UNIVERSAL MODELS And ACTORS ripoff Universal Models and Actors Hollywood California
Beware of this 'Company' ! It was once Tristar Entertainment and later after soo many complaints became "Universal Models and Actors".
You get approach by a talent scout [ I happen to be at a red carpet event in hollywood with my son] and then receive a phone call to set up an appoinment to come in for an 'interview'.
When you go into their office [ on the tenth floor- suite 1064] you meet their 'talent director' with auditions and readings with them [ mine was with Deanna] [with hopes of getting signed by someone -actually getting some work ] after taking anywhere from 400 dollars to 4000.00 dollars [four hundred to four thousand] for some photographs/ you meet the photographer basically after that they drop you- there is no work, acting or modeling they just take your money and run. I had my son and we gave them over two thousand dollars to these scam artists- they are quick with their cons/their words/actions please beware/be careful.
after running into other people that were there when they were Tristar-told me they tried to get their money back but when the name changed they had a very difficult time to get their money back and they are still in business.
The scam artists :
major players : OWNER :Mehran Foutan appears to be persian speaks with an accent, short meduim build,olive complexion 5'9 tall approximately.his office is next to the receptionist but not viewable from the lobby-his name is on the door.
The receptionist and office manager :'Christina' [she could spell it with a {K] BLOND,SLIM BUILD ,Approx 6/ft tall caucasian with a heavt european accent.thin hair auburn.
The TALENT 'directors' 'Deanna 'Blond, approx 6' ft caucasian older mature woman her office is on the right
'Phillip' older mature caucasian man mature fifties? Black hair dirty ruggish look slim build.his office is on the very left
'Charlene' mid heavy set african american woman meduim brown skin late thirties wears glasses.her office is dead center behind the receptionist.
the people who call you for an Appoinment:
Ellie- young early 20's, wears glasses short light complexion could be a hispanic Veronica- in 20's ?very heavy set , wears a turban,caucasian? Has black hairthis person sometimes works a s the recptionist
Romeo- looks to be in his mid 20'2 slim build, rugged look ,unshaven,looks persian
AFTER doing some digging I found a warning about this company on craigslist and other various places including the Better Business Bureau ! I wish I would have check this out before giving all my money to these people and my son having his heart broken on a false dream from thease scammers-They are just a Photogray Company trying to stael your Money- Do Not Give your money to these People!!!
Concern4thepeople
hollywood, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
xconversex
Montclair,California,
United States of America
What did you do after?
#3General Comment
Fri, January 29, 2010
After everything and finding out it was a rip off and they just took your money, what did you do next? Did you go to the police? Please respond asap with your info. I just found out I now have the same problem.
Thank you.
Aredhele
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
Without Grace and Dignity.
#3UPDATE Employee
Thu, July 23, 2009
The person writing this diatribe is NOT a father and son duo but in fact a mother and daughter team that used to work for the company, but due to their bad behavior and dishonesty toward their kind and soft spoken boss was fired after about half a dozen warnings. They were guilty of blatantly lying about the quality of their work which resulted in ripping off the boss of hundreds of dollars in compensation for said work.
So after being fired they began a disgraceful rampage of distasteful paragraphs about the people that were nothing but kind and generous to them. They started with Craigslist saying exactly what you are reading here on Ripoff report, they must have the original on their computer and just cut and paste where/when they can. It was removed but they would repost again. It really is a shame to see people stoop to such a level when it was their own REPEATED actions that had ended in the loss of a job, instead of just gracefully moving on to the next one. Yet, what was most shocking was to see them drag innocent people into it and list them here. And last but not least! Pose as a father and son that was horribly ripped off and wronged in such a manner is despicable. Shame on both of you women.
All that I write is true and not meant to try and cover up or explain away any wrong doing. I sit here writing this shaking with indignation. This is a false and fabricated story penned by people sore with the loss of a job that they thought they could keep while continuing to take advantage of nice people.