- Report: #285119
Complaint Review: MyArtistsPlace.com Be Production - San Diego California
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MyArtistsPlace.com Be Production
8344 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, #201 San Diego, California, U.S.A.
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Be ProductionMyArtistPlace.com, Be Production talent scam children modeling scout scamster scamming scamsters San Diego California
My 8-year old daughter and I were approached by a person and were asked to come to a talent screening test (held at Sheraton Hotel in UTC) last Saturday. We went there and my daughter went through what looked like a real screen test (not that we ever went to one before,
so we had no idea what a real screen would be like).
After the screen test, we were told that if they liked what they saw in my daughter they would call us and that everything would be free. We got a phone call yesterday from a talent director named Leah who excitedly told us
that she would like to work with my daughter and that she would like to see us for second interview. Since she told both my wife and I had to come to the second interview, I took the afternoon off from my work
(I work at Grossmont College in El Cajon).
We went to an office suite(8344 Clairemont Mesa blvd, #201, easy to locate since it's the only two story building in that block). There were about 14 or 15 families at the 2 o'clock presentation, including a San Diego police officer (he was wearing his FULL uniform) and his cute daughter. We were treated to an elaborate DVD-based presentation on what the company was
about and was give information on how cheap their photo shoots and other programs were, compared to some other program. There was vague mention about a membership cost during the initial presentation after the DVD show.
At this point, they called in a family into a room for
"second interview". We had to wait as we were one of the last families to be called in. I saw at least three kids who came out of the second interview with tears in their eyes--I asked one of these moms, why her kid was crying and she told me that her child really wanted to pursue
this but that it was alot of money; I asked how much and she told me $1800. I was flabbergasted.
I had done some research on the web the day before and found that if they ask for money upfront, it was a
scam. I saw the police officer's kid go up to the front of the room where they had set up a gong. I said silently "Oh no, not the police officer" as she rang the gong. It meant that she had paid and joined the membership.
Soon, we were called in to the second interview. Leah,
the talent director, gave a sales pitch and pulled out a laminated piece of paper with various membership levels; the lowest membership started at $1200 and all the way up to $4500. When I said no to her offer, she asked me "don't you want to support your daughter?" and
that my daughter was her first choice in a new children's tv program they were developing for CW (presumaly the local tv station). She told me that since I refused to pay, she was going to her second choice. I
told her go right ahead.
As we were walking back to our car, I saw a mother pull in. I told her that they asked for $1200 at least and that this might be one of those scams. She wanted to see for herself and went in.
The company is called Be Productions and their website is
myartistsplace.com and they look very legit. However, they prey on the weakness every parent has. There's very little information on this particular company on the web. Leah, the talent director, told me that they just opened door two weeks ago, so that might be why. I
just went to the BBB website and filed a complaint.
PLEASE, PLEASE, publicize this so people won't be scammed by this and other so called talent agencies.
James
San Diego, California
U.S.A.
so we had no idea what a real screen would be like).
After the screen test, we were told that if they liked what they saw in my daughter they would call us and that everything would be free. We got a phone call yesterday from a talent director named Leah who excitedly told us
that she would like to work with my daughter and that she would like to see us for second interview. Since she told both my wife and I had to come to the second interview, I took the afternoon off from my work
(I work at Grossmont College in El Cajon).
We went to an office suite(8344 Clairemont Mesa blvd, #201, easy to locate since it's the only two story building in that block). There were about 14 or 15 families at the 2 o'clock presentation, including a San Diego police officer (he was wearing his FULL uniform) and his cute daughter. We were treated to an elaborate DVD-based presentation on what the company was
about and was give information on how cheap their photo shoots and other programs were, compared to some other program. There was vague mention about a membership cost during the initial presentation after the DVD show.
At this point, they called in a family into a room for
"second interview". We had to wait as we were one of the last families to be called in. I saw at least three kids who came out of the second interview with tears in their eyes--I asked one of these moms, why her kid was crying and she told me that her child really wanted to pursue
this but that it was alot of money; I asked how much and she told me $1800. I was flabbergasted.
