impersonated a client without logging out. Sure, a client could've used your computer, but honestly, how credible really is that? A client being called into your office JUST to write a review? Also, the client seemed to be in a parent's point of view. If that's true, why did they feel the need to go into detail and say something about "keeping in mind that it costs money to go into the business", and even going so far as to create an analogy? I'd also like to add that the analogy could've been better. MPC was compared with schools that you go to before having a job. However, those schools are 100% credible, and have actual success stories that the students created. What does MPC have? A website stating that they have signed the more people than any other agency. Wow, that is just sooo credible!! Let's make believe. Say that MPC Models called a client to write a review. The client says "sure we'll write a review for you". Stop right there. Why would the client need to use your company's computer? Do you guys only have one computer? Unpause. So the client is writing a review using your computer, which automatically adds pressure to make it a good review, and finishes their review. At the bottom of the page, after the "rebuttal body" section, is where you enter YOUR first name. That is exactly where the client had a chance to change the name. As any logical person can see, either your client went through a series of actions that were very questionable, or you faked the review. That is all.
Anne D
Brunswick,Georgia,
United States of America
I did write the testimonial
#9General Comment
Tue, January 03, 2012
I was asked if I would write a testimonial for Model Placement Center. Although I did not know it was going to be used on this particular website, I stand by what I wrote. They have been very helpful for my daughter. I am sorry if you feel that this is a scam, but I did check them out--I mean, this is my kid, and I don't want her exploited nor do I want to be taken advantage of.
I hope your career continues to thrive, and congratulations on your success. I just wanted to let you know that a real person did write the testimonial, and they transferred it verbatim.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Believe?
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, August 24, 2011
No ones pretending, What is it illegal to have our clients use our computers.
- No of course it is not illegal to have your clients use your computer. But it sure doesn't add to your credibility, because it's not very plausible. After all if they are in your office they are not going to say "Heck while I am here can I use your computer to post a positive review", and they are not going to out of the blue decide to come down to your office to use your computer to post.
For this to even be remotely plausible they would have either already been in the office an you initiated the request, or you would have called one of your clients to come in to specifically write a positive review. If you have clients who are very happy with your service great. But from the "outside looking in" you have to realize how this appears. Exactly how unbiased can it be with an employee of the company basically looking over their shoulder?
On the flip side I do find it interesting how the OP only posted one side of the e-mails. It would be interesting to see what the OP wrote to the company that would(or would not) warrant the response they got.
MPC
safety harbor,Florida,
USA
Believe everything you read?
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, August 24, 2011
No ones pretending, What is it illegal to have our clients use our computers. I dont think so. I don't care what is posted none of these complaints have any foundation. Believe what you want. It just goes to show how pathetic you people are believing everything you read. If you do not have the facts then shut up because your making a fool out of yourself.
So if I post BS about any one of you does that make it true. You people amaze me, you believe things a 16 year old posted and we never even met him, and all his information is incorrect. MPC does exactly everything we say we do, that's why we have talent up for an Emmy. WE work Directly with the LA Directors on films do any of you. We also manage NFL players do any of you. I don't think so. So you all have a good day. Keep being blinded by BS.
Christiana
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
WHOA!!
#9General Comment
Wed, August 24, 2011
TOTALLY OWNED!!!
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
MPC, your credibility is in question.
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, August 24, 2011
MPC : I don't have a dog in this fight, but I did notice that you posted a supposed testimonial from the exact same logon ID as your initial response to this post. If you're going to pretend to be one of your own clients, you have to create a different ID or it doesn't work so well. Nice try, though. I'm sure you'll do better next time.
MPC
safety harbor,Florida,
United States of America
That boy is really misled
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, August 23, 2011
Model Placement Center has been very helpful and supportive of my daughter's
modeling. They have given her unbelievable tools, including teaching her how to
apply her makeup properly, runway classes, and acting classes. Her comp cards,
CD's and model book are beautiful! Every time I see new photos, I am
amazed. We've worked with MPC since late June, and we are already planning a
New York trip to see if she can get booked with one of the big
agencies.
Everyone is skeptical, and I'll be the first to say that I am
too! Check out the business; check out the BBB information; check out whatever
makes you feel comfortable. What we've been told is true.
What you
need to remember is that the tools are not free. Makeup artists, photographers,
making the comp cards and headshots and book takes time and costs money. Think
of it this way...if you wanted to be a welder, teacher, scientist, doctor, etc.,
you would pay to go to a trade school or college. The money you spend is an
investment. Ann D.
MPC
safety harbor,Florida,
United States of America
LOL
#9REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, August 18, 2011
Alexs thinks he knows everything, The audition is for Disney and Frenemies 2013. Alex is assuming things that he does not know. MPC has gotten more talent signed than most management companies. So I don't need or care about these complaints they are totally unfounded. The proof is in what we do as a company. Alex never really checked anything out. Anyone can write a complaint and post it on the net.