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Subject: Aquarian Associates--- RUN!!! Author: Former Employee [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 20:23:54 12/12/03 Fri In reply to: Viv 's message, "Aquarian Assoc" on 14:49:13 11/12/03 Wed I would like to take a moment to let the public know EXACTLY what type of business Aquarian Associates, aka Great American Model Search, aka Model Management is. First of all, I was an employee of Aquarian for 5 months. In that time, I lied to so many people, anxious to get their children into show biz. There are no "agents" - trust me. It was an on-going joke in the office that people believed their charades. The so-called agents were actually from Pittsburgh and worked as receptionists in the office (which also served as a modeling agency). When model hopefuls would come in, the "agents" would hide in the back so they wouldn't put two and two together! Everyone that attends the open-call is given a favorable evaluation. I know, because I was the one that typed all the letters! There are several small informational meetings held after that so you are lead to believe that only a few were selected. Once you pay the money and attend the search, almost everyone is given a call-back. However, the job is for a local swimming pool company or comedy club commercial in which 15 seconds of footage is shot, and you are paid $40. This is because Sam Manfreddi, and his lovely wife Marilyn (the owners) have an arangement with the companies, and Sam is the one who compensates the talent. You have to realize, he makes over $400 per child for the event, so $40 is nothing to him! Now for a little background information on the company: They used to be called John Casablanca's Model Management, and were located in Monroeville, PA. After being forced to separate from the franchise, they moved their offices to Forrest Hills, PA. Just recently, they moved to Penn Hills. Every week they advertise for models. It is usually for petites,jeans, or Christmas ads. Working there for 5 months, we NEVER had one assignment come in! Nobody is even on file!! I constantly had to lie to people. Elaine Zucarelli is head of oporations there. She does mostly all of the interviews. Everyone is accepted. Once they accept you, they decide what price to charge you. It is usually around $400-500. Then you are brought in for photos (shot by Brian Liptak). Brian is a wonderful photographer. If he photographs someone who honestly has potential, he refers them to another agency ----a reputable one!!!! When the photos are finally developed, we would all sit around the office and make fun of the people in them! 98% of the "models" photographed were overweight, too short, or simply did not have the right look. It was such a shame they were lead to believe other wise. This business has somehow managed to escape confrontation. However Aquarian Associates-Model Management-Great American Model & Talent Search, are all the same company. It is lead by a team of coniving scam artists. I know, because I was one of them. If you are ever told you or your child has the "look", stop and think for a moment. What are your chances of TRULY making it in the industry? Don't let flattery take over your common sense. Always remember, you should never have to pay a cent to ANYONE to get jobs. Also, if it sounds too good to be true, chances are, it is..........BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!! [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> [> [> [> Subject: Thank you Author: Wendy [Edit] Date Posted: 10:29:28 12/23/03 Tue I recently attended the Great American Model andTalent search and then received a letter that they wanted to use my Daughtor in their ad campaign I thought it was kind of fishy that they were only willing to use her if i sent them $250.00 I mailed the check after pressure from my family but post dated it so I could stop payment if i had to after I did some research youre message shed light on a lot of things thank you very mch you saved me a lot of money i reall didn't have [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: I need to Know! Author: V.F [Edit] Date Posted: 15:19:44 12/27/03 Sat I recently attended the search in California, and there were about 50 scouts and talent agents there,were these people really who they say they were, or is this a scam as well? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: aquarian associates Author: karen [Edit] Date Posted: 10:59:38 01/26/04 Mon i am asking this employee if there were ever any investigations done during the time she worked there? I have contacted the BBB the FTC and the attorney generals office as a result of reading your letter. i am appalled that they can get away with this. i even tried to get kdka news to do an investigation on them. but they needed video and i had none. they said try back a few weeks before the actual event. if anyone has complaints please forward them to these 3 agencies and lets put these people out of business. thank goodness i was smart enough to investigate after the initial meeting and NOT put the money up. i just feel compelled to warn anyone else about them so they dont waste time and money. do your homework! and another question to the employee--if you felt this guilty from working there did you ever file complaints yourself? that would be super evidence! please consider this and let us know! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Thanks for the info on Aquarian Associates Author: Andy [Edit] Date Posted: 16:22:40 03/09/04 Tue Thanks for posting this on the internet. We attended the open house with our son and I sensed something strange. Thank God for the internet or my wife and I would have been sucked in like countless others. I am sure this has to be hurting their small market scams! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Its a joke? Author: Parent from Syracuse, NY [Edit] Date Posted: 06:46:03 04/26/04 Mon I just received my 8 yr old daughters "favorable evaluation" letter so I decided to find out what I could on this company. I entered this companys name in my search engine and the only thing that came up was negative complaints about Aquarian Assoc. Im glad i have read everyones comments before I attend this meeting. Im not even going to mention it to my dauther. She would be devestated and heartbroken. Thansk for the information. Without your comments I would have gone there uninformed of their antics. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Serious Author: Parents from Atlanta, GA [Edit] Date Posted: 02:55:36 05/03/04 Mon MY CHILD VANKEISHA HICKS 11 YRS OLD WANNA BE A MODEL WHAT SHOULD I DO? WHAT SHOULD I TELL HER? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Use Ross Reports -- NOT these scammers Author: Christie [Edit] Date Posted: 10:41:15 05/04/04 Tue Ross Reports is the main resource for real modeling and acting opportunities. Go to http://www.backstage.com/backstage/rossreports/index.jsp and subscribe for one month to Backstage and Ross Reports online -- $14.95. During that month, get the names of all agents that handle children in your area. Send them your child's latest class picture. If your child is really potentially a good match for modeling, they will call you from a simple class picture. If not, you have only spent $14.95. Good luck!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Don't give them any money!! Author: Christie [Edit] Date Posted: 10:53:33 05/04/04 Tue Contact the local BBB about these scammers. 412) 456-2700. Only if all of us complain and refuse to remove the complaint will these people be caught. Everytime a complaint is recorded at the BBB, the vendor is supposed to resolve the issue so it can be removed. If you have a thousand people you got $485 from and only 10 actually filed a complaint, it would be a very good business plan to keep all the money and just pay off those who really file a complaint. As soon as the issue is resolved, the BBB removes it from the company's file so Aquarian Assoc. continues to look like a good citizen. Get it? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Don't give them any money!!! Author: Christie [Edit] Date Posted: 10:55:02 05/04/04 Tue Contact the local BBB about these scammers. 412) 456-2700. Only if all of us complain and refuse to remove the complaint will these people be caught. Everytime a complaint is recorded at the BBB, the vendor is supposed to resolve the issue so it can be removed. If you have a thousand people you got $485 from and only 10 actually filed a complaint, it would be a very good business plan to keep all the money and just pay off those who really file a complaint. As soon as the issue is resolved, the BBB removes it from the company's file so Aquarian Assoc. continues to look like a good citizen. Get it? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Aquarian Associates - RUN RUN SCAM ! Author: No name [Edit] Date Posted: 18:11:34 03/18/04 Thu You were probably employed by that jerk when I was scammed ! Here's my experience. I would like to share my experience with the Aquarian Associates Great American Model and Talent Search. We live in the Pittsburgh area and first learned of the open casting call on a radio advertisement for the Aquarian Associates Great American Model and Talent Search. We took our four year old son to the event which was held at a local hotel where they first had the children approach a panel of so called industry professionals. The children were introduced and asked some basic questions along with some small talk. Next, they were instructed to walk across the room for a brief video filming where the photographer asked them their name, favorite food, friends etc. The first "hook" was cast when one of the industry professionals told me that my son was amazing and how would we feel about a trip to Hollywood?. The second hook came while we were in the lobby getting our coats on when one of the Aquarian Associates staff (who we later found out was the president's wife) informed us that the woman who made the fuss over