I had done some research on the web the day before and found that if they ask for money upfront, it was a
scam. I saw the police officer's kid go up to the front of the room where they had set up a gong. I said silently "Oh no, not the police officer" as she rang the gong. It meant that she had paid and joined the membership.
Soon, we were called in to the second interview. Leah,
the talent director, gave a sales pitch and pulled out a laminated piece of paper with various membership levels; the lowest membership started at $1200 and all the way up to $4500. When I said no to her offer, she asked me "don't you want to support your daughter?" and
that my daughter was her first choice in a new children's tv program they were developing for CW (presumaly the local tv station). She told me that since I refused to pay, she was going to her second choice. I
told her go right ahead.
As we were walking back to our car, I saw a mother pull in. I told her that they asked for $1200 at least and that this might be one of those scams. She wanted to see for herself and went in.
The company is called Be Productions and their website is
myartistsplace.com and they look very legit. However, they prey on the weakness every parent has. There's very little information on this particular company on the web. Leah, the talent director, told me that they just opened door two weeks ago, so that might be why. I
just went to the BBB website and filed a complaint.
PLEASE, PLEASE, publicize this so people won't be scammed by this and other so called talent agencies.
James
San Diego, California
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Dohara
San Jose,California,
U.S.A.
Be Employee response
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, January 27, 2009
It should be pointed out that Pamela Roney has worked for Be as a photographer.
Ron A. Romero
San Diego,California,
U.S.A.
Just approached by them
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, January 20, 2008
My son was approached by them and gave him a business card, so I looked up the name and found this article. Thanks for the warning. I also found a related help wanted ad on craigslist.org where they plan to expand in the bay area: ~~~~~~~~~~~ TALENT DIRECTOR/INSIDE SALES (100k+++) ------------ Reply to: [email protected] Date: 2008-01-04, 12:32AM PST Hollywood based entertainment company, Be Productions (gonnabe.com), expanding in Bay Area seeks outgoing, dynamic, skilled closer to assist in regional expansion. Looking for a self starter who excels in appointment setting, presentations, customer service and closing deals. We offer a flexible schedule, but you must be available for some nights and weekends. Full health and dental benefits and 401k included in package. $2k a month draw against commission. My top guy makes over $20k/month! If you ever wanted to be in the fast paced and glamorous entertainment industry, now is your chance. This isn't network marketing or cold calling. We provide leads, office space, and state of the art computers. Will train the person with the right personality. Must be at least 21 years of age and currently living in the Bay Area. Hiring Organization: Be Productions Location: San Jose or Emeryville Compensation: $6-8K/month (commission) Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. Please, no phone calls about this job! Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
Pamela Roney
Hayward,California,
U.S.A.
My 8 year old and I have had an excellent experience with this company for over a year.
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, December 07, 2007
My 8 year old daughter and I were solicited in the exact same way in Sept. of 2006. The only difference is that we live in the East Bay. Northern California. I went to the call back with both my daughters and explained to them on the way there that if there was any cost associated with the call back " We had our walking papers ready"! After listening to the "talent director" explain what My Artists Place was proposing for thier members I was still ready to walk out. My 18 year old daughter pleaded with me to sign her little sister up. My 8 year old was looking at me like I had just told her Santa was not real. It IS every parents weekeness and so I did sign up and agreed to pay a large amount of money in three monthly installments. I did not even tell my husband that I had spent the money. We have separate accounts, thank god! Tayler went to have her pictures takent by a proffessional photographer and then started her acting classes with Rising Stars. After 6 weeks of "Boot Camp" acting classes she was eligible to " showcase". If all these terms are new to you, they were new to me also. A showcase is where an actor gets to perform in front of casting directors, agents, management agencies and other types of carreer advancing people. My Artists Place sets up the showcase for thier members and provides the venue for the event. Tayler was extremely excited and as she was going in to perform her monologue that she had learned in Rising Stars she stated " Oh mommy, I am SO ready for this" To make a long story short(er), Tayler was signed by an agent from her first showcase and has had agency representation ever since. Tayler has been acting and modeling for over a year now. Last Sunday she was in a runway show for Zurah Lynn, Leggings for Little Divas