MovieChat Forums > The Hollywood Complex (2011) Discussion > Headshot Photographers/Talent agents are...

Headshot Photographers/Talent agents are bloodsuckers!

posted 12 years ago by knifeparty2004
13 replies | jump to latest

Did you notice how they said the exact same thing to the two girls that came in one after the other? I felt particularly sorry for Megan (the blonde girl) who hadn't achieved anything in her three years of living at Oakwood. Tbh she is not a particularly attractive kid and to be successful in the industry, you have to have looks or be the next Marlon Brando. It made me ill when the mum was skeptical of the woman's interest in her child, yet the agent reiterated that they were interested, just to feed the woman some false hope so they could get more money out of her.

It amazes me how these parasites can live with themselves lying to people for a living. They are no worse than criminals in my book.

[–] Lancer01 12 years ago

ya they are scum and prey on these crazy parents.

[–] jakerwatts 12 years ago

I'm really surprised that they agreed to have their company featured in this movie. The entire time I thought the company would be of help. Hmm...

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

On the one hand, it does seem strange that they would let themselves be shown being so obviously slimy...but on the other, they may see it as free advertising for other suckers coming out from flyover country to blow the family savings on chasing stardom.

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] hodie 11 years ago

And I'm sure they'll get plenty of more suckers, parents who'll look at the one kid who's found work and ignore the fact that thousands more haven't.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] ElectricKoolaidAcid 11 years ago

That Megan girl (the one that changed her name to Presley something) was the only kid in the entire doc that had any charisma, talent, or pizzaz. And also not pretentious like that little Savannah girl that only "succeeded" because of her looks- NOT because she actually had a personality or talent or anything... what a shame Megan had to go to those lurid auditions like the one for the cussing and swearing hermaphrodite. She gave it her all and still no callback! My heart ached for her the most.

Just sayin'...

[–] hodie 11 years ago

My heart doesn't ache for Megan. She seems to have plenty of self-regard, God knows why. Though I thought it odd that her father insisted on her auditioning for the role. Oh well, maybe he thought that if Megan got the job, Momma would never come home.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 11 years ago

"My heart doesn't ache for Megan"

^Agreed. She and her mom seemed alittle too over the top even for this documentary and always seemed "on" whenever cameras were around. And what kid of a certain age in the last decade would name-check Cyndi Lauper as an influence? They seemed too practiced and desperate to set themselves apart.

'When there's no more room in Hollywood, remakes shall walk the Earth.'

[–] pstapley 11 years ago

ditto on that, so disappointed about the hype at the end when it was she had won $25 and not a part or a recall. Good acting from them, and very clever from the producers. I was rooting for her by the end I think, she has got talent just not the looks for most Hollywood TV/Movies..but she looked amazing with her red hair.

[–] ejdolle 10 years ago

I agree that she is talented but she is also full of herself. Turn off for me.

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 11 years ago

Yeah, that was super shady. They were like "we would like to offer you representation", and the stage moms were all celebratory; yet it's probably something they offer everyone who comes along, like those scams where they try to get you to pay to be in a "Who's Who" book. And of course, everyone's headshots are inadequate, and hey: guess what, there just happen to be photographers downstairs!

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See a list of my favourite films here: http://www.flickchart.com/slackerinc

[–] cocacolaistherealthing 9 years ago

I'm surprised the lady who ran the apartment complex let them do presentations there. She seemed to genuinely care about the people coming out there and wanted to provide beneficial services to them. It's odd she didn't check into them further or that previous tenants hadn't said anything about their shady practices.

[–] cocacolaistherealthing 7 years ago

It was really weird how the blonde agent lady looked through their portfolios and suggested to both of them they needed "school girl" photos.

Maybe the term school girl sounds a little lurid to me, but I don't see why that was the essential photo for them.

I don't see how they can sustain a business based on lies and scams. Like I feel they could sucker a person and get money for one or two things, like with Megan and her mom, but then they'd quit the agency. I guess if they charge large amounts, but that itself would turn a lot of people off to them.

Especially now with social media, I don't see how scam places could survive. But maybe people don't do their research because it could kill their hope.

[–] pepetoony (1540) a year ago

I was thinking that all of the casting people in LA must roll their eyes every time they get a portfolio of shots from that outdoor "set" with all of the different backdrops. They must immediately recognize the different backgrounds and laugh!