Does anyone have any experience with Aardverk Castinting Agency, My DD has been offered a place to join.
Thanks
Max
Aardvark Casting Agency
Moderator: busybusybusy
Re: Aardvark Casting Agency
Diclaimer - just an opinion, I have no direct experience of this agency.
I would look elsewhere if I were you.
Take a good look at the website and do lots of investigation. Try looking at everyone they represent in the United Kingdom. There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of entries. (1368 in fact). This suggests to me that they are not especially choosy!! I didn't look past the first page, but the photos are really poor too - not a good first impression. They also operate as a franchise, which is likely to mean that there are people with very little experience (as agents) running an agency. You might be lucky and get some work through them, but in my opinion it would just be luck. A Casting Director is not very likely to approach them I don't think (unless they want children specific to a particular locality - in which case they are very likely to go to local schools and drama schools as well as the usual Spotlight search).
They don't specify what the "small" administration fee is that is deducted from your first job and I can't see an indication of what the commission rate is either.
I would recommend concentrating your efforts on finding an agent with an established business (and therefore decent industry contacts) who takes on a limited number of clients.
I would look elsewhere if I were you.
Take a good look at the website and do lots of investigation. Try looking at everyone they represent in the United Kingdom. There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of entries. (1368 in fact). This suggests to me that they are not especially choosy!! I didn't look past the first page, but the photos are really poor too - not a good first impression. They also operate as a franchise, which is likely to mean that there are people with very little experience (as agents) running an agency. You might be lucky and get some work through them, but in my opinion it would just be luck. A Casting Director is not very likely to approach them I don't think (unless they want children specific to a particular locality - in which case they are very likely to go to local schools and drama schools as well as the usual Spotlight search).
They don't specify what the "small" administration fee is that is deducted from your first job and I can't see an indication of what the commission rate is either.
I would recommend concentrating your efforts on finding an agent with an established business (and therefore decent industry contacts) who takes on a limited number of clients.
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kittykatty
- BRIT Award
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- Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:02 pm
Re: Aardvark Casting Agency
I know Aardvark Casting are associated with Helen O Grady Drama Academy. It is an international company and now a lot of HOG drama franchises are now also setting up their own branch of Aardvark casting. My dd was asked to join but didn't as already has an agent. I can tell you that it is completely free to join including the photo and they will take anyone who registers. For our local branch the registration fee is £10 if not a member of HOG drama (when it is free) and even then it only comes off your first job.
Some of my dds friends joined and they have had a lot of casting notices through but most of them seem to be castings advertised elsewhere eg tv game shows/local panto/west end theatre parts (som, billy elliot etc) as well and things that are advertised generally eg through screenterrier although I think some commercials have come through as well. They also send through local amdram and unpaid opportunities if they get them. They seem to work by sending the notices out and then asking you if you want to be submitted. I think the commission was 25% for the paid jobs.
I would say that if you don't have another agent and are looking for opportunities then it is a good source of information and since it is completely free you have nothing to lose but as PG said I would continue looking for a proper agent who is more selective and has better jobs come through.
Some of my dds friends joined and they have had a lot of casting notices through but most of them seem to be castings advertised elsewhere eg tv game shows/local panto/west end theatre parts (som, billy elliot etc) as well and things that are advertised generally eg through screenterrier although I think some commercials have come through as well. They also send through local amdram and unpaid opportunities if they get them. They seem to work by sending the notices out and then asking you if you want to be submitted. I think the commission was 25% for the paid jobs.
I would say that if you don't have another agent and are looking for opportunities then it is a good source of information and since it is completely free you have nothing to lose but as PG said I would continue looking for a proper agent who is more selective and has better jobs come through.