our son was a casting director for the Power Rangers TV show and very seldom gives out compliments. Well, after that I was star struck! Hell, at that point they probably could have taken me for 3 times the amount we eventually paid! There was even an embarrassing scene where two parents and their children were asked to leave due to the children misbehaving. The president of Aquarian Associates became very loud as if he wanted everyone to see and hear him. It was almost like he was acting. Looking back, my husband now feels that the whole thing could have been staged to give the other parents a feeling of confidence knowing that their children were model citizens, very cooperative and well behaved. As anyone would have guessed, we received our letter a few days later informing us that our son received a favorable review and invited us to the parent's meeting. The meeting was held at their Pittsburgh office where the red carpet was rolled out with all the visual effects (movie posters, advertisements etc). It was a small group with about 15 parents. We first watched a video highlight film from the previous search along with commercials containing children. Seeing only 15 parents made you feel good. You felt that your child was special since they saw so many at the open call and only invited a small amount back. The president then spoke where he kept re-emphasizing that Aquarian Associates was not an agency. They even had signs posted everywhere stating "not an agency". We were told that the biggest obstacle in an acting or modeling career is exposure and his company can put you in front of top industry professionals at a fraction of the cost if you were to set out on your own. He said that you don't have to live in NYC or CA to be successful. The casting directors also understand that parents have obligations to work, children have an obligation to school resulting in most commercials being shot during long weekend type arrangements. He went through all this and STILL hasn't mentioned money. Finally at the end of it all he stated that for only $435.00 all this can be yours! Don't miss out on your opportunity. Attend the Pittsburgh search. It was kind of an "act now" type thing. They only gave you one day to make up your mind. Oh, and how could I forget, they charge $45.00 each for tickets (child goes free), cash only which can be paid the day of the search. My husband and I left and hung out in the parking lot for a while pondering the situation when all of a sudden here comes the next wave of cars for the next meeting! It seems that they had MANY small meetings. They wanted you to think that your child was so special. They didn't tell you that there were other groups coming in. All of a sudden I became a little disappointed. We should have left and never returned. We decided to pay the money, attend the search with about 188 children from all over the east coast. It was quite an event. They introduced about 30 scouts/casting directors from prominent modeling and talent agencies. It all seemed so legit. We were told that anyone who had conversation with the scouts and agents would be automatically disqualified. They had the children do a runway presentation, a photo shoot (which they'll sell you an 8X10 B/W for another $45.00) and a small commercial read which they say was videotaped. At the end of it all, acknowledgments were given for each category along with opportunities. My son received acknowledgments in each category along with an opportunity. Then they announced the names of only 6 children out of 188 to remain after the search to speak to the Aquarian staff. Well as luck would have it, my son was one of the six. We were in shock! We were told that a major agency in California was interested and at this time only wanted to know where we lived. I thought isn't that strange. Whatever happened to the crap he told us about it not mattering where you live. And furthermore, why in the hell would an agent from California attend this search in Pittsburgh and then ask where we're from. Not our address, only where we're from. This event is also held in California so you would think they would know that the Pittsburgh search covers the east. We were given the women's name and agency and she checks out from their web site, so who knows. About a month after the search I didn't hear anything so I called the agency in California asking to speak to the person who liked my son at the Pittsburgh search. Well as you would have guessed, I never reached her and left three messages which she never returned. In August, we finally received our opportunity letter! What could it be?? The Power Ranger Lady??, the Hollywood casting director?? we were so excited until we opened the letter and found it to be a local TV commercial for a country club. It was printed on a cheap run off paper from Aquarian Associates. It turned out to be an outdoor swimming pool shot with about 50 kids from the search. The kids sat around the pool where a low budget film crew shot about 15 seconds! What a joke. The event was supervised by the president of Aquarian Associates who put on a phony show as if he were some Hollywood casting director. We were paid $40.00 in a check made out by Aquarian Associates which seems odd since they claim not to be an agency. In closing, I feel that I've learned a valuable lesson. This outfit was very clever in how they presented themselves. We were definitely misled, duped, outsmarted by this jerk. The opportunities were just as phony. It's like telling someone that you're giving them a Corvette for their birthday and then hand them a match box model. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Aquarian Assoc Author: Mary [Edit] Date Posted: 13:54:25 04/26/04 Mon I received a post card from Aquarian Assoc, to attend an open cell in Enfield CT. My husband & I brought our daughter. We just recevied a favorable evaulation in the mail today. I did some searching on the internet & find this site & another one that told the truth about this scam. I'm so glad I researched it before we went to the meeting. Thanks [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Aquarian Associates Author: No name [Edit] Date Posted: 09:33:48 05/02/04 Sun I went to the Enfield meeting too, and was also given a "favorable" review. I sure wish I researched before I went to the "callback" today. I wasted almost 2 hours of my time before we were told that for $485 we could be part of the Great American Model and Talent Search. As soon as "$485" came out of the scam-artists mouth, I headed for the door - I was surprised that the other 20 people in that room decided to stay. What a joke?! Can I charge them for my time?! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: From Board Owner Author: email [Edit] Date Posted: 03:20:00 06/10/04 Thu I have never had any dealings with this company but I wanted to thank you for such a well phrased post. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Aquarian Associates 5/04/04 Author: K. R. [Edit] Date Posted: 13:53:03 05/05/04 Wed I found this info and saved $485.00, He almost had me! Today I called the company and tried to get more info. The lady on the other end couldn't answer one question, she had no names of any agents that may attend the big show. She wouldn't even tell me her full name. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Crazy mess Author: CARLA [Edit] Date Posted: 13:31:43 05/10/04 Mon Lady, or man. Whatever you are, you are full of B**L S**T. The photographer that you spoke of Brian, he has been dead now for over a year now. Show some respect and grow up. Frankly speaking, you got fired and it was a while ago and you are a vendictive person. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: thank you Author: No name [Edit] Date Posted: 09:34:41 10/29/04 Fri Just wanted to say thank you for all your insight. It is appreciated. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: response Author: No name [Edit] Date Posted: 09:14:55 11/29/04 Mon you said everyone gets a favorable response....i went with two children and only one received a letter. same goes for my neighbor. so what is this about? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Thank you Author: Caryn [Edit] Date Posted: 06:22:02 04/10/05 Sun I thought it was odd that when I brought my child in for their "open call" that they put him in front of a video camara for literally 20 seconds. When I was younger I attended actual valid open calls and was required to do a lot more than that. I have done some work in the past so I'm pretty good at picking out the scams. My son is daily talking about how he wants to be on TV and I do want to look into some opportunities for him. If anyone knows of a good way to start looking I would be greatful. We live in the middle of PA so there isn't too much around that I know of, I'm new to the area. I would take him back to Jersey and Philly where I know how to find work but time is an issue in that. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Aquarian Associates Author: Jon Sorensen, New York State Consumer Protection Board [Edit] Date Posted: 09:17:09 04/14/05 Thu [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date Posted: 08:18:09 04/14/05 Thu -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I work for New York State's consumer protection agency, the New York State Consumer Protection Board. I see on this forum that a number of parents have had bad experiences with Aquarian and its Great American Model Search. If anyone is interested in speaking to me and possibly to the press regarding their experience, please contact me at jon.sorensen@consumer.state.ny.us or call me at 518-473-9472 (toll-free in New York State only: 1-800-697-1220 ext. 3-9472) If you just want to share information, I'd be glad to hear from you as well. We're thinking of issuing a warning before Aquarian conducts open calls in several NY cities (three scheduled next week). Thanks, Jon Sorensen Director of Marketing and Public Relations NYS Consumer Protection Board [ Post a Reply to This Message ]