Lilly's Talent Agent and Socko

[Angie]

Hey folks

Only after I got pictures with Socko and went through the WHOLE rig a ma role (that I would not repeat btw, even thought I am currently finally rep'd by Lilly's) did I hear from SEVERAL folks about how Lilly's have been requesting folks to take pictures from Socko for years.

Carrie from Performink is working on an article about it and would like to hear people's stories.

Please send your story to clk(at)performink.com

I think it is an important issue that has not been discussed in public.

I am not looking for a slamfest in the forum but do hope her article can reflect many voices to this situation.

[Chip]

What is the whole story, for those that might not know? Are you suggesting it's a shady practice going on?

[Angie]

I will try to give you a readers digest of my story.

I have an agent (Monica at Iris Talent) and she has been my agent for years and I love her. She got me my AFTRA card. But she only sends me out every 6 months or so. So I wanted to see if I could find a second agent to send me out more.

I only did a few mailings and honestly didn't try super hard. But through the Lilly site I submitted my headshot (it was done by Brian McConkey an EXCELLENT photographer) and they were 3 years old. They were taken in color but it was a time when folks where going between color and b/w and I choose to have mine printed in b/w cause I didn't think color would catch on (slap head)

I sent my headshot and resume to Lilly's site. I got an email back about 3 weeks later telling me they would like to "possibly" consider rep'ing me if I agreed to get new pictures. They said they don't like there clients to have pictures older than 15 months. They said they think I should go to Socko cause they get the most work with his pictures out of there clients.

Long story short I did it. I don't like my new pictures (and have been sent out much less since I got them) he was horribly over priced (he has a 10 page rider of things he wants you to do before the shoot including buying a new bra, special make up foundation, props...yes props he wants you to bring, and to send him a picture of yourself so he can recommend you get a hair cut from a specific saloon). Then I had to pay to get my prints, and my CD of my shoot, photoshopping etc the list goes on.

From start to finish I spent $1,000 on my headshots

Lillys then almost didn't call me in for at least an interview.

They did finally, and I have been sent out once in 6 months. Told I most likely wont be sent out much cause I'm in the union and they don't get many calls for union work.

So they are currently my second agent. I have been with them for 7 months. If they ask me to get Socko pictures again I will tell them no. They may dump me over it (others have told me they have to them)

Thats my nutshell story. I know there are others out there. I hope people will speak up about them.

[Monahan]

Sounds like a kickback scam.