Halo Models & Talent Group - Stephanie Duke All work and NO PAY. For a long time! A Ripoff Story. Savannah, Georgia

All work and NO PAY. For a long time! A Ripoff Story.
 
This Ripoff Report pertains to
Stephanie Duke
Halo Models & Talent Group
Halo Agency
www.halotalentsavannah.com
Halo Talent Agency Savannah, Georgia
 
I originally posted a complaint about Stephanie Duke - Halo Models and Talent on September 30, 2009, on Ripoff Report .com. The post included the following;
 
My son and I auditioned for a commercial through Halo Models & Talent back in October 2008. We both got cast.
The commercial shoot happened in December 2008 and we promptly turned in our paperwork to Stephanie Duke - Halo Models and Talent, Savannah GA. The contract states that we may have to wait a few months to get paid. This is understandable in this industry. 
Well the commercials we did are on the air and here we are almost a year later and still no pay for either of us.
We have contacted Stephanie Duke of Halo Models and Talent numerous times regarding this matter. She is always very nice and says "she'll look into it" and that "the other actors were paid so this is just a mix up".
As it turns out, I was contacted by one of the other actors and he was wondering if my son and I have ever received our payment as he had not.  He stated that Stephanie told him the same thing she had told us.
The thing that really chaps me is that, for me, this is no big deal. But my son had a great time being in a commercial and would really like to do it again. Too Bad.
Of course, if we ever do receive payment, I will remove this post.
 
Since that posting a lot has happened.
 
Make yourself comfortable and please take the time read this entire post. I have included dates in an attempt to show a timeline. There are many months where there was no news or updates. I simply assumed I would never get paid by Halo and put the whole fiasco in the back of my mind.
 
Then, on December 22, 2009, I received another email from the other actor in the commercial wondering if I had been paid. He had not at that time.
 
At some point through all of this, in the spring of 2010 my wife decided she had had enough delays and went down to Halo Models and Talent and finally received a payment from Stephanie for our sons work. My check would be mailed to me soon.
 
On August 2, 2010, I received an email from Stephanie with a list of upcoming Halo events. My snarky reply was Now I know when I can come down and ask for my check.
 
Again, I just put it in the back of my mind and pretty much let it go.
 
But on January 28, 2011, I was in the neighborhood so I stopped by Halo. Stephanie was with a client but took the time to ask me to write down my phone number. She told me she would mail a check that day.
 
On February 1, 2011, I sent a follow up email to Stephanie to confirm if she had mailed the check as she stated she would. I also said that would be joining the gym next door to Halo so I can come by the studio more frequently in hopes to resolve this matter. 
 
Later that day I received email from Stephanie stating that my attempts to threaten, harass and/or bully are quite apparent. She said that she spoke with an attorney who advised her to release a check to me. An Attorney???!!! She also stated that I would have to sign an agreement showing that I had been paid and that there would be NO more communication through email or other sources. Remember this.
 
On February 2, 2011, I went to Halo Models and Talent, and received a check. Not for full amount. I was contracted to be paid $500.00. The check was for $400.00. I decided to just take the money and run. The funny thing was the form she asked me to sign. Not only did it say that I agree the payment was sufficient, Stephanie also included that I was no longer allowed to participate in ANY Halo projects (Really, I dont get to do a job and not get paid for over 2 years anymore???!!!) , that I was banned from the premises of Halo Models and Talent, that all communication is terminated between us and that I agreed to never post anything negative on social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube or Twitter. I do not consider Ripoff Report a social media website.
 
So yay. Were done. Right? Nope.
 
NOW, for a funny story.
On February 4, 2011, 2 DAYS after I dealt with all this, I received an unsolicited phone call from the original production company that outsourced their talent needs to Halo with the news that the commercial had been re-contracted to run for another 2 years. I told them my Stephanie Duke story and they confirmed that Stephanie had in fact been contracted by them to pay me $500.00. I was also informed that the other actor had finally been recently paid but the main actress of the commercial had not (at that time). They offered to pay me directly and I received a check from them for $300 for the re-contract.
 
Then on February 10, 2011, I received an email from Stephanie with the update that the commercial had been renewed and that she had invoiced the production company. She claimed they have offered a $250.00 rate, minus her agency fee, making my payment $200.00 and that I could expect a payment from Halo Models and Talent in 2 to 3 weeks.
 
I did not reply to her email per the NO COMMUNICATION agreement.
 
I really wanted to leave well enough alone and not have to deal with this person any longer. But since then, I received another email from Stephanie on February 21, 2012, asking me to remove the original Ripoff Report post as I said I would if I got paid. The original post has since been deleted. This NEW complaint and its entire contents will remain.
 
 This Ripoff Report pertains to
Stephanie Duke
Halo Models & Talent Group
Halo Agency
www.halotalentsavannah.com
Halo Talent Agency Savannah, Georgia