CDMT Southeast Talent Search YEP, WE GOT SCAMMED TOO! Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Where do I begin? Ok, I've read reports that say it's not scam because if you or your child don't make it then you are just a disgruntal person...WRONG!  These people really do prey on people and have one of the oldest scams going.  Yes, you do have choices but I can tell you, if you don't know any better, you will fall for this.  Corey and Rebecca are VERY talented at taking money from you.  I didn't realize this until 2 years after I put my son in their "Showcase".  Yes, it took me 2 years of actually seeing what a real agency does and what the real industry is like to realze you do not need to spend $1500 to be put in the front of the "right" people as they will tell you.  We went to a casting call at a hotel because I submitted my son's picture at the tender age of 3 and they called me.  I should have known then, there isn't much work for a 3 year old and it's VERY rare to get print work unless you are with a big ATL/NY or LA agency.  I know for a fact, these big agencies don't give a crap about what CDMT has for talent.  They claim these agencies come to their showcase but no one could ever really prove they were who they said they were. These agencies are innundated with submissions and usually have weekly casting calls there at their agency locations.  Just go to their webistes and see for yourself.  You can call them too.  For instance, CLICK, BMG, FORD, FUNNY FACES/WILLIAM REYNOLDS...this is just a few of the big dogs as they like to phrase them.

VERY few of CDMT's success stories originated from CDMT's submissions.  They were talent that were roped into their agency but found work on their own.  We were never submitted for anything.  What I found out is that they will call you about a month out from the showcase and say they have an audition or print job they are submitting you for.  They will ask for something, they already know you aren't a fit for and then say oh, they needed something else. This gets you believing they will work for you.  Once the showcase is over, they do something similar.  They will say oh, the agency in NY said they really liked you and if you were willing to travel to NY, you could attend a casting call.  Well DUH, so can any other human being walking the streets in NY.  This is just another ploy to make you believe they did something for you that they didn't do. 

I'm not saying they don't provide anything, because they will give you some low budget training at a heafty price.  You can find this training just about anywhere and usually much cheaper. At the showcase, they fail to mention that the parents have to pay an additional $100 to be with their child.  I asked what this is for and they gave me some lame excuse.  Why would I have to pay to be with my child? It's not like they were providing any food or services.  Oh, and their photography prices! You do not even need expensive head shots or pics 99.99% of the time.  My husband has gotten work off me taking home snapshots.  Casting companies and agencies will tell you they don't want professional photos.  They want to see the REAL you.  CDMT pushes their photographers which charge about $300 more than the average.

Just do your research!  Anyone in the industry will tell you, don't pay for anything up front.  The only ligitimate thing I've seen regarding fees in the industry is a good agency will charge you a minimal $10-$35 administration fee but that's it! Oh, they may tell you to go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels to pic up a portfolio book to start putting together images to take on auditions.  That's it.  You can use any professional photographer.  Most will charge you a minimal sitting fee and then you can usually buy their CD for about $50 or so.  Take those prints to Wally Word or your local print store if you don't like your own printer at home.  I'm telling you, a good agency will NOT take your money.  They will get there money, when you get work. 

Try get "extras" work.  That's what we did.  My husband doesn't have a bit of acting experience and has already worked on 3 major series in the Southeast. I didn't know anyone.  I used Facebook and looked up casting companies for upcoming series and movies.  Wilmington, Charlotte and Atlanta have tons of things going on.  Good luck to you and don't get scammed like we did.  It's just not necessary!!!!