Carolina Talent SCAM OF THE CAROLINAS!!! Charlotte, North Carolina

I see this report is very old and know the business has new ownership, but I thought it prudent to share my experience.  I'm a stage parent to a child who was discovered at an early age.  Before moving to the Southeast she had respresentation in New England and I was not looking forward to doing my due dilligence all over again.  When you already have decent representation it's fairly easy to get a meeting so we traveled all over the state meeting with agents and Carolina Talent was the best by far.  I was leary to pay the orientation fee of $150, but after meeting with other agents who were clearly making money marketing services to clients rather than marketing their clients I decided it was worth the risk.  Not only did I learn a lot which helped my child's career, but I couldn't help sitting there thinking how many people would have soaked up their time and expertise and never followed up if they did not have skin in the game.  It has motivated us to take it seriously by keeping her head shots current, responding to opportunities ASAP, self-taping as professionally as possible, and following instructions to the best of our ability since they do find us lots of opportunities and have never charged us further. 

This next part is about the industry itself.  From a profit perspective the whole thing is in a way a scam.  Most people put a lot more into acting, dancing, painting, or most any art than they earn back.  Why is it that when others spend money on their child to buy sports equipment, attend training camps, or participate in travel teams few complain their grade schooler did not end up a professional athelete? The odds are similar, but many value athletics for its innate qualities and the arts only for its monetary value. Any endeavor even at a fairly modest level costs money. Acting overcomes a #1 fear - public speaking. Auditions prepare for future job interviews. Friendships are made at classes and rehearsals.  Having a reputable agent provides opportunities not entitlements and their name on her resume have opened doors even in amateur theater because when you're running with a winner like Carolina Talent people want to see how far you will go.

I was directed to the negitive comments by a reputation specialist. We don't need one. The writer of the neg comments dated Feb 2012, is completley misinformed,misguided and does not have facts straight. The proceedure for representation with us or any agency is audition. You are asked to walk, no we don't have a runway, because we don't as a rule teach classes, we are an agency, so yes, walk down the "runway",read a commercial and  give us a photo of yourself. That is the extent of the audition, we know quickly if we have an interest or not,we ahve numerous reasons not to have an interest, be it size height age or perhaps a talent who is too similar to someone we already represent. It is not wise to take the rejection personally. 
 
The event ,you are referring to is an event that we attend annually where we take a group to a conference with agents, to be scouted for larger markets,we have no need to defend the event it has been around for over twenty five years with proven sucesses. Regarding a card given to all, yes that is how we decline or approve, all that attend get a "card" the cards states thanks we like you and would like to take the next step or the card says thanks but we have no interest at this time. Only a small percentage are invited to join our company or if potential is there for larger markets extend invite  to the event that youa re referring to.. Do your research, vist all agencies, we are a sixty two years old company with clients all over, we do not charge for represetation we make mone from bookings, we do however, expect professional photos that are CT approved and we do charge an orientation fee which covers mailings, reels, vouchers and running comps to clients it is a one time fee throughout the duration of the contract. Hope this clears up your misunderstanding. Sometimes we can be pretty sore losers. Mandy Silla