Steele Management Andrew Steele Bogus agency promises stardom, without taking photos of potential talent, asking for proper information. They're high pressure sales people with no end product/service! Toronto Ontario

I discovered Steele Management on a community website, under a classified ad. I emailed to indicate my interest in extra/background work in film. I was contacted around 9:00 p.m. that night by a woman who asked me to come in for an interview with Andrew the next day. I agreed and was impressed when he called to confirm two hours before. We decided to change it, however as I had a cold.

Our appointment was moved to a few days later. I called to confirm this time. I entered a nice building at Yonge and Davisville and was warmly greeted by reception and then Andrew. He explained he would rush from a film set to meet me. Upon greeting me, however, he told me he had come from a University and was subsequently underdressed. This was the first red flag considering he had told me a different story two hours prior. We proceeded into a small office, with a couple professional prints on the wall but nothing else. No computer, no notes, no files, no camera to take a test shot of me. There was no indication of existing clients or actual talent. It really only had a desk and some chairs.

The interview was quick and laden with raunchy faux charm. Every interest I expressed, he seemed to share or have a close contact who was involved in that field. He is also very knowledgeable of the entertainment industry, which could be very decieving to an inexperienced youth. During our conversation, I maintained I was simply coming to him for extra work but he suggested I pursue acting and catalogue print work, after buying headshots. He also invited me to a club this coming Friday, which he is promoting. This event at Cake Club in Toronto is going to host a party with a model search as the major attraction. I was asked to come and enter the contest. I am convinced this was a pathetic tactic to flatter me and gain my trust, while confirming some support for his club and family photograpy business.

After filling out a skimpy contract with about 4 terms in a "checklist" format, he asked me my availability and gave me a receipt. The receipt was of course written to "assume the sale" and prompt payment. I inquired about methods of payment, as a test to see if he would allow a paper trail. He only accepts cash! Shocking. When I explained I would have to do further research, Andrew tried to manipulate me with guilt over his commute and time. I didn't succomb to his pressure to pay so he told me he was no longer interested. Seems a little disconcerting, considering 10 minutes earlier he was so convinced I would be a profitable model/actress!

Andrew is a con-man who uses this "agency" front to fund his photography business and perhaps as a partner of a trendy bar.