Austin Improv

Wilhelmina Brown: Scam or legit? And why? A friend has a daughter who auditioned and was granted a spot in expensive classes. Sounds like scam to me, especially given what I've come across online. Thanks in advance.

A lot of what I read online makes this seem like a scam, for sure. I'm very, very skeptical of an agency that requires you to take their class and/or pay them upfront.

However, also, today on an audition I saw that some people called were from Wilhelmenia Brown agency.

They could exist in a gray area between legit and scammy, depending on what they can get from you.

Sorry to not be a huge help.

i haven't heard anything specific, but sounds scammy. that would never stand in L.A., for instance (not when there are so many other ways to fleece young actors of their cash!).

ejbrammer wrote: They could exist in a gray area between legit and scammy, depending on what they can get from you.

My Google searching yielded a similar net result to Liz's. I saw some forum somewhere where someone said pretty much what she said right here.

Thanks, guys!!

I've been repped by them since November. I'm sent out pretty regularly for auditions. I've never been told to take their classes, but someone outside the agency, but in the industry warned me about the classes.

Perhaps I should also add that I was referred by a casting director and had a meeting with them and there was no audition.

Hey, quick update. Don't ever sign with this place. My agent left and the guy that runs the place doesn't pay. It took months to get my first payment and I was just sent a 10-99 for a job I did in August that I still haven't been paid for. I've spoken with other talent that is also owed money. STAY AWAY!

ejbrammer wrote:...or pay them upfront.

This alone = scam. Stay far away.