ACTORS BEWARE or SCAM ALERT: AB CASTING (Redux)

This BONEHEAD from a shady casting outfit in North Hollywood called AB Casting has been harassing me via email all week because he is not happy with a bunch of negative comments that were posted on this blog by myself (my comments were not really negative, but more cautionary) and a bucket-ful of disgruntled actors in the Los Angeles area... all of who stumbled across my blog while doing their own research on this company...

This is the email I received from them nice folks at AB Casting:

James Huffman, Just to let you know, what slander you are doing about AB casting is liabelous. We are watching you and will be forwarding this to our attorneys. When your score on IMDB --the most credible source in the industry is better than mine, when you have more credits than me, when get on over 200 sets, when you give actors more starring roles than I have, when you get a Best of North Hollywood Award, then feel free to write whatever comments you want. Just to clarify, we do not have a membership or registration fee. We charge if an actor wants to be on the website. Like LA casting for Actors Access. I dare you go after them. Good luck on that. Also, does Central give starring roles????? Go ahead and post this if you have any credibility and consider yourself an honorable man doing justice for the people, as you claim.

So yes... I posted something about AB casting on my blog a YEAR ago... based on my own personal negative experience with them... it wasn't even a NEGATIVE experience.. just a close call.. I declined to even WASTE MY TIME... and have since seen dozens of comments added from other other people who have wasted time or been misled in some way by this guy and his shady company...

Not only did this douche bag write me ridiculous emails all day threatening to sue me for Slander, Liable, defamation...and OH...here is a good one.... INCITING A RIOT.... he then tells me he is going to sue me for THREE MILLION in damages... which is HILARIOUS.

This guy actually he called my AGENT and told her she would be subpoenaed to be a character witness against me..... seriously? That's NOT hilarious.

Friggin nut job this guy..

So I offered to pull the original blog post and all the comments attached to it... and they sent me a message saying "too little too late" "damage has been done" ... and he kept writing me asking if I had insurance...

Anyway... I pulled it...took it all down ... didn't really feel like dealing with this dick-face anymore...

Last night I mulled it over... and this morning had a change of heart... so I will RE-POST it here for you all today... this guy is an A-HOLE... People deserve to have access to this information... and I aint rollin over for anybody.

ENJOY....

THIS is the original blog post that I wrote last August.....

Note to a fellow BLOGGER>>>

Yesterday I got a call from AB CASTING. They told me they wanted to meet with me to discuss possible representation... but there were a handful of things this guys said that led me to believe this was some sort of scam...

So this morning I got on my laptop and started googling.

I came across THIS>>>

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tlg/1201842368.html

And then THIS>>>

http://scamsinla.blogspot.com/2008/07/business-scams-in-la.html

The blogger who created "Scams in LA" listed AB CASTING, among others, as a business to stay away from. While it appears that this blog is just getting started, I thought a blog that offers up to date information on scams in LA is a pretty good idea.... so I posted a comment>>>

HEY... thanks for posting this. I got a call from someone JUST yesterday from AB CASTING. The guy on the phone told me that they had my pic/resume "On file" and wanted to meet with me to talk about being one of their "represented" actors. I said "ok, I'd love to hear more about that." The guy gave me the address and I said "So when should I swing by?" he said "Anytime Mon-Sat 10A-9P" I was like "okay?" These guys want to meet with me but don't want to set an appointment? Then I said "Can you tell me again, the name of your office?" He said "AB CASTING... we are a division of blah blah blah..." So now I'm thinking "A CASTING office wants to meet with me about representation? That doesn't make any sense." So of course I googled them... and came across your post..which I appreciate... you will probably save a few people some time and effort...

I dig the concept of your blog... keep it up... I will definitely check in again.

Posted by James Huffman at 9:21 AM

14 comments:

Timothy L. said...

