Actors’ Reps

Was looking for background work and came across an ad on Craigslist for extras needed for some scene being shot at a hotel downtown. I’m always wary of Craigslist, and had never followed up on a casting call there before, but the way the ad was worded seemed ok to me so I called the number provided. Heads up, the «Tess» mentioned in all these reviews is apparently now going by «Jess,» and the phone number they listed was 213−282−1295.
When I called on a Friday afternoon she was kind of surly, but I figured she might have just been busy and wrote it off. She told me to come in the next day at 12:45 to 7080 Hollywood Blvd #304, and to bring my ID, and my resume and headshot if I had them.
This morning I wanted to look up some reviews and see what I was getting into, because I didn’t really even know the name of the company, let alone the project they were «casting» for. I’m so glad I came across these reviews, and the ones on a separate Unilocal page where the same company is called On Track, I guess. I’ll post this review there, too. Any casting agent or talent rep who tries to refer you only to THEIR photographer is a scam, and all these other experiences other people here have had with these people are definitely red flags. «Jess» had texted me a little before 8 AM to confirm the appointment, so I just sent her a text saying I had to cancel. Not going to waste my time with scam artists!

Thank god for Unilocal!I was about to go there this morning and got curious so looked up the address on Google and lo and behold.
Just in case anyone was interested in calling Tess her new number for the month of August is (424) 297 9553.

Pleaseeeeee don’t go to these people. Don’t fall for it! They make you get headshots even if you already have some. This dumb fuck woman that goes by the name «Tess» is nothing but a lying douchbag. First, you’ll go to the «audition interview» and then once you’re there, Tess will ask you to read a dialogue and then she’ll give you a slip that tells you what time to call her. I got 8:10 sharp. She’ll tell you about how the film «The Other Woman» was a film they provided background for. And she’ll continue to ramble on about other false projects LAC may have part took in. After everything was all over, I then reached to shake her hand and she wouldn’t even shake my hand. She gave me a fist bump instead. That should have raised a flag. Also the fact that I would endlessly ask her what day shooting would take place, what time, where? She would give me super vague answers. She didn’t even give me the name of the so called «production house». She doesn’t even mention her last name. And then she doesn’t shake my hand? These are red flags people. And I overlooked every single one of them…
The next morning I called her and she said I was in her «top 3» and that she wanted to use me for future projects but that I needed headshots. I told her I already had some. Then she proceeded to ask me «oh you have headshots? Are they indoor or outdoor?» And I said «outdoor.» And she said «Oh, I don’t want outdoor. I want indoor. I know this really good photographer who brings his business cards in here. He does really wonderful work, just give him a call to see what time he can take you in and call me back.» And I’m thinking to myself «I can’t spend this much money right now. Headshots are expensive. And besides, what the hell does it matter if my headshots are indoor or outdoor? And why the hell do I need a headshot for background work?» So anyway, I called that photographer up and he charged $ 199.00. His name was Barry McDaniel, something like that. So I called Tess back and told her he was too expensive so she referred me another photographer that went by «Bob». He charged $ 99. He was more affordable but Tess was in such a rush that I give her the headshots, I just booked the appointment and did it. I spent $ 99 of my hard earned money for something I didn’t even fucking need. Tess will tell you to make sure you tell the photographer you were referred by a production house. You know why? Because then the photographer gives them a stake of the money made due to the referral. I didn’t realize any of this until after the fact. After I got my headshots, I went up the street to LAC Background Production Services and handed it to Tess. She then cut the white border of the headshot, with it, also cutting my resume… That threw me off. You just scissored my resume… what if something important was there? Now you’ll never see it because you just cut it off…
She then told me to hand it to the receptionist and I did. After I got home, I looked up their «business» and I read that it was an entire scam. They are here to take your money, not to make you money. She plays it off so well and you will fall for it if you don’t do your research. Just like I did. And I felt so stupid. I work hard for my money and I hate for people to fuck with it. I will look into suing these people for falsely advertising background work in order to screw struggling/​aspiring actors over money. Look up the FTC Laws. Enlighten yourself. They can and will all get jailed for this.
This is a tricky business to start off in without having somebody take advantage of ones ambition to strive and more forward. I don’t fucking appreciate that. There are animals out there who don’t know squat about the industry and are there ripping you off. BE CAREFUL. I learned my lesson, let’s hope you learn yours by just reading this without having to go through it.
Point being is, NEVER come here. NEVER pay ANY attention to Craigslist casting calls (that is where they post their fucktard ads) and ALWAYS do your research before you give somebody your dough. ALWAYS. Google the shit out of the company name and google the shit out of the everybody involved. The more information you have, the better.
I hope you take my advise and my experience as a good lesson and learn. I did.
Later, guys.

