Lights Camera Action Studios

I went here to audition for a «Red Lobster» commercial. Looking back, I should have seen how sketchy it was. $ 250 a day for extras? Too good to be true. And the lines they gave us to read were just very oddly worded. They prey on all these wanna-​be actors and start talking to them about things they need to get in the business; they have all these pictures up of famous people around the office (But notice the actual «casting director» is not in any of the pictures). They even had a headshot from Andrea from «Survivor» on the desk facing you, as if you’re supposed to notice and be impressed that they have reality show contestants working with them. They start giving you «advice» for what you need to do to break into the business, and tell you that you need to be on a database. Well, they just so happen to have a database for only $ 125 a year! What a coincidence, so they slide a form write in front of you to write your information and credit card info on so you can get all the auditions for tv shows sent right to your e-​mail. PLEASE don’t fall for this! Save your time (and money) and just stay away from the 8^th floor!

The name of this place (at 1674 Broadway on the corner of West 52^nd street) has been changed to the Actors Academy and it is the 8^th floor. Sometimes they call it room 8B and other times they give it a suite number. Nevertheless, it is the only office on the 8^th floor of the building. They are just trying to prevent you from doing accurate research on them.
This place is a scam.
They offer to hire actors and actresses for commercials and movies and promise that you will receive payment… eventually. When you walk in, you will see pictures of celebrities in their youth, which are available online, in an attempt to convince you that they launched the careers of these A-​list celebs. They give you a script and ask you to read for the camera. Then they ask you how you earn a living in an attempt to assess your budget. Finally they discuss your resume, take your head-​shot, and add it to the pile of other victims.
When they call you back, its for a seminar in which they ask you to make a one-​time-​payment for your membership fee. They try to convince you that it is a steal, because other agencies take a percentage of all earnings instead of a base fee. After paying you barely hear from them again. When you ask them about the movies and commercials they offered, they give you fake numbers and addresses to refer to. They already got what they wanted, your money.
Don’t get scammed too.

I’m actually embarrassed to even admit that I went to this «casting call,» but yes — I did waste a good hour and a half traveling to and fro from this «agency» and waiting for a scheduled meeting with an «agent.» Walked out of their office quite upset by the way their employees treated me. The only regret I have at this point is that I should’ve saved the other innocent souls blindly waiting to audition.
Please don’t make the same mistake I made and do yourself a favor — DO NOT GO TO THESE CASTING CALLS.

I went here based on a craigslist thing — I should have known that it wouldn’t be the best or anything, but I figured if I want to try to make it in this city I have to at least try to go to these things… boy was I wrong.
First off — they made it sound as if it was going to be this exclusive seminar where it was just going to be 10 people and thats it. That was a complete lie. It was pretty much anyone could come in and although you sent them a photo of yourself in addition to what you want to do — they honestly didn’t know a thing about you. Hey — I’m a dancer not an actor. Although, don’t get me wrong, it would be cool to be like Emma Stone or something, but that’s not going to happen with this agency.
The whole time the guy leading the seminar talked about himself. The seminar was supposed to be an hour but turned into 2.5. Yeah… that long and that annoying.
If you fall for this thing then don’t say I didn’t warn you. I went to see if I could get anything out of it and the only thing I got out of it was everything NOT to do within the business.
Also they try to get you to pay them 125 $ for a membership fee. AND they’re not even called LIGHT CAMERA ACTION studios. They must have changed their name because the address is the same, but the name is different. Actors Academy is the same thing.

On my clock, I took my student to «audition» here today. He has a genuine talent, expressive communication goals, etc. …has been BEGGING for a first-​time opportunity to use his monologue… I thought this call for extras in a «specific» upcoming film was fairly safe. I am appalled that there exist places that draw upon naïve, young talent and their skewed concepts of ambition, by masquerading as real agencies. After sitting in the holding room for an hour and a half, with no sign of a monitor or representative, I pulled him out. Not without a combative confrontation by a clearly offended employee. Throngs of «actors» are kept waiting outside of the building before being herded to a holding cell, in groups. There is a bizarre and intense control of the elevator/​building and there is no monitor or representation present. (I don’t know how long this would have lasted… but I feel badly for the people 20 or so…) Yeah, this was a learning experience… there are many scams out there… especially on CL. I know better. What got me, though, was this… that they capitalize on (young) people who need just the opposite life experience/​message …MORE exposure to process and effort. Revolutionary? No. Bring back paper routes. haha! Once they convince them (the hook) that they DESERVE to have their dreams come true BECAUSE they have the AMBITION (reality tv), they sell them classes and services (I think… don’t know). Sorry… this bothered me as an artist, a teacher, and a human being.

I took my son to an «audition» at this place for a «Disney» movie — the Wizard of Oz remake. I should have seen a red flag when this casting notice was posted on Craigslist instead of one of the more reputable casting sites.
We got there and there were two teenagers manning the front desk and neither seemed to know what was going on. We waited and we waited. After an hour I went up to ask one of the teens at the front desk when my kids were going to be auditioned. The teen buzzed into the office. Shortly thereafter we were seen by someone, who commented on my son’s «good looks» but seemed more interested in if he’s had any training (which, yes, he has had) and less interested in his extensive theater and film credits.
Bottom line: I think this outfit wants to sell acting camps and services aligned with helping kids break into show biz. I am doubtful whether they have actual connections to Disney or any major production studio. The two hours we spent there was a colossal waste of time. Even if it is legit — and they are not just building a mailing list out of people who will show up for an open call — it was the most poorly run «casting call» I’ve ever been on.
I want my two hours back!