held in the Zeum theatre at the top of the Moscone Theatre. (7 clothing changes). Yesterday she shot for three hours for Biscotti Inc.. If you want to see Haut Couture clothing for little girls, go to biscottiinc.com and check it out. This coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday she is a featured extra in the upcoming film Four Christmases, starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn. These are all paid jobs, but more importantly she has blossomed and flourished in this industry. My Artists Place, aka Be Productions, provided a great platform for us to start and continues to provide ongoing support classes to help Tayler improve and refine her her skills at greatly reduced industry rates. Tayler recently completed the "More Than a Model" course that is associated with My Artists Place and It was fantastic. This course has a photographer shooting the entire class and the "portfolio quality" pictures I was able to buy for less than $10.00 each are stunning. A photography session like this would cost upwards of $300.00. Was it worth the money? Yes! But only because Tayler took to it like a duck in water. Not every child will stick with it and then what do you do? Not every parent will be able to provide the time and support needed to run off to auditions and go sees with last minute notice. My only advice to parents would be to consider the committment of time you are making to your child. Our children are always an investment. The return we can hope for is a well rounded, confident, capable young adult with good common sense. I am not the only one to see a change in Tayler. Her teachers are always impressed with her poise and grace. Tayler and Pamela
Pamela Roney
Hayward,California,
U.S.A.
My 8 year old and I have had an excellent experience with this company for over a year.
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, December 07, 2007
My 8 year old daughter and I were solicited in the exact same way in Sept. of 2006. The only difference is that we live in the East Bay. Northern California. I went to the call back with both my daughters and explained to them on the way there that if there was any cost associated with the call back " We had our walking papers ready"! After listening to the "talent director" explain what My Artists Place was proposing for thier members I was still ready to walk out. My 18 year old daughter pleaded with me to sign her little sister up. My 8 year old was looking at me like I had just told her Santa was not real. It IS every parents weekeness and so I did sign up and agreed to pay a large amount of money in three monthly installments. I did not even tell my husband that I had spent the money. We have separate accounts, thank god! Tayler went to have her pictures takent by a proffessional photographer and then started her acting classes with Rising Stars. After 6 weeks of "Boot Camp" acting classes she was eligible to " showcase". If all these terms are new to you, they were new to me also. A showcase is where an actor gets to perform in front of casting directors, agents, management agencies and other types of carreer advancing people. My Artists Place sets up the showcase for thier members and provides the venue for the event. Tayler was extremely excited and as she was going in to perform her monologue that she had learned in Rising Stars she stated " Oh mommy, I am SO ready for this" To make a long story short(er), Tayler was signed by an agent from her first showcase and has had agency representation ever since. Tayler has been acting and modeling for over a year now. Last Sunday she was in a runway show for Zurah Lynn, Leggings for Little Divas held in the Zeum theatre at the top of the Moscone Theatre. (7 clothing changes). Yesterday she shot for three hours for Biscotti Inc.. If you want to see Haut Couture clothing for little girls, go to biscottiinc.com and check it out. This coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday she is a featured extra in the upcoming film Four Christmases, starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn. These are all paid jobs, but more importantly she has blossomed and flourished in this industry. My Artists Place, aka Be Productions, provided a great platform for us to start and continues to provide ongoing support classes to help Tayler improve and refine her her skills at greatly reduced industry rates. Tayler recently completed the "More Than a Model" course that is associated with My Artists Place and It was fantastic. This course has a photographer shooting the entire class and the "portfolio quality" pictures I was able to buy for less than $10.00 each are stunning. A photography session like this would cost upwards of $300.00. Was it worth the money? Yes! But only because Tayler took to it like a duck in water. Not every child will stick with it and then what do you do? Not every parent will be able to provide the time and support needed to run off to auditions and go sees with last minute notice. My only advice to parents would be to consider the committment of time you are making to your child. Our children are always an investment. The return we can hope for is a well rounded, confident, capable young adult with good common sense. I am not the only one to see a change in Tayler. Her teachers are always impressed with her poise and grace. Tayler and Pamela
