What parent doesn't imagine their child as a TV or movie star? A company holding auditions in Lansing is counting on that vision.
The company, Talent Consulting, name drops popular Disney Channel and Nickelodeon shows, even major Hollywood movies.
What it doesn't mention is the price tag.
Local actress Anne Miranda tells me the ad offering a shot at Disney Channel and using their logo was the first red flag. The next one was a large amount of money the company wanted for each child.
"If they are saying that they have worked with people that have been on Disney Channel shows, that doesn't necessarily mean that Disney is sending them to hire for them," said Miranda, the Lansing actress.
The firm has been running ads in Mid-Michigan promoting the fact that it's worked with people who've starred in Disney and Nickelodeon shows, even blockbuster movies like Transformers and World War Z.
However, there's a price to pay long before kids get anywhere near a Hollywood shoot.
"You might as well take that $1,000 and buy some lottery tickets for about the same bang for the buck," said Miranda.
Miranda told us one local family who went to these Lansing auditions were asked to pay for nearly $2,000 for a headshot, classes and a showcase because their son fit a profile for an upcoming role. That family told News 10's Alani Letang one of those classes had no acting, instead, kids were just playing games.
"If you have to pay a lot of money for something normally that would not cost that much, for instance, an acting class doesn't cost $1,000. Even a day-long showcase does not cost $1,000," said Miranda.
The process is not illegal. The company isn't making any promises of roles or stardom. And if you read the audition confirmation form carefully, you'll see it's not claiming to be holding auditions in behalf of Disney or anyone else.
"Just because someone was on a Disney show doesn't mean they can get you another Disney show. They're an actor, too; they're trying to get the next job as well," said Miranda.
And a parting word of advice from Miranda.
"You want to be seen as you, whatever you are. You can't make yourself something that you're not. You just go and do the best you can and be the best you that you are," said Miranda.
Some more tips:
• An agent will never ask for money until you get your job and then they will ask for possibly a 10%-20% cut.
• Oftentimes, it's best to get yourself or your child into some acting classes or theatre and build a resume.
• Have a monologue ready to go if casting people to ask for a different character on the spot.
We have reached out to Talent Consulting for a comment on the auditions. We have not gotten a response yet.
