After seeing a call for 100 extras posted on Maryland Film Org Hotline i responded to this agency via e-mail to let them know i would be mailing information per request for information and photo. Kristin contacted me via cell phone to set up an "audition." I advised them that I was not SAG, to which she (kristin) said that's good. I think now that they may have been falsely representing Robert G. Christie's Sobbing Stone project, a production being filmed in November locally. I set the apptmt. up for Saturday at 1:00. Upon arrival I was given forms to fill out while trying to listen to richard shaw give his speel to a group of us (8 to 10). Shane came out on the porch and was introduced to the group as the booker. We were told we would see him later for our audition if we were accepted by the agency.

I sat for quite some time waiting my turn. There were approximately 6 folks in front of me. One lady in particular seemed to have been, in retrospect, "planted." I saw, at 4:30 pm, richard shaw (the supposed photographer/ex model) who quickly went over a Non-exclusive Initial Agreement contract with me, and told me I would need head shots and that they had to approve them. If I chose to go outside the agency to obtain them he emphatically said that they were VERY particular about accepting outside head shots, but for a hefty fee he could do a test shoot for head shots. I had a choice to schedule to come back for test shoot on Tuesday (I work full time) or I could have test shoot done while I was there. I agreed to have them done then and was told I would need a "professional" make-up job", which, could cost $700.00 but they would do it for a special price of $99.00 paying 60% of the cost themselves. The makeover took all of 8 minutes. I paid in full by check, the total cost of $298.00, and rushed thru a make up, and test shoot.

I was finally seen by Shane the booker at 5:45; who took 3 phone calls during the audition, chain smoked, and sounded like a car salesman on speed. We finished at 6:30 p.m. The monolgue was ridiculous, along with his advise to contact professional hard working folks and ask favors of them. I was told by shane that I would receive the proofs in the mail on Tuesday and that I was to email him immediately upon receipt and he would pick my photo to use as my head shot.

Friday, Nov 5, I received the proofs with a copy of the contract I had signed on Saturday. The contract/receipt has been altered and falsified stating that I owe them additional monies. This will make the contract null and void. I am seeking legal action on Monday, Nov 8, to retain my $298.00 in full immediately, and intend to file a Judgment. They have committed fraulence, tampering with legal document, misrepresentation, among other immoral illegal activities. What scum... And professional photographer, no. The proofs are far from professional.

Therese

Parkville, Maryland
U.S.A.

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Annapolis Agency - kidz In The Bix - motion Pictures

