4 replies to this topic

[lookyme]

I would like to share my experience with a company called Gary Spatz , Gary Spatz The Playground and Gary Spatz a Young Actors Conservatory.
I took my husband and our son to what was touted as an open audition, after a woman approached us in a grocery store parking lot. She told me how handsome my son was, and her manager would love to see him. She also told us that he managed the kids from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody. I ask if there are any costs or fees. She responded “absolutely not!” And almost seemed insulted I would ask such a thing. We show up and there are many hopeful children lined up whose parents were also taken in by this smooth talking woman. After what could only be compared to a bad Time Share presentation, we meet with a man. He asks if we are serious about my son getting into acting. After a little small talk he said they would be in touch. There was something very disturbing about all this and we waited for the next contact. One day later we get the great news. We were asked to come in for a second audition and meet with him again. We arrive a little early and sit in the waiting area talking to a few of the other families. We compared notes and it was becoming clear were this scam was going. We are soon whisked away to an office and what a sales pitch! He finally came around to asking for over $ 6000 for classes. (Yes, that was six thousand dollars!) We gave him the old “checks in the mail” and walked out the door.
At this point we had enough information to look up this company and see what is out there. They don’t provide any company information when the invite to the audition is made, I wonder why? I could not believe all the information others have provided on their experiences with Gary Spatz and his scam.
Why I think this is place is a scam? The first indication is the way they recruit new children. It’s a simple “bait and switch”. The street scout tricks you into thinking this is a real audition and there are no costs involved. This is not only misleading, but in most states illegal. The fact that they have to depend on misleading people from the very beginning should tell you something. The good news is there is a new law being passed before year’s end that applies to all “advance fee talent” companies to avoid just this. The lawmakers are aware of this loop hole in the law that was passed several years ago. Thus, making it a crime to market the way Gary Spatz does now.
Apparently, “The Playground” does not play around when it comes sticking it to you in regards to pricing either. I have now priced classes from 6 companies that have been referred by various sources and by looking online. These are people and companies that are not plastered all over the internet with angry parents. The prices averaged 50% -75% less than what good old Gary charges. This is also a warning sign that this is a scam. I even received an e-mail from one acting coach who has known Gary Spatz for years, he said “it was disturbing what Gary was doing and he was very disappointed”. I told him how disappointed my family was when we found out we had been just another $ sign to Gary.
If it seems I’m being harsh on Gary, do this. If you dig a little, follow the many posts by others, you will uncover this is not the first company Gary has been with. He hooked up with a con man named Eric Rottman. Who, has been investigated, sued and closed down for operating similar acting scams. Gary Spatz is not just a figure head of the company who got caught up with a bad group. He is very aware of what is going on and profits greatly.
If you are reading this, than you are probably as angry and upset as the rest of us. Thanks a lot Mr.Spatz
Here are all the links and reference keywords for Google and Yahoo. Also, you can type Gary Spatz Scam and get some interesting results too.

http://www.scam.com/...ead.php?t=49165
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/...031/m/209103361
http://www.easybackg.../garyspatz.html
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...06164005AASaNCh

[LetsTalk]

HI - all your links are broken! here's some new ones!

http://answers.yahoo...21131442AABZlef

http://www.squidoo.c...m-Ripoff-Report

http://hubpages.com/...yground-Rip-Off

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3646963/

[falaterphotography#yahoo.com]

Any agency that charges you a fee at all is a scam.

The only person you should pay at all is the photographer.

[LetsTalk]

Hi Again -

First, The Playground is NOT an agency, it is an acting program and everyone knows that if you decide to go to classes (and if you want to actually BOOK something you need to take some classes!) then you have to pay...

Found some more great info about Gary Spatz and The Playground that I just had to share...

Undercover Investigation! - http://factoidz.com/...atory-revealed/

Great Article : http://knol.google.c...nt6c3tmkdc65/1#

Turns out that there is no scam at all! just a great school that happens to be more expensive than some of the others...

Break-a-leg!

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