I’m so glad I found out this company is a scam.(which I still don’t know the name of, because they never mentioned it on their Craigslist ad or mentioned it in person) I fell for this scam just like all the other reviewers. I answers a Craig’s list ad that said extras were needed for an automobile commercial.. So like a fool two days ago I rushed over to the studio (which I found odd because it looks nothing but a rented out small room) .Tess greeted me in her office and had me read a script out loud. (I found it kinda funny that she was chumping down her lunch and wasn’t even paying attention to me) she said I did good and wanted me to call her the next day at 8.50am, sharp! I did just that, she sounded so delighted to tell me I made it into her top 3 and she would b glad to send my headshot in for a movie, as soon as I brought one into the office. I don’t currently have any head shots, so I picked out the nicest selfee, blew it up and brought it into her office. When I walked in, Tess looked at me like she was seeing me for the first time and asked if she can help me, not to mention our appointment was set up for that date and time (funny she had trouble remembering me ever though I was her top 3 lol) she sounded so disappointed that I did not have a real head-​shot and ofcourse recommended me her photographer. Funny enough his special was 99 $ not 300 $ like these other people I read about
Since I did not know the name of this agency, I decided to Google the address and BAMM! It’s a Scam! I will stay away !!!
Listen people ! the kinda jobs this agency provides are audience jobs one can book yourself for free with out needing a professional head-​shot. Go to
or backgroundtalent even central casting. standing room only always has auditions for court room shows, they’re desperate for people because it’s a 50 $ job. If you’re interested you don’t need Tess Lol ! Just go the SRO site and book yourself!
Why would I pay for head shots just to be submitted for court shows. Tess is taking advantage of ppl from out of town that don’t know any better. Shame on you Tess!

The present address is 7080 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 304
I had the same experience as most here. I did not go and get headshots done because I did my research afterwards. They presently identify their company as LAC, or LAC Background. The casting agent goes by Tess. I believe she used to go by Theresa. I was recommended to two different photographers.
Either this company continues changing names and phone numbers, or there are just a number of them operating in the same way. I responded to a craigslist ad for extras in a horror film. I had the same experience as the other reviewers, only I interacted with «Tess» rather than «Theresa». I waited in a crowded waiting area with an extremely unprofessional receptionist who kept taking personal calls and couldn’t perform her job of sending us in to «Tess» in an orderly fashion. I was asked to read a female monologue and when I asked why, I was told that they were looking for two things – small speaking roles as well as background extras.
I was told to call back the following morning after meeting with Tess, at a specified time. When I called she told me she was confident I could get a role in a courtroom scene on Monday and she’d give me the details after I got in touch with two of the photographers she recommended. What’s funny is I think I was terrible at reading the monologue and Tess barely looked at me. She asked me to call her back in five minutes. I called her back and said I couldn’t get in as soon as today and she wanted to know why? And told me to call the other photographer too. Both of these photographers are within walking distance (a few blocks) of the «casting agency». When I called Tess back and told her I’d made an appointment for later that day, she asked for the time of appt. and told me to walk them over right afterwards. And that once I brought my headshots over, then she’d give me the details. I pressed for the details now and was told I needed to show up Monday at 10 a.m. to audition for a small speaking role in a courtroom scene, that I’d be given a nice lunch and treated really well (makeup, etc.) and be paid cash.
I called the receptionist and asked for the company name. I was told it was LAC or LAC Background and that, «We don’t have a website or anything.»
I did not get my headshots done.
The phone number for the company is 3 239 623 338

Scam. In 2006, without the help of anyone after a lot of people told me to get an agent especially my screenwriting teachers who wrote sitcoms of the 1980s because I am a character actor, one of my friends signed with this place and told me to meet with them because I needed any sort of agent as a start. I had no headshots. Pete Tilelli told me to get them done at Darling Photography at the corner of Hollywood and… I forget the street. It’s close to where the McDonald’s is. I think the corner of Hollywood and Highland or Hollywood and Cahuenga (Somewhere near there). It was an old building, and I went in and the photographer was really nice, made me do several outfits, but it was all on photo, not on digi cam or anything, and by this time, SD cards had come out several years prior and everything was easier to put onto disc, sd or attachable drive. This place he sent me to put all the photos on a sheet and they were super small. I brought them to Pete and he picked out one and told me to get them copied at some place on one of the side streets at a copy place (I think it was on LaBrea), not too far from Actors Reps. He told me to have them do the photo in Black and White. WHAT CRAP. The photo looked awful, old, something out of the 1950s or 1960s, and then when I got invited to go to interview with Mike Zanuck (another nut), his receptionist told me «This is Hollywood. We don’t do headshots in black and white. Why did you do them like this?» One answer. ACTORS REPS. SCAM! Never again will I sign or interview with any agent on the scam list. I get my headshots done with who I choose to get them with.
After I signed with them, nothing happened. I joined Central Casting in 2007 and a booking service on my own and got extra work through that. Then some receptionist calls me up in 2007 and says to me «Are you still interested in doing extras work?» Wait a second, Pete Tilelli told me at the original meeting back in February of 2006 «Pilot season is here soon. We’re gonna be submitting people out to the shows for auditions.» In no way did they say it was extra work, plus we had to read a copy of a script for him to decide if he’d represent us or not.
In the end, yes, this place suggested where to get the photos done. The guy who took them was nice, he took good shots. However, the way they told me to print out and get copies of «Black and white» and then a year later told me it was just for «extra work» they didn’t even get me one day of, that is totally a scam and they made money by the photographer referral.