11 Updates & Rebuttals

Christy

Lusby,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

Emails between myself and Dee Dee

#2Consumer Comment

Tue, May 10, 2005

Email #1My name is Dee Dee Dodendorf. I am the new owner of Annapolis Agency/ Kidz In The Biz. I have been told of all the stuff you have been doing to the company. I got your fax & would love to talk to you about the issues. You have to understand some of the questions you are asking do not pertain to you; but I am willing to answer as many questions as I can. I would like you to give me your number so I may contact you because I would rather not do this via e-mail. Thank You, Dee Dee Dodendorf My response:Dear Dee Dee: Thank you for your email. You ARE the first one to respond on this issue as it seems the rest of your organization is a bunch of cowards. However, I don't feel comfortable discussing this over the phone because then there is no proof as to your answers. I find that someone who is not willing to supply answers in writing, is stating they do not want their answers verified or for someone to display those answers because they have something to hide. I am not saying that is the case w/ you, but I do know it is the case w/ Richard Shaw. My intent is this....If necessary, I will come with the others who have been wronged by that company under the previous ownership etc. and stand outside on your busiest day and hand out the copies of the allegations that is made about your organization on line. I will shout out to everyone who walks in the issues that your company has and use the words "allegedly" as to not compromise my situation. I feel the public has the right to know what they are getting into. Also, I work in Annapolis, so have no problem coming by there on various lunch breaks, in the evening or mornings and doing the same. What has been done to numerous people is unjust, and I will see that justice is received for those people. Why? because its my civic duty! If you were a much larger National company and these 8-10 complaints came about, I may not take notice, although bigger companies also should satisfy the complaints, they are also a BIGGER target for those complaints. Considering your company is small and ALL of the complaints against your company are basically the same and are basically right here from our fine state of Maryland, I find it hard to believe that each person has the same story of being "ripped off" and that each and everyone of them has made this up. The allegations of fraud that have been made are against the law and those complaints are now in the hands of the attorney general as well as the consumer protection agency. If I have to sit in their offices each and every day to be sure that action is taken, fine by me, it would be my pleasure. Oh yeah, and don't try to change names AGAIN and change addresses AGAIN because I will be watching for that. In order to obtain business, you will have to advertise, therefore there is not shielding yourself through a new location or name. As stated, I would love for the questions to be answered. IN WRITING or during a tape recorded face to face meeting in which I will have to see when I am available. Until then, my fight for these people will continue! Best Regards, Christy Foster Email #2:Christy~ I have noticed you are not willing to take care of this in a respectful manner. I will not e-mail you all the info because of the fact that lots of this does not pertain to you. I have contacted my attorney & let him know what you are doing. I have let him know you are harassing the company & threatening us. I am getting ready to file a lawsuit against you and if I hear anything else from you I will forward it all onto my attorney. You have never been with our company & have no rights to do what you are doing. Dee Dee Dodendorf My response again: That is fine by me! As far as it not pertaining to me, yes it does. Whenever there is a citizen of the state that is being ripped off, then it pertains to me. You do what you will, but my guess is this......you don't want to call any attention to yourself and lets see if your lawsuit will hold water when I bring all the people on board who are involved in being ripped off, including the person who WON a judgment against the company. I hope, that you have taken over the business in order to "turn it around" but given your unwillingness to even acknowledge that something "may" be going on, I find that hard to believe. I am willing to handle this in a mature manner, however can you inform me as to what a telephone conversation will prove? You give me a date and a time when you will be available and I will be sure to contact you! As far as it being in the hands of your attorney, last time I checked, there was a law protecting my freedom of speech and right to assembly. The constitution protects me against this you see! I have made no allegations against your company, I just have simply asked questions, if you choose to answer them so be it. As far as me sending faxes, well....if you intend to put your fax number on the public communication highway such as the internet, you open yourselves up for all types of faxes! PS. I will also be happy to show you the contract and the cease & desist letter that SAG/AFTRA wrote you after your company was stating their affiliation w/ them which was unfounded. Best Regards, Christy R. Foster My response again:

Dee Dee

Severna Park,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!!

#3UPDATE Employee

Wed, May 04, 2005

My name is Dee Dee. I have worked with Annapolis Agency for some time now. I have read all the complaints on "rip-off report.com" and wanted to take a minute to speak the truth. I know for a fact that for some time now Annapolis Agency has made sure that we have people initial that we will deduct money from the credit card(s) we have on file if they fall 2 months short on their payments. Most of the complaints I see here on this site we have files with there initials on it. Due to the custom nature of our business we do not offer refunds, for the simple fact that we cannot use one persons picture for another person. When we have an upset client we try to work out these problems with them but unfortunately we have some that do not wish to resolve the issues in a pleasant way.

Christy

Lusby,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

never heard of a deposit for services.....

#4Consumer Comment

Tue, May 03, 2005

Tere: Did you understand the money you paid to be a deposit as they stated in the final letter they sent you or a payment for services? Did you recieve any services? I have never heard of a deposit for services.....