My wife and I were members of AB Casting. We joined them with the concept of having more avenues for us to get work. We were already working with "Central Casting" and "Jeff Olan". We had been a member for about 4 months and had never gotten a call for work - though we were working constantly for the other agencies. We had - up to this point - submitted ourselves for "every" project "A B Casting" had. We decided to call and find out why we had never been called? We were told we had to attend his seminar to "learn the ropes"! Learn the ropes? I've been acting since 1980 - my first film was "Final Exam" in which I played the Killer. My wife worked for Paramount and was in the development and cast is several episodes of "Star Trek Enterprise!" So - we decided to take in one on his seminars. The seminar was more of a "bragging" about me thing because all Mr. Guinan talked about was himself. Any information he put out was common knowledge to anyone who wanted to act and survive in LA. We left with question marks over our heads and asking ourselves "what was that all about?" One thing at this so called seminar that embarrassed me to no end was that this took place above Master Byong Yu's Gym on Lankershim Blvd. Master Yu was the guest speaker. HIS information was great but every time Master Yu would start to say something - Mr. Guinan would interrupt with his own opinion. You could see the frustration on Master Yu's face as he attempted to tune our Mr. Guinan and give his audience "real" information. I don't believe the seminars were ever held there again - though I'm not sure - because we never went back. The only other thing is - my wife and I were finally called to be "featured extras" (whoopie!!) in a "Major Film" being directed by "Damian Chapa!" OK - we had nothing to do so we went. We rode up into the hills of Hollywood looking for this so called "Mansion" where the filming was taking place. What we found was a large RV that housed the crew - makup and wardrobe. A one story house with a fenced back yard and this Mr. Chapa and Mr. Guinan walking around like "King Shi....!"The entire "Major Film" was being shot on a small hand held video camera! No 35mm Cameras or Redcam...just one guy holding the camera - a couple grips and that was it! They didn't even feed us after a full eight hours and then paid us only fifty bucks for our time! Some "Major Film!" Oh....and they both were trying to get into every woman's pants there too!My wife and I - since then - have moved on and have sold one of our screenplays called "Omega 1" which is slated to go into production in September. We even get to costar with several major TV and Film actors. You can see more at - www.omega1.tv - if you'd like to view the concept.Our suggestion is that you stay away from "A B Casting"! If you really want to work - as an extra - featured extra and possibly get more exciting work - go with "Central Casting" - "Extras Management" or "Jeff Olan" - all reputable agencies and you will get work. Anyway - this is our opinion. 8:50 PM

toxicpeaches said...

Thank you so much, Timothy. I went into their office today, btw, what the hell's up with their location?! I had to ask the pimp across the street for directions cause it wasn't even on Lankershim. Anyway, they "buzzed" me up when the door wasn't even locked- it was broken. Then I had to sign in but no one was even there. They called me in to talk to me, but insisted I sit next to the guy instead of across the desk from him. He showed me different sites to ensure me that it's not a scam and tried to set up my profile for $50. The guy who was talking to me didn't even seem like he was interested in whether I join or not. He was busy playing with business cards the whole time. Maybe he was trying to distract me cause I was questioning him, I don't know. Anyhow, I took one home with me to research this company before I jump into anything. Thank you for posting this up. I can't afford to be suckered at the moment. 9:35 PM

Tina said...

AB Casting. GeeeeezzZZZ... where do i start? This scam claimed that they are getting extras for NBC? I don't think so.Or mayby its not the same "NBC" that you assume. sneaky. They posted a craigslist ad claiming this was something akin to a cattle call with extras needed asap for a project. no name on the add just a bus address. i went to see out of curiosity. Crappy office. had you sign in and the guy comes out and has me sit BEHIND HIM then beside him. weird, so i cut to the chase. whats the fee for this? "well we help you break into the industry" Uh thanks but no.. i have done work before any one who asks for money upfront is a scam. I walked out. Now Actors Rep wants to see me. Still researching this co. They at least are asking for 10% of work.. that sounds a little better i guess. I never had to PAY anyone. For past extra and feature work the production paid and feed me on set. so we will see what they do for me, and if its worth my time. 11:51 AM

Mike said...

Running across companies like AB casting in this town is so frustrating because I know some poor saps are desperate to buy into it, hook, line, and sinker. I went in, thinking I was being seen for a project that shot in the upcoming month - simple enough. I printed out the CL ad and got the same treatment as other posters have commented, I was out of there. What I was told was, "this project shoots wed / thur and then again in 7 weeks, periodically (What the hell kind of production is that) and we want 50 bucks to take your picture." Okay, so you want me to give you fifty, I'll make 100 for 2 days work, then you may or may not call me in 7 weeks. The pics - I had a headshot / resume in hand and there are dozens of photos of me on the web.So here's the kicker - I left the building and went out to my car; a couple was walking up to the building, and they could tell I looked pissed. I told them of my experience and told them to turn away. Someone else approached the door, and I thought it was another potential victim, so I started my spiel and he told me I could march my butt right out of here (he works for them... oops) but if he wasn't scamming people, why would he get so defensive. If a place wants a piece of your paycheck AFTER they get you work, that's one thing, if they're asking for upfront cash with no promise of anything - RUN! 2:33 PM

ShihanTR said...

