Canadian Showcase for Models and Talent
To Whom It May Concern:
I received a phone call regarding a commercial audition
that would be the following day. Surprised and curious,
I asked if it was Canadian Showcase again and I was assured
it was not. When I arrived the next day to the "audition," I
was given a form to fill out and at the top read: "Canadian
Model and Talent Search" at 7:30 p.m.
Eight hopefuls and parents of those under the age of
18 were called into a room where a "Celebrity famous
hairstylist" and his assistant that was discovered
during another search explained they were looking for
talent for an upcoming convention with executives from
Paramount Pictures, MGM Studios, Disney, and major modeling
agencies from all over the world.
When called in for my interview I was first asked why
I was there. I explained to the girl (who looked no older
than 19 or 20) I received a
phone call for a commercial audition.
At this she very rudely informed me that the booking
agents at the office will say anything to get people
to turn up for the calls. (I thought this was a serious
EXCLUSIVE search? And they have to lie to get people
to show up?)
And, secondly, NOBODY attends without paying the $695.00
fee. I thanked her for her time and left the room. When
I went into the waiting room, I noticed everyone was
trying to figure out what we were being called there
for. Most had auditioned for Canadian Showcase before,
some "won" a contest nobody remembered entering,
and all were told there was no money involved.
That was it. I had to go back in there and find out
what else these people will say to get my money.
At first they acted interested in me and pretended to
take me seriously, but it was obvious the questions I
was asking made the girl uncomfortable, and she became
confrontational.
I did my best to act naive and sweet but a little unsure. "What
will she do," I wondered, "to give me that
extra kick to give her the money?"
I said I was excited to audition for her and she told
me that she was "In fact" casting for a commercial.
I acted surprised and acted like I felt really privileged
to be talking to her, a real industry professional.
She told me it was being filmed in Calgary, and seemed
to be happy I was lapping it up, but when I told her
I knew Calgary, and asked who the casting director was,
she changed again and informed me that she was casting
for the commercial, and that "I'll be up front right
now you're not what I'm looking for."
(When a con artist feels pressured or exposed, they
will try to deflect your concentration, so you lose focus
on the issue at hand.
In response I asked why I was called down and asked
to pay if I wasn't what they were looking for, and she
said, "I don't know you're still sitting here though." As
I was leaving (and finished taking notes), I overheard
the "world-famous hairdresser" asking her if
I'd left yet and told another potential sucker that I
was upset because "I didn't make the cut."
Well, if intelligent isn't what they're scouting for
I guess that's me, but I sure don't feel bad about not
giving them $695.00.
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