I'm a photographer....not an actor.. but a creative and have worked with actors....i reached out to this company just to ask for some quick local advice related to their sphere of expertise.
Anyway, back to business; I called this company and got a guy...hoping to get some quick advice 1-3 mins ..would have been fine. I wanted to know which production companies in Boston (being a small market) shoot the most of the large budget features/netflix/commercials....I figured they would know..since i they advertised that they placed actors for local gigs .I would have appreciated any few small tidbits or quick insights to send me on my way....because you can't always tell from researching websites who does what .. So i thought quick question- quick answer? So I called - I assume Matt answered- I think i got out about 10 words out and within seconds the line just went dead...I assume he just hung up like that...WTF??. Called back ..voicemail.. Almost couldn't believe...None of .."i'm sorry, i can't help you" .."sorry call me next week...i'm busy..etc etc etc." No..none of that- nothing - nada, zero, ..haha. He probably figured well, this guy is not going to make me any money today, so boom the phone slams down ..not even a goodbye.... God...hehe
What i relayed to you is an absolute fact....how you interpret is up to you...Maybe from his point of view, he thinks; Hey, I am Matt, and i am a very important person here, and i just can't be bothered with unimportant people that won't do anything or enrich for me today..a few mins of my time too much..lol. I suppose that's it. What are the other likely excuses? There are none that i can think of ..Busy?? No one is too busy to say sorry, i can't give that information or sorry can't help with that...thanks for calling. Oddly enough when you call him there is some type of "Magic Jack" intro that screens calls...Weird..maybe a side business. .But for me this guy seemed be one of the most rude, selfish, cheap operators in Boston...and Boston is really no place for non rich creatives to begin with...it's all about privilege,where you went to school and who knows here ...not genuine talent or merit...If you have real talent most go to LA/NYC.Miami because a level playing field etc. ..but still....Seemed like within seconds that he knew that I wasn't going to put in any money in his pocket his true colors showed pretty clearly and REAL quick ...I called him back and left a voicemail with some choice words.haha...I'm human..if you just hang up on someone arbitrarily that betrays a certain level of rudeness that is just uncalled for from anyone -It's not like i or we are calling the queen or royalty here...One would assume that since he has had the good fortune to earn his livelihood from other people's talent and depends on you to butter his bread he should likewise display some measure of humility or decency to be working in this industry and living off our talents ...If not , what the f#% is this guy doing messing in the pocket books of creatives? Not every call every day is going to be a money call..why be so damn greedy?. His time is no more or less important than anyone else's...Cut the crap....anyway..
But anyway, to new actors... caveat emptor..? ..If you're drop dead gorgeous and think you're clearly a shoe-in for any commercial work then sure, give him your money if you to gamble...guess that's all he cares about...But just from the short brief exchange i had with this guy...I can't help but think he doesn't gives a damn about anyone but himself..But i just have my doubts that this kind of guy would be on the lookout for real opportunities for your career.or anyone else but himself...He failed the basic test...There are some other Boston agencies that i've heard negative comments from actors too....like Boston Cast*&^ - no names please...that agency is similar- i know personally..A few connected people take all the work- insiders.
Generally, a lot of Boston agencies will take your money -but what usually happens is a few of their 'go to' people get most of the work and most everyone else gets zero..there's just not much diversity..and not that much available work here anyway .To quote a Boston actor that i know regarding the Boston scene..." A stuck up city....you just always hit a wall here" ..she takes a bus to NYC for work....Personally my parents are here...But if i were an actor, I wouldn't waste time/money in Boston..or Boston agents...a bunch of stuck ups- they look out for themselves not you..or very few people that make money for them. Go to where people from all economic backgrounds and education levels get a chance...not just BU /Emerson dilettantes...Sure, NYC /LA is competitive and difficult but there's 10x the work and at least you get a chance..not here..Hey, it's his business- he wants to hang up hang up all he wants to ...but likewise you can hang up and pass too..there are often better options... read more