Christy

Lusby,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

I came to face to face w/ Ric Shaw

#5Consumer Comment

Tue, May 03, 2005

First let me state, I have never signed w/ this company or been ripped off by this company but after knowing someone who was, I have followed this very carefully and have even started to take action by contacting local news media. I came face to face w/ Richard Shaw, after being amazed that he is still in business and still by your obvious complaints ripping people off, I decided, as a consumer to take some things into my own hands. I printed out your complaints and went to his new location on Riva Rd. w/ the intent of taping them to the front door of his business. Low and behold who should be standing there with some giant camera in his hand but Richard Shaw! I handed him the copies of the complaints which he stated he was "not aware of" and thanked me over and over again (what he was thanking me for, I dont know) however we do know that he is a liar because he did know about the reports considering he posted a response to one of them on this very site. I then told him that he was fraudualantly charging credit cards and falsifying contracts, his response was "thats not true" well isnt that the pot calling the kettle black by trying to point out that someone elses statements were not true! I also told him that I was going to go to the attorney general and he continued to state it was not true, I then told him he should have no problem proving it then. He once again asked my name which I gladly told him! I have someone from the state of Maryland who wants to talk to people who have been ripped off by this agency, I am also looking into what it takes to file a class action lawsuit. If you are interested in talking with someone who may possibly be able to finally shut this guy down and to possibly get your money back, contact me at [email protected] Its all thanks to rip off report that we are able to make this happen! This site is truly a wonderful service to the public!

Carolyn

Davidsonville,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

How to Collect

#6Consumer Suggestion

Sat, April 30, 2005

David- your question was how to correct the wrong done by this rip-off company. While they have committed so many illegal deeds, they continue to move on. The only thing that has changed since my daughter was ripped of is the "fees" that they charge for doing absolutely nothing! They have increased. Do as my daughter did.. it will require a little of your time, but will be well worth it. First, file a complaint with the BBB...some are not happy with them but it brought results here. Next, go to the Court House in Baltimore, get a package to file a judgment against the company. You will receive an instruction book with the paperwork that will be very infomative. You will need to serve their Resident Agent, who was and probably still is CSC Lawyers in Baltimre. You can go online and verify this information. My daughter won her judgment. PLEASE... everyone who has been victimized by this company, TAKE ACTION!!

Carolyn

Davidsonville,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

How to Collect

#7Consumer Suggestion

Sat, April 30, 2005

Carolyn

Davidsonville,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

How to Collect

#8Consumer Suggestion

Sat, April 30, 2005

Carolyn

Davidsonville,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

How to Collect

#9Consumer Suggestion

Sat, April 30, 2005

Jan

Crofotn,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

I have the same situation Annapolis Talent Agency is committing fraud.

#10Consumer Comment

Mon, April 18, 2005

Annapolis Talent Agency also sent a photocopied "contract" that indicated that I owed them $573 additional dollars. Annapolis Talent Agency fraudulently photocopied the original contract to make it look like I actually signed this "new" contract. It was so real, it almost fooled me! Fortunately, I had the original I signed. Annapolis Talent Agency was never authorized any more monies or to perform any other services. The receptionist, Sherrie, keeps telling me Richard will call me but he hasn't thus far. I don't expect him to at this point. Annapolis Talent Agency is committing fraud. Let's get together and not allow them in our state to rip-off our citizens.

David

Baltimore,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

Similar Situation

#11Consumer Comment

Mon, February 07, 2005

Hi. I read your complaint about annapolis agency and I have a very similar one to yours. I have just posted a similar complaint on here as well, you can read it and see the similarities if you would like. I was wondering since your post was november what you did to solve these problems with them? How did you handle them? Did you get a lawyer? Go to the Attorney General, what did you do? I would like some help on how to get all of my money back and my contract negated as well. Thanks.

Tere

Parkville,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

I have received back a second tampered/altered contract

#12Author of original report

Fri, November 19, 2004

I have received back a second tampered/altered contract (all in xerox) and correspondence on a fax sheet, not dated, not signed, from these people stating that they canceled my contract. They don't understand that tampering with a legal signed and dated document is against the law and voids that contract/business deal. For a business that's been in operation for 35 years...I question their business ethics and smarts...Most recent "correspondece" is on a plain white sheet of paper, undated, unsigned, MOTION PICTURES, INC. "To whom it may concern, (my name written in) Attached is a no refund agreement and balance due. (there is no attachment). We try to stabilize our talent base of artist photography with this agreement. Even though balance is obligated to be paid, we will consider (scratch through consider hand written 'be') canceling. In this case deposit would be forfeited. Thank you for understanding our position and your obligation. Sincerely, Motion Pictures, Inc." I repeat the contract/business deal was voided when they altered the contract illegally tampering with a legal document. They have broken the law and opened themselves to legal action.

Reports & Rebuttal