Well...Mike...it seems you are among the many that fall for "AB Castings" posts on Craigslist - and other places. Mr. Guinan is definitely scamming people to get them to register with his casting agency. There are agencies that do require "registration fees"...Central Casting charges $25.00 for registration and you I believe you get a pic taken and for an extra $10.00 you get another taken. I also believe you can give them your own photos at no extra charge..but takes longer to get them in their data base. I my experience with A B Casting - Mr. Guinan talks a lot - but says nothing. He has no interest in promoting anyone except himself and any "beautiful woman" he can slither up to. I've worked on may projects in LA...got my SAG Vouchers from "Monk" and "My Name Is Earl" - yet Mr. Guinian told me I needed to go through is seminars to be "really cast" for great projects he was producing! If you haven't joined "Central Casting" or "Jeff Olan Casting" I suggest you do so. They will get you "Extras" work or "Extras Management" and others. Read my posts in this column. Take care and be aware. 10:10 AM

Ken said...

ok, I just came to a conclusion. They ask you to sit so they can take a picture of you w/o you knowing. Go to their website and you will see that most people look like they arent prepared to take the photo. In addition, before they even talk to you they make you fill out a form. At the bottom of this form it asks for a signature giving permission to post a picture of you. And like I said they take your picture there w/o you knowing. 3:00 AM

mr.rubencervantes said...

Just left the totally unprofessional facade of a casting agency. every comment here is legit. im glad i saw through them to know not to shell out the 50 bucks. 6:51 PM

Paula said...

I am so relieved that I did my homework on this casting company before going to an open call with them today! I knew there was a problem when they didn't list their name "AB Casting" in the craigslist ad...that's when I googled the address to find out who they are and what they are about (and thankfully how I found this blog). Thanks so much for sharing this everyone! 10:15 AM

CTS said...

Hey everybody seems like you all know a lot about this stuff. What do you all know about Actors Rep?? They say they can get you work as an extra which I'm totally fine with but is that even legitimate?? 10:24 AM

shar said...

Woooo HOOOOOO!!! First of all I am NOT upset with them. I only report the FACTS. Truth that YOU can verify and look up least he remove it. Because they take stuff down when they find it on internet. But you can always contact SAG Signatory Department on 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles,CA look it up on web or call them. Understand that, AB CASTING has a message on their site and they also CLAIM when people say bad things about them that they are upset because they didnt get work from their hundreds of shows.

First of all if they had hundreds of shows EVERYONE on their sickly website www.Abcasting.net would get work.

It is a known, verifiable fact that he works with DAMIAN CHAPPA who apparently is his partner. Google him.

Then AB CASTING will still be around they know how to get around all of SAG rules seems like. Many of us have turned them in for having SCAM auditions charging people for putting up a photo on their website for the year and they get NO work. Basically financing his films with Damian Chappa who is actor/producer all the films go to video ro Netflix Blocbuster for example look up Joseph Angelico, Joseph Gunian, AB CASTING producer,director, writer, actor. Joseph Gunian II, Josepah Angelico, Joseph Gunian, Joe Gunian CASTED, PRODUCED, 1. Office Paranormal (2012) (pre-production) (producer)2. Vigilante (2010) (post-production) (producer)

3. Hard Way Heroes (2010) (producer)4. Kill Factor (2010) (V) (producer)5. Cage Free (2010) (associate producer) 6. Bad Cop (2009) (V) (co-producer)7. Gurdian (2009) (co-producer)8. Mexican Gangster (2008) (co-producer)9. Investigating Love (2007) (co-producer)10. Beyond the Quest (2007) (associate producer)11. I.R.A.: King of Nothing (2006) (co-producer)

OK he also CHARGED ACTors to audition, upload photos to his site. basically he could be financing his films via the background talent. Then he has only these INTERNET movies and some show on TELEMUNDO that every casting director in LA is trying to send people there this dating show he does not named but through MUCKRACKING we found out it is Dos Corrazone or 12 Corrazones on Telemundo.

