N V Models & Talent

Took my daughter for her first appointment. It lasted about an hour. Filled out paperwork with name and statistics. Gave her a script, paired her up with someone from opposite sex. Took turns going on stage performing the script with a partner. Took turns walking down the stage individually and posed at the end. Sat down and talked about the business and then talked about you If you want to come back for second interview. Second interview will be one-​on-​one.

This opinion stems from my prior work in the entertainment industry, where from 2005 – 2008 I worked in Las Vegas as a paid background actor (film extra) via several non-​exclusive agency agreements with several agencies that handled this category of non-​principle casting. I do not work with New View now, nor have I ever beyond my initial «meeting.»
I enjoyed my work as a film extra in Las Vegas immensely. It was the most financially rewarding, emotionally gratifying, unpredictable and patience necessitating work I’ve ever done! Most projects asked for a 10 – 12 hr commitment, and had potential to span several days without stopping if you had the availability to work overtime. My completed projects included three major motion pictures (Knocked Up, Ocean’s 13 and «21») the Sci-​Fi Channel’s Scare Tactics — Episode 308, an international commercial (pantomime) for Peroni, Italy, several national tv shows (recurring) and more. I worked alongside such humble talents as Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth and Tom Bergeron. I stopped working to become a stay at home Mother, but recently decided it would be a great time to get back to it since my child is much older and I am back in pre-​baby shape. I wondered if the same kinds of casting opportunities existed in little Ohio, and while my gut told me to steer clear of New View, after a year and a half of resisting my curiosity, it got the best of me.
I speak from bona fide experience in the heart of entertainment country. I have worked in this industry, been paid well for it, had a great reputation for professionalism on the set, and write this review having personally worked with no less than 5 casting companies, each of whom found me exciting work, paid me in a timely manner, and charged me anywhere from 15%-20% as an agency fee per job. I was never asked to pay for registration, training classes, photos (some had their own in house studio for quick basic headshots, free) portfolios with any «required» photographers (you were expected to have your own on casting calls, industry standard! Those who showed up without them were NOT hired!) or personal improvement classes and/​or tests.
I joined these agencies through calling for an appointment, setting a SINGLE meeting time with a single person, showing up early, meeting the casting director and getting their approval, giving basic stats, making a comp/​zed card on my own, and keeping digital files current with pics and sizes. Other agencies I was involved in through meeting their talent on sets of other projects, and networking. Great casting agents love reliable professional background actors who take their work seriously despite only being in the background. Background actors can really mess up a scene if they don’t follow the director’s instructions, and waste a lot of time and money with seemingly innocent slip ups, so networking was my friend. My best agency came to me in this manner!
New View. I stopped by their Fairfield Mall booth to ask if they handled film extra work. The young woman had no idea, but took my number promising a call with someone who would know. Someone named Carley called me. I explained my background, stated I was not a model, but would love to get back into part time film extra work. She assured me they handled that kind of work, and asked me to come in and sit down with her director, Bridgette. Because I live over an hour away, I made sure to verify her agency was not one that tries to sell classes etc, stressing the over 1 hr. distance. She assured me I would not need my wallet, subtly dancing around the truth I would later discover. I even called back to be sure, rewording my concerns. Nothing but assurance they were legitimate and didn’t try to sell me anything. I was somehow never convinced of her honesty; I would later learn why.
Upon arrival, I discovered my meeting was not personal as implied, but a group event where I would take turns playing «model» with star struck teenagers, then endure a long group lecture about how they expect every model to pay for classes in order to be «signed» and how that is completely legit to «protect their reputation», how portfolios are not industry standard, and how I can set yet another appointment to talk to Bridgette (this time for real?) if I’m ready to commit financially. Sigh. Really?
This behavior is exactly what I wanted to avoid. As a seasoned film extra, this was truly a waste of my time. I left without making a second appointment. You know what they say! «Fool me once!!!» Luckily we made the most of the trip and had a fun family day exploring Cinci, with this review brewing in the back of my mind all the while! There, that felt good! Much better. If this helps even one person get the direct answers the agency doesn’t wish to share with you until you’re a captive audience I will consider the whole ordeal time well spent. I truly resent my trust and time being violated.