Complaint Review: Pro Scout

 My daughter has always like to entertain the whole family- so it seemed reasonable that she would take an intrest in acting/modeling... Upon hearing an advertisement for Proscout on our local radio station; I decided to take my daughter to this event... Pro Scout rented out a large room at a hotel in my state, and there were lots of people in attendance.  You fill out a form, asking what your intrests/experience is- so this seems legit... Then you are called up to a table to meet a man named David who claims he has been doing this for 15-years, and he gives you a mini-interview, and asks for experience, and then tells you- either yes or no... My daughter was asked if she would work hard, and she said yes- so we assumed she had a "chance" if she worked hard, but still really didnt know what the chance would be.  Those (most people), who were "selected" stayed around and was told how lucky we were, and now we get to go on, and meet all the high-powered agents coming in from all over the country... We were told his personal story about how he wasted so many years/money doing things the old-way, and spent thousamnds of wasted time and money on head-shots, and audtitions, and we were lucky, because we could meet them all at one time (agents), and it would cost us far less 800.00- not including hotel.  Okay, so I left with a package in hand, about Proscout, and how great it is, and the payment plan.  I didnt pay at first, but did end up paying, and off we went to Columbus Ohio- this where they hold the main-event, and recruting all over the country in rented out hotel rooms. Now, we arrived on a Friday night, and my daughter was so excited, and she was trying to find them, and they arrived late, because you can register on Friday, but that was okay, but seemed unprofessional already.  We registered, and went back to our room for the big-event on Saturday... The next morning we went to main lobby on 3rd floor, and there were hundreds of people there- some in different lines... Lines to pay off balance, and lines to have these so-called experts look at photos of people.  We were told to bring in two photos- one a head-shot, and the other a full body for each agent, and there would be at least 30-agents... I spent about 75.00 on nice photo paper.  Saturday was an all-day lecture on modeling/acting, and they played lots of pump-up music to get everyone excited - I guess... But, I noticed the meeting seemed much toned down, as compared to the way the first recruiter/talent scout David made everything seem... The owner of company is this elderly-Jazzy man who makes things seem very legit, but there was this air about him, that said SCAM... he told us that some of you may get only one call back, but that is okay, because we had a boy who only got one call back, and then went on to do a movie with Steven Spielberg- so guess this gave us all hope right??  There were over 700 people in attendance, and we all had our own number- so you can imagine how much money was made @ 800.00 per pserson, and this does not include the acting classes on satruday, or run-way class- if you so chose to pay for, and many did in hopes of it making a real difference upon meeting the AGENTS tomorrow.  My daughter attended the acting try out for kids, and I felt she did quite well, but what mother doesnt think this??  I can say this, its not based on acting at all... One girl who was much younger than my daughter mumbled (literally) a hot-dog song out of her mouth recieved more call backs than my daughter... yes, this is cute, but this is NOT acting- so why then did my daughter have to work hard, as David put it??  My duaghter also tried out for the modeling, because they claim the two go hand-in-hand in todays market, and she only got one call back, and this I clearly still do not understand she has the height,a nd is clearly beautiful, and I know i sound like a bitter mother, but it just didnt make sense.  Anyways, the one call back she did recieve- we met with the agent who specializes in Hipanics... I assumed she knew my daughter was hispanic, and she told me that she doesnt select kids, unless she can put them to work, and even mentioned her doing a Coke commerical... She asked if my daughter could do a video on acting, and if i could send in a couple of more photos... I gave her two pictures of the 30-sets I had borught with me, and she took our number, and email and we left... Something about all this just didnt feel right.  We went home, and waited to hear from agent... her assistant sent out an email asking for us to send in the stuff they needed... we sent in two photos, and when I went to the three FREE websites she said we must sign our duaghter up on; they are not FREE at all... I told agent we are not paying for these sites, because they are not free, and guess what????? We jave not heard a word from these people... I guess they get a kick-back of sorts.  I have also talekd to another mother who who was at the same event, and she told me Proscout, suggested her daughter come back to Colimbus for a professional photo-shoot at the cost of 595.00- gee what a surprise.  I will take blame for most of this, because I should have known better, but guess when it comes to your kid; you want to make them happy.  The majority of over the 700 people who left that day didnt get a call back, and the ones who did; were probably expected to fork out more money as we were... I would venture to say- only a very small percentage goes on to have a real career with this route.  Please learn from our mistake, and dont get suckered in to this scam.  They get away with this, becuase they dont make any guarantees, and a few actually DO get jobs, but majority will not, and fall prey to this scam, and continue to fork out more money.  We, or I have learned the hard way, and hopefully this will prevent others from wasitng their time/money on Proscout. Thsi is not based on true talent, but its agents need- thisis why the selection process didnt make sense.  Dont fall for the line about true talent, and this can affect many who leave there thinking they didnt have the talent- when its not true talent, its filling a slot for an agent, and there is a difference, and this is why the Hispanic tlanet agency accepted my daughter.  Run far way from this traveling-road-show circus!!