Scratchpad wikia posted the following about the agency that's been reaching out by unedited emails to new actors who post their profiles on L A Casting. There, but for the grace of a bit of research, go I... Character Actress Launching.
"From 1997 to June 2007 Michael Zanuck was a partner in Zanuck, Passon and Pace, an agency with very questionable practices (see page for more details). Michael has claimed he had no idea that his partners and the junior agents were doing such things but potential new clients are warned to be aware of Red Flags when attending any meetings with Michael.
[edit] Reviews[edit] Personal Experience Story From an actor in the Los Angeles area
I initially received a letter of solicitation through email stating the following:
email is transposed VERBATIM
"Finally , some good news during this strike. We have some serious time to consider new talent. MZA.."The Michael Zanuck Agency" would like you to submit for possible representation.Please submit HARD COPY PICS/RESUMES ONLY , BY MAIL ONLY , TO: MZA 28035 Dorothy Dr. #120..Agoura Hills Ca 91301. Please don't seal envelopes..no follow up calls or e mails (really !!).For further info ,go to our website, www.michaelzanuckagency.com. We apoligize if this is a duplicate request , some of our files were lost (our office doggy ate our homework).Please don't re-submit , if you've recently done so , or met with any of our departments (that doggy list thing again)..many thanks Michael Zanuck"
I found myself strongly questioning the situation considering the above message had come from a YAHOO account, there was no form to it (i.e., paragraph breaks) and they mention an "office doggy". Being pretty new to LA I figured I should check with some friends who have been here for a few years to get their feedback.
Suffice to say they did not have as much personal experience as some people on this thread have had but the gist was the same. "Not a good idea" in a nutshell, but I was recommended by a friend to always take a meeting, even if it turns out bad you'll still learn something. So I did that and I did learn something.
Before I start I'd like to also post the following email I got after submitting my photo and resume:
letter edited to protect privacy
"My name is J****** and I'm contacting you from the MZA “The Michael Zanuck Agency.” I'm contacting you about potential commercial representation. If you are already represented commercially, and are happy with your representation, or if you have recently been seen by our commercial department, please ignore this message.
Assuming you are looking for commercial representation, we'd like to schedule a brief interview for you with Katherine, a member of our executive committee, for this *****day, ****** *th at **:**pm. If this time is ok, please reply with a confirmation to this email (intern@mzaagency.com). If you need to reschedule, please reply to this email address noting your alternate availability. We will contact you at a different time if we are able to.
Our address is:
28035 Dorothy Drive Suite 120
Agoura Hills, Ca 91301
Best to google map or map quest the address.
Please bring the current picture and resume you are using with you. At this time no monologues or readings are necessary.
Please feel free to check out our website.
www.michaelzanuckagency.com
Best regards,
J***** ********
Intern
MZA “The Michael Zanuck Agency”
Now I'll do my best to summarize my experience at MZA's interview...
After driving the 30 minutes to get to their office, I enter an immediate waiting area with some posters on the wall from their ZP&P era, a computer set up to play music and a sign on the wall stating, in so many words, "if you're here for a commercial representation interview, fill out a form and have a seat, please don't shake our hands we appreciate warm hello and goodbye waves".
So I fill out the form and wait. Out comes a man whom I can only assume was Mr. Zanuck himself (the man never introduced himself) and he ushered me down a short hall to his office. In his office was a seating area and a divider which on the other side sat a young lady at her own desk, an associate/secretary/intern I suppose.
No more than 20 seconds in to his greeting did the young lady blurt out something to the effect of "You know *client's name* is up for the lead role in *film title*?" and the two begin a dialog with each other about this as if I am no longer in the room. After they finish, he turns back to me and goes through his talk. The best word that describes what transpired is "rehearsed". Everything felt staged and insincere. From his talk about commercial representation, his nonchalant inquiries about my hometown and the conversation about one of their clients.
I've heard and read that when trying to find representation you need to find someone who you know and feel you will be able to work with. They are part of your team and if there is a lacking of care/concern about your career (or potential career) that strikes me as a bad sign.
Granted, Mr. Zanuck(?) did not know me from Adam and this was just a preliminary interview, but I did not get the slightest hint that this man or the agency gave a darn about me in any way. Maybe I'm just being green about the whole thing and inexperienced but that is how it felt.
Oh, and he immediately shot down my photo(s) and I got the vibe he was about to try an persuade me into seeing a "recommended photographer" in addition to stating he could do nothing for me theatrically only commercially. He then went on to give me the name and number of a manager who is aggressively looking for new clients. His name is Jason Buyer. He also instructed me to inquire about Mr. Buyer's excellent "submission service". It sounded like the sort of thing where I would pay this guy to send pictures out for me, another thing that just screams scam.
Lastly on the meeting, he told me they like to give everyone at least a week to decide but "with the strike nearing the end, [they'll] no longer be seeing anyone as of Friday so reply to [them] tonight or tomorrow morning". That was an example of the "answer now" mentality I had heard about.
All in all, everything felt bad and not on the level. I would NOT recommend this agency to anyone.
___________________________________________________________
The story listed above is one of many regarding this agency. As an "green" actor myself looking for possible representation, I would suggest staying away from random emails of this sort. I too was contacted by the above mentioned agency and after this will not be meeting with them. I also talked to another actor that went thru a very similar experience. To anyone new looking for representation be careful. Any idiot can send an email thru LA Casting, tell you you have a great look, and hook you up with an overpriced photographer. If something seems fishy, it usually is. Trust your gut instinct. Thanks to the above poster and well wishes to my fellow aspiring actors.
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