Ditto all of the other reviews. They are a scam. They didn’t ask for money but had me get a head shot right away so I think they must get a kickback from the photographer. (Though he was pretty nice and I got good pictures at a good price.)

This is a scam. I went for a audition for a extra waited in an 102 degree room as no AC. When my name was called I went into see Theresa and she asked me about myself and asked me to read. She then went on to say how great I was and how I should call her the next day at 11:30 as they were meeting to decide who to bring on. The next day I called and she cheerfully told me I was being brought on but ai needed to call Mitchell Rose and have him work me in for head shots for 175.00 the same day and then run to her office after the shoot. she had said that Zi would need to be in Culver City for an auction on Monday. Something didn’t feel right so I did my research it is a scam and extras do not need head shots. This is Hollywood if things went that fast and easy don’t you think everyone would have a Grammy by now. The advertise on Craigslist to call for an appointment that shooting will beging next week. PLEASE do not be fooled by this scam someone needs to shut them down. They also do not have a license as far as a talent agency goes that I can find listed. Another source told me they used to go under the name of On Track Productions either way do your homework don’t be a victim…

These other people that say actors reps is a scam Are way wrong. If u can get somebody to take your dang picture and then go to kinkos then your good. If the fact that you don’t have head shots is stopping you? Then get smarter ! I got work the same week as my interview ! Green street hooligans 2 was my first movie. Actors reps got my foot in the door. To say the least. (This was written by West. M) THE INDESTRUCTABLE STUNTMAN

Don’t bother even if it is for crowd/​background scene. It’s not worth the time you have to wait just to get an «interview» for these generic wallflower positions no less the measly pay unless you are an aspiring actor/​actress looking for that break. Those looking for the novelty should have lots of time to waste not to mention deal with the rudeness of their staff.

This place is horrible. I saw their ad on craigslist saying they needed extras for tv and movies. So I go down there for my audition. There was like 5 people, auditioning. The lady who sits with you in the room is WIERD. She kept asking me if I was nervous and she stares at everyone really weird. Once I got in the audition room the guy was really nice, and gave me a phone number to call back the following day. I call the lady Teresa first. She says she can’t talk to me and I need to call another #. So I call the other # and they say I can only talk to Teresa. So I’ve been calling Teresa probably at least 20 times over the past 2 days and she never has any time to talk. She just says some bull about «oh I don’t have your file in front of me, can you call back in an hour?» then she asks for my name a million times like she can’t remember me at all. Her assistant has taken my name and phone # twice, she never calls back. If they’re not interested they should just say so instead of giving people the run around. I found this company to be very unprofessional. bEWARE.

A SCAM from a mile away!!! Stay away from this company. They will ask you to get new head shots from Mitchell just so they can get a profit. Jim played me like a fool rushed me to get new headshots, and told me about all the work he was going to get me. I read a monolog and was told I was the greatest thing since slice bread. They fed me so much s##t to get me excited.
I was asked to come back and share my new head shots with this big time director. When I arrived no director, and I was given the cold shoulder. It is a shame that someone can be so evil to mislead a person. Actor’s Rep you guys are «SCUM BAGS».

Place is a scam. They feed off poor desperate people from craigslist ad’s everyday. They offer nothing, they just want your money. Dont waste your time or talent.

Don’t waste your time with Actor’s Reps. I was lured in by their
ad about being an extra in a Denise Richard film, so my friend and I called and made an appointment to go in. In the ad it said no experience necessary, no headshots or resumes needed.
My friend and I get there and are promptly sat down to watch a video of how much work their company gets extras. Then they give us a monologue to go over as well, even though there was no mention of it in the ad. I get called into the room and the lady sits me down asks me how old I am, where do I live and if I am working, takes my resume and headshot and has me read the monologue. She then gives me their business card and writes down a name and phone number, tells me to call him Monday morning and then shoos me out of the room.
My friend is next, he sits down and she doesn’t even have him read a monologue, looks at his pictures, tells him he needs a resume and then tells him to go to the front desk and they will show you what a resume looks like. Then she shoos him out and grabs the next person waiting. The receptionist grabs a fake resume, highlights a bunch of stuff, hands it to my friend and then tells us to leave. We left wondering what the heck just happened, there was no mention of any Denise Richards movie, or anything from their Craigslist ad.
Well out of curiousity, I call the number on the card Monday morning when they told me to, but the line was busy. So, I called them later in the afternoon and they ask again where I live, how old I am and if I am working. They then rudely ask when was I told to call and I tell the receptionist that I was told to call in the morning and I did but the line was busy. So she then tells me to call back in four hours and before I can ask her what the point of calling in is, she hangs up on me.
I call back in four hours, get asked AGAIN how old I am, where do I live and if I am working, then I am told to call back again tomorrow and before she hangs up on me I asked her what am I calling in for and she rudely says it’s for an interview then hangs up on me again. Um ok… I don’t know what kind of business they are running but it has to be some kind of a scam. They were rude, bossy and didn’t tell you any information as to what is going on, a telltale sign something isn’t right. Beware of their craigslists ads, I see them every day, it’s just a waste of your time.