Now no problem with the WEBISODES on Internet that he calls movies. SAG was called the signatory department and of course they backed him up saying he had all his paper work in order. We have no problem with that but we have a problem when you are shooting a film that is a low low budget, and you LIE and tell you are shooting MAJOR high budet movies and have plenty of work. When anyone who is 18 to 25 ish can be on this telemundo show and get paid in cash 100 to 140 dollars if they contact the show or contact any of the other casting directors who do this show. It is NON union, NOn Aftra, Non SAG. but Guinian at AB CASTING now charge 60 for people who dont know he is a crook. If you ASK them what other films. tv shows they are doing they say they will call Cops on you

Very questionable. but everyone has to start somewhere which is why people may over look things that is when they have been SCAMMED 5:21 PM

shar said...

So everyone do your homework. dont get scammmed. ASk others who are successful in background who to go to. There are some nice people out in this world. I choose to believe that. 5:23 PM

Chuck E said...

Actors & Background Casting is a legitimate company that casts thousands of people every year in movies, tv shows, commercials and videos. They are currently casting several movies and have several more in pre-production. Not everybody who is registered with them gets work, and this is true with ANY casting company or agency. Anyone who promises work in this business is a LIAR. There are many scammers in this business with fancy offices and fancy websites, these companies charge way more than AB Casting does and offer nothing but lies and promises. They'll charge you hundreds of dollars for bad photography while AB Casting has an independant on-site photographer offering excellent quality headshots at $50 per look. These companies who are so jealous of AB Casting, are having people post lies about them. ANY company in this business here in the LA area will either take a percentage of what you make (which AB casting won't) or they will charge you some sort of service fee. AB Casting recommends that people join other LEGITIMATE casting companies in addition to themselves such as Central Casting, Jeff Olan, Bill Dance, Sande Alessi, Actors Access and LA Casting. If you go much beyond that list you are likely taking your chances. A legitimate company displays it's business license in its office for all to see and has a profile on IMDB. Check out AB Casting's and Joseph Guinan's IMDB profile and compare it to Actor's Rep's pathetic profile or Explore Talnts', oops they don't one. If you want to see a recent project of theirs go into YouTube and enter "OFFICIAL JOSHUA TREE TRAILER" At the end you will see credits for Joseph Guinan and Chelsea Zotta. You'll find Casting, Producing and Acting credits in Joseph's IMDB profile for Joshua Tree. The entertainment business is tough to succeed in, and many people will fail. Many of those become bitter and lash out at those who tried to help them. Companies that either are failing or trying to rip off people will trash honest successful companies. Even Central Casting is routinely attacked. In evaluating companies, trust only authoritative sources such as IMBD, not garbage thrown by failures, criminals and competitors. 9:01 PM

Wendy said...

I am new to the whole LA acting scene. I believe that this AB Casting has to be the same place that I went to. I wish I could remember the location. All I do know is that it was on a corner, it had street parking near some fairly nice apartments. When I went to go into the building, finding the actual office was a joke. I also had to sign in, no appointment just go down. So, after sitting in the Hallway, waiting for my turn, someone else had joined me. Then we both went in, and the dude sat behind a desk. In his attempts to "explain" the movies they and he had done, showing movie posters on the wall. Movie posters that weren't kept nice, overlapping, and just a crude layout. He said that this office you pay, something like $50, upfront then $150, and can take classes with that Guinan guy, who couldn't even be there to talk to any of us.

I have seen scams in my years out of L.A. Heard of Barbizon? "Be a Model or just look like one." It was the same thing basically. You went to Barbizon to learn to model/act. Granted I was 12, and I did learn a lot, it did nothing for my acting or modeling career. Just a notch in my parents check book for a few grand for just a few weeks, back in the '80s. Barbizon was so well known for the scam they have been featured in a 20/20 interview.

Back to this AB Casting. I was so disgusted by the movie posters they were so proud to be a part of. The office was in disarray. Really, you want ME to give YOU money! Aren't you supposed to do the work for me, then you would get a percentage.

Actors Rep. Yeah, they are on Hollywood Blvd or something, in a huge building. There I did make an appointment, sat in a waiting room to watch a video that looped, then was finally called in. When I was in the office, they had me do a cold read...and that day was the last day that I have heard from them. They sucked me in to, right when I had just moved to LA last year. They were casting for the next SAW movie or some other horror movie, and the Christina Aguilera movie which was about to shoot, "Burlesque".

I am trying to use Central, but the lines are always SO outdated, and they aren't looking for my type ever. I am still calling hoping, but rent needs to be paid. I just heard about Jeff Olan, I am going to try them, and see. In the mean time, I will try to take classes and hope that I will not regret moving from NY to finally follow my